Firmly focused on the task at hand, Ann ties the knot around the ship she has come to create, calmly focusing on the task at hand however as she does so she couldn't help but look up at the starry sky above seeing the glinting gleaming golden stars shining stars above as she couldn't help but stare solemnly sadly up at it, brow furrowing from it all as she sighs softly sadly even at the feelings fumbling about within similar to a bottle of sofa she supposed bubbling bombastically being kept under a tight lid. However she soon stops when hearing the crisp crunch of the sandy shore below be crunched. Ann arches a brow by the sound, turning towards the familiar figure before her.
"Hm? Oh Robin hey what's up?" Casually, Ann greets the girl smiling softly at her however she soon stops faltering from the scarlet stain upon her eye.
"I brought you food." Robin doesn't mention it however offering the bread before her.
"Oh that's sweet of you hey what's with the tomato?" Frowning, Ann eyes the ruby red stain.
"…It's nothing." Robin looks away to the side sadly.
"Come here." Ann sighs softly bringing the girl closer to her, using the back of her hand to wipe away the tomato stain.
"There we go…hey where's your loaf?" Smiling, she smiles softly at the girl only to furrow her brow by her lack of bread.
"I'm fine." Shyly, she bows her head.
"Come on here food is better shared besides I fished last night made some good sashimi heh maybe I'll treat you to some next time I visit." Ann considers casually as Robin eyes the fishing line she had made.
"What do you mean?" Mystified, Robin furrows her brow by her words watching her tear the bread in tow handing her one half as she has the other.
"Well my raft's almost finished I've only got some things left to do as for you don't you have someplace to be? You've been visiting me all day for the past few days your parents must be worried sick about you." Ann argues as she eyes the girl brow furrowing while taking a chunk of the bread.
"I don't have parents." Robin bows her head softly nibbling on her half.
"…" Ann's hues widen when hearing her words, almost chocking.
"…Well I have a mom but she went out to sea for work when I was little…and I don't even remember her face." Frowning, Robin stares down at her bread brow furrowing fiddling with it.
"That's what makes it worse doesn't it?" Ann's hues soften sadly at Robin, empathy clear in her tentative tone towards the girl.
"Eh?" Robin perks up at her words surprising by her strange sense of understanding.
"Forgetting faces…it's sad." Solemnly, Ann stares down at the loaf in her hand.
Silently, Robin nods her head.
"I lost my mother a while back the only thing I have really of her according to gramps is her face." Feebly, Ann admits to Robin, shocked she was even talking about this, about her, about it all being able to even speak about it.
"Oh…" Robin's hues widen when hearing her words feeling a strange sense of kinship.
"I mean I have the memories but…it isn't easy…living alone." Ann admits knowing the sense of loneliness far too well.
"No it isn't…I like the archaeologists here…but they wouldn't let me conduct research with them so I left. The kids in town think I'm a creep and won't play with me." Miserably, Robin bows his head sadly
"Ah you mean with your hands…" Ann assumes.
"Yeah…" Robin bows her head pained.
"Probably jealous that you would beat them at most games with it still I bet it tasted bad right?" Ann smiles sadly down at Robin.
"Tasted bad?" Befuddled, Robin raises a brow baffled by her words.
"The devil fruit you ate they tend to from what I've heard." Ann exclaims.
"You're not afraid?" Robin says surprised.
"Why would I be? Nothing wrong with an extra pair of hands it's all the more efficient for things." Truthfully, Ann shrugs.
"You think so?" Softly, Robin whispers.
"I know so, take it from someone who sailed the Grand Line that would come quite in hand for ship maintenance and that's only one task who knows what else your fruit could be useful for." Ann smiles softly at Robin.
"Useful?" Robin raises a brow at Ann.
"So long as you apply it you'd be surprised, I know a guy who can turn things into ice." Ann tells Robin.
"Really?" Robin exclaims.
"Yeah he's a bit of a lazy head but…" Ann begins but soon stops faltering furrowing her brow by the range of emotions coming from the sheer thought of him.
"But what?" Robin pries perplexed.
"…Nothing." Ann dismisses drained, brow furrowing from it all.
"Do you…miss him?" Robin asks Ann as she grimaces.
"Eh…well I mean I guess? Sometimes but…" Ann soon stops trailing off, she may have but she doubted he did if he knew the truth, if he…
"But what?" Robin queries.
"But he opens his mouth." Ann smiles strained.
"I read fighting is a way to show no matter what you both will stick together forever cause you care about each other." Robin recites from the book.
"That so." Strained, she smiles at the thought tense.
"You sound like you miss him…" Robin repeats brow furrowed.
"I think…I just wish things were different…but still… I bet you're the patty cakr champ!" Ann changes the topic tense.
"Heheheheh…" Robin bows her head giggling.
"You know laughter is the key to happiness." Amused, Ann leans back in her seat smirking.
"Why?" Robin raises a brow by her words.
"When you're happy you laugh so it follows that you'll become happy if you laugh. You remind me of me when I was a girl despite your age you've hard a hard life…try laughing. When times are tough just laugh!" Ann explains to Robin.
"You'll just look stupid if you do that." Robin argues.
"Not at all come on try it!" Ann encourages her.
"Mmm…hah?" Robin tries to but…
"Like this, hahahaha from the gut!" Ann shows said laughter to Robin.
"Hahahahah!" Robin laughs.
"Nice one! Hahha!" Ann praises Robin.
"Hahaha!" Robin soon joins in the two chuckling despite their own sad situations…
Quietly, Robin sits upon the tree trunk minding her own business turning the page of the book in her lap, nothing but the forest filtering in her ears as a bird perches itself upon her shoulder.
"Hey you! My kids came home crying and said you hit them for no reason. Stay away from them! Aren't you going to say anything!?" Aggravated, the mother berates Robin who furrows her brow glaring to the side seeing said beaten kids poking their tongues at her.
"Hm?" A pair of browns watch the scene take place, a sword lazily upon her shoulder eyeing yet another tree to be made victim for her ship.
"Unbelievable you really are a creepy little girl!" The mother huffs hands on her hips as a pair of brown narrow.
"Hey Robin!" A familiar voice calls out as the girl's hues widen when hearing the familiar voice.
"…!" Robin rushes over, clutching the book tight to her chest rushing behind the leg of Ann.
"Huh? Hey wait I'm not finished with you!" The mad mother roars raising her voice to Robin.
"Something wrong?" Ann asks softly placing her had on top of the long-haired girl's head, concern clear in her tentative tone towards the girl gripping her leg.
"You! Who are you?!" Scowling, the mother glares at Ann not even batting an eye to the woman simply staring down at Robin brow furrowing from the trembling child clinging to her.
"I could ask the same." Stoically, Ann turns to face the woman flinching from Ann's done deadpanned face.
"Tch are you that creepy girl's daughter?" The woman demands from Ann as Ann felt Robin nuzzle further into her side shaking.
"Creepy? How can a girl who has birds who feel comfortable enough to land on her be creepy?" Calmly, Ann asks quirking her head to the side.
"Y-You've seen that hand thing haven't you?" The woman warns Ann but…
"And…?" Ann arches a brow bored.
"A-And!? She hit my kids!" The mad mother accuses.
"That true Rob?" Ann asks her seeing her flinch faintly from it.
Silently, she nods.
"Well they probably deserved it." Ann assumes unapologetically.
"E-EEEEH!?" The mother reels back baffled by her nonchalant shrug.
"Robin's a good girl she wouldn't hit unless provoked." Confidently, Ann asserts as Robin's hues widen when hearing her words looking up at Ann simply staring back at the mother.
"Y-You…!" The mad mother growls glares at the bored blonde.
"Don't think I didn't see that tomatoes one of your kids threw at her?" Harshly, Ann places a hand to her hip as Robin's hues widen when hearing her words.
"My child would never do that!" The mother refuses.
"Them poking their noses over there would beg to differ." Deadpanned, Ann gestures to the children.
"Y-You…!" The woman growls gritting grinding her teeth together tense.
"You're lucky I didn't mention the rocks either. I suggest you go back and leave Robin alone maybe instead of focusing on Robin here you could try focusing on your actual kids and teach them how to be actually good people." Pointedly, Ann advises the woman.
"How d-" Furious, the woman continues but…
"See ya come on Robin." Ann takes the girl's hand her hues widening when feeling the tender touch as she is guided away.
