In the end, O'Hara's Buster Call encountered no major complications.
O'Hara itself had never possessed the strength to resist a Marine operation of this magnitude. The island's doom had been sealed from the moment the Golden Den Den Mushi activated.
The only real complication had been Dragon's sudden appearance, his desperate attempt to rescue scholars who could interpret the Poneglyphs. But even that intervention had been suppressed by Sakazuki and Finn working in coordinated assault.
Seeing the situation deteriorating rapidly, Dragon had withdrawn. Escaped before they could corner him properly.
Because of Finn's prior agreement with Sakazuki, the magma-wielding Vice Admiral hadn't destroyed O'Hara's refugee ship directly. That small mercy had been preserved.
Without Saul's interference or Olvia causing complications, Nico Robin's identity as a scholar remained secret. No one suspected the eight-year-old girl of possessing forbidden knowledge.
After the flames reduced the entire island to ash and blackened bone, the Marine Buster Call fleet finally returned to Marineford, mission accomplished.
It was an interesting coincidence, really. The World Government had initially intended to use O'Hara, that archaeological holy land, to establish absolute authority. To demonstrate what happened to those who defied their prohibitions.
But the Buster Call was inevitably bloody. Excessively so.
Using such overwhelming force on a place like O'Hara, an island of scholars and civilians, required careful justification. Without proper framing, it would appear as nothing more than a massacre of intellectuals.
Originally, there hadn't been much to work with narratively. The deed was done. The only way to claim the Buster Call's righteousness was to emphasize O'Hara's supposed intention to revive ancient weapons and endanger the entire world.
As it turned out, the Revolutionary leader Dragon had conveniently appeared on O'Hara at precisely the right moment.
Even though he'd accomplished nothing before being driven off, he was now the perfect candidate to shoulder blame in the World Government's eyes.
By the time the Buster Call fleet arrived at Marineford, newspapers across the world had already labeled the entire incident as propaganda piece number forty.
Finn sat comfortably in Admiral Sengoku's office, a newspaper spread across his lap. A slight smile played at the corners of his mouth as he asked casually, "Where's Vice Admiral Garp? No reaction at all to this?"
"He's returning from the South Blue, but only because his mission there has concluded," Sengoku replied after taking a measured sip of tea. "As for any reaction... it's not his place to react to these matters."
"How tragic," Finn said with theatrical sympathy. "The son of a Marine hero has become the world's most vicious criminal, attempting to coerce O'Hara's scholars into reviving ancient weapons for his revolutionary cause..."
That's right. The final narrative outcome of this affair, at least in public opinion, placed all blame squarely on Dragon.
According to official reports, the World Government had discovered his conspiracy. For the sake of world peace, they'd been forced to issue the Buster Call on O'Hara, completely destroying the possibility of this existential threat.
Dragon, who in the original timeline should have taken several more years to earn the title of "World's Most Vicious Criminal," now had a bounty of 2.3 billion berries. He'd instantly become one of the world's "best" criminals, ranked just below monsters like Whitebeard in terms of perceived danger.
Finn wasn't certain whether this accelerated notoriety was beneficial or detrimental to Dragon's Revolutionary Army.
Either way, it had little to do with Finn for the time being.
After a brief hesitation, Admiral Sengoku asked carefully, "Do you truly believe Dragon wasn't searching for ancient weapons?"
"That's what he claimed, at least," Finn replied with an easy smile. "Admiral, you know him well. He's such a proud man. He wouldn't bother lying to Sakazuki and me about his intentions."
"Perhaps," Sengoku nodded, a flicker of approval crossing his weathered features.
But as a Marine Admiral, how could he stop worrying based solely on such personal recognition? Trusting Dragon's word seemed dangerously naive when the stakes involved ancient weapons.
Still, he forcibly relaxed after a moment. "Regardless, matters concerning Dragon and the Revolutionary Army have been handed over to Cipher Pol. Our Marines don't need to concern ourselves with hunting them for the time being."
"Well, let's not discuss such unpleasant topics," Finn said, deliberately shifting gears. His eyes lit up with curiosity. "By the way, I heard Vice Admiral Garp is involved in some kind of gossip?"
He and Garp hadn't seen each other in over two years. They'd maintained occasional contact through Den Den Mushi, but nothing substantial.
