As the Merry sailed into the vast, open sea, Kenji took a moment to observe the crew. Each one of them, from the goofy Captain to the terrified Coward, was exactly as he remembered from his past life.
He found himself sitting alone by the railing, staring into the deep blue.
"It must be tiring," a calm, velvet voice said from behind him.
Kenji didn't turn. He already knew who it was. The elegant curve of her back, the gentle click of her heels, the faint scent of old parchment and earth—Nico Robin.
She sat beside him, folding her long, dark arms. "Carrying the weight of that kind of power. And the weight of knowing."
Kenji finally turned, meeting her cool, intelligent blue eyes. The woman destined for tragedy, the last light of Ohara, the brilliant Archaeologist. His heart gave an uncharacteristic, fanboy-ish thump. The quiet elegance, the danger, the sorrow—it all made her the most captivating character in the series. His stated love interest.
"It is," Kenji admitted honestly. "I know things I shouldn't. I know things about you, too."
Robin's eyes flickered, the only sign of her surprise. "Oh? Such as?"
"Such as your destiny to find the Poneglyphs. Such as your desire for a place to truly belong. And... that you'll be joining this crew very soon."
Robin's composure broke for a split second, replaced by a stunned, searching look. "You're a terrifying man, Kenji."
He shook his head. "I'm just a man with a gift for reading the world, Robin-san. A gift I want to use to protect those who deserve happiness." He leaned in, lowering his voice. "And you, more than anyone, deserve a smile that isn't a lie."
He wanted to give her an ability—something subtle, but powerful, for her protection.
• Target: Robin (Human Structure).
• Copying...
• Apex Enhancement Active...
• Resulting Ability: [Apex: Hana Hana no Mi (Flower-Flower Fruit) concept].
This is a concept. I can duplicate the true Devil Fruit power without the sea weakness and grant it to her.
Kenji reached out a single finger, gently touching the back of Robin's hand.
• Ability: [Apex: Hana Hana no Mi (Flower-Flower Fruit)]
• Duplicating and Bestowing...
• Bestowal Complete.
Robin felt a sudden, profound surge of energy, but not a change in her body. It was an enhancement of her own power.
"What did you do?" she whispered.
"I gave you a boost," Kenji replied, pulling his hand back. "Try it. Summon a hand."
Robin frowned but complied, crossing her arms. "Dos Fleur."
Two hands sprouted from the deck, but they weren't the usual flesh-colored limbs. They were made of pure, solid diamond. They glimmered in the sun, utterly unbreakable.
Robin stared at the diamond hands, then at Kenji, her breath catching in her throat. Her eyes were wide with a mix of fear and awe.
"You didn't just give me the ability to grow limbs," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "You gave me the power to grow anything."
"Apex Enhancement," Kenji confirmed, his smile gentle. "Now, your limbs will be as strong as your will, Robin-san. You are now the 'Arboreus-Arboreus' user. A quiet protector for a crew of loud dreamers."
He had secured his place not just as a fighter, but as a guardian and provider for the Straw Hats. The journey to Alabasta was about to become a cakewalk.