One Piece: The Avengers

Shanter's heart was a tangled mess.

During the recent battle, all his focus had been on the fight, leaving no room to address the doubts and turmoil in his mind.

"CP9! The Navy! What exactly did the people of this island do to deserve such destruction? Is studying history truly a crime? They're even claiming some nonsense about awakening ancient weapons. This is nothing but an excuse to impose guilt!"

"This is justice? If the Navy Headquarters are like this, can the rest of the Navy be any better?"

Ever since his home was destroyed, Shanter had dedicated himself to becoming a Navy officer—not just for revenge but to uphold the justice he believed in. To him, the World Government was an exalted and incorruptible institution. However, the words of Saul and his own observations today had shattered that image completely.

"Forget it. I need to find the girl first. Everything else can wait."

Ignoring the blood seeping from his left shoulder, Shanter sprinted toward the Tree of Omniscience.

As he neared, he noticed thick smoke rising from the tree.

"Damn it, what's going on?" Shanter silently prayed, Please let the girl be safe.

When he arrived, what he saw broke his heart.

Little Robin stood before Olvia's back, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed, "I'm Robin! I've grown up! Don't you remember me? I've been waiting for you to come back! Aren't you really my mother? I've always wished someone would hold my hand and take a walk with me. I studied so hard to become an archaeologist, to read the historical texts—just so I could be with you!"

At that moment, Robin seemed to forget Saul, Clover, and Shanter's warnings not to reveal she was an archaeologist. Or perhaps she had said it deliberately, hoping it would allow her to stay with her mother. But it no longer mattered.

Hearing Robin's cries, Olvia fell to her knees, covering her face as tears poured out.

Nearby, Shanter buried his face in his hands. "Oh, this silly girl. I told her not to say she's an archaeologist. Now we're in trouble."

The Buster Call bombardment began, shells raining down on Ohara.

Spandine, his face pale with fear, stared at the crying Robin. "That kid! She can read the historical texts?!"

The archaeologists were equally shocked. Robin's admission rendered Olvia's efforts meaningless. Clover, his voice frail, called out, "Stop talking, Robin!" Shanter, however, did not intervene. Perhaps he thought it was too late, or maybe he couldn't bear for Robin and her mother to remain unacknowledged even now.

Robin seemed oblivious to their protests. Her gaze remained fixed on Olvia as she pleaded, "So let me stay with you, Mom!"

Olvia finally turned to look at her heartbroken daughter. "Robin!"

A shell landed near Spandine, who shouted angrily, "What is this? We haven't evacuated yet! Are they trying to kill us too?"

One of the senior CP9 agents pointed at Robin, his expression grim. "That kid said she's an archaeologist!"

Covered in soot from the explosion, Spandine dusted himself off, clearly shaken. "Yes, she did say that… though who knows if it's true."

Sweating profusely, Spandine tried to maintain composure (though, in Shanter's opinion, he never had much dignity to begin with). "No matter. If there's any doubt, eliminate her. Remember her face and don't let her leave this island. We're retreating!"

"What about Olvia?" a CP9 officer asked.

Another explosion rocked the area. Spandine, visibly panicked, yelled, "Forget her! At this point, she's irrelevant. If we stay, we'll all die!"

Without waiting for a response, Spandine fled like a startled rabbit, rushing toward the warships while muttering, "My life is the most important!"

CP9 agents followed suit, retreating en masse.

Robin slowly approached the kneeling Olvia, took her hand, and knelt beside her, tears brimming in her eyes. "I've always wanted to hold your hand like this… forever."

Olvia looked at the tear-streaked Robin, and before she could finish her words, Olvia pulled her into a tight embrace.

Feeling her mother's arms around her, Robin cried out emotionally, "Mom!"

Clover lowered his head in sorrow. "This is all my fault. Robin, is it true you can read the historical texts? If only I had realized sooner…"

"I'm sorry. Even though none of you wanted me to learn, I couldn't help it. I had to understand," Robin whispered as she clung tightly to her mother.

"You've done something incredible," Olvia said, gently stroking Robin's head, her tone filled with pride. "Not everyone could achieve what you have. You're amazing, Robin."

Hearing her mother's praise, Robin buried herself in Olvia's arms, sobbing with joy. She had always dreamed of being praised and loved by her mother like this.

Clover spoke urgently, "We're running out of time. Olvia, take Robin and escape! If you can get her to a refuge ship, she'll survive."

"You make it sound so easy! That man is a CP9 commander—Robin will definitely be targeted!" Shanter, unable to stay quiet any longer, finally stepped forward.

"You must be Shanter. Then, I have a favor to ask—" Olvia began.

"You want me to take care of Robin? No! You're her mother! You should be the one to protect her!" Shanter shouted, his voice trembling with emotion. "Do you know what she's been through all these years? Do you know how much she's missed you? Now that she's finally found you, you want to leave her again? What kind of mother does that?!"

"Shanter…" Robin's soft voice broke through his anger, making him realize he had crossed a line.

"Listen, everyone," Shanter said, addressing them all with urgency. "Olvia, take Robin and run. Saul is at the shore with a raft. With him, you'll have a chance. I'll handle those three who heard Robin's confession. If I don't, Robin will definitely be hunted!"

"But they're CP9!" Olvia protested.

"I know! But I'll deal with them. Just go!" Shanter's face turned red with determination. "Take her and escape! Now!"

"...I can't…"

Shanter ignored Olvia, turning to Robin with a gaze that seemed to imprint her image in his heart. "Robin, listen. Leave with your mom. I'll find you once I'm done."

"No! Brother, let's go together!" Robin pleaded, her heart aching at the thought of parting from Shanter.

Suddenly, Shanter pulled Robin into a tight embrace, bending down to kiss her smooth cheek. Despite being only nine years old, Shanter already stood at 1.6 meters, towering over Robin.

Suppressing the urge to kiss her lips, he tightened his hold. "Be good, Robin. Listen to me."

With that, Shanter turned and ran toward the retreating CP9 agents, ignoring Robin's desperate cries. He couldn't afford to look back, knowing that if he did, he might lose all resolve.

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