One Piece Space Fruit - Chapter 7
A year and a half later, in the summer.
Ohara Island.
In the vast expanse of the West Blue, this island was quite unremarkable and very ordinary.
However, it was renowned for housing the world’s best archaeologists and the largest library in the world, the “Tree of Knowledge.”
The “Tree of Knowledge,” with its branches and leaves covering the sky, was situated at the island’s center, almost shading the entire island. This ancient tree, five thousand years old, housed precious texts from all over the world within its massive trunk.
It contained the world’s richest knowledge.
Almost omniscient, it was called the “Tree of Knowledge.”
Anyone seeing this towering tree reaching into the clouds for the first time would be awe-struck, without exception.
Whether they were amazed by its grandeur or impressed by its vast knowledge, the reaction was always the same.
CP9 member Nivea was hidden among the street crowd. She occasionally glanced up at the outline of the “Tree of Knowledge,” and even her almost emotionless heart couldn’t help but ripple.
She had received direct orders from the highest ruler of the World Government—the Five Elders—to come and investigate some crucial information ahead of time.
It was about the “Poneglyphs!”
She had been incredibly shocked upon receiving the news. The “Poneglyphs” were a taboo of the World Government!
That blank century was the most feared secret; whoever touched it would die!
There were accurate reports of scholars researching the “Poneglyphs” being captured at sea, with a high likelihood that they came from Ohara Island!
Although it was just a guess, the Five Elders had sent her, a CP9 member, to investigate. Considering CP9 was a secret intelligence agency directly under the World Government, this highlighted the seriousness of the matter.
Nivea wrapped herself tighter in her black trench coat, blending in perfectly with ordinary pedestrians.
Suddenly, someone in the crowd bumped into her.
Surrounded by dense crowds, there was no way to avoid it. Nivea had no choice but to collide directly with the figure.
“Ah!”
The other person fell to the ground. Nivea looked closely and saw through her glasses a delicate-looking boy with sun-kissed, tousled hair, sword-like eyebrows, and especially bright, starry eyes that made her take a second look.
“Sorry, big sister,” the boy, who looked about thirteen, apologized frantically.
“It’s okay,” Nivea adjusted her glasses and extended a hand to help him up.
The boy grasped her hand, thanked her again after getting up, and hurriedly disappeared into the crowd behind her.
Nivea didn’t think much of this little accident and continued to her rendezvous point from a few days ago, where a CP9 member was supposed to meet her today.
With her keen investigative skills, she hadn’t noticed a barely visible silver mark left on the back of her hand.
The boy had slipped into an alley and suddenly disappeared.
The top of the “Tree of Knowledge”!
The boy suddenly appeared at the highest point of the tree branches, overlooking the city below, the forests, the mountains, and the blue sea beyond the island.
High up, the clouds were misty. Below, houses looked like matchboxes, scattered neatly.
In Evan’s eyes, another scene unfolded—the world was dark, with only a dozen or so silver flashes gleaming brightly.
They were like bright coordinates within his perception range.
“The World Government finally made a move!”
Evan sighed slightly, his eyes serious. What was destined to come had arrived.
“Let the storm come even more fiercely!”
His tone turned cold, and his aura surged!
He stood like an unsheathed sword, exuding an overwhelming presence!
Even the surrounding clouds seemed to pause.
After a while, he restrained his aura, and his figure flashed, disappearing from the tree trunk.
Today was Robin’s doctoral qualification test.
Passing the doctoral qualification test was very rigorous at the “Tree of Knowledge” library. It was a fair and authoritative test that many well-read students had to overcome. This resulted in most scholars at the “Tree of Knowledge” being middle-aged or older.
Two days ago, an eight-year-old Robin had registered for the doctoral exam, shocking the elderly scholars.
If she passed, it would be unprecedented!
Although Evan knew the original story, he couldn’t help but worry for Robin while waiting outside. Who knew if his presence had changed anything?
He almost used his abilities to peek inside.
In the end, his rational side stopped him.
He was truly concerned and a bit overwhelmed by his emotions.
