That was a poisonous stinger, like trying to prove a negative... but looking at Mr. Spandine's expression, it doesn't seem to be entirely wrong.
They probably didn't know the face and name of every single Ohara scholar.
They probably set a net for Robin's mother, Nico Olvia, whom they knew was a Poneglyph researcher, linked her to Ohara, and then... Buster Call.
"Those archaeologists aren't the type to just gnaw on their desks and play with paper theories," I pressed on. "They are scholars who go to the actual sites and potential locations to investigate. Were they really all on Ohara at the time of the Buster Call?"
Also, sorry to the girls. You guys look like you're about to faint, so you can sit down... No, I don't mean prostrate yourself.
The Five Elders are Celestial Dragons who know the outside world correctly to some extent. They probably understand that they are hated by normal humans. They must know the fate of the parents of Donquixote... what was his name, that rotten pink guy?
If so, the presence of many commoners should put some pressure on them... even if it's unconscious.
"That is what the Buster Call is for," Warcury stated coldly. "As an example to stop the sear—"
"If I were a surviving archaeologist, I would dive even deeper underground out of revenge, continue my research, and leave it for future generations."
Actually, I always thought it wouldn't be strange if there were a few scholars like that.
I'm emphasizing the idea that they are hiding on other islands, but I wouldn't be surprised if some scholars returned to the ruins of Ohara to recover materials or keepsakes.
"...You have Nico Robin under you," Warcury pointed out. "If you make the survivor of Ohara cooperate with us and make an announceme—"
"Even if I side with the Government along with Robin, it's meaningless now. If there are surviving archaeologists, they will think Robin has been captured and is being used."
"Then use Nico Robin's knowledge and carry out the plan you just described. Now that most of the scholars are dead, it should be easi—"
"It's impossible."
"Are you saying a man like you cannot make Nico Robin... a single child... listen to you?"
"That is not what I am talking about."
If it was before taking such a hardline measure like the Buster Call, maybe the current plan... or even if that didn't work, maybe one or two negotiation or containment strategies with Dr. Clover could have been tried.
But it's impossible now.
I sighed. "By invoking the Buster Call, you, the World Government, conversely admitted the value of Ohara's knowledge."
"...!"
He realized it. But it's late. Too late.
Military force isn't a universal elixir. It's a tricky, potent drug with massive side effects, limited range, and debuffs equal to its buffs... No, is that exactly why they are drunk on this drug even after 800 years?
If so, I can understand it a little...
"You may have succeeded in crushing the knowledge stored in Ohara, but on the other hand, you made the value of the past legacies, including the Ancient Script, known to the world. You showed that it was something the Government had to crush."
To make an example of them, they leaked information about the Buster Call...
And of all things—
"Ohara deciphered the Poneglyphs and tried to revive the Ancient Weapons. Therefore, they are criminals. Therefore, Buster Call. That flowed out to the world as information."
Really, why did you do that?
"That news might have kept the general public away from the Poneglyphs. But to those with ambition, the Poneglyphs must have looked all the more attractive."
In the original story, people like Crocodile.
And Big Mom... what was her name, the three-eyed girl? Since she was looking for a way like that, it wouldn't be strange if she was researching deciphering at the same time.
Or rather, there's no way she wasn't.
Kaido... I don't know well.
From what I read, I only remember he's a damn strong suicide maniac.
Although I was terrified when he took down Luffy in one hit.
If I had read more properly... I never thought something like this would happen. I was reading it at a friend's house, passed the part I read a long time ago, and was just about to catch up when...
"You admitted the existence of Ancient Weapons and released hints on how to reach them as news to the world," I concluded. "...Someone might already be gathering the scattered knowledge and people of Ohara. It wouldn't be strange if the great pirates in the Grand Line were making such moves."
In that sense, the ones most likely to be targeted are definitely us, though.
After all, "Black Cat" definitely has Ohara's knowledge.
Keeping Mihawk and the Guard with Robin as much as possible is a countermeasure against those who will come with brute force. And not leaving her alone in Mopuchi is nothing other than a precaution against the Queen whose moves I can't see.
If possible, I want to focus more on development, but strengthening our military power is urgent for defense too.
"...It is true that Ohara, who continued to disobey the World Government's laws, was in too much of a hurry," Warcury admitted grudgingly.
That is undeniable. Honestly, I can't completely defend Ohara.
However...
"Even so, you, the World Government, who did not face the root of the problem and just repeated history by crushing searchers and possibilities, made a fatal mistake in your methods. ...No, you keep making mistakes."
