Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Rocketman roared like a wild beast as it flew through the air, then slammed down onto the ocean surface, skimming the waves like a stone. Water sprayed in every direction, the force enough to knock even the bravest into a panic.

“WOOOOAAHHH!!”

Luffy’s jaw dropped, face lit up in awe.

“AAAAHHHHHH!!” Aster screamed, clutching the windowsill.

“WE'RE GONNA DIEEE!” Chopper wailed, arms flailing.

Nami was too busy gripping the wall and re-evaluating her life choices.

Behind them, a wild cheer erupted.

“LORD STRAW HAT!” came a voice from the sea.

They turned to see an even wilder sight—the Franky Family, crashing through the waves in a huge makeshift boat, roped directly to Rocketman’s rear.

“We’re the Franky Family! Fifty strong!” bellowed Zambai, throwing up a victory fist. “We owe you everything!”

Attached to their vessel were two massive Sea Bulls, thundering through the surf. One snorted proudly and the other winked.

“OHHHHH!” Luffy gasped, leaning out the window with stars in his eyes. “Are those Yagara… people?!”

“They’re Royal Bulls,” Kokoro corrected, coolly holding the mic as she steered. “Top of the line. Even the worst seas respect them.”

The bulls, Sodom and Gomorra, braced themselves and rammed their boat firmly into the back of Rocketman.

The resulting thud made Zoro scowl, “Tch. Annoying.”

“They’re enthusiastic,” Aster said quickly, wiping sweat from her brow.

Kokoro's voice crackled again over the speaker, “Now then, about the tracks... the waves might’ve messed up the alignment, but I’ve been watching this train since it was born! Don’t underestimate me!”

There was a long pause, “….”

“There they are!”

Everyone braced.

“Emergency connection from the engineer cabin! We’ll hit the rails in one second! Once we do—we're going full speed ahead!”

“Ugh, so we’re dying either way,” Nami muttered, face buried in her palm.

Zoro sat lazily with his bottle of sake, beads of sweat running down his temple.

The Rocketman surged forward.

“YAAAY! A LITTLE MORE TO THE RIGHT, GRANNY!!”

The voice made Aster’s ears perk up.

Standing on the very front of the train like they were riding a sea dragon, Chimney and Gonbe waved wildly.

“C-CHIMNEY?!” Kokoro shouted in disbelief, “YOU’RE ON THE TRAIN?!”

“WE ARE!” she giggled. “Heeheehee!”

Moments later, the duo were yanked into the cabin.

“Chimney?! Gonbe?!” Aster gasped. “I thought you two were still in Water 7!”

“We’re not!” Chimney grinned, then launched herself at Aster. “Catch me!”

She barely had time to blink before catching the little girl in midair, nearly toppling backward.

With the track now locked and Rocketman roaring across the sea, the Franky Family members began climbing into the cabin, soaked and shivering, explaining they couldn’t stay on the open boat due to the worsening weather.

Ten minutes later…

Aster slumped in her seat, soaked, legs trembling. “That was… something.”

Beside her, Nami groaned into her hands. “My skull is vibrating.”

Chimney and Gonbe were happily seated on a bench, completely unfazed.

On Aster’s other side, Luffy crouched like a frog, his tongue out and soaked head to toe, having stuck his face out the window like a golden retriever. “I thought I was gonna fly!”

Zambai, Mozu, and Kiwi sat on the floor, equally drenched.

“Huff… huff…” Zambai wheezed. “That was… insane…”

Kokoro sat at the front, arms crossed smugly. “Nagagagaga! I told you this wasn’t a regular train. This is a wild beast!”

In front of the Straw Hats, Zoro, Paulie, Lulu, and Tilestone were seated stiffly.

“…” Zoro narrowed his eyes.

“…” Paulie squinted back.

“…My back hurts,” Lulu muttered.

“MAN, that scared the hell outta me!” Tilestone shouted.

Then the green haired swordsman pointed a finger. “Hold on. Who are these people? I don’t remember seeing them before.”

“Huh? Who?” Tilestone blinked as well as Lulu glanced around.

“He means YOU TWO!!” Paulie snapped.

Zoro jabbed a thumb at Paulie. “Them... and you!”

Aster blinked. She hadn’t noticed either, too busy not getting flung upside down. Then her eyes lit up. “Paulie! Lulu! Tilestone!” she squealed, leaping forward and throwing her arms around Paulie.

Paulie awkwardly returned the hug. “Y-Yeah. Hey.”

She grinned, then squeezed Tilestone and Lulu in turn. “I was so worried after the CP9 attack! Are you all okay?”

“Yeah, we’re fine,” Tilestone said with a goofy thumbs-up.

Paulie grew serious. “The guy who took your crewmate… he’s the same one who tried to kill Mayor Iceburg. I can’t stop you, so I’m coming with you. This isn’t Galley-La’s mission. This is mine.”

Tilestone threw his hands in the air. “Gahaha! Paulie! We figured if we followed you, we’d get closer to Iceburg’s attacker, so we hid in the coal box!”

Lulu added quietly, “Our guess was right. So… we’re with you.”

Zambai stepped forward. “That enemy… is the one who took our brother Franky!”

Mozu and Kiwi chimed in, “We know who they are!”

“YEAH, GALLEY-LA!” the Franky Family shouted together. “If anything happens to our bro, you’re responsible!”

“SHUT UP!” The blonde roared. “No one hurts more than Iceburg-san!”

“Then tell us everything!” Tilestone bellowed.

Lulu leaned forward. “You know who the real culprits are. Say it.”

Aster dropped to her knees, clutching the seat. She already knew what was coming.

Paulie nodded grimly. “The masked attackers… were Lucci, Kaku, Kalifa, Blueno and Elias. They were all government agents. CP9.”

“…”

Lulu and Tilestone stared.

“WHAT?!”

Their jaws hit the floor so hard the train rattled.

“Didn’t you even suspect?!” Paulie shouted.

Tilestone scratched his head. “I thought it was Michael and Hoichael from the back alleys…”

Lulu nodded solemnly. “Yup. Same.”

Paulie’s eye twitched. “WHO?!”

Aster tilted her head, thoughtful. “Weren’t they the ones who destroyed that flying fish cannon thing?”

Lulu and Tilestone nodded. “Yeah… those guys.”

“I can see how you’d think it was them,” Aster said seriously.

“WHY DO YOU KNOW THEM TOO?!” Paulie exploded.

Zambai stood tall in the aisle, soaked to the bone, goggles fogged, fists clenched in firelit defiance. “Franky Family! Galley-La shipwrights! And you, Aster! We’ve butted heads in Water 7... but from this moment on—we’ve got a shared enemy!” He slammed his fist into his palm. “Of everyone we’re about to face, the strongest… is that pigeon freak! I’ll be the one to send him flying!!”

Zoro cracked his neck as he stood. His swords gleamed faintly from the overhead lights. “He’s right,” he said calmly. “This is a battle to take back what was stolen from us. All five of them. If we don’t get to them… none of this ends.”

Aster felt the storm tightening in her chest.

She couldn’t even name what she felt toward them. Betrayal? Grief? Fury? It wasn’t one thing, it was all of them tangled together like thorns. The worst part? They’d stood beside her. They’d laughed with her. One of them even bought her hot chocolate. And they were government assassins the whole time.

She shivered, fists clenched tight on her lap. She hadn’t just been blind, she’d been spared by sheer luck.

“LOOK!” Chimney’s voice burst from the front of the cabin. Her little hands pressed to the glass. “GRANDMA! IT’S AQUA LAGUNA!!”

Outside, the sea looked monstrous like a wall of death rising from the earth itself.

Nami gasped. “Wait! That’s right—Kokoro-san! Is it even safe for you to be outside the engineer’s cabin?!”

Kokoro waved a hand like she was brushing away a fly. “Nyagagaga! I told you, didn’t I? Rocketman’s a runaway train. My job was just getting us on the track. The throttle’s busted, we’re locked at max speed!”

The other paled. “Max speed?! You mean—?!” Her head whipped to the front window. “—We’re about to slam into that wave!!”

And that’s when Luffy stood.

Hair wind-blown, face determined, clothes still half-drenched from earlier, he raised his arm toward the ceiling.

“We’re already headed the same way…” he said.

A hush fell over the train.

“It’s pointless to fight each other now,” he went on. “You hear me? We’re comrades now!!” He expanded his hand.

Zambai blinked but Paulie’s hand joined Luffy’s without hesitation.

Then Zambai slapped his hand down too. “Hell yeah, Straw Hat!”

Luffy smiled, eyes blazing. “We all have people waiting for us on that other train. So let’s ride this wave together and fight side by side. No storm’s gonna break us apart. We’re gonna get it done… together!!”

Aster stared, wide-eyed.

There was something about Luffy’s voice.

It wasn’t poetic or elegant. It was raw, loud, almost clumsy. But it changed the air. She felt something shift in the room, like gravity was tilting toward him. Enemies, strangers, wild weirdos… they all listened.

She didn’t understand what that was. But whatever he just did… it worked.

“Prepare the cannon!!” Zambai shouted as he raced up to the roof with the others. “Franky Family doesn’t back down from a wave!!”

The cabin shook.

A soft ringing sounded from Nami’s pocket. She blinked, surprised, and pulled out a small Transponder Snail.

Aster peeked over her shoulder. “What’s that?”

“Sanji-kun gave me this,” Nami muttered. “He said he’d contact us when the time was right.”

The younger’s golden eyes lit up. “Sanji? That’s the one Straw Hat I haven’t met yet!”

She edged closer with anticipation as the orange haired opened the receiver.

“NAMI-SAN!! NAMI-SAN!! DO YOU HEAR ME?!”

The snail’s eyes bulged in panic. The voice on the other end was deep, urgent, and wind-blasted.

“Yes! Sanji-kun! It’s me!” Nami shouted.

Somewhere far ahead, Sanji crouched on the roof of the Puffing Tom, coat whipping behind him. Behind him, Usopp screamed in terror as a gust of wind nearly yeeted him off the roof—only for Franky to snatch him by the collar.

Sanji grumbled, “Thanks to these two idiots, things got… complicated.”

As the Galley-La men and Franky Family stormed to the top of the Rocketman to man the cannons, the storm worsened.

Aster remained inside with Nami and Kokoro, holding tightly to a pole. Paulie had insisted she stay below. He’d said someone had to guard Nami, Kokoro, Chimney, and Gonbe. Aster hadn’t entirely believed that was the reason, but it made her feel useful, so she agreed.

“Don’t stop shooting!!” Zambai shouted from above.

Members of the Franky Family screamed like headless chickens while wildly manning cannons, slipping on the wet metal.

Kokoro howled with laughter, “Nyagagaga!! Do your best! The track rises a bit ahead, but the wave’s taller! If Aqua Laguna hits us straight, we’re fish food!!”

“Wait… are you saying we’re gonna die?!”

