Chapter 275: Scholars and Scientists in Ohara

While the Fishmen were still fussing over the Snail Ship, Karl arrived at Ohara in the West Blue, bringing Judge Vinsmoke along.

Karl was in quite a rush to tackle the cloning experiment, so he kept accelerating in the air. The wind whipped Judge’s hair until it stood on end and his face turned red from the chill.

Once they landed, Karl pointed to the massive tree in the center of the island. “This is Ohara. Your good friend is inside there.”

Staring up at the enormous Tree of Knowledge, Judge didn’t say a word. He just made his way toward it, mind racing through memories of old friends.

Earlier, the cold wind nearly made him faint during the trip so he didn’t have time to daydream. Now that things calmed down, he recalled that only the MADS members could really be considered his close friends.

Could it be Vegapunk?

Wasn’t he supposed to be on Cake Island? Besides, Judge and Vegapunk weren’t exactly best buddies. Maybe it was Quinn or Caesar?

With these questions in mind, he headed straight for the Tree of Knowledge. One way or another, he’d find out soon enough.

As soon as he stepped into the tree’s hollow, a stranger approached. But with a closer look, the face stirred a faint sense of familiarity. Hesitantly, he asked, “Vegapunk. So we meet again.”

Yes—it was a much younger Vegapunk. Judge had once seen his photo back on Machinery Island.

Still, Vegapunk always wore a big head during his experiments, so Judge hadn’t recognized him at first.

“Your head?” Judge stared in disbelief.

If he remembered right, Vegapunk had eaten the Brain-Brain Fruit. Didn’t that mean every time he absorbed more knowledge, his head expanded?

Why didn’t his hair—and head—look so big now?

Did he awaken his Devil Fruit?

Or did he invent some new tech again?

Looks like Vegapunk’s always a few steps ahead.

Hearing Judge’s voice, Vegapunk put down his book. Instantly, he spotted Judge in the room. “Judge Vinsmoke. It’s been a long time.”

“Never thought we’d run into each other here.”

“Let me introduce someone—this is Dr. Clover, a renowned scholar who’s dedicated his life to researching the Poneglyphs.”

Not far away, a middle-aged man set aside his book and came over. “Hello there! I’ve heard of you, Judge!”

They were both top talents in their fields. While they may not have met before, Dr. Clover had definitely heard about scientists like Judge—and he’d always wanted to meet more minds from the scientific world.

Sadly, Ohara was far from North Blue and the New World. Traveling here was risky, nothing like Judge who had the power and resources to ensure his own safety.

Most important of all, Clover’s group studied the Poneglyphs. If the World Government ever found out, disaster would surely follow.

Even so, it never hurts to exchange a few pleasantries.

“Hello, Dr. Clover. I’ve heard of your work on the Poneglyphs. But… aren’t you worried…?” Judge hesitated, well aware of how dangerous this kind of research could be.

If anything went wrong…

Dr. Clover just laughed. “History’s got to be uncovered by someone.”

“Come on in, please!”

In matters like this, Dr. Clover was more socially adept than Vegapunk and quickly invited them inside.

They stepped into a spacious room. Karl had to bow a bit just to fit. He used his Bone-Shrinking Art to finally sit down, prompting Dr. Clover to ask, “What would you all like to drink?”

Saying this, he walked to a platform nearby and pulled out a variety of teas and wines.

“Just bring us a few glasses of rum.”

“Do you have any rum here?”

Dr. Clover paused for a second. “We do, but are you sure that’s what you want?”

Judge waved his hand quickly. “Rum’s fine for me too.”

Dr. Clover poured everyone a glass.

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

After a round of drinks, the conversation flowed easily.

“Dr. Vegapunk, does Ohara have the books you’re looking for?”

Vegapunk looked thoughtful before answering, “There are plenty of resources I need here, but it’s going to take time. I want to commit as much as possible to memory.”

“I need to find some books of my own, preferably on genetics or biology.” Judge didn’t want to leave Ohara empty-handed—he knew this place claimed to hold most of the world’s texts.

Back in North Blue he’d never hit a research bottleneck, but now he’d be making so-called Gene-Men for Karl. He couldn’t afford to be unprepared.

Any gaps in knowledge could mean failed experiments or delays, and Judge didn’t want to deal with the consequences.

“Everyone is welcome to search for books here.”

“But have you ever heard of the Void Century?”

Judge frowned. “All I know is the World Government forbids any study of those hundred missing years, but what happened back then? Nobody really knows.”

Very few in this entire world know what went on during the Void Century. Thanks to the government’s crackdown, that number keeps shrinking.

“I’ve heard some rumors.”

“Something to do with an ancient kingdom, maybe.”

“Some say it’s even linked to the moon.”

Vegapunk recalled that there were scraps of history about the Void Century in both Machinery Island and on the island where he was born, so he knew a little.

But that’s all it was—bits and pieces. He didn’t know much more than that.

Dr. Clover let out a gentle sigh. “That’s the task of historians: digging up the past.”

“We’ve been excavating much of what you mentioned, Vegapunk.”

“Our research here goes even further.”

“Sadly, piecing everything together still leaves us guessing what the Void Century really means.”

“…”

Listening to everyone tossing rumors around, Karl couldn’t help but chuckle.

If you wanted to study the Poneglyphs without enough power, it was all for nothing. The World Government could simply kill you on a whim—you wouldn’t even get the chance to resist. What use was research then?

But his quiet laugh caught Dr. Clover’s attention. “Mr. Karl, do you have a different viewpoint?”

Noticing all eyes on him, Karl smiled. “History doesn’t matter. It’s written by the victors, after all.”

“Even if you did uncover all these secrets, what good would it do?”

“If you can’t protect your own life, history will be the least of your worries.”

Judge nodded—he’d always preferred to solve problems with brute force, believing in the power of overwhelming strength.

If Doflamingo hadn’t interfered, his reign over North Blue would have lasted far longer than sixty-six days.