21 years ago, Ohara, West Blue—the holy land of archaeology.
At that time, Nico Robin was only seven years old.
Under the dappled shade of the trees, a black-haired little girl holding a book stood facing an elegant young man wearing glasses.
Looking at the curious face of young Robin, Sherlock's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.
Too big. The gap is simply too big!
Sherlock found it impossible to reconcile this adorable little girl with the seductive, top-tier "Big Sister" type she would become years later.
(I have to say, Robin was quite cute as a child. And looking at her now, she doesn't seem to have the wariness one should have toward a stranger...)
(Without twenty years of life on the run, she is as pure as a blank sheet of paper right now.)
Sherlock pondered for a moment, gently pushed up his glasses, and offered an impeccable smile.
"What book are you reading, little girl?"
"Eh?" The little girl was taken aback.
(Strange... isn't this person afraid of me?)
Young Robin secretly observed the smiling Sorcerer before her, her mind racing.
Because she had accidentally eaten the Hana Hana no Mi (Flower-Flower Fruit) a few years ago, the ignorant residents of Ohara called her a "monster." Both adults and children shunned her. Aside from the scholars in the Tree of Knowledge, this bespectacled youth was the first person to be so friendly to her.
"The Alabasta Chronicles. It records the long history of a desert kingdom," young Robin answered seriously.
"Alabasta? That is a great country. Even though the environment is quite harsh, the people there deeply love their King... and their Princess."
As he spoke, the silhouette of a beautiful girl with light-blue hair flashed through Sherlock's mind, and a trace of softness flickered in his eyes behind his lenses.
"By the way, the roasted rabbit there is quite delicious!"
Seeing Sherlock speak with such familiarity, young Robin grew even more curious and asked, "Have you been to that country, Big Brother?"
(Big Brother?!)
Sherlock felt as if he had been struck by lightning; his entire body stiffened slightly.
Being called "Big Brother" by a little girl with such a soft, sweet voice made the usually cold and aloof Sorcerer feel completely healed. It seemed Sherlock was about to awaken some strange new attribute.
(Though you can't tell from her appearance, if I remember correctly, Robin is actually four years older than me. Big Brother? Heh...)
Realizing that this cute little girl would grow up to be a certain mischievous, dark-humored woman, Sherlock felt a sense of irony. The "Lolicon Soul" that was slowly awakening within him was instantly extinguished.
"Yes, I have been to that country." Calming his emotions, Sherlock pushed up his glasses. "And today is also my first time visiting this island."
(I see, no wonder he isn't afraid of me.) Robin realized, silently breathing a sigh of relief.
"By the way, we've been talking for quite a while." Sherlock extended a friendly hand toward the black-haired girl, asking a question he already knew the answer to: "I don't know your name yet."
Staring blankly at Sherlock's outstretched hand, Robin hesitated before timidly reaching out her small hand.
"Robin. Nico Robin."
"Sherlock. Sarsalian Sherlock."
The large hand and the small hand met in a gentle shake, symbolizing the official beginning of this meeting across time and space.
"Robin, did you know? I happen to like reading very much."
The corner of his mouth curved into an elegant arc. Sherlock's deep, charming black eyes—like midnight stars—narrowed slightly as he spoke softly, "Could you take me to the Tree of Knowledge? I'm very interested in the place known as the world's largest library."
For someone like Sherlock, who lived for reading, this bizarre experience was a godsend.
"Oh? You like reading too, Sherlock? No problem, I'll take you there. I was just about to return this book to Professor Clover anyway." Being a kind-hearted soul, young Robin couldn't refuse someone with the same interests.
Elegant temperament, vast knowledge, handsome appearance, and a kind smile—that was Sherlock in young Robin's eyes.
And for Sherlock, whose "Diplomacy" skill was already maxed out, maxing out the favorability of an innocent little girl in a short time was far too easy.
Soon, the simple-minded Robin began to treat this bespectacled man she just met as a close friend.
"Sherlock, did you know? I'm taking the archaeology exam next year. If I pass, I'll become a certified archaeologist!"
"Oh? Then I'll wish you luck in advance."
"Heehee! If I become an archaeologist, when Mama comes back, she'll definitely..." Her expression suddenly darkened. She quickly changed the subject and asked, "Right, Sherlock, I forgot to ask—where are you from?"
"Where am I from? I won't tell you for now. You wouldn't believe me even if I did."
Robin was clearly dissatisfied with this answer. Her beautiful large eyes stared resentfully at the calm, bespectacled man.
"What's with that look...?" Sherlock chuckled and reflexively rubbed Robin's small head.
(Hmm, the texture is actually quite nice.)
Feeling the warmth radiating from his palm, Robin squinted her eyes comfortably like a little kitten. Then, she suddenly realized her reaction was inappropriate and hurriedly pulled away from Sherlock's hand, a blush creeping onto her cute face.
