One Piece: Curse of Immortality

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"An organization?"

The sudden words left Crocodile and Bullet momentarily stunned, their eyes reflecting confusion. Arashi, however, did not elaborate further. 

His eyes flickered thoughtfully. This was an idea that had only recently taken shape in his mind, and the details still required careful planning. 

The foundation would naturally be centered around Fortress G-18, gradually expanding to encompass the entire West Blue, and eventually reaching out to other parts of the world.

"It's just a plan for now. I'll discuss it with you both in detail later," Arashi said with a smile. 

Bullet didn't seem overly concerned, while Crocodile appeared to be deep in thought.

The events surrounding Ohara had sparked a sense of urgency within Arashi, even if he hadn't fully realized it. 

Without question, his focus had shifted to expansion—strengthening his power and influence.

Crocodile's lips curled into a faint smile. This was undoubtedly a good thing. 

After regaining his memories, he no longer felt the same desire for piracy as before, but he still had his ambitions.

"If you truly wish to accomplish something great," Crocodile thought silently, "then let me, Crocodile, assist you personally. 

Even if it means standing against the entire world, so be it. To create a utopia and witness your rise to the top... that would be something truly remarkable."

Guided by Eveya, Arashi and his companions made their way to the area where Dr. Clover and the other Ohara scholars were staying. 

The space was modest and slightly overcrowded due to the large number of people, but the scholars' spirits seemed stable. 

Having narrowly escaped the Buster Call's devastation, they were grateful to be alive.

When Arashi arrived, he couldn't help but laugh at the sight before him. 

The enormous Saul was playing a silly game with an 8-year-old Robin, their strange laughter filling the air.

"Dereshi-shishi-shishi!"

"Dereshi-shishi-shishi!"

The giant and the little girl laughed heartily together, while Dr. Clover, Nico Olvia, and the others looked on with faint smiles. 

The atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

"Saul, could you not teach Robin such ridiculous laughter?" Arashi joked as he approached.

"Arashi, you're awake!" Saul turned his head and greeted him with a grin.

"Yes." Arashi nodded and turned his gaze to Dr. Clover.

"Doctor, are you comfortable here? If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Dr. Clover shook his head with a kind smile. "This is more than enough. To be alive is a blessing in itself; I wouldn't dare ask for more."

As he spoke, a serious and resolute expression crossed his aged face. 

After exchanging a glance with the other scholars, they all seemed to come to a silent agreement.

In the next instant, the group of scholars knelt in unison. 

Led by Dr. Clover, the scholars of Ohara bowed deeply, their foreheads touching the ground. 

Even Robin joined them, her small figure kneeling amidst the group.

"Thank you for saving Ohara!" they cried out in unison, their voices filled with gratitude and emotion.

For a long moment, Arashi stood silent, his expression unreadable. Finally, he let out a soft chuckle.

"The people of Ohara, who risked their lives for the preservation of knowledge and civilization—how could I, possessing some small measure of strength, ever retreat?"

With a subtle glance, he signalled Eveya. She quickly stepped forward, leading the soldiers to help the scholars to their feet.

Afterwards, Dr. Clover and the others stood before Arashi, wiping tears from their eyes. Their faces radiated sincere gratitude.

"For now, I ask for your patience in staying here," Arashi said with a warm smile. "I will find a better place for you in due time."

"We'll follow your arrangements," Dr. Clover replied earnestly. 

As someone who had lived a long life, he understood the immense burden Arashi carried to save Ohara. 

It was no exaggeration to say Arashi had gambled his life and the lives of everyone at Fortress G-18 to protect them.

Smiling at the group, Arashi turned to leave. After walking a few steps, he stopped abruptly.

"Saul!"

"Yes?" Saul replied immediately.

"How long do you plan to idle around, playing games with a child?" Arashi asked with a teasing tone.

"Eh?" Saul was momentarily confused.

"Return to the team at once. From now on, you're a member of Fortress G-18!" Arashi said with a grin, resuming his stride.

Saul froze for a moment before understanding, his face lighting up with excitement. 

"Yes, sir!" he shouted. 

He looked ahead and saw Arashi waving a hand without turning back. After a brief goodbye to Robin and Olvia, Saul hurried to catch up.

"Mom, where's Saul going?" Robin asked curiously.

