Chapter 33: Justice

A/N: Hey guys. Prior to this chap, I just want to tell you that my update schedule will get really irregular and slow. Ugh, school works do suck, and honestly, if my wifi wasn't keep going out, I may have worked on the assignments instead of writing this, hehe;; Regardless, I hope you enjoy this chap!

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Deep down in the island of Ohara, there lied one moderate-sized hole. Due to the small-sized entry from the surface, and the fact that there lied the patches of grass right above it, the agents failed to notice it with the brief search of theirs.

Reinforced with wood and stone. Coupled with many clothes and blankets, Saul, Robin, and I—the ones who were hiding in this dark place, managed ourselves warm without the help of fire.

"...T-they are here." And Robin, whose arms were crossed to use her fruit ability, muttered with anxiety behind her tone, "It's just as you said. I can't see what's exactly happening because of the plants, but... people wearing the black suits. They are here."

'Cipher Pol agents,' I thought as I stood up from the wall that I was leaning on, 'It's the time.'

Turning at Robin and Saul, I stated firmly, "Wait here, and be ready to receive the ones I'll be dropping from the top. I'll use my fruit ability to move without getting noticed—"

However, I was then forced to stop, by a huge hand that blocked my way to the exit.

"...Saul." My eyes narrowed, "What are you doing?"

Saul, although I couldn't see his expression well in the darkness, shook his head negatively. Unwilling to remove his hand, he instead said, "I can't letcha go up there, Smoker."

"S-Saul?" Robin mumbled in confusion.

"I..." Saul closed his eyes tight, and bit his lips. His body trembled, as if making a hard decision. However, his hand relentlessly blocked my way, "...I made a promise."

__________

<You... are a giant, I see. Yet, unlike many I've met before, you are calm and gentle. From that boy, Smoker, I heard that your name is Saul.>

<My name is Clover, an archaeologist. And I currently am thankful beyond imagination, to you two. Thanks to you, we were able to… dump all the books into the lake. Though many will be lost, more will be saved in the end.>

Clover, with his eyes closed, reflected upon the conversation that he secretly had with Saul, two days ago.

<However, digging a hole, and by using that boy's fruit ability, hide us when the Buster Call begins, you say? I must say, that it's impossible. It may seem logical at a first glance, but... he forgot about one crucial factor that will lead this plan to failure—Observation Haki.>

Clover knew, that his time has arrived. Tied up, and on his knees, bruised and injured from the hits by the Cipher Pol agents. Olvia was struggling to her end, but him, along with the scholars by his side, remained silent.

<Though our belief that the past belongs to everyone remains solid, we don't have any intention to transfer the weight on our back to anyone else. And that boy... he's just a teen. He won't be able to defeat Buster Call. The real threat of it comes not from the firearms, but from the five Vice Admirals.>

Clover smiled, with his eyes shaded.

<Please grant one wish of this old man, mighty warrior of Elbaf... save Smoker, that courageous boy. Save Robin, that intelligent girl. Instead of saving us, save yourself; we committed ourselves to this research, knowing full well of the consequences.>

Oh, how glad Clover was, that although things turned out to be this way, he will be able to pass away without much guilt in his heart.

<If there is one thing that's worth more than the past... it's the future. It's for the sake of the future that we study the past, and our future are those children.>

Along with a pleasant feeling that a weight was lifted up on his back, Clover thought for the final time,

'Thank you for saving us... Smoker.'

And now, he could fully commit himself to the final battle in his life.

"...Yeah, it's a crime punishable by death. We found enough evidence to support that; give us your orders." Spandine, who was holding onto a dial connected to the Den Den Mushi, said seriously.

<<It can't be helped. It's a sad truth, but those who violate the law of the world cannot be overlooked for any reason.>>

Clover, raising his head up, stated without a hint of fear, "I can see right through your pretentious speech, Gorosei!"

Spandine immediately barked at Clover, "Bastard!! You're talking to the leaders of the world here!!"

Den Den Mushi, which held a calm expression on its face, spoke, <<The head of the archaeological association, Oharan professor Clover. Until now, you've been a well-known individual for your contributions to world culture. But this time, you overstepped your boundaries.>>

Clover refuted, "Everything I've done in the past has been for humanity. There is no one who has the right to stop me."

<<...If you read the Poneglyphs, the revival of ancient weapons will bring about a crisis for the world! Even if you bear no ill will, there may be others who intend to use them in such a fashion!>>

"No matter what lies in the past, humans create history, and thus they must accept everything. If we come to know things without feeling fear, we will be able to create some form of counter-measure." Clover spoke powerfully, "The ancient weapons are carefully hidden, hidden in a way that... a select few may already know where they lie, and how to access them. If we remain blind, we are rendering ourselves susceptible to them, and the day on which they surface will be the day of calamity. We must be ready."

<<That's mere idealism... you drastically underestimate the threats that the knowledge of the past poses!>>

"...But nowadays," Clover, narrowing his eyes at the Den Den Mushi, exclaimed, "due to such behaviours of you, the World Government, we've become more curious of the truth regarding the Poneglyphs' reason for existence, rather than their contents."

<<…>>

"In the past, why would people carve texts on mineral ores? Perhaps they wished to convey something to the future. They probably couldn't leave behind paper or books, because... they may have thought that their message would get destroyed."

Clover claimed with certainty,

"In otder words, there is clear evidence the people that left behind the stones had an 'enemy.'"

