Chapter 13: The Archipelago of New Beginnings
The journey to Sabaody was swift aboard the Kuja pirate ship, with Arata's Raiju following closely behind, a silent, ominous shadow on the water. As the massive mangrove trees of the archipelago came into view, Arata felt a surge of anticipation so potent it made the lights on his ship flicker.
He disguised himself in a simple cloak, his unique features and glowing eyes too conspicuous. He needed to observe, to understand the lay of the land before he acted. Hancock, of course, drew all attention, her beauty causing a predictable wave of petrification and awe as she marched purposefully towards Grove 42.
Arata followed at a distance, his Observation Haki on overdrive. He felt them before he saw them. A constellation of familiar, powerful auras, reunited after two years. The fierce, three-sword style of Zoro. The fiery passion of Sanji. The unyielding optimism of Luffy. And there, among them, a presence that felt like an ancient, calm library, filled with forgotten knowledge and a gentle, resilient light.
Robin.
His breath caught in his throat. He saw her. She was even more beautiful than in the posters, her hair longer, her expression confident and serene, a small, knowing smile on her lips as she watched her captain's antics. She was real. She was here.
He watched the joyful reunions from the shadows, his heart aching with a strange, possessive joy. He saw Franky's new cyborg body, Brook's fame as a rock star, Chopper's adorable excitement. They were whole again. They were a family.
His mission crystallized in that moment. He was not here to intrude on that family. He was here to protect it. To be the unbreakable shield that would ensure their laughter would never be silenced again.
He noticed the other presences too—the lurking danger of the Fake Straw Hats, the predatory auras of Caribou and other rookie pirates, and the ever-present, oppressive weight of the Marines and the World Government.
The storm was indeed gathering. And he was its master.
As the Straw Hats celebrated on the Thousand Sunny, unaware of the divine eyes watching over them, Arata made a decision. He would not reveal himself here, in this chaotic place. He would not approach Robin like a fan or a stranger. It would be too abrupt, too jarring.
He would wait for the right moment. He would follow them to the depths of Fish-Man Island, and there, in the silence of the sea, he would make his introduction. He turned away from the celebration, his cloak billowing behind him. He had found his star. Now, he just had to ensure her sky remained clear.