Just as Yahn thought that Saul would take this chance to escape to the sea with little Robin, hoping to spare the eight-year-old girl from the fate she had in the original timeline—wandering alone across the ocean, fleeing, hiding, and facing the darkest sides of humanity—
A figure suddenly blocked Saul's path. The wind caught the cloak on his back, and the word "Justice" fluttered in bold strokes.
"This is as far as you go, Saul."
Vice Admiral Yamakaji, cigar clenched between his teeth, slowly drew his blade. A sheen of jet-black Haki coated it as he spoke calmly.
"If a Navy traitor like you manages to escape the Buster Call, then the Marines would be utterly disgraced. For the sake of our past camaraderie, surrender peacefully."
As Saul fled and gained some distance, the surrounding cherry blossoms that had been slicing through the air were quietly retracted by Yahn.
Now faced with the imposing figure of Yamakaji, the blood-covered Saul couldn't help but laugh heartily.
"Dereshishishishi…"
"What's so funny?" asked Vice Admiral Yamakaji.
"Nothing. I've simply come to terms with my fate."
Saul smiled freely, not the slightest bit of sorrow in his voice. He bent down and gently set Robin on the ground.
"Robin, run. Go to the far side of Ohara. Do whatever it takes to reach the sea. Your life is just beginning—don't let it end here."
Robin seemed to understand that this was their final farewell. Hesitant and tearful, she called out, "Saul, let's go together!"
"That's impossible. I'm too easy to spot," Saulo refused.
"Then… then…"
Before Robin could finish, Saul interrupted her.
"Robin, remember what your mother said: no matter what, you must survive. Go to the sea. Your friends are waiting for you out there. Dereshishishi…"
"Saul…"
Robin felt overwhelming sorrow rise in her chest. Gritting her teeth, she turned and ran in the direction Saul had pointed.
Using the corner of his eye to watch her silhouette grow smaller in the distance, Saul finally let out a faint breath and turned to Yamakaji.
"Thanks… for giving me the time to say goodbye."
"No need," replied Yamakaji, shaking his head.
"We were comrades once. And I didn't want to kill someone a little girl admires right in front of her."
He paused, then added:
"Besides, that girl seems to be the World Government's target. She won't escape. Ohara is completely sealed off—no ships can leave. And soon, the entire island will be reduced to rubble by the Buster Call."
"Robin will find a way. She's stronger than anyone I've ever known," Saul said firmly.
Then, with a thunderous leap, he hurled his massive frame at Yamakaji like a crashing mountain.
Boom!
The battle between Navy Vice Admirals erupted on the edge of Ohara.
Meanwhile, the Buster Call fleet continued raining cannon fire onto the island. Lava clashed with ice across the sea, and flames and destruction consumed the coastline. Amidst it all, Saul and Yamakaji fought fiercely.
---
Elsewhere, little Robin was sprinting with all her might, arms pumping, not daring to stop for even a moment. She ran toward the far side of Ohara with everything she had.
Perhaps because she was just an eight-year-old girl, many of the Marines who saw her flee did not open fire.
Even if they were bound by orders not to help her… they didn't have the heart to harm her either.
Saul understood the tactics of the Buster Call well. He knew that the fleet would focus its bombardment on one side of the island to avoid hitting allied ships by mistake.
That meant the far side of Ohara—where no Navy vessels were stationed—was the only possible escape route.
Saul had originally planned to swim away from this doomed island with Robin from this very spot. But now, Robin was alone.
And even putting aside the fact that she was only eight years old, as a Devil Fruit user, she couldn't swim at all.
"There has to be a way… a way off of Ohara…"
Reaching the island's far shore, Robin fought back tears and frantically scanned her surroundings for a means of escape.
"A raft… even a small boat would do…"
But under the barrage of the Buster Call, Ohara had become a sea of flames. The entire island was burning.
Forget boats or rafts—every tree had already caught fire.
"Is there really… no way?"
Robin collapsed to her knees in despair, staring blankly up at the smoke-darkened sky as she whispered:
"Maybe this isn't so bad… At least I'll be with Mama again…"
Just then, a shadow appeared before her, cast by the firelight from behind.
A tall figure blocked her view. A gentle face wearing glasses looked down at her and said warmly:
"It's still too soon to give up."
Startled, Robin scrambled back on her knees, trying to put distance between herself and the stranger.
But then she recognized the face. Blinking in disbelief, she asked:
"Eh? You're… that nice man named Yahn?"
Nice… man?!
Yahn's soft smile twitched slightly at the corners.
"I'm only sixteen, and I just got called a 'nice man' by an eight-year-old?!"
"This little Robin is seriously not cute at all!"
It was only then that Yahn had a good look at the young Robin before him.
Far from the intelligent and elegant beauty she would one day become, this eight-year-old Robin had dark skin, a scrawny frame, and malnourished features. Only her large eyes shone brightly with life.
"…Definitely not cute," Yahn muttered under his breath again.
Robin, seeing the thoughtful look on his face, asked timidly, "A-Are you… here to capture me? To turn me in to the World Government?"
Yahn took a step forward and crouched in front of her. Gently patting her head, he said soothingly:
"No. I'd never hand you over to them."
Robin blinked. Looking at the warm smile on Yahn's face, she stammered softly:
"T-Thank you…"
---
Currently at chapter 145 for advance chapters
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