I,Akaino will not die easily

The West Blue—at the heart of Ohara Island stands the Tree of Knowledge, a massive 5,000-year-old tree that symbolizes the island. In fact, it could be said that the entire island was built around this ancient tree.

Its sprawling roots extend from the center to the edges of the island, interwoven like a vast network.

The tree's crown is so lush that it's hard to believe it belongs to a tree that has lived for five millennia.

It exudes vibrant life, though its main trunk and branches reveal its age with its weathered, rugged appearance, standing tall despite enduring countless storms.

The tree's hollow trunk houses what is known as the world's largest and oldest library.

Within this grand structure lie innumerable donated materials from all over the world, attracting brilliant scholars who tirelessly study the amassed texts day and night.

Even the island's residents take pride in these scholars, calling them the pride of Ohara. But on this day, that pride had turned to despair.

Officials from the World Government had accused the archaeologists of Ohara of being "demons who seek to destroy the world.

" A large-scale hunt had been launched across the entire island, with orders for all non-scholarly personnel to evacuate to rescue ships immediately.

The residents, however, were filled with doubt about the announcement. They had lived alongside these so-called "demon" scholars for so long.

The scholars' virtuous behavior and genuine love for their work made it hard to accept or believe the "facts" being presented.

Though the permanent residents of Ohara had their suspicions, they feared being identified as "affiliated personnel" and subsequently detained by the CP (Cipher Pol) agents.

This fear of being unable to escape outweighed their skepticism. The sudden raid and the officials' chilling statement, "Our duty is simply to relay the evacuation notice—what happens afterward is on you," revealed the strangeness of the situation.

Not everyone dared gamble with their lives. As much as the scholars were the pride of the island, could that pride outweigh personal safety? Chaos erupted as the residents scrambled to flee.

"Aaaahhh!!! I've been shot… I'm done for!!"

"Dammit, I can't go on…! Quick, report this! My position should be passed on to my son!"

A middle-aged man, wearing a vertically striped gray-black coat with a few buttons on his suit left undone, stumbled to the ground, his once-arrogant gait replaced by pitiful wailing.

Beside him stood two composed men in suits. One of them, a man with curly orange hair and a bowler hat, coldly remarked,

"Commander, take a closer look. It's just your sleeve that got pierced."

The terrified Spandine turned his head, only to heave a sigh of relief upon seeing the truth. He looked up at the culprit responsible for his embarrassment.

"I won't miss next time!!"

declared a silver-haired woman, appearing to be in her thirties.

A large adhesive bandage was plastered across her delicate face as she held her weapon steadily aimed at Spandine.

Forcing an awkward laugh, Spandine replied, "Wahaha! Isn't this unexpected?

The infamous criminal who escaped from the Navy prison! Fancy meeting you here on this island, Nico Olvia!"

The woman named Nico Olvia maintained her posture, keeping her gun trained on the now-seated Spandine. "My presence here proves nothing!" she retorted.

"You keep denying any connection to the scholars of Ohara, yet here you are," Spandine said, his tone growing smug.

"You might as well confess—this is your homeland, isn't it? But honestly, it doesn't even matter anymore. Your relationship with Ohara is irrelevant."

"?!"

"It seems you've already guessed," Spandine sneered, spreading his arms theatrically.

"We'll dig up this place until we find evidence of your so-called research into history's true texts. The government has long been prepared." He leaned in closer.

"Arresting that exploration ship that fled for six years? It was merely a prelude. Everywhere we've captured historians, the trail always leads back to Ohara."

Hearing this, Nico Olvia's keen mind quickly pieced together the World Government's intentions.

Even though she had long prepared herself for the worst, her realization left her cold with fear. "Don't tell me… You're planning to destroy Ohara…"

Spandine casually dusted off his pants and stood tall, laughing triumphantly.

"Exactly! Hahahahaha! Once the archaeological sanctuary of Ohara is obliterated, the entire world will be shaken to its core.

Everyone will understand the consequences of researching the 'Void Century.'"

"Slaughter one to warn a hundred!! Ohara is the chicken about to be butchered!!" Realizing the grim reality, Olvia glared fiercely at the arrogant man before her.

"So, you're just waiting for the Navy's warships!"

"…!!! Oh-ho—seems you know quite a bit. That's right! To ensure not a single criminal escapes, we'll wait for their arrival. Of course, we must formally confirm your crimes first.

After all, we're not pirates." Spandine grinned from ear to ear, basking in his assured victory.

As a victor, he felt it only fitting to share the intricacies of his strategy with a doomed opponent.

"Take her down!!"