The people of Ohara were not lacking in genuine ability. From the moment they learned about the Great War, they should have understood why the World Government wanted to conceal the Void Century.
Yet that only seemed to strengthen their desire to uncover the truth, without making them aware of the dangers lurking behind it.
“We never imagined… that the World Government would issue an extermination order like this…”
“If even history itself can be erased, who would care about a single island? This island isn’t recorded on standard sea charts, so it’s relatively safe for now. Someone will come to take you away after a while.”
Nereus had no intention of taking all these scholars with him. On a sea where education varied enormously, these people could be considered intellectuals, and now they were anti-government intellectuals.
Compared to Fish-Man Island, there was a place that suited them much better.
“Pan, take your people and continue the operation. Set up those ‘little treasures’ at the designated locations.”
Nereus had other objectives in the West Blue this time. One of them concerned the transplantation of Eve saplings. According to past surveys conducted by the Ryugu Kingdom’s exploration teams, there were two islands in the West Blue whose environments were ideal for Eve’s growth, and the surrounding waters were deep enough as well.
The books of Ohara and these scholars were part of the plan, and so was Eve’s expansion project.
The destruction of an island like Ohara could not be concealed, and the World Government never tried to hide it. After smearing its reputation, they naturally released the news to the public.
Along with it came the bounty poster for the Demon Child, Nico Robin.
Several warships destroyed by Saul were all blamed on Nico Robin instead. The scapegoat technique was truly first-rate.
After thawing out, Saul used the shattered remains of the Tree of Knowledge to build a canoe and began his journey back to the kingdom of the giants.
Meanwhile, the scholars started a wilderness survival lifestyle on the island. Since they frequently traveled to explore all kinds of ruins, their survival skills were well developed, and they encountered little trouble.
The soldiers of the Neptune Army continued carrying out Nereus’s plans. During that period, Olvia approached Nereus and asked whether he could help find her daughter.
The situation had been extremely dangerous at the time, and since Nereus had never revealed himself, Olvia had entrusted everything to Saul.
However, Nereus did not pay much attention to the matter. He merely informed some Neptune Army members who were transplanting saplings elsewhere to keep an eye out for her whereabouts.
For those who had lived on the island, its destruction was a catastrophic disaster. For the survivors, it became a horrifying memory they could never forget.
But for ordinary people, such events would soon be buried beneath newer headlines.
Several months after the Ohara Incident, when the World Government had already stopped paying attention to the area, someone was sailing toward it.
…
“Is there really nothing left… It looks like everything was destroyed in the bombardment…”
Other than scorched earth and shell craters, nothing remained of Ohara. Standing beside a vast lake, Vegapunk lamented the disappearance of a culture.
“Long time no see, Vegapunk. Your head is still as strange as ever. I recognized you at a glance.”
Although MADS had already been absorbed by the World Government, the government had not yet begun attaching great importance to Vegapunk. As a result, nobody paid attention to his trip to the West Blue.
Otherwise, they would have discovered that Dragon, leader of the Freedom Fighters, had appeared behind Vegapunk and was now speaking with him.
“Dragon? What are you doing here?”
“I should be asking you that. It’s only been a while, but your head has gotten even bigger.”
Because of the Brain-Brain Fruit, the more knowledge Vegapunk stored, the larger his head became. After being recruited by the World Government, he had gained access to far more information, so naturally his head had grown larger as well.
“I knew Clover.”
“I see. I was an old acquaintance of his too.”
“He practically traveled the entire world back then. Looks like he knew quite a lot of people. What a pity. Everything in Ohara has been destroyed now.”
“Yeah, it’s all gone. And now you’re working for the World Government, becoming one of its lapdogs. It seems the Freedom Fighters’ invitation couldn’t compete with the World Government after all.”
Dragon’s sarcastic remark annoyed Vegapunk, who immediately defended himself: “Don’t say something so stupid. The projects I’m working on require astronomical amounts of funding.
Look at how poor your Freedom Fighters are. There’s no way you could afford those expenses.
The World Government is an enormous organization, and the Marines are only one part of it. There are still people within it who understand me.”
The two remained silent for a long time. After erecting a gravestone for Ohara using charred tree bark, Vegapunk left the island.
He still had research to conduct and could not stay there forever. Yet at that moment, a desire had taken root in his heart—to inherit Clover’s will.
He, too, would investigate the truth of that era, though he would do so in secret.
“Watch closely, Vegapunk. I’m going to change this world… Having an army capable of fighting really is necessary…”
Dragon said nothing further and began muttering about other matters. It was then that someone quietly arrived behind him.
“A fine ideal. So, has your army been established yet?”
“Mr. Nereus?”
Quite a few people had wanted Dragon dead over the years. Although he had not yet become the World Government’s officially recognized World’s Worst Criminal, the bounty on his head was already considerable, and the Marines certainly wouldn’t show him any courtesy if they encountered him.
Acting on instinct, Dragon immediately threw a punch behind him, only for it to be caught effortlessly.
“Not bad. We’ve recruited some additional combat personnel, and the basic framework is fairly complete. As for high-end fighters… we’re still lacking by a wide margin…
When did you arrive?”
Many of the combat personnel Dragon referred to had come from Nereus. Some pirate slaves were difficult for Nereus to place elsewhere, so he handed them over to Dragon for recycling.
After removing the unstable elements, there were still plenty of useful talents among them.
Another portion consisted of people who had become utterly disappointed with the Marines due to various experiences. As for how they found their way to Dragon, the answer was simply coincidence.
“Probably earlier than both you and Vegapunk. I’ve been busy with some greening projects.
I’ve got a group of people over there. You can take them with you while you’re at it. I imagine your makeshift organization could use some educated personnel.
But you’d better keep an eye on them. If left unchecked, they’re even bolder than you are.”
Educated personnel, bold personalities, and this was Ohara…
Dragon hardly needed to think before realizing what Nereus meant.
“The scholars?”
“Good. The arrival of the Great Pirate Era will shift the Marines’ focus. Whether it’s the New World or Paradise, the entire Grand Line will attract far more Marine attention.
That will leave significant gaps across the Four Seas, making it easier for you to operate there. East Blue is a bit special, but that shouldn’t matter to you. After all, in theory, Garp still won’t lay a hand on you.”
You can read ahead upto 45 chapters on my patreon and I’ve also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon.