Inside the Tree of All-Knowing, dozens of scholars continued their daily research, surrounded by towering shelves of ancient texts and weathered manuscripts. Sunlight filtered through the hollow trunk's windows, illuminating dust motes floating through the scholarly atmosphere.
Dr. Clover stood apart from the others, staring down at the Den Den Mushi in his weathered hands. He dialed again.
No answer.
This particular Den Den Mushi belonged to Nico Olvia. She'd been out of contact for some time now, weeks without a single message.
Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't be particularly alarming. Dr. Clover understood the nature of Olvia's work, the dangers she faced while searching for Poneglyphs scattered across the world. Over the years, many O'Hara scholars had died pursuing this forbidden knowledge.
If something had happened to Olvia, it would be tragic but not unexpected.
And yet, something felt wrong. For days now, Dr. Clover had experienced a growing sense of unease, a creeping dread he couldn't quite identify or locate. Some instinct warning of approaching danger.
Could it be related to Olvia?
"Olvia would never betray us," he murmured to himself, as though speaking the words aloud might make them more certain.
At that moment, a small figure burst through the Tree of All-Knowing's entrance, running with the urgency only children possess. The girl had long black hair, large expressive eyes, and an air of premature seriousness that belied her eight years.
"Robin." Dr. Clover's expression shifted from worry to warmth. "Why are you here, child?"
"Doctor!" Robin's voice carried genuine concern. "There are warships outside, lots of them. They've surrounded the entire island. People at the port are saying they might be here to arrest us."
"Arrest us?" A shadow crossed Dr. Clover's weathered face. Then he forced a gentle smile, squatting down to meet Robin at eye level. "Even if they want to arrest anyone, they'll arrest adults like us. Robin, listen to me carefully. You must never tell anyone that you're a scholar, do you understand?"
"Why not?" Robin's tone carried wounded pride. "I already passed the scholar's examination! I'm qualified!"
"Because you are the seed we're leaving behind," Dr. Clover said softly, reaching out to rest his hand on her head. "You're O'Hara's hope, Robin. This time, the World Government may have truly discovered our research. They won't show mercy. But you're still so young. As long as you say nothing, no one will know you're a scholar. That way, our will can be carried forward. Our knowledge can survive."
Before Robin could respond, the Tree of All-Knowing's main door exploded inward with a thunderous crash.
Several CP-9 agents stormed through the entrance, weapons drawn, their movements radiating practiced violence. They spread out immediately, securing the interior with military precision.
Dr. Clover rose to his feet, positioning himself protectively in front of Robin. His expression turned thunderous. "Don't be so barbaric! The knowledge stored within these walls is a treasure beyond your comprehension!"
Another figure entered through the shattered doorway, moving with casual authority. He wore an immaculate black suit beneath a white coat draped over his shoulders. His face bore an expression somewhere between a smile and a sneer, predatory and smug in equal measure.
Spandine, commander of CP-9, had arrived.
"Hahahaha! Dr. Clover, your reputation precedes you," Spandine announced, his laughter carrying false warmth.
He barely acknowledged the doctor's presence, instead turning to address the CP agents behind him. "What are you all standing around for? Can't you hear Vice Admiral Finn's orders? Remove every book, every manuscript, every scrap of knowledge from the Tree of All-Knowing. Transport everything to the warships immediately!"
Dr. Clover's eyes widened with horror. "Stop! What do you think you're doing?"
Spandine ignored him entirely, instead kicking one of his subordinates hard in the backside. "Handle these with care, you fool! Vice Admiral Finn values these materials tremendously. If you damage even one volume, I'll have your head! Is that clear?"
"Yes, Lord Spandine!" the agent responded quickly, genuine fear in his voice.
Everyone who worked under Spandine knew the man's reputation. He absolutely would kill them for failure.
Only after delivering these instructions did Spandine turn back to address the increasingly distraught Dr. Clover. His smile widened. "Doctor, your O'Hara incident has been exposed completely. Research into the Poneglyphs is a capital crime, as I'm sure you're aware."
"What Poneglyphs?" Dr. Clover's expression remained carefully neutral, though his hands had clenched into fists. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Haha, no need for pretense." Spandine's tone dripped with satisfaction. "Nico Olvia has already told us everything. Speaking of which, over the past six years, we've been searching the seas for those exploration fleets you sent out. We kept finding clues pointing back to O'Hara, but every time, you people cunningly evaded us. Now? Now we finally have you cornered."
