The Marine fleet tasked with executing the Buster Call arrived one after another in the waters around Ohara. Under Sakazuki's coordinated command, more than a dozen warships lined up at hundred-meter intervals, their cannons all aimed at the island.
Upon hearing this, Vice Admiral Burning Mountain began ordering the Marines still on the island conducting civilian screenings to retreat immediately. But although the order was issued at once, the Marines' withdrawal was slow and difficult.
At present, the port of Ohara was already packed with civilians. Even the Marines couldn't force their way through the crowd to return to their warships.
Not every Marine was capable of using techniques like Moonwalk. Those unable to soar above the sea of people were now stranded.
Why didn't they simply shoot to clear a path and return quickly to their ships? Because even they didn't fully grasp what a Buster Call entailed.
This was the first time any of them had taken part in such an operation. Deep down, many harbored a false sense of security, thinking the attack wouldn't happen until tomorrow. They assumed that leaving then would be just fine. With so many fellow Marines still on the island, surely those aboard the ships wouldn't just open fire recklessly.
And so, due to this complacency, these island-bound Marines placed their lives entirely in the hands of fate.
Meanwhile, the sight of the fleet positioned solemnly offshore only fueled the panic among Ohara's civilians. Since the news of the Buster Call broke out, not a single group of citizens had been successfully evacuated.
The Marines and CP9 were reviewing passengers far too slowly. After so many days, even the single evacuation ship, capable of holding only around a hundred people, wasn't close to being filled.
Seeing the warships looming in the distance, the civilians grew more and more anxious. If not for the fact that some Marines remained on the island, their anxiety might have already turned into open rebellion.
In the heart of the island, the scholars transporting books also noticed the military formation change. They knew their time was almost up. Realizing this, they no longer rested at night, working through the darkness, trying to preserve whatever knowledge they could before the Buster Call arrived.
But just as the scholars labored in the Tree of Knowledge, a small figure arrived at the library. Seeing the scholars working so hard, Robin was momentarily stunned. She slowly walked over to the coordinating figure of Professor Clover and gently tugged at his sleeve.
Feeling the pull on his clothing, Professor Clover turned around. When he saw Robin, dressed lightly in the chilly night, he forced himself to smile and asked gently,
"Robin, why are you here? It's so late, why aren't you sleeping?"
Even as doomsday approached, Professor Clover maintained his composure and showed his concern with warmth.
"I can't sleep..."
"Professor... why are the Marines doing this to Ohara?"
"Are... are we all going to die?"
The painful question slipped from young Robin's lips. Clover was stunned at first, then pulled her into a gentle embrace, his heart aching.
Though still a child, Robin was very intelligent. She had long noticed the island's unrest, and she knew what the Buster Call meant.
From the panicked whispers of those fleeing, she had already pieced it together.
Tears welled up in her eyes. She didn't fear death itself, what terrified her was that death meant never seeing Professor Clover again, never seeing her mother again, never seeing the giant who would talk with her again, or that strange, kind Marine uncle.
What she feared most... was being alone.
"Robin..."
Professor Clover had no idea how to answer her. He simply stroked her head in silence.
After a long pause, he looked around at the empty bookshelves and smiled softly.
"Robin, the seeds of life will carry on."
"Those who seek the truth of history will never vanish."
"You are our youngest scholar. As long as you live, our ideas, everything we've devoted our lives to, will not disappear."
"As long as those ideals survive, we are still alive!"
As Clover spoke, several other scholars paused their work and gathered around him, offering Robin warm smiles.
"Robin, remember this, no matter what happens, you must survive."
"Saul will find a way to get you out. He promised us."
"As long as you're alive, Ohara will never be gone."
Clover knelt and held her by the shoulders.
Though she didn't yet understand everything he said, Robin realized one thing very clearly, everyone here had already accepted death.
She shook her head firmly, clutching Clover's clothes tightly and burying her face into his chest, crying out,
"I don't want to!"
"I don't want to be separated from you!"
Just then, the library doors creaked open, and Saul's muffled voice came in.
"Professor Clover, the books have all been moved."
Without another word, Clover picked Robin up and walked outside. He looked at Saul with deep trust.
