"Commander, we're still on the island! What should we do?"
One of the men in suits behind Spandine was sweating profusely, fully aware of the dire situation they were in due to the destructive power of the Buster Call.
The Buster Call is an indiscriminate, destructive attack on a designated area, intended to completely annihilate anything and anyone that poses a threat to the World Government. Once initiated, it only stops when the target area is utterly destroyed.
Spandine's face changed, and sweat started to pour from his forehead.
"Quick! Quick! Escort me out of here!"
Without any hesitation, Spandine turned and ran. The men in black suits surrounded him protectively as they charged towards the exit of the Tree of Knowledge.
As for Nicholas, Spandine had no time to worry about him. He knew that since the Five Elders had directly ordered the Buster Call, it meant they didn't care about his life.
Nicholas watched Spandine's retreating back and quietly raised his finger.
"Shigan (Finger Pistol)!"
Spandine stumbled mid-run, then looked down in disbelief at his chest. There was now a through-and-through wound at his heart, and blood sprayed out under the immense pressure.
"Help... Help me..."
Looking at his subordinates fleeing, Spandine pleaded weakly, but in the face of such a catastrophe, his men had already forgotten he was their superior, each only thinking about saving themselves.
Desperate, Spandine's vision went dark as he finally succumbed to his injuries.
In the library of the Tree of Knowledge, Dr. Clover and the other scholars stood silently, watching the once-arrogant Spandine now lifeless on the ground.
"I'm sorry, everyone. This is all my fault! If it weren't for me, the World Government wouldn't have noticed Ohara."
Olvia spoke with deep regret as she looked at the others.
"Olvia, it's not your fault. Besides, when you all went out to sea to uncover the truth of history, it was a decision we all agreed on. Without the information you sent back, our deciphering of the Poneglyphs wouldn't have progressed so quickly. You did nothing wrong. The World Government is at fault!"
"That's right, the World Government is to blame!"
"Though we die today, the truth of history will one day be revealed."
"Yes, our like-minded companions are spread across the four seas and the Grand Line!"
"Darkness cannot shroud the dawn; the light of day will eventually come!"
The scholars spoke one by one, showing no fear of death. Their expressions were resolute.
"What's the point of calling yourself a strong pirate if you don't take on a Buster Call at least once?"
After leaving the scholars puzzled by his cryptic remark, Nicholas's figure leaped high into the air, transforming into a bolt of lightning and shooting out from the Tree of Knowledge library.
The Buster Call had been initiated, and it was time for him to act.
He believed that after single-handedly dealing with the Buster Call, the World Government's control would be significantly weakened.
"Load the cannons!"
"Ready!"
"Fire!"
Loud commands echoed across the warships, followed by thunderous cannon fire.
As Nicholas arrived outside the Tree of Knowledge, he looked up to see cannonballs whistling through the air, trailing thick smoke, and heading indiscriminately toward Ohara.
Seconds later, flames and explosions erupted, filling the sky.
From the window of the Tree of Knowledge library, Olvia, holding Robin's hand, along with Dr. Clover and others, watched in stunned silence as Ohara was engulfed in fire and smoke.
The roar of the cannon fire made the ground tremble, and the temperature around them soared as flames spread rapidly, even toward the Tree of Knowledge.
In an instant, Olvia reacted, grabbing Robin and running out of the Tree of Knowledge.
Although Nicholas had promised to ensure her safety, Olvia couldn't afford to take any chances.
Olvia did not fear death, but she couldn't bear the thought of Robin dying in this disaster before she had a chance to live her life. She had to find a way to give Robin a chance to survive.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
As the island was bombarded, the sky over Ohara seemed to turn red. The once wooden buildings were now burning torches, and the choking black smoke filled the air, making it hard to breathe.
In just a few seconds, Ohara had turned into a living hell.
Whistling sounds of incoming shells continued. Olvia looked up sharply, her pupils contracting.
Several shells struck the massive trunk of the Tree of Knowledge, exploding instantly and covering it with thick smoke.
"Mom!"
Robin, held in Olvia's arms, stared blankly at the scene before her, unable to understand what had happened to Ohara and why it was suddenly facing such a terrifying assault.
"Robin, we need to go!"
Olvia, seeing the town turning into a hellscape, ran towards the outskirts of town.
"Olvia, come with me! The Navy has initiated a Buster Call!"
At that moment, a massive figure broke through a burning house and approached them.
"Saul!"
Olvia exclaimed with joy. She had intended to find Saul, and now that he had come to them, their chances of survival had increased.
"Hurry, there's no time to explain. Follow me, and I'll protect you!"
Saul said with a serious expression as he looked at the Navy warships on the coastline.
As a former Navy officer, he understood that although this was a bombardment, the sheer number of shells could utterly destroy Ohara. Even someone as large as him wouldn't survive such an onslaught. The only option was to escape.
And that wasn't even considering the monsters leading the Buster Call and the elite vice admirals and their troops.
The acrid smell of smoke filled the air, flames raged everywhere in town, and thick smoke blocked out the sky. The archaeological haven of Ohara had turned into a living hell.
In the streets, bodies of the dead or severely injured lay scattered. The sounds of crying, screaming, and the roar of cannon fire mixed together, making Vice Admiral Fujitora, on one of the warships, close his eyes in sorrow.
It was at this moment that he realized how difficult it would be to change the world from within the World Government.
"Vice Admiral Issho, there's an unidentified person over Ohara. It's Thunder God Nicholas!"
A frightened voice from the messenger soldier caused a stir among the navy personnel on the ship.
Meanwhile, Saul, leading Robin and Olvia, ran towards the southwestern part of Ohara.
When they reached the coast, they found two warships waiting for them.
The dark cannons were already aiming at his massive frame.
"Stay here and don't move."
"I'll handle these two warships!"
Saul took a deep breath and spoke solemnly to Olvia.
As a former vice admiral, he was confident in dealing with two warships. His only concern was that the commotion might attract the attention of the Navy's top monsters. If that happened, escape would be impossible.
"Saul, be careful!"
Olvia said worriedly, looking at the two massive warships.
"Don't worry!"
Saul gave them a reassuring look, then took a few steps and began running towards the warships.
Ssshhh!
Before Saul could fully gain speed, he heard the sound of cold air spreading.
His ankle was suddenly covered in ice, quickly extending up his leg.