The Den Den Mushi stared at Clover grimly, <<What is it that you wish to say, Dr. Clover...>>

"If we assume that these people were destroyed by their 'enemy,' then their 'enemy' would continue to live on. Coincidentally, 800 years ago, right after the Void Century, the World Government was born."

The Den Den Mushi's eyes slightly widened. It seemed that the recipient of the call in the Mariejois couldn't conceal his emotion to a complete degree, which told Clover that his theory was heading in the right direction.

"If the destroyed people's enemy had become the World Government, then I believe that the Void Century was erased by the World Government's hands as inconvenient history!"

"The information on the Poneglyphs revealed the existence of a single country! It was depicted as a great civilization, as well as a kingdom of great power! However, any information about this country has been thoroughly erased, and having predicted this outcome, they entrusted the knowledge to the future by carving stones... which we now call 'Poneglyphs!'"

<<...That's an audacious hypothesis, Clover.>>

"The ancient weapons truly are a threat to the world! However! The greater threat to the government would be revealing the history ideas, and even the existence of that country! And why would that be the case?! Why would the information of the long-lost kingdom be more dangerous than the presence of the ancient weapons?!"

Clover spoke with a genuine passion. He didn't look like a man facing death, as his eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. With his fists clenched tight, he then spoke,

"I've been speculating... that perhaps, the World Government already is in possession of those ancient weapons. And although I am unable to fully explain that threat, we've come to learn,

that the name of that country was—"

'…Heh, I suppose that this is it.'

<<Eliminate him.>>

BANG! From the barrel of a pistol in Spandine's hold, a bullet was fired. It penetrated right through Clover's skull, and Clover, without finishing his statement,

Thud.

fell, with his eyes hollowed out.

"P-PROFESSOR!!!!!" The scholars screamed. Olvia, with widened eyes, gazed at the fallen Clover, whose blood was oozing out and smearing the nearby ground.

<<Ohara...>>

Who is in the right, and who is in the wrong? The threats behind the ancient weapons, the existence of the Great Kingdom from the Void Century, and setting examples in order to prevent the further leakage of the past—

<<...knows too much.>>

—was it the scholars' fault for seeking to know the truth? Was it the World Government's fault for restricting the knowledge?

In the end... what exactly is justice?

"A-ah..." Olvia finally slumped down, losing her will to fight back. She knew, that after a year-long run, harsh days as a prisoner, and desperately reaching this island as the last resort—everything was over.

'...Robin,' Olvia, in the end, let out a hollow smile, 'I'm sorry for being such a horrible mother. I hope... that you will lead a life filled with joy.'

<<Give the signal to attack.>>

Spandine grinned while taking out a smaller, golden-coloured Den Den Mushi from his chest pocket, "Alrighty... IT'S BUSTER CALL TIME!"

Then, he pressed the button.

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<<BUZZZZZZZZ!!!>>

"A request for Buster Call!" One marine soldier exclaimed, as the Silver Den Den Mushi, the receiver for the signal sent by the Golden Den Den Mushi, screeched loudly.

<<BUZZZZZZZZ!!!>>

"All ships," Sakazuki's voice then boomed out all across the warships, "arrange and prepare for bombardment—!!"

"""Yes, sir!"""

The ten warships sailed to the front, rapidly travelling to Ohara which was now visible to them. As the World Government agents hurriedly returned back to their ships,

BOOM! The warship which Sakazuki stood on top of, then shot forth a cannonball at the tree of knowledge, setting it on a fire.

BOOM! Then, another shot was blasted from the warship under the command of Bayard, who grinned with his eyes locked on the island.

BOOM! The cannonball from Tensei's warship hit the village that already was in ruination.

BOOM! Tokikake chuckled as he saw the sight in front of him; now, the entire island was on fire.

Kuzan watched. The island being reduced to ashes, the ruthless destruction—he silently watched the 'cleansing' flame ahead of him. However, no one managed to see, that behind those sunglasses of his, there were eyes colder than any other—losing the final hope he had for the World Government.

'Absolute justice... drives people insane.'

BOOM! A cannonball was shot from the very warship that Kuzan was in charge of. Unable to bear the sight any longer, Kuzan changed his position, facing away from the scene.

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Boom. Boom. Boom. The faint noises of explosions reached all the way down here. With Saul's hand blocking the path, and his level of strength far surpassing mine, I knew that I was unable to get through.

Boom.

"Dr. Clover..." Only Robin's weeping could be heard in the darkness along with the explosion noises, "Everyone..."

"Observation Haki, huh," I muttered while dazing off. Surrounded by the darkness, I couldn't bother to think. In the end, I've done everything that I could've done, and yet, failed...

...simply because I was weak.

Boom.

<And it's impossible to save all of them. Although the Buster Call is immoral violence, the scholars knew of the risks, yet still proceeded with their research of Void Century and Poneglyphs. I commend their resolve, but whether they live or die, ultimately depends on luck.> This is what I said back then. I was ready to disregard their lives if the situation seemed unfit.

However, although it was such a short time, I came to experience that they were nice people. Though they bear responsibility for researching the forbidden knowledge, I could tell that they were kind and genuine—the likable bunch who loved parties just as much as the others, the ones who possessed no strength but still stood up for their ideals.

Boom.

I lifted my hand up. Though I couldn't really see properly due to the darkness, I nonetheless gazed at it, 'The justice, ideal, righteousness, goal, whatever they may be, they are only allowed to be spoken from the mouth of the strong. In the end, I was being foolish.'

Just as how I thought at the very beginning, my involvement, in the end, seemed to be nothing but a fly's pointless struggle.

Boom.