"So, Robin's family is still alive after all?"
Far above the island, Shirogai Yamikuro heard everything Admiral Kuzan was saying below.
"You really are something, Kuzan," Shirogai muttered with a faint smile.
He had long suspected that Kuzan was hiding something. Somehow, Kuzan had managed to save the scholars of Ohara at the very moment the Buster Call was ordered. He had taken them away under the Marines' nose and kept them hidden in some remote corner, completely off the World Government's radar.
Maybe the future alliance between Blackbeard and Kuzan traces back to this secret. Blackbeard might have learned by some means that Kuzan spared those scholars who were supposed to die under the Buster Call. That knowledge could have been the leverage to force the alliance.
Shirogai stroked his chin, smiling mischief under his breath. "No wonder Kuzan carries more of a Fleet Admiral's calm resolve than Akainu. His hidden cunning and strategic decisiveness are indeed reminiscent of Sengoku."
He considered for a moment. "I wonder if Sengoku knew about this. What about Garp?"
The more he thought, the more plausible it seemed. He whispered quietly, "Yes, those two old-timers definitely knew."
There weren't many Ohara scholars in total, but enough that transporting them all required significant manpower. Kuzan alone, no matter how powerful, wouldn't have had enough authority or resources to orchestrate their escape without outside help.
So before the Buster Call fell, Kuzan likely constructed an ice fortress to shelter the Ohara scholars. After the crisis passed, he reported the truth to Garp and Sengoku. Then trusted Marine ships, disguised as normal forces, evacuated the survivors while the Marines conducted their staged investigation.
Shirogai turned his eyes to Robin, now approaching the Bridge of Hesitation far below. He said with a calm smile, "This secret might be good news for Robin. But first, I need to verify if it's real."
---
Halfway across the Bridge of Hesitation, the enormous Gates of Justice began to open.
Chief of CP-9, Spandam, bowed low in triumph as if he were a victorious hero basking in adoration. "Do you see now? Nico Robin, the Gates of Justice are opening for me, the great hero."
On either side of him stood CP-0 agents Ao Oni and Hidden Snake, motionless and cold.
Robin was seated on the cold ground, her head turned away in disgust, refusing to look at him.
Spandam snarled, enraged by her silence. He grabbed her cheek roughly and hissed, "What kind of expression is that? Are you still deluding yourself that your friends might come rescue you? Stop dreaming! Once you pass through this gate, you'll never see the light of day again! Do you want to rot in Marineford forever, or spend the rest of your life in Impel Down?"
Below them, Marine warships had already arrived at the far end of the bridge, ready to escort Robin into a prison from which so many enemies of the World Government never returned.
Spandam yanked hard at Robin's hair, grinning viciously. "You're waiting for the Fifth Emperor, aren't you? Too bad, he won't come. Kuzan has detained him!"
He raised his voice, angry and triumphant. "The Buster Call has begun! Everything on Enies Lobby will be obliterated! Just like Ohara twenty years ago! No one will care after the island is annihilated completely! Uniform bombardment means justice endures!"
Leaning close to Robin's ear, he hissed, "Only the World Government holds true justice. The Celestial Dragons are gods in this world! And I intend to join their ranks — I will become one of the gods who control everything! You, survivor of Ohara, are a stepping stone I will use to climb to divinity!"
He laughed, hysterical and triumphant. The malice in his voice echoed across the Bridge of Hesitation, marking the place twisted justice had come to.
Ao Oni and Hidden Snake exchanged glances. In their eyes was only contempt.
Stupid fool. Do you really think you can become one of the Celestial Dragons? Soon you'll realize your usefulness has run out — then your life ends.
Spandam dragged Robin forward, toward the open gate, eyes alight with the thrill of victory. He panted as he gloated, "During the Ohara incident, the man who triggered the Buster Call was my father, Spandine! I inherited his will, and I intend to finish what he started — erase your Ohara bloodline from history!"
Robin froze. The memory of that brutal man — raising his gun and ordering the scholars dead — flashed in her mind. The cruel declaration. Dr. Clover's lifeless body. The screams. The horror.
Now, that murderer's son stood above her, poised to crush the last surviving remnant of Ohara. Was this justice? Whose justice was this that the World Government claimed to protect?
Robin's limbs turned cold. Dizziness hit her like a wave.
Spandam raised his hand as if to strike. "You rebel! You dare judge me? Your worthless Ohara remnant life is meaningless."
He drew his sword and prepared to kill.
Suddenly, Ao Oni stepped forward, his gaze cold and authoritative. "This prisoner is very important. Her life must not be endangered."
Spandam snarled, disgusted. He sheathed his sword, then struck out with an open palm at Robin. "You worthless bug, you lecture me about justice? Don't you know that in this world only the strong have the right to speak?"
Robin closed her eyes, steeling herself to receive the blow. For a moment, silence reigned.
Then a calm voice echoed from her heart. "Justice exists, but each person's justice differs."
A terrifying aura erupted around Robin — the unmistakable surge of Conqueror's Haki.
Ao Oni and Hidden Snake froze, eyes wide with terror.
Spandam screamed, "No!!" He collapsed to the ground as his consciousness slipped away.
Then, with a roar, Conqueror's Haki surged outward. Clouds above twisted violently under its pressure. The sun — eternal daylight itself — dimmed as the haki cloaked the sky in darkness, turning this sleepless island into a night of doom.
______
Happy New Year!
The number of power stones I get is pretty low lately, which is kind of funny in its own way.
If you'd like to read ahead (about 60 to 90 chapters in advance) you can find early access on my Patreon.
Patreon.com/Zphyr_