"D-Don't walk off like that o-oi" The woman yells but it falls to deaf ears as the two leave.
"Hey Robin I found some fish we could fry you hungry for some lunch." Smiling, Ann tells Robin once they return to base.
"Y-Yeah…" Shyly, Robin curls in on herself watching Ann make her way into the washing waves.
"…Don't let those guys get to you. You're only losing by reacting how they want." Ann advises Robin crouching down befuddling Robin.
"…How am I supposed to react?" Robin huffs furrowing her brow watching Ann almost feel for something.
"Well I'd say ignore them but the tomato proves otherwise." Bluntly, Ann admits as Robin gakws gapes as with one hand she drags out a huge fish flabbergasting Robin.
"…what am I meant to do then?" Robin asks as she washes the fish flail flimsily about the place.
"Wish I could give you the answer, I wasn't any better." Bluntly, Ann admits as she slaps said splashing fish on the sandy shore below.
"You weren't?" Robin queries watching her pin the fish down with her hand.
"Nah." Ann answers as with one swift strike the fish is dealt with.
"You were bullied too…" Robin watches Ann slice said fish.
"Wouldn't say bullied I just got into fights…a lot." Ann admits grimacing at the murky memory.
"How much a lot?" Robin pries puzzled.
"Let's just say I was often dragged home by the ear by the local bobby man my mother's face after that heh…" Ann smiles sadly at the thought of her mother, the stone-cold look she was delivered each and every time she returned home with bruises.
"Do you…do you miss her still?" Shyly, Robin queries.
"Course I do don't you?" Ann scoffs.
"Yeah…so you're leaving already?" Disappointed, Robin furrows her brow at Ann as Ann sits around the fierce flames of the campfire, the fierce flames feasting upon the fish flipping it back and forth roasting it. Robin stares down at the fish, Ann had cooked for her softly nibbling on it
"I can't stay here forever Robin, come on don't make such a sad face every good thing has to come to an end you know? How else can you cherish those memories right?" Ann reminds Robin.
"Hmm…" Robin trails off at the thought softly staring down at the fish and bread below.
"I suppose…I could stay for a few more days." Ann sighs softly at Robin guilt gnawing away at the crestfallen child.
"Really!?" Robin perkily perks up at it.
"I don't see why not, say Robin have you ever wanted to go out to the sea?" Smiling, Ann asks Robin.
"Yeah but my mom has been really busy with her arachnological research. One day when she comes back…I'll get her to take me along with her! That's why I studied…and finally became an archaeologist." Robin reveals to Ann.
"An archaeologist? At your age that's amazing!" Ann gushes giddily.
"…Do…do you remember your mom Ann?" Robin looks up at Ann.
"Ah…all I can really remember is how we parted ways to be honest but from the figments I have of her…she was strong but also kind." Ann furrows her brow by her mother standing strong, stoic, never batting an eye to the men and women dragging her father's name through the dirt, calling him a demon yet she stood strong not even batting an eye to them not letting them win…
"Do you miss her?" Softly, Robin asks Ann looking up noting the faint watery hues of her warm browns.
"Course don't you miss yours?" Ann asks Robin.
"Yeah…she's still my mom. I miss her."
"I'm sure she misses you too." Tentatively, Ann places her hand on the girl's head feeling the girl plop down upon her lap upon the sandy shore of the island, no words needing to be said as the soft snores escape the child descending down into the dark depths of her dreams.
"She's here, it's Robin!"
"It seems like she came to return a book!"
"Everyone, get in place!"
"Good evening. Professor Clover, I came to return the book." Politely, Robin calls out opening the door, book in hand however she is met by the pitch darkness.
"One, two! Robin, congratulations! You're amazing, Robin! As expected from a genius! We've got a cake! A cake! Robin. The doctor's degree archaeology test you took the other day You got a perfect score! From today on, you are finally recognized as an archaeologist! Starting from today, you are one of our companions who'll work on research with us. Here, this is the proof that you are a scholar. Take it, Robin." The scholar known as Clover happily hands the young Robin a glistening golden medal.
"This is great, Robin. Congratulations!" The group of adults congratulate the girl grinning down at the glistening golden medal, a part of her excited to show such a feat to Ann.
"Alright, Robin. You must know well what being an archaeologist is about! Knowledge is namely the past. Those numerous books. They travelled for a long time to be accumulated here, as they came from all across the globe to this five thousand year old Tree of Omniscience. For the entirety of humanity, they are irreplaceable assets! This is the world's largest, greatest library, that holds pride in the knowledge it contains! And gathered under this Tree of Omniscience are brave archaeologists. Since we are using these documents, there is no historical mystery unsolvable for us! Do you understand, Robin?" Clover slams a stick against the chalkboard showing a map pinned to it.
"Yes." She nods her head.
"In the research that'll appear on our road later on, you'll contribute to the world by understanding other cultures..." Clover continues on with his speech however…
"Professor, I want to solve the mystery of the Void History!" Robin cuts in alarming everyone.
"You can't, you can't! That has always been forbidden!" Fretfully, Clover shuts the idea down.
"Why? If we study the Poneglyphes, we'll know what happened during the Void Century, right?" Robin reasons to him.
"Why do you know so much? You used your ability to spy on us in the basement once again! But Any action taken to decipher the Poneglyphes is considered a great crime! We should be beheaded!" Panicked, Clover realizes horrified.
"But Isn't everyone gathering in the basement late at night to do research on the Poneglyphes?" Puzzled, Robin rebukes.
"Robin! Why do you know such a thing? Are you saying that you peeked on all of that too? Answer me, Robin!" Cross, Clover demands from the upset child.
"But…even if I asked you clearly, you wouldn't let me inside! That's why I thought that if I became a real archaeologist, I would be accepted as everyone's research companion. I tried hard too!" Robin argues anguished.
"Robin You have earned enough knowledge to be called an archaeologist. But you are still just a kid. If you are found working with us, you'll be beheaded. This is something we're doing, being fully prepared. Since eight hundred years ago, when this became the law of the world, there have been as many scholars who lost their lives trying to uncover the truth as there are stars in the sky. This is a good opportunity. I will tell you about it. Those who are able to decipher those ancient, historical writings, are those in Ohara alone. We can't go back anymore. Swear on the Tree of Omniscience! The next time you approach the basement, we will forbid you from entering the research centre and the library! You got it?" Clover crouches down placing his hands on her shoulders trying to get her to vow it but…
"Robin!" Clover cries calling out to the girl rushing out of the room, the tears freely falling from her.
"She's completely following in her mother's shadow…" Sadly, a scholar says solemnly staring at the fleeting figure of the crying child going to the only person who could comfort her through this…
"Robin there you are!" Ann warmly welcomes the girl only to falter furrowing her brow by the soft sniffle coming from her.
"…" Silently, she uses the back of her hand hoping to wipe the tears, she didn't want to bother Ann not after everything she had done for her. She didn't want to be a nuisance, a burden.
"Hey what's got you down in the dumps?" Ann asks concern clear in her tentative tone towards her.
"…Nothing." Robin glances to the side sadly shyly sniffling.
"The tears beg to differ not to mention the medal." Amused, Ann gently flicks said glistening golden medal but…
"…" Robin remains silently sniffling.
"Say why don't you go check on those traps I showed you the other day? Maybe I can cook you up something if you want!" Ann offers smiling softly at her.
Silently, she nods before rushing off leaving Ann alone as said woman sighs pondering how she was going to go about this situation to help the child open up, she was clearly upset but over what?
"ANN! ANN!" Alarmed, Ann jolts up at the call of her name.
"Robin what is it!?" Ann rushes over towards the girl taking her had dragging her over to the far side of the sand shore of the coast where she sees…
"SAUL!?" Stunned, the astonished and anxious Ann rushes over to her friend fretful.
"You know him?" Robin asks as she sees Ann rush over to the giant's side, she had never seen one before she watches as Ann crouches down by his side softly shaking him.
"Come on Saul, come on…Robin get back!" Ann orders the girl befuddled by the huge man before her washed up on shore as before she knew it sand spewed out of nowhere, the seagulls once perched upon his battered beaten bruised form fly away as Saul opens his mouth almost attempting to scare the young girl simply staring as with one swift strike.
"The hell are you doing dumbass!?" Angry, Ann whacks the giant on the head.