Kokoro smiled with suspicious calm. “Maybe!”

Chopper wailed in the corner. “GYYAAAH! Are we gonna die?!”

Chimney clung to Gonbe and shrieked, “WE TOO?!”

“I think that’s gonna make us stronger!” Said Aster, confidently.

”HOW?!”

Up top, cannon blasts rang out, and men shouted, “THIS IS BAD!”

“WE’RE GONNA DIE!!”

“WE’RE ALREADY DEAD!!”

Nami braced herself and turned to the Den Den Mushi. “Sanji-kun, listen carefully! I’m going to tell you what’s going on and why Robin is acting the way she is. So shut up and listen!”

“Place sounds lively over there,” Sanji muttered dryly.

Aster suddenly leaned into the snail, face bright with excitement. “Hello?! Sanji? I’m Aster!”

Nami’s eyes twitched. “Aster-chan…” she hissed. “Now is not the time for introductions.”

Aster blinked. “Sorry…”

On the other end, Sanji's voice lit up instantly, “Eh? Aster? A girl?! HELLOOOO~! Lovely to meet you! I’m Sanji! You beloved servant!”

Aster blinked again, muttered, “Servant…?”

“NOT THE TIME, SANJI-KUN!!” Nami exploded.

The Rocketman roared against the rails, metal shrieking under pressure. Wind howled like a beast outside. Above, the Galley-La shipwrights and the Franky Family scrambled, still firing at the massive wave looming ahead.

Then a pair of figures landed on the roof.

Zoro’s boots slammed into the metal with practiced calm. Luffy dropped beside him, grinning wide, the wind whipping through his hair.

“Hey!” Zoro barked. “Keep firing at the front and the middle! Don’t let up!”

Paulie turned, flabbergasted. “Hey, wait—what are you two planning?!”

Luffy cracked his neck and casually rolled his arms, his body already winding up. Zoro slipped a sword into his mouth and drew the others, eyes narrowing.

“Zoro,” Luffy asked, “what’s two times 108?”

He didn’t miss a beat. “Two hundred and sixteen.”

“Geez, that’s a mouthful!” The other groaned.

“Deal with it,” he grunted, adjusting his stance.

Below them, the Franky Family looked on in wide-eyed confusion.

“What’re they doing?” one muttered.

“They told us to keep firing!” another shouted.

Zambai snapped his fingers. “Then cover them! FIRE HARDER!”

Luffy rolled his shoulder until it popped, muscles flexing. “All right then…” he grinned. “Let’s go with three hundred.”

At once, the two leapt forward.

“Gomu Gomu no…”

“Three Hundred Pound…”

And together, with perfect timing, “CANNON!!!!”

Luffy’s massive, spiraling punch collided with Zoro’s spinning slash, the combined force smashing into the wall of ocean like a god’s hammer.

BOOOOOOOM!!!

The impact tore a hole through the wave and the Rocketman plunged straight through it.

Inside the cabin, chaos reigned.

“WAAAAGH!!” Nami yelped, clutching Aster as the train dropped like a rollercoaster.

Aster’s boots slid as metal screamed beneath them, but the spear steadied her just enough to stay upright. Chopper bawled, Chimney screamed and even Gonbe looked like he’d just seen the afterlife.

Zambai collapsed to his knees, tears flying sideways off his cheeks from the wind. “OHHHHH, WAAAHH!! I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE!!”

“WE MADE IT!!” someone yelled.

“WE GOT THROUGH AQUA LAGUNA!!”

Luffy threw his arms in the air and cheered. Zoro gave a rare, lopsided smile.

Kokoro leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Nyagagaga! That was somethin’ else. Maybe you pirates aren’t all flash after all.”

A Franky Family member wiped his nose and sniffled. “They’re scary if you piss ‘em off, but when they’re your allies…”

Another nodded. “There’s no one more reliable.”

The whole crew shouted in unison, “STRAW HAT!!!!”

Paulie looked on, dumbstruck. “They were ready to die for this. Damn it… those guys are insane…”

Back inside, the cabin doors opened with a clang. Luffy and Zoro stepped in, hair wild, soaked with salt, but grinning like maniacs.

Aster gasped, stars blooming in her eyes. “That… was… LEGENDARY!!!”

Mozu and Kiwi jumped in too.

“YO, STRAW HAT!” Mozu yelled. “That was AMAZING!”

Kiwi shook her head. “No normal person could pull that off!”

From behind them, Nami called, “Luffy—get over here.”

He tilted his head and walked over, curious. She held out the ringing Den Den Mushi, its face twitching with energy.

“It’s Sanji-kun.”

His eyes lit up. “Sanji?! Is that you?! How’s it goin’? Where’s Robin?!”

From the snail, Sanji’s voice crackled through the static and wind. “Robin’s still with them… I heard everything from Nami-san just now. I know the whole situation.”

Luffy’s expression shifted, his grin thinned, sharpened. “Good. Then it’s time. Rip it all apart.”

Zoro folded his arms. “Luffy, don’t get reckless. He should wait for us.” He snatched the receiver. “Oi, Curly-brow. You listening? There are some seriously bad people on that train.”

Luffy glared. “Zoro, I told you, it’s fine.” He snatched the snail back. “If it were you on that train, and we tried to stop you… we couldn’t.”

“…”

Sanji chuckled. “Looks like you get it. Hey, Moss Head… you worried about me?”

“AS IF!!” Zoro barked.

His voice grew quieter but stronger. “After hearing Robin-chan’s story… even if my captain told me not to, I won’t back down.”

The line cut off as the Den Den Mushi fell asleep.

Luffy clenched a fist. “Old lady! Make the train go faster!!”

Nami twitched. “Faster?! Are you serious?!”

“I dunno… it seem like a great idea…” said Aster.

Kokoro just laughed. “Don’t worry. We’re already going faster than this hunk of metal was ever meant to go. So fast… we can’t even stop anymore!” Her teeth flashed in a wide, sharp grin. “Nyagagagaga!!“

Aboard the Puffing Tom,  Roof of the Train…

The rain hammered down in sheets, mixing with the howling wind and the thunderous roar of the sea. Water sprayed into their faces, but Sanji stood steady, coat flapping, cigarette still burning like a small rebellion.

Usopp’s voice cracked over the noise. “So… Robin’s on this train too?!”

Sanji nodded grimly, eyes narrowed toward the front of the speeding metal beast. “Yeah.”

Usopp’s shoulders sank, drenched curls hanging low. “Then all of this… it happened while I was gone?”

He didn’t sugarcoat it. “Robin-chan doesn’t even know about Merry Go… or that you had that fight with Luffy. She just… gave herself up. She followed those government bastards’ orders, all so we, the six of us, including you, could be safe.”

Usopp stood frozen, the wind catching his coat. His face was unreadable.

“BWAAAAHHHHH!”

A comical eruption of tears burst behind them as Franky wept like a child at the end of a tragic romance drama. Giant rivers of snot and tears poured down his face.

“WAAAAHHH! THAT’S BEAUTIFUL!! ROBIN-CHAAAAAAN!”

Sanji flinched and muttered through clenched teeth, “Why the hell are you crying?!”

The cyborg blew his nose like a foghorn into his sleeve, trembling. “Sh-shut up! I’m not crying!! I’m just—ANGRY! That’s it! I’m just REALLY ANGRY at how tragically sweet that story was!!!” He flailed on the rooftop like a toddler, then rolled onto his knees, shaking his fists at the sky. “The world calls her a cold-blooded demon… a heartless woman! But that… that was the love of a nakama!! THAT WAS FAMILY!”

The blonde just turned forward, exhaling smoke through the rain. “Robin-chan’s right up ahead. I’m going to get her back.”

Franky snapped to his feet like a man reborn, striking a dramatic pose. “THEN COUNT ME IN! I, FRANKY, head of the Franky Family, will lend you my SUPER assistance, eyebrow bro!” He pounded his chest proudly. “Also… for reasons I’d rather not get into, I’ll be in big trouble too if Robin ends up in government hands.” He burst into sobs again. “AFTER THAT BEAUTIFUL, HEART-WRENCHING, NAKAMA-INSPIRED—!!”

“Please stop,” Sanji sighed.

Franky spun and pointed at Usopp. “HEY! Long-nose! Let’s go!”

Usopp turned his back to them, voice low. “I’m not going.”

Sanji’s eyes widened. “What?”

“I mean it,” he said, rain pouring off his hood. “If the World Government is our enemy now… I don’t really want to be part of that. Besides… you’ll be meeting up with Luffy and the others, right?” His voice cracked slightly. “After everything I said… after how I embarrassed myself in front of everyone… how could I face them again?” He stared at the steel roof beneath his feet. “I feel bad for Robin. I do. But I’m not obligated to rescue her anymore. I left the crew. Remember? Goodbye.”

He walked toward the end of the train car.

Franky stared after him, scandalized. “GOODBYE?! What kind of dramatic bull is that?! You’ve got nowhere else to go, you cowardly, pointy-nosed—!”

Sanji raised a hand. “Let him go.”

He blinked. “Seriously?!”

The other’s face was calm, but something stormed beneath his cool expression. “He needs to figure it out himself.”

Suddenly, a hatch flung open as a drenched Marine soldier clambered up from below. His face went pale.

“I FOUND THEM!” he shouted, just as something slammed into his chest, launching him like a ragdoll off the train and into the sea.

Sanji and Franky both spun, eyes wide.

“What the hell?!”

From the shadows, through the mist and rain, stepped a figure in a red cape, face hidden behind a drawn-on mask. He held a slingshot, still steaming from the impact.

“I heard the whole story,” the stranger said, dramatic wind blowing his cape to the side. “You want to rescue a fair maiden? Then I need no further reason!” He raised one leg onto a hatch, striking a heroic pose. “I shall fight by your side!”

Sanji squinted. “…Who the hell—?”

Franky blinked, “Wait, wait, wait… Is that…?”

The masked man raised his voice with gusto, “You may call me… The Great Sniper King! Defender of the innocent! Enemy of tyranny! The masked hero of justice!” Behind the mask, a tear of resolve streaked down his cheek. “Let’s save our nakama… together.”

Sanji muttered, “That idiot…”

Back on the Rocketman, Inside the Passenger Car…

Rain still lashed the windows, though the worst of the storm had passed. The train roared steadily forward, slicing through what felt like the very skin of the sea.

Nami, wringing her hair dry, looked over at Aster with mild surprise. “So… you met Usopp?”

She nodded, arms folded tightly, a strange stillness in her voice. “Mm. After he… fought Luffy. He was… different. Quiet and sad.”

That single word hung in the air. Sad. It made Nami pause, her own face flickering with guilt before she looked away. She didn’t press.

Aster, flustered, quickly shifted the topic. “U-Um, also—something else…” She glanced over her shoulder toward the crowd of men. Her cheeks flushed. “Are we seriously… changing in front of all these people?”

