The next day.
Deep in the valley near Ohara's coast, Robin stared at the strange giant in front of her and remarked, "What a weird laugh. Dereshi?"
Saul chuckled. "People have said that since I was a kid, but you've got a cute laugh yourself."
She blinked in surprise, but the giant went on, "You should smile more often. Dereshishishishi! I'm Saul. Jaguar D. Saul."
Robin repeated quietly. "D?"
* * *
West Blue. Aboard a governnt ship.
A CP agent in a black suit answered a call, and a voice ca from the Den Den Mushi on the other end.
"This is Marine Headquarters. Calling Chief Spandine."
The agent turned toward the man standing at the bow of the ship. "It's for you, sir."
Spandine gazed out at the sea and sighed. "You answer it. They're just calling to check in. I'll contact them once we get there. Ohara, Opera, who cares. Why the hell did I get sent to this dump in the West Blue anyway? This job sucks… ugh."
* * *
Several days later.
Inside the Tree of Knowledge, Olvia stood in the great hall, guilt written all over her face.
"I'm sorry. I've just returned and I bring bad news. But everything I'm about to say is the truth..."
Crossing his arms, Clover spoke. "So the governnt's eyes are back on this land."
Olvia lowered her head. "You've all seen the news; of the expedition that left Ohara six years ago, I'm the only survivor. The governnt analyzed the personal belongings of my team, and figured out we ca from here. I'm sorry, everyone, our actions have brought disaster to this place."
She covered her face after speaking, tears running down her cheeks.
Clover looked at her and said calmly, "You don't need to bla yourself. Those who set out to sea, and those who stayed here, we're all part of the sa battle. And the one who's suffered the most is you. You've done well."
Wiping the tears, Olvia muttered, "Professor..."
Clover continued, "The governnt has always seen Ohara as a threat. Now they probably feel like they finally have an excuse."
Olvia reacted and hurriedly added, "Yes! That's why everyone needs to escape! They plan to wipe out every scholar here! Please, everyone, leave Ohara while you still can!"
Clover glanced around at the others. "You're right. This ti, we might not be able to fool their investigation. But Olvia… I could never abandon these artifacts of humanity just to save myself. You understand, don't you?"
The other scholars started to laugh gently.
"We feel the sa, Olvia."
"Hahaha."
"We don't know what the governnt plans to do, but if we leave, who will protect this place?"
"We'll give it everything we've got this ti too."
Clover turned to face her again. "By the way... You still have soone you care about, right? She's just like you when you were young. A rare genius."
Olvia's eyes softened, but then she closed them in pain. "As long as she's healthy… now that I've chosen this path, I have to cut ties with her. I can't let her be the daughter of a criminal..."
Just then, the main door burst open.
"Professor Clover! A ship bearing the World Governnt's flag has arrived!"
* * *
West Blue. Ohara Port.
Spandine yawned and stretched lazily.
"Let Headquarters know we've arrived. Move it, hurry up!" He grumbled, "Ugh, what a pain. Still, I might get promoted after this. Okay, you guys, round up every scholar on this island."
One by one, CP agents in black suits and sunglasses stord onto the island, guns in hand.
"Yes, sir!"
* * *
West Blue. The Buster Call fleet approaching Ohara.
Every ship had now received the report: the Chief of CP9, Spandine, had reached Ohara.
Aboard Sakazuki's warship, he gave a nod without saying a word.
On Kuzan's vessel, he opened his sleepy eyes at the sound of his subordinate's report and shouted in annoyance.
"What the hell? You woke up for sothing that minor?!"
The ssenger looked flustered. "S-Sorry, sir!"
* * *
Ohara, deep within the forest.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out, and Spandine, walking ahead of two CP agents, dropped to the ground screaming.
"Ahhh! I've been shot! I'm dying! Curses! Tell the higher-ups... my position goes to my son!"
The CP agent to his right said flatly, "Sir, please look more closely. It only hit your jacket sleeve."
Spandine sat up imdiately, his tone casual. "Oh, just the sleeve, huh."
Carrying a gun, Olvia stepped out from the woods. "Next ti, I won't miss."
Still sitting, Spandine propped his head up with one hand. "Well, well. Isn't this the notorious escapee from Marine prison. What a lucky eting, Nico Olvia. The woman who kept denying ties with the Ohara scholars shows up here, that's as good as declaring this place is your hotown. Which ans these scholars are committing the sa cris as you."
A drop of sweat rolled down Olvia's temple as she retorted. "My appearance here doesn't prove anything."
Spandine shrugged. "Yeah, yeah, like you'd ever admit it. You probably had your excuses ready from the start. Smart woman like you. But it doesn't matter anymore. As long as we keep digging, we'll find proof eventually. Going after you was just the beginning. Every ti we capture archaeologists around the world, we always search for links to Ohara. You know why?"
Olvia's eyes widened. "You want to destroy Ohara... to serve as a warning to the world."
Spandine stood up using one hand to push off the ground. "Exactly. Destroying the sacred ground of archaeology, Ohara. Now that's big news in the academic world. It'll show everyone what happens when you research the Void Century."
Gritting her teeth, Olvia asked, "What about those warships anchored offshore?"
Spandine narrowed his eyes. "How much do you know? Well, whatever. I'll tell you. They're there to make sure no criminals escape the public execution. But for the record, we do need to confirm your cris. After all, we're not pirates. I was specially assigned to this task."
With that, his playful tone vanished. "Take her out."
Two dark figures flashed past and Olvia's body collapsed to the ground.
* * *
Ohara. In front of the Tree of Knowledge.
All the scholars were tied up in the plaza.
Spandine ordered his n to throw Olvia, now with her limbs broken, in front of the crowd.
"Aaaaah~ today, the world's greatest archaeologists will die. My job here is done. All that's left is to report to the Five Elders."
Standing beside Clover, Robin looked up in confusion. "Why? That can't be real, right, Professor? They just deciphered so ancient text. Why..."
Spandine overheard her and responded mockingly, "You're a dumb kid, huh? Their goal is to awaken powerful weapons. To massacre innocent people!"
Robin turned around angrily. "You're lying! They never intended anything like that!"
Opening his closed eyes, Clover said, "That's enough, Robin. Soone like him, a re errand boy, won't understand. Is the governnt really afraid of those weapons themselves?"
At this ti, one of the CP agents handed Spandine a Den Den Mushi. "Line's connected, sir."
Clover spoke up suddenly. "Let speak to them before I die. I want to report sothing to the Five Elders, the highest authority of the World Governnt. About what Ohara has uncovered, after years of research. A hypothesis regarding the Void Century."
**
**
**
Thank you for reading! If you'd like access to extra chapters and want to support my work, you can visit my P@treon:
P@treon/SilverShark769
Vote with Power Stones for Bonus Chapters!
Your support ans a lot, thank you!
User Comments
0 comments from readers