Hearing news about his mother.
Robin's eyes widened instantly, and he took a step forward excitedly, forgetting his fear.
"You... you know my mother? She's back? Where is she?!"
"According to our intelligence, she has indeed returned, and she brought a warning."
Roy confirmed,
"She is most likely at the Tree of Knowledge now, or at home. We must find her and the other scholars as soon as possible."
"Mom's back..."
Robin murmured, overwhelmed by immense joy and the urge to see her mother immediately.
Without thinking twice, she turned and ran toward the Tree of Knowledge where the scholars had gathered, a place she remembered from her memories.
"Little Robin! Wait!"
Saul shouted hurriedly, but Robin's small figure had already rushed out.
"Follow her."
Roy said something to Tesoro and Bullet, then nodded to Saul.
"Mr. Saul, if you still care about this island and its people..."
It would be best if this child and her mother came along too; it's always good to have an extra helper.
After saying that, Roy moved swiftly, chasing after Robin like a ghost. His speed seemed slow, but he closed the distance between them in just a few steps.
Tesoro transformed into a golden bolt of lightning, easily following beside Robin.
Bullet grinned and strode after him, each step causing the ground to tremble slightly.
Saul watched their retreating figures, then glanced back at the strange spaceship ( Ark Maxim ) anchored on the shore. Gritting his teeth, he took huge strides and followed.
He couldn't abandon little Robin no matter what, and although Roy's words were unbelievable, there seemed to be no better option at the moment.
He couldn't imagine the consequences if the Navy really launched the " Buster Call ".
Led anxiously by Robin, the group quickly traversed the forest and arrived at the heart of Ohara.
The scene before them, in the area where the Tree of Knowledge was located, made Robin and Saul's hearts sink.
The once tranquil and peaceful academic sanctuary is now filled with a tense and tragic atmosphere.
Many scholars and their assistants are busy inside and outside the Tree of Knowledge, but not conducting research; rather, they are...
Packing books, organizing materials, and some even putting heavy classic texts into waterproof boxes.
They tried to move it to the clear lake under the tree.
"What are you all doing?"
Robin stopped, panting, and looked at everything in confusion.
Roy's gaze swept across the room, instantly locking onto Dr. Clover, who was surrounded by a group of older scholars.
He was directing the crowd, his face solemn and resolute.
Robin couldn't find her mother, so she anxiously ran towards a young scholar she knew.
"Uncle Clover! Where's my mom? Where's Olvia's mom?"
The young scholar, known as Clover, was initially surprised to see Robin, but then a complex expression appeared on his face.
" Robin?"
"Why are you here? It's dangerous here! Your mother..."
"She came back, but after leaving a warning, she rushed out to look for you again! Didn't she go home?"
Looking for me?
Robin was taken aback, then became even more anxious.
I didn't see her at home!
"Then she might still be looking for you elsewhere on the island!"
"Quickly, get out of here, go find her, and then find a way to leave Ohara!" Clover said urgently.
Just then,
Dr. Clover also noticed the commotion, especially Saul's enormous figure and Roy, who were clearly not residents of the island.
He walked over with a furrowed brow, surrounded by several scholars.
"Mr. Saul, and who are these other gentlemen?"
Dr. Clover's eyes were filled with vigilance.
Saul opened his mouth, unsure how to explain.
Seeing this, Roy stepped forward, meeting Dr. Clover's scrutinizing gaze, and directly stated his purpose.
Dr. Clover, it's a pleasure to meet you.
I am Roy, sent to Ohara at the request of Monkey D. Dragon.
Hopefully this will offer you some help, at least... protecting some people and knowledge from leaving.
"Dragon?"
Dr. Clover's eyes gleamed; he clearly knew something about the name.
The scholars who overheard this also showed expressions of surprise and uncertainty.
"Mr. Dragon learned that the World Government might take extreme action against Ohara."
But he was too far away to reach everyone, so he contacted me.
Roy explained succinctly,
"We arrived in a special vessel, before the naval fleet."
"Doctor, time is of the essence. Please immediately gather your core personnel and most important research findings, and leave with us."
Dr. Clover gave Roy a deep look, as if judging the truthfulness of his words and his intentions.
After a moment, he slowly shook his head, his aged voice carrying an undeniable firmness.
"Mr. Roy, thank you and Mr. Long for your kindness. However, we will not be leaving."
"What?"
Robin and Saul exclaimed in unison.
Even Tesoro raised an eyebrow, while Bullet snorted, seemingly thinking these scholars were ungrateful.
" Ohara is our root, Tree of Knowledge is a symbol of our wisdom."
Dr. Clover surveyed the scholars around him who had stopped working and were looking at him. His voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"We study history and seek the truth not to live a life of ignominy."
"If we abandon all of this out of fear of destruction, then what is the point of our research, of the 'truth' we pursue?"
We will live and die with Ohara and the Tree of Knowledge.
"That's right! The doctor is correct!"
"We're not leaving!"
Knowledge can be taken away, but the spirit cannot be subdued!
Many older scholars echoed this sentiment, their faces displaying martyr-like expressions.
Roy was speechless for a moment, silently criticizing the rigid thinking and idealism of these scholars.
Only by living can we continue our research; death truly ends everything. Truth and spirit are nothing but emptiness under the shadow of gunfire.
But he also understood,
For these people who value scholarship and beliefs more than life itself
Forcing them to leave might be more painful than killing them.
"I understand your beliefs."
Roy suppressed his helplessness and quickly said,
"But, Doctor, knowledge itself is innocent; it is the common wealth of humankind."
"Do you really want your life's research, those precious ancient books, and your interpretation of Poneglyph to be..."
Did they all turn to ashes along with Ohara, completely buried by the World Government?
"So that future generations can never access this hidden history?"
Dr. Clover fell silent; this was precisely his greatest source of pain.
Roy struck while the iron was hot.
I'm not forcing everyone to leave.
"But at least, let young researchers, let those seeds that still have a future and can continue to explore, live on!"
"Take away the most important books and research findings! Preserve these sparks of hope for humanity!"
Isn't this more valuable than a meaningless sacrifice?