The sound of a seagull gently wakes her. The rocking of the waves has stopped. Confused, Robin sits up and realizes that the boat is stranded on a sandy beach in a small cove. All around her, there are only cliffs topped with trees.

Shivering from the cold night she has just endured, she rises slowly and looks around more carefully for a way out. There is no obvious path, but with the help of her arms, she manages to climb out and venture into the forest in search of food. She knows every plant she can safely eat and where to find them.

After an hour of searching, she discovers some fruits and a river to quench her thirst. Once her stomach is a little less empty, she begins following the river, hoping to find a town or village with people willing to help her without involving the navy.

It takes her a few hours, punctuated by more fruit gathering, to finally reach a small fishing village. There are about twenty wooden houses with small gardens, bordered by dirt paths. She spots a harbor with a dozen small fishing boats and a tiny market in the village center with a few shops and a bar.

With a bit of luck, she might be able to find work and earn a few coins. Cautious, she approaches the village and encounters its first inhabitants, who look at her with curiosity but avoid interacting with her. At least they aren't too nosy about seeing an 8-year-old girl in tattered clothing.

She continues her way as discreetly as possible until she reaches the village center, then glances around uncertainly. What should she do now?

Her attention is caught by a small bookstore. Her curiosity for books gets the better of her, and she heads inside. The sound of a small bell as the door opens makes her flinch; she quickly steps in to avoid drawing attention from those outside.

At the sound of the bell, an old man sitting at the counter looks up from his book. Lowering his gaze, he sees a little girl in a pitiful state. He raises an eyebrow; he has never seen this child in the village before.

"Hello, young lady. Can I help you?" The child shakes her head, shrinking into herself. He figures she might just be a shy and neglected child. He returns to his book. "If you have any questions, you know where to find me." He says, leaving her alone.

Robin relaxes and starts looking around. She has already read most of the history books on the shelves but finds a few unfamiliar volumes. Time begins to pass quietly as she settles into a small corner with cushions. The sound of slow footsteps pulls her out of her reading, and she sees the old man approaching.

"You're reading something quite complex. Are you interested in the history of Alabasta?" He asks gently, with a small smile.

Robin looks at him timidly before nodding. The man smiles wider and sits next to her, beginning to narrate the story of the desert kingdom in the Grand Line. Gradually, the young archaeologist relaxes and speaks with a bit more confidence. The librarian is pleasantly surprised to find that the little girl is bright and thoughtful. Before they know it, the sun sets, and night falls.

The man is surprised by how dark it has gotten outside. "It's been a long time since I've talked so much." He says with amusement. He stands and invites Robin to leave the shop, but notices her growing nervousness and realizes no one has come to fetch her. "Tell me, little one, where are your parents?"

The girl lowers her head, and tears well up in her eyes. He quickly realizes something is wrong. Has she run away from her family? Is she being mistreated? Her tattered clothes seem to confirm this suspicion. He places a hand on her small shoulder, which flinches at the contact, and she tries to pull away. Her reaction confirms his fears: this is a mistreated child.

"Would you like to come to my house? My wife must be done cooking by now and wondering why I'm late. I'm sure she'd love to meet you."

Uncertain and a bit wary, Robin eventually nods and follows the old man to one of the houses surrounded by a flower-filled garden. The smell of food greets her as they open the door.

"Dear, I'm home!" An older woman emerges from the kitchen with a slightly annoyed expression.

"Where have you-" She stops at the sight of the little girl with black hair. She approaches the child gently, studying her dirty, worn-out clothes. "Come here, my dear. I've made a warm meal that will do you good. Then you can have a bath."

Robin allows herself to be led by the woman and, after washing her hands, is seated in front of a plate that smells delicious.

"Go ahead, eat as much as you like." The older woman says with a kind smile before filling her husband's plate and chatting with him about his day.

The child eyes her plate apprehensively before picking up her fork and starting to eat. The food is warm and comforting, heating both her body and her heart. Tears escape her eyes before she realizes it.

The elderly couple watches her with sadness; this little girl must have endured terrible things to be in such a state. They observe her quietly as she continues eating until there's nothing left on her plate.

After the meal, the old woman takes her to the bathroom to clean her weary little body before leading her to a slightly dusty but cozy bedroom. It was their son's old room, who now lives far away.

Robin is too tired to say anything and lies down without complaint, though she remains on guard for much of the night, expecting the navy to come for her. But nothing happens, and she eventually falls asleep without realizing it.

The next day, the old couple offers to let her stay with them. Initially hesitant, she agrees when they propose she help with household chores and assist in the little bookstore, a suggestion the young archaeologist eagerly accepts.

