I,Akaino will not die easily

Under Spandine's near-dazed expression, a tall humanoid figure made of magma slowly emerged from the center of the impact crater. With each step it took, the magma visibly began to shrink and take form.

A dark red shirt, strained tightly against exaggeratedly firm, steel-like muscles, came into view.

The open collar revealed navy-blue patterns resembling magma ashes, faintly visible beneath the shirt. A marine coat hung loosely from its shoulders, swaying gently with its stride.

"It's… the Marine Headquarters' Devil Fruit user!! The wielder of the Logia-type Magma-Magma Fruit, Vice Admiral Sakazuki!!" said the orange-haired CP9 agent, grabbing the arm of Nico Olvia, who had been knocked down by the earlier shockwave. His tone carried a hint of envy as he added, "Even among the rare Logia-type abilities, this one possesses some of the greatest destructive power. A walking natural disaster. Has the Marine Headquarters really dispatched such a monster this time?"

Spandine stared in disbelief, cold sweat pouring down his face as he stammered, "V-Vice Admiral Sakazuki!!"

Of course, he was well aware of this vice admiral's fearsome reputation. He swallowed hard, completely forgetting the questions he had intended to press Nico Olvia with. Instead, he silently prayed, Please, let Vice Admiral Sakazuki not have overheard my disrespectful words earlier.

Sakazuki looked down expressionlessly at the short, squat man before him. After a moment, he sneered coldly. "Idiot?"

Spandine's eyes rolled back as he nearly fainted from fear. It's over. He overheard me!!! he thought. Stammering, he began to explain, "V-Vice Admiral Sakazuki, that remark just now wasn't directed at you! I-I thought the ships had already begun shelling, so I… I meant those…"

"Oh? So, what you're saying is that the fleet we sent here to execute this mission is idiots, is that it?" Sakazuki's expression grew even darker. Meanwhile, the marine ships began their test shelling, and numerous shells exploded in the open areas surrounding the Tree of Knowledge, creating a terrifying scene of devastation.

"Absolutely not!!!!!" Spandine, on the verge of tears and nearly fainting from panic, would have hugged Sakazuki's leg and bawled if not for the searing magma emanating from him.

Sakazuki replied coldly, "Pressing the Buster Call button means that the location from which the Golden Den Den Mushi transmits its signal is to be subjected to a devastating bombardment—regardless of whether the one who issued the order is still on the island or not!! I assumed you understood that when you pressed it… Do you think this is some kind of joke?!" His final words were a near-roar, his tone filled with both fury and contempt.

The two CP9 agents exchanged glances. While they wouldn't concern themselves with their idiotic superior angering this vice admiral—and might even enjoy the spectacle—Sakazuki's words carried a thinly veiled threat to annihilate everyone present on the island.

Though both agents had mastered techniques like Soru and Tekkai, which made them unafraid of ordinary artillery, they knew that against a top-tier Logia user like Sakazuki, escape was impossible if he truly intended to kill them.

The stocky CP9 agent with a short, hard beard spoke up cautiously, "Vice Admiral, is there anything we can assist you with?"

By now, the marine fleet encircling Ohara had completed its test firing and begun the first volley. In an instant, countless fireballs erupted across the island.

Sakazuki glanced at the CP9 agent who had spoken. At least this one knew how to take a side. But what he needed was practical action. "I have no intention of pursuing verbal offenses. While most of the scholars are concentrated in this area, there are still civilians in the bombardment zone…"

Before he could finish, the CP9 agent interjected, "That will surely hinder Vice Admiral Sakazuki in carrying out the cleanup operation, won't it? We will take responsibility for rescuing the trapped civilians. Please rest assured, sir."

He shot a meaningful look at his superior, who was still in shock.

Spandine suddenly understood and quickly saluted with exaggerated enthusiasm, his voice loud enough to seem almost trembling, "P-Please rest assured, Vice Admiral! We, CP9, will assist you in carrying out the mission!!"

Sakazuki inwardly appreciated the sentiment. It seemed there were still a few sharp minds among the government personnel.

It was far easier dealing with intelligent people. Ignoring Spandine, who remained in his saluting posture, Sakazuki turned to Nico Olvia, who had been silent all this time.