"Please... take care of her."
Saul bent down and gently scooped Robin into his massive palms, preparing to leave.
The Marines were gathered at the eastern port. Saul had prepared a small raft at the western shore, separated by two or three hills.
Clover understood well just how determined the Marines were. The moment he heard about the Buster Call, he gave up hope for himself. All he wanted now was to leave behind a spark, something for history.
And that spark... was Robin.
Saul was a Marine Vice Admiral. As long as Robin's identity remained hidden, she could live under his protection.
"Go now, Saul!"
Clover waved and shouted. Robin struggled in Saul's hand, but he didn't hesitate. He turned and ran toward the western coastline.
A massive shadow moved swiftly through the forest, catching Kuzan's attention.
Just like every night these past few days, he had gone to rest at the grassy hill outside town. But tonight, he ran into an old friend.
His body dissolved into mist, vanishing from the spot.
In the middle of his sprint, Saul suddenly felt a chill. In the blink of an eye, thick frost gathered before him. His pupils contracted, and he skidded to a halt.
Moments later, Kuzan emerged from the mist, smiling.
"Yo, Saul."
"Long time no see. I couldn't get in touch with you for so long, and you turn up on this island?"
Seeing his friend again, Kuzan greeted him cheerfully.
But Saul's expression turned grim. He instinctively tried to hide Robin behind him, but Kuzan had already noticed her.
"Ah, isn't this the little scholar from the island?"
"Didn't think we'd meet again so soon."
Kuzan smiled at Robin, then glanced at Saul.
"So, what exactly are you doing with this kid?"
"Saul!"
The next second, Saul gently set Robin down, lunged forward, and threw a massive punch at Kuzan.
"I'm sorry, Kuzan!"
The strike came without warning. But to his surprise, Kuzan didn't dodge. Instead, he drew his sword, Kogarashi, and raised it to block the blow.
Even with his giant strength, Saul's punch didn't knock Kuzan back.
"Whoa now, what's with the sudden punch?"
"What are you doing, Saul?"
Kuzan held his blade firm, black Armament Haki coating its edge. He gave a helpless sigh and looked past Saul at Robin.
"I'm not here to arrest the girl."
Though explaining, Kuzan's actions didn't stop. Cold mist crept along his blade, spreading up Saul's arm and encasing it in ice within seconds.
"Aaaargh, !"
With a cry of pain, Saul leapt back and looked down at his frozen arm.
"Don't take it personally, Saul. I just had to make sure you wouldn't do anything reckless."
Kuzan scratched his head apologetically and continued,
"So now, can you tell me what's going on? What are you doing, Saul?"
Robin ran to Saul's side, staring anxiously at Kuzan.
She had come to fear him after learning about the Buster Call. Now, seeing him hurt her friend, that fear mingled with anger.
"Nothing much. I survived a shipwreck, drifted here... and now I'm leaving."
Saul answered in a low voice.
Kuzan's smile faded. His face grew serious.
"Come on, Saul. I trust you, but don't treat me like a fool."
"If something's going on, you can tell me."
"I'll help however I can."
"We're friends, aren't we?"
Seeing Kuzan's troubled expression, Saul was stunned. The Kuzan he remembered wasn't like this.
Kuzan, the man of unshakable justice.
As a Marine Vice Admiral, he should know exactly what the government planned. But his current attitude... it didn't line up with orders from above.
It made sense, though. Since returning from the New World, Kuzan had been working with Issho.
And Issho was a man of principles, right was right, wrong was wrong. With Tsugikuni Yoriichi's tacit approval, Issho had become a Marine and continued to uphold his own version of justice.
Since joining the Marines, Issho had even clashed with other Vice Admirals over values.
Under his influence, Kuzan became more and more steadfast in doing what he believed was right. Of course, this also gave him a "flaw", he no longer blindly obeyed orders from the top.
This Buster Call was no exception. Yes, he came here as instructed. But deep down, he'd been convinced, brainwashed, even, that the scholars would cause chaos.
But after spending a few days on this island, Kuzan wasn't so sure anymore.
At most, the scholars should be detained. Their research destroyed. But a Buster Call? That was overkill.