The first days were rather strange for her. The old couple took her everywhere to introduce her to the villagers. Overall, they didn't ask many questions about her origins and readily welcomed her among them.

However, things became particularly difficult when the news of Ohara's destruction was announced.

The old man was both saddened and enraged by what had happened. It was thanks to Ohara that the maritime library system had been established, allowing his bookstore to offer such a wide variety of topics. Without it, his stock would have been halved.

Now, the maritime library system was orphaned, and he knew it wouldn't be long before it ceased to function, plunging all of West Blue back into cultural ignorance. Worse still, corrupt nobles would likely censor important books for their own gain, leaving the impoverished in the dark.

It was probably thanks to this mobile library that the little black-haired girl knew so much. He resolved to fight to keep the system alive, so that other children like this unknown girl could have the opportunity to discover and learn whatever they wished.

The only thing he regretted was not knowing who had dared to destroy Ohara and sink all the marine ships that had come to save the island—just so he could direct his anger at the right target.

Robin remained silent at the announcement, recalling what Jaguar had said. The Navy had rewritten the history of her island. The only thing she could cling to was the knowledge that at least those who had instigated the Buster Call were now apparently dead.

The days turned into weeks, then months, and finally a year and a half had passed since Robin was forced to leave her burning island behind. She smiled again, though the weight of her past still pressed heavily upon her. She hadn't told the old couple about her true origins, fearing the Marine would arrive to arrest her, though they seemed to leave her alone for now.

She had asked if she could use a Den Den Mushi, but the only one available on the island belonged to the mayor, who refused to let her use something so valuable. One night, she snuck into the office, careful not to disturb anything, and dialed Stella's number. But the Den Den Mushi never picked up, no matter how many times she tried throughout the year. Even hearing the voice of the frightening man would have been a great relief, but there was never any answer.

It was likely that Stella had been the one to sink the ships and that she had been captured in some way.

When Robin grows older, she knows she'll need to infiltrate a Marine base to uncover what happened to the scientists who stayed behind on the island, as well as to her mother and, now, to Stella.

With a basket under her arm, Robin left the house to run some errands. As she had done for months, she took the small dirt path leading to the town center. But today, something felt off, making her skin prickle. It seemed as if all eyes were on her. Whispers followed her as she passed by—a first since she had arrived, even when she'd first shown up in tattered, worn clothes.

Her stomach twisted as she began to notice that the gazes were wary, disdainful, even fearful. She glanced around to check if something was amiss with her appearance, but there was nothing. Confused and increasingly frightened, she continued her walk until she passed the large board outside the mayor's office where news was posted. And there, among the announcements, was… her face.

Paralyzed, she stared at the image with wide eyes. She recognized where the photo had been taken: behind her, the island of Ohara burned. Trembling, she read the words beneath the picture: "Wanted Alive Only: 79 Million Berries."

It was a bounty, a Navy bounty on her head! The Navy hadn't forgotten her, and now she would be hunted like a criminal, like an animal! Suddenly, everyone around her seemed like a potential enemy. Without hesitation, she dropped her basket and ran, ran toward the house that had sheltered her for over a year. Maybe if she explained, she could fix things. But halfway there, a firm hand grabbed her arm.

"Where do you think you're going?!" It was one of the village bakers holding her tightly.

"Let me go!" she screamed, but the man's grip was too strong.

"Shut up, criminal! Come with me—I'm taking you to the Navy!"

"NO!"

"What is going on?! What are you doing, Léon?" The old man hurried toward them, his face lined with worry.

"What am I doing? I'm arresting this criminal! And you should be grateful I'm not reporting you for harboring her!"

Robin's body froze as her mind processed the implication, they could be punished just for being kind to her.

"Criminal? Harboring? What are you talking about?"

A woman cautiously approached the old man, handing him a newspaper.

"Look—these are today's news." She said timidly.

Confused, the old man took the paper and began reading. The farther his eyes traveled down the page, the paler his face grew until the newspaper slipped from his hands to the ground. He looked at the little girl, who had started crying in fear.

On the scattered pages, the headlines read:

"New Revelations About the Ohara Incident!"

"The Marine has finally discovered who committed this heinous act!"

"Her name is Nico Robin!"

"She took advantage of Queen Stella Star's absence to ravage the island, killing the residents and the Marines who came to rescue Ohara!"

"Warning! Despite her young age, she is extremely dangerous! Do not attempt to handle her yourself! If seen, contact the Marines immediately."

"You… What… What is this…? I… I can't believe it…" He looked around, but the villagers avoided his gaze, as though merely looking at him was a crime.

