[Half a Month Later Ohara Coastline]
Reno had been in O'Hara for half a month. Apart from teasing Robin daily, he spent his time observing the sneaky agents operating in the shadows.
He didn't know the exact date of the Buster Call, only a rough estimate, so he had arrived well ahead of time.
Recently, the World Government had only been sending people to investigate, with no further actions taken yet. However, Reno guessed the Buster Call was approaching. The movements of the agents on the island had become increasingly frequent over the past few days.
Sitting by the shore, Reno gazed at the sea, deep in thought. Dragon was supposed to arrive within the next couple of days, but whether he'd make it in time was still uncertain.
Beside Reno sat a constant companion of late his little fiancée, Robin.
Robin looked at Reno with a pleading expression. "Reno, can you tell me more about Devil Fruits and those who possess abilities?"
Ever since learning that her abilities were due to eating a Devil Fruit and not because she was a "monster," Robin had been pestering Reno daily for more knowledge about them.
She wanted to know more, not to prove herself to others, but to prove it to herself. She had endured years of being labeled a monster by others, but what truly mattered to her was her own perception of herself.
This seemingly simple desire was what drove her, but Reno had been shamelessly exploiting the situation. He refused to explain unless she agreed to his terms.
Hearing Robin's plea, Reno maintained his signature cheeky grin and said, "I've told you already call me husband from now on, or figure it out yourself."
Robin's face darkened upon hearing this familiar response. This stingy guy just knows how to take advantage of me! He's unbearable!
She had tried looking up the information herself, but even in the library of the Tree of Knowledge, there were no books on Devil Fruits. Left with no other choice, she had to rely on this stingy person.
"H-Husband!"
After a moment's hesitation, Robin blushed and quietly muttered the word. The moment it left her lips, her face turned red, and she immediately lowered her head to avoid Reno's gaze.
Reno pretended not to hear her, grinning mischievously. "What was that? I didn't quite catch it. Can you say it again, my little wife?"
Robin's face alternated between shades of red and black. She clenched her fists, glaring at him. This stingy guy is doing this on purpose! He's absolutely infuriating!
Finally, she couldn't hold back anymore and shouted, "Husband! Husband! Husband! Did you hear it this time?!"
Her voice was loud and full of anger. She glared at Reno with a fiery look that screamed, If you dare say you didn't hear it, I'll fight you to the death!
Reno couldn't hide his delight. Internally, he was overjoyed, but he feigned nonchalance, casually rubbing his ears. "My hearing is perfectly fine, you know. No need to shout. People might think I've been mistreating you!"
Robin glared at him, her face full of frustration. This stingy guy! He takes advantage and then pretends to be innocent!
Seeing Robin's flustered state, Reno decided to stop teasing her and began explaining, "Devil Fruits are mysterious in origin and highly valuable. Some people are even willing to kill for them. Publicly known Devil Fruits can sell for at least 100 million Berries."
"They rarely appear in the Four Blues, so most people here don't know about them. The majority of Devil Fruits are found in the Grand Line. More than half of the world's strongest individuals are Devil Fruit users…"
As Reno delved into the details, explaining the powers, types, and value of Devil Fruits, Robin listened intently, her eyes wide and mouth slightly open.
Reno couldn't help but notice her expression. Smirking, he picked up a peanut from his hand and tossed it into her open mouth.
"Cough… cough… What are you doing?!"
Robin choked on the sudden intrusion, coughing violently. Once she recovered, she glared at Reno with eyes full of fire and demanded, "Stingy guy! What was that for?!"
Feigning innocence, Reno replied, "Well, my little wife, your mouth was open so wide. I thought you wanted a peanut. Isn't it a husband's duty to feed his wife?"
Robin's frustration boiled over as she gritted her teeth. After finally getting the answers she wanted, she no longer felt the need to hold back her suppressed anger.
"You… stingy… guy!"
Robin gritted her teeth and shouted every word with fury. Afterward, she charged at Reno, flailing her arms like she was ready to fight him to the death.
