Robin's heart tightened as she watched her mother risk her life to save the burning books, seemingly unaware of the danger. It hurt to see her prioritize the books over her own safety, and Robin could only plead with Reno for help.
Seeing her anxious expression, Reno decided now wasn't the time for teasing. With a small sigh, he relented. "Alright, alright. But remember you're the one who said it, not me. I didn't force you."
Robin rolled her eyes in exasperation but quickly nodded. "Yes, yes, darling. It's all my decision. Now hurry and put out the fire!"
With her desperate agreement, Reno stepped into the blazing inferno, summoning a radiant green energy around him. As he approached the center of the library, the energy swirled outward from his hand, forming a tightly sealed barrier around the flames.
The barrier began to contract, cutting off the fire's oxygen supply. Slowly but surely, the flames weakened until they were snuffed out entirely.
"Finally… the books are saved!"
"Thank goodness the fire is out!"
The elderly scholars cheered with relief, some even crying tears of joy. For them, these books weren't just ink and paper; they were fragments of humanity's history, irreplaceable and invaluable.
Professor Clover, after basking in the collective relief, approached Reno with gratitude etched into his aged face. "Young man, we owe you our deepest thanks. Without your help, these precious records would have been lost forever."
Reno, however, didn't share the same enthusiasm. His eyes cold, he simply nodded. "Hm." He turned away, making it clear he had no interest in engaging further.
Clover, taken aback by Reno's curt response, wondered if he had somehow offended the young man. But after some thought, he dismissed the idea it was their first meeting, after all. Resolving to focus on salvaging the scattered books, Clover returned to the scholars, leaving Reno alone.
Robin, who had entered the library after the fire was extinguished, ran up to Reno with awe in her eyes. "Wow, darling, your powers are amazing!"
Reno, catching the mischievous glint in her eyes, raised an eyebrow. "You're buttering me up for something, aren't you? Just say it already."
Caught red-handed, Robin grinned sheepishly. "Well… can you teach me how to develop my abilities? I want to be stronger too!"
Instead of answering, Reno pointed toward the far side of the library, where Robin's mother, Nico Olvia, was still frantically rescuing books. "Didn't you say you came to find your mother? She's right there. Don't you want to talk to her?"
Robin froze, her excitement fading as she lowered her head. "She only cares about those books and her dreams. I've been standing here for so long, and she hasn't even noticed me. I… I don't know how to face her."
As her voice trembled, tears began to stream down her cheeks. Her small frame seemed to shrink further, radiating a heartbreaking loneliness.
"...Sigh."
Reno let out a heavy breath, his heart softening despite himself. This was uncharted territory for him—dealing with emotions that couldn't be fixed with brute strength or sharp wit.
In the original story, Olvia had deeply loved Robin but had chosen to leave her behind for the sake of her mission. While Reno understood the context, he couldn't help but find it infuriating. This world seemed full of people who abandoned their families for the sake of lofty dreams. From Yasopp's neglect of Usopp to Dragon's absence from Luffy's life, it was a miracle any child in this world managed to grow up.
Still, as much as he disliked Olvia's choices, Reno didn't want Robin to live with regrets. "Listen," he began, his tone gentler than before. "No matter what you think of her, she's still your mother. There's no such thing as a mother who doesn't love her child. Maybe she has her reasons reasons you don't know yet."
Robin wiped her tears, considering his words. Though hesitant, she nodded slowly. "You're right. I can't run away from this. Even if the answer isn't what I want, I need to hear it."
With newfound determination, Robin took a deep breath and walked toward her mother, leaving Reno to watch silently.
"...Well," he muttered to himself, "I guess I did my part."
Still, as he observed Robin's small, determined figure moving forward, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride and hope.
After Reno's heartfelt encouragement, Robin mustered the courage to approach her mother, Nico Olvia. Reno didn't follow her, choosing instead to remain where he was, giving Robin the space to handle the situation independently. Though young, Robin had always been a strong-willed and independent thinker, and Reno trusted her to navigate this emotional confrontation on her own.
Meanwhile, the tense atmosphere in the library shifted as Bartholomew Kuma tried to persuade Professor Clover and the other scholars to flee. However, the professor's resolute refusal echoed loudly.
"I will not leave! While I am grateful for your assistance, I will not abandon the Tree of Knowledge!" Clover declared, his voice filled with defiance.
Kuma, ever patient, continued to reason with him. "The Marines have already activated the Buster Call. Time is running out! If you don't leave now, you'll lose the chance to save your lives!"
But Clover, undeterred, stood firm. "Let them come! If we must die, we will die alongside the Tree of Knowledge!"
The other scholars, inspired by Clover's determination, shouted in unison, "Yes! We will stand with the Tree of Knowledge until the end!"
