Robin spoke softly, her voice steady as she looked at Luffy. "You made me live when I wished for death…"
She continued, lowering herself onto the adjustable chair in the open deck space, legs crossing as she settled back. "I have no place to go nor return to."
Chopper sat on the wooden stairs leading to the upper cabin, small hooves dangling over the edge as he swung them lightly. He tilted his head. "Oh, really? Shucks, I guess there's no other choice then."
Luffy blurted out loudly, arms folding behind his head. "Fine by me."
Zoro, Nami, and Usopp shouted together. "LUFFY!!!" Their voices overlapped sharply, Zoro's arms tightening across his chest, Nami's hands clenching at her sides, Usopp's eyes bulging wide.
Luffy turned his head toward Zoro, Nami, and Usopp. A wide smile spread across his face. "Don't worry, she's not a bad guy."
Luffy turned his head sharply toward Lei. Lei leaned with his back pressed against the staircase support, arms loosely at his sides. "Heh, ain't that right, Lei!?"
Lei pushed off the support and stood straight. A smile spread across his face. "What can I say when my captain made a decision."
Luffy laughed loudly. "Shishishi! See!? Lei gets it!" His arms stretched forward, hands grabbing Lei's shoulders and pulling him closer across the deck, rubber limbs snapping back with a elastic twang.
Nami stepped forward, hands clenched into fists at her sides, face reddening. "ARE YOU TWO OUT OF YOUR MINDS?! 'Not a bad person'?! She was the Vice President of Baroque Works! She literally tried to bury us in the sand! Lei, I thought you were the level-headed one! Don't just agree with the idiot!!"
Usopp ducked behind Zoro's body, one trembling finger pointing at Robin from over Zoro's shoulder. "G-g-g-ghost! Or an assassin! She's definitely an assassin! Luffy, she's going to kill us all in our sleep, and Lei is just going to watch because 'the Captain said so'?! We're doomed! The Great Captain Usopp's journey ends here!"
Zoro folded his arms tighter, scowl deepening as he glanced sideways. "Tch. You're too soft, Lei. Just because she's a woman doesn't mean she isn't dangerous. If she even twitches the wrong way, I'm cutting her down—Captain's permission or not."
Chopper leapt onto Lei's shoulders, small hooves gripping for balance. "Waaaaah! A scary lady joined! Lei, save me! Wait…" He froze, eyes widening further. "Lei is on her side?! NOOOO! We're all gonna be turned into mummies!"
Robin smiled softly, lips curving upward as she watched the group. "What a lively crew. I think I'm going to enjoy it here… especially with such 'loyal' guardians protecting me."
Robin reached into her pocket and pulled out a small pouch. She opened it, revealing high-grade jewels that caught the sunlight in bright sparkles. She held it out toward Nami. "Nami-san, I believe these belonged to Baroque Works. Since they no longer exist, it would be a shame for such beautiful diamonds to go to waste."
Nami's eyes changed shape into large Berri symbols. She stepped closer quickly, hands reaching out. "Diamonds?! Real ones?! Well… I mean, I guess it's not your fault Crocodile was evil. You were just a victim of circumstance! Welcome aboard, Robin-chan!"
Robin raised her arms slightly. Multiple pale hands sprouted from the wooden deck planks around her, fingers flexing and arranging into a large flower shape that bloomed outward before vanishing. "And for the doctor and the brave sniper… I can grow as many hands as I need. Imagine how many stories I could write, or how many bandages I could apply at once."
Chopper's eyes sparkled. He jumped down from Lei's shoulders. "SUGOI! So cool! Do the flower thing again!"
Usopp straightened up, puffing out his chest. "Hmph! I've seen better, but… I suppose an extra pair of hands could help me work on my inventions. You're alright, Mystery Lady!"
Sanji twirled rapidly in place, arms spinning. "ROBIN-CHWAN! I'LL MAKE YOU THE FINEST COFFEE IN THE WORLD! LEI, YOU'RE A GENIUS FOR LETTING HER JOIN!"
Robin walked across the deck toward Lei and Zoro. Zoro kept his scowl, arms remaining folded. Lei leaned against the mast, weight on one leg.
Robin stopped close and spoke in a low voice. "It's surprisingly easy to buy a person's trust… but I suspect you won't be as easily swayed by shiny rocks, Lei-san."
Lei met her eyes directly. "I don't care about the rocks. Just don't make me regret making the Captain's decision easy."
She smiled, lips curving in a mysterious way as she held his gaze for a moment longer. "I'll do my best to keep things interesting for you."