Chapter 5: Saul and crisis on Ohara

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"Why? Isn't it possible to unravel the blank one hundred years of history just by studying the historical texts?" Robin asked, confusion clouding her eyes.

"You... you... you... How do you know about those historical texts? Did you use your ability to peek at them again? You should be aware that interpreting historical texts is a serious crime, right?" Dr. Clover stammered, taken aback.

"But aren't we all still studying secretly in the basement every night?" Robin countered, trying to understand.

Dr. Clover was even more shocked to hear this.

"You know all that? Did you peek at everything? Answer me! Robin!" he insisted, his tone now serious.

"It's because you never let me get close to the basement that I wanted to become a historian! I thought if I became one, I would finally get the chance to study with you! That's why I've been working so hard!"

Facing the doctor's questioning, Robin felt a sense of grievance but still laid out the truth.

Dr. Clover's expression shifted dramatically. He placed an arm around her shoulders, softening his voice.

"Robin! Your knowledge could be considered that of a historian, but you are still just a child. When we analyze these historical texts, we must prepare ourselves to lose our lives at any moment for our resolve in research."

"Since the founding of the World Government 800 years ago, the blank history has become an absolute taboo under the highest laws of the world, with countless scholars sacrificed for it!"

"I also want to tell you that the only people left in this world who can decipher ancient texts are us, the O'Hara clan! We have no way out!"

Finally, Dr. Clover looked intently at Robin and said, "I need you to take an oath to the Tree of Omniscience right now! Never go near the basement again! If you do, you will be forbidden from entering the library!"

"I don't want to!"

Robin pushed Dr. Clover away forcefully and dashed out of the library in tears.

"Wait for me!"

Jason pursued her hastily, feeling helpless to interrupt the scene, knowing that no matter his intentions, the outcome would not change.

"This child is still walking the same path as her mother!"

"She doesn't know yet that her mother, Olvia, was arrested by the World Government just a few days ago. It goes without saying what fate awaits her!" Dr. Clover lamented slowly.

...

Jason chased Robin all the way to the beach. He could have easily caught up with her, but he understood she needed this moment to vent, so he didn't restrain her.

In the past, Jason had attempted to change the impending doom of O'Hara's destruction. He subtly expressed his concerns to the elders, but they didn't believe that the World Government would ever destroy the island!

Even with the Buster Call issued, they continued to dismiss the notion!

Realizing that altering the outcome was impossible, Jason resigned himself to the gloomy reality. After all, this was the first place the Buster Call would strike!

...

At the beach, Robin sat on the rocks, weeping dejectedly. Jason felt lost, unsure how to comfort her. He could only lie beside her.

"Robin, don't be sad. You're still young. Maybe once you grow up, they'll let you pursue your studies as a doctor!"

"No matter what you want to study, I'll support you! Besides, all the doctors and scholars are probably studying secretly as well. You have Devil Fruit powers, so you can peek at them as much as you want!"

Seeing Robin still in tears tugged at Jason's heartstrings.

"Damn that old man! I can't believe he made Robin cry! How could he let such a cute little girl suffer like this?"

"Otherwise, I'll just put a knife to the old man's neck right now and demand that historical text be handed over to you!"

Jason spoke harshly and half-jokingly, even though he would never truly resort to that.

"I don't want that!"

At this, Robin finally lifted her head, tears still glistening in her eyes. Jason sighed with relief, grateful that she had stopped crying.

Seeing this was a welcome change, he gently wiped away her tears.

"Don't worry, the doctors only think of you as a child for now. In a few years, they will surely recognize your determination!"

"And if that doesn't work, we can wait until we grow up. By that time, the old man will be long gone, and no one will have the power to stop you!"

"Okay!"

Robin finally nodded.

Well, there was no need to wait for Robin to grow up; the old man would be gone in just a few days!

Not just him, but O'Hara! Jason felt a wave of anxiety; he had thought about taking Robin away from danger for a long time, but she had consistently refused!

In just a few days, the Buster Call would arrive, with Akainu and Aokiji leading the way. Jason knew Aokiji would likely let Robin go, but he might not afford the same kindness to Jason, who was not at his level yet!

