A flashy looking pirate ship was cutting across the calm waters of the West Blue.
The snarling skull painted on its sail had been split cleanly in two by a single slash. The tattered halves drooped weakly in the sea breeze, looking as deflated as the crew's morale.
Kael lounged lazily across the figurehead at the bow. Mihawk stood nearby, carefully polishing Yoru. Moria squatted at the rail, his bizarre laughter breaking the tranquil air.
"Jihihihihi, Kael, why are we going to Ohara again?" Moria turned around, his eyes full of confusion.
"That place is just bookworms and archaeologists. What is there to do, really? Is there some treasure hidden there or something?"
At that, Mihawk's hand stilled. His hawk like eyes shifted toward Kael.
He did not speak, but the question was written plainly in his gaze.
"Relax." Kael's lazy voice drifted out from under the straw hat covering his face. "I am taking you two to see a limited edition landmark."
In his mind, the image of two collapsing skyscrapers from his previous life flashed by.
Some sights, once you miss them, never appear again.
Meanwhile, down in the lowest level of the ship, a bunch of bruised and battered pirates were huddled together, shaking like leaves.
This had been their ship. Now they did not even dare breathe too loudly.
A one eyed first mate lowered his voice and leaned toward the captain curled up in the corner.
"Captain, all together we still have over fifty men. They only have three. If we wait until they are not paying attention and rush them all at once…"
Smack.
Before he could finish, the captain slapped the back of his head so hard his remaining eye almost popped out.
"Did you eat too many red beans and get lovesick, you idiot?"
The captain hissed in a furious whisper, on the verge of tears from sheer frustration.
"Did you even look at who those three are?"
His hand shook as he pointed toward the deck above.
"The one lying down is the 'Waveguide King' Kael Grylls, who walked out of Marineford in one piece. The one with the sword is the rising star 'Hawk Eyes' Dracule Mihawk. And that giant over there is 'Moonlight' Moria, the man who can control shadows."
The more he spoke, the more worked up he became, flecks of spit flying.
"Any one of those three could send us and this ship straight into a Sea King's stomach. You still want to launch a sneak attack? With what? Your eyeball?"
The one eyed first mate stared blankly for a second, then felt cold sweat soak through his back.
He took a deep breath and collapsed onto the floor, muttering under his breath.
"Being allowed to ferry these three lords around is already the greatest honor of my life. Walking away alive is victory. As expected of our wise and glorious captain."
…
A few days later, the full view of the "Island of Knowledge," Ohara, finally appeared before the three of them.
It was a lush, verdant island. At its center rose a colossal tree that seemed large enough to link heaven and earth.
This was the world famous Tree of Knowledge.
The air here was filled with the scent of ink and old paper, blended with the fragrance of plants. It clashed completely with the smoke and blood that permeated most corners of the pirate world.
"Jihihihihi, really is a peaceful place." Moria actually gave a rare, mild comment.
Mihawk tilted his head back to look up at the great tree, a faint, hard to notice tremor flickering in his eyes.
Kael wondered to himself if Mihawk would feel an urge to try cutting down the Tree of Knowledge.
He led the other two on a casual stroll through the town.
He bought a serving of the local specialty, takoyaki, and split it between them.
Moria popped them into his mouth one by one, thoroughly enjoying himself. Mihawk, on the other hand, took reserved, tiny bites, but his expression clearly said, "This is not bad."
People bustled up and down the streets. Scholars walked by holding thick tomes, debating as they went. Children played noisily along the roadside, their faces full of carefree smiles.
Everything was so peaceful, so beautiful.
And all of it was about to be wiped out by merciless bombardment.
Under a Buster Call, there would be no survivors.
Looking relaxed on the surface, Kael steered the other two down a small side path and out to an open stretch of grass.
The afternoon sun was warm and gentle. A soft breeze stirred the blades of grass, making them whisper.
At the edge of that grassy field sat a small, skinny figure.
It was a little girl of about eight. Her long black hair was smudged with dirt. Her skin was pale from poor nutrition.
She was clutching a book thicker than her upper body, reading so intently she did not even notice anyone approaching.
Nico Robin.
Kael's steps came to a halt.
Moria and Mihawk followed his gaze and were both a little surprised.
In a place like this, a child, alone, reading.
Perhaps it was the shadow falling over her that blocked the sun. Little Robin finally sensed something.
She looked up. The moment she saw the three "uninvited guests" before her, her clear eyes instantly filled with wariness and panic.
A black haired man with a playful air, like some decadent noble.
A swordsman whose gaze was sharp as a hawk's, every inch of him radiating keep away.
And a towering, oddly shaped man whose appearance was frankly a bit terrifying.
These were not people from the town.
Robin's first instinct was to run.
On reflex, she snapped her book shut and hugged it tight to her chest. She sprang to her feet and turned, ready to dash into the trees.
Years of being ostracized by her peers, treated as a "monster," had taught her to keep a deep guard up toward strangers.
Kael saw it all and sighed inwardly.
Even in a city of knowledge, ignorance still thrived.
Because of a single Hana Hana no Mi, a child who should have been laughing freely under the sun had been branded a "monster," forced to struggle in the shadow of loneliness and rejection.
Just as Robin's small figure was about to disappear into the undergrowth, Kael spoke, his voice as warm and gentle as he could make it.
"Robin, wait."
His voice was not loud, but every word carried clearly to her ears.
The girl froze mid step, her body going rigid.
He… how does he know my name?
Did the scholars send him? Or was it another group of adults come to drive her away like some kind of freak?
Fear and confusion crashed against each other inside her tiny frame.
She did not turn around. Her small shoulders trembled faintly, caught somewhere between the urge to flee and…
Kael did not move any closer. He simply kept a comfortable distance, wearing a harmless, easygoing smile.
"That book looks really interesting. Will you tell me what it is called?"
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