"O-Ow! That was mean Ann!" Saul whines holding his head.
"So is scaring Robin!" Agitated, Ann barks back at him completely unfazed by the clearly taller man.
"It's okay…" Softly, Robin speaks out watching the giant faceplant into the sandy shore below before uttering out…
"W-Water…" Weakly, he wheezes out as Ann tuts, clicking her tongue going to get her supply.
"Worm?" Innocently, Robin quirks her head to the side seeing Ann return.
"Water Rob. If you want more Saul then get up and follow, I'll leave you behind if you don't." Deadpanned, Ann corrects the girl, pouring what was a bucketful of water into the giant's mouth before turning on her heel, guiding the giant towards the stream as Robin couldn't help but watch in awe as the tiny terror that was Ann easily handle the tall towering giant before her hues.
"So good!" Gurgling, Saul says before drifting back crushing the trees behind him.
"Well there goes my wood for the raft." Ann mutters brow furrowed at the moron as she sits while Robin stands by her side.
"Ya saved me. Thanks again Ann." Saul sighs turning his bloodied face to the frowning Ann.
"The hell happened to you?" Ann demands done from the sheer sight of Saul scowling.
"It's a long story." Sighing, Saul exhales.
"Saul!" Strictly, she snaps.
"In any case, I wanted to drift to a deserted island or somethin'." Saul confesses.
"Yes well we're not all getting what we want today." Tense, Ann huffs.
"So does she just stare or…?" Saul asks eyeing the girl by Ann's side simply staring at him.
"She has a name." Ann furrows her brow at her friend.
"Either way, even if ya stand there still, nothin' will happen. I injured my leg. So I won't move from here. I plan on buildin' a raft or somethin' to get outta here while I can. I assumed that was your plan too Ann?" Saul turns to her.
"Yep until you wrecked my fish traps got to wait a week for some source of food." Frowning, Ann lightly glares at Saul.
"Ah…sorry. Is this your first time seein' a giant?" Saul asks as Robin nods.
I'll warn you now, don't judge me as bein' like those barbaric giants from Elbaf. There are peaceful giant clans too, ya know." Saul tells the girl.
"She knows." Ann answers.
"Oh does she now?" Saul raises a brow.
"Robin's a smart girl." Ann states making Robin smile shyly.
"So that's her name, well Robin I'll try askin' ya somethin' impossible, but I'd like ya not to talk about me to anyone once ya get home." Saul requests from her.
"Understood." Easily, Robin agrees.
"That answer was too fast. That's absolutely impossible." Saul swiftly turns his face away.
"I won't tell." Robin promises.
"That's a lie. " Saul exclaims.
"She isn't lying." Ann argues.
"There's no way a kid can protect a secret!" Saul refuses.
"You'd be surprised." Ann remarks.
"Besides I'm not interested in you." Robin throws in.
"Dereshi? What does that mean?" Laughing, Saul chuckles tears in his eyes.
"He's laughing?" Lost, Robin glances over at Ann hands behind her back befuddled.
"He's laughing." Unfazed, Ann deadpans simply staring at the laughing giant.
"I'm laughin'! You're an interestin' one!" Saul smiles laughing his heart out.
"Say Rob how about you go see if there are any fish traps left? I'll see if I can make something." Smiling, Ann turns to Robin.
"…Okay." Dumbly, Robin complies rushing off to do so.
"Now with her gone I won't repeat myself, the hell are you doing here Saul?" Scowling, Ann draws out her blade her hues darkening glaring glowering down at her friend.
"That's one way to greet a friend." Saul eyes said blade teasingly touching his neck.
"Saul!" Strictly, she snaps scowling.
"Fine, fine you're not the only one who was against the buster call of Ohara…" Saul confesses.
"How'd they react to you?" Ann asks intrigued.
"Well with the mess you made of it freeing Olivia like that they let me go, I was under the radar thanks to the raid you made on the prison." Saul sighs.
"That so…" Softly, Ann mutters trailing off.
"Yeah I suppose I got to thank you for that." Saul gives her that.
"No problem I guess…so what brought you here though?" Ann asks Saul.
"…I was trying to find you." Saul sighs.
"What!?" Alarmed, Ann scowls.
"…I had hoped to bring you back." Saul exclaims.
"Saul…I'm not going back." Bluntly, Ann tells him how it is.
"I though as much." Saul sighs.
"Then why come here?" Ann queries.
"Honestly I was on a boat hoping to find you to talk some sense into you is the excuse I gave to Sengoku." Saul explains to her.
"I thought he thought I was dead." Ann argues befuddled.
"He does but then he remembered who you were related to." Saul smiles.
"…Oh." Ann sweat drops.
"Kuzan's objections didn't help either, in his words, an ass like you wouldn't die so easily especially not so nonchalantly." Saul recites from the top of his head.
"Wow…he's still as pricky as ever." Aloofly, Ann huffs, a small smirk crossing her lips.
"He was quite the wreck when Sakazuki destroyed your ship even threated him your grandfather had to pry him off." Saul sighs softly recalling it, it was the most heated he had ever seen Akoji as he had pinned Sakazuki to the wall yelling at him, if not for Sengoku nor Garp who knows the chaos that would have unfurled from both devil fruit users.
"I'm still not going back." Ann states the fact firmly.
"…I know. I see you still kept it." Saul smiles softly down at the familiar hat perched upon her head.
"Course. Still for you to land here with me…is it fate?" Ann smiles placing her hand upon her hat but still she couldn't help but ponder to herself that very question.
"It's like you said we D's need to stick together." Saul smiles shyly at Ann who shyly smiles back.
"…Saul." Softly, Ann whispers weakly, smiling sadly at her friend, a part of her thankful that she wasn't alone…
"Ann I'm back and I brought back some fish!" Beaming, Robin returns.
"That's great. Good job." Ann places her hand upon the girl's head tousling her hair smiling softly at the brightly beaming girl as they all settle down to eat.
"You shouldn't have followed me Saul…" Softly, Ann whispers to him her hand on Robin's head combing her fingertips through the sleeping child lying on her lap.
"Eh?" Saul furrows his brow befuddled.
"You heard what I said." Sternly, she huffs.
"Yeah but why?" Saul ponders puzzled.
"Because I have bad blood." Ann admits anguished.
"Bad…blood?" Baffled, Saul raises a brow by her words.
"My blood is tainted Saul." Seriously, she tells him.
"Tainted!? Are you okay!?" Anxiously, Saul gasps.
"…Saul…you know you can never go back right?" Ann tells him.
"Yeah but I like to think I'm following my own justice just like you besides like I said us D's need to stick together!" Smiling, Saul argues.
"Saul…what do you think of Gol. D. Roger?" Anguished, Ann asks her features softening sadly.
"Eh?" Saul exclaims.
"Do you think if he had a child…it should die?" Ann asks as she looks ahead not even looking at Soul.
"…What!? Of course not! Just because that child is his doesn't mean it should die!" Soul scowls at the thought.
"Even if that child was pirate scum?" Softly, she whispers.
"…What are you saying?" Saul ponders perplexed.
"I'm saying you shouldn't haven't followed me! I am nothing but the devil's child with the devil's luck. That's all I'll ever be. I'll never belong in this world." Ann states the fact firmly flabbergasting Saul at the sheer seriousness of her voice.
"No one deserves to be alone though…" Tentatively, Saul argues.
"Saul…" Ann whimpers weakly pain pouring out of her tone.
"Even if you are his kid you shouldn't suffer just because of that." Truthfully, Saul states the fact flabbergasted to hear such raw emotion out of the normally calm cool collected Ann.
"…I don't even know why I'm telling you this…" Truthfully, Ann admits a sad smile upon her lips letting out a hollow heckle.
"Does Kuzan know?" Shyly, Saul asks as Ann grimaces.
"Does he know who he thinks is the king of scum is my father? Of course not. He…I really thought he'd understand I thought…he'd be different. But he's the same as the rest if he knew who I was…if he knew the lies I have told time and time again to him, to my so called friends, to you…." Anguished, Ann bows her head pained, the tears freely falling gritting grinding her teeth together tense.
"Ann!" Stunned, Saul's eyes expand from her words baffled by her words.
"Saul…do you think I deserve to live?" Ann asks him, his hues widening when hearing her words.
