I sprinted toward Vice Admiral Saul, still clutching the sobbing Robin under my arm. I kept my distance and didn't remove my mask, but I raised my voice so he could hear me over the chaos.
"Vice Admiral Saul! I'm getting this child out of here! Olvia, Dr. Clover, and the rest of the scholars... they refuse to leave the library!"
"Once I clear this path, I'll go get 'em!" Saul roared, swinging a massive fist at a nearby warship. "I figured they'd be stubborn like that! I'll just have to hold the line until this firestorm ends, de-ray-shishishi!!"
As expected of Saul—his bond with Olvia and the scholars went back much further than mine. I watched him swatting away incoming shells that were aimed at the Tree of Knowledge.
Unlike the original story, he wasn't running toward the shore yet; he was acting as a living shield for the library.
"I'm counting on you, sir! Thank you!!"
I didn't waste another second. I kicked off the ground and used Moonwalk to ascend rapidly into the smoke-choked sky.
As I surveyed the coastline, I saw it—the evacuation ship. It was already listing heavily, smoke billowing from its deck.
They actually did it. The order to sink the civilians was given. I offered a silent apology to the innocent people on that ship and prepared to veer off toward a nearby island, but a shrill, hysterical voice cut through the air.
"FIRE!! Shoot down that masked freak and the brat! Shoot them down!!"
I glanced back to see a World Government ship stationary in the harbor. On its deck stood Spandine, his face swollen and bruised, screaming at his men.
"You there! You masked criminal! You'll pay for punching me! And that brat! She's an archaeologist who might know the secrets of Ohara! I'll put a bounty on both your heads! You're dead! Mark my words!!"
A wave of irritation washed over me. I swung my leg, sending a Rankyaku shockwave straight toward Spandine's shouting face.
"GYAAAAH!! SAVE ME!! GET DOWN!!"
Tch, tough cockroach. I didn't have time to play games with him.
"Wait!! Lasky! Mojah! Capture them!!"
"Director! Neither of them has recovered from the battle yet!" I heard an agent shout. "Please return to the cabin, sir! We're under attack from the traitor Saul!!"
I left their bickering behind, sprinting through the air toward a small, uninhabited island I had scouted earlier.
I'm sorry, Olvia. Clover. Saul.
I'm saving this girl. Saul is heading for the others, and all I can do now is pray he makes it. The odds are astronomically low, but he's a giant with a heart to match.
The Shelter in the Cave
I landed on the mid-section of the small island and moved into a deep, hidden cave. It was far enough away that the sounds of the bombardment were muffled.
I looked down at Robin; she was still clutching my shirt so hard her knuckles were white, occasionally letting out a small, jagged sob.
I finally removed the mask, loosened my collar, and stripped off my combat gear. I needed to breathe. I boiled some water and prepared hot cocoa for Robin and coffee for myself.
I handed her the cup, and slowly, gently, I started to ask her what had happened.
Eventually, exhausted by the crying and the terror, she drifted off to sleep. I sat there, stroking her hair as she let out soft, rhythmic sighs, her eyes still red and puffy.
I pieced together her story:
Two years ago, shortly after I had first helped Olvia and Robin, an archaeologist from the North Blue arrived on Ohara. His name was Lasky.
He claimed he wanted to study at the world-renowned library. The scholars welcomed him with open arms, and he quickly became one of them.
Then, yesterday, the Government ship arrived. Robin was in the library when Spandine and his men showed up, dragging a bound Olvia and Robin's aunt, Roji. Dr. Clover tried to negotiate, but it was useless.
It turned out Lasky was a deep-cover CP9 agent. With his expert testimony, every scholar was branded a criminal.
Lasky... that four-eyed bastard. I should have punched him a few more times. And it sounded like that "Roji" woman might have been the one to tip them off about Olvia.
I had been too careless. I focused on external threats, but I hadn't accounted for an enemy infiltrating the scholars themselves—someone with enough knowledge to find the hidden records. Even Saul's frequent visits probably drew the Government's eyes.
After she finished the history, Robin had looked at me with tear-filled eyes and said:
"You know, mister... I understand what Mama was trying to say. I know passing on history is important. But... but still... I just wanted to be with her.
I studied so hard to become an archaeologist so I could be like her. I even learned how to read the Ancient Text so I could keep my promise to you..."
She had dropped a massive bombshell there at the end, but I pushed the shock aside for now. I pulled her into a hug and patted her back.
"I'm sorry, Robin. If I had been better... if I had thought further ahead, I might have saved them all."
"No..." she whispered, sobbing into my shoulder. "You did so much. Thank you... for saving me."
Seeing her try to smile through her tears made me grit my teeth in fury. Some 'Headquarters Commodore' I am. Some 'Rising Star.' I can't even protect one girl's smile.
But regret wouldn't save her. I had to secure her safety first. I'd have to confirm the state of Ohara later, but for now, Robin needed a new identity and a way to protect herself.
I had to return to Marineford soon, which meant I needed to find a place—somewhere trustworthy—to hide her.
I stood up, carving the names of those I failed to save into my heart.
Olvia, Clover... leave the rest to me.Vice Admiral Saul... thank you for everything.
I closed my eyes and offered a silent prayer into the darkness of the cave.
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