"What? You're saying Olvia led the new scholars from Alabasta to Sabaody Archipelago?"
Michael abruptly stood up, looking at Dragon.
"That's correct... Is there a problem with this?" Dragon raised his head, a hint of confusion between his brows.
"Isn't assigning this to Olvia, who's both an archaeologist and scholar herself, perfectly appropriate?"
"Yes, your arrangement isn't wrong, but have you forgotten who currently controls Sabaody Archipelago?" Michael said helplessly.
"It's Nico Robin! Olvia's own daughter!"
"This... is that an issue?" Dragon grew inexplicably nervous seeing Michael's grave expression.
"I know about that girl Nico Robin - wasn't she promoted to Rear Admiral at Marine Headquarters? Though she handles trade between Fishman Island and Sabaody, isn't Admiral Kizaru currently stationed there?"
"It seems our intelligence agents at Sabaody don't fully understand the current situation," Michael gave a bitter laugh.
"Although Admiral Kizaru and two Admiral candidates are stationed there... those three don't handle anything except combat! Especially Gion! Ever since Robin took over my position as her aide, the actual ruler of Sabaody Archipelago has been the then still young Robin!"
"That was the case back then. Now that Robin's been promoted to Rear Admiral, the entire region around Sabaody follows her lead completely! Her word carries more weight than an Admiral's!"
"Well damn... who knew about these behind-the-scenes details!"
An awkward expression appeared on Dragon's face.
"Who would've thought Marine Admirals could be that lazy! But putting that aside... since it's her own daughter, Olvia should be safe, right?"
"True," Michael nodded. "But do you know what Robin said when she joined the Marine?"
"Surely not something like swearing eternal enmity with her mother..."
"No, she said she would definitely bring her mother back to her side!" Michael sighed deeply.
"Sigh... and you just delivered Olvia straight into the territory of her daughter who's obsessed with her mother..."
"...W-wait, surely it can't be that bad?" Dragon showed rare signs of fluster.
"Olvia is just leading scholars to Sabaody for cultural infiltration..."
"Then you'd better pray that our little Robin doesn't run into her mother before I can get to Sabaody Archipelago."
...
At Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Olvia, Chief of Staff of the Revolutionary Army, sat quietly in a corner of the bar, watching Shakky attend to customers.
Although they had just made contact, Shakky's rule was clear—anything related to information had to wait until business hours were over.
Even if it was Michael, no exceptions were made.
After all these years, Olvia was no longer the archaeologist who couldn't even flee properly back in the day.
Having spent so much time with the Revolutionary Army, even the frailest flower would have toughened into a resilient bloom.
Not to mention, the women of the Nico family were born with exceptionally high intelligence.
Though Michael held the title of Chief of Staff, before his expulsion from the Marines, he had been more of a symbol to the Revolutionary Army.
The actual responsibilities of the Chief of Staff had always fallen on Olvia.
Even now, Michael only worked with Dragon to outline broad strategic directions, while the specifics of planning and execution were left to Olvia.
This included the cultural infiltration strategy targeting scholars in Alabasta—one of the plans Olvia had devised.
Over the years, scholars originally from Ohara had found a second wind in Alabasta, experiencing a surge in successors.
After years of cultivation and refinement, Alabasta had produced nearly three thousand individuals who passed the examinations and became certified scholars in the past two years alone.
And that was from the mere two hundred Oharan scholars Michael had brought to Alabasta initially!
Moreover, these new-generation Alabastan scholars weren't rigid bookworms adhering to Ohara's old doctrines.
Instead, they were the culmination of Michael's early advocacy for "Mr. Democracy" and "Mr. Science," later adapted by Oharan scholars into localized teachings.
It was under these circumstances that Olvia deemed the cultural infiltration strategy ready for full implementation.
As one of the most direct victims of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government's policies of intellectual suppression, Olvia had long harbored a simmering resentment.
You Celestial Dragons and the World Government want to erase the Void Century? Want the people of the seas to become docile, obedient subjects?
Dream on!
Thus, as the Revolutionary Army set sail to liberate the nations of Paradise through armed struggle, Olvia dispatched these three thousand new scholars in small teams across the same territories.
Meanwhile, she personally led five squads straight to Sabaody Archipelago—the most critical region in the first half of the Grand Line.
As the twin gateways between Paradise and the New World, Sabaody Archipelago and Fish-Man Island were the focal points of this operation.
But… Olvia was confident she could fully execute this cultural infiltration strategy.
Given her intellect, she had already discerned that Michael's actions within the Marines were aimed at fostering their independence.
Moreover, from the shared core principles underlying both Marine and Revolutionary Army doctrines—despite differing rhetoric—she foresaw that Michael would one day facilitate a grand merger between the two forces.
To ensure the operation's success, intelligence was paramount.
And so, Olvia waited calmly in Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.Until the last drunken guest left some money and staggered out, Shakky finally hung the "Closed" sign outside the door.
She then brought a glass of tropical juice and placed it in front of Olvia.
"I remember you never touch alcohol... said it was to keep your mind sharp."
"You remember that quite well," Olvia smiled faintly, taking a sip of the juice before getting straight to the point.
"I won't beat around the bush... I need all the current intelligence on the entire Sabaody Archipelago!"
Just then, rhythmic knocking suddenly came from the back door.
"Hold on, fresh intel just arrived."
Shakky walked over and opened the back door to find a child who looked no older than ten waving at her.
Kneeling down, the child whispered something into Shakky's ear.
Then the kid scampered off as quickly as they'd come.
Leaving only Shakky with a peculiar expression.
"What happened?"
"Did you bring a group of scholars with you?"
"That's right..."
"Oh dear, we're in trouble."
Shakky clapped her hands together.
"Bad news... the Marine's taken them away."