The other shrugged like it was the most normal thing in the world. “There’s only one car, Aster-chan. We either freeze or strip.”

And then she proved her point. With no hesitation, she peeled off her wet top, revealing a snug bra before slipping into a more stylish ensemble: a cropped, low-cut shirt and short white skirt, all topped with a cropped denim jacket.

Aster’s jaw hung open. “Y-You’re… really just going to…?”

Mozu and Kiwi joined the effort, casually changing into tight jeans and corsets without missing a beat. Meanwhile, Aster stood like a lost sheep clutching her dry clothes, her face now crimson. The thought of changing in front of the men made her want to evaporate.

Naturally, Paulie exploded.

“WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING, YOU SHAMELESS WOMEN?!” he roared, pointing furiously at Nami and the square sisters. “WE’RE ON A TRAIN TO WAR, NOT A PEEP SHOW!!”

Lulu, Tilestone, and Zambai each raised a silent thumbs-up, blood streaming from their noses.

“We’re okay with shamelessness,” they said in unison.

Nami waved Paulie off. “Grow up. There’s nowhere else to change.”

“You could at least cover your midriff and thighs, you lunatics!!” He barked. “And you—” He turned sharply to Aster only to stop.

She hadn’t changed yet. Still wrapped in her soaked blouse and skirt, face beet red, hands tightly gripping folded clothes to her chest.

He blinked, then pointed at her like she was a national treasure. “SEE? Look at her! Look at our Aster-chan! The youngest one here and the only one with dignity!”

She turned redder. “P-Paulie, please don’t… praise me for this… it’s embarrassing…”

Nami groaned and stomped over. “Seriously, Aster-chan. You’ll catch a fever if you keep wearing wet clothes. Just hurry up and change already!”

Aster tilted her head. “Fever?”

The orange haired blinked. “…You know, when your body temperature rises and—wait. Wait, don’t tell me—”

The younger looked thoughtful. “I… think I’ve heard of it. Is that the sickness that makes people lie in bed all day?”

Nami froze. “Wait. Have you never had a fever before?!”

Aster smiled, entirely genuine. “Nope. Never been sick in my life.”

Nami dropped to her knees, trembling. “I’m surrounded by monsters. Literal monsters who’ve never had a cold or a fever or even a sneeze…”

Aster frowned. Maybe she shouldn’t have said that.

Being a Celestial Noble came with extreme medical protections, immunity serums, vaccinations, biological conditioning from birth. Apparently, fevers were a peasant’s affliction. She hadn’t realized being too healthy could make people upset.

After a moment of silence, Nami threw a dry blanket over her. “Fine. Change. But do it quick.”

Flustered but grateful, Aster ducked into the blanket and quickly slipped out of her soaked clothes, wriggling into the best dry outfit they could scavenge from the supply crate. And somehow, miraculously, it fit perfectly.

She stepped out slowly, tugging at the hem. It was a corset-style dress, cream in color, off-the-shoulder with long, flowing sleeves that cinched at her wrists. A dark blue bodice hugged her waist with black lacing in front, tied neatly at her back. The skirt flared in petal-like layers, cut asymmetrically so it danced around her legs with every step. A pair of ruffled gray boots rose to her knees, and her short, damp, wavy hair framed her face in a slightly chaotic bob.

Her gold pendant gleamed at her collarbone. And across her exposed upper back, just under the laces of the corset, a pale scar traced a diagonal line across her skin.

No one said anything… except Paulie.

“WAIT A MINUTE! TOO MUCH SHOULDER! TOO MUCH NECKLINE!” he yelled, scandalized. “GO BACK IN THE BLANKET!”

Aster pouted, pulling at the skirt. “There were no other options, Paulie! Let it go for once…”

Meanwhile, Luffy, now in black pants and a red jacket, was sulking as he tried to cram a large hunk of meat into his pocket. “Stupid black pants… If you’re gonna give us pockets, make them big enough for food!”

“STOP stuffing meat into your pants!” Nami barked.

Aster blinked, then glanced down at her dress. “I don’t even have pockets…” she muttered. “You should be grateful.”

Zoro, leaning back in his new green outfit, opened one eye. He noticed Nami holding a strange blue staff with spherical attachments.

“You change your weapon?” he asked.

Aster glanced over curiously. “It looks kind of like… a spear?”

She held up Aurora, her own elegant spear, as if comparing.

Nami smiled. “Nope. This is my Perfect Clima-Tact! Usopp upgraded it after we came back from Skypiea. It’s way stronger now.” Her smile faltered. She looked down. “Yeah… his final work.”

Luffy’s eyes dulled, his voice barely above a whisper. “Usopp…”

“DON’T ACT LIKE HE’S DEAD!!” Zoro snapped.

Aster sweatdropped, glancing between them. “You guys really need to work on how you talk about people…”

Puffing Tom, Car 3…

The car was dimly lit and shaking from the impact above. Inside, Robin sat in a seat, arms bound gently at the wrist.

Across from her, Usopp sat, mask off now, dripping wet and shaking from adrenaline.

Her eyes narrowed. “What is the meaning of this? How are you even here?”

“I snuck on,” Usopp said plainly, voice light with forced confidence. “And I came to rescue you.”

Robin blinked. “Longnose-san…”

“I’m not alone either. Sanji’s onboard, and so is some musclehead named Franky. And the rest?” He leaned forward. “Luffy and the others are coming by sea train. We’ve got backup.”

She didn’t reply.

He pushed on. “I saw the guys guarding the next car. They’re tough, but if we act now, we can escape before Sanji and Franky slam into them.” He pulled something from his coat, a set of Octopus Shoes. “These’ll stick to the train if you wear them on your hands and feet. We’ll climb out the window and—”

“Stop!” She hissed, her voice sharp as a whip.

He froze.

She looked down as her hands shook. “…Why are you doing this?”

“You know why,” he said.

“I told you. I’m not going back. I meant it.”

“Yeah?” He frowned. “Well, Iceburg explained everything. The others know why you left now.”

She gasped. “He’s alive?”

“Yeah, and he cleared your name.”

She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I still can’t return.”

“Why not?!” Usopp shouted. “Don’t you get it yet?! We’re not weaklings you have to protect! You should’ve told us the truth!” His voice softened. “You think they’d be grateful to be alive… knowing their nakama gave herself up to die in their place?” He looked her in the eye. “They’re gonna follow you to hell and back, Robin. Whether you want them to or not.”

Robin’s face twisted. “You don’t understand!” she snapped. “I don’t want to be saved! I was never supposed to survive!”

He stared. “What…?”

Car 2…

BAM!!!

Sanji’s boot connected with Wanze’s jaw, sending him flying through the train car doors like a fleshy torpedo. They shattered open and Sanji stepped in, cigarette glowing, coat whipping behind him.

“Yo,” he muttered coolly.

CRASH!!!

Above, the ceiling buckled as Franky slammed down through it, landing beside Sanji in a dramatic hero pose.

“SUPERRRR!!” he bellowed.

Sanji didn’t look over. “Where the hell did you come from?”

He grinned. “Finished up with that pasta freak. You?”

“Just now.”

Across the car, Kalifa, Blueno, Kaku, Elias, and Lucci stood in eerie silence.

Kalifa tilted her head. “It got loud all of a sudden.”

Blueno muttered, “So much for the guards.”

Kaku sighed. “We didn’t expect much.”

”I should give them a small lesson,” Elias noted thoughtfully.

Lucci said nothing, he stared.

Sanji lit another cigarette. “So,” he said. “You’re the ones who took Robin.”

Franky popped his knuckles. “Watch it. They’ve got weird martial arts.”

Lucci stepped forward, voice calm, “I don’t need to ask why you’re here. From your entry… I can guess you’re not the patient type.”

Sanji smirked. “My parents raised me wrong.”

The assassin’s eyes darkened. “If you’re here for Nico Robin… give up. She was born cursed. Her very existence is a sin. She should have died twenty years ago.”

Sanji’s smile vanished. “What…?”

Lucci’s voice stayed low. “If a child holds power that can destroy the world… is her death not mercy?”

His eyes narrowed. “You’re disgusting.”

Lucci didn’t stop. “She exists only to be erased. That’s her fate.”

“Shut up…” Sanji hissed.

“She’ll die soon. And honestly… I’ll be glad.”

“SHUT UP, DAMN YOU!!!”

Sanji lunged, boot blazing with fury, but Lucci caught it one-handed.

At that moment, the rear door burst open and Robin walked in, expression blank. Usopp scrambled behind her, panting.

Sanji’s eyes lit up. “Robin-chan?! You’re safe!”

Franky blinked. “Whoa… that’s really her…” meeting her for the first time.

Robin raised a hand and flung Usopp backward with her powers, sending him tumbling into the seats.

“Robin-chan?!” Sanji shouted.

She stared at him coldly. “You still don’t understand.”

Franky looked between them. “What’s going on?!”

“Release Car 3!” Usopp yelled from the floor. “Now!!”

Franky blinked. “Huh?!”

“DO IT! We’re escaping!!”

Kaku snarled. “Stop them!!”

Blueno moved.

Sanji spun. “What the hell is happening?!”

“RUN!” Usopp shouted. “This car’s about to go down!!”

BOOM!!

A smoke bomb erupted, filling the room with thick fog. In the chaos, Usopp grabbed Robin’s waist and bolted toward the exit.

“NICO ROBIN BELONGS TO US!!”

He crashed through the door, shouting as Franky hit the release. But they weren’t fast enough.

CP9 surged forward and Robin was torn away as well as Franky was captured. And the train screamed on toward Enies Lobby.

Sanji stood in the smoke, fists clenched, rain in his eyes. “…Dammit.”

…

Luffy suddenly jumped to his feet, eyes wide in panic. “TURN AROUND!!!”

Everyone jerked in place.

“WHAT?!” Nami and Aster shouted in sync. “Why would we turn around now?! We’re almost there!”

Zambai and the Franky Family howled from the connected boat behind, “Yeah, Straw Hat!! What gives?! We’re on a MISSION here!!”

He waved his arms frantically. “No, that’s not what I meant!” He stabbed a finger at the tracks ahead, face contorted in disbelief. “LOOK!! THE FROG!!”

Everyone twisted to look just in time to see a hulking green figure soaring through the air.

A giant frog… with an afro.

It landed squarely on the train tracks ahead of them, feet planted wide in a sumo stance, muscles tensed like it was about to wrestle a freight train.

“YO—YOKOZUNA!!!” Chimney squealed, pointing. “He’s back!!”

Aster blinked rapidly. “Wait. You know the cute frog?!”

”CUTE?! What part of that is cute?!”

Chimney nodded fiercely. “Yup! He’s my friend! And he’s really strong but also really dumb!”

Aster pressed a hand to the window, horrified. “If he doesn’t move, we’re going to flatten him!! He’s so cute I don’t want him to die!”

”Where exactly is he cute?!”

Zambai slammed his forehead against the glass. “WHAT IS THIS INSANE FROG DOING?!!”

