Several days later, Ohara Island.
Lin Ye stepped off the merchant ship and looked at this island that would be erased from the map in the future.
The most eye-catching sight was naturally the enormous tree that covered nearly a third of the island.
"That is the All-Knowing Tree, sir!"
After disembarking, the merchant captain, Ariki, noticed Lin Ye looking at the All-Knowing Tree and explained.
"They say the All-Knowing Tree is the largest library in the West Blue, a place countless scholars long to visit. Of course, while this island is known as the Island of Scholars, its most famous residents are actually historians."
Ariki clearly came here often and was very familiar with Ohara.
"Mm."
Lin Ye nodded. His gaze shifted toward the town by Ohara's harbor, and his powerful Observation Haki spread out in an instant, completely enveloping the entire island.
"Looks like the time is about right."
Lin Ye murmured softly.
He had already found Nico Robin. She was currently arguing with Doctor Clover in the library.
Although Observation Haki could not tell what the two were arguing about,
it meant Nico Robin had passed the doctoral examination and officially become a historian.
"You should leave. It would be best not to come here for a while."
Lin Ye turned to look at Ariki, the merchant captain.
Ariki's expression changed when he heard this, but he did not ask why.
Since such a powerful man had said so, it was best to listen.
"Understood. Then, sir, this is your payment."
As he spoke, Ariki took off the small pack on his back and opened it. It was filled to the brim with Beli.
Lin Ye took out a stack from it, then looked at Ariki.
"I'll use the rest to buy a Log Pose."
Ariki froze. "Sir, may I ask where you need the Log Pose to point?"
"The Red Line, or rather, Reverse Mountain."
Lin Ye considered it before answering.
"Well, the Red Line covers far too large an area. As for Reverse Mountain, it does not have a Log Pose of its own, though the islands leading to Reverse Mountain do have Log Poses."
"That works."
Lin Ye was still far too unclear about the geography of this world.
After all, there were simply too many islands in this world. Lin Ye had never intended to spend the effort memorizing them all.
"Very well, sir. Please wait a moment. I'll go ask around among the other merchant ships. Someone should have a Log Pose for that route!"
With that, Ariki turned and left.
Lin Ye headed straight for a tavern by the docks.
The tavern catered specifically to sailors stopping here, yet even so, it was quiet.
It seemed to have been influenced by the scholarly atmosphere of the island.
Ariki was quick.
Before long, a Log Pose was delivered into Lin Ye's hands.
"This Log Pose will need to pass through roughly a dozen islands to reach its final destination."
Ariki explained.
"Got it."
Lin Ye put away the Log Pose, stood up, glanced at Ariki, and left the tavern.
"Sir, do you need me to wait for you here?"
Seeing Lin Ye leave, Ariki called out.
Lin Ye did not answer. With his back to him, he merely waved a hand and entered Ohara's town.
As Lin Ye's figure disappeared, Ariki felt somewhat disappointed.
In the end, he had not gotten the chance to learn this man's name. That would have been something to boast about in the future.
When he grew old, telling that story would surely earn him even more respect.
With that thought, Ariki dejectedly headed back toward the merchant ship.
He strictly followed Lin Ye's advice, quickly handled the cargo, and departed at once.
He did not even load any goods from Ohara.
Since that man had said so, there had to be a reason.
After sailing the seas for so long, Ariki knew how to take advice.
From within the town, Lin Ye sensed Ariki's merchant ship departing with his Observation Haki and revealed a faint smile.
He had only said it casually.
As for Ohara, he had no intention of saving it, and he could not save it anyway.
After all, he was alone. There was no way he could protect the entire island, and there was nothing in it for him.
By his estimate, Sakazuki and Kuzan would arrive within a month at most to carry out the Buster Call.
The historians of this island had touched the World Government's bottom line.
Even if he stopped the Buster Call this time, he could not remain here forever.
Once he left, the Buster Call would likely come again.
As for playing nanny to these historians?
He had no interest in the Poneglyphs.
Lin Ye found a house, paid the rent, and settled in to wait for time to pass.
Nico Robin was very unhappy.
She had clearly passed the examination with full marks and become a true historian, yet Doctor Clover forbade her from interpreting the Poneglyphs.
That left Nico Robin feeling dejected.
Doctor Clover did so because he was naturally worried that researching the Poneglyphs would bring trouble to Robin.
Yet he seemed to have forgotten that he himself was playing with fire.
Lin Ye's Observation Haki detected all of this. He even sensed the Giant Saul drifting toward the island's shore.
Lin Ye did not interfere when Nico Robin and Saul met again.
Several days later, Saul's strange laughter abruptly stopped. He stared at Nico Robin, his expression filled with panic.
"Your mother is Nico Olvia?"
"Yes. Saul, do you know my mother? She went to sea when I was two years old and never came back."
Nico Robin looked somewhat downcast.
Saul fell silent.
He had once been a vice admiral at Marine Headquarters. It was because of Olvia that he had been hunted by the Marines and ended up stranded here.
The World Government believed historians seeking the truth of history were dangerous and was conducting widespread arrests.
Everything unfolded as expected.
Robin's mother returned.
Close behind her came Cipher Pol agents directly under the World Government.
Lin Ye sat atop a large tree, watching the Cipher Pol agents drive the historians into the square outside the All-Knowing Tree. He also watched Olvia, who had gone alone to hold off the Cipher Pol agents, get brought back by them.
With his Observation Haki covering the entire island and the nearby seas, Lin Ye also discovered more than ten warships blockading the surrounding waters.
He also sensed two particularly powerful presences among them.
Kuzan and Sakazuki.
The Marine Headquarters vice admirals carrying out the Ohara Buster Call.
On the grass before the All-Knowing Tree, Doctor Clover requested to speak with the Five Elders. After a gunshot rang out, Spandine, a World Government official, pressed the button on the Golden Den Den Mushi that signified the Buster Call.
The bombardment began.
Robin recognized her mother, and Saul, who was certain Olvia had come looking for Robin, took Robin and fled.
But Robin, after admitting that she was a historian, was barred by Spandine from boarding the evacuation ship.
Saul also encountered his friend Kuzan, a vice admiral of Marine Headquarters.
Watching everything unfold with cold indifference, Lin Ye stomped against the tree beneath his feet and launched himself high into the sky. His right hand gripped Enma's hilt as his gaze locked onto a warship.
Whoosh!
Two-Color Haki wrapped around his arm.
The terrifying presence made both Kuzan, who was speaking with Saul, and Sakazuki, who was preparing to sink the evacuation ship, abruptly turn their heads.
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