But he had a system, and he was determined not to be stuck in this place!

After some persuasion and guidance from Jason, Robin finally felt less despondent.

Feeling relieved with Robin's mood improved, he suggested they take a break to relax—a perfect opportunity to suggest leaving O'Hara, but she refused to go!

So, they walked silently along the beach, Jason following closely behind.

...

The very next day, Robin and Jason continued their routine strolls by the beach.

"Hey, Robin! Look! There's a giant up ahead!" Jason exclaimed.

Robin was lost in thought, so Jason hurried ahead and spotted the giant, causing his heart to race—Jaguar D. Saul!

His appearance meant that the Buster Call would happen soon. However, Jason had forgotten the specific timeline!

With curiosity, the pair approached. This was Jason's first chance to see a giant!

"It's massive!"

Saul lay sprawled on the beach, and both Robin and Jason were hardly the length of one of his fingers!

"Boom boom boom!"

The sound of earth-shaking footsteps reverberated as Saul stretched! Despite the commotion, it didn't frighten the two children.

The atmosphere shifted for a moment. When Saul noticed they weren't afraid, his expression fell in defeat as he slumped back onto the beach, breathless.

"Water... water..." he groaned.

"Water?"

The two children exchanged glances and pointed him toward a nearby river.

"Bang bang bang!"

With labored movements, Saul trudged toward the river, and each step tremored the ground beneath him.

Upon spotting the water, he immediately dove into it, burying his face!

"Tons, tons, tons!"

"Huh~ What bliss! I'm saved! I wonder how that guy is doing!" he mused, completely oblivious.

"Thank you for saving me! Is there a town on this island?" he asked once he surfaced.

"Yes!" the children nodded.

"Well, I'd prefer to wash ashore on an uninhabited island!" Saul replied, slightly melancholy.

He fell silent for a moment before sitting up again, leaning against a hill while tucking his knees to his chest.

Jason and Robin clambered atop a high rock to get a better view of him.

They stared at one another, quietly assessing the situation.

"Even if you simply gawk at me, nothing exciting will happen! I'm sitting here because my foot is injured. Once I recover, I'm making a raft and leaving this place!"

"Is this your first time seeing a giant?" he inquired.

"Yes!" they replied in unison.

"Let me clarify first: I'm not a barbarian like those from Elbaf! There are gentle giants among us too!"

"Um...?"

"I know you may not believe it, but I hope you won't tell anyone you've seen me, okay?"

Robin and Jason exchanged glances.

"Okay! We won't tell!"

Upon hearing this, Saul's expression relaxed, and he turned away.

"I promised so heartily; I'll definitely not let the secret slip!"

"Of course not!"

"Stop lying! How can two little kids keep a secret?"

"What's there to discuss?"

Both of them looked bewildered, and Saul appeared stunned at their innocence.

"Pfft~ dereshsishsi"

The bizarre laughter drew Robin's attention while Jason maintained a neutral expression; he already knew that laughter among pirates could be rather strange.

"Dere shishi? What does that mean?" Robin asked.

"What does it mean? I'm just laughing! You two silly kids are too funny!"

"Are you laughing at us?"

After a brief pause, Robin joined in with a smile.

"You should smile more—you look cute! Unlike the kid next to you, who doesn't react when being laughed at. So boring!"

"No! I'm just having an off day today. Usually, I smile!" Jason defended himself, feeling heat rise to his cheeks as he shot down any notion otherwise.

Robin felt bashful from the praise, although Jason often complimented her.

But Jason was doing fine by her side—how could the giant mock him? Slowly, Jason drew his wooden knife and enveloped it with his Haki.

"Huh? You! You, you, you! Just kidding, don't be impulsive!" Saul sighed in relief when Jason lowered the knife again.

"That's impressive! I didn't expect you to master Haki at such a young age!"

"Haki? What's that?" Jason replied nonchalantly. Robin, curious, looked at him for clarification.

"I can't explain everything to you! It's the mark of a strong person! If you're mastering it at your age, your name will surely one day resonate across the seas! Dereshishishishi!"

"Strong? Jason is indeed very powerful!" Robin chimed in.

