Chapter 31

'Saul, after arriving at Ohara in the canon, stayed hidden for some days—though I can't remember the exact number.' I thought to myself, 'From what Tsuru said to Kuzan-san, the operation will begin within a week, as in they will leave the base G-1 within a week—if Saul and Olvia were not to have broke out.'

From my speculation, I believed that we have around three to four days before the Buster Call begins.

With such thoughts in my mind, I spoke up to Robin and Saul in front of me,

"Let's talk about the civilians."

'There indeed is an evacuation ship provided in the canon, which the civilians aboard to get away from the Buster Call. However, Sakazuki then blasts down the entire ship, to "thoroughly" ensure that no knowledge gets leaked out.'

I was thinking—if Kuzan was present during then, would he have prevented it?

'Probably,' I thought, 'But I can't say for sure.'

And I'd rather not weigh human lives over probability, meaning I have to choose among the two following options:

1. Prevent the civilians from boarding the evacuation ship, while somehow having them survive the Buster Call.

2. Prove and appeal their innocence, such that Sakazuki finds no need to kill them.

The answer was pretty obvious, for the second option of 'proving' was practically impossible; knowledge wasn't a visible concept. You don't know if a particular individual has it or not, and he or she can simply fabricate a lie. Lie detector, you say? A convenient tool like that doesn't exist. The first option is the only possibility.

'Then, what must be done in order to prevent the civilians from boarding the evacuation ship?'

There was no need to overthink.

"In terms of civilians, the World Government can't discern them. What they are interested in isn't the identities of those civilians, but the potential of them having the knowledge regarding the Void Century and Poneglyphs. This means that if they manage to reach the other islands prior to the Buster Call, in this world where billions of people live, there is no way for the World Government to discern the Oharans from the others."

Thankfully, this wasn't the Grand Line, but West Blue. The average compass and average navigating methodology work here; I believed that making them get out to the sea will be enough to achieve my goal.

"However, I doubt that the people will believe words as abrupt as 'Marine suddenly arriving to bombard the entire island into ruination.' They will think that I'm a fraud." I said thoughtfully, "The whole idea of warning them won't work. I can't use the method of knocking them out with my smoke either; my use of smoke will immediately give away my identity."

"...Whadden?" Saul scratched the back of his head, finding the situation bleak.

"I believe that in order to achieve this motive of driving them out of here, I need to play a 'pirate.'"

Ones without strength are bound to feel fear upon encountering a potent hostile. Driven by instinct, they will leave this island, using everything that they got.

"But in order for this to work, I must ask one thing," Turning to Robin, I asked, "Are there ships that the people can use to sail out? Ships big enough for all civilians to board?"

Robin nodded immediately, "Ohara is the hub of scholars. Although there is Den Den Mushi, the information that can be relayed from a far distance away is limited. Therefore, for the sake of exchanging knowledge, and for the sake of going on an expedition for research, it is necessary to have many ships ready at all times."

"The issue, however," Robin then pointed out acutely, "lies on the fact that with so many people boarding the ship, its speed will be notably slow. It will take days for them to reach the neighbouring islands."

I nodded, having thought about such an idea already, "Even better. If we were to assume that the other islands contain the Marine Bases, then these civilians, after reaching those islands, will report the piracy that affected the entire Ohara. If this happens prior to the start of the Buster Call, then the chance is, the World Government will come to realize that the information of Buster Call was leaked out, and may change their strategy to something even worse."

"...Uh," Saul, who didn't seem to understand my words, simply scratched the back of his head. On the other hand, Robin's mouth formed an O-shape, finding my logic plausible.

"If the ship is slower, then the villagers will only get to tell those marines after the Buster Call happens," She muttered, before questioning again, "But for this whole plan to work, the 'threat' that you pose must be just as big. You at least have to be someone who is capable of destroying an entire town by yourself."

In response, I pointed at myself with my thumb, "And you got just the one over here."

Saul supported my words, "He can do it."

"…Okay." Then, while holding her left arm and turning her head sideways, Robin asked gravely, "…You aren't going to make me board that ship of villagers, are you?"

"You really dislike them, huh," I remarked. Sighing as I looked up, I said, "The second half of the plan, involving the lives of the scholars, is going to be dangerous. However, I, at the same time, am afraid that something may happen to you while you sail with those villagers. Remaining here poses more risk, but at least you'll be in our sight."

'Nico Olvia and Robin... their meet causes Robin to sprout out all details of how she's a full-fledged archaeologist. But save their interaction; if I can have Saul and Robin hide from the start to the end, such that the World Government and Marine don't even get a glimpse of them, I think I can make this work.'

