Chapter 10, Meeting Without Recognizing Each Other

Saul's words struck both Ye Chen and Robin as alarmist. The World Government wanted to wipe out these archaeologists merely because they were studying human history? That was far too overbearing. Ye Chen remained skeptical, but the course of events far exceeded both his and Robin's expectations. Because Saul's injuries had not improved over the past few days, leaving was not realistic even if he wanted to. As for the house Ye Chen had prepared for Robin, it still needed some practical furniture before she could move in a few days later. Yet Ye Chen never imagined that the house he had spent more than three months carefully preparing for Robin would be ruthlessly blasted to pieces by the World Government's cannon fodder.

The fourth day after the giant Saul drifted to Ohara.

A ship docked along Ohara's shore, and a woman laboriously climbed ashore. Ye Chen was practicing his punches by the sea. Few people could sail all the way here, so when he saw the somewhat dilapidated ship, he stopped in curiosity and walked over. A woman stepped down from the ship, and Ye Chen's eyes immediately lit up. He stared dumbfounded, his mouth hanging wide open as though he had forgotten how to breathe.

This woman was simply too beautiful. Though she looked haggard, though her clothes were worn, though she showed little skin, her intelligent eyes, delicate and smooth face, and tall, graceful figure left Ye Chen utterly captivated. Ye Chen was only six years old now, but his mental age certainly was not. This woman was exactly his type, and she even felt vaguely familiar. After thinking carefully, Ye Chen suddenly slapped his thigh. "Hey, who are you? Do you know Robin?"

Yes, she looked somewhat like Robin.

The woman jumped from the ship onto the shore. Upon hearing Robin's name, she froze slightly and turned to look at Ye Chen. She had no impression of him at all. Just as she was about to say something, she ultimately shook her head. "I don't know Robin. Who are you? Are you from this island too?"

"I'm not from here. I drifted here from another place by ship. What's your name? Can we be friends? My name is Ye Chen!" Ye Chen smiled as he stepped forward and helped carry the things off her ship. The woman ignored him and hurriedly said, "I have something to do. Goodbye!" Then she turned and left. However, after coming ashore, she removed the hat from her head, and her flowing white hair immediately caught Ye Chen's attention. Watching her beautiful figure gradually vanish from sight, her white hair swaying in the wind, Ye Chen stood there for a long time without moving. His soul seemed to have flown away.

By then, it was already the fifth day since Saul had arrived. Seeing that Saul had finished making a raft, Ye Chen reluctantly approached him. "Saul, are you leaving?"

Seeing Ye Chen's reluctant, unhappy expression, Saul smiled and shook his head. "What's wrong, kid? You look so down. I still need to prepare a few things, so I can't leave for now. But soon. I have to get away from here as quickly as possible. You and Robin should come with me too. This place is really dangerous!"

Saul had said those words more than once. Ye Chen shook his head. "If Robin doesn't leave, neither will I."

Robin had once again arrived early at the library with books in her arms. Suddenly, she froze. Her blue-black eyes widened in an instant, and she did not even notice the books in her arms falling to the ground. Looking at the woman standing beside Dr. Clover, Robin furrowed her brows, vaguely feeling that she had seen her before. Though her memories were somewhat blurred, she sensed an intimate feeling from that woman, an indescribable bond of blood thicker than water.

"Mom! Mom..." The more Robin looked, the more the woman resembled her mother. Robin suddenly broke into a run toward her. Like a swallow returning to its nest, she threw herself at the woman. She had waited a full six years. Though her impression of her mother had long since become blurred, Robin's yearning for her had only grown more intense.

"What is this?" Looking at the dark-haired little girl who had thrown herself into her arms, Olvia froze briefly. Yet with only one glance, she recognized her daughter Robin, whom she had not seen for six years. In this world, no matter how long they had been separated, only children failed to recognize their mothers; no mother would mistake her own child.

Robin stretched out her tiny hands and clung tightly to Olvia. Olvia's eyes reddened, and tears nearly spilled out uncontrollably. Robin's cries pierced her heart like gleaming sharp knives. Yet in the end, she gently pushed Robin away. "I'm sorry, you have the wrong person!"

Turning around, Olvia looked at Dr. Clover and pleaded repeatedly, "Doctor, please think this over carefully. This place is truly facing a tremendous crisis!"

Olvia had hurried back from abroad to deliver a warning. While searching for Poneglyphs at sea, she had once been captured by the Marines. The Marines learned that Ohara was researching the 100-year Void Century and were greatly enraged. Admiral Sengoku personally ordered CP9 to thoroughly investigate the matter. If it proved true, the World Government would never spare Ohara.

As for why she had not acknowledged Robin, Robin was still young, and Olvia believed herself to be a sinner. She did not want to drag her daughter down with her.

Although Olvia was not a good mother, she was a woman worthy of respect as an archaeologist of Ohara. Of course, in Ye Chen's eyes, she was also a breathtakingly beautiful woman.

Seeing Olvia refuse to acknowledge her daughter, Clover sighed in pain. He knew better than anyone how Robin had lived these past years. She had lost her father when she was young, and her mother had gone out to sea when Robin was two years old. Six full years had passed. Now that mother and daughter had finally met again, they clearly recognized each other yet refused to acknowledge one another. No one could easily accept that.

"I will not leave this place. Everything here is worth defending with our lives!"

Dr. Clover replied with a solemn expression as he watched Olvia turn and leave.

In Clover's eyes, these research materials were precious treasures of humanity and absolutely could not be abandoned. Even if the Marines came to investigate, he would demand a clear explanation. He would never allow them to trample this place at will.

And on the second day after Olvia's return, just as dawn broke, the warship carrying CP9 suddenly burst into this peaceful land.

Leading them was CP9's commander, Spandine. He had a pointed monkey-like face, a hooked nose, and shifty rat-like eyes. Even when he walked, his mouth and face seemed crooked, and he carried himself with an arrogant air, as if he regarded no one as worthy of notice. Upon landing, Spandam waved his hand and led his men straight toward the library at the center of the island!

The symbol of Ohara—the Tree of Knowledge!