"Ann…!" urgently, Saul goes to answer when the two perk up at the low groan below as Robin slowly opens her baby blues.
"Oh Robin hey did you enjoy your food?" Ann smiles softly at Robin crouching down next to the sleepy girl.
"Yeah thanks. Say Saul, Ann, did you know there's a hundred year gap in history that we have no record of." Robin reveals to the two, their hues widening when hearing her words, when something seemingly clicks within her head.
"Robin you shouldn't…!" Worriedly, Saul begins but…
"You mean the void century…" Ann assumes.
"Wait how do you even know about this?" Taken aback, Saul ponders puzzled.
"I'm an archaeologist." Robin replies.
"An archaeologist? Even though you're so tiny?" Saul exclaims.
"Says the gaint still sucks that the government are so desperate to hide it, no doubt it isn't putting them in a good light hence hiding it." Ann sighs leaning back on the ground below.
"Ann!" Anxiously, Saul hisses worriedly.
"You think that's right?" Robin queries to Ann.
"Course not we need to acknowledge the mistakes of the past so we can learn from them." Truthfully, Ann tells Robin.
"…!" Robin's baby blues widen when hearing Ann's words.
"What's with the stare?" Surprised, Ann asks Robin noting her and Saul's stunned stare.
"You sounded just like an archaeologist!" Awestruck, Robin beams brightly at Ann.
"Hah I doubt that I mean I have seen some." Ann admits, a small smirk crossing her lips at the thought of back then…of the roads, of the headaches…
"You have?" Robin perks up at the thought turning to face the blonde her hues shimming shining at the thought.
"Yes…I was a young girl my father had taken me aboard his ship, shown me the Poneglyphs." Ann holds her head to the side slightly squirming from the sharp sting of the memory.
"You know about them? What did they say?" Eagerly, Robin asks as she turns to face her practically on her knees.
"I was but a girl Rob I doubt I could remember let alone even read it at the time." Tiredly, Ann aloofly dismisses.
"Hmm…" Disappointed, Robin furrows her brow by it.
"Sorry to disappoint you but hey maybe in the future you could research it, record it even." Amused, Ann offers.
"But the government forbid it." Robin furrows her brow by it.
"Just cause the government say you can't do it doesn't mean you can't do it." Ann winks at Robin.
"…Ann…!." Saul's hues widen when hearing her words.
"Well that's what I think anyway, so long as you don't apply that knowledge to any unsavoury stuff it should be fine besides wiping it out like that is just fishy…" Firmly, Ann argues.
"My mom is traveling the world to study it don't tell anyone though it's a secret though." Truthfully, Robin admits to her friend furrowing her brow by the thought of her mother.
"Your secret is safe with me so long as you keep mine as well even back then it was illegal for us to do what we did." Dubiously, Ann confesses.
"So it's safe?" Robin queries.
"Yeah so long as you keep that secret safe as well you can't talk about this around people Robin especially with your mother looking for them…" Ann exclaims.
Robin, do you know your mother's name?" Soul queries Robin curiosity clear in his tense tone towards Robin.
"Olivia. Her name is Nico Olivia." Robin reveals as Ann and Saul share a look, feeling their blood turn ice cold at the familiar name.
"…Of course it bloody is." Ann groans head in hands horrified at the situation she and Saul had found themselves in.
"Ann?" Robin raises a brow by the woman plopping her head back on the sandy shore below, her hand over her face mortified almost at the news.
"I'm guessing this is Ohara then…" Tense, Ann exclaims exhaustion etched into her tired tone.
"Yeah." Oblivious, Robin confirms calmly.
"Crap…there's no time!" Ann curses cross turning to the stunned Saul.
"Robin, you need to listen carefully, Marines are on their way here!" Seriously, Saul tells Robin.
"Marines? Why?" Robin furrows her brow befuddled.
"To eliminate this island's scholars!" Sternly, Saul reveals to Robin.
"Eliminate? You're lying!" Robin exclaims.
"Robin why would we lie about this?" Tense, Ann demands from Robin.
"I…" Robin stands staggering back, book clutched close to her chest.
"Your mother may be back Robin go to her and evacuate with the others!" Strictly, Saul tells Robin, his hands on her shoulders sternly staring into her baby blues.
"But you said…" Robin begins but…
"You mustn't let the government guys know you're an archaeologist!" Saul says to her.
"You're lying!" Robin argues anxiously.
"You should go to the town right away and see if anything is wrong! Your mother might be back too!" Saul tells her, Ann nodding her head in agreement as the two watch Robin rush off towards town the other staying behind trying to prepare for what was to come.
"Opera Oha I don't care what it's called let's just get this over with at least I'll probably get promoted for this." A man with a square jaw, with a slight beard on it steps off the ship. His hair was combed neatly, but with the back flowing. He was wearing a black suit with a peach hued shirt underneath, and a striped coat over it. By his stands two other informants as they step onto Ohara…
"What's with the face?" Frowning, Aokiji eyes the furrowed fretful features of the anguished Ann in a world of her own blanking out the chill chill user. He steps in, the two needed to talk, they had to…
"I take you know about the buster call." Coldly, Ann abruptly cuts Aokiji off astonishing Aokiji at her cold curt tone what was with the cold shoulder? He was the one with the ice power…
"Yeah we're to be admirals after this." Aokiji plops himself down on the seat furrowing his brow by the strange sense of venom oozing out of her what was with her? He looks towards Ann attempting to spot the reason for such frustration.
"…Why do you sound so happy about that?" Tense, Ann demands from Aokiji astonishing him, why? He could be an admiral sure he didn't mind sticking to being a vice admiral like Garp but the fact that, that was open over some simple mission was lucky for them both.
"Why wouldn't I be? We're to be admirals not to mention bringing justice to those demon Oharans…" Aokiji answers aloofly, simply shrugging stating the fact firmly, those orphans were a threat to the marines, to the world government to the people of the world if those weapons were let loose on the world…
"…Excuse you?" Icily, Ann whispers weakly, her tone trembling slightly shaking even as Aokiji does a double take at the tremor in her tone.
"Hm? Those demons want to revive a weapon." Aokiji reminds her of the fact firmly they were devils, they wanted to revive weapons that would do nothing but cause chaos throughout the land. What was the problem?
"…You really think that?" Tentatively, Ann asks brow furrowed.
"Why wouldn't I?" Aokiji furrows his brow at Ann, the oharans brought this on themselves they knew they were getting into trouble doing this but still did this, they had to do this, to stop them.
"Well if you did research you'd know that the oharans are a peaceful people, scholars what would they do with a weapon?" Ann reminds Aokiji as he furrows his brow by her words, Ann could be so naïve sometimes, he sighs at her. He had reminded her never to judge a book by its cover but look at her just because these guys were supposed scholars didn't mean they couldn't get their hands dirty they had to have to gotten this far in their progress at the least.
"Attack the marines. The World Government." Aokiji reminds Ann a part of him baffled, he had to remind her of this.
"You think it's as simple as that?" Tense, Ann arches a brow by Akoji's words.
"They broke the law Ann why are you defending them?" Tiredly, Aokiji furrows his brow at Ann astonished at her naivety, she was a good person, she was kind, she was something he feared would be taken advantage of for that kindness, this situation in itself proved that.
"Why is researching into the void century a law though?" Tentatively, Ann asks Aokiji crossing her arms over her chest as Aokiji couldn't help but flinch from her words.
"Why are you so bent over backwards about this?!" Tiredly, Aokiji asks brow furrowed at Ann alarmed at her question, why was she defending some strangers!?
"Innocent lives are at stakes." Seriously, she snaps scowling at Aokiji simply sighing, he knew how she was he knew this would someday happen, she was going to be ruined thanks to this Oharan business, her whole career would be thrown down the drain for these soldiers.
"These are not innocent lives they knew what they were doing, the knowledge of those people spreading could leak to pirates could endanger more lives we must deliver absolute justice on this." Truthfully, Aokiji reminds Ann, this was their job, this is what they were paid for, this is what had to be done if not the consequences that could happen to them would be dire, consequences Aokiji refused to have Ann go through.
"…Is that what you think?" Tense, Ann whispers weakly as Aokiji furrows his brow by the wobble in her tone noting the unneeded amount of emotion etched into his with her back turned to him.
"It is." Aokiji answers stating the fact firmly to the anguished Ann.
