"Hahaha, thank you for the compliment, Roger." Dr. Clover beamed, clearly pleased by the praise.
"Roger, I think we should start preparing now. The Navy fleet is probably on its way," Rayleigh calmly reminded him, seeing no point in wasting more time.
"Right, we shouldn't delay our trip to Wano Country," Whitebeard added. If it weren't for his gratitude toward Reid, he wouldn't have been so patient.
At that moment, Dr. Clover suddenly turned to Roger with a pleading expression. "Roger, we're old friends. This time, I need your help—take these historical documents with you."
"No need to take them. I've already recorded everything," Reid thought to himself. "Wait, the records are only accessible to me. I can't just hand them over. Copying them isn't realistic either—there are too many thick books, and I don't even know how to write."
Roger laughed and waved his hand."That's simple—just come with us and bring the documents. I'll have my crew carry them aboard."
"Roger, I've already told you—I'm not joining any pirate crew. I'm old, and studying historical texts is already a serious crime. Now you want me to commit an even worse one?"Dr. Clover was stunned. He had already made himself clear, yet Roger was still pushing the issue.
"Dr. Clover, you're already facing the death penalty! The Buster Call is coming to wipe you all out, and you're worried about more crimes? Have you studied your brain?" Marco shouted, pointing at Dr. Clover with an exaggerated, toothy grimace, his eyes bulging in frustration.
"Sigh... you have a point. Looks like my time is up," Dr. Clover muttered, shaking his head in dismay.
Reid stepped forward and placed a hand on Dr. Clover's shoulder. "Dr. Clover, we came specifically to save you. Right now, you need to gather Nico Robin, Nico Olvia, and the other key archaeologists here. We'll take you away."
"Can we take the island's residents too?" Dr. Clover asked sorrowfully, realizing Ohara was doomed.
"That's impossible. We don't have enough ships. The best you can do is broadcast a warning and tell everyone to flee—even if they have to swim," Reid said.
"Swim? Young man, are you joking? The sea is vast, filled with giant carnivorous fish and sea kings. That's suicide!" Dr. Clover gave Reid a disbelieving look.
"Ah... right, good point," Reid scratched his head awkwardly.
"Just gather the people first. We're pressed for time," Whitebeard said impatiently, looming over Dr. Clover with an imposing presence.
Dr. Clover felt a heavy pressure bearing down on him. "Alright, let's go."
As they left the secret chamber and returned to the main hall, Reid suddenly noticed a familiar object—a celestial globe depicting five planets of varying sizes. Earlier, his focus had been on collecting records, so he'd overlooked it.
"Is that…?"
Dr. Clover followed his gaze. "That's a model we created years ago based on our historical interpretations."
Reid studied the globe intently. "Dr. Clover, what does it symbolize?"
"It represents the boundless ideas of human civilization, likened to planets. Thought knows no limits," Dr. Clover explained, his eyes gleaming as he gazed at the globe.
"Is that all?" Reid frowned. Based on what he knew, this should have represented the five planets—Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.
"Let's go, doctor. Call everyone over," Whitebeard said, gripping his large blade and growing impatient. He had no interest in this stuff.
"Right..." Cold sweat formed on Clover's forehead. Whitebeard's imposing presence was too much.
Just then, a woman rushed in frantically.
Reid looked up and felt she looked familiar.
[Nico Olvia: An archaeologist from Ohara with a remarkable talent for deciphering ancient Poneglyphs. Driven by her duty as a scholar, she is determined to uncover the history hidden by the World Government.]
Reid's heart skipped a beat. "So this is Robin's mother. It seems she's already escaped and returned."
"Olvia, you're back just in time."
"Dr. Clover." Olvia turned to Roger and the others, startled. "Roger? Why are you all here?"
She had already encountered a large group of pirates outside the library, which was why she'd rushed in so panicked.
"Long time no see, Olvia. We're here to save you," Roger greeted her with a grin.
"Save us?"
Dr. Clover nodded. "Roger's telling the truth, Olvia. I'll send someone to fetch Robin. You should all leave with Roger."
"Dr. Clover, didn't we agree that Robin and I have no connection?! I'm a wanted criminal—I can't drag Robin into this!" Olvia waved her arms in agitation.
"Olvia, the World Government has already dispatched the Navy's Buster Call fleet. They intend to wipe out everyone on Ohara, including the Tree of Knowledge," Dr. Clover explained grimly.
"How could this happen? What about the research materials?"
"Dr. Clover, we can't waste any more time—"
"Don't waste any more time. While the Navy hasn't arrived yet, let's quickly evacuate the people and the documents," Reid urged impatiently.
He had watched countless movies and read too many manga—he knew that delays often led to missing the best window of opportunity.
"Got it. The only thing is, I don't know where Robin is right now. She's been going out a lot these past few days," Dr. Clover said, then turned to the scholars inside the library. "Everyone, go out and look for Robin. Tell her to come here immediately."
"Wait a second, Dr. Clover—did you say Robin's been going out recently and hasn't been staying here to study archaeology?" Reid asked.
"Yes, I thought it was a bit strange too," Clover replied.
"Dr. Clover, have them search by the coast. Robin should be with a giant right now."
"A giant? How do you know that?" Dr. Clover looked at him in confusion.
"No time for questions. Just hurry up and bring Robin back," Reid urged again. He had no time to explain.
"Alright, did you all hear that? Do as Reid says—go to the coast and search for Robin."
"Yes, Dr. Clover!" A dozen scholars immediately rushed out the door.
"Dr. Clover, when will the Navy arrive?" Olvia's face was filled with worry and unease—this place held precious historical documents, and more importantly, her daughter.
"Very soon. We must hurry and salvage as many historical records as possible. These are invaluable treasures of human civilization."
Olvia fell silent, standing frozen in place, unsure of what to do.
"Doctor, before Robin returns, we should start moving the materials. No more idle talk," Rayleigh interjected pragmatically.
"Right. Olvia, let's go inside and start packing."
"I'll go call for more help." Reid dashed out the door.
"Captain Roger and Captain Whitebeard have ordered everyone to come help move the historical documents to the ships!"
Reid phrased it this way to minimize questions—and sure enough, everyone immediately began filing into the library.
"Let's go, let's go!" Doringo was the first to rush in.
"Historical documents? Hahahaha! Now this is interesting," Teach mused, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as he passed Reid.
"Brother Reid, let's work together. We can't let the World Government destroy these historical records."
"Oh, sure."
Reid responded with a smile, but inwardly, he sneered. Hypocrite. Just wait—if I get the chance, I'll eliminate you before you can repeat history.
His thoughts turned to Ace. Teach is indirectly responsible for Ace's death. If not for him, Ace would never have been killed by Akainu.