Ohara's Fall

After chatting with Borsalino for about half an hour, Spandine finished dealing with the situation on his end.

Soon, a large group of students emerged from the Omniscient Tree, led by Professor Clover.

"May I have a word with Vice Admiral Bane?" Professor Clover suddenly stopped and asked as he passed by Ortolan.

Spandine smiled and said, "Of course, Doctor. We're all on the same side now, so you don't need to be so formal."

Although he knew that Professor Clover and other students would be transferred to the Marines after joining Punk Hazard, they would actually just be imprisoned there, Spandine's principle was to do as little as possible to others as possible without offending them, avoiding enemies and grudges, and only making good friends.

He's a prisoner now, but who can predict what will happen in the future? Maybe he'll become a successful man someday.

Professor Clover politely said thank you and then walked towards Ortolan.

Seeing this, Orbia followed. Spandine did not stop them, but led the other students to continue towards the port.

Borsalino seemed to have keenly sensed something. He stood up and said, "Receiving students is my task. I'll go to the port to make the arrangements. You two can talk first."

After saying that, he left immediately.

Everyone has their own secrets. Borsalino knew that probing other people's secrets was not a good thing. Sometimes, the more you know, the more trouble you get. Besides, he had a good relationship with Ortolan, so why should he get in the way?

After Borsalino left, Professor Clover looked at Ortolan with a very complicated expression, then sighed and said, "Thank you this time, Vice Admiral Bane."

"I thought you would resent me, Doctor," Ortolan said softly.

"Initially, yes," Professor Clover said frankly. After a brief pause, he continued, "But as it is, it is indeed the best ending. Ohara was able to be preserved, and we can continue to live in this world, all thanks to your mediation... We will never forget this, so on behalf of all the students, I thank you."

Ortolan waved his hand without saying a word.

After a moment of silence, Professor Clover asked again, "Do you really think this world will be changed?"

Ortolan paused for a moment, glanced at Orbia beside him, then nodded and said, "That's right, I really think so. Perhaps you don't know, but in many places around this world, there are many people working hard for this..."

After hearing the answer from Ortolan himself, Professor Clover seemed much more relaxed, and a forced smile appeared on his face as he said, "The road ahead is long, and all I can see is darkness. Your words are like a light illuminating my journey. I still can't truly trust you or these words, but even so, from now on, we students will take your words as hope in this darkness. The world... it shouldn't be like this."

"I will do my best to keep this light from going out, Doctor," Ortolan nodded and replied softly.

Professor Clover smiled and then said, "Orbia, don't you also have something you want to say to Vice Admiral Bane?"

Orbia nodded and looked at Ortolan, saying, "I've already said everything I needed to say on the way here, but now I have a personal request... Ortolan."

"You don't even need to say anything, I know what you want to say is definitely related to your daughter, right?" Ortolan said with a hint of helplessness.

"That's right." Orbia's expression turned serious. "My daughter Robin is only six years old and is staying with her aunt. However, the Doctor told me that her life isn't as good as I imagined. My sister has changed a lot over the years, and I was too naive before... After we leave Ohara, it will probably be difficult for us to come back. I don't want Robin to live here like this. Although I'm not exactly your friend, you are the only person I can trust in this Marines. Could you please take her with you?"

"You're thinking that if I take Robin away, you can meet her again when I have the chance to go to Punk Hazard, right?" Ortolan saw through Orbia's thoughts at a glance.

Orbia didn't hide anything and nodded in acknowledgment, "That's right, those ideas were there."

Considering the value of the scholars, Ortolan originally intended to maintain a good relationship with them. Who knows what great things might happen in the future? Professor Clover is getting old, and who knows, before Ortolan can cause any trouble, the doctor might have already passed away. Currently, it seems that Orbia is likely to be the next leader of the scholars' group.

In addition, he personally liked the character of Robin, and being able to change her tragic fate would be a good thing. Therefore, Ortolan nodded and said, "I agree to this. I will take her to Marineford and take good care of her. Don't worry."

Orbia seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and finally smiled, saying, "Then I'll leave it to you."

Seeing Orbia's expression, Ortolan softened a little and said after thinking for a moment, "Fine, come with me. At least you can explain things to Robin and meet her."

Ortolan led Orbia toward the town of Ohara. Orbia gave him directions, and they soon arrived at the place where Robin was staying.

Because the entire Ohara has been under lockdown recently, the island's residents all know that the students seem to have committed a serious crime. Everyone is on edge, and no one dares to go out unless absolutely necessary. As a result, the town's streets are extremely deserted.

When Orbia knocked on the door, a plump woman quickly opened it and cautiously looked out. When she saw Orbia, her expression changed, as if she were startled and terrified, wanting to tell her to leave immediately, as if she was afraid of getting involved with her. However, when she saw the Marine Admiral following behind Orbia, she dared not be presumptuous.

"O... Orbia?" The obese woman greeted her with a hint of worry.

Honestly, Ortolan seriously doubted whether this woman was really Orbia's sister. There was absolutely no resemblance whatsoever.

Orbia looked at the woman with a complicated expression, then said, "Sister, I want to take Robin away."

"Good, good, good!" The woman's eyes lit up with surprise, and she quickly bent down and called Robin over.

Soon, Ortolan saw a little girl. This was the first time he had met Robin. She was even younger than he had imagined. Perhaps because she had lived in a rather repressive environment for a long time, her eyes revealed a maturity that was different from that of a typical five-year-old child. Of course, this maturity still couldn't shake off the feeling of naivety.

Even though it had been a very long time since she had seen her mother, Robin recognized Orbia immediately upon seeing her. Her previously uneasy face lit up with joy, and she rushed into Orbia's arms, crying out, "Mommy, have you finally come to pick me up?"

Orbia hugged Robin tightly, tears welling in her eyes. She gently patted Robin's back and said, "It's all Mommy's fault, it's all Mommy's fault..."

Seeing this, Ortolan said, "Alright, we should go. It'll take at least two more days to get to the Red Line from here. You can talk about it on the way..."

Orbia was clearly surprised to receive such treatment. She looked at Ortolan gratefully and nodded, then hugged Robin, said goodbye to her sister, and left with Ortolan.

When they arrived at the port of Ortolan, Borsalino was directing the Marines soldiers to load all the books from the Tree of Knowledge onto the warship, preparing to take them all to Punk Hazard in one go.

Ortolan stepped forward, pointed to Orbia behind him, and said, "Let those two stay with me for a couple of days. I'll return them to you when I conquer Mary Geoise."

Borsalino glanced at Orbia and the timid Robin, then pulled Ortolan to a secluded spot and said, "Hey, don't blame me for not warning you, don't let yourself be misled by women. Orbia is indeed a great beauty, but don't fall for her tricks! I heard from the Admiral Sengoku that you went to the South Blue and got married and had children. You're a married man now, don't cause any scandals that could ruin your future!"

"What are you saying?" Ortolan rolled his eyes.

Orbia is indeed a beautiful woman, but Ortolan has no interest in her, at least not for now.

"Anyway, I've already told you what to do, so don't blame me for not warning you. If you tell me that those two fell into the sea and drowned when we get to the Red Line, I won't believe it. I need to see them alive or dead. Don't do anything funny!" Borsalino warned again.

He was worried that Ortolan might be tempted by her beauty and try to stage a scene where there was no way to prove anything, or even keep her as a mistress.

"I know, I'll definitely return him to you when the time comes, Dr. Borsalino!" Ortolan said impatiently, waving his hand.