"Well I see how things are now." Ann smiles strained confusing Aokiji see how what is now? Aokiji furrows his brow by her words but before he could ask Ann turns towards the door alarming him, if she does this…!
"Ann!" Aokiji calls out to her his hand firmly snatching her own, cursing when noting his ice cold hand clamp down upon her, noting the icy shards stretching over to her, trying to coat her trap her.
"…Don't come near me!" Mad, she swiftly slaps his hand aside anguished as Akoji's hues beneath said shades widen when seeing the raw amount of emotions within seeing said watery browns broken before him, disappointment drenching her trembling tone.
"If you go down this path you'll get hurt you'll be in danger they'll hunt you down!" Aokiji asserts annoyed almost as he tries to reach out to her, try to reason with her however…
"You expect me to stand by as thousands are slaughtered?" Seething, she snarls at Aokiji.
"You expect me to stand by as you throw your life and career away!?" Angrily, Aokiji demands done.
"I thought you were different! You're the same just as them!" Anguished, Ann rushes to the door done.
"Ann!" Aokiji calls out but…
"People like you…people like you are why I can never find a place I belong in this world…!" Upset, Ann whispers weakly whimpering while Aokiji astonished, simply stares at Ann as she turns her back turning to leave.
"ANN!" Angry, Aokiji roars raising his voice startling a fair few to hear such raw emotion to hear the chill chill fruit user raise his voice at Ann simply staring ahead as she swiftly slams or well swiftly slides the door in his face fuming on the warpath…
"Vice Admiral Kuzan…!"
"It's been taken care of." The curt cold of Sakazuki states through the snail Sengoku holds.
"…Good." Sengoku hangs up from the snail softly sitting him down sighing sadly exhaling exhausted bowing his head in his hands anguished at what had to be done…oblivious to the tall towering figure of Aokiji leaning against the door of the fleet admiral's office reeling from the news of the supposed death of Portgas. D. Ann…
"The hell are you playing at…Ann?"
"Vice Admiral Kuzan!" A marine rush over to the sleeping snoring Kuzan leant against the lawn chair grumpily grumbling at the voice as a fearful marine quivers before the man that was quite on the edge since a few days ago as they all fearfully watch the bomb about to burst.
"He already could be rather temperamental as it was when alone it was why the marines were grateful when he was around Ann, she normally was the one to calm him down and vice verse, the only one who could wake the vice admiral up without being berated by the vice admiral himself however here he stood alone agitated, aggravated for what had transpired just a few days ago.
"Huh? What is it?" The man with the book over his face fumes.
"Director Spandine of CP9 has arrived at Ohara…" The marine reports to him terrified of facing his wealth.
"What's that? Did you really have to wake me up…JUST FOR THAT!?" Roaring, Aokiji angrily yells terrifying the marine.
"M-My apologies! W-We just thought…!" The marine bows his head fearful.
"YOU THOUGHT WHAT?!" Growling, Aokiji demands from the marine.
"A-A woman with pink blonde hair was spotted on the island!" The marines squeak scared alarmed as Aokiji immediately freezes flinches from it, the lawn chair below him coated with ice.
"…Ann…" Aokiji growls swiftly slamming the book in his hands standing up facing the island before him…
"Let me speak with the Gorōsei, the top of the world, before I die. I'd like to report to them what we in Ohara strived their best to study all this time, in other words, the hypothesis we've formulated on the Void Century."
Bravely, an elderly man with a shaved top, with his green hair adjusted jutting on the sides and the back top, combined with a large beard, all in the shape of leaves. This overall was a reminiscence of an upside down three-leaf clover. He wore a red-and-white striped shirt with a large belt at his waist, pants and a blue-and-black jacket with a tiger face in the back stands before the armed men.
"So you're the authority of archaeology, Professor Clover of Ohara. You're a great contributor to the world's cultural heritage. I know your name well. To think a man like you would stray from the righteous path…" Disappointed, one of the five voices of the Gorosei respond through the snail held by the chief of CP9.
"The past belongs to all of mankind. Nobody has any right to try and stop the desire to know the untold history. If someone reads the Poneglyphes, the possibility to revive the ancient weapon will arise, bringing a great deal of danger to the world. Even if the case is that you don't have any ill intentions, if someone desires to use them to a villainous end, the situation will be the same. Whatever the past may be, as long as it's history crafted by the hands of mankind, we have the responsibility to accept it all. If one is able to understand this without fear, countermeasures will be possible whatever happens. That is an idealistic argument. I wonder about that. Isn't the idea of it being impossible simply suited to your purpose? Of all the truths remaining in the world nowadays, the ones we want to know the most are the engraved messages of the Poneglyphes and the reason of their existence. Why did people of the past carve their messages on hard stone in an attempt to transmit it to the future? They engraved history on unbreakable stones and dispersed them throughout the world. Wasn't it because they feared having their message destroyed, if they were to lay it on paper or in books? In brief This is evidence that the people who left this behind had a clear enemy." Professor Clover proposes to the stoic snail as from afar a certain pink haired blonde stands from afar leant against the wall watching on from afar as her brow furrows from the sight of Robin.
What are you trying to say, Professor Clover?" The snail demands from the elderly man.
"If we consider the other possibility of these people being defeated by some enemy, then that enemy should have survived and stayed in the history. Oddly enough Eight hundred years ago, just as the Void Century finally came to a close, the organization known as the World Government was created. If the enemy of the fallen people was today's World Government, then we can come to a conclusion, that the Void Century is inconvenient history that was erased by the hands of the World Government. By reading historical documents from that time and by deciphering a certain number of Poneglyphes, we noticed the existence of a country before too long. What these texts revealed to us was the shape of a powerful country. It once took pride in its enormous strength, but all information on that country has been completely erased. It's very probable that when they realized the deeds of an allied nation, referred to as the World Government, they carved the truth on stones, in order to entrust their ideas to the future. These are the Poneglyphes that remained in this world to this day." Professor Clover elaborates his point to the Gorosei as Ann's hues narrow watching on, Saul having stayed behind to finish their raft to safety...
"I see. This is an audacious hypothesis." The snail from the Gorōsei sneer.
"The ancient weapon will indeed coerce the world. But more importantly, won't the existence and ideas of that country, being revealed along with the true history, be even more of a menace to you, the World Government?"
Clover concludes proposing the question to the Gorosei as before they knew it.
"We must make clear the nature of this menace, but what holds the key to solving everything is the name of that once flourishing country kill HIM!"
The sharp sound of air breaking hits as the bullet hits, scarlet spewing out of the elderly man.
"Professor!" Perturbed, Robin cries, the tears freely flowing from her.
"Robin!" A pair of arms wrap around the girl pulling her back into the shadows seeing the elderly man fall back, hitting the ground below coughing crimson.
"Ann! The professor the pro-" Robin turns to the furrowed frown of Ann's side simply staring ahead at the scholars forced down on their knees, surrounded, guns aimed at them as a fair few armed men ad woman rush into the library.
"Ssh…" Slowly, she shushes the crying child.
"But…" Robin whimpers however before Ann could say much more…
"Ohara…knows too much commence the attack eliminate them…now!
"Robin we have to run now! Robin!" Urgently, Ann feels her heart drop attempting to talk sense into the child but…
"Well time to use this golden den den mushi that admiral Sengoku gave me time for a buster call!" Cheerily, the chief of CP9 shows said glistening golden snail.
"No!" Ann cries out but it falls to deaf ears.
"It was nice knowing you." Smirking, he presses down upon said snail.
"Professor!" Robin rushes over to the professor's side startling Ann.
"Robin no!" Ann hisses harshly at the child but it falls to deaf ears as she rushes over to the scholars side.
"Robin! Foolish child! Hurry to the evacuation ship." Struggling, Clover coughs crimson wincing while holding his side as the other scholars stand by him, hoping to help him but…
"No I don't want to be alone!" Anguished, Robin cries.
"Don't be silly not now." Clover dismisses the child.
"Robin…!" Ann rushes over to the group's side.
"You all need to leave now. I have a ship it can take you only so far I've scouted they have surrounded the island all except where my ship is, Robin can lead you there." Ann asserts to the group.
"Y-You're… the hell are you doing? Y-You're on our side aren't you? Argh!" The chief of CP9 perks up at the familiar set of pink hair however he soon screams as Ann draws out her blade from her sheath scowling swiftly raising it into the open air as the clouds around turn coal black, small sparks from above dancing about the fluffy coal clouds.