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
Suddenly, the sound of slow, deliberate applause broke the momentum. A voice laced with sarcasm followed. "Bravo. What a noble sentiment," Reno said, stepping forward, his expression mocking.
The scholars turned to face him, their momentary courage faltering. They recognized Reno as the one who had extinguished the fire earlier, but now they weren't sure of his intentions.
Reno walked slowly toward them, his words biting. "Have any of you actually thought about the consequences of your decision? While you're busy pledging your lives to this tree, have you considered whether the other residents of Ohara share your suicidal resolve?"
The scholars froze, unable to meet Reno's gaze. He continued, his tone sharp and unforgiving.
"Let me guess—you didn't. Because if you had, you'd realize that no one else on this island is willing to die for a tree. You might be scholars, but your selfish decision to stay puts the lives of everyone on this island in jeopardy. Tell me, does your so-called righteousness ease your conscience?"
His scathing words cut through their bravado, leaving them silent. The scholars lowered their heads, guilt and shame evident on their faces. Reno's relentless critique had exposed the recklessness of their resolve.
"You think the World Government won't act because of your numbers? Don't kid yourselves," Reno said, his voice cold. "Right now, there are ten Marine warships stationed just a few kilometers away, waiting for the order to obliterate this place. If not for someone holding them off, this entire island would already be engulfed in flames. Every man, woman, and child on Ohara would die because of your stubbornness!"
The weight of Reno's words finally silenced the scholars' defiance. Their earlier fervor now seemed hollow, a reckless display of pride rather than a meaningful stand.
Reno scanned the room, his eyes narrowing. "You don't have the right to make this decision for the people of Ohara. Your lives aren't the only ones at stake. Your arrogance and naivety are nothing short of disgusting."
As Reno finished, the library fell into a heavy silence. None of the scholars dared to argue. Even Clover, whose unwavering determination had been a beacon moments ago, seemed shaken.
Meanwhile, Robin and her mother, Nico Olvia, had reconciled. Olvia had explained her absence, offering reasons that, though not ideal, Robin chose to accept. It wasn't about the truth, but about Robin's decision to forgive and cherish the time they had left.
However, when Olvia noticed the commotion, she ended her conversation with Robin and approached the group. After listening to Reno's scolding, she stepped forward to defend her colleagues.
"We are doing this for the sake of history, for the truth of our world to be preserved. The people of Ohara would understand the importance of our sacrifice, and we are not afraid to die for this cause!"
Reno turned to Olvia, his expression incredulous. "Do you really think the people of Ohara will understand? Do you think they'll honor your so-called sacrifice? No. They'll curse your names for dragging them into your death wish. In the face of death, ideals mean nothing. All they'll remember is the pain of losing their loved ones."
His words left Olvia momentarily speechless. Reno took a step closer, his voice soft but firm. "You call this a sacrifice, but all you're doing is running away from responsibility. True courage isn't dying for history it's living to protect those who still have a future."
Reno's blunt honesty struck a chord, leaving the group in stunned silence. As the weight of his words sank in, the scholars began to question their decisions.
For the first time, they saw the bigger picture the lives they were endangering, the families they were condemning. Slowly but surely, the fire of rebellion in their eyes dimmed, replaced by a sobering realization.
The fight for truth was important, but it shouldn't come at the cost of innocent lives.
Reno paused for a moment after his tirade, then continued with piercing words:
"And do you truly believe that the world even wants to know the history you're so desperate to uncover?" he asked, his gaze sweeping across the room. "What if this missing century is filled with nothing but cruelty and suffering? What if knowing it only traps people in endless despair, with no power to change anything? Do you still think the people would thank you for revealing such truths?"
Those who were familiar with the story of the Void Century could guess the likely truth how the World Government had overthrown a once-thriving Great Kingdom through treachery and violence, and erased all traces of its existence. Such erasure could only have been achieved through force, and force often meant countless lives lost.
Reno's voice took on a grim tone. "If that's the truth you want to reveal, it won't bring peace. Instead, it will plunge the world into chaos. Ordinary people will suffer the most. You scholars think your discovery will inspire a revolution, but without preparation, a revolution will cost countless lives. Even if it succeeds, the victory will be built on a mountain of corpses."
The library fell silent, the scholars struck by the weight of Reno's argument. Even Nico Olvia, who had remained steadfast, was visibly shaken.
After a moment of contemplation, Olvia broke the silence, her face a mixture of excitement and desperation. "Do you know the truth about the Void Century?" she asked eagerly.
Reno rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Really? That's what you're focused on right now?" he thought bitterly. Her question was so off-topic that he was almost speechless.