"It's no mistake. And did you see the bounty? Do you really think she's just an innocent little girl? For your own sake, admit you were fooled like the rest of us. Now we must hand her over, or our island will suffer the same fate as Ohara!" The crowd began murmuring, growing increasingly agitated.

Terrified and desperate, Robin looked at the old man. His expression was a mix of confusion and sadness before he finally looked away. She understood in that moment that he had made his choice. She didn't feel disappointed or betrayed—it was just logical. But that didn't make it hurt any less.

Out of options and knowing no one would help her, she used her powers. Hands sprouted from the man holding her, twisting his arms and forcing him to release her. Gasps and screams erupted as the villagers recoiled in fear at the sight of her ability. Robin fell to the ground, scraping her knee. She looked one last time at the old librarian, who stared at her in shock.

Biting her lip, Robin turned and ran toward the port. She stole a small boat, quickly maneuvering it away from the shore. A few men tried to follow, but with additional hands, she capsized their boats. As the vastness of the ocean spread before her, Robin felt a cold sense of reality settle in her chest.

Now, she was truly alone. Without allies. Everyone would hunt her, thinking a child was easy prey.

But she wouldn't let them catch her.

She would survive.

The years flowed by, like water slipping through Robin's fingers. After relentless ambushes, constant escapes, and misplaced trust in a few groups, she finally found herself on the Grand Line, still chasing the elusive answers about her past. She had infiltrated every Marine base in the West Blue without finding a single clue about her mother, her former teachers, or Stella.

Now, at 20 years old, Robin stood within the heart of Marineford. After so many years, she had finally made it to the Marine's central stronghold, and for the first time, she discovered the truths she had been seeking for so long. Unfortunately, the answers were far from comforting. What she had feared the most was true: all the inhabitants of Ohara were declared dead.

Her fingers trailed down the long list of names in the registry. Clover and Nico Olvia. Her chest tightened as she read the names of her mentor and her mother. But no tears fell—not now. She would allow herself to mourn later.

She continued scanning the list, clenching her teeth as she recognized other familiar names: professors, the librarian, even her uncle. But one name was missing.

Desperately, she opened drawer after drawer, flipping through files until she found it. A single dossier fell onto the desk. On its front, written in bold letters, was the name: Stella Star.

Robin hesitated, her heart pounding, before opening the folder. Inside were numerous photos of Stella aboard the small black wooden ship Robin remembered from her childhood. Stella had often used it to leave the island for royal duties. Some of the photos were faded and yellowed with time, but Stella's appearance remained largely unchanged across them—until Robin came upon one image that made her stomach twist.

Stella was on her knees, hands bound behind her back, her head bowed before Sengoku and a crowd of Marines. Robin turned the photo over with trembling fingers, finding the date on the back. Two days after the destruction of Ohara. A small caption accompanied the date:

"Arrest of Stella Star, former Queen of Ohara. Sentenced to offer her body to science and surrender her Vivre Card."

The photo fell from her grasp, landing among the other documents. Robin scrambled to dig deeper into the folder, pulling out a thick report about the incident at Ohara. Toward the end of the file, she found Sengoku's signature alongside a small piece of paper stapled to the report. Her breath caught in her throat. Stella's Vivre Card.

A flicker of hope reignited within Robin. If Stella's Vivre Card still existed, it meant she was alive. Trying to suppress her trembling hands, Robin forced herself to keep reading.

The next section described Stella's actions during the Buster Call. She had been subdued by Sakazuki and Aokiji, an act that cemented their promotions to Admiral in the years that followed. The report noted that Stella had killed Spandine, destroyed multiple warships, and gravely wounded Sakazuki in the process.

In return, she had been condemned to a lifetime in Impel Down or scientific experimentation. Sengoku had chosen experimentation under Vegapunk and his team.

Robin's chest tightened as she imagined the horrors Stella must have endured. She dreaded the possibility that Stella had been twisted into something unrecognizable.

Her fears deepened as she read on.

After 18 months of experimentation, Stella Star was declared indoctrinated and controlled by the Navy, rendering her harmless. She was released to infiltrate pirates and revolutionaries under neutrality contracts, to monitor their movements and nip in the bud groups potentially dangerous to the world government. She will also be responsible for training new vice-admirals to help them deal with the new wave of piracy.

The next sentence made Robin's heart stop:

To optimize her undercover mission, Nico Robin will be charged instead of her with the crimes of the Ohara incident, with a 79 million Berry bounty, on condition that she is captured alive. For she can be used to increase control over the subject, even if she no longer seems to have any attachment to the child. But, as a preventive measure, it's imperative that the two don't meet beforehand, and that the fugitive is captured.