"You're…?" A fair few from CP step back even those by the chief's side stagger back before the woman with one swift strike…
"Thunder shock!" Scowling, she slams said blade down as a thunder strike slams down upon the people of Ohara shocking Robin seeing so many men in black fall flat to their knees, knocked out however the chief alongside his men narrowly dodge said strikes, the chief only managing to thanks to his aid shoving him aside as the scorched ring remains where he once stood.
"AHHHH!"
"Ann…" Aokiji arises from his seat scowling his fingertips curling into his palm, his nails digging deep into his palm perturbed at the dark clouds swarming surrounding the island.
"Oi look! The tree of knowledge is on fire!" Frightened, a scholar screams horrified at the flames feasting upon the tall towering tree.
"…Crap. Internally, Ann curses at her blade but before she could say much more, she watches what she assumed from the explosion to be bombs set off from the lighting bolt.
"What the hell have they done!?" The scared scholars screeches.
"Just kill us and leave it at that!"
"The explosions earlier must have started that fire!"
"The documents are in there! Hurry the books!"
"Put out the library fire!"
"Get water!" The scholars rush towards the tree trying to save what was inside.
"Don't! Listen to me you guys need to evacuate, you can record what you've lose later on when you're safe and sound you're survival is what will keep Ohara alive." Ann attempts to reason with the scholars however…
"What keeps Ohara alive are our books!" A scholar screams back at her as Ann grimaces guilt gnawing away at her. Why hadn't she used her haki!? She scowls at her idiocy only then to falter from it, if she had knocked them out Sakazuki would come rushing in and there would be no way to rebuild Ohara there would be nothing left of Ohara.
"Robin…?" A familiar pair of icy blues from a familiar white haired woman weakly watches the girl as Oliva is pinned down upon the grassy ground below being held down by Spandine and his goons.
"Bring her with us there's still something I need to ask her. I can't have her die here." Scowling, Spandine orders as one of the men grab Olivia by her arm forcing her up.
"That's…I think that's…mom?" Meekly, Robin calls out, clinging to Anns leg as she says it alarming Ann.
"Robin don't!" Ann hisses harshly at the girl but she steps forward.
"I didn't know you had a kid." Spandine sneers smirking at the battered beaten bruised Olva.
"No." Oliva turns her head away anguished, covering her face the tears freely falling.
"Olivia-san!" Clover stares sadly at the anguished woman wanting her daughter safe as the tears freely fall from the crying child.
"I'm sorry you must be mistaken." Olivia lies to her daughter, her back turned to her as the tears freely fall from the girl, snot shooting out.
"What a weird kid all right let's go." Spandine dismisses tugging the woman forward but…
"I-It's me Robin I got bigger that's all. Don't you recognise me? I've bee waiting for you are you really…not…my mom? I've always wanted to hold your hand…and go for a walk I studies so hard and-" Anguished, the crying child tires to talk to her mother oblivious to the tears freely falling from the woman trying to protect her daughter.
"ROBIN DON'T!" Alarmed, Ann tries to call out to her to stop her however as the rainfall of canons hit the island…
"…And become an archaeologist! I can eve read the Poneglyphs!" Robin reveals to the government.
"That little kid?!" Spandine perks up at the news.
"Robin stop!" Ann calls out to the crying child as canon fire continues raining down upon the people of Ohara slaughtering thousands engulfing explosion after explosion breaking building after building…
"So…please let me be with you mom! Please! Don't…leave me again!" Robin begs beseeches breaking Ann's heart.
"What? Why are they attacking!?" Alarmed one of the scared evacuees cries out pushing his way into the evacuation line watching the canon fire hit his home, hearing the children crying trying to get on board while clinging to their mothers and fathers.
"We're carrying out a buster call everyone fire at once! Target everything and everyone on Ohara, the island of Archaeology! The Ohara scholar's research…has progressed beyond our wildest imaginations. Knowledge spreads it must not leave this island. We must exterminate the demons of Ohara…in the name of Justice!
"WAHH SHIT! WHAT'S THE DEAL!? WE STILL HAVEN'T LEFT THE ISLAND LEFT!? ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME!?" Mortified, Spandine screams narrowly dodging a cannonball while his lackeys easily manages to do so.
"They're firing directly at the tree of knowledge!" Panicked, a scholar gasps.
"They probably had this in mind since the beginning!" Clover scowls.
"Director that kid said she's an archaeologist." One of Spandine's lackeys points out to him.
"Yeah I heard her. I don't know if it's true…but better safe than sorry. Remember her face don't let her leave the island!" Spandine orders.
"What about Olivia?" Another argues.
"I don't care anymore there's no time if we don't leave now we'll be killed! The most important thing is my life!" Scared, Spandine turns to flee fretting.
"All units pull back return to the ship!" All the men in black that survived scorched flee.
"Robin…" Ann furrows her brow by the canon fire as the young girl makes her way over to the abandoned Olivia.
"Protect the tree of knowledge!" One of the scholars scream as they gather buckets throwing it as the flames feasting upon the books within the tree.
"I've always wanted to do this. Always!" Robin sits down taking her mother's hand as they sit together, no words needing to be said, sobbing silently.
"Robin!" Oliva grabs hold of her daughter bringing her into her arms holding her hugging her despite the chaos around them.
"Mom!" Robin whimpers hugging her mother back, the tears freely falling from them both as Ann watches on from afar…
"Stop!" The doctor cries clinging to Garp side trying to stop the marine hero however he easily pushes the man back, swiftly slamming the door open as the two stand before the bedridden woman, holding her hand shielding her hues from the bright blare of the lamp.
"Mom!" Worriedly, the pink haired girl rushes over to the bedridden side, concern clear on her furrowed features, the firm façade of coldness she once wore broken before the marine hero just from the sheer sight of the woman with similar features to the young girl rushing into her mother's arms.
"…Ann…my baby Ann." The woman weakly smiles softly at the teary-eyed girl.
"Mama…" Ann whimpers weakly, it had been so long since she last saw her mother, her heart ached seared from the sad sight of her mother…she wanted to stay by her side but she knew with her wanted poster and with her father's wishes she had to do what he ordered even if it meant separating herself from her mother and future sibling, she had to do it for their safety…
"You've grown into such a beautiful girl." Softly, she smiles cupping her daughter's had seeing so much of her from her freckles to her hair to even her hues but she could still see Roger within her little one…
"Mama…" Ann furrows her brow at her mother…
"His child…and mine…Ace…" Smiling, she places her temple to her son's head, softly shrugging the child nuzzling her cheek into the side of the baby boy as before Ann knew it, her mother's hand went limp in her own. Alarmed, Ann grabs the baby bundle, her ears ringing from his crying as next she knew…the flower freely falls from her mother's hair.
"Rouge!" The doctor rushed over.
"Rouge hang in there!" The nurse joins in.
"M-Mom?" Ann whispers weakly, her hues dilating, dread freely falling from her as her baby brother cries to the high heavens as she notes the coldness of her mother's hand and yet she smiles, so sweetly at the crushed children…
"Take care of him Ann…" Softly, she smiles at her, her hues slowly sliding shut as her hand soon goes limp in her hand, turning to ice…
"M-Mom? MOM!" Wailing, Ann soon screams tears freely falling…
"I'm sorry. I really wanted to learn how to read them." Tearfully, Robin apologises to her mother.
"To think you could accomplish something like that…I'm impressed you must have studied really hard. It's not just something anyone can do you're amazing Robin!" Oliva praises her little girl pride pouring out of her.
"Olivia…" Ann furrows her brow watching the canon fire continue as she steps forward.
"Ann!" Robin turns to smile at her.
"You two need to leave." Strictly, she tells the two.
"She's right there is no time to dawdle Olivia take Robin and run! If you can manage to sneak her onto the evacuation ship she can leave the island!" Clover agrees.
"That ship isn't safe." Sternly, Ann argues.
"Eh? What do you mean?" Confused, Clover furrows his brow at Ann.
"It's a buster call they'll want that ship gone, if Sakazuki has anything to do with it…" Incensed, Ann sneers scowling.
"Then what are we to do?" Cross, Clover demands from her.
"Like I said I have a raft." Resolved, Ann points behind her.
