And so.
After a brief lull,
Destruction resumed.
It was as if Sakazuki had poured all of his suppressed fury and frustration into this island that was "never supposed to exist."
The ignorant islanders, who had thought the worst was over, were once again plunged into panic.
Magma shells rained down from the sky like a volcanic eruption, striking the earth with searing heat and violent blasts.
No one absolutely no one could survive under this cataclysmic onslaught.
After all, not everyone was named Ozz.
"Why?! Why are the Navy slaughtering civilians?!"
"Damn it! I only came to Ohara to restock my goods!"
"I'm a noble from the neighboring island, you can't just AARGH!!"
It didn't matter who you were guilty or innocent.
An indiscriminate purge was underway.
And in the midst of this apocalyptic nightmare, two figures casually passed through, silently witnessing the fall of a land doomed by its own arrogance… or ideals.
Every now and then, they'd pull out a Den Den Mushi and record a few scenes. No one stopped them no one dared stop them. After all, Ozz had made a deal with the Five Elders: the footage was for personal archives only and would never be leaked.
And so.
Whether CP agents, Navy soldiers, or even the magma shells crashing down from above everything seemed to conveniently steer clear of a ten-meter radius around them.
In the middle of this obliterated zone, a bizarre ten-meter "safe zone" had been carved out, untouched by chaos.
Naturally, it didn't take long for the panicked civilians fleeing in every direction to notice this miracle.
Driven by desperation, they surged toward the sanctuary even if it meant trampling friends and family beneath their feet.
Upon seeing this, both the Navy and CP9 hesitated to act rashly. They stood at the edges, faces grim, only attacking those who were shoved out of the circle.
The crowd, watching this unfold, grew even more convinced:
Stay close to these two unknown men, and you'll live.
"…Hey, I'm not some kind of savior, you know."
Watching the swelling tide of people, some nearly brushing up against him, Ozz raised a brow.
He wasn't a saint. He wasn't about to risk his neck fighting the World Government for a bunch of strangers.
If anyone was to blame for this mess, it was those audacious scholars or, failing that, the World Government itself.
But it sure as hell wasn't Ozz's problem.
Snap.
With a crisp flick of his fingers, the cacophony within the ten-meter radius abruptly vanished. The refugees were instantly pushed back, now standing well outside the boundary.
The moment the Navy and CP realized what had happened, they moved in without hesitation.
But when the civilians tried to rush back into the safe zone, they were met with despair they were instantly teleported dozens or even hundreds of meters away the moment they crossed the boundary!
Still, some refused to give up. Driven by pure survival instinct, they charged again and again.
"Such tenacity… their will to live is impressive."
Mihawk observed the scene coldly, murmuring to himself.
But he was not the type to meddle not today.
"…It's about time. We should get moving. It'll be months before we return to Ohara again."
Ozz tucked the Den Den Mushi back into his coat, then suddenly turned to Mihawk, an odd look in his eye.
"…Also, looks like some brat snuck aboard our ship, Little Hawk."
One Hour Earlier – Ohara, Forest Behind the Island
A giant was running through the woods, his expression twisted with urgency. Even as shells rained down nearby, he didn't slow down.
Cradled in his massive palm was a little girl, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Please, Saul. I want to be with Mama!"
"You can't, Robin! You have to survive!
Tell the world… Ohara fought against the World Government!!"
Saul was pushing himself to the brink to fulfill Olivia's final request.
Thanks to his giant's height, he could see clearly: the Navy had completely encircled Ohara. With Sakazuki personally leading the Buster Call, there was no escape by sea.
There had been a glimmer of hope, relying on Kuzan's hesitation and mercy so long as Sakazuki didn't land on the island, maybe they could've slipped away.
But Sakazuki wasn't Kuzan. Right now, all he wanted was total annihilation.
What do I do…?
What can I do…?
Saul, panting, scanned the landscape then spotted something at the base of a cliff.
It wasn't docked at the port, but there it was: The Oro Jackson, quietly anchored below the cliffs, its presence concealed beneath Ozz's massive Haki field. No one dared approach.
Saul's heart leapt. A bold plan formed in his mind.
It was a long shot dangerous but it was the only shot left.
At the very least…
If they meet Black Gun Ozz, maybe… just maybe, Robin will survive.
Staying here meant certain death.
Without another thought, Saul broke into a sprint. As Robin gasped at the sudden shift in weight, he leapt off the cliff straight into the sea below.
With water rising up to his chest, Saul gently placed Robin onto the deck of the Oro Jackson, his expression tense.
"Robin, quick hide inside the cabin!"
But little Robin clung to the rail, reaching out toward him, her tear-streaked face full of anguish.
"No! Don't leave me here alone!"
Despite her pleas, Saul hardened his heart. He backed away slowly, creating distance between himself and the ship.
"Robin, listen to me carefully. Right now, the only person on this island who can protect you from the Navy and the World Government… is Black Gun Ozz.
Stay on this ship. As long as you're here, they won't dare lay a finger on you.
You must survive, Robin!"
And with that… Saul was gone.
Robin didn't know where he went, or what happened to him.
All she could do was remember his final words and act on them.
She quietly slipped below deck, found a large barrel, and curled up inside, her tiny frame trembling.
Tears still streaked her cheeks…
And before long, she cried herself to sleep.
She didn't know how much time had passed.
But the sound of approaching footsteps snapped her awake.
Her body stiffened with fear. She didn't even dare to breathe.
The footsteps were close. And… she could hear voices:
"Next stop, let's visit the old man…
It's been years. Might as well head back to the New World for a bit."
"Do we have to go through Reverse Mountain and Fish-Man Island?"
"Nah. We just left Sabaody. Going back for coating would be a pain.
We'll cut through the Calm Belt or if there's a shortcut, maybe fly the ship over the Red Line."
The conversation drifted for a while, followed by a door opening… then closing.
Robin thought they had left. She finally exhaled, her heart easing.
But then.
Clunk!
The lid of the barrel was yanked open, and a mischievously handsome face appeared above her.
Robin's eyes widened in horror, her face going pale.
She nearly fainted.
"Just kidding. Gotcha~"
----------------------------------------------------
[ Preview for the next: A Slave Contract? …Doesn't Sound Too Bad
After the fall of Ohara, a young and terrified Nico Robin finds herself face-to-face with a pirate unlike any she's ever known, Ozz. Cold eyes, a sharp tongue, and a twisted sense of humor… and yet, he doesn't kill her. Not immediately.
Faced with the possibility of being thrown overboard, Robin makes a desperate plea to live—and Ozz, ever the opportunist, offers her a deal. One that comes in the form of a neatly penned slave contract.
But maybe, just maybe, this terrifying new chapter in her life… isn't the end. It might just be the beginning. ]
(We're a hundred chapters deep on P@treon. Out here, the war's just starting. In there? It's already on fire.)
Impatient? Same. Hit up my P@treon for future chaos!
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