Storm on the Horizon

A year and a half later, summer.

Ohara Island.

In the vast expanse of the West Blue, this island was inconspicuous—utterly ordinary.

Yet it was renowned throughout the world for gathering the finest archaeologists, the foremost archaeological teams, and the world's largest library, the "Tree of Omniscience."

The Tree of Omniscience, whose branches and leaves blotted out the sky, stood at the center of the island, almost covering Ohara Island beneath its shade. Within the trunk of this five-thousand-year-old tree were stored precious texts from all over the world.

It contained the richest knowledge in the world.

It was practically all-knowing and all-powerful, which was why people called it the "Tree of Omniscience."

Everyone who saw this towering tree piercing the clouds for the first time was awestruck, without exception.

Some were shaken by its grandeur; others were impressed by what it held within.

Niveya, a CP9 member, hid among the crowds in the streets. From time to time, she looked up at the outline of the Tree of Omniscience, and even her nearly cold, emotionless heart rippled faintly.

She had received a direct order from the World Government's highest rulers—the Five Elders—to arrive ahead of the others and investigate information concerning a major incident.

It concerned the Poneglyph!

She had been deeply shocked when she first received the news. The Poneglyph was a taboo of the World Government!

That blank century of history was the thing they feared most. Whoever touched it died!

There was credible intelligence that scholars researching the Poneglyph had been captured at sea, and there was a high chance they came from Ohara Island!

Though it was only a suspicion, the Five Elders had directly dispatched her, a CP9 member, to investigate. CP9 was the World Government's secret intelligence agency, which showed just how serious the situation was.

Niveya tightened her black trench coat around herself, looking no different from any ordinary passerby.

Suddenly, someone walking toward her in the crowd crashed into her.

The flow of people around them was too dense to avoid, and Niveya helplessly collided with the figure.

"Ah!"

The other person fell straight to the ground. Niveya looked closely through her glasses and saw a handsome young boy with sunlit tousled hair, sharp brows sweeping into his temples, and especially those star-bright eyes that made her look twice.

"I'm sorry, big sister," the boy, about thirteen years old, apologized in a fluster.

"It's fine." Niveya pushed up her glasses and extended a hand to pull him up.

The boy took her hand. Once he was on his feet, he thanked her again before hurriedly slipping into the crowd behind her.

Niveya paid no mind to the unexpected interruption and continued toward the meeting place she had found earlier. A CP9 member would be arriving today to meet her.

Despite her expertise in reconnaissance, she failed to notice the invisible silver mark silently left on the back of her left hand.

The boy walked straight out of the street crowd and into a secluded alley, abruptly vanishing from sight.

The top level of the Tree of Omniscience!

At the highest point of the great tree's branches, the boy suddenly appeared. Standing atop them, he looked down over the town, forests, mountains, and the azure sea beyond the island.

Clouds drifted hazily at such a height. Looking down, he could see matchbox-sized houses scattered in orderly clusters.

Yet another scene appeared in Ye Qiong's eyes—the entire world was black, save for more than ten silver points of light shining brightly.

Like luminous coordinates, all within his senses.

"The World Government has finally made its move."

Ye Qiong sighed softly, his gaze turning grave. What was meant to come had come after all.

"Then let the storm rage even harder!"

Ye Qiong's tone turned cold, and his aura surged higher and higher!

His entire body was like a sword drawn from its sheath, sharp and imposing!

Even the clouds surrounding him seemed to freeze!

After a long while, his aura withdrew once more. Ye Qiong's figure flashed, disappearing from the tree trunk.

Today was Robin's doctoral qualification test. At the Tree of Omniscience library, passing the doctoral qualification exam was extremely difficult. Its authoritative, fair, and impartial assessment deterred even well-read students.

As a result, most scholars of the Tree of Omniscience were middle-aged or older.

Yet today, eight-year-old Robin had come to register for the doctoral examination, leaving a group of elderly scholars utterly dumbfounded.

If she passed, there might be no one like her before or after her. At the very least, she would certainly be unprecedented!

Although Ye Qiong knew the original story, he could not help worrying for Robin as he waited outside. Who knew whether his presence had changed something?

Ye Qiong nearly failed to restrain himself from using his ability to peek at what was happening inside.

In the end, his rational side stopped him.

I really am letting my concern cloud my judgment. He felt a little helpless.

After a wait that was both brief and agonizingly long, Robin emerged wearing a violet-blue dress. She glanced at Ye Qiong and said irritably, "Even a training fanatic comes here?"

"I was worried about you." Ye Qiong rubbed his nose awkwardly, then hurriedly asked, "So, how did the test go?"

He looked exactly like a father asking his daughter about her grades.