"You'd do this for us?" Clover says shocked.
"W-What!? It's a Giant!"
The group perk up at the heavy thudding tremors coursing through the air as they all turn towards…
"Saul!" Ann's hues widen when seeing said giant with the cowboy hat.
"Where are you? Robin! Ann!" Saul rushes over.
"Who is he!?" Olivia's hues narrow, her grip tightening around her daughter.
"A friend. Knowledge should never die. We all have a right to knowledge good or bad…it's up to us to decide." Determined, Ann asserts as her hues gaze into Olivia's, a stern stare down of sorts until…
"Take Robin please make sure my daughter makes it." Oliva hands Robin over to Ann.
"Olivia…" Ann furrows her brow at her.
"Aren't you coming with us Mom?" Innocently, Robin asks her lost.
"I still have some unfinished business here." Olivia smiles sadly at her little one.
"I don't wanna leave you, mom! I finally found you! I'm staying here!" Robin refuses thrashing in Ann's arms lunging back into her mother's arms.
"Robin…if you're an Oharan scholar you should understand History is mankind's treasure. You must live and create a brighter future for everyone because if somebody isn't there…to pass on that history…it will be lost!" Lovingly, Olivia reminds her little girl trying to keep a brave face as her daughter cries her heart out while from within the tree, the scholars scream…
"Extinguish the fire!"
"Save the books!
"Save the tree!
"Isn't our purpose to uncover our history? We just want to protect the voices of the past! Our research is over…but even if they destroy Ohara…we cannot give up on the future to which you belong!" Olivia reminds her little girl smiling despite it all.
"I don't understand!" Crying, Robin wails.
"One day, you will. It's time go Ann!" Olivia calls out to her handing her back.
"I'll take care of her, I promise you." Ann assures Olivia.
"I know you will." Oliva nods her head.
"No I'm staying here! Mom! MOOM!" Robin wails while Ann runs, Robin in her arms as Saul soon follows fleeing from the fierce flames of Ohara.
"LIVE ROBIN!" Tearful, Olivia cries out to her daughter as Ann continues running ignoring the crying child in her arms begging beseeching Ann to go back. Ann and Saul simply stares ahead resolved in saving at least one life of Ohara.
"Vice admiral! Vice admiral Kuzan!" Alarmed, one of the marines call out their hues widening while looking through the telescope seeing a familiar tuff of a pinkish blonde blur rush through the forest.
"WHAT NOW!?" Agitated, Aokiji roars raising his voice terrifying the marines.
"That is…without a doubt…" Scared, one of the marines try to tell him terrified of facing his wrath.
"WHAT IS IT!? SPIT IT OUT!" Impatiently, the angry Aokiji orders.
"It's vice admiral Ann and the deserter Vice Admiral Saul!" The marine finally spits out as Akoji's hues widen when hearing the news.
"Dammit Ann!" Aokiji curses cross seething snarling terrifying many marines when seeing the ice spread from his feet freezing a fair few marines.
"Ann go back please!" Pleadingly, Robin begs beseeches the woman while sobbing into her shoulder.
"You know I can't Robin!" Resolved, Ann argues her grip only tightening on the crying child.
"Ann!" Robin lightly hits her shoulder, but Ann simply stares ahead.
"Robin you mustn't let your mother's sacrifice be in vein you need to leave, learn from this, tell people what happened today, you have to pass along this island's history one day Robin! Tell everyone how Ohara took on the world!" Seriously, Saul tells the little girl as Ann's grip only tightens around her as they run through the forest deadest on escaping…
"You're giving up on the opportunity to be a admiral don't you get that!?" Tense, Aokiji swiftly slams his furious fist against the desk below, blood boiling, bubbling, burning at Ann.
"You're telling me to brush aside my morals for some title? To have harmed thousands for some medal!?" Mortified, Ann gawks gapes at Aokiji.
"…You could do a lot more with the power of a vice admiral help people more." Aokiji reminds her.
"And what of those on Ohara? Or do they not matter?" Ann demands from him.
"They broke the law they know wh-" Aokiji begins but…
"Why is that a law in the first place? What is it the government is so desperate to hide!?" Haughty, Ann curtly cuts him off.
"Ann that sort of thinking will get you killed or worse locked up at Impel down! You'd be throwing everything you've built away! The world will deem you a traitor!" Heatedly, Aokiji snaps scowling at Ann as he shakes her shoulders, begging, beseeching pleading for her to see sense and yet…
"And the sort of thinking you're thinking will kill thousands of innocents." Ann steps back shrugging him off turning towards the door.
"Ann!" Aokiji roars raising his voice reaching out to her however he is met by the swift slam of the door.
"Hmph." Flawlessly, Ann with one swift strike cuts the cannonballs in half using the explosion of smoke spewing out into the open air as cover as she continues on, bringing Robin close to her chest with one hand while the other holds her blade.
"S-She cut the cannonball in ha-ARGH THE CANNON!" Terrified, one of the men scream scared as a bright blaring blast of light hits the canon.
"Sir she broke the canon!" Alarmed, a marine yells seeing the array of canons destroyed.
"S-She slashed it that's Portgas sama for you!" In awe, one of the marine men gush.
"Idiot she's a traitor!" One of the marines, a female snaps bac brow furrowed.
"T-That was just like Dracule Mihawk's slash attack!" Amazed, a marine mutters.
"She really is a demon!" Terrified, another adds.
"Sorry for scaring you Robin, could you step back a little? I don't want you to get hurt." Smiling, she sets Robin down.
"O-Okay…" Meekly, Robin nods her head stepping back watching on as the sweet smile she sends Robin soon sharpens into a bright broad giddy grin.
"It's been a while since I actually got to let loose and not restrain myself so I may be a bit rusty." Ann rolls her shoulder back a bit bemused before letting out a small slash of sorts.
"SHE CUT THE BOAT IN HALF!" A marine cries out as he soon falls from said split ship.
"The ship behind us too has been cut clean in two!" Another adds anxiously.
"She's so strong…!" Scared, another marine cries.
"She…she's on the level of Mihawk had she always been this strong!?" Scared, one of the mystified marines ponder.
"She's…that's the strength of a warlord!" One yells.
"O-Of a Yonko!" One screams.
"Eh I doubt that…Robin come on." Lazily, Ann shrugs taking Robin's hand.
"R-Right!" Robin takes Ann's hand following her.
"FIRE!"
"Saul!" Robin screams as Ann turns her hues widening when seeing said canons hit him.
"Saul!" Ann roars as they canons hit his back acting as a shield for the two smoke spewing from his back.
"Oh, it hit! We're sorry!" One of the marines call out.
"Don't apologize! He's an accomplice to the demons now!" Another Marine barks back at the guilty marine.
"I'm sorry, Robin That must've startled you Ann." Saul turns to her as she silently nods rushing ahead.
"Saul!" Robin cries watching from the top of Ann's shoulder as Saul approaches the marine ships.
"Firing from the shore What would they have done if they hurt Robin!?" Saul scowls grabbing hold of one of the ships.
"Vice Admiral, please stop this! What are you planning to do!?" Scared, a marine cries as said ship is lifted from the washing waves of the sea.
"I've got no idea of what is right, so I'll just protect my friend!" Furious, Saul tosses the boat back, many marines freely falling from it.
"Stop it! Saul!" Sobbing, Robin cries seeing said canons aimed at him.
"Get ready!" Those that remain on helm holler as they fire.
"You won't get off easily, having made me your enemy!" Saul roars as they fire canons directly in his face frighting both Robin and Ann as they rush forward.
"Ann, we gotta go back, Saul's in trouble Ann! Ann!" Robin sobs tears freely flowing tugging at the back of Ann but it does nothing to the woman simply staring ahead racing to the finishing line until..
"Ice block partisan!" Ann felt her heart drop at the familiar voice.
"Saul!" Screaming, Robin cries as said spear of ice grazed Saul's side causing him to come crashing down as Ann shields the girl from said sight staring shakily at the man calmly approaching….
"The island is done for!
"Just get every last book! They contain our history!
"Throw them into the lake it's better than letting them burn! Throw it all in even if only one book remains even if only a single paragraph remains!
"Ann run his strength is too extraordinary!" Saul calls out to her as before the two knew it…
"Ice time capsule!" Aokiji lets loose that single bullet.
