Under the cover of night, on the west bank of Hachinosu Island, waves gently lapped against the rocks, creating a soothing sound.
The scholars' bonfire danced on the beach, casting Olvia's shadow long.
"Olvia, this is what you wanted."
Clover handed Olvia a well-preserved manuscript of news records.
"I didn't expect, Doctor, that you actually had it!" Looking at the well-preserved news manuscript, she sat with her knees hugged by the fire, her fingertips unconsciously caressing it.
"This is the first report that made Rear Admiral Gern famous in the West Blue Branch back then," Clover chuckled.
Because it was the first time a new star appeared in the Marine of West Blue, Clover, as editor-in-chief, would keep a manuscript when publishing such significant news.
Later, when Morgans monopolized all news businesses, Clover resigned and came to Ohara, taking his "treasures" with him, and he still carried them when he went to sea.
"Why do you want to see his news, Olvia?" Clover looked at Olvia's serious expression, somewhat puzzled.
"Because he chose to let us go even after knowing what we were researching..."
"Is there a problem with that?"
"The problem is... he's seen other Poneglyphs..." Olvia murmured, the firelight casting a golden edge on her pale hair.
"Olvia?" At that moment, Wei walked over with hot tea, the flickering flames reflecting in her glasses.
"You should rest; tomorrow, everyone needs to work together..."
"I'm going to see that Marine Rear Admiral." She suddenly stood up, the news manuscript crumpled in her hand.
"Are you crazy?! We just barely finished all of this!" Wei's teacup almost spilled, and Clover was also shocked by her action.
He quickly lowered his voice and urged, "Olvia, people change. What I said this afternoon was just a guess. If you go to him now..."
"I know."
"You know, but still..."
"But what if he really has seen other Poneglyphs?" Olvia interrupted them, her eyes blazing with a light more fervent than the bonfire.
"This is our closest chance to the truth after searching for so long at sea!
The fact that he let us go means he has seen other Poneglyphs; he knows all of this.
Every time we've been at sea for so long, it's been a near-death experience, and we've sacrificed many companions just to get one rubbing from Sky Island.
We shouldn't waste any more time!
Instead of aimlessly searching, why not just ask him directly?"
"Olvia!"
"Don't wait for me. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility." Before Wei and Clover could stop her, she grabbed her cloak and rushed into the darkness.
......
On the outskirts of the Marine's temporary camp, the duty sentry suddenly raised his rifle alertly: "Halt!"
Under the Moonlight, the figure of a white-haired woman with raised hands gradually became clear.
"I am Nico Olvia of Ohara." Her voice trembled slightly in the sea breeze, "I have something to request an audience with Rear Admiral Gern."
As the duty soldiers looked at each other, a low voice came from the shadows: "Let her come over."
Tesoro emerged from behind the house, his golden ring gleaming coldly in the Moonlight, "The Rear Admiral is waiting for you."
Olvia's pupils constricted. Had he anticipated her arrival?
When she was led into a relatively intact room, Gern was wiping his black blade eight desolations by an oil lamp.
The bandaged blade reflected the firelight, while Libo curled up beside him, her head resting on Gern's thigh, dozing, her rabbit ears gently rising and falling with her breathing.
"Rear Admiral Gern, I..."
"The Poneglyphs are in the Sea Forest of Fish-Man Island, the Whale Forest of Zou, and underground in Wano Country," Gern said without looking up, the blade turning at a sharp angle.
"The rubbings you have, they're from Sky Island, aren't they?"
Olvia stumbled back half a step, hitting the table with her back.
This Marine not only knew of the Poneglyphs' existence but also knew their exact locations by heart!
Her voice was so dry it didn't sound like her own: "Why... why are you telling me this?"
The "clink" of the Black Blade being placed aside was exceptionally clear in the silence.
Gern finally looked up, the oil lamp casting a golden edge on his silhouette, but leaving his eyes in deeper shadow.
"Because the Roger Pirates have already collected all four Road Poneglyphs and will soon reach the so-called 'truth.'"
"That's impossible!" Olvia exclaimed, then covered her mouth, looking at the sleeping Libo.
Doctor Clover spent half his life deciphering only fragments; how could those pirates possibly...
"The Kozuki family of Wano Country, Kozuki Oden, can read ancient texts.
He's currently on loan from Whitebeard's pirate crew to the Roger Pirates." Gern's words were like a heavy hammer, shattering all her hopes.
"And Ohara... the World Government has been monitoring it for three years now."
"Then why..." Her nails dug deep into her palms, "did you let us go?"
"Sigh." Gern sighed, stroking Libo's ear.
"If I were you, once the ship is repaired, I would take everyone and leave the New World, never touching the Poneglyphs again."
"Impossible, this is my husband's..."
"But he's dead, isn't he? This should be his last wish, right?" Gern narrowed his eyes.
"Moreover, even if it's an absolutely correct truth, if you don't have the power, just pretend it never happened!
You scholars of Ohara are not the Roger Pirates!
You should also think about your daughter, shouldn't you?"
"Robin!" Olvia froze as if struck by lightning.
She had never mentioned little Robin, who remained in Ohara, to an outsider!
Gern didn't pay attention to her expression, slowly getting up and repositioning Libo, the rabbit with an unsightly sleeping posture.
Then he poured himself a glass of water and said nothing more.
Because this group of scholars would never give up; after all, everyone's persistence is different.
Gern just gave them appropriate reminders when he met them.
Besides, he had told Olvia all the answers she wanted to know.
Olvia also remained silent for a long time before slowly looking up at Gern, saying a few words, and then leaving...
"Rear Admiral Gern, is that woman crazy?" Tesoro walked in after Olvia left.
"She clearly knows that this will doom all of Ohara! The World Government will not leave anyone alive!"
"Scholars are selfish, arrogant, and disregard others for their so-called ideals... aren't they?" Gern's gaze drifted into the distance.
"The wheel of history... is ultimately unstoppable.
I let you go this time, but will the next person let you go?!"