Seated in another pavilion, Robin heard Kairo begin teaching Princess Vivi and Perona the Tao Te Ching.
She immediately closed the book she had been reading and devoted her full attention to listening.
Whether it was the Three Character Classic or the Tao Te Ching, both were completely unfamiliar to her.
Compared to the Three Character Classic, however, the Tao Te Ching was even more profound and difficult to grasp.
Even after Kairo explained the meaning behind "The Tao that can be spoken...", Robin—the archaeological genius—still wore a puzzled expression.
But Robin had become an archaeological prodigy at only eight years old.
Although she was initially confused, the more Kairo explained, the more fascinated she became with the Tao Te Ching.
Robin wasn't the only one.
Standing quietly in the courtyard, Igaram also began eavesdropping without anyone noticing.
The more he listened...
The more confused he became.
The more he listened...
The more unfathomable it seemed.
Eventually, his entire mind descended into chaos.
Kairo's scholarly explanations echoed throughout the courtyard.
Aside from Perona, who had already given up, everyone remained completely silent, attentively listening to what sounded like a heavenly scripture.
None of them realized that another person had quietly entered the courtyard.
The newcomer...
Was none other than Vice Admiral Momousagi.
The moment she arrived and saw Kairo explaining knowledge she had never heard before to Princess Vivi, she too was quickly drawn in.
"Alright."
"That's enough for the first chapter."
Seeing that Vivi was still thoroughly confused but remained interested, Kairo smiled.
"Although the first chapter appears simple, it's actually incredibly profound."
"You'll need to slowly understand it as you grow."
"So don't rush."
"One day, you'll naturally comprehend what it's truly talking about."
"Even if you never fully understand it, that's perfectly fine."
"After all..."
"...even your teacher hasn't completely grasped its true meaning."
"So that's all for Chapter One."
"Now..."
"Let's begin Chapter Two."
"Okay!"
Although Vivi still understood almost nothing about the first chapter, her interest had clearly been piqued.
Hearing Kairo say they were moving on, she eagerly dragged her chair closer.
Looking up at him with her delicate little face, she said earnestly,
"Teacher."
"I'm ready."
"What a diligent little student."
Kairo smiled as he gently patted her head.
Then he slowly began.
"When everyone recognizes beauty as beauty, ugliness already exists."
"When everyone recognizes good as good, evil already exists."
"...Therefore the sage accomplishes his work without claiming credit, and because he does not dwell on his achievements, they never leave him."
"So..."
"What does this chapter mean?"
"It means that people recognize beauty only because ugliness exists."
"They recognize goodness only because evil exists."
"When one's achievements are complete without clinging to them, there is nothing to lose."
"This chapter isn't actually difficult to understand."
"And it describes the current world remarkably well."
"The world is beautiful precisely because so much ugliness exists."
"Lawless pirates."
"Corrupt officials."
"Many people naïvely believe that there is no absolute evil and no absolute justice."
"That..."
"...is a mistaken way of thinking."
"It's wrong."
"There really are beings in this world that embody absolute evil."
"And there are also those who embody absolute justice."
"Whether evil or justice ultimately prevails..."
"...depends entirely on one special existence."
"A special existence?"
Vivi blinked curiously.
"What kind of special existence?"
"The strong."
"The truly strong."
"No matter the world..."
"No matter the country..."
"If those who commit evil become the strongest..."
"...then evil itself becomes justice."
"But if those who do good become the strongest..."
"...then goodness will spread throughout the world."
Kairo's words caused both Igaram and Momousagi—who had quietly arrived in the courtyard—to brighten noticeably.
One served as captain of a kingdom's Royal Guard.
The other was a Marine Headquarters vice admiral.
Though they stood on different sides, Kairo's words resonated deeply with both of them.
Of course...
Their perspectives differed.
But what Kairo was talking about no longer concerned a single nation or organization.
He was speaking about the very foundation of the world itself.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Gion's eyes narrowed.
Her attention shifted away from Kairo toward Robin, who was sitting alone in the opposite pavilion.
She had already noticed Robin yesterday when entering Kairo's hotel room.
At the time, however, her concern over Princess Vivi's disappearance had prevented her from dwelling on it.
Still...
She had remembered Robin's face.
Now that Robin sat before her...
There was no longer any need for confirmation.
After all, she was a Marine Headquarters vice admiral.
If she couldn't recognize Nico Robin...
She might as well resign her commission.
At the same time, Robin also noticed Gion's gaze and looked up.
Seeing that Kairo was still teaching without interruption, Gion quietly walked into Robin's pavilion instead.
After looking at Robin for a moment, she sat down across from her.
Then she slowly spoke.
"Nico Robin."
Robin said nothing.
She simply smiled and nodded.
Had this happened in the past, seeing a Marine Headquarters vice admiral would have sent her fleeing in panic.
But the Robin of today had already stepped out from the shadows of her past.
Even with a World Government officer sitting directly before her...
Her expression never changed.
Because...
This was the Robin Kairo wished to see.
If she continued living in fear of the past...
Kairo would only be disappointed.
"So..."
"The third person who appeared on Ohara..."
"...really was you."
Seeing Robin calmly meet her gaze, surprise flickered across Gion's eyes.
But it vanished almost immediately.
Her tone remained as gentle as ever.
"It seems that after staying by Mr. Kairo's side..."
"...you've truly walked out of the shadows of your past."
"You can even calmly face people like us wearing Marine uniforms."
"I don't know why Mr. Kairo chose to keep you by his side."
"But since it was his decision..."
"...I must respect it."
"Still..."
"You need to understand."
"Your identity could very well bring him trouble."
"It might even completely shatter the carefree journey he's always wanted."
"Of course..."
"Don't misunderstand me."
"Although I'm wearing a Marine vice admiral's coat..."
"...I also want to see how far you'll go."
"Just as Aokiji did when he let you go all those years ago."
Robin looked steadily at Gion, who spoke as though greeting an old friend after many years.
Then she asked in surprise,
"Vice Admiral Momousagi..."
"Were you on Ohara back then?"
"It seems..."
"...it's not appropriate for me to keep sitting here with you."
Gion suddenly smiled.
She stood up and walked away.
Just as she stepped out of the pavilion, she suddenly remembered something.
Turning back toward Robin, she said,
"The mushroom cabin on Ohara..."
"...I destroyed it."
"Don't thank me."
"Everything I did..."
"...was only for Mr. Kairo."
"So, Robin..."
"I hope we never meet again."
"Because if we do..."
"...my duty will require me to arrest you."
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