"I have no idea what you're referring to," Dr. Clover maintained his denial, though his mind raced. "Nico Olvia? Who is that?"
He simply couldn't believe Olvia would betray O'Hara. Not her. Never her.
"Did you catch my mother?" Robin suddenly burst out, her small voice cutting through the tension.
Dr. Clover's breath caught. He looked down at Robin, wanting to say something, anything, but the words wouldn't come.
He didn't blame her. How could he? Robin was only eight years old. Despite being brilliant enough to pass the scholar's examination, her emotional maturity couldn't match her intellect. She was still a child.
And with World Government agents openly invading O'Hara, many things had already become inevitable anyway.
"Hahahaha!" Spandine's laughter rang out again as he studied Robin with renewed interest. "So you're Olvia's daughter? Come here, girl!"
"Robin!" Dr. Clover immediately moved to shield her more completely, his voice firm despite his fear. "She's just a child."
"I'm perfectly aware of that," Spandine replied dismissively. Then his expression shifted to something almost resembling reasonableness. "Vice Admiral Finn has acknowledged Nico Olvia's cooperation as meritorious service. The Marines have agreed to provide sanctuary for her daughter. I'm here to ensure this little girl's protection."
The words hit Dr. Clover like a physical blow. His carefully maintained composure cracked.
He'd been so certain Olvia would never betray O'Hara. But seeing how thoroughly familiar this man was with Robin, with Olvia, with their family situation... doubt began creeping in.
And yet, at this point, what did it matter?
If the Marines were truly willing to protect Robin, that would be the best possible outcome. Robin would be safe. That was what mattered most.
O'Hara, and its future...
Perhaps Olvia is thinking of the future too, Dr. Clover thought desperately. Perhaps she chose to betray us temporarily, to save her own life and endure the humiliation, because she didn't know Robin had already become a scholar. If she'd followed O'Hara into destruction, everything would have been lost forever.
After all, Olvia couldn't have known. In her mind, Robin was still just a child, innocent and uninvolved.
Robin remained rooted behind Dr. Clover, clearly uncertain what was happening, what any of this meant.
Dr. Clover finally regained his composure. He raised his hand gently. "Go, Robin."
At that moment, several CP agents clustered around Spandine, their voices urgent. "Sir, we've found a Poneglyph beneath the Tree of All-Knowing. And translations. Extensive research materials."
Dr. Clover's expression darkened, but he said nothing. What could he say? The evidence was undeniable.
Spandine's grin turned absolutely feral. "The evidence is conclusive, Doctor. You are indeed researching forbidden history, just as the World Government suspected."
"History belongs to all of humanity," Dr. Clover said quietly, his voice carrying conviction despite the circumstances. "It is the common wealth of our species."
"Perhaps," Spandine shrugged with theatrical indifference. "But the World Government has expressly forbidden research into the Void Century, and you O'Hara scholars have persistently ignored that prohibition. However, it doesn't matter anymore. Everything ends here."
Dr. Clover's eyes widened with sudden realization, his face draining of color. "You intend to destroy O'Hara..."
"That's correct." Spandine reached into his coat and withdrew something that gleamed in the filtered sunlight. "The entire island of O'Hara will be erased. The Marine Buster Call fleet is positioned just offshore. Look at this."
He held up a golden Den Den Mushi, letting it catch the light.
"With your extensive knowledge, you should recognize what this is, shouldn't you?" Spandine's tone was almost conversational now.
"Buster Call," Dr. Clover whispered, his voice hollow. "The Golden Den Den Mushi."
"Exactly right." Spandine's expression radiated cruel satisfaction. "The moment I activate this Den Den Mushi, the entire island of O'Hara will vanish beneath the sea. Your so-called archaeological holy land will be obliterated completely. This should serve as an adequate warning to any other scholars in the world who might be considering similar research into the Poneglyphs. A demonstration of consequences."
"The knowledge that O'Hara possesses..." Dr. Clover began, his voice breaking.
"Don't worry about that," Spandine interrupted smoothly. "I already told you. Vice Admiral Finn deeply values these treasures of human civilization. That's precisely why I've been talking with you so patiently while my people move these books. Otherwise, I would have activated the Buster Call immediately. All of you scholars will die today, Doctor. But O'Hara's knowledge will continue to exist. You have my word on that."