“GET OFF THE TRACKS, YOU MORON!!!” Luffy yelled out the window, flailing.

But Yokozuna didn’t move. Instead, he lowered himself, sumo-style, eyes blazing with challenge.

“He’s gonna fight us, isn’t he?!” Nami gasped.

“He’s gonna die, is what he’s gonna do!!” Paulie barked.

With a flawless sumo move, the giant frog bodyslammed the Rocketman, launching it off the tracks, flying through the air like a derailed meteor.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!”

Inside the chaos, Zoro groggily opened one eye from his nap in the corner.

“…Did we hit something?” he muttered.

The Rocketman finally slammed down onto the sea with a crash that sent water blasting in every direction. The Franky Family’s attached boat tore loose, spinning away with a collective scream from all fifty soaked weirdos.

Back inside the cabin, silence reigned. Everyone slowly peeled themselves off the walls, floor, or each other.

Luffy sat up, face twisted with rage. “DAMN YOU, FROG!!!”

Yokozuna, now proudly clinging to the front of the Rocketman like a ship figurehead, puffed out his chest and croaked, “RIBBIT.” His tone was judgmental.

“Don’t give me that!! Don’t ‘ribbit’ me!” Luffy shouted, punching the window. “You kicked us off track!! We were right there, so close to Sanji and the others!!”

Paulie staggered to his feet, dazed. “What the HELL happened to this train?!”

“I think we’re off the rails!” Tilestone yelled, peering out.

“WE’RE TOO FAR!” Lulu cried.

“Kokoro-san!” Zambai called from the disconnected boat, “CAN WE STILL MAKE IT TO ENIES LOBBY?!”

Kokoro, gripping the throttle with unshakable determination, growled, “SHUT IT! I’m doing my best but this current is all wrong. Something weird’s dragging us sideways!”

Aster stared out the window, heart pounding. The sea churned wildly around them, and Yokozuna still hung on the front of the Rocketman like he was proud of himself.

“Why…” she murmured. “Why would he do something so reckless…? He’s cute, but that was borderline suicidal…”

”Again… what do you mean by cute?!”

“Old lady!” Nami spun to Kokoro, eyes sharp. “Do you at least know which direction we’re headed?!”

Sge nodded. “More or less. Most train stations use eternal compasses for backup. We’ve still got a general heading.”

Nami pressed her face to the window next to Aster. “Then I’ll guide us! You focus on driving!”

Kokoro gave her a skeptical side-eye. “You a navigator, girl?”

The younger woman smirked. “The best one you’ll ever meet.”

The older’s lips curled into a crooked smile. “Hah! Then let’s get this beast back on track!” She leaned out the engineer’s window and hollered toward the front. “Yokozuna!! Get your slimy ass back here!!”

Luffy paused mid-strangle, fists still buried in the frog’s neck. Yokozuna perked up and blinked in surprise. “Ribbit??”

Kokoro folded her arms, frowning sternly. “What do you mean, you’re glad I’m safe? I wasn’t kidnapped! You panicked, didn’t you?!”

“RIBBIT?!” He croaked, scandalized.

Aster stared at the two of them, jaw dropped. “You can understand him?!”

Chopper leaned over and whispered, “Wait… is Kokoro-san secretly a frog?”

“You’re bot as cute as him, though…” Aster commented hesitantly.

Lulu whispered back, “Honestly, she looks more like one than he does.”

Kokoro ignored them and crouched low to meet Yokozuna’s eyes.

“Ever since that day… eight years ago. The day Tom was taken, the day they ripped your heart out… you’ve been throwing yourself against the Sea Train, over and over, trying to get stronger. Trying to fight back. Isn’t that right?”

Yokozuna’s eyes flared and he slammed his fists on the steel. “RIBBIT!!!”

Her voice dropped to a soft rasp. “You trained… so you’d never lose someone again. So you could protect the ones you love. Even if it cost you everything.”

He straightened, chest puffed out. “RIBBIT!!!”

She pointed behind her, toward the train’s interior. “Well, your buddy Franky’s up ahead, being dragged away just like Tom was. So if you really mean that…” She jabbed a thumb at the Rocketman. “Then climb aboard.”

He beamed. “RIBBIT!!!”

She turned to the pirate’s captain. “Straw Hat! We’ve got ourselves another passenger.”

He grinned wide. “Nice!! But seriously… are you a frog or a sea witch?”

Kokoro cackled. “Nyagagaga! I’ll take either title.”

Suddenly, Nami pointed out the window. “Kokoro-san! I found a current at eight o’clock! Stable, fast, and heading the right way!”

Kokoro yanked the throttle. “THEN WE RIDE!! HANG ON, EVERYONE!!”

With a scream of steam and steel, the Rocketman rocketed forward, flames trailing in its wake.

Minutes later—

“I SEE THEM!!!” Luffy shouted, pointing out the front window.

Down below, two massive Royal Sea Bulls were charging through the waves. And atop the boat they pulled Sanji, Usopp, and the Franky Family, soaked and waving back.

“SANJIIII!!!” Luffy cheered.

Sanji waved with a cigarette in his mouth. “’Bout damn time!”

Usopp squinted at the Rocketman, then blinked. “Huh? Who’s that next to Luffy?”

“IT’S STRAW HAT!!!” the Franky Family shouted.

“Enies Lobby’s up ahead!” Nami yelled over the wind. “Everyone, get ready!”

Aster gripped the base of the window, hair whipping behind her. Her golden eyes locked onto the enormous stone gate in the distance.

The Gate of Justice.

A symbol of control and lies. Of the world that forged her bloodline and shackled others with it.

She narrowed her eyes. “One of the two things I swore I’d fight…” Her fingers dug tighter into the steel. “The World Government.”

The wind howled louder.

The rain had eased, but the wind still howled, sweeping through the open rooftop where Luffy, Chopper, Sanji, Zoro, Nami, and the others stood facing the cloaked figure in the mask.

The stranger took a dramatic stance, cape billowing in a breeze that may or may not have been real. “I… am Sogeking, from the fabled Sniper Island!”

There was a collective gasp.

“THE SNIPER KING?! FROM SNIPER ISLAND?!” Luffy and Chopper shouted in unison, eyes shining like children at a circus.

“That’s right,” Sogeking said, crossing his arms with exaggerated calm. “A close friend of the valiant Usopp entrusted me with this mission. And now… I’m here to aid you!”

Luffy’s jaw dropped. “Whoa… he’s a hero! I thought he looked heroic! I mean, he’s got a cape! I’ve never seen a real hero before!”

Chopper bounced up and down. “SO COOL! So heroes are real? And they wear capes?! This changes everything!”

Zoro stared, brow twitching. If that’s not Usopp, I’m a swordfish.

Nami exhaled slowly. I’m just… glad Usopp’s okay.

Zambai tilted his goggles. Isn’t that the long-nosed guy that snuck into Franky House?

Mozu and Kiwi sweatdropped. That’s the long-nosed guy that got captured with our bro Franky.

Chimney beamed. He’s the guy I met at the shift station!

Aster squinted hard, her golden eyes narrowing on the man’s very, very prominent nose. He looks familiar…

Luffy grabbed Sogeking’s hand and shook it with gusto. “Nice to meet you!!”

Sogeking nodded. “And you, Straw Hat Luffy. It’s an honor.”

“Can I get your autograph?!” Chopper squealed, handing over a wooden plank.

Aster kept staring. Something’s really off…

Luffy asked suddenly, “So where’s Usopp?”

Sogeking raised a hand with tragic flair. “He’s safe. No need to worry about him. He told me to pour my soul into saving Lady Robin and then he… disappeared into the mist.”

Luffy clenched a fist. “Then we have to save her. He’s right.”

Chopper blinked up. “Wait… but where’s Sniper Island anyway?”

Sogeking turned dramatically toward the horizon, striking a pose that could rival a kabuki actor. “It lies… deep inside… your hearts.”

Luffy and Chopper exploded with awe. “WHOOOOA!”

Aster’s jaw dropped as her eyes went wide. Her brain did the math. Cape. Dramatic speech. Nose. Lies.

“WAIT A MINUTE!!” she barked, suddenly drawing her spear.

“H-HUH?!” Sogeking flinched.

Her voice dropped into a dangerous growl. “I KNOW WHO YOU ARE!”

Gasps echoed around her.

“You do?!” Nami asked, startled.

Aster pointed her spear, furious. “You’re… KAKU!!!”

The entire train cabin froze.

“…WHAT?!” everyone chorused at once.

Sghe jabbed her spear closer to Sogeking’s masked face. “Don’t play dumb! You’re disguising yourself again, aren’t you?! Tricking everyone with a fake persona just like you did back in Water 7!”

“Wait wait wait—” he flailed backwards in a panic, arms up. “I’m not Kaku! I SWEAR! I’M NOT EVEN FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO JUMP ON A ROOFTOP!!”

She leapt on him, knocking him to the floor, spear pressed firmly against his throat. “I KNEW IT! You’ll never fool me again, you long-nosed fraud!”

“AAAAAAHHH!” He shrieked. “SOMEONE CONTROL THIS GIRL!!”

Luffy flailed his arms. “Astie!! Not again!! That’s our friend! Bad Aster! Bad!!”

Nami ran over. “Aster-chan, STOP! What are you doing?!”

Sanji raised an eyebrow, watching the chaos. “So… that’s Aster-chan?” He paused as his eyes sparkled. “Wow… she’s even cuter than I imagined.” He floated across the floor like a man possessed. “A flower of fury! How divine…”

Aster was still pinning Sogeking to the ground when Paulie stormed over and yanked her backward by the arms. “What the hell’s gotten into you?!”

“But—!” she huffed, cheeks puffed in indignation. “He’s obviously Kaku! Look at his nose!!”

His vein throbbed. “JUST BECAUSE HE HAS A LONG NOSE DOESN’T MAKE HIM KAKU!”

Sogeking, still splayed on the floor, wheezed. “For the love of Oda, this girl as scary as she’s adorable…”

Luffy pouted. “You’re being super rude, Astie. That’s Sogeking. Sogeking is a hero. Usopp’s friend. End of story.”

Aster folded her arms. “I’m not convinced.”

Then Sanji stepped forward, all gallant smiles. “A beautiful lady like yourself shouldn’t worry her pretty little head over secret identities.” He caught her hand and kissed it.

Aster blinked, stunned. “You’re… Sanji?”

He winked. “At your service, mademoiselle.”

Her cheeks turned bright red. “I-I’m sorry you had to see that… really, I don’t usually pin people down on the floor with a spear…” Before he could answer, she bowed deeply, hand on her chest. “It’s truly an honor to meet you! My name is Aster! I’m sixteen! My birthday is May 23rd! I like pineapples and pasta, I can’t eat fish or I’ll puke, I love dancing, training, helping people, cleaning broken glass, and collecting rare bugs— I came to avenge the betrayal I suffered from, destroy the Wold Government, and save Nico Robin!”

