43 Chapter 43

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"Now that we've discussed official matters, we can start talking about some events from eleven years ago."

Dak converted the 5 million Belly brought by Kuzan into 500 Magical Coins quietly and then looked at Kuzan and Robin with a pleased expression.

Hearing Dak mention such matters darkened both Kuzan and Robin's expressions.

The Ohara Incident.

No two people were more deeply affected than them.

One witnessed Sakazuki firing on the refugee ships, experiencing unparalleled shock, which planted the seeds for their eventual parting of ways. Saul's questioning, "Do you truly believe what you're doing is just? Can you still stand tall after seeing this?!!!" led him to start doubting his own sense of justice.

Eventually, Kuzan's act of defying orders to let Robin go, stating that "Absolute justice can sometimes drive one mad," proved his transformation and the deep impact of this event on him.

The other lost her homeland, mother, teacher, friends, and was left with only memories, embarking on an endless dark journey until now.

For both of them, Ohara represented a past they wished not to revisit.

"Do you remember what I promised you before? To tell you about Saul after that."

When Dak spoke these words,

Kuzan didn't react much, just stared intently at Dak, his eyes filled with confusion.

Robin also remembered, Dak had lured her back with this question, and three days had passed without him telling her anything.

"Is Saul still alive?!"

Robin, recalling this question, became anxious, grabbing Dak's clothes as if she wouldn't let him go until he gave an answer.

"Kuzan, would you like to speak, or shall I?"

Dak glanced at Kuzan, who seemed to become somewhat uneasy standing in front of him.

"You knew too? What have you been hiding from me?"

Robin turned to Kuzan.

Years of observing and understanding people let her see the deep meaning hidden in Kuzan's eyes.

"I'm curious about one thing. I was sure I was the only one left on Ohara. Why would you know?"

Kuzan ignored Robin and stared intently at Dak.

If Dak had the ability to see through a person's past, that would be terrifying.

"Um, there are many things the Mystery Hatchery House can do, some of which might even make you question your existence."

Dak frowned, pondering how to explain.

"Like what?"

Going back to the past, changing history.

Crossing time, going to the future.

Reviving the dead, flesh from bones.

"...For instance, making someone briefly see someone who has passed away."

Dak considered his words and chose not to divulge the fantastical capabilities.

The power of Pokémon is indeed miraculous, capable of accomplishing all he mentioned and more, even without relying on the powers of Legendary Pokémon. Bringing someone back from the dead, relying on items from the Magical Shop, is also possible.

But Dak chose not to share these details.

Such capabilities might not necessarily make the outside world yearn for the Mystery Hatchery House but could instead incite fear, leading them to try and erase it from existence.

Especially entities like the World Government, who would worry about Dak meddling with history 800 years ago, potentially erasing them from history.

Dak wasn't afraid of their malicious intentions, nor did he believe they had the capability to act on them, but it would undoubtedly cause trouble.

"Seeing, the deceased?"

Kuzan's mouth fell open slightly, his breathing becoming hurried.

Not that he harbored any greedy thoughts towards such a power; he didn't have anyone he particularly wished to see again. It was just too fantastical.

And crucially, he knew the revelation of such a thing could stir massive waves across the seas.

Even the allure of One Piece might be overshadowed for a while.

Robin stood frozen, as faces of her elders from Ohara began to emerge in her mind.

Her eyes couldn't help but show longing as she looked at Dak, wanting to speak but stopping herself.

"You don't have to imagine it too extravagantly. This is produced from a certain Pokémon's feather, extremely precious and rare. Even we only have one, and there are no plans to sell it, so it won't be revealed to the seas."

Dak's words contained a lot of information.

It elevated the image of Pokémon in Kuzan's mind while assuring him not to worry too much about this causing chaos in the seas.

"So, you..."

"Yes, I tried to use this feather on Saul, but it failed."

Dak nodded.

A statement that made Kuzan and Robin begin to speculate.

"Why would it fail?"

Robin asked.

With her memory, how could she not grasp what Dak just said?

But it was because she understood too well, her mind racing too fast, leading to some insecurity, yet her words revealed her anticipation and joy.

"Because, Saul, isn't dead."

Kuzan gave up struggling and stated the fact.

Robin, upon hearing Kuzan admit it, had tears welling up in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away.

"Moo~"

Miltank, seeing Robin about to cry, quickly comforted her.

Even going as far as charging at Kuzan to punch him, but Robin used the powers of the Flower-Flower Fruit to pull her back.

"It's wonderful."

Robin's myriad thoughts and words ultimately condensed into three simple words.

No one could understand her feelings at that moment.

"I wasn't planning on telling you this. I hadn't realized the power of Pokémon could be so exaggerated."

Kuzan shook his head, seemingly resigned, and spread his hands to Robin, "You don't need to ask where Saul is now. Telling you would be pointless, he now..."

"He salvaged as many books as possible that were thrown into the sea during the Ohara Incident and took them to the library on Elbaf. With the help of Vegapunk, he read through all the materials and began researching the history of 800 years ago."

Dak interrupted Kuzan's rambling and decisively informed Robin of Saul's whereabouts.

It wasn't a secret; he was sure to satisfy Robin's curiosity, making his employee happier.

However, Dak saw utter shock in Kuzan's eyes, which even trembled.

Dak wondered, "You didn't know?"

Dak was genuinely puzzled. Kuzan personally let Saul go and might even have sent him back to Elbaf. How could he not know?

Or did the Navy and even the World Government not know about Vegapunk's contact with Saul?

What was Vegapunk planning?

Kuzan fell silent, unaware of Vegapunk's actions.

But

Why would Dak know?

According to his earlier statement, shouldn't he only be able to confirm Saul's survival?

Kuzan calmed down internally, shocked that Dak knew such secretive information.

Furthermore,

The fact that Saul was let go in a staged fight, not even Sengoku knew about it. Why would Vegapunk, serving the World Government, know Saul's whereabouts?

Then, Kuzan suddenly remembered the Pokémon hidden in Dak's shadow.

If that Pokémon hadn't emerged on its own, he might never have noticed its presence.

If that Pokémon hid in shadows to gather information, there might be

 few in the world who could detect its existence.

This realization made Kuzan start to appreciate Pokémon infinitely and decided, even if Sengoku didn't trade Pokémon, he must convince Karp and even Zephyr to mention it.

Dak didn't expect his casual comment to reveal so much to Kuzan, but that also allowed him to glean something from Kuzan's reaction.

Though it wasn't of much use to him.

Robin, however, didn't notice any of this.

Usually sharp and composed, Robin now looked like a little girl, her face flushed and wearing a silly smile.

Her mind was filled with thoughts of Saul.

(End of Chapter)