Chapter 46: Returning to Ohara

As dawn broke, casting a warm glow across the sky, William and Robin sat by the quiet shore of the island they had landed on the previous night. After everything they'd endured and shared, the peaceful morning felt almost surreal. With breakfast over, William looked over at Robin, who sat comfortably by his side.

"So, Robin," he said, his tone serious but his eyes bright with determination. "Do you know where the slave traders are operating here in West Blue?"

Robin nodded, her expression darkening slightly. "Yes, they're set up on an island about four days from here."

William smirked, his gaze steely. "Good. Before we leave West Blue, I'm going to make sure those bastards are taken care of."

They wasted no time. With Robin at his side, they set off for the island, William's dragon wings propelling them through the sky. The journey took less than a day, and by the time they arrived, the sun was beginning to set, casting a fiery glow over the slave traders' base nestled at the heart of the island.

William landed them a safe distance away, where they could observe the place without drawing attention. He could feel Robin's hand resting on his arm, her grip firm.

"They're monsters, William," she murmured. "I've seen what they do… the people they've hurt."

He squeezed her hand gently. "Then let's make sure they don't hurt anyone else."

Together, they approached the slave trader's headquarters—a large, rundown building surrounded by heavily armed guards and a few caged slaves who looked out with hollow eyes. The sight made William's blood boil, and a dangerous smile curled on his lips. As they neared the entrance, one of the guards stepped forward to block their path.

"What's your business here?" the guard sneered, sizing them up.

William didn't answer. Instead, he pulled down his hood, revealing his unmistakable green eyes and sharp gaze. At that moment, the boss of the slave traders emerged from inside. He looked William up and down, then turned his gaze to Robin, and a twisted smile spread across his face.

"Ah, looking to sell her, are you?" he asked with a wicked grin.

William didn't respond immediately, but his calm demeanor only seemed to unsettle the slaver. As he stepped forward, the slaver's grin wavered. 

"You don't recognize me, do you?" William said, his voice laced with mockery.

The slaver narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing William's face until realization dawned on him. His expression turned from smug to terrified as he stammered, "Wait… You're… you're the Tyrant!"

William smirked. "Seven years ago, you caught me and sold me like a piece of meat to the Celestial Dragons."

The slaver stumbled back, his bravado replaced by sheer terror. "N-no, please! Have mercy!"

"Mercy?" William's voice was chillingly calm. "Why should I give mercy to scum like you?"

A fireball materialized in his hand, blazing with a fierce intensity. With a flick of his wrist, he shaped the fireball into flaming arrows, and in an instant, they shot toward the slaver, faster than he could react. The arrows pierced his body, and within moments, he was engulfed in flames, reduced to ash.

Around them, other slavers scrambled to escape, but before they could make it far, Robin took action. Her fingers stretched out as she whispered, "Dos Fleur: Clutch." Two of the fleeing slavers fell to the ground, their necks snapped in an instant.

William and Robin dealt with all the slavers. It was over as quickly as it began. Then William and Robin turned their attention to the caged prisoners.

"You're free now," William said, breaking the chains that bound their cells. The slaves stared at him in disbelief, their gratitude evident as they stumbled out, some weeping as they regained their freedom.

Once the last of the captives were released, Robin turned to William, a softness in her gaze that hadn't been there before. "Thank you, William. They never would have had this chance without you."

He shrugged, smiling gently. "It was the least we could do."

They left the island and, as they prepared to head back, William turned to Robin. "Before we leave West Blue, there's one more place we need to visit."

"Ohara," she said softly, understanding immediately.

He nodded. "Let's go pay our respects."

They stopped in a small village along the way, where William bought a bouquet of flowers, carefully tucking it away in his space pocket. Then, they took to the skies once again, heading for the island that had been lost to flames so many years ago.

When they arrived on Ohara's shores, Robin's heart tightened. The land was eerily silent, with only the remnants of the island's once-thriving trees and buildings now overrun by nature. They walked toward the ruins of the Tree of Omniscience, the memories of their childhoods surfacing with each step.

But as they approached the site, William suddenly stiffened, his Haki sensing an unsettling presence.

"What's wrong?" Robin asked, seeing the look of focus on his face.

William's eyes narrowed. "We're not alone. Three of them—strong ones. World Government agents, probably here to ambush us."

Robin felt a chill creep down her spine. "The government sent an ambush… here?"

William's expression darkened. "One of them is almost as strong as Akainu, and the other two are close to a Vice Admiral's strength. But don't worry." He gave her a reassuring smile, his confidence unwavering. "I'm here, and they should be the ones worrying."

Robin took a deep breath, steadying herself. With William by her side, she felt safer than she had in years. Together, they approached the memorial spot where the Tree of Omniscience once stood. William pulled out the flowers, placing them gently on the ground as they stood in silence, honoring the fallen scholars and friends they had lost.

After a moment, William spoke, his voice carrying an edge. "How about you show yourselves, dogs of the World Government?"

Robin's head snapped up as three men in white suits and masks emerged from the shadows. Their presence was menacing, and she instinctively clutched William's hand, anxiety pooling in her stomach.

The agents paused, momentarily thrown off by William's challenging grin. He radiated confidence, his stance exuding a power that made even the agents hesitate. William's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as he studied them, unafraid.

"Well, well," he said, his tone mocking. "I thought the World Government would send someone competent. I guess I was wrong."

One of the agents, who seemed to be their leader, sneered. "Your insolence is amusing, Tyrant. You may be strong, but you stand no chance against the World Government's might."

William raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Is that supposed to scare me? Because I'm not feeling it."

The agent's face twisted with anger. "We're here to take you down, to end your little rebellion. You've made quite the mess, and it's time you paid for it."

William laughed, a low, humorless sound. "Oh, I'll pay you all back, alright. Starting now."

Without warning, he raised his hand, a whirlwind of fire forming at his fingertips. Robin could feel the immense power radiating from him, his presence overwhelming.

The agents tensed, but before they could react, William launched his attack. A wall of flames surged forward, searing through the air toward the agents. They dodged, but barely, the flames licking at their suits as they rolled out of harm's way.

The leader of the group snarled. "We won't go down that easily."

"Oh, I was hoping you'd last a bit," William taunted, his grin widening.

The agents regrouped, preparing to retaliate, but William remained undeterred, his confidence unshakable. He glanced at Robin, who was watching the confrontation with awe, and gave her a reassuring nod.

"They might try to put up a fight, but this won't take long." he said to her, his voice steady. 

The lead agent's voice didn't waver. "Tyrant, your actions have consequences."

William smirked, his gaze steady and unyielding. "The only consequence here will be your failure." He turned to Robin, nodding reassuringly as she looked up at him with both admiration and worry. "Stay away. I'll take care of this."

He took a step forward, radiating calm and controlled power as he faced the agents. "Come on, then," he said, his voice echoing in the empty ruins of Ohara. "I've paid my respects. Now it's time you pay yours."

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