CP9 will be in charge of catching the child, or at least following her movements.

Robin's breath hitched as she read the chilling conclusion:

Stella Star will be considered under control as long as she doesn't kill anyone without the Navy's consent. Otherwise, she will be executed on sight.

"No…" A broken sob escaped Robin's lips. Was this really happening? Could Stella truly be working for the Marines—the very force that had destroyed their island and home? Was she being forced? Was the indoctrination a façade, a lie Stella had concocted to survive? Surely, Stella hadn't forgotten her, hadn't abandoned Ohara? Had she?

Doubt gnawed at Robin. If Stella had been "free" all these years, why hadn't she come for her? Why hadn't she reached out? Robin knew she was skilled at evading capture, but not enough to avoid someone like Stella if she was truly searching for her. Was it the Marines, the CP9, or something else keeping them apart?

Her gaze fell on the small scrap of paper attached to the file. The Vivre Card. Robin hesitated, torn between fear and determination. What did she have to lose?

Without hesitation, she tore off a small piece and watched as it moved gently in her palm, pointing steadily in a direction. Quickly, she put it away and erased any trace of its presence.

By the time the Navy realized the card was incomplete, Robin would be long gone.

The years pass, and Robin continues searching for Stella, following the Vivre Card with relentless determination. Despite her efforts, she is often forced to stop along the way, whether due to the Marines, the Calm Belt, or the Red Line, which stand as insurmountable obstacles. Sometimes, the piece of paper seems to point toward abyssal depths or unreachable skies. Nothing makes sense, and every attempt seems to take her farther away from her target.

Eventually, she abandons her quest to focus entirely on her research into the Poneglyphs. At the age of 22, she joins a new organization led by the Warlord Crocodile. Thanks to the resources of this powerful man, she gains greater freedom to travel across the first part of the Grand Line while carrying out missions for her boss.

At 28, she finds herself on one of the very first islands of the Grand Line, face-to-face with the person she had sought for so long. But upon seeing the gentle eyes, the smile, and the affectionate nickname, a whirlwind of overwhelming emotions resurfaces. Joy and relief, but also anger and betrayal.

She has not forgotten! And yet, this person works for the Marine, serving the murderers of her family. And she didn't even try to find her!

Anger takes over, fueled by memories of her life on the run and in solitude, of the abandonment and betrayal of everyone she had trusted over the past twenty long years. She is just one more person who betrayed her.

But this betrayal hurts so much more.

Back in the present, Robin watches Stella Star—still in her masculine guise—collapse to her knees as Robin's hands immobilize her, squeezing her neck. Years of pent-up anger and pain finally find their outlet. It's twisted and wrong, but who would blame her? She's alone, and she'll always be alone.

Why wasn't Stella there to protect everyone as she had promised? It's all her fault. If she had been there, everyone would still be alive. Yes, it's all her fault.

"Princess, please... let me expl-" Stella's words are cut off as Robin's grip tightens. Her body trembles, her vision blurred by tears, but she keeps applying pressure.

"Shut up! I don't want to hear you! You have no idea what I've been through because of you! Where were you?! Where were you when everything burned, when they destroyed everything?!" She can no longer see Stella's face through her tears. She hates it, crying serves no purpose, it won't bring anyone back, and no one is coming to save her. But she can't stop. She feels like an 8-year-old girl again, lost and alone.

"Robin..." Her name is spoken softly and tenderly, and it breaks her heart. The pressure of her hands wavers, only to return harder and more merciless.

"You don't know everything I've been through because of you! You left me all alone! You let them accuse me, hunt me down, condemn me to a life of loneliness and running! You abandoned us! Where were you 20 years ago?! Why weren't you there?! You were supposed to protect us! You betrayed us! Sold us out to the Marines!" Her voice is broken and pitiful, but she doesn't care. At last, she has the person she holds responsible for all this suffering, all these deaths.

Stella lets herself fall to the ground, not even resisting Robin, making no effort to remove the hands squeezing her neck or pinning her down. That passivity infuriates the archaeologist even more—the woman she once admired is nothing but a coward.

"I hate you, I hate you so much!"

Stella says nothing, merely lying on the ground and looking up at her with sadness and regret in her eyes.

The shared past between Robin and Stella is finally revealed from the perspective of our beloved archaeologist, but the reunion doesn't seem to be as simple as expected.

What will the course of events be, in your opinion?

And which side does Stella really stand on in relation to the Straw Hat crew?