The last time they'd parted was on Baterilla Island in the South Blue.
Recently, Finn had heard that Garp's mission was finally complete and he was preparing to return to headquarters. Everything over there had presumably reached its conclusion.
"It's more than just gossip... it's a full-blown scandal!" Sengoku slammed his hand on the desk, his expression darkening with genuine displeasure.
"What happened?" Finn asked with intense interest, leaning forward slightly.
"Rumors say he can't control his lower body!" Sengoku muttered with obvious irritation. Then he elaborated, "Supposedly, he fell in love with a young woman on Baterilla Island. For the past two years, he's been living in her house almost every single day..."
"And then?" Finn's eyes gleamed with barely suppressed amusement.
"And then, almost a year ago, that woman became pregnant!" Sengoku's voice carried clear frustration.
Garp had lived in that woman's house for two years. Then, a year ago, she'd gotten pregnant. No matter how you examined the timeline, it seemed impossible that Garp wasn't involved, right?
Admiral Sengoku hadn't made the connection to Roger. After all, Roger's ashes had been scattered over a year ago.
"That part would be acceptable, honestly," Sengoku continued, his tone shifting to something darker. "Garp is alone now anyway. Dragon has vanished. If he could find a new family for himself, it wouldn't be such a terrible thing. But unfortunately, that woman died during childbirth."
Finn's expression remained carefully neutral, though he knew the truth behind every word.
"As a result," Sengoku's voice took on a dangerous edge, "somehow rumors spread that Garp secretly killed that woman to protect his reputation. That he murdered her to cover up the affair, then adopted the baby who was supposed to be his biological son, but he's claiming the child is his grandson instead..."
The Admiral was genuinely furious discussing this, his face flushed with anger. The insult to Garp clearly affected him deeply.
Finn genuinely hadn't expected such a twisted narrative to emerge from the situation. The rumor mill had transformed a tragic truth into something far more sinister.
Seeing the exasperated Admiral, Finn couldn't help but ask, "It's understandable that outsiders might believe such gossip, but Admiral... you didn't actually believe it, did you?"
Sengoku glared at Finn fiercely. "Would I believe such thing? If Garp couldn't control himself and something happened with that woman, I think that's entirely possible, knowing him. But if you're suggesting that Garp would secretly murder a woman to protect his own reputation, then adopt his own biological son while calling him his grandson?" He shook his head emphatically. "I wouldn't believe that even if you killed me. That bastard may be unreliable about many things, but he's not so despicable. Since he said there was nothing between him and that woman, that the child is just an orphan he decided to adopt, then I believe him. There's no other reason needed. It's because he said it himself."
Sengoku took a breath, his anger still simmering. "The reason I'm furious is because this matter insults him personally and damages our Marines' reputation!"
"Yeah, Vice Admiral Garp is certainly a bastard in many ways, but he's a bastard with a bottom line," Finn nodded with exaggerated seriousness. "How could he possibly be so despicable? I don't believe it either."
After all, Finn knew exactly what had actually transpired.
It was just unfortunate for Garp. Roger had betrayed him so thoroughly, manipulating him into this impossible situation. Garp's reputation, built over half a lifetime of heroism, was nearly ruined by this incident.
And he couldn't even explain the truth without revealing Roger's final request and betraying that trust.
"Forget it. This is just a rumor, after all. It will die down eventually," Sengoku waved his hand dismissively, forcibly calming his anger.
Finn wisely didn't mention the matter again. After taking a few sips of tea, he looked at Admiral Sengoku and said carefully, "Admiral, what do you think of my performance at G-7? Acceptable?"
Sengoku nodded immediately. "Of course. You've exceeded expectations."
But after he finished speaking, he looked somewhat embarrassed, as if reluctant to explain further. He muttered quietly, "It's not the right time yet, Finn. Not quite yet. Give me a little more time..."
Finn smiled warmly and nodded. "I won't cause you trouble, Admiral. I understand the situation."
He knew it was impossible for Admiral Sengoku to openly oppose the World Government at this particular moment. The timing simply wasn't right.
In truth, whether it was Fleet Admiral Kong or Admiral Sengoku, although both men were currently angry with certain World Government decisions, they weren't angry enough yet to openly clash with those in power.