Even if I concede and say you had to use forceful measures, I think you should have gone in the direction of assassination...
At least, I think making a big scene was a bad move.
"...That is just speculation."
"Yes, it is speculation. You asked me to state my thoughts, so I did."
...As I thought, things become a little clearer when I'm alone with him.
Perhaps because they are used to politics while sitting on an absolute hierarchy, applying a little pressure is revealing cracks, however small.
He can't hide his sweat, and his hands move slightly.
When he thinks deeply, he touches his tie. When he can't come up with a good answer or is hesitating, he puts strength into his thumb.
It helps that it's easy to guess his thoughts.
"So, this is my personal opinion. You should not have used the Buster Call... you should not have wielded absolute military power so easily."
"Erasing something physically means erasing all other possibilities," Warcury argued. "Even if you try to change the flow to another direction, there is nothing left to flow into it."
"The knowledge Ohara stored is lost, and research has regressed. But as a reaction to that, it is extremely highly likely that the spark of searching for the past has been lit in the underground, filled with even more malice."
"This flow can no longer be changed."
One of the Five Elders, with a magnificent mustache, was staring at me intently.
...He told me to speak, so I spoke. Why do I have to feel so uncomfortable?
If you're going to waste time like this, please, just go home.
I planned to discuss reconfirming tomorrow's work schedule and how to fill in the current anxiety factors while eating with Mr. Spandine and Hina...
Mr. Spandine even finished the command and adjustments for CP9 with all his might and brought high-quality wine here...
"...The current..."
"Yes."
"Assuming your current speculation is actually happening, can you think of... any moves we can make right now?"
Like I'd know, you idiot!!
Besides, you're responsible for Justice! Your responsibility for the Marine slave incident is huge, so why are you sitting back so arrogantly!!
Please take half of our current work... no, sorry, that's too cruel. At least one-fifth... take half of that!
We are doing our best for reconstruction too!!
"Let's see..."
The Poneglyph issue is impossible now.
I think it's certain that many people have realized the value of the Ancient Script is real.
Even if they don't know about the Poneglyph that leads to Laugh Tale.
Then, hiding the existence of Ancient Weapons... No, if it turns out the things Ohara was trying to revive "didn't exist after all," the Ohara problem will reignite in a bad direction.
The impression of the Government will become even blacker.
"...Kuro."
Wait a little longer!!
"I apologize, just a moment."
Even if I really tried the previous plan through Robin... the first priority of that was to turn the dangerous topic of the Void Century into a kind of circus to relieve tension.
Now that so much blood has been shed, it's impossible. Or rather, meaningless.
Investigation into the underworld can only be done by relying on CP if it's the Government's forces.
If we could recover all the Poneglyphs, that would be a different story. But they are scattered all over the world. It might be possible long-term, but starting now isn't realistic.
In the first place, if we wanted to reduce the friction in governance as much as possible when collecting them, we should have gotten the archaeologists on our side and obtained a just cause for investigation before collecting them.
....
We're checkmated after all!!
"...Assuming the situation has progressed as I thought, I think it is difficult to overturn the situation from here," I admitted finally.
Really, what should we do?
Since many people have realized it's something inconvenient for the Government, we have no choice but to move in a direction that utilizes that. But the content is too big, and there are too many opaque parts.
Like with Crocodile, if someone reaches a hint about the Poneglyphs in a form other than Robin, it could lead to the discovery of Pluton or something.
At the start of the Wano arc, it hadn't appeared yet, but it's probably somewhere in the New World.
...Ah, come to think of it, what should I do about the blueprints?
"The Poneglyph problem is the same. I don't know what you don't want touched. I don't know how far you have to protect. I don't know what situation you are afraid of. Unfortunately, I cannot think of effective countermeasures at present."
Also, please go home soon.
Mr. Spandine looks like he's dying, the girls are pale, and the only one remaining calm in this place is Hina, who is at least bowing her head.
You're amazing. Personally, that earns you high points.
"Kuro."
"Yes."
"Do you know what this is?"
"...No."
...What is that? A chip?
"This is called a Proof Chip. Wearing this proves one is of the Celestial Dragon family. In other words, a brethren."
Ah, come to think of it, was there a scene where Doflamingo's father returned something when he quit being a Celestial Dragon?
My memory is pretty hazy around there.
"Kuro."
"Yes."
"Become a Celestial Dragon."
"...Huh?"
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