"These people," he muttered to himself, "can't even grasp the bigger picture."
Deciding not to waste any more breath on them, Reno stated coldly, "I don't have time to argue with you. If it weren't for someone here I want to protect, I wouldn't even care if you lived or died. Do as you wish."
With that, Reno turned on his heel and walked over to Robin, a gentle smile replacing the harsh expression he had worn moments ago.
"Hey, little wife," he teased playfully, "how did your talk with her go?"
Robin's face lit up with a smile as she answered, "She has her reasons. I can't bring myself to blame her…" Her voice softened, and her cheeks turned pink as she added shyly, "But I don't want to go with her. Can I go with you instead?"
Robin's words filled Reno with joy. "Looks like my efforts these past weeks weren't wasted!" he thought, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction.
He ruffled her hair affectionately. "Of course, you can come with me. I'll take you wherever you want to go!"
As Reno and Robin shared a moment of understanding, Nico Olvia approached again, her face a mix of urgency and pleading. "That history the Void Century is incredibly important to me. If you know anything, please tell me!"
Reno's expression darkened instantly. He turned to her with a cold, humorless smile. "Do you realize what's happening right now? Ohara is on the brink of destruction. Innocent men, women, and children are about to die because of your foolish dream. And yet, all you care about is your precious history?"
Olvia faltered but managed to stammer, "I just want to uncover the truth for the world. How could that cause chaos?"
Reno clenched his jaw, his frustration boiling over. He slammed his palm against his forehead before shouting, "You clueless, self-absorbed woman! Have you even considered why this history was erased in the first place?!"
"Anyone with half a brain can figure it out it's an ugly truth that the World Government doesn't want revealed. If they're willing to destroy an entire island just to keep you from researching it, do you think they'll hesitate to wipe out entire nations if you expose it?"
His voice rose with each word, the sheer exasperation evident. "Eight hundred years ago, they had the power to erase history. What makes you think they can't do it again? Do you have any idea how many lives would be lost in such a conflict?"
The scholars, who had previously been defiant, were now completely silent. Reno's words cut through their illusions, leaving them stunned and unable to argue.
In their pursuit of knowledge, they had failed to consider the far-reaching consequences of their actions. Reno's blunt truths forced them to confront a reality they had been too blinded by their ideals to see.
The scholars, though not lacking intelligence, had simply failed to consider the full consequences of their actions. Reno's scathing words struck a chord, and as they reflected, the gravity of the situation became clear. If Reno's predictions were accurate, uncovering the truth of the Void Century and revealing it to the world would almost certainly plunge the world into chaos. In such a scenario, they would bear the blame as architects of catastrophe.
Robin, noticing Reno's frustration, gently tugged on his sleeve. "Husband, don't get so angry. You'll make yourself sick," she said softly.
Reno's expression softened at her words, and he let out a deep breath, regaining his composure. "Let's leave, then," he said to Robin. "Do you want to say goodbye to your mother?"
Robin shook her head, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I already told her I'm going with you. There's no need to say it again."
"Alright, then let's go." Reno took her hand, leading her out of the library. He was eager to leave before his patience was tested again.
As they exited, Nico Olvia stood watching, her mouth opening and closing as if trying to find the words to stop Robin. But no words came. She realized she had no right to interfere in her daughter's decision, having failed to be a mother in the truest sense. As Robin's figure disappeared from view, Olvia could only lower her head in silence.
Meanwhile, Bartholomew Kuma stepped forward, addressing Clover and the other scholars. "What he said was true. Blindly pursuing the truth of the Void Century will bring only disaster—to you, and to the world."
Kuma's voice carried a mix of authority and earnestness. "The truth isn't something that can be revealed recklessly. It must wait for the right moment—a moment when the World Government can be overthrown in one decisive strike."
He paused, then added, "Our organization is working to create that moment. We need your knowledge and expertise to make it happen. Join us, and together we can bring about meaningful change."
If Reno had still been there, he might have laughed aloud at Kuma's persuasive speech, delivered with all the flair of a recruitment pitch.
The scholars huddled together to discuss their options. After much deliberation, they decided to join Kuma and his organization. They understood that aligning with a group actively preparing to confront the World Government was their best chance to uncover and preserve the Void Century's history.
"Quickly, everyone! Gather the books—we can't leave a single one behind!" Professor Clover barked orders as the scholars scrambled to pack their remaining books. Despite the fires that had claimed some of their collection, a substantial portion remained intact.
Kuma, watching their determination, prepared to assist. With his powers, transporting the books and the scholars to safety would be a simple task.
Though Ohara's future was uncertain, the resolve of its scholars to preserve history burned brighter than ever, setting the stage for a new chapter in their quest for truth.
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