The waves were tumultuous, but a ship still cruised through them. Aboard it were Alexander, Anna, Robin, and many more mind-controlled crewmates steering the vessel forward. They were approaching the Red Line—specifically, the Reverse Mountain. After crossing it, they would finally reach the West Blue, where their destination, Ohara, lay.
"Don't worry so much, little Robin... I believe everything will turn out fine. And even if it doesn't, I'm super strong and will definitely rescue your mother," I reassured her with a smile, gently patting her head.
Robin forced a small smile and nodded. Her attachment to her mother was apparently stronger than I had expected—more than in the original story. It seemed that saving her from the bullying she endured had reduced the resentment she originally held toward her mother. After all, she hadn't suffered as much from her mother's absence in this version of events.
Just then, the distant cooing of seagulls echoed overhead—a flock of News Coos flew by. One dropped a newspaper. Alexander quickly paid and picked it up.
"Well... the timing couldn't be better," he muttered, eyes narrowing as he scanned the front page. The report was entirely focused on the destruction of Ohara—a Buster Call had annihilated the so-called evil scholars who were accused of trying to resurrect the Ancient Weapons and destroy the world.
Robin, sitting beside Alexander, peeked at the paper. Her eyes widened in horror as she took in the headline and images. Her face twisted with disbelief and grief, tears welling up. Her hometown was gone. Erased from the map.
As a scholar, Robin knew what a Buster Call meant. Seeing the Tree of Knowledge engulfed in flames was confirmation enough—nothing remained.
Both Alex and Anna tried to console her, but nothing they said seemed to ease the pain. Some wounds, after all, only time can heal.
"Alex... why did the World Government destroy Ohara? The scholars were innocent. There's no way they'd try to awaken the Ancient Weapons. It's all lies... They were just studying history. Is that such a terrible crime? They didn't even spare the civilians..." Robin cried.
"You know, the reason is more complex than it seems. The World Government was cruel and unreasonable—but the blame doesn't lie solely with them. Ohara's scholars share responsibility too. Studying history isn't a crime, but they weren't studying regular history—they focused on the one period the Government explicitly forbids. And they did so while being utterly powerless. The Roger Pirates also uncovered the secrets of the Void Century, but they were strong—untouchable. In the end, the scholars committed a crime they couldn't afford to, and the World Government overreacted, using them as a warning. Now, no one will dare touch the Void Century for a long while," I explained.
Was I being too blunt? Maybe. But this was what I genuinely believed. Robin thought the Ohara scholars were completely innocent. She was wrong. And she needed to understand that.
Imagine if, one day, she got curious and recklessly started researching the Void Century without my knowledge—what if she got caught? What if I got dragged down with her? Just like how Ohara's civilians were dragged down by their scholars.
Robin had to learn how to survive. She couldn't become like her mother—obsessed with forbidden history while ignoring everything else. I have too many long-term plans for her to jeopardize them all.
"Were the scholars of Ohara... and Mom... really at fault?" Robin asked again, eyes glistening.
"Yes. Yes, they were. They were too naïve and far too weak to handle the knowledge they uncovered. Weakness is the original sin, Robin. Their foolishness cost them—and others—everything. Even the innocent were implicated. As for your mother... Robin, I can't say I like her. What kind of mother leaves her two-year-old daughter in an abusive household and never looks back? Not once has she tried to contact you, even after all these years. She doesn't care about you. And let's not forget—she's the one who triggered all of this. She was caught and spilled everything, sealing Ohara's fate. She was foolish, careless, and weak... Someone like that isn't worth your tears," I said, pulling her into a hug, planting the seeds of this truth while she was emotionally vulnerable.
She didn't resist. In another state of mind, she might have argued—but not now. Not with her hometown gone. So she just nodded, quietly accepting my words. Her subconscious had already begun casting her mother in a negative light.
"Turn the ship back! We're not heading to the West Blue anymore—we need to lay low for a while!" I ordered.
Heading toward Ohara had only ever been a show. Now that I'd accomplished my goal, it was time to shift course. I just needed Robin to agree—and I already had a convincing reason in mind.
"Huh? Why are we turning back? Please, I need to see it for myself. What if some of them survived?" Robin pleaded, her voice cracking.
"No... You can't go there now. This all happened because of Nico Olvia. If you suddenly appear at the scene, the World Government's agents might recognize you. And if they do, it'll be bad—very bad. You'd be in serious danger. And for me, Robin, your safety is worth far more than the lives of those who are already gone. I won't risk you for dead people. Besides, you look too much like your mother—and now, her face has been broadcast across the world. We need to wait until things calm down. When they do, you can move freely again," I said firmly, patting her head once more. She needed to know—I was all she had now.
Robin gave a faint smile at my words, but it faded quickly. Still, she nodded. She understood.
She gave her consent—not that it was needed. We had already turned back and were heading toward Drum Island.
Robin, who was within my arms quickly fell asleep, the emotional stimulus was quite a lot for an eight year old, tears still smeared on her face.
I didn't disturb her and let her sleep, caressing her head.
This was handled quite well from my side I suppose, I agreed to return back at once hearing Robin's pleas, raising her gratitude, and hearing the news of Ohara, I put Robin first, and let her understand that I care about her more, which touched her even further.
Now I am not saying this is the best result possible, but without harming any of my interests, this was the best I could think of.
Anyways, that's over for now, let's go and collect that busted devil fruit from Drum kingdom.