The clash between Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Issho had not gone unnoticed by the civilians nearby.
With Sakazuki's retreat, the Marines and refugees aboard the evacuation ship erupted into cheers, their joy at narrowly escaping death filling the deck.
Kuzan lifted his gaze to glance at those people, then looked toward the center of the island, toward the Tree of Knowledge. He let out a faint sigh.
Though he had stopped Sakazuki from attacking the evacuation ship, Kuzan hadn't tried to stop the Marines from carrying out the Buster Call on Ohara.
As a Marine, he had to act according to his identity and position.
To many, the scholars of Ohara were merely academics studying a centuries-old history. Hardly criminals deserving of annihilation, let alone warranting the deployment of a Buster Call. But to Kuzan, the core issue wasn't the scholars themselves or the Marines.
The true issue lay in the act of violating a ban, one that could indeed lead to global unrest.
Challenging the authority of the government and the Marines... that wasn't something to take lightly. In some ways, this Buster Call, initiated by the World Government, also served the Marines' interests.
Their prestige, reinforced by cannon fire, would be more deeply cemented than ever.
Kuzan was no naïve idealist. In this situation, there was very little he could do.
As for why he helped Saul protect Nico Robin, a child with the identity of a scholar, deep down, Kuzan never truly believed Robin could be a threat. Or that she was one of those "forbidden scholars" researching the Poneglyphs.
"Let's head back, Issho."
"If Fleet Admiral Kong or Sengoku questions us later, just say you acted under my orders."
"I can't let something like this affect your future."
Kuzan turned back from the burning ruins, speaking to Issho beside him. Under the sunlight, his forced smile looked a little strained. Even as he spoke, a barrage of shells continued behind him, pouring down on Ohara.
Once-pristine streets were now full of craters and rubble. The buildings of the town had been reduced to scorched ruins under Marine bombardment. The West Blue's famous center of archaeology was gone, buried under fire.
On the evacuation ship, the civilians who had just been cheering now stared at the island swallowed in flames. The joy of survival quickly faded.
Though Issho couldn't see what the Buster Call had done to Ohara, he could imagine it. This was exactly the kind of scene he never wanted to witness.
In this moment, he was truly grateful to be blind.
"No need."
"I acted on my own will."
"Whatever punishment comes, I'll accept it."
"Worst case, I'll just go back to Dressrosa. I imagine Vice Admiral Tsugikuni Yoriichi would still take me in."
Issho's tone was lighthearted, not the least bit worried about the consequences he and Kuzan might face. He wouldn't regret what he had done, nor would he let someone else bear the consequences for him.
Hearing this, Kuzan finally relaxed. Looking at Issho's calm expression, he said softly,
"Yoriichi sure is lucky… to have someone like you as a subordinate."
He leapt aboard the evacuation ship to direct the Marines to speed up their screening.
Issho smiled slightly as he listened to Kuzan's parting words and murmured, "I'm your subordinate and comrade too, Vice Admiral Kuzan."
As he spoke, a mound of sand rose beneath him, lifting him from the ground and carrying him back to Kuzan's ship, where he resumed his post.
The Marine bombardment lasted an entire day.
More than ten warships, each fully stocked with ammunition, fired until their stores were emptied. Once the bombardment ended, the ships slowly approached the shore, and the Marines landed on the island.
Even after the Buster Call had ended, the Marines began sweeping the island, searching for any possible survivors. Under Sakazuki's command, the fleet conducted its duties with precision.
The outcome was clear: under such overwhelming firepower, not even a fly could have survived.
Within the ruins of the Tree of Knowledge, CP9 agents found the remains of the scholars. In the end, the place they had spent their lives building also became their grave.
Perhaps, even in death, they hoped to continue their research.
The bodies were mostly intact. Most had suffocated in the smoke and ash, with only a few crushed by the falling debris.
CP9 carried the bodies out one by one, identifying and recording each.
Onboard the departing patrol ships, CP9 began a second wave of screening. Their method was simple: allow the refugees to report each other.
Those who reported "suspicious individuals" were rewarded with a bounty of one million Berries.
Anyone who got reported, regardless of whether CP9 had actual proof, was permanently "erased."
So, what was the end result?
More than half of the refugees who escaped Ohara… ended up dead.
Perhaps even the Marines and CP9 didn't realize how miserably their so-called "screening" had failed.
And as for Nico Robin, her existence, along with Ohara's destruction, was buried in the dust of history.
Perhaps one day, when one of the surviving Oharans sees her again, they'll realize… a scholar had slipped through the net.
The Marines stayed at Ohara for over ten days before receiving orders from Sengoku to return.
During those ten days, Robin remained hidden in a cabin, forbidden from stepping outside. Onboard Kuzan's ship, only a few officers knew of her presence, and they were all loyal subordinates Kuzan had brought back from Lodestar Island.
Men who had shared life and death with him.
Inside the dim cabin, young Robin curled up in a corner of the bed, clutching her knees and wrapped in heavy blankets. Her expression was blank, two trails of dried tears still marking her cheeks.
She couldn't stop thinking about the scholars she had lived with every day… about her mother.
The pain in her heart grew unbearable.
And yet, no more tears came.
She had cried herself dry.
Knock knock knock.
Suddenly, someone knocked at the door. Robin slowly looked up, eyes dull and lifeless, but her body didn't move.
After a while, the knocking stopped.
Just as Robin thought the person had left, the door opened.
In stepped a blind man holding a food container. Two vicious scars crossed his eyes, trailing from his forehead down his cheeks.