"I value your opinion, Robin. If you wish to stay, then stay, however," I, with seriousness, affirmed, "I need you to promise me, that you will act with maturity. Lives are at stake here."

"You already know me." Robin clenched her fists, "I'm not going to whine like a baby. I want to help."

"...Alright. With that having been dealt with, I'll now explain the second phase of the plan."

One mistake and all is over. I'm trying to balance things out on a sharp needle; I can only hope that the events will flow as I intend to.

'The only way for the scholars to live is to fool the World Government that they died—similar to how Saul's case went in the canon.'

Taking in a deep breath, I eased my mind. Ordering my thoughts, I finally opened my mouth back up after a pause,

"Saul. Your rank in the Marine was Vice Admiral. And if I believe, one of the requirements to attain the rank of Vice Admiral, is to be capable of using Haki, isn't it?"

Saul's eyes widened, "...Oh, so ya knew, I see."

"The giant, whose inherent strength alone far surpasses that of an average human, and also possesses the ability to utilize the Armament Haki," I exclaimed, before asking, "Tell me, Saul. How deep can you dig in two days?"

"...Dig?" Robin's eyes widened in realization, as she looked at me, "Don't tell me that you plan to create some sort of 'bunk.'"

"The Marine will bring ten warships. They will fire all they got, but the supply is limited; it is impossible for them to completely erase this island." I claimed with certitude.

'Since Vegapunk and Dragon visited the destroyed Ohara few months after the incident, it is only the "surface" of the island that will be wrecked from the Buster Call. By digging deeply enough, escaping the impact of the Buster Call shouldn't be impossible.'

"Dig, ya say?" Saul said while raising his huge right hand up. Then, the tip of his index finger was coated in pitch black, indicating the use of Armament Haki: Hardening, before he pressed that finger down on the ground.

Said finger effortlessly pushed into the ground as if poking through the water.

"I can prolly dig real deep," Saul replied with a confident grin.

Robin, who didn't seem satisfied with my plan, was about to retort, however, I spoke up without giving her the chance to speak,

"I know. The impact from the Buster Call will collapse the hole, crushing whoever's in there." I then searched my pocket, before taking out the gum dispenser that I previously received from Gion, "And therefore, we'll use this to stick the wood trunks and stones within the holes, for the purpose of reinforcement. Do you believe that it's an impossible task? I don't,"

I looked at Saul, who looked back at me with determination in his eyes,

"for it definitely is possible."

"Still," Robin asked with sharp eyes, "If your plan is to put all scholars in the hole and have them survive from the Buster Call, we might as well just send them away like how we'll do with the civilians."

I shook my head, "No, that won't do. The purpose of the Buster Call is to 'make an example' out of these scholars, of what would happen if people were to disobey the laws set by the World Government. They are specifically targeting scholars, and unless they come to believe that their targets died, they won't stop."

"The hole will be hidden. By the time the Buster Call starts, you two will be hiding in there. The scholars will remain up, receiving the full brunt of the Buster Call."

""W-what?!"" Saul and Robin shouted at the same time, but I nonetheless continued,

"The cannons, fires, blasts—they will produce one thing: smoke. Smoke will arise, preventing the Marine and World Government from viewing what exactly is going on. During then, by using my ability," I said while morphing my right arm into grey smoke, "I will pull those scholars into the hole."

"But..." Robin said warily, "...some will die."

"And it's impossible to save all of them." I answered coldly, "Although the Buster Call is an 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."

And this was the full gist of my plan.

__________

"Are they fine?" Robin, who was standing in front of me right now, asked.

After some time passed since our discussion, I was now out of my marine attire, and instead, was putting on the clothes that Robin stole from her uncle's closet. The most important aspect to consider was the black cloth that covered the entirety of my head and face except for my eyes, which Robin made by ripping the clothes of her aunt.

"As long as I'm not recognizable by anyone, it will suffice," I replied while stretching my body, "Although an outward appearance can contribute to inflicting fear, we don't have time to care about that."

We were currently standing in the forest before the town.

"Go back to Saul, Robin. You probably won't like what I'm about to do now."

Robin, who reluctantly stood by after my words, eventually nodded, "...Don't kill anyone, okay?"

I chuckled at that, "Hey, I'm a marine, not a pirate. Don't forget that."

Hopping down, I stared at the town's entrance.

'So here it is, the fruit to my long-lasted sleepless nights.'

I closed my eyes momentarily in thought.

'...But don't forget, myself. Back then, I promised myself that if I were given the second chance in life, I would live one that is worthy... that I won't repeat the life of a scum.'

Feeling my heart beating rapidly, I opened my eyes back up in resolution, before raising my leg up,

'Rankyaku.'