Seeing her in such a state, Reno didn't dare tease her any further. He immediately floated into the air, stopping about ten meters above the ground. With a cheeky grin, he waved goodbye.
"My dear wife, it's getting late. Your husband will be heading back now!"
Without waiting for a response, Reno flew off toward the direction of his inn. Once he had gained some distance, he descended and strolled leisurely back.
Robin, watching him grow smaller in the sky, stomped her foot on the ground in frustration. Her eyes gleamed with determination. Next time I see that stingy guy, I'll make sure he pays!
Reno had previously demonstrated his abilities to Robin to gain her trust that he was also a Devil Fruit user. Thus, his ability to fly didn't surprise her anymore.
[Two Days Later Small Inn]
Time passed swiftly, and the atmosphere in O'Hara grew more tense. The number of agents lurking in the shadows had noticeably increased.
Reno guessed these agents were tasked with ensuring that the scholars couldn't leave the island before the Buster Call was executed.
As Reno prepared to leave the inn to find his little wife, a flash of red light passed through his eyes. His Observation Haki showed him that Robin was by the shore, and there was someone with her.
Reno didn't need to guess who it was. He immediately knew. If that person was here, then the Buster Call was imminent.
With that thought, Reno headed straight for the beach. He wasn't sure of the exact timing of the Buster Call, but perhaps he could get some information from this individual.
At the beach, Robin was deep in conversation with a giant. The giant sat like a towering mountain, and Robin, perched on one of his arms, looked as small as an ant in comparison.
"What?! You're Nico Olvia's daughter?!"
Saul, the giant, looked at Robin with wide eyes, utterly shocked. He hadn't expected the island he'd drifted to was O'Hara, nor that the little girl before him was the daughter of his old friend, Nico Olvia.
So many coincidences at once! Saul could hardly believe it. He was not only stunned but also scared. If his heart wasn't strong enough, the sheer shock might have killed him.
Hearing him mention her mother, Robin's face lit up with excitement. "Mister Giant, you know my mom?"
"Dereshishishi…"
Saul laughed his signature laugh before replying, "Not only do I know your mother, but I'm also her friend!"
"Maybe my meeting you here wasn't a coincidence after all. Perhaps it was destiny!" Saul added cryptically, though only he truly understood the meaning behind his words.
Robin's eyes sparkled with joy. Knowing that this giant really knew her mother, she quickly asked, "Where is my mom now? Is she doing well?"
Saul froze at the question. Thoughts of Nico Olvia, who was on the run for studying the Void Century, filled his mind. He hesitated, unsure how to respond.
"She's currently a fugitive, wanted for her research. The Marines are chasing her all over the world. Not long ago, she was even captured. I don't know where she might be hiding now…"
Before Saul could think of a way to phrase it, a voice interrupted from not far away:
"She's safe for now, but not out of danger."
Both Robin and Saul were stunned. Robin was shocked by the information, while Saul was startled by the sudden appearance of the voice.
Saul tensed up, assuming this newcomer was there to capture him. After all, only the World Government and Marines should know such classified information. If this person knew, there was little doubt about his affiliation.
The speaker was Reno, who had just arrived. Hearing Robin's question and seeing Saul's hesitation, he casually stepped in to help.
Reno, however, was completely unaware of Saul's suspicions. If he had known, he would have said, Your assumptions are just assumptions, nothing more.
Saul's gaze locked onto Reno, his eyes full of caution. He tensed and growled, "Who are you?"
At the same time, he assumed a defensive stance, clearly ready to attack if Reno's answer didn't satisfy him.
Robin, finally snapping out of her shock, noticed the tension between the two and quickly stepped between them. She pleaded with Saul, "Mister Giant, he's someone I know. He's not a bad person! Please don't fight!"
Despite Robin's words, Saul remained wary. He could feel that Reno wasn't an ordinary person, which was why he'd been on high alert since the moment Reno appeared.
Reno, noticing Saul's guarded stance, felt a little exasperated. With a helpless expression, he explained, "I'm neither a Marine nor a member of the World Government. There's no need to be so tense. I'm just here for my own reasons."