He wouldn't oppose the others outright. After all, protocol was still protocol. But when the time came, he would make sure the civilians survived.
That, he believed, was the best he could do.
So when he saw Robin with Saul, he had a good guess about what was happening, but didn't react strongly. All he wanted was to help if he could.
"Friends, huh..."
"Kuzan... I'm no longer sure what justice even means."
"But right now, all I want is to protect my friend."
"Will you help me, my friend, protect my other friend?"
Saul looked down at Robin, then met Kuzan's eyes and asked.
Kuzan exhaled slowly. He could feel Saul's trust. Smiling faintly, he replied,
"Let's go."
Without another word, he led them to the coast. At the shore, he crouched and extended an icy path across the sea, linking directly to his warship.
Following him, the three boarded Kuzan's ship.
With Kuzan away, Issho had been the acting officer. Upon sensing the disturbance, he appeared on deck, watching from afar.
When Kuzan returned, Issho didn't ask anything. He simply drew his blade, slashed down, and shattered the icy path, then turned and walked back into the ship.
The other warships noticed the anomaly, but once they saw Saul, towering and unmistakable, they assumed he had simply joined Kuzan for reconnaissance.
And so, Nico Robin left Ohara, unnoticed by anyone, and arrived safely aboard Kuzan's ship.
The next morning, the sharp wail of alarms pierced the sky.
Moments later, the fleet opened fire on the Tree of Knowledge. Dozens of warships bared their fangs as artillery lit the sky. Shells rained down like meteors. Thunderous explosions erupted as flames devoured the center of town.
Citizens at the shore turned in horror toward the inferno.
On the deck of his ship, Sakazuki watched the bombardment silently.
Suddenly, he noticed one warship, quiet and unmoving, though pointed at Ohara, not a single shell had been fired.
Sakazuki's eyes narrowed.
"What's going on with that ship? Didn't they receive the order? Why haven't they fired?"
He summoned his adjutant, who rushed over and saluted nervously.
"That's Vice Admiral Kuzan's ship. They sent word this morning, their ammunition got damp."
Sweat poured down the officer's face as he gave the report. Even he didn't believe what he was saying. But it was the excuse Kuzan had handed him.
"Tch."
Sakazuki turned away with a scowl.
After a while, his gaze shifted to the western shore, and the evacuation ships.
"Redirect the cannons. Target that area."
His adjutant flinched.
"Vice Admiral... that's the evacuation point, civilians."
"Civilians?"
"How can you be sure no scholars are hiding among them, trying to flee?"
"Even if one escapes... the world could fall into chaos!"
"Not a single one... can be allowed to leave!"
"Fire!"
Sakazuki barked the order.
The adjutant straightened, saluted, and quickly left, because, truthfully, Sakazuki had a point. It was cruel, yes. But also final.
Moments later, the guns on Sakazuki's warship fell silent, only to swivel and aim at the evacuation ships.
A round of cannon fire erupted. More than a dozen shells soared toward the boats.
"What?!"
"Who's attacking the evacuation ships?!"
Though Kuzan hadn't taken part in the bombardment, he had been watching closely. He instantly noticed the shells had changed direction.
Before he could react, a figure moved past him.
Gravity Blade: Fierce Tiger!
Issho stepped to the railing, bent slightly, and with a flick of his blade, released a powerful slash into the sky.
In that instant, the shells in mid-air seemed to freeze. Then, as if warped by unseen force, they reversed direction, soaring up into the clouds.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions thundered overhead. Thick black smoke veiled the sky. The cannonade stopped cold.
"Hey..."
"Sakazuki, what the hell do you think you're doing?!"
Amidst the confusion, a tall figure clad in a white suit descended silently.
He landed on the barrel of the main cannon.
That cannon, still glowing from repeated fire, was now encased in solid ice. The sudden clash of heat and cold had cracked the steel, it was completely destroyed.
"Kuzan..."
Sakazuki glared at the newcomer. A dark shadow crossed his face.
✦✦---------------------------------------------------------------------✦✦
100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter
For Advance Chapters, please visit and consider joining me on P(a)treon!
p(a)treon.com/_Aartemis
50 Advanced Chapters