Saul laughed for a moment, then introduced himself.

"My name is Jaguar D. Saul."

"D? Jason also has a D in his name! What does it mean?" Robin asked, puzzled.

"Oh? Does this young lad have one too? I'm not sure what it signifies. Everyone in my family has this letter!"

"What's your full name?"

"Nico Robin."

"Portgas D. Jason!" he declared proudly.

"Alright, I've remembered you both! But I'm being hunted—it would be unwise if others find out about me!"

"I know. We won't tell!"

Through their ongoing conversations, Jason and Saul quickly forged a friendship.

It's worth noting that people in the pirate world had extraordinary resilience. By the second day of their meeting, Saul's leg injuries miraculously healed, and he began constructing a makeshift raft to leave the island.

On the third day, Saul finished the small portion of food the children provided—a rather comical sight, given that the amount couldn't even fill his giant mouth.

As Saul worked on his raft, he chatted with Jason and Robin.

"You two seem to have plenty of free time! Why are you here all day? Don't you need to head home? Aren't your parents or friends concerned?"

"I'm an orphan. I only have Robin as my friend—and now I have you!" Jason replied earnestly.

"I do have a mother, but she set sail when I was very young and never returned. I no longer remember her face." Robin added, sadness cloaking her words. "Though I've been close with the elders, they've cast me aside now. So I only have Jason as my friend."

"Then you two truly complement each other! Dereshishishishi!" Saul chuckled.

"You again! Quit spouting nonsense!" Jason waved a fist mockingly, making his annoyance evident. Robin felt a slight flush of embarrassment.

On the fourth day, Saul exclaimed with pride: "It's finally complete! Dereshishishishi!"

"Are you departing?" Jason asked.

"Why so glum? I still need to make a flag! I plan to linger here for a few more days!"

At that moment, panic engulfed the villagers of O'Hara as a formidable fleet of Marine warships surrounded the island.

While Saul, Jason, and Robin continued to converse, Robin brought up the blank hundred years and the forbidden historical texts.

Saul's expression shifted with realization as he observed Robin's features closely.

"Robin, do you know what your mother's name is?" he asked cautiously.

"Olvia. Nico Olvia."

The very name sent a shockwave through Saul, causing him to stumble backward. It took him a moment to regain his composure.

"Robin is Olvia's daughter? Is this O'Hara Island?"

"Yes!"

"What's so strange? I drifted here too!" Jason interjected, maintaining his calm despite the gravity of the situation.

Saul wore a grim expression.

"Though it may terrify you, I assure you—the Marine ships are headed this way!"

"What are the Marines doing here?" Robin pressed, confusion in her voice.

"They're here to eliminate the archaeologists on this island! You absolutely cannot let them know you're a historian!"

"Liar! You must be lying!"

"Truly! I would never deceive you! If you return to town now, you'll see that something is amiss. Your mother should have returned as well!"

"Mother?" Robin's eyes widened, and in an instant, she dashed toward the town.

"Wait for me! Robin!" Jason's heart sank as he pieced together the conversation, understanding the full weight of the situation. He alone knew the Marine's true intent—not just to eliminate historians, but to completely annihilate O'Hara and erase every life on the island.

As Robin raced toward the Tree of Knowledge, Olvia had just reunited with Dr. Clover and the other scholars. Frantically, she warned them to flee, but as expected, no one was willing to leave.

"Speaking of which, you must have something you want to accomplish, right?" Dr. Clover turned the conversation toward Robin.

Olvia's expression softened, filled with a mix of tenderness and sorrow.

"I can't see her now. Since I've chosen this path, I must sever all ties and ensure she doesn't become the daughter of a sinner."

Just then, a figure burst into the room.

"Dr. Clover, it's awful! A fleet of Marine warships has surrounded the island!"

"The Marines are here? This truly sounds disastrous!"

Without hesitation, Olvia opened a hidden bookshelf, revealing a cache of weapons.

"From now on, you and I are no longer companions. You must never acknowledge that we knew one another. Remember this!"

With that, she grabbed a musket and bolted out of the room. As she rushed past, she crossed paths with Robin, who was racing toward the Tree of Knowledge.

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