"Nico Olvia, you are under arrest. Jaguar D. Saul freed you from the Navy prison, disgracing the Marines in the process. Tell me where Saul is!"

Spandine hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself. He had planned to take Olvia back to confirm some intelligence. After all, this woman was his ticket to greater achievements.

But it was clear that this vice admiral intended to take credit for himself. What business did the Navy's actions have to do with the government's intelligence agency?! Yet he didn't dare voice his objections. His life was still firmly in Sakazuki's hands.

Questioning him now? He wasn't suicidal!!! Spandine turned and ran toward the island's outskirts, barking orders to his agents as he went: "The two of you, go find the trapped civilians. I'll wait on the ship with the other agents for your good news!!"

The two CP9 agents were visibly disgusted by his shamelessness. Snorting coldly, they didn't bother responding, instead using Soru to vanish and begin searching for civilians.

Nico Olvia, regaining her composure, looked up at the towering vice admiral. She sneered coldly, "Is Ohara just an eyesore to the Marines, one you'll erase just to save face? Your so-called justice is truly laughable!!"

Sakazuki did not answer, for this was an ugly truth. The Buster Call itself was nothing more than the Navy cleaning up the mess for the World Government.

Where could justice or dignity even be mentioned here? Yet Sakazuki wasn't about to let Olvia, this stubborn woman, stab him in the heart with her words. He fixed his gaze on the little girl sitting half on the ground not far away and frowned:

"Why are civilians still lingering here? Child, where are your parents? Did they abandon you and flee?"

The little Robin, already in tears, felt even worse at being questioned by this "magma monster" and burst into loud sobs.

Olvia covered her mouth, her head lowered, her body trembling.

Sakazuki took in the mother and daughter's actions and then shifted his gaze to the scholars, who were silently watching the scene unfold. His expression remained unchanged as he said:

"Or is it that you scholars have fallen so far that, even in death, you plan to drag an innocent civilian little girl down with you?" He deliberately emphasized the word "civilian."

Professor Clover looked at the Vice Admiral with a complicated expression, unable to fully decipher his intentions.

Judging by Sakazuki's previous words and actions, he didn't seem like someone who delighted in slaughtering the innocent.

But the deliberate emphasis on the word "civilian"—did it mean he was aware of some inside story? Right now, however, the most pressing issue was ensuring little Robin's safety and getting her off Ohara. As clever as Clover was, he quickly caught on to the subtext. Coughing up blood, he shook his head and said:

"This civilian girl is just here to watch the commotion. Please escort her safely off the island. We scholars will bear the sin of being called demons ourselves—that will be enough!"

Although he felt a faint sense of guilt for using words to pressure an innocent woman and child, Sakazuki had no room for sentimentality since choosing to carry out the Buster Call. Fixing his gaze on Professor Clover, who was clutching his wound, Sakazuki couldn't help but respect the integrity of these scholars.

He said solemnly: "Regardless of who was right or wrong in the origin of this event, the Five Elders view this military strike as a war. Personally, I will not apologize for what has been done, because in war, everyone is just a soldier. As a soldier, orders are absolute, and I have not done anything wrong."

Professor Clover stared at Sakazuki, pondering the meaning behind his words, and let out a deep sigh: "I accept your explanation."

"But as a military man, I must say this: It is our fault for initiating the Buster Call and bombarding the entire island."

For the first time, Professor Clover's face showed an expression of confusion: "What!?" He might be a leading authority in archaeology and a titan in academia, but he couldn't quite grasp the fundamental difference in meaning between a "soldier" and a "military man."

Seeing the professor remain silent, Sakazuki, after a brief pause, continued:

"I will not bear the sins of the entire Navy alone, nor can I. Above me are the Admirals and the Fleet Admiral, and above them, the Five Elders. So I can only give you a promise that is not truly a promise: This 'civilian' child will be personally adopted by me, and at the very least, she will not face a future of starving from one meal to the next or fleeing for her life."

Professor Clover looked at little Robin, who was still wiping her tears and then glanced around at the other scholars, who all wore faint smiles. Olvia stood frozen, staring blankly at this soldier in front of her.

The old man, summoning the last of his strength, stood upright and said: "In that case, we leave hope in your hands!"