Despite his fearsome scars, Robin wasn't frightened at all when she saw his square face.
"Little girl, have something to eat."
Issho entered the dim cabin, placing the container on a small table beside the bed. He spoke gently to Robin.
She didn't respond. Slowly turning her head away, she stared blankly at the wall.
Feeling the heavy gloom surrounding her, Issho furrowed his brow. He tapped his cane on the floor and groped for a nearby chair, sitting down. As he did, the door gently shut behind him, seemingly by itself.
"Would you like to hear my story?"
Issho lifted his head, his smile kind and soft, and asked Robin.
She turned slightly toward him but said nothing, eyes still vacant.
Whether she agreed or not, Issho began to speak, telling her about his past. Compared to Robin's own tragic story, Issho's upbringing in the chaotic New World was even more brutal.
His low, steady voice filled the room. Outside, Kuzan leaned back against the wall, hands in his pockets, staring at the ceiling in a daze.
Sometimes, similar lives create bridges between people. Kuzan didn't know how to comfort Robin, how to guide her through her grief. That's why he entrusted this delicate task to someone with more life experience, Issho.
As the story unfolded, Robin, who had been so hollow and expressionless, began reacting. Her voice trembled as she offered Issho comforting words.
She had just lost everything... yet was still so kind.
Kuzan could hear the shift in her tone from outside the door. Quietly, he left.
This incident… wasn't over yet. Not until Robin had been safely delivered.
Kuzan's ship was sailing toward Marineford.
News of the clash between Kuzan and Sakazuki at Ohara had already been reported to Sengoku by Sakazuki.
Sengoku took it very seriously.
Not because Kuzan had blocked Sakazuki from firing on civilians.
Not because Kuzan had tried to protect refugees.
What he cared about… was the relationship between the two men. These were two pillars of the Marines' future. Only through cooperation would the institution thrive.
While Sengoku waited for their return...
Kuzan's ship briefly docked at the Sabaody Archipelago.
During that stop, Issho took Robin and disembarked.
Bring Robin to Marineford? Kuzan wasn't that stupid.
Leave her on the ship? Drop her on some random island? That wasn't an option either.
He didn't believe a child of eight could survive alone in this world.
So Kuzan found her a good place to go.
While he returned to Marineford with his subordinates, Issho stayed at Sabaody with Robin.
Robin was thoughtful. After Issho's comfort, she grew closer to him. To her, this square-faced Marine uncle was gentle and warm. With him, she felt a peace she'd never known.
In those few days at Sabaody, Robin treated Issho like family, caring for him in their day-to-day life. Though Issho was truly blind, he managed just fine. Still, he didn't stop Robin from helping him. He liked this kind little girl.
When Kuzan returned to HQ, he wasn't met with the harsh punishment he'd expected.
Sengoku spoke with both him and Sakazuki individually.
In the end, the matter was brushed aside, with a metaphorical "fifty slaps" each.
No big waves. No court-martials.
One week later, a small sailboat slowly approached the coast of the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Issho, I'm here. Bring her over."
A lone man stood on deck, his back bearing an ornate black sword. He wore a Western-style hat and sat with one leg crossed, holding a Den Den Mushi.
Before long, Issho appeared at the secluded shore, one hand on his cane, the other holding the hand of a little girl.
"Long time no see, Mihawk."
"You seem even stronger than before."
Issho chuckled as he greeted the man aboard the ship.
Complimenting Mihawk on his strength was like complimenting a girl on her beauty.
No one disliked hearing it.
Sure enough, Mihawk's stoic face cracked into a faint smile.
"Long time no see, Issho."
"So this is the child Kuzan mentioned?"
He greeted Issho and then turned his eyes toward Robin's small face.
Robin wore all black today, even a little black felt hat. In the cold of winter, her cheeks were flushed red from the wind.
Upon seeing Mihawk, she politely bowed and said with a smile,
"Hello, Mr. Mihawk."
She clearly knew, Issho had told her who was coming.
Yes, Kuzan had arranged for Robin to be sent to Dressrosa, where Tsugikuni Yoriichi was stationed.
There, she could receive an education, live happily, and never have to fear the government or Marines hunting her.
At least, not yet.
If, one day, her identity were exposed, Kuzan believed Yoriichi could protect her.
Originally, Saul had wanted to raise her himself, but under Kuzan's persuasion, he agreed to send her away, for her sake, and for his own.
After all, a giant Vice Admiral suddenly raising a young girl would draw unwanted attention.
"She's pretty polite, isn't she?"
"Let's hope she's not a troublesome brat."
Mihawk looked down at Robin, his flat tone offering no friendliness. But Robin smiled again and bowed once more.
"Sorry to trouble you, Mr. Mihawk."
Seeing her bow repeatedly, Mihawk frowned.
This kid didn't act like a normal orphan.
"Hey, Issho, did someone abuse this child?"
Mihawk's tone turned cold. His sharp eyes swept toward Issho.
"She's had a hard life. I'll leave her in your care."
"Give my regards to the Vice Admiral."
As he spoke, Issho gently lifted Robin and placed her aboard the boat.
Once aboard, she stood beside Mihawk, tense, her body stiff.
Mihawk looked at her and sighed inwardly.
He slowly stood, waved to Issho, raised the sail, and drew the black blade on his back.
With a single stroke, he used the sword… as a paddle.
Robin, already nervous, shuddered in fear when she saw him suddenly draw the blade. But when she realized he was using it to row, her little face froze in stunned silence.
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100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter
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