On one hand, he looked down upon the power of Ancient Weapons. Whether it was creating creatures comparable to Ancient Weapons or enhancing his own strength, there were many ways to replace such things.
Moreover, if we talk about the whereabouts of Ancient Weapons, Arceus possibly knows much more than these historians, even down to specific names.
"Old man, you'd better stop thinking about those unnecessary things. Don't you think the wounds on you are more fatal?"
Arceus's response exceeded Clover's expectations. It was the first time he heard someone belittle the power of Ancient Weapons. While he was pondering this, Olga nudged his shoulder.
Although Spandine missed, he still hit his body. The good news was that it didn't hit any major blood vessels or organs. The bad news was that the bullet remained inside and the wound was still bleeding.
Under Asie's influence, Olga had more respect for scholars. Ohara wasn't just recently known as an archaeological Holy Land; it had been so even in Alkemi's era.
She still wished those scholars wouldn't stubbornly choose to die here. Indeed, Clover also hoped these people wouldn't all die here. They had only just scratched the surface of history; the Giant Kingdom was still just a shadow, and the truth of the Poneglyph hadn't been uncovered yet.
Unearthing history personally was something every historian wanted to achieve. The World Government had forced them to a dead end, and the only ones they could rely on to preserve these documents were the pirates in front of them.
He just hoped he could find a reason to ease his conscience. After all, questions of that nature were meaningless at such times; the other party could easily lie.
However, Arceus's words left him a little confused, and Olga's poke happened to touch his wound, the pain from which brought him back to his senses.
"I understand, but please let whatever comes next be directed at me, and don't trouble those young ones."
"Those matters pose no difficulty for you. Ship doctor, treat his wound."
"Coming, right away!"
Although the Hundred Beasts Pirates indeed brought a ship doctor, at the moment that doctor was also working as labor moving documents. Upon hearing the command, he dropped the documents and ran over.
But seeing the doctor's actions, Clover became even more agitated.
"No, I'm fine, I can hold on, quickly go save those documents!"
To him, having someone moving documents tend to his injuries was a massive waste; in his panic, more blood flowed from the wound.
"Doctor, please rest, I'll handle this."
Seeing Clover's state, Robin held him back, then crossed her arms and activated her Fruit Ability. Numerous hands appeared on the shelves, relaying the books down.
Paramecia-type, Flower-Flower Fruit, capable of growing parts of her body on any tangible object.
In this regard, her solo efficiency equaled dozens of people. However, the subsequent events were not quite what she imagined. Due to her Fruit Ability, she was often regarded as a monster by the island's people.
The scholars had some responsibility in this matter. While the average resident could be excused for not knowing about Devil Fruits, it was impossible for these scholars with their experience not to have heard of them. Yet, no scholar ever explained the matter to the island's residents.
In the West Sea, Robin's ability could terrify others, but to the pirates of the New World, ability users were commonplace. Not only were they not afraid, but they also felt delighted and envious.
"Well done, little girl. Your ability is really convenient."
"A kid from the West Sea got a Devil Fruit, how come I never had that luck..."
To pirates, an ability meant more possibilities. The strength of each limb summoned by the Flower-Flower Fruit was equal to her original body's. If someone with strong body techniques consumed the Flower-Flower Fruit, the enhancement would be exponential.
In the meantime, Yamato slid down a banister, like a slide.
"Is this your Fruit Ability? It looks quite interesting."
"You... you all don't find it scary?"
"What's there to be afraid of? It's just a Fruit Ability. Though most of the ones I've seen turn into animals, creating another me sounds kinda nice."
If she could make another herself, she could have her clone train with Kaidou while she went off to do other things.
Yamato's outgoing personality led her to ask Robin all sorts of questions. But now, Robin rarely communicated with her peers since the island children all saw her as a monster, leaving her momentarily unsure of what to say.
Meanwhile, Arceus looked at Saul. With the scholars taken care of, there remained the giant before him.
"Saul, what's your decision?"
"How do you know my name..."
"Jaguar D. Saul, your name is already on the Navy's Wanted Poster. So what do you plan to do?"
"... Originally, I planned to return to my own country, but looking at you guys, it seems you won't let me leave like that. I'm not comfortable with Robin and the others leaving with you pirates.
If you can accept my former Navy identity, then I'll leave with you instead."
Ever since learning of Kuzan and Sakazuki's involvement in the Buster Call, he knew his strength couldn't break through.
"But... can you really leave here in front of the Navy?"
He had remained deep within the island and hadn't exposed himself much, so the Navy at sea hadn't discovered him yet.
In the original timeline, his attempt to flee with Robin got his cover blown, drawing his former friend Kuzan. The same applied now. With his size, the moment he approached the island's edge, the Navy would surely spot him, leading to an inevitable battle.
Leaving with the pirates might not be ideal for the scholars, but at least they wouldn't die under cannon fire immediately.
Initially, he had no interest in that century-long void, but the World Government's intense response now piqued his curiosity. He wanted to follow the scholars to see for himself what would make the World Government destroy an island.
If his presence led to their exposure...
"That's not your concern. We just happen to need someone from the Giant Race."
Saul himself wasn't the target; his character made piracy impossible. What Arceus aimed for was the Giant Country behind him.
If they connected to the Giant Country, perhaps there'd be giants who wanted to go to sea. Such occurrences weren't rare among the Giant Race. As long as they didn't join the BIG MOM Pirates, other giants wouldn't interfere with them.