Dr. Clover watched the CP agents systematically clearing the Tree of All-Knowing's shelves, carrying armload after armload of precious texts toward the waiting ships. In the end, he found he had nothing to say. No protests to make. No alternatives to offer.
Seeing the old scholar's defeat, Spandine finally lost interest in tormenting him further. He raised his hand, issuing commands. "Arrest all the scholars and anyone associated with them on this island. Send everyone else to the refugee ship."
"Yes, sir!" The CP agents responded in unison.
Within moments, chaos erupted across O'Hara. Robin looked like she wanted to speak, to object, to do something, but Spandine gave her no opportunity. She was seized and quickly transported to one of the warships at the port.
As the last books were being carried out, Spandine gestured for his subordinates to step back, giving him privacy.
He was preparing to report the situation to the Five Elders directly.
But before he could make the call, Dr. Clover spoke up one final time. "Before I die, please allow me to say a few words to the Five Elders."
Spandine glanced at the old scholar, considered for a moment, then shrugged. Without responding verbally, he simply went ahead and contacted the Five Elders as planned.
The Den Den Mushi rang several times before connecting.
"Report," came the cold, authoritative voice from the other end.
Spandine straightened reflexively despite being alone. "Everything has proceeded according to plan. The evidence is conclusive and irrefutable. O'Hara is guilty of capital crimes. We await your orders to proceed."
"Is that truly the case?" The Five Elder's tone carried something that might have been regret, though it was difficult to tell.
"Yes. The evidence leaves no room for doubt," Spandine confirmed.
"A pity." The response was quiet, almost contemplative. "We cannot simply stand by and watch O'Hara trample our laws so blatantly."
Dr. Clover suddenly interrupted, his voice loud and clear despite his age. "That's enough, Five Elders! Stop speaking in political rhetoric!"
"Hey! You bastard, how dare you address the highest authority with such disrespect!" Spandine's face flushed with genuine outrage.
But the Five Elders on the other end of the Den Den Mushi didn't seem bothered by the interruption. Instead, the voice shifted to something almost curious. "An authority on archaeology. Dr. Clover of O'Hara. I've heard your name before. You've made significant contributions to world culture. I never imagined you would follow this path."
"History is the treasure of all humanity," Dr. Clover stated firmly, his conviction unwavering even now. "People have the right to learn about unknown history. No one has the authority to deny that fundamental right."
"Perhaps," the Five Elder replied with perfect indifference.
After a brief pause, he continued. "However, the Poneglyphs contain records of ancient weapons. Reading and translating these texts could unleash forces capable of destroying the world itself. Even if your intentions are pure, Doctor, it's inevitable that others will exploit your research for evil purposes."
"No matter what that history contains, it was created by human beings," Dr. Clover shot back with passionate intensity. "Everyone must accept history, face it directly. As for your concerns about exploitation, as long as we confront these truths with courage, there is no problem that cannot be solved! Nothing!"
The contrast was obvious. The Five Elders were realists, hardened by centuries of maintaining global order. Intellectuals like Dr. Clover were, at their core, idealists who believed in humanity's better nature.
His declaration, that "facing problems bravely" would solve everything, struck the Five Elders as naively absurd.
If troubles could be solved simply through courage and good intentions, the world would have achieved lasting peace centuries ago.
The Five Elders' interest in Dr. Clover evaporated completely. They had no desire to waste further time debating philosophy with this old fool.
But Dr. Clover, mistaking their silence for being moved by his argument, pressed forward with renewed conviction. His voice took on a serious, almost triumphant tone. "Actually, what you're truly afraid of isn't any ancient weapon at all, is it? What you're really afraid of is..."
Originally, the Five Elders might have been willing to hear Dr. Clover's hypothesis about the Void Century. Academic curiosity, if nothing else.
But at this particular moment, they had lost all patience.
"Shut him up, Spandine," came the cold command.
"Yes!" Spandine responded instantly.
Without hesitation, he drew his pistol and fired.
The gunshot echoed through the Tree of All-Knowing, sharp and final.
Dr. Clover staggered backward, his hand flying to his chest where blood was already beginning to spread across his shirt. His eyes widened with shock, with the realization that he would never finish his sentence.
He crumpled to the floor among the now-empty shelves, surrounded by the absence of the knowledge he'd dedicated his entire life to protecting.