Ohara's Demise

Speak frankly and openly.

Jaguar D. Saul was completely dumbfounded at that moment.

That's not surprising.

After all, he had already decided to risk his life to protect Robin, and things developed as he had expected; he soon lost consciousness.

However, when she opened her eyes again...

Robin isn't here.

Aokiji is gone too.

All that remained before him was this familiar figure in black robes.

Jaguar D. Saul was completely bewildered. He scratched his head and thought for a long time before finally asking a question in a daze.

"I... I'm not dead after all? Kuzan showed me mercy?"

He won't go easy on you, at least not now.

Lin Yan said this with a pointed remark, and then spoke directly to Jaguar D. Saul.

"As agreed, I saved your life, and now it's time for you to pay me."

"..."

Hearing Lin Yan say that...

Jaguar D. Saul then realized that he had really been about to die, and that this mysterious guy in front of him had saved his life.

But it's good to be alive, huh?

Thinking of this, Jaguar D. Saul gave a simple, honest smile and patted his chest hard.

"Hehehehe! I understand! We Giant Tribe always keep our word. So, tell me, what reward do you want from me?"

He truly is a generous and magnanimous giant.

They didn't doubt it at all and believed what they said immediately.

Lin Yan shook her head, somewhat speechless.

"It's simple. After that, you must conceal your name and secretly protect Robin for me. You cannot appear in front of her, nor can you reveal my existence, until I reappear before you."

As she spoke, Lin Yan paused slightly.

"Take this. When I reappear before you, this agreement will be fulfilled."

"Oh right! Where's Robin?!"

Jaguar D. Saul slapped his forehead, hurriedly took the thing Lin Yan threw to him, and then began to search for Robin's whereabouts.

I don't know if I heard you clearly.

Lin Yan simply turned around.

"Come with me."

As he spoke, he casually waved his hand, giving Jaguar D. Saul a buff that concealed his aura. The meaning was clear: he wanted Jaguar D. Saul to come with him.

Jaguar D. Saul didn't dare hesitate and, disregarding his curiosity, quickly followed Lin Yan's footsteps.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Robin continued running with all her might.

Trying to find anyone you know.

Unfortunately, there weren't any.

By this time, Ohara was almost completely burned down. Not only were there no people left, but even the once prosperous streets were in ruins, with only the ruins left after the collapse of houses as far as the eye could see.

Robin gave up quickly.

The girl bravely held back her tears and ran towards the sea, her intuition telling her that it might be her only chance to escape.

However, things didn't go as planned.

At one point, Robin suddenly stopped, and her pretty face turned deathly pale.

The reason is quite simple.

Aokiji stood silently in front of her.

"..."

Robin gritted her teeth and remained silent. Although she knew she was no match for him, the grief and anger in her heart made Robin unwilling to back down.

Aokiji stood there silently, watching the stubborn girl.

After a while.

To Robin's surprise, Aokiji slowly stepped aside.

Behind the man, a small boat was quietly moored on the shore.

"Leave. Enough has happened in Ohara today. I don't want to see any more people die here."

Aokiji sat on a rock by the roadside and let out a long breath.

"I want to see just how far the seed that Jaguar D. Saul protected with his life will eventually grow."

Ignoring Robin's astonished gaze, Aokiji spoke calmly.

"Live a low-key life after you leave, and forget everything here until you are no longer able to do so. It's best to never remember it again."

Having said that, Aokiji fell silent.

"!!!"

Robin gritted her teeth and charged towards the small boat without hesitation, quickly disappearing from Aokiji's sight.

"..."

Aokiji remained silent.

Then he slowly stood up and walked towards Ohara, which was about to turn to ashes.

What exactly is justice?

He can't see clearly anymore.

But hopefully, letting Robin go today won't be a mistake.

Live on, and then prove it to me.

He murmured something to himself, and Aokiji's figure slowly disappeared into the embers left by the towering flames.

What Aokiji didn't know was...

His actions had been witnessed by the other two people.

"Hehehehe! Kuzan is actually pretty good! I was a little surprised that he did this in the end!"

Jaguar D. Saul into laughter.

He was clearly very satisfied with Aokiji's final decision.

Lin Yan, standing before him, also had a smile in her eyes.

Although Aokiji is still lacking in many ways compared to the Aokiji he will later command, this is fine.

No matter how things change, Aokiji has never been someone who can make tough decisions.

This is his weakness.

That is also his most valuable quality.

Sometimes, not seeing things in black and white, but rather being hesitant, is not necessarily a bad thing.

Thinking about it, Lin Yan reached out and patted Jaguar D. Saul beside her.

"Go, protect Robin until the day I return."

"Hehehehehe! Of course!"

Jaguar D. Saul laughed heartily and agreed.

Even if it's not for the sake of any reward, this is something he will definitely do next.

That girl already carried the weight of her own hopes for the future and Aokiji's hopes on her shoulders.

He would never let anything happen to Robin.

However, before leaving, the good-natured giant scratched his head, finally unable to suppress his curiosity, and turned to ask Lin Yan.

"Who... who are you? Why can't Robin know?"

This was the only thing Jaguar D. Saul couldn't understand.

After all, looking at Lin Yan's appearance...

Robin must be a very important person to him.

If that's the case, why can't even their names be revealed?

He could choose not to be curious about Lin Yan's true identity, nor could he care how Lin Yan had saved his life. He could also simply follow the man's instructions and secretly protect Robin. But the one thing he couldn't accept was Lin Yan not revealing her existence to Robin ...

Jaguar D. Saul was somewhat resentful.

After all, it's easy to imagine that with such an arrangement, Robin's life will be very difficult in the future.

Even a simple-minded giant could easily think of this.

However, in the end, Lin Yan only left Jaguar D. Saul with her back turned.

"Don't overthink it. I have my reasons too, you'll see when the time comes."