After what felt like a long wait, Robin came out dressed in a purple-blue dress. She glanced at Evan and said, “The training maniac also came here?”
“I care about you,” Evan said awkwardly, rubbing his nose. He quickly asked, “So, how was the exam?”
He sounded like a father asking his daughter about her studies.
Robin rolled her eyes and said, “The doctoral qualification exam at the ‘Tree of Knowledge’ is the world’s most stringent review. It’s not that simple!”
“Uh, well, if you don’t pass this time, there’s always next time. Don’t be too discouraged…” Evan hurriedly comforted her.
“I wasn’t finished,” Robin stuck out her pink tongue. “But, someone as smart as me passed the scholar qualification exam smoothly, and I even got a perfect score!”
Evan was stunned and couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He was completely tricked by this little girl.
“Little Robin is recognized as a genius by our ‘Tree of Knowledge’ scholars. How could she not pass a mere doctoral exam?”
A trembling voice rang out. An old man walked out of the “Tree of Knowledge” library. His hair and beard were like round fans, extending outward from his face. Despite his advanced age, his wise eyes shone brightly with wisdom.
“Professor Clover,” Evan greeted the old man respectfully.
Professor Clover is an authority in archaeology and the head of the “Tree of Knowledge” library.
Evan greatly admired Professor Clover, not only because he cared for Robin but also because of his dedication to historical truth.
Professor Clover nodded to Evan, then instructed Robin, “Robin, remember to forget what you saw before.”
Robin’s eyes dimmed as she held Evan’s sleeve silently.
Seeing this, Evan spoke up, “Professor Clover, is it about the Poneglyphs?”
Professor Clover was shocked, looking at Evan with a bit of panic, “Evan, you know too?”
Evan nodded.
Professor Clover looked at him, then at Robin holding his sleeve, and sighed, “Knowing those contents brings no benefit, only trouble! For centuries, countless scholars have perished studying them. Our secret research is the only way, this is the mission of Ohara!”
“You two must remember! Never speak those four words again, and stay away from anything related! Otherwise, do not approach the Tree of Knowledge!”
With that, Professor Clover walked away with heavy steps, his old figure looking even more aged.
Evan watched him leave and sighed, “Robin, Professor Clover is trying to protect you.”
Robin stared at the closing library doors, seeming to understand something.
“Remember, you promised to treat me to vanilla ice cream if you passed the exam,” she suddenly said with a bell-like laugh.
“Of course, I wouldn’t forget, my little glutton,” Evan said, pulling her hand. They vanished instantly from where they stood.
It was afternoon.
The bustling town streets were bathed in the glow of twilight. As night fell, the colorful lights of the town mingled with the fading sunset, creating a scene of peace and harmony.
Evan walked with Robin through the lively night market.
Squinting, Evan savored a vanilla ice cream, enjoying the rare and fleeting tranquility.
“Evan,” Robin looked up at him.
“What is it?” Evan asked.
“You seem preoccupied.”
“…”
Evan had no words. Was it that obvious?
Thinking about it, he realized that he had been a bit tense ever since CP9 arrived on the island.
Despite having anticipated this and made thorough preparations, facing the impending catastrophe was unsettling for anyone.
“Little girl, just remember, no matter what, I will protect you,” Evan said, gently squeezing her soft hand.
“Okay,” Robin smiled, instinctively holding his hand tighter.
Evan sighed inwardly.
Most importantly, you must be safe.
If events followed the original story, CP9’s invasion and the Buster Call would destroy the scholars and the “Tree of Knowledge,” leaving the eight-year-old Robin with a tragic fate, losing all her loved ones and wandering the world alone with the title “Demon Child” for twenty years.
Robin might have lived in darkness and loneliness forever if not for meeting the Straw Hat Pirates.
How could he let her face such a cruel future alone?
If there had to be a Demon Child, let it be him.
Evan made up his mind and said, “Little girl, I have something to do tonight, so I won’t be coming back.”
“Is it important?” Robin’s heart skipped a beat.
“Yes. Very important.”
Evan looked up at the darkening sky, the sun’s rays fading away.
Under the dark sky, tonight would be a perfect night for action.
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