Everyone slowly turned to look at her.

Sanji beamed. “A lady of many talents! A pleasure—”

Nami slapped the back of his head. “SHUT UP!! This is NOT the time to swap favorite colors and food allergies!!”

Aster shrank under her glare, shoulders tense. “S-sorry…”

She hadn’t meant to overshare. She just… wanted to introduce herself properly. Everyone else in the crew, she’d met under fire or mid-chaos. This was her chance to make a first impression. And now? She’d just tackled the wrong man in front of everyone.

As the sea whipped past and the jagged outline of Enies Lobby loomed closer, Sanji’s voice dropped all the way down to serious.

He exhaled a stream of smoke and looked straight at the others. “Nami-san. Aster-chan. And the rest of you idiots, listen up.” His tone cut through the chatter, even Luffy quieted. He took a slow step forward, gaze locked ahead. “Before we charge in there to get Robin-chan back… there’s something you need to know.”

Everyone turned to him, their faces tense.

He recounted what had happened aboard the Puffing Tom— his jaw tightened. “CP9 didn’t just drag her off by force. They… used something. A piece of her past. Something painful enough to break her. I’m not making excuses. I’m saying that just because we storm enemy territory doesn’t mean Robin-chan’s going to welcome us with open arms.”

“LIKE HELL THAT MATTERS!!” Luffy’s voice boomed, arms flailing like storm sails. “I DON’T CARE WHAT EXCUSE THEY USED! I’M GONNA PUNCH EVERYTHING UNTIL SHE’S FREE!!”

Chopper mirrored his energy. “YEAH!! Robin’s our nakama!!”

Then Luffy growled, “She’s being stupid!”

Nami smacked him upside the head. “DON’T CALL HER STUPID!!”

“But she is!” He argued, rubbing his head. “Why won’t she let us help her?! What’s the point of nakama if she won’t even let us save her?!”

The navigator snapped, “She’s scared! She’s trying to protect us! She’s in pain, Luffy!”

He clenched his fists. “I DON’T CARE! IF WE LEAVE HER, SHE’S GONNA DIE! And I know—I KNOW she doesn’t really wanna die! So we’re saving her!!”

Nami faltered. “…You’re right, of course. But—”

Zoro cut in, sharp and calm, “Then stop talking. Doesn’t change what we have to do. We’re going in.”

Luffy’s eyes burned like fire. “Then I’ll go in and punch everyone until the gates fall. I’ve got a new move I wanna try, anyway…”

Aster stood still, raised her head, eyes fierce. “I’m going to save you, Robin. Then I’ll say I’m sorry. Properly.”

“HEY! You guys!” Paulie shouted. “Gather up!”

Everyone crowded around him as he rolled open a large, water-stained map on a crate.

“I’ve been here before,” he said, tapping the parchment. “Back when I was assigned to repair the rail system. This is Enies Lobby.”

He pointed to a rough sketch of an island, flanked by towers and a long, dark stretch behind it.

“That thing in the back, the Gate of Justice. You can only reach it through the Tower of Law.”

“What’s this black part here?” Nami asked, tapping it.

“A waterfall,” Paulie said. “Well… kind of. You’ll see once we get there. But look—if we can’t get Nico Robin and Franky out before they’re brought to the gate, we lose them forever.”

The mood turned cold.

He continued, “Even if we all charge in at once, there’s only a handful of people strong enough to face CP9 head-on.” He looked at the Straw Hats. “You guys are those people.” Then he pointed to the map. “Here’s what we’ll do. Rocketman will wait offshore for five minutes. Then we’ll blow open the main gates and launch you straight into the island.”

Zambai thumped his chest. “We’ll go ahead and crack it open for you. No matter how many of us go down—we’ll make that opening!!”

Paulie nodded grimly. “We’ve only got 60 fighters. The enemy… Two or three thousand. But we don’t need to beat all of them. You just have to get through. Go straight for CP9. Don’t waste time on side fights. Understood?”

Luffy gave a single, firm nod. “Got it.”

Aster raised her hand politely. “Um… may I join the Straw Hats for this part?”

Paulie blinked, then shrugged. “Sure.”

“YES!!” She punched the air like she’d won a prize.

Then Kokoro’s voice crackled from the front car, “Alright, you lot! Get ready! This is it—Enies Lobby is right in front of us!”

Everyone rushed to the windows.

And there it was. The Gate of Justice, rising high behind the island like a godless cathedral.

Aster’s breath caught in her throat.

“That thing,” Kokoro said, “never opens all the way. They only crack it for special transports. On the other side… is a nest of Sea Kings. Giant ones. The kind that chew warships like seaweed. No normal ship can pass through.”

Chopper’s jaw dropped. “So how does anyone survive going through it?!”

She snorted. “The Marines have their ways. Special methods. The point is: if you don’t get Robin before she goes through that door, you don’t get her at all. Ever. So don’t waste time.”

Aster swallowed hard, hand gripping the side of the train. “I understand,” she whispered.

Zambai stepped forward, grinning. “Alright, gang. We’re going in! We’ll buy you the opening!”

Zoro glanced at the group gathering near Paulie and Zambai—Nami, Sogeking, the Franky Family. “Huh. Aren’t they supposed to be with us?”

Aster suddenly stiffened. “Wait… Where’s Luffy?”

Everyone paused. Looked around.

“He was just here,” Nami muttered. “Right next to me—”

“HEY!!!” someone screamed from the back boat.

“STRAW HAT’S ON TOP OF THE PILLAR!!!”

Every head turned at once.

Sure enough, there was Luffy, standing proudly atop one of the gate’s massive columns, arms crossed like he was posing for a wanted poster.

Paulie screamed, “WHAT IS HE DOING?! We HAD A PLAN!!”

Zambai howled, “HE HAS NO CONCEPT OF TACTICS!!!”

Chopper collapsed, defeated. “It was pointless…”

Nami fell to her knees. “Why do I even try…”

Aster stared, wide-eyed. “But… but he said he understood…”

Sanji muttered through gritted teeth, “Five minutes was too much for him…”

Sogeking sighed, “Yeah. No way he was gonna wait.”

Zoro shrugged, annoyed but unsurprised. “Typical.”

Aster, quietly, opened the gold locket around her neck and stared at the small photo inside: her brother, smiling.

“…Brother,” she murmured,  “Is this really the man who’s going to change the world?”

The wind blew her hair around her shoulders. She watched Luffy stretch both arms to the sky like he was about to crack heaven open.

“…A man who can’t even follow a simple five-minute plan?”

…

The sea train roared like a metal beast as the Franky Family boat launched off the rails with a dramatic sound, splashing into the current below, packed to the brim with fighters.

Left behind on Rocketman: The Straw Hats (minus Luffy), Aster, Kokoro, Chimney, and Gonbe.

Kokoro clutched the throttle, her voice calm and serious. “Four minutes until Rocketman crashes through the gates. You ready?”

Sanji lit a fresh cigarette, smoke curling like tension in the air. Nami adjusted her Perfect Clima-Tact with steely focus. Chopper stood beside Sogeking, eyes sparkling with admiration. Aster muttered something quietly to herself, hyping up.

Zoro caught her in the corner of his eye.
“You getting cold feet now?”

She turned to him, beaming like the damn sun. “Are you kidding? I’ve been waiting for this moment for years!”

Zoro sweatdropped. “Really? You were waiting to rescue Robin?”

She waved her hand, nonchalant. “Details, details. Rescuing Robin is just a bonus prize!”

Nami tilted her head. “Now that you mention it… didn’t you say something earlier about destroying the World Government?” Her tone was casual, but pointed.

Sogeking said, “Yeah… Usopp told me you declared this to him, too.”

Aster jabbed a finger in his face. “Listen, Luffy wants to save Nico Robin. But to do that, he’s challenging the World Government. And when you challenge them, you either get erased from history, or you become Gold Roger… or Monkey D. Luffy.”

Sogeking swallowed hard under the mask. “W-Wow. That’s… quite the statement. You seem pretty sold on the guy, considering you just met him.”

Aster smiled, hands behind her back. “Well… Luffy has that kind of effect on people, doesn’t he?”

The train car went quiet for half a beat. Then, one by one:

“Yeah… he does,” Nami nodded.

“Mmh,” Zoro muttered.

“The Luffy Effect…” Chopper whispered.

“The one and only,” Sanji shrugged.

“…Unfortunately,” Sogeking added flatly.

Aster giggled. She was maybe cheating a little. After all, her trust in Luffy didn’t come from experience. It came from the stories her brother used to tell her. Tales of a joy boy with a straw hat who shook the world without meaning to.

Meanwhile, in Enies Lobby…

The Den Den Mushi buzzed on Spandam’s desk, its curled mustache twitching as the officer reported in.

“Yes, sir! The intruders are at the island gate. Kashi and Oimo are engaging them. Situation under control!”

He leaned back smugly, legs crossed. “And Straw Hat? The one who landed on the main island?”

“Yes, sir!! He—uh… well. That is, he’s defeated about… 400 guards.”

There was a long pause.

Spandam’s brow twitched. “Excuse me. Did you say four hundred?”

The voice crackled back nervously. “Y-yes, but I may need to revise that number—”

Before he could finish, a thud! and a splat! echoed through the snail as another Marine flew in from the sky and landed on the poor officer’s head.

Spandam screamed into the receiver, “YOU MEANT FIVE GUARDS, RIGHT?!”

He slammed the receiver down and grumbled, planting both boots on his desk.

“Hmph. Straw Hat Luffy… what a pest. He’s not even fighting properly, just charging around like a madman. Honestly, who would be stupid enough to stand against that many men alone? It’s only a matter of time.”

Around him stood the other CP9 agents:
Jabra, Kumadori, Fukurou, and the elephant-pet Funkfreed.

A call came in, “Director! Lucci’s squad has arrived.”

Spandam’s grin widened. “Finally! Send them in!”

The office doors opened with a mechanical creak as Lucci stepped through, followed by Kalifa, Elias, Kaku, and Blueno.

Lucci offered a curt nod. “It’s been a while, Director.”

“Welcome back!! Lucci! Elias! Kaku! Blueno! Kalifa!”

Kalifa pushed up her glasses coldly.
“Sexual harassment.”

Spandam recoiled. “What?! I just said your name!”

Lucci spoke with chilling professionalism.
“Katy Flam. Assaulted a government official. Eight years ago in Water 7.
Nico Robin. Wanted for destroying a Marine ship. Twenty years ago. Ohara, West Blue. They were detained without resistance. They’re beyond the gate now.”

Jabra scoffed. “Haven’t seen you in a while, Lucci. Still as stuck-up as ever.”

He shot him a deadpan look. “Still as stupid as ever, Jabra.”

“Watch it!!” The other barked.

Kaku sighed. “Seriously? We just got back…”

Elias smirked. “Five years, and Jabra’s still starting fights with people way out of his league.”

