Carrying the enormous mainmast, Lin Yuan soon reached the shore with Robin, whose dozen or so little hands held different tools.
Even though Robin's load was much lighter, her little face was flushed with exhaustion, and a fine sheen of sweat had formed on her forehead.
Robin never complained of being tired, and Lin Yuan didn't take pity on her for it. After all, this was the world of pirates.
Even if he could protect Robin from harm at the hands of marines and pirates, Lin Yuan wouldn't stop her from doing things like this just because she was young.
Robin had no complaints whatsoever. She was even glad to be able to help.
At that moment, a ship over ten meters long was moored in a secluded corner of the shore.
With the enormous mainmast on his shoulder, Lin Yuan leaped directly aboard with Robin.
Working together, the two quickly installed the parts.
It was a three-masted sailing ship. To make it faster, Lin Yuan had sacrificed many things, so the cabin wasn't very large, but it could still accommodate three to five people.
He had also built a device beneath the ship that could be operated by hand to make it go faster.
Looking at his masterpiece, Lin Yuan felt secretly proud, and Robin was just as proud beside him.
By now, the sky was gradually growing dark, so Lin Yuan decided to make a barbecue on the shore.
He had stocked the cabin with plenty of food and fruit, as well as some gold coins and clothing. There was nothing else.
The two feasted on the shore, and Robin gradually relaxed as she ate the delicious food.
"Brother Lin Yuan, will Ohara really be destroyed? Is there really no way to save everyone?"
Although Ohara's residents hadn't treated Robin well because of her fruit ability, she didn't want to stand by and watch them be killed.
"Ordinary people should be sent aboard evacuation ships once their identities are confirmed, but the scholars on the island and Ohara..."
Lin Yuan didn't finish, but Robin already knew what he meant.
"Oh, right, Robin, if I'm not by your side when the time comes, don't be afraid. Just follow your giant friend. I'll find you."
Although Robin didn't know what Lin Yuan was planning, she nodded obediently.
"Mm, I'll remember. Brother Lin Yuan, be careful when the time comes. I really hope this won't happen."
Lin Yuan fell silent. He hoped so too. If he were given another ten years, he was confident he wouldn't have to fear even an Admiral.
But this was Ohara.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Lin Yuan personally escorted Robin back. With his strength, avoiding the CP agents was all too easy.
All that remained was to wait quietly.
In fact, Lin Yuan could have simply taken Robin away, and there would have been no more danger. But after all these years together,
he also knew Robin's dream and the wish she clung to: she wanted to see her mother, Nico Olvia.
As Lin Yuan recalled, the two had indeed met briefly, but it had also been their last meeting. Faced with a choice between life and death, they had been forced apart, and Olvia had ultimately perished in the fire that engulfed the Tree of Knowledge.
With Saul's help and Aokiji letting her go, Robin had successfully escaped Ohara and become the youngest wanted criminal-the Devil Child.
What Lin Yuan wanted to do was see if he could save Olvia. As for the others, he had neither the inclination nor the strength.
He wouldn't confront Sakazuki and Kuzan, who were close to an Admiral in strength, for the sake of a few strangers.
Two days passed quickly. Just in case, Lin Yuan bought another large supply of provisions and fresh water, and also scouted the island.
That day, a figure completely covered by a cloak appeared at the Tree of Knowledge, instantly catching Lin Yuan's attention.
Although he hadn't awakened Observation Haki yet, his senses were extremely sharp, and he was certain it was Robin's mother, Olvia.
She had just escaped back to Ohara, bringing news that the marines were about to launch a Buster Call.
But CP had been watching everything and had already discovered her. Even Spandine had appeared.
Just as in the original story, Robin met her mother, only for them to be forced apart again.
If he hadn't known the original story, Lin Yuan would have almost intervened at the sight of Robin's tear-streaked face, but in the end he held back.
After all these years, he had long since come to regard Robin, who had kept him company, as family.
The marine warships had also long been ready at sea.
When Spandine pressed the Golden Den Den Mushi, endless cannon fire blanketed all of Ohara.
Seeing the Tree of Knowledge set ablaze by the bombardment, Lin Yuan knew it was time to act.
Although shells rained down across all of Ohara, the bombardment around the Tree of Knowledge was even fiercer.
Lin Yuan braved the explosions all around him and charged straight toward the Tree of Knowledge. To move faster, he cut some of the shells in half.
What he didn't know was that when he inadvertently used a Flying Slash, he caught the attention of Kuzan, who had clashed with Sakazuki.
"So there's a master swordsman here too. Interesting. But I'd better go see my old friend first. I hope you survive the Buster Call."
Aokiji muttered to himself, and it was unclear whether he was talking about Lin Yuan or his old friend.
By the time Lin Yuan rushed into the Tree of Knowledge, a raging fire was already burning inside, and many scholars had perished in the flames.
Many others were desperately beating at the burning books, paying no attention to their own safety.
"They're about to lose their lives, and they're still worrying about these books. Is that admirable or tragic?"
Lin Yuan didn't know how he felt at that moment either. All he wanted now was to find Olvia as quickly as possible.
Fortunately, her white hair, though somewhat dirty and disheveled, was distinctive enough to catch Lin Yuan's attention.
Olvia was also fighting desperately to put out the fire, her eyes full of grief and sorrow.
I don't know if Robin will survive. I'll never see her again, though.
Just as Olvia was thinking of Robin, a somewhat youthful but determined voice suddenly rang out.
"Aunt Olvia, come with me, quickly."
It was Lin Yuan. His whole body was also covered by a cloak, and he frowned at the fire and smoke surrounding him.
"Child, who are you? What are you doing here? Run!"
Olvia was shocked as she looked at Lin Yuan. Though he was nearly as tall as she was, his face was still youthful.
This was the inside of the Tree of Knowledge, and the people around them were all scholars. She had never seen this child before.
But seeing the flames all around them and realizing there was no way out, Olvia grew even more sorrowful.
"Damn the World Government! Why won't they spare even a child? Don't be afraid, child. I'll protect you."
As Lin Yuan stared in bewilderment, Olvia suddenly embraced him, and then he heard her voice.
Lin Yuan was touched, but also somewhat speechless. I came here to save someone, but I never expected to experience a mother's love.
"Aunt Olvia, there's no time to explain. If you want to see Robin, come with me."
Lin Yuan shouted, rousing the somewhat dazed Olvia, and grabbed her as he rushed outside.
By now, flames filled the entire interior of the Tree of Knowledge. Most of the people had long since perished in the fire, and the books covering the walls were all burning.
But Lin Yuan paid them no mind. Seeing that the way out was completely blocked, he suddenly took off his cloak and covered Olvia with it.
"Child, don't worry about me. Run!"
Olvia grew anxious too. She didn't know what Lin Yuan intended to do, then suddenly noticed that the cloak was wet.
Lin Yuan had soaked the cloak before coming in, and it could help Olvia hold out for a little while.
"I'm fine. Hold on a little longer. We'll be out soon."
Olivia wanted to say something, but the thought of Robin rekindled her hope of living.
Looking at the roaring flames that almost completely engulfed the passage, Lin Yuan suddenly drew a deep breath.
"Whoosh..."
In an instant, a blast of freezing air froze everything around them.
"Go..."
The two rushed out of the Tree of Knowledge in an instant. As the fire inside grew fiercer, the ice at the opening gradually melted.
As the two watched, the entire Tree of Knowledge was swallowed up by the flames.