Robin's adorable eyes shifted as she glared at him. "The Tree of Omniscience's doctoral qualification exam is the strictest assessment in the world. How could it be that easy?"

"Uh, well, girl, if you didn't make it this time, there'll be another chance. Don't be too discouraged..." Ye Qiong quickly comforted her.

"I wasn't finished." Robin stuck out her pink tongue. "But someone as smart as me passed the scholar qualification exam easily—and with a perfect score, too!"

Ye Qiong froze, then could not help smiling bitterly. This girl had completely led him around by the nose.

"Robin is a genius recognized by all of us scholars at the Tree of Omniscience. How could she fail a mere doctoral examination?"

A slightly trembling voice sounded. An elderly man emerged from the Tree of Omniscience library. His hair and beard spread outward from his face in three round, fan-like sections. His nearly seventy-year-old face was filled with the marks of time, but his wise eyes still shone like torches, glimmering with intelligence.

"Dr. Clover." Ye Qiong respectfully greeted the old man.

Dr. Clover was an authority on archaeology and the curator of the Tree of Omniscience library.

Ye Qiong greatly admired Dr. Clover, not only because he had taken such good care of Robin, but more importantly because of his sense of duty toward history.

Dr. Clover nodded at Ye Qiong, then turned to instruct Robin, "Robin, you must remember to forget what you saw before."

Robin's eyes dimmed. She tugged on Ye Qiong's sleeve and remained silent.

Seeing this, Ye Qiong could not help asking, "Dr. Clover, is this about the Poneglyph?"

Dr. Clover was startled. He stared straight at Ye Qiong, his tone somewhat flustered. "Ye Qiong, you know about it too?"

Ye Qiong looked at him and nodded.

Dr. Clover looked at him, then at Robin leaning against his side, and sighed. "Knowing that information will not benefit you. It will only bring needless disaster! Over the centuries, countless scholars have perished researching that matter. We have no choice but to study it in secret. It is the mission of us Ohara people!"

"You two must remember this! Never say those four words again, and do not involve yourselves in anything related to them! Otherwise, stay away from the Tree of Omniscience!"

After saying that, Dr. Clover returned inside with heavy steps. At that moment, the back of his aged body seemed even more frail and weathered.

Ye Qiong watched his retreating figure and said with a sigh, "Robin, Dr. Clover is trying to protect you."

Robin stared blankly at the library doors as they shut, seeming to understand something.

"Remember what you said before? If I passed the exam, you were going to treat me to vanilla ice cream." She suddenly smiled, her laughter as clear as tinkling bells.

"Of course I didn't forget, you little glutton." Ye Qiong took her hand, and with a flash, the two vanished from where they stood.

It was afternoon at the time.

Dusk shone over the bustling town streets as the lights began to come on. The town's dazzling sea of lights merged with the lingering glow of the sunset, and residents and passersby alike were immersed in the peaceful, tranquil scene.

Ye Qiong held Robin's hand as they strolled through the increasingly lively night market.

Ye Qiong narrowed his eyes as he licked his vanilla ice cream. The faint chill and sweetness on his tongue let him savor this rare, and dwindling, peace.

"Qiong." Robin looked up at him.

"What is it?" Ye Qiong asked.

"You seem like you have something on your mind."

"..."

Ye Qiong was speechless. Was he really being that obvious?

Thinking about it carefully, it made sense. Ever since CP9 had arrived on the island, he had indeed been a little tense.

Though he had anticipated it long ago and made ample preparations, when faced with the catastrophe about to descend, no one could truly remain unmoved.

"Girl, just remember this. No matter what happens, I'll protect you. That's enough." Ye Qiong's fingers gently squeezed her soft hand.

"Mm." Robin smiled brightly and unconsciously tightened her grip on his hand.

Ye Qiong sighed inwardly.

Most importantly, you have to be all right.

According to the original story, CP9 would invade, the Buster Call would strike, and the archaeologists and the Tree of Omniscience would be destroyed. Eight-year-old Robin would then walk toward a tragic fate, losing every family member and friend before wandering the world alone for twenty years, burdened with the title of Demon Child.

If she had not met the Straw Hat Pirates, Robin might have remained in darkness and loneliness forever.

How could he possibly let her face that cruel future hell alone?

If there had to be a Demon Child, then let me be that demon.

Having made up his mind, Ye Qiong thought for a moment and said, "Girl, I have something to do tonight, so I won't be going back."

"Is it something important?" Robin's heart trembled slightly.

"Mm. Something very important."

Ye Qiong looked up at the night sky gradually darkening overhead. The sun's radiance had completely faded away.

Tonight was dark and windy—a fine night for killing.