That would change when the Seven Warlords of the Sea plan was announced. When the World Government proposed legitimizing pirates, giving them official protection in exchange for cooperation, that would be the moment these two men became truly furious.
Then would be the time for Finn to capitalize on their anger.
Right now, Finn was merely building goodwill with Admiral Sengoku. The more he yielded now, the more guilty Sengoku would likely feel later when he finally did push for Finn's promotion to Admiral.
Seeing that Finn wasn't forcing the issue, Sengoku felt relieved. But he did experience genuine guilt.
He'd promised someone something important, then found himself unable to deliver on that promise. He, Sengoku the Buddha, should have more integrity than this, shouldn't he?
"Regarding O'Hara's refugee ship and that scholar Olvia, everything is left to your discretion," Sengoku said, apparently having thought of something important. He gave Finn full authority with a wave of his hand.
"Don't worry, Admiral," Finn replied with a confident smile. "I was originally planning to keep Olvia locked up at G-7. But now I have her daughter in my hands as well, which provides additional leverage. As for the ordinary people of O'Hara..." He paused deliberately. "I plan to send Olvia to Impel Down when I return, to temper her resolve first. Then I'll make arrangements when she's actually needed. As for the people on the refugee ship, I intend to send them to the Calm Belt and keep them under secret custody there."
Admiral Sengoku had no objections to this plan. He nodded his approval. "I hope we never actually have to use Olvia for anything."
Afterward, the two chatted about various other matters, laughing and joking, further strengthening their relationship and mutual trust.
Eventually, Finn prepared to return to G-7.
There was no rush on this return journey. Finn took several leisurely days to reach G-7, and once there, he arranged for Robin to meet with her mother, Olvia.
After waiting two more days, allowing mother and daughter to regain some semblance of their relationship, to remember what they'd once meant to each other...
Finn cruelly separated them again.
He took Olvia onto his warship, ignoring Robin's desperate cries and pleading, and headed directly toward Impel Down. The child's heartbroken screams followed them all the way to the dock.
Near the port of Impel Down, Finn stood on the warship's deck, watching the massive underwater prison growing closer in the distance. He raised one hand casually. "Bring that woman up here."
Soon, two Marine Captains appeared, escorting Olvia between them. She wore heavy shackles on both wrists and ankles, the chains clinking with each reluctant step.
"For the next several years, you'll be honing your resolve in Impel Down," Finn said without turning to look at her, his eyes fixed on the approaching prison. "Don't worry. I have acquaintances inside. I won't let you die there."
"Butcher," Olvia spat venomously, glaring at Finn's back. "Do you really think I'll bow to you like this?"
"Butcher?" Finn's voice remained calm, almost conversational. "This is entirely your own fault. I showed you the newspapers. You may not believe what they print, but I can tell you clearly: Dragon appeared on O'Hara specifically to abduct the scholars. You should understand why he wanted them. If our Marines hadn't been present at that exact moment, perhaps the entire world would be in chaos right now."
Olvia listened to Finn's words. This time, unusually, she didn't offer any rebuttal.
Her eyes held complicated emotions. Although she wouldn't admit it aloud, something inside her was wavering.
Because she couldn't actually refute what Finn was saying. The logic was sound, the evidence present.
But O'Hara's destruction was real. The hatred was there, burning in her chest. So what if Finn was right? Did that erase what the Marines had done?
"I don't want to say anything more to you," Finn said quietly. "Your daughter will be protected by our Marines. So if you don't want her to suffer any accidents, you'd better behave yourself. Stand up and cooperate when you're needed."
He paused, then smiled slightly. "But perhaps there will never be anything I need from you at all."
At that moment, the warship slowly docked at Impel Down's port. Finn spotted the prison's Warden, Mescas, waiting at the dock.
The two men were old acquaintances. Both smiled upon seeing each other.
"Let's disembark," Finn called out.
Meanwhile, on the unknown sixth floor of Impel Down, the lowest and most secure level of the entire facility, Shiki sat in his cell.
The legendary Golden Lion stared down at the heavy sea-stone shackles binding his feet, his expression contemplative.
His golden hair, once so magnificent, remained singed and ragged from the meteorite impact. The steering wheel embedded in his skull cast strange shadows across his face.
He was thinking.
Plotting.
Planning his escape.