A vein popped on Jabra’s temple. “Look who’s talking, you greasy alley-cat!!”

Kumadori waved frantically. “YOYOOYOO! Enough!! Stop this madness!!”

Fukurou opened the zipper across his lips. “Chappa-pa!”

One by one, Kalifa kicked his arm. Blueno punched his face. Kaku elbowed his chest. Elias gut-kicked him. Lucci booted him in the butt.

BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM!

Fukurou spun like laundry in a washing machine, groaning on the floor.

Kalifa coolly adjusted her glasses.
“Honestly, I thought you were here to assess us, not embarrass yourself.”

Fukurou groaned, wobbling upright.
“I-I was—Chappa—evaluating power levels…” He pressed his fingers together dramatically. “Six Powers Skill… T-Rank Assessment!! If a man with a sword is Level 10… let’s see… Kalifa: 630. Blueno: 820. Elias: 1000. Kaku: 2200.” He paused, gulping. “Lucci… 4000.”

“FOUR THOUSAND?!?!” Jabra screeched, eyes bulging. “THAT’S INSANE!! NOBODY’S EVER BEEN RANKED THAT HIGH!!”

“That’s right!!” Fukurou zipped his lips open with flair, spinning in place. “Chappa-pa! Everyone’s gotten stronger! I even measured Jabra and Kumadori so I know exactly who’s the strongest in CP9!!”

He proudly held up his rankings like it was the menu at a ramen shop.

1. Rob Lucci
2. Kaku
3. Jabra
4. Elias
5. Blueno
6. Kumadori
7. Kalifa

“HEY! I OBJECT TO THIS LIST!!” The third ranked barked, fists clenched and veins popping. “Lucci being first? Sure! Fine! But KAKU?! SECOND?! Below him?!”

Elias sat in the corner, arms folded, muttering darkly to himself. “Guess I haven’t improved as much as I thought… Damn that gorgeous woman, Luciana… she distracted me. Her eyes… her figure… her—”

Fukurou spun again, beaming. “Chappa-pa! Kaku’s grown strong too. He trained hard.”

Jabra growled and spun toward Kaku, jabbing a finger. “Don’t let this go to your head, longnose-boy!! T-Rank just measures physical strength! In a real fight, I’ve got my Devil Fruit now. I’ll crush you!”

Kaku just sighed. “Think what you want. Doesn’t matter to me.”

Lucci crossed his arms and deadpanned, “Ignore the stray mutt. He barks at anything.”

Elias, bored out of his mind, walked past them and dropped into a chair by the office window. His boots landed on the armrest.

Jabra snapped, “WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME, CAT-FACE?!”

Kalifa’s glasses glinted. “Enough, you two.”

Elias scanned the mountain of documents on Spandam’s desk and, with nothing better to do, started leafing through them lazily.

Kaku smirked. “Jabra really is sensitive.”

Fukurou helpfully added, “Everyone on the island was talking about how that waitress dumped you last night. Gathrin.”

“WHAT?!” Jabra’s face turned purple. “How does everyone know about that?!”

“I told them!” Fukurou sang. “Main island gossip!! Chappa-pa-pa!”

He lunged. “YOU’RE DEAD!!”

Spandam finally snapped. “AUGH! This is what happens when we start power rankings before the mission briefing!” He flailed and waved his arms. “Once you master the Six Powers, you’re already beyond human. Even someone with a strength rating of 500 is practically superhuman!”

Fukurou opened his zipper-mouth and helpfully offered, “Director Spandam’s power level… is nine.”

He exploded. “THAT’S IRRELEVANT!! I’m the director!! I have an emergency-use legendary sword!!”

Over in the corner, Elias had stopped flipping papers. His eyes locked onto a photo buried in the stack, a photo of a teenage girl.

Kalifa scoffed, arms crossed. “I’ve always known you were weak.”

Spandam huffed. “Watch your tone!”

“That’s sexual harassment.”

“Wh—HOW?! I just spoke to you!!”

He cleared his throat and smoothed his jacket, trying to regain his composure.

“Anyway. Great work on your five-year undercover assignment. I have something to present to you later. But first… present the last hope of this world to me!”

But Elias didn’t care, still staring at the photo.

“Before that,” he interrupted, tone flat. “Director. I have a question.”

Spandam narrowed his eyes. “Eh? What? Wait a second—were you rifling through my documents?! That’s top secret! I’m your superior!”

He ignored the squawking, raising the photo to eye level. “…Who’s this girl?”

The room quieted.

Spandam blinked. “Huh? Oh… right. You guys were deep undercover. That incident was only two years ago. No wonder you haven’t heard. The God Knight Figarland is all into it personally!”

Lucci turned. “What is it, Elias?”

The photo made its way around.

Kalifa’s eyes narrowed. “That’s… Aster, isn’t it?”

Kaku nodded slowly. “She looks a bit different now. But yeah… that’s her.”

Spandam went pale. “Wait… you know her?! Aster—no, no, no… that’s not her. That’s the saint… Saint Valeria.”

Elias frowned. “Saint Valeria…?”

Back on Rocketman…

Kokoro grinned from the front car, the wind whipping through her hair.

“Five minutes are up!! The gates should be open now!!”

“CHARGE!!!” Chimney cheered, leaping onto Gonbe, who yowled dramatically.

Inside, Nami leaned toward Sogeking.
“Hey. Can you show me how to use this Clima-Tact?”

Sogeking blinked. “H-Huh? Don’t ask me!”

Aster tilted her head, puzzled. “Yeah, why him? Didn’t you say Usopp made it?”

Sogeking made a weird choking noise.

Outside, Zoro and Yokozuna stood atop the front car, bracing against the wind. The island loomed ahead.

Seconds later…

The Rocketman soared over the wall then SLAMMED full-speed into the back of a giant, just as the colossus raised his arm to strike down Pauly and the others.

The impact was brutal. The train skid down to a perfect stop with a clunk against the stone courtyard, shaking the whole area.

“What happened?!” gasped the Enies Lobby guards, weapons raised mid-battle, their momentum halted.

Zambai’s eyes scanned the smoke nervously. “They crashed right through… but they haven’t come out yet.”

Paulie clutched his bleeding shoulder. “Dammit… what if they—”

From the smoke, three shadows emerged.

“Huh?! Who are those three?!” yelled one of the stunned soldiers.

Another blinked in confusion. “Hey, hey! What’s going on?!”

Zoro didn’t even glance at them. His swords gleamed. “Hm? Were we supposed to introduce ourselves?”

Sanji exhaled smoke. “Don’t be stupid. Of course not.”

Aster stepped forward politely, cheerful in contrast, “Hi! I’m Aster.”

Sanji’s eyes turned into floating hearts. “Whaaa~!! That’s such a great idea, Aster-chan!! Let’s introduce ourselves like proper heroes!!”

Zoro’s brow twitched. “Oi…”

From the sidelines, the Franky Family whooped. “IT’S RORONOA ZORO AND THE OTHERS!!”

“We’ve been waiting for you guys!!”

Sogeking dramatically dropped to one knee. “It is… as I requested…”

Chopper’s jaw dropped. “What?! Really?!”

Government agents nearby started whispering. “I know that swordsman!!”

“That’s the bounty hunter Straw Hat’s agent!”

Sanji laughed. “Ha! They called you an agent!”

Zoro cracked a smirk. “They didn’t even recognize you. Guess that makes you ‘Pirate A.’”

“WHAT?!” He barked.

“Fine. Pirate B.”

“RAAAGH! I swear, my bounty’s gonna be double yours someday!!”

Aster waved a hand. “What about me, Zoro-senpai?”

Zoro gave her a flat look. “You’re Headache No. 1.”

Aster made a strangled noise of emotional injury.

Sanji growled, “You bastard!!” and launched a kick, which Zoro caught on his sword.

More agents pointed. “Hey! There are others coming out of the train!”

Sogeking’s mask twitched. “They saw us!!”

“There must be more inside! Hit it with everything you’ve got!!”

“Wait!!” Sanji cried. “Nami-san is still inside!!”

But it was too late, the government soldiers launched a volley of bazookas, rocking the Rocketman with a massive blast.

Sogeking flew backwards, landing in a roll, but not without consequence, his mask tore loose. Aster’s eyes widened as she caught a full view of Usopp’s face.

He scrambled, clutching his face as Chopper rushed to him. “Are you okay?!”

“I’m fine!!” Usopp shouted, voice high. He dove for the mask and yanked it back on. “Yep, totally fine!! Nothing suspicious here!!”

Aster slowly approached, pointing in stunned disbelief. “You… you’re—”

He clamped a hand over her mouth.

“You saw nothing.”

Aster blinked, then nodded slowly.

Inside, she was dying. It was Usopp the whole time?! How could she have missed that nose?! She literally tried to murder him!! Her face flushed beet red. Oh no…

“Stop the firing!!” one marine yelled. “Cease fire!!”

“What is it?!”

“Look—!!”

Perched atop the Rocketman, Kokoro raised one hand, holding a beer bottle with the other and waved lazily.

“Cut it out, will ya? There’s a little old lady here! Plus a child and a small fuzzy animal!”

Gonbe meowed in agreement and Chimney waved. “We’re weak!!”

Kokoro nodded dramatically. “They made us run this train! We were taken hostage by the Straw Hats!”

“Whew… we almost hit hostages!”

“I can’t believe it… pirates taking grannies and kittens as shields! Shameless!”

Suddenly, clouds of vapor began to swirl above them.

“Huh? What’s with the fog?” one soldier muttered.

Down below, Nami stood just outside the wrecked train, knees on the ground, gripping her Clima-Tact.

“With the heat ball and the cool ball…” she murmured calmly, “I’ve drawn moisture from the atmosphere into a dense cloud.”

“Nami-san!!” Sanji yelled, delighted.

Aster cheered. “You’re okay!!”

She smiled, though she looked a bit nervous. “As expected from the perfect Clima-Tact… the speed and size are way beyond the old one.” She stood up, facing the battlefield. “Now let’s try this! Lightning strike!!”

KA-CRAAACK!!!

A massive bolt of lightning shot from the cloud, arcing downward and zapping the entire cluster of soldiers below. They dropped in a heap, unconscious.

Nami blinked. “…Oops.”

She leapt back in alarm. Then immediately whacked Usopp with the Clima-Tact.

“Why didn’t you tell me it could do THAT?! I could’ve died!!”

“Hey!!” Chopper cried. “Don’t hit the King of Snipers!”

She huffed. “He can take it.”

“Don’t blame me!” Usopp shouted. “Maybe you’re just using it wrong!! I don’t remember adding a ‘friendly-fire mode!’ But—damn. That was powerful.”

Aster ran up, stars in her eyes. “Nami, that was so badass!!”

Nami smirked proudly, puffing her chest out.

Then they all turned… and saw Sanji and Zoro, crispy and smoking, twitching on the ground. Apparently, they’d been standing under the cloud too.