Stare— Robin's eyes became even more resentful.
"I give up." Sherlock sighed. "Do you really want to know?"
"Mhm." The little girl nodded gently.
"Then I'll tell you."
The little girl's interest was piqued, and her face filled with anticipation.
After pausing for a moment, Sherlock answered with a straight face:
"Actually, I traveled here. I'm from the future."
Robin almost tripped over her own feet. Her fair face turned red with anger; she opened her mouth to speak but then lowered her head and walked forward quickly without a word. She was clearly offended by the Sorcerer's answer.
"Seriously, I was telling the truth." Sherlock shook his head and hurried to catch up.
Thus, one tall and one short figure walked out of the forest one after another and entered the town.
Although this town was far less prosperous than Loguetown, it had its own unique charm in Sherlock's eyes. Pedestrians moved to and fro, and the atmosphere was one of prosperity.
However, Sherlock soon noticed something discordant.
As Sherlock followed the still-sulking Robin into the town, the two of them immediately attracted the attention of the surrounding pedestrians. People pointed and whispered, their faces filled with expressions of disdain and exclusion.
"It's the monster..."
"Why is there a young man in glasses following her?"
"Could he be a Greater Monster?"
"Sigh, he's so handsome. What a shame..."
Sherlock's brow furrowed slightly. Although his upbringing was excellent, he did not find being stared at like a circus monkey to be an enjoyable experience.
(Why are the people here like this? Could it be...) Sherlock looked down at the slightly trembling Robin beside him, contemplating silently.
"Robin."
The little girl's heart jumped. She feigned calmness and said, "What is it, Sherlock? Don't worry, the Tree of Knowledge is just ahead."
"No, no, I wanted to ask..." Sherlock shook his head, glanced at the surrounding passersby, and said indifferently:
"...What exactly is this 'monster' business these people are talking about?"
Clack. Robin stopped in her tracks. Her pupils shrank violently. The thing she feared most had finally happened.
(What do I do? If Sherlock knows I'm a monster, then this friend I just made...) Robin's body began to shake violently. She was truly terrified that Sherlock would leave her once he knew the truth, but her simple heart wouldn't allow her to deceive a friend.
After a moment of internal struggle, Robin let out a sigh of resignation. She looked up at the calm Sherlock with a complex gaze.
"That 'monster'... they're talking about me." Robin gave a light wave of her hand, activating her fruit ability.
Instantly, a familiar floral scent filled the air. Several arms sprouted from Robin's elbows, forming the shape of a windmill.
"Eek! The monster is using sorcery!"
"Run! The monster is going to eat us!"
"To have so many arms... how terrifying!"
Ignoring the cries of the pedestrians, Robin retracted her ability and gave Sherlock a forced smile, tears shimmering in her eyes.
"See, Sherlock? Is this an ability only a monster would have? I really am a monster~" After speaking, Robin lowered her head. She really didn't want to see the look of disgust on Sherlock's face.
Sherlock didn't speak. He gently pushed up his glasses, his black eyes showing neither grief nor joy.
Then...
"Sorcery? Monster? What nonsense are you talking about, Robin?" Accompanied by a magnetic, clear male voice, a warm palm once again pressed onto Robin's small head.
!!!!
Robin's eyes widened. she jerked her head up to see Sherlock's familiar smile, the elegant curve of his lips unchanged.
"You... aren't you afraid...?"
Before Robin could finish, the curses of several bratty children rang out from a distance.
"Go away, monster!"
"You're not welcome here!"
After shouting, the bratty kids threw tomatoes with all their might toward Robin's head.
—Mirror Reflection!
Splat! Splat!
Like a film being played in reverse, the red juice sprayed as the brats were mysteriously "headshot" by the very tomatoes they had thrown. They collapsed to the ground, wailing.
"What happened? Why did those tomatoes fly back on their own?"
"Monster! That man in glasses is a monster too!" The surrounding townspeople cried out in shock.
"Sherlock, you..." Robin stammered, unable to find her words.
"Why should I be afraid?" Sherlock pushed up his glasses and spoke calmly to the stunned Robin. "I forgot to tell you, Robin. Besides the name Sherlock, I also hold the title of 'The Sorcerer.'"
"If you are a monster..." Sherlock waved his right hand, activating his fruit ability.
—Infinite Gun Works!
Swish! Swish! Swish! One silver-white flintlock pistol after another materialized in the air. The overwhelming number of firearms formed a "Gun Cloud" in mid-air. Under those dark muzzles, the surrounding pedestrians collapsed in terror, their mouths agape in utter disbelief.
The scene before them was far beyond their comprehension.
"...then what does that make me?" the elegant young man in glasses said.
"..." Robin's expression was a whirlwind of emotions, and she remained silent.
But for some reason, at this moment, she felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to burst into tears.
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