Saul didn't immediately believe Reno's explanation. He pressed further, "If you're not with the Marines, then how do you know about Nico Olvia?"
Olvia's research on the Void Century was a closely guarded secret. Her capture had been conducted in utmost secrecy, with only the Marines and the World Government privy to the details. Yet here Reno was, fully aware of the situation, even down to the fact that Olvia was no longer in Marine custody. How could Saul not be suspicious?
Reno sighed, sensing the mistrust in Saul's tone. "I came here for Robin. As for your Marines' shady business, I couldn't care less. Believe me or don't it makes no difference to me."
Reno had no intention of explaining further. The only reason he'd said anything was out of consideration for Robin. If Saul pushed him too far, Reno wouldn't hesitate to deal with him.
Killing a vice admiral wasn't difficult for Reno anymore. His mastery of telekinesis had grown significantly, and he could now hold his own against a vice admiral without unleashing his full power. If he did go all out, he could easily eliminate one.
Robin, seeing the tense standoff, anxiously tried to mediate. "Mister Giant, Reno really isn't a bad person! Can't we all just sit down and talk this through?"
"Dereshishishi…"
Saul laughed awkwardly after hearing Robin's plea. He stared at Reno for a moment before finally relaxing and apologizing. "I'm sorry, young man. I've been on the run from the Marines, so I might be a little too cautious. I didn't mean to offend you!"
With that, Saul dropped his defensive stance and sat back down. Gesturing to Reno, he added, "Since you know Robin, why don't you join us? Let's talk."
Saul had noticed during the confrontation that Reno had shown no hostility toward him. His initial assumption that Reno was a threat was just that an assumption born from his heightened wariness.
Reno didn't know what was going through Saul's mind, but he didn't decline the invitation. He walked over and sat down next to Robin.
The moment Reno sat down, Robin eagerly asked, "Reno, what did you mean earlier? Is my mom really being hunted by the Marines? Was she really captured once?"
Reno glanced at Saul before answering, "Your mom is researching something that could greatly threaten the World Government. That's why she's being hunted. She was indeed captured once, but she escaped thanks to him."
Saul flinched at Reno's words. He even knows I helped Olvia escape? Just how much does this guy know?
Seeing Robin's worried expression, Reno reached out and gently patted her head. "Don't worry. Your mom might be a fugitive, but she's safe for now. And soon, she'll be here on this island."
Robin's eyes lit up with hope. "Really? Is that true?"
"Of course," Reno replied confidently.
Robin, reassured, sat quietly, her face filled with excitement. Her constantly changing expressions made it clear she was imagining her reunion with her mother.
Once the conversation settled, Saul hesitated for a moment before asking tentatively, "Young man, since you know about Nico Olvia, do you think her actions are right?"
Reno, who had been watching Robin's expressions, raised an eyebrow at the question. Without hesitation, he replied, "There's nothing wrong with wanting to uncover history. But her methods are unbelievably foolish. All she's done is endanger herself and others."
This world was one ruled by power. Even someone as strong as Gol D. Roger, who had uncovered the truth of the world, didn't choose to reveal it. There had to be a reason some overwhelming force that made revealing the truth pointless.
That was why Roger chose to ignite the Great Pirate Era instead, encouraging countless others to seek the truth for themselves. He knew that simply revealing the truth wouldn't change anything.
Saul frowned at Reno's harsh critique. "Are you saying it's wrong to restore history and let the people know the truth?"
Reno shot him a disdainful look. "You talk about restoring history, but have you ever considered why that history was erased in the first place? What kind of force did the World Government use to wipe it out? Was it by eradicating an entire generation or several?"
"And if history is restored without the strength to back it up, how will you stand against the World Government? What will you do when they come for you?"
Reno gestured around them. "Take this island, for example. You already know its fate, don't you? What do you have to resist the World Government and the Marines?"
Saul fell silent, his face pale. Reno's words hit him like a hammer, forcing him to confront a painful reality.
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