"As expected, these two Devil Fruits were already in Moria's possession."
"They were likely excavated from some ancient ruin or grave."
Placing the box down, Black nodded approvingly at Aramaki. "Well done. Did you encounter any resistance?"
Aramaki's expression carried faint disdain. "Your Highness, there was a brief exchange, but that pirate's strength is unremarkable. His Haki was practically nonexistent. This subordinate subdued him within two moves."
Strictly speaking, that assessment was somewhat unfair to Gecko Moria.
No matter how far he had fallen, he was still a pirate who had once sailed the New World and clashed with Kaido of the Beasts. It would be inaccurate to claim he knew nothing of Haki.
However, Haki is the manifestation of will.
After witnessing his entire crew annihilated in Wano, Moria's spirit had collapsed. A broken will weakens Haki. In his current state, even if he understood it, he could barely wield it.
In that sense, Kaido's "education" was not something ordinary men could endure.
"Moria lost his ambition after Kaido crushed him," Black said calmly. "But that does not mean all great pirates are of that level."
Aramaki straightened slightly, clearly taking the reminder to heart.
Black offered no further comment.
The following days returned to relative calm. Black resumed his routine—tempering his Haki, refining his swordsmanship, and occasionally indulging in the so-called "local customs" of various islands.
Before dawn the next morning, faint breathing sounds drifted from Stella's cabin.
The door creaked open slightly.
Perona's small pink head poked out cautiously. She scanned left and right, confirming no one was nearby before exhaling in relief.
"I finally waited until no one's watching."
She clenched her tiny fists.
"That hateful guy wants to turn me into a slave. I have to escape while they're not paying attention!"
With great difficulty, she lifted a small bundle and slung it over her shoulder—nearly toppling backward from the weight.
"Why is it so heavy?!"
Inside were all the little trinkets Stella had used to amuse her the previous afternoon. Perona had tried choosing only a few but ultimately couldn't part with any of them.
Gritting her teeth, she tiptoed out, gently closing the door behind her.
"Huh? Why is my shadow suddenly so big?"
Moonlight poured across the deck, stretching her silhouette long against the door.
But as she finished closing it, her shadow expanded dramatically.
She stiffly turned her head.
Black stood behind her in loose nightwear, smiling with unmistakable mischief.
"I—I was just going to the restroom…"
Unable to devise a better excuse, she blurted the first thing that came to mind.
Black nodded thoughtfully. "Do you think I believe that?"
"You believe it?"
What exactly did he believe?!
Without another word, Black picked her up by the collar and walked back inside.
"Let go of me! Big villain!"
Like a kitten caught by the scruff, Perona flailed uselessly.
Her shouting awakened Stella, who sat up in confusion just in time to see Black stride toward the bed.
Before she could properly bow, Black pressed Perona down onto the mattress and delivered several firm swats to her backside.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Waaah! I'll escape for sure next time!"
Smack! Smack!
"Stop hitting me! I won't do it again!"
…
Two months later.
West Blue — Ohara.
The Tree of Knowledge.
"Respected Saint Black, this is the Tree of Knowledge. It houses hundreds of thousands of books—important works collected by scholars from across the seas."
The speaker was a short, middle-aged man.
His forehead was shaved clean, with green hair forming a distinctive crown and back layer. Combined with his thick beard and bushy brows, his silhouette resembled a clover.
He wore a striped red-and-white shirt beneath a blue-black coat and wide belt.
He was the leading scholar of Ohara.
Clover D. Clover.
Known to the world as Dr. Clover.
Sunlight filtered through specially crafted glass panels, illuminating towering bronze bookshelves. Countless volumes were meticulously categorized, each spine bearing a copper nameplate engraved with titles that gleamed softly.
Spiral platforms circled the inner trunk of the colossal tree, forged from reinforced alloy and coated to resist corrosion.
Whether in his previous life or this one, Black had never personally entered the Tree of Knowledge. The sight was genuinely impressive.
Though fewer than a million volumes could not compare to the grand archives of Mary Geoise, the sheer architectural scale of the ancient tree and the scholarly dedication infused into its halls created a unique atmosphere.
If Black found it interesting, Stella and Perona were utterly dazzled.
"Wow! There are so many books!"
Perona dangled from Black's hand, barely a meter tall—resembling an oversized pastry in the grasp of the towering Celestial Dragon.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked around in awe.
After two months of futile escape attempts and constant bickering, Perona had completely shed her fear of Black. She even provoked him openly at times, much to the horror of the servants.
They feared that one day his patience would snap—and that the punishment might fall on them instead.
Black pinched her cheek lightly, restoring her sulky expression.
"This may be the largest library outside of Mary Geoise. There should be many historical records here, correct?"
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Dr. Clover.
A thin sheen of sweat appeared on Clover's brow.
What does he mean by that?
Has the World Government already discovered our research?
No… if Nico Olvia's investigation had been fully exposed, the response would not involve a lone Celestial Dragon visit. It would be CP units—or worse.
Calm down.
Composure intact, Clover replied politely,
"May I ask what specific historical field Your Highness wishes to consult? The volumes here are contributions from scholars around the world."
"It shames me to admit that even I have not completed reading everything within the Tree of Knowledge. There are historical works, of course, though I cannot guarantee they will satisfy Your Highness's expectations."
Black chuckled softly. "No matter. I was merely asking casually."
Internally, however, he mused:
In the original timeline, Clover appeared like a pure academic—yet he possessed surprising nerve.
Before the Buster Call, the World Government had initially prepared evacuation ships for Ohara's civilians.
But Clover's prolonged call with one of the Five Elders—Saint Jaygarcia Saturn—revealed the depth of Ohara's discoveries regarding the Void Century.
Saturn realized the scholars had uncovered too much.
That revelation sealed the island's fate.
The order was amended.
Total annihilation.
Based on that, Black had once assumed Clover to be overly honest.
Clearly, the old scholar was more complex than he seemed.
Still, Clover was not Black's primary objective.
It was now the year 1499 of the Sea Circle Calendar.
Less than one year remained before the tragedy of Ohara.
Nico Robin should have nearly completed her study of the Ancient Script.
Black intended to take her away before the storm descended.
Firstly, possessing someone capable of deciphering Poneglyphs would eliminate countless future obstacles.
Though individuals within the World Government certainly understood the Ancient Script, they were not people a "useless" Celestial Dragon like Black should approach without drawing suspicion.
Secondly, he genuinely appreciated Robin's temperament in the original timeline.
Thirdly, Perona was still a child. Without a companion of similar age, she might grow into the eccentric and psychologically unstable persona she once displayed.
After all She was his little slave.
And it would be troublesome if she developed unnecessary emotional defects.