The brown haired girl coughed. “Good thing I moved toward Usopp when I did…”

“NAMI!!!” Zoro, still lightly fried from the lightning, clenched his teeth. “Why the hell would you do that to us?!”

Sanji, meanwhile, was floating on cloud nine. Literal heart-eyes. “Nami-saaaan! That spark… it reminded me of the first time I laid eyes on you!!”

The swordsman grunted, folding his arms. “Anyway. Where’s that idiot who ran ahead?”

Nami wiped her forehead. “Well, this island isn’t that big. So if we look around a bit…”

BOOOOM!

A building exploded in the distance.

Everyone blinked.

“…That’s gotta be him,” they all muttered in unison.

Aster, already sweating, sighed. “I think I’m… starting to get used to him…”

Usopp shook his head. “You think that now. But you never really get used to Luffy.”

Zoro grunted. “Should we follow—”

Before he could finish, Marines and government agents swarmed in from every direction.

“You damned pirates!!”

“You’re causing chaos in Enies Lobby!”

“We are the Court Guard Squad! No one’s ever passed us before!!”

They lowered their weapons.

“You’re not getting past this line alive! Prepare yourselves!!”

The Straw Hats, Aster included, got ready.

“WAIT!!”

Paulie rode in atop a towering King Bull, Sodom, crashing through a column of agents to clear the path.

Aster lit up. “PAULIE!!!”

He shouted over the chaos. “Don’t forget why we’re here! This isn’t the time to waste energy fighting randoms!”

Sanji nodded. “He’s right. This crowd’ll take all day.”

The older blonde tossed down thick ropes. “Grab on and hang tight!”

Aster and the others each grabbed a rope and swung up. Meanwhile, the Franky Family mounted the second King Bull, Gomorrah, barreling forward behind them.

Agents yelled from behind.

“You idiots!! You won’t get away!!”

“Our guard dogs can outrun those sea beasts!!”

Chopper and Nami looked up at the rooftop soldiers.

“They’re aiming for the bulls!!”

“They’ll shoot at the legs!”

Aster frowned from atop Sodom. “Wow. They’re persistent…”

Paulie turned to Sanji, handing over the reins. “You take it from here.”

Sanji raised a brow. “You sure?”

His eyes were focused. “If you see those traitors again… tell them they’re fired.”

Aster gave him a salute and a gleam in her eye. “I’ll give them a firing party they won’t forget!”

Lulu and Tilestone grinned at her and leapt off Sodom with Paulie, diving straight into the sea of agents to cover their retreat.

As Sodom tore through the streets, the Marines above began firing down. Aster ducked instinctively.

Chopper explained Sodom’s speech quickly, “Franky Family found Sodom and Gomorrah when they were trapped in the stomach of a giant Sea King. They were half-dead! Franky didn’t eat them… so they swore loyalty to him forever!”

Aster was wide-eyed. “That’s… incredible.” Then she blinked. “…Wait. Chopper, you can understand them?”

Nami nodded, “I mean… Chopper is an animal.”

She tilted her head. “Sure, but they’re different animals. Wouldn’t they have different languages?”

The other shrugged. “Maybe… but they’re all animals, right?”

Zoro snorted. “Funny, you’re all philosophical now, but couldn’t recognize Sogeking’s nose.”

Aster flushed bright red. “I was just thinking out loud, jeez!”

Nami whacked Zoro on the back of the head and Sanji followed with a kick to his face.

“How dare you be mean to Aster-chan?!”

Zoro snarled. “You wanna go again, love-cook?!”

But before the fight could explode, Chopper’s ears twitched.

“Sodom just asked… ‘Where’s the guy in the mask? He never got on. Is that okay?’… Wait, WHAT?!” He froze.

They all looked around the back of the bull.

No Sogeking.

“He’s not here!!!” Nami screamed.

“Did he fall off?!” Sanji shouted.

“No! He never got on to begin with!!” Chopper panicked.

Zoro narrowed his eyes. “Then he ran away…”

“Or got stomped by the bulls!” Aster added.

“DON’T SAY STUFF LIKE THAT!!” Chopper cried.

She winced. “Sorry!!”

Elsewhere, The Hall Before the Tower of Law…

Luffy stood face-to-face with Blueno, the CP9 agent with the door-door fruit powers.

Blueno scoffed, “You know what this means, don’t you? This island belongs to the World Government, backed by over 170 nations from all over the seas. Attacking this place is the same as waging war against the entire world.” His tone darkened, “They will crush you. They’ll humiliate you in front of the world and then wipe you out. You’re just a handful of misfits with laughable power.”

Luffy’s expression didn’t change. “I already told you…” His fists clenched. “Get out of my way.”

His eyes narrowed. “I said it already, too. Whether I move or not… if you pass through this gate… then you have no future.” He raised his fists, ready to fight. “You’ve seen our power. You know you can’t win. This is pointless.”

Luffy cracked his knuckles. “…Yeah. Maybe. But for some reason…” His foot planted hard. “…I just don’t feel like giving up.”

And with a yell, he stretched his arm forward, smashing it straight into Blueno’s gut. His eyes bulged, the breath knocked from his lungs.

….

“Anyway,” Zoro muttered, glancing around from atop the still-rushing King Bull. “He’s not here. And we can’t go back. He’ll have to handle himself.”

“But this island’s crawling with guards!” Nami argued, her brow furrowed. “He’s not Luffy! If he’s alone, his life is—”

“In every island we’ve hit,” he interrupted, calmly but firmly, “we’ve gotten stronger. And every time he’s landed somewhere… he’s cheated death. No one that stubborn about staying alive is going anywhere anytime soon.” He pointed. “Look, that’s the courthouse up ahead.”

Suddenly, a bazooka shell struck Sodom straight in the chest.

The giant bull let out a harrowing cry, blood spurting from its mouth. A wave of triumphant shouts erupted from the Marines.

Aster gasped, her hand flying to her lips.

“Sodom!” Sanji shouted, furious.

“OH NO! We need to treat him!!” Chopper cried, tears already welling in his eyes.

“Sodom, hang in there!” Nami yelled. “Don’t give up!!”

From atop Gomorra, Zambai called out to them. “Move it, now!! Get over here!!! That shot hit Sodom straight through, he’s done! We’ve got to keep going or we save no one!!”

The group jumped onto Gomorra’s back, leaving Sodom behind.

Aster looked back, her face shadowed with emotion. “Sodom-chan…”

Chopper, tears streaming, translated softly, “He said… ‘Go.’”

Sodom collapsed and Gomorra bellowed, surged forward.

The cityscape erupted around them with more cannon fire.

Zambai cursed. “Straight down the middle was a mistake!! They’ve set a full trap!”

Gomorra veered left, narrowly avoiding a second strike.

Suddenly, Nami’s baby Den Den Mushi buzzed.

“Huh? Who’s calling now?!” she snapped, flipping it open.

“Hello~!” came Kokoro’s cheerful voice. “Glad you’re still alive! Nyohoho!”

Nami groaned. “What do you want?!”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you something earlier! I know you’re in a hurry, so I’ll keep it short! Listen close: on Paulie’s map, there’s no path between the courthouse and the Tower of Law!”

Everyone stiffened.

“I knew something felt off about that,” Sanji muttered.

She continued, “You see those two towers flanking the courthouse? There’s a lever in the upper floor of each one. Pull them both… and a drawbridge will drop between the courthouse and the tower!”

Zambai blinked. “How do you know that, old lady?!”

“Came here years ago with Tom for maintenance! Damn ungrateful government!”

Then another voice cut in.

“Hello? Hello?! Pirate lady?! Can you hear me?!”

“Chimney?!” Nami blinked.

“I saw the rubber pirate guy! He climbed to the roof of the courthouse! Then I saw part of the roof collapse! I think there’s fighting!!”

“Luffy?!” Nami and Aster echoed.

“He’s on the roof, got it. Thanks!” Nami closed the shell. “Okay, everyone heard that, right?! New destination, rooftop of the courthouse!”

“Perfect!” Zambai barked. “Straight shot to the top! We’ll handle the bridge levers ourselves! You Straw Hats, go back up your captain!”

Gomorra roared again.

A massive iron ball, connected to a chain of more balls, slammed into Gomorra’s neck. The beast staggered and screeched in pain.

“GOMORRA!!” the Franky Family yelled in horror.

“Yes!!” the government troops howled. “They got the second one!! The pirates are down another ride!”

“They’ve lost their transportation!”

“Surround them! Don’t let them escape!!!”

Den Den Mushi broadcasts echoed across the island.

“Attention all Enies Lobby units! In Block D of the southern quadrant, the pirates’ second King Bull has been taken down! Deploy full forces to encircle and eliminate!!”

Aster’s eyes widened. “They’re coming from the front too!”

“Oh no,” Chopper whispered. “There’s thousands of them!”

Mozo stiffened. “They’ve trained their cannons on us too!”

Tower of Law, Lucci’s Room…

Lucci sat at a low table, arms crossed, calm as ever. In front of him, Kalifa, Kaku, and Elias sat, each with a strange Devil Fruit placed on a plate before them.

Kaku’s fruit looked like a banana spiraled in tight curls. Kalifa’s resembled a prickly guava. Elias’s fruit had the golden ridges of a pineapple.

“They’re not fruits of this world,” Lucci said, his eyes narrow. “I can feel a strange pull. Something like gravity… but not quite. And they’re not in any illustrated reference books.”

Kalifa scoffed lightly. “Not that strange.”

“You’ll learn the name of your fruit once the power takes root,” he continued. “But it’s a gamble, what kind of ability you get is pure chance. Could be terrifying. Could be ridiculous. Either way, it’ll change your life, and you’ll never be able to swim again.” He smiled faintly. “Then again, maybe you can’t get any weaker. And who cares about swimming? Entire navies have killed for a single bite. Go on, eat. Might be fun.”

From the doorway, Jabra leaned in, wild-eyed. “Kaku! Kalifa! Elias! Don’t do it! I’m telling you, it’ll taste like poop! Like poop, I say!!”

Behind him, Fukuro and Kumadori peered in with equal intensity.

“Jabra doesn’t want you to get stronger,” Fukuro sing-songed. “Cha-pa-pa!”

“Jealousy and envy stain a man’s honor, yo-yo!!” Kumadori added.

“Shut up!!” He barked. “Think about it! You could sell those for hundreds of millions! Or get cursed forever! One bite and BAM! Your life goes to hell!”

The three ignored him completely.

“If it’s a strong power,” Kalifa said coolly, “I welcome it.”

“Might be interesting,” Kaku said.

Elias just shrugged. “Can’t exactly refuse a gift from the boss.”

All three sliced into their fruits with knife and fork and ate.

Jabra shrieked, “YOU ALREADY ATE THEM?!”

Almost immediately, their faces twisted with horror.

