West Blue — O'Hara
"So this is O'Hara…?"
Mira looked around at the quiet island. The air was thick with the scent of books, the murmur of scholars filling the streets. It was an island of knowledge, not war. Her brow furrowed, puzzled.
"What kind of stage could be here that would shake the world?"
She truly couldn't see it.
"The scholars of O'Hara are researching what the World Government has forbidden," Rain explained calmly.
"They've already been marked for destruction. The Government has decided to wipe them out with a Buster Call."
Mira tilted her head. "Buster Call?"
Rain nodded and clarified, "It means this island will be hit with the Navy's ultimate sanction."
"Five vice-admirals, ten of the Navy's strongest warships, and ten thousand elite marines—all unleashed at once."
"The Fleet Admiral or an Admiral has the right to authorize it… but they can also hand the golden den den mushi to others."
Mira's eyes lit up with interest. "So at worst… we'll be facing one Admiral and five Vice-Admirals?"
Rain shook his head. "Not necessarily. The five Vice-Admirals will definitely come but an Admiral might not. It depends on who was given the authority to trigger the order."
He remembered a certain Spandam in the "original" timeline…
"I see…" Mira exhaled, a faintly disappointed look flashing across her face. Still, five Vice-Admirals were no small matter. "That's fine too. Sounds like good training."
Rain smirked, squeezing her hand gently. "Just wait two more days. The Buster Call will be here before long."
Together, they walked toward the seaside cliffs, the waves crashing below.
By the Shore
"...498, 499… 500!"
"Haaah…"
Hiyori exhaled heavily, sweat dripping down her small face. She lowered her wooden practice sword, arms trembling from the repetition.
"Good work, Hiyori."
A soft voice called out. Robin, seated nearby with a book in her lap, stood and brought over a towel and a flask of water. She held them out with a smile.
"Here. Towels and water."
"Thank you, Robin-chan."
Hiyori accepted them gratefully, wiping her forehead before taking a long drink.
The training was harsh, but her eyes gleamed with determination.
Robin was the child Rain and the others had met by chance after arriving in O'Hara.
One evening, they found her hiding near the edge of the forest, quietly crying. The sight of a girl alone in such a place was unusual, no matter how one looked at it.
That first meeting led to another, and another.
Since Rain's group chose to camp in the woods while waiting for "the stage" to unfold, Robin often slipped away from the library to read near them.
They were outsiders, ignorant of her true abilities, and perhaps because of that, she felt safer around them than with most adults.
Before long, they had grown familiar.
"Hiyori, you're still just a child. Why do you train so hard every day?"
Robin closed her book, curiosity finally outweighing her restraint. She had seen Hiyori swinging her practice sword endlessly before, but today she couldn't help asking.
Hiyori lowered her blade, her chest still rising and falling from exertion. She turned to Robin with a steady gaze far older than her years.
"Robin-chan… this world is cruel."
"...?"
Robin blinked, confusion flickering across her face. She was a prodigy, a scholar who knew more than most adults—but there were still things she hadn't experienced. And Hiyori's words were one of them.
"Robin-chan, I hope you never have to understand what I mean."
Hiyori's tone was firm, her eyes almost frightening in their seriousness.
Robin's lips parted, but no words came. She simply didn't know how to respond.
"Hiyori! Take a break—lunch is ready."
Rain emerged from the trees carrying a wild boar slung casually over his shoulder. His voice cut through the heaviness of the moment.
"Okay, Rain-oniichan."
Hiyori set her sword aside and hurried to gather firewood.
"Let's eat here today."
Mira came up beside Robin, smiling as she watched the younger girl. She glanced at Robin's book and teased gently. "You too. Come join us."
"Is… is that really alright?" Robin asked, hesitating. Her voice was small, almost nervous.
"Of course. Don't be shy. We can't finish all this food ourselves anyway," Mira said warmly.
"...Then, I'll trouble you."
Robin closed her book at last and followed them. She didn't just sit back either while Hiyori kindled the fire, Robin helped prepare the boar.
Together they worked seamlessly, one tending the flames, the other cooking.
Soon, the forest was filled with the smell of roasting meat, laughter, and the warmth of something Robin hadn't felt in a long time—family.
"Robin really is a good kid."
Mira watched as the little girl carefully tended the fire beside Hiyori, her small hands working with quiet diligence. Mira's heart softened again, that familiar sisterly instinct overflowing.
If only I could take her with us…
She knew Robin's circumstances. Lonely. Neglected. Living conditions far from kind.
Wouldn't it be better if she came with us instead?
"Robin is still waiting for her mother to come back," Rain said plainly, cutting through her thoughts. "So she can't just leave with us."
Mira frowned, her lips pressing into a thin line. "But what kind of mother leaves such a young child alone like this? Doesn't she worry at all?"
Her voice was sharp with protest.
"..."
Rain fell silent. He honestly didn't know how to answer. In this world, it wasn't uncommon for parents to chase their own ambitions, even at the cost of family.
To him, it was madness. Something broken in their way of thinking. If it were him, he could never do that.
Mira's eyes lingered on Robin, her resolve hardening.
"When the time comes, when this place is no longer safe… we'll ask her. If Robin wants to leave with us, we'll take her."
Her tone was decisive.
After all, this island was destined to be destroyed. When that day came, Robin would face a choice and Mira already knew what her own answer would be.
The thought gave her strength. She stood, brushing the dust from her clothes, her eyes calm but determined.
As for saving the people of O'Hara?
Don't joke about it.
These scholars had been warned again and again by the World Government to stop their research.
They chose not to listen. Why would they listen now, if Rain and the others offered help?
The truth was simple: the Government would never forgive them, and the people of O'Hara would never abandon their pursuit of history.
Even if someone intervened, it would be meaningless...just catching stray bullets for nothing.
Even if a handful of scholars managed to escape, where would they run? The World Government's hand stretched across every sea.
They would be hunted down sooner or later.
And more importantly...why should Rain and the others risk so much for people who had already chosen their path?
If you have the courage to oppose the World… then you must also be prepared to face its consequences.
Not to mention...
Even Monkey D. Dragon, the man who would one day become the Revolutionary Army's leader, knew of O'Hara's fate. And yet, he never moved to save them.
Even he understood what a hopeless mess the scholars of O'Hara were.
Their minds were set. They would never abandon their pursuit of history, no matter the warnings.
To Dragon, just as to Rain, it was clear: such people could not be "saved."
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