"NO!" Ann screams shielding Robin from said strike but the girl could see it through the small gap of the block, she saw her giant friend be consumed in ice as before she knew it…
"Ann take the raft and get outta here! Run wif all yer might! If ya stay on dis island ya ain't gonna survive…! Just ruse mine and Ann's raft and sail out!" Saul screams calling out to her.
"What about you Saul!?" Robin cries out.
"Dis is as far as I'm gonna get I'm caught go!" Sadly, Saul admits.
"No not without you" Robin exclaims.
"Haa listen up, Robin even though ye'r alone now sumday surely ye'r gonna meet your nakama the sea is vast suday surely yer nakama will appear to protect you once yer' born into dis world yer never gonna be alone!" Saul screams at Robin or so Ann thought as she swore while Saul screamed his heart out it was towards the two of them as Ann's hues dilate.
"Saul…" Anguished, Ann bows her head at her friend's kindness.
"Ice time…" Calmly, Kuzan steps forward placing his hand upon the frozen foot of Saul slowly but surely the ice creeps up upon the giant as before the two knew it the giant smiled laughing to the end as the ice soon enough consumed him and before Robin knew it, Ann was running again, speckles of tears freely flowing in the wind while Robin was in her arms, running for her life leaving behind the ice sculpture that was once her friend.
"Ann I'm scared!" Robin whimpers weakly.
"It's okay Robin it's okay." Softly, she promises Robin, the child unaware of the tears freely flowing from the heartbroken ex marine.
"These thousands of years of our ancestors words…must reach future generations!"
"Perfect!" Ann smirks seeing said raft.
"Ann?" Robin furrows her brow at Ann noting her crouching down taking a strange pipe like reef of sorts.
"Robin no matter what happened you need to cling on to me okay? And breath through this straw okay? No matter how horrible you feel in the water you need to cling to me can you do that?" Sternly, she crouches down handing the straw of sorts over as she breathes in and out of it befuddled.
"Y-Yeah." Robin clings to the pipe.
"Good." Ann nods her head only for her hues to widen when her hue suddenly fiercely flares ruby red as next she knew, she steps forward, slicing the empty air confusing Robin until she gasps seeing shards of ice spew shatter into the open air as they were deflected by that singular slice.
"Robin back!" Ann roars gently pushing her back, back furrowing at the approaching Aokiji.
"Ann!" Robin cries concerned for the glaring girl.
"Kuzan-san!" Surprised, Spandine's hues widen when seeing the smoke spew out from the slightly coated iced man, some side arts of him coated in ice from said strike however he doesn't bat an eye to the CP9 chef simply staring at Ann.
"Vice Admiral Aokiji." Aloofly, Ann acknowledges the marine before her, her heavy heart dropping.
"A former marine interfering with a buster call? You're not helping yourself here." Kuzan remarks his tone cold curt casual.
"Nor are you helping the people of Ohara…tell me are you proud of this assault?" Ann asks sneering scowling at the man before her.
"…Ann." Aokiji furrows his brow at her.
"It's Portgas to you Vice Admiral now retreat, you scum have done more than enough to ruin these people's lives." Ann orders, her tone cold curt to the point.
"We did what was asked." Assertively, Aokiji repeats.
"It's not right you know this! I… I thought you knew this…you know they're just making a point, they're killing innocent people with family friends and dreams just to remind people who are in charge, tell me why must the people of Ohara act as the scapegoat for the world government's incompetence for their secrecy!" Scowling, Ann demands from Aokiji.
"If it's for the whole world's sake it can't be helped you can't deny that those scholars broke the law." Aokiji reminds her.
"And you lot haven't? Look around you I can name a fair few laws broke just by looking around, you're no better than the pirates you scum propagate for the people to hate!" Haughtily, Ann argues as she stretches her arms out to the destroyed ruined remains of Ohara as canon fire continues on.
"Justice is a largely subjective concept…so I won't attack your views. However if you intend to get in our way…I'll have to stop you." Aokiji asserts Ann's hues narrow, preparing for the fight ahead or so she thought…
"Boom!"
"The evacuation ship exploded!" A marine cries out horrified by the fierce flames feasting upon the innocent. Robin's hues dilate alongside the equally as surprised Aokiji all but Ann are that surprised as Ann grimaces glaring grip tightening around her blade knowing fully well who was responsible…
"W-Why!?" Shocked, Spandine demands taken aback at the evacuation ship spewing smoke.
"One of our ships fired at it! Vice Admiral Sakazuk's ship!" One of the marines identify the cloaked man.
"That fool…" Furious, Aokiji curses unaware of Ann's hues narrowing.
"We must be thorough if even a single scholar had stowed away on that ship…this sacrifice would have been for nothing. We must eradicate the possibility of evil!" The cloaked male dictates determined as just then Akoji's hues widen when seeing the blonde blur rush at him as he quickly forms an ice blade of his own clashing against her own as watery brown glare into stern shades.
"You call this justice!? This is genocide! How can you stand behind this?!" Disgusted, Ann yells at him.
"I wasn't going to overdo it like that idiot!" Incensed, Aokiji pushes back against her blade but she remains firm in her stance scowling.
"Overdo it? Overdo it, children's blood are on your hands innocent people…! You people…are scum of the earth you tell the people to fear pirates but you lot are no better you're worst of the worst the scum of the earth people like you…people like you are why people like me and her can never be free! " Furious, Ann screams, a sharp sob escaping her likes astonishing Aokiji at the sheer amount of raw emotion in her trembling tone oblivious to the crisp crack of his sword breaking before being batted back by her crisp curt heel hitting him square in the chest throwing him back.
"Kuzan-san!" Spandine and a fair few marines call out to him as he shakily stands, staring stunned at Ann, seeing the tears trickle down her pained plastered anguished expression.
"I wish…I wished I never met you…" Ann admits anguished as she swiftly turns on her heel.
"Ann!" Aokiji roars reaching out to her however she doesn't turn around as she snatches up the still lost and confused Robin being held in Ann's arms as she sees the anguished Aokiji call out to her as she is taken away.
"It's Portgas!" A marine calls out as canon fire aims at her.
"A-Ann!" Robin screams scared seeing her hue flare ruby red as fierce flames form the canons hit where she once was while running through the forest.
"Robin, remember the plan?" Ann asks her smiling.
"Ann's running, she has a scholar with her!" Another marine points out.
"Y-Yeah." Robin nods her head.
"You got the pipe?" Ann asks her.
"Yeah." Robin nods her head.
"Let's do this!" Ann whispers while approaching the corner cursing to see her raft long gone, the canon fire having broken it into smithereens.
"She's a goner she has no where else to go!" A marine smirks smugly at the woman stopping at the cliff, holding the girl close still scowling down at the dark depths of the water below brow furrowing for what was to happen only to falter from the sudden shy shudder crawling coursing down her spine.
"Ann!" Aokiji calls out as Ann spares a glance behind her towards him brow furrowed, her grip tightening on Robin.
"Stop this please! If you give the girl over we can talk to Sengoku we can…just let the girl go!" Aokiji tries to reason with her however her grip only tightens on the child glaring at him as the fierce flames continue dancing behind the chill chill user.
"Don't you get it? I want nothing to do with the marines, with Sengoku with you!" Angrily, Ann roars barking back at Aokiji.
"…Ann…" Akoji's hues widen when hearing her words while she simply glares.
"It's Portgas what will it take to get that through your thick skull!?" Sneering, she steps back.
"Ann…!" Aokiji steps forward fretful.
"Robin…it's going to be okay." Ann smiles at the girl her hues widening when seeing said familiar smile.
"Ann?" Robin furrows her brow by it just as Aokiji steps forward.
"Not a step closer." Curtly, she snaps raising her blade.
"An-" Aokiji begins but the heavy ring echoes throughout the room, Akoji's heart dropping seeing scarlet shoot out of Ann as she…smiles? Startling Aokiji as he felt his heart drop.
"ANN!" Aokiji cries ice shooting out of him as she drops down with Robin, clinging to her, pipe of sorts in mouth as they both freely fall, diving down into the watery depths as a coat of icy covers her tracks, oblivious to the hidden scheme as the two make their escape.
*And that is how Ohara went down, what did you think of this chapter? Of Ann and Kuzan? Of Ann and Robin? Would love to know your thoughts down below!*