"Don't worry about him, my dear," Olvia said gently, pulling her daughter into a hug. "Saul is off to do what he believes is just."

From this moment on, she resolved to make up for all the time she had missed with her daughter.

Half an hour later, in the commander's office at Fortress G-18:

"So, how exactly do you plan to handle these Ohara scholars?" Crocodile asked, his tone calm but firm.

"They're walking time bombs," Bullet added bluntly.

Arashi furrowed his brow slightly, thinking for a moment before smiling.

"Time bombs, you say?" he replied, his tone laced with intrigue.

"It seems you don't fully understand their value."

Pausing for a moment, Arashi continued, "Different fields, different stages, and different professions—each has its unique value and moment to shine."

"Bullet, Crocodile, do you know why the World Government was so determined to wipe out these scholars?"

The two shook their heads, confusion evident on their faces.

"They can decipher the Poneglyphs."

As the shock registered on their faces, Arashi nodded and added, "That's right, the mysterious stones scattered across the world."

"These stones are also one of the key elements required to become the Pirate King."

Smiling faintly, Arashi lowered his voice and said, "They hold the key to unlocking the secrets of the Great Kingdom that existed 800 years ago—a civilization whose very history ties to the origins of Devil Fruits."

These words sent a shockwave through Crocodile and Bullet. 

The key to becoming the Pirate King, the path to the Great Kingdom's lost civilization, and the roots of the Devil Fruits—all of it made sense now. 

It was no wonder the World Government wanted these people dead, and it explained why Arashi had gone to such lengths to rescue them.

"What about the books?" Arashi asked suddenly.

"Books?" Crocodile hesitated for a moment. "They should still be in the lake at Ohara."

"What?" Arashi's expression darkened.

"Don't worry. We've stationed a team there to keep watch," Crocodile quickly explained. "But I held off on acting because of the Marine HQ's presence."

"Immediately—recover every single book from that lake," Arashi ordered in a stern voice.

"I'll handle it right away," Crocodile said with a nod.

"What books?" a deep voice interrupted as Saul's towering figure appeared at the doorway.

"They're the books Dr. Clover and the others threw into the lake during the Buster Call," Arashi replied. 

"We didn't have the time to retrieve them back then."

"Are they really that important?" Saul asked his confusion reflecting the general lack of awareness many Marines shared about the books' significance.

Arashi nodded solemnly.

At that moment, Yvea rushed into the room, looking flustered. "Commander, there's movement at Ohara!"

"Oh?" Arashi raised an eyebrow.

"Our squad stationed there spotted a Marine battleship approaching," Eveya explained as she placed a photograph on the table in front of Arashi. 

"There are World Government personnel aboard as well."

"Him?"

Seeing the photo, Arashi couldn't help but laugh softly. He immediately stood up.

"Saul, Bullet, Crocodile—come with me to Ohara, now."

A battleship quickly departed from Fortress G-18. Arashi stood atop his golden staff, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"To think our promise would be fulfilled at this moment," he mused. 

"Vegapunk."

The person in the photograph was none other than Vegapunk, known as the man with the world's greatest intellect. 

Years ago, during a special mission, Arashi had crossed paths with Vegapunk, and they had made a mutual promise. 

Now, the time had come to honour that agreement.

Before long, the ruined remains of Ohara came into view. On the shoreline, a lone Marine battleship was anchored.

"Sink it," Arashi ordered casually after confirming Vegapunk wasn't aboard.

Cannons roared, and in an instant, the ship erupted in flames, consumed by the explosion.

"It's the G-18 Marines!"

"Quick! Alert Vegapunk and find a way to escape!" The vice admiral aboard the ship jumped overboard, narrowly avoiding the cannon fire. 

But as soon as he landed, he found himself surrounded by several figures.

"Crocodile."

"Bullet."

"Vice Admiral Saul."

The vice admiral's heart sank as despair filled his eyes.

Meanwhile, at the heart of Ohara, Marines were working tirelessly to recover the books from the lake. 

In one corner of the shore stood Vegapunk, his enormous head resembling that of Einstein, gazing at the scene with a complex expression.

"Do you see anything you need here?"

A sudden voice broke the silence. Startled, Vegapunk turned sharply, and his expression shifted from surprise to delight.

"Arashi!"

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