Warships Open Fire

The library doors were suddenly kicked open. A CP9 agent dressed in black barged in expressionlessly, glanced at the panicked historians inside, and coldly ordered, "Stop what you're doing at once. All of you, get outside. We're searching this place."

Whoosh.

The historians working in the library immediately fell into chaos. Dr. Clover calmly rose from his seat and sighed helplessly. "How rough."

"Hmph, we're carrying out official business. No matter who you are, leave this place immediately!" Spandine entered afterward and waved at Clover. "Don't make things difficult for us, or CP9 won't be polite!"

Clover waved to everyone, signaling for them to leave the library first.

But before the crowd could leave, a squad of CP9 agents in black suits stormed into the library menacingly. Without explanation, they ransacked cabinets and overturned boxes, immediately conducting a brutal and overbearing search. Before long, the place was in complete disarray, with many precious research materials strewn all over the floor.

Clover shook his head repeatedly. Just as he was about to say something, someone forcibly shoved him out.

Standing at the library entrance and listening to the increasingly violent commotion inside, Clover frowned anxiously. He stepped up to the guards at the door. "We don't oppose your search, but please respect everything here. You must understand that those materials are priceless."

"Hmph, old man, do you think CP9 intelligence agents need to listen to your opinion?" The guard stared expressionlessly at Clover, pointed at the ground by his feet, and warned him not to come any closer. Otherwise, they would not be polite.

Before long, Spandine emerged from the library with a gloomy expression. He coldly swept his gaze over the bewildered historians and snorted. "Take them all away. I now have reason to suspect that you participated in researching the Void Century. Your actions are crimes forbidden by the Government. Take them away!"

These historians had no idea what was happening. They desperately stepped forward to argue, trying to explain that everything they had done was for the preservation of human history. However, no matter how eloquently they spoke, to CP9 commander Spandine, it was like talking to a cow.

As Spandine ordered the island's historians to be taken away, he pulled a Den Den Mushi from his clothes and reported everything here to Admiral Sengoku.

"Is that so? Did those scholars on the island truly participate in this matter?"

"Absolutely. We've already confirmed it beyond doubt. We found quite a few materials concerning that period in the library, and we also found a Poneglyph in the library basement! Admiral Sengoku, I hope you'll permit me to use the Golden Den Den Mushi!"

Sengoku naturally knew very well what the Golden Den Den Mushi represented. He fell silent for a moment, somewhat hesitant, then requested instructions from the Five Elders. He quickly received an affirmative reply. The Five Elders were decisive on this matter. Since Ohara had participated in research on the Poneglyphs, there was no need for it to remain.

"Very well. The higher-ups have permitted you to use the Golden Den Den Mushi!"

Upon receiving Sengoku's reply, Spandine revealed a smug, vile grin, his frog-like eyes narrowing into slits.

Pulling out the Golden Den Den Mushi from his waist, Spandine disdainfully looked over the beautiful island. Without the slightest hesitation, he forcefully pressed its golden button.

Not long afterward, ten warships appeared on the distant sea. The decks were filled with Marines clad in white capes, each cape bearing the word Justice on its back. Every Marine looked solemn, without the slightest emotion on their face. Whether it was the capes of justice or the Marine insignia bearing a dove of peace, everything felt utterly ironic. Merely because the scholars had researched history, this place was about to face a merciless, inhuman massacre!

"Ah..." It had finally happened. Watching the warships draw closer over the sea, Saul shook his head, helplessness flashing across his face. Though he was a Vice Admiral from Headquarters, he could barely protect himself now. Because he had previously released Olvia, the Marines were hunting him. With the warships arriving and CP9 brutally taking over the island's library, panicked cries rang out everywhere. Innocent civilians who knew nothing ran in all directions, every face filled with terror and helplessness. These abnormal events left Ye Chen and Robin completely stunned as well.

"Saul, what are these people here for?" Ye Chen had not believed Saul before, but at this moment, he had no choice but to believe him. He needed to ask clearly what exactly was going to happen.

Saul's expression was grim and serious as he repeatedly warned, "Ye Chen, you and Robin must escape from here. These warships have come with ill intent. They won't spare this place, especially the historians on the island. Whatever happens, don't tell anyone that Robin is a historian."

"Attention, all island residents! Those historical scholars on the island have done things they should not have done. They are demons, enemies of humanity. Aside from the scholars, everyone else must immediately board the evacuation ships and leave!"

After Aokiji's warship reached the shore, the Marine's voice rang out from its loudspeakers. Although the islanders did not know what had happened, most still believed the Marines. They hurried toward the evacuation ships with their families in tow. Since they were evacuation ships, the Marines naturally would not make things difficult for them.

The Marines also conducted strict inspections of these refugees. Not just anyone was allowed to leave, especially the historians.

"Fire!"

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, this... Vice Admiral Aokiji is still on the island, and the civilians haven't all boarded the evacuation ships yet. Are we really firing?"

A major looked anxiously at Sakazuki. Sakazuki turned around, adjusted the brim of his cap that nearly covered half his face, and coldly ordered, "I don't want to say it a second time. Fire immediately!"

"Y-Yes! Vice Admiral Sakazuki has given the order! All warships, concentrate your fire and bombard the island!"

Boom! Boom! Boom! Amid a barrage of deafening cannon fire, shells whistled out of their barrels and flew over Ohara, crashing down toward the Tree of Knowledge at the island's center. In an instant, artillery thundered and flames shot into the sky. The villagers who had not made it onto the evacuation ships screamed in terror, running and crashing about like headless flies. Their miserable cries rang out without end.

The lush, towering Tree of Knowledge remained standing proudly despite the merciless bombardment. However, the cannon fire grew denser and denser. Everyone understood that the fate of this symbolic tree of the island could no longer be changed—destruction!