Kalifa covered her mouth, fighting to not spit it out. Elias clenched his eyes shut, trembling. Kaku bent over in silent, furious regret. It tasted like absolute death. If the power sucked, Elias swore he’d murder Spandam in his sleep.

Jabra and the others leaned forward, wide-eyed. “Well?!” he hissed. “Try something! What’d you get?!”

Kalifa, panting, shook her head. “Hah… hah… nothing. I don’t feel any different.”

Kaku and Elias leaned back, pale and silent.

Lucci’s expression didn’t change. “You will. Soon. Something inside you just awakened. Get used to it fast… because you’ll be testing it in combat. Spandam wants us mobilized. Blueno’s already having fun.”

Back at the Courthouse Rooftop…

A building chunk exploded outward, Blueno had just kicked it. Luffy caught the blow, skidding backward, fists raised. From below, the Straw Hats spotted the blast.

“Luffy’s already fighting a CP9 agent…” Sanji muttered.

Aster’s eyes narrowed, jaw tight. “Blueno,” she hissed.

Nami and Chopper gasped as Zambai swore under his breath.

“We’re off to a slow start! We’re boxed in!!” he shouted. “How do we even get there?! They crippled Gomorra’s legs!”

Marines shouted from rooftops: “FIRE! Take down the pirates! Forget that monster!”

“There’s only one way!” Zoro snapped.

“Break through the courthouse!!” Sanji shouted.

Everyone turned to leap down from Gomorra.

“WAIT!!” Chopper yelled.

Everyone froze.

His eyes were intense. “Gomorra says… hold on tight.”

“…What?” They all blinked.

With a roar, Gomorra rose, legs wobbling, body battered. He slammed his head into the wall ahead.

“Whoa! Hey, hey!!” Zambai cried. “Why are you bashing your head into the wall?!”

Franky Family members panicked. “It’s over! He’s losing it!”

Chopper’s voice cracked. “No—he can’t see. He’s blind! The attack hit his eyes!”

Aster gasped, hand over her mouth.

Gomorra roared again, smashing his head once more then stood tall, and ran.

“STOP! GOMORRA!!” Kiwi cried. “You’ll kill yourself!!”

“It’s okay!” Aster shouted. “We’ll find another way, just stop!!”

He roared again.

Chopper translated, voice shaking:
“He said… ‘I made a promise. Sodom said leave the rest to me. Carry them for both of us.’”

Tears welled in Aster’s eyes.

Zambai yelled, “You’ll crash into a dead end! GOMORRA!! STOP!!”

Zoro growled, “Dead end? Where?”

Sanji muttered, “I don’t see any wall…”

Right before impact, Zoro leapt, his swords drawn. Sanji followed, his leg blazing. Zoro sliced through the wall, as Sanji kicked it to pieces.

The group broke through, the path ahead finally opening. They’d made it.

Marine HQ Broadcast, “Attention all units! The pirates have broken through Block D! Current location: the plaza in front of the courthouse! I repeat—”

“WE MADE IT!” the Franky Family cheered. “Gomorra, it’s the courthouse!!”

Everyone stood before the towering gate, craning their necks up.

“See Luffy anywhere?” Zoro asked, scanning the rooftop.

Sanji shook his head. “Nope.”

“There’s no way we can reach the top,” Nami said.

Aster looked up as well, frowning. Even with her spear as a pole-vault, she wouldn’t get close. The gate was absurdly tall.

“We’re not made of rubber,” Zoro muttered.

“How many CP9 agents have you seen so far?” Nami asked.

Aster replied, “Only one… Blueno.”

Sanji scowled. “Hard to imagine they dragged Robin-chan and Franky somewhere without a roof. Doesn’t make sense.”

Chopper clenched his fists. “Either way, we’re following Luffy! We have to save Robin!!”

“How do we even get past that massive gate?” Zambai shouted.

Zoro answered by casually slicing through the bottom of the stone door with one clean swing.

“Stop wasting time,” he said, stepping through. “I’m moving.”

“Holy crap!!” Zambai shouted. “He just shredded stone like it was paper!!”

Aster’s eyes sparkled. “Zoro-senpai is amazing!”

“Zambai,” Mozo called, “Kiwi and I will go around the sides and pull the levers for the drawbridge!”

“Got it!” he replied, and they split.

Aster, Nami, Zoro, Sanji, Chopper, and a few Franky Family members entered the courthouse. The place was crawling with guards but they barely slowed the group down, they were taken down in seconds.

“Honestly surprised how few there are,” Zoro said. “Should be smooth sailing.”

Aster spun and knocked an agent across the room with her spear.

Then they all looked up and froze.

A man with three heads stared down at them.

“WHAAAT?! A three-headed guy?!” Franky Family shouted. “I’ve heard of a three-headed dog, but—what even is that?!”

Aster clamped a hand over her mouth. “Eek! That’s terrifying! He really has three heads?!”

One of the heads, the one with a beard, shouted, “ORDER! This is a sacred courtroom!! I shall now deliver your sentence, no appeals will be granted!!”

Everyone ignored him.

“Try and reach the top!” Zambai ordered. “Straw Hat should be there! Yokozuna and I’ll hold the rear! We’ve got your backs, just go!!”

Zoro nodded. “Got it.”

“Look!” Nami pointed. “The court’s actually in session…”

He sighed. “Ignore him. What a pain. How do we get past this clown?”

“THE CRIME IS AS FOLLOWS—” the judge boomed. “The accused did first trespass upon the Hall of the United Nations—”

“There!” Aster pointed. “Stairs on both sides! Let’s split up and climb!”

“Disrespectful brats!!” one government agent gasped. “They’re ignoring the sacred trial proceedings!!”

“Unforgivable! They have no respect for judicial tradition!!”

Zoro sliced through them with an Oni Giri. “Move. Path’s clear.”

He charged forward.

“Wait, wait, wait!!” Sanji shouted. “Move aside, reindeer and sword-for-brains! This is enemy territory! It’s my job to clear the way for Nami-san and Aster-chan!”

He leapt toward Zoro, who blocked his kick mid-air.

“Oi!! You wanna fight over this right now?!”

Aster raised a hand quickly. “I appreciate it, Sanji, really—but I don’t want to trouble you. I can fight just fine. But thank you! Please don’t fight Zoro-senpai over this!”

Sanji froze. Then smiled wide, stars in his eyes. “As you wish, my lady!”

He rushed toward the stairs.

“This way, Nami-san! Aster-chan! Follow me!”

Aster sweatdropped. “I literally just said—”

Nami sighed. “Didn’t we come here to rescue Robin?”

He froze mid-run, eyes wide in horror. “OH RIGHT. Robin-chaaaan!! She’s waiting for me to rescue her! Is she crying right now? Feeling all alone—?!”

Chopper blinked. “Oh! Zoro! He ran the wrong way again!! Zoro!! That’s not the right stairs!!”

“HEY!!” Nami shouted. “We said the STAIRS!! Why are you—?!”

Zoro yelled back, “Shut up! I couldn’t understand your instructions!!”

“Not my fault you’ve got a compass for a brain!”

“I’m coming, Robin-chaaaan!!” Sanji screamed.

“I’ll bring you some medicine later, Zoro,” Chopper called after him. “Loser medicine!”

“Loser?!” Zoro snapped.

“Wait—Sanji!! Don’t go alone!!” Aster shouted, chasing after him.

He didn’t hear her, too busy imagining Robin crying and hugging him when he saves her.

Aster sighed and kept up. As fun as being around Zoro-senpai was… she had a feeling she’d get stuck for hours with his awful sense of direction.

As they ran, government agents attacked from all directions. Sanji kicked them aside. Aster struck them, sweeping legs and knocking out enemies left and right.

Sanji finally noticed her, right as she accidentally threw an enemy straight into him.

“ASTER-CHAN?!” he gasped, deflecting the unconscious man. “What are you doing here?!”

She spun her spear overhead, then slammed it down into an attacker. “I’ve been here the whole time…”

He stared, stunned. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice you…”

She smiled. “I figured you might need backup. We don’t leave crewmates behind, right? We’re in this together.”

His ond eye went wide, dropped to his knees. “Aster-chan… are you an angel?”

Her cheeks flushed. “What?! I’m just doing the right thing! If anything—I’m the opposite of an angel…”

He shook his head furiously. “No! You! You just appeared on the train out of nowhere! Cute, small, beautiful smile, kind heart… you’re definitely an angel!”

Aster whacked another guard and muttered, “What are you talking about? I didn’t just appear, I joined the mission. Told you.. revenge, destroying the World Government, saving Nico Robin, remember?”

Sanji blinked. “You… did say that. Wow. So many goals… We’re just here for Robin-chan, but—hey! I’ll help with everything! Revenge, destruction—just say the word! I’m your devoted servant!”

Her smile froze. “Servant? Uh. Don’t say things like that. That’s… not funny.” She stared at him, brows furrowed.

Sanji grinned, clutching his chest. “Even when you’re mad, you’re adorable!!”

Aster kept running. Yeah… maybe she should’ve stuck with Zoro, Nami, and Chopper. Sanji was way harder to deal with than he looked.

Even if at first… he seemed simple. She’d definitely misjudged him. He was… weird. Right?

Tower of Law…

Luffy stood tall atop the roof, the wind tousling his hair. Behind him lay Blueno, unconscious, defeated.

Luffy took a deep breath, then cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted with all the power in his lungs: “ROBIN!!! I’M HERE TO GET YOU!!!”

Inside the tower, Robin’s eyes widened.

Franky gave a nervous smile. “He made it…!”

Spandam’s face turned bone white, his jaw literally dropping.

Robin stepped slowly onto the balcony, trembling as she looked across to the tower opposite. Luffy stood there, arms wide open.

“Gomu Gomu no—!”

“WAIT!!” Robin shouted, her voice cracking.

He froze mid-attack. Confused, he stared back at her.

Her jaw clenched. Then, she screamed, “How many times do I have to say it?! I’m not going back to you! To the crew! Go home!! I don’t even want to see your faces again!!”

Franky gaped. “Huh?!”

Her voice shook with barely controlled rage. “Why did you come to save me? Did I ever ask you to?!” She took a shaky breath, then declared, “I just… want to die!”

The air fell still.

Luffy’s eyes widened slightly and he stared in silence, stunned.

“Nico Robin!!” Franky shouted in disbelief.

Spandam cackled with delight. “Wahahaha! What’s wrong with these people?! Wahaha!”

Franky tried to protest but was cut short as Kaku stormed past and kicked him straight into the wall.

“You were in my way,” he said coldly.

Jabra sauntered in behind him. “Aww, what’s the matter, Kaku? Still sulking because you got stuck with the weird fruit? Jealous that Elias got the cooler powers?”

Kaku growled. “Shut it. I like mine just fine.”

The rest of CP9 stepped onto the balcony. All six remaining agents were present, Blueno was down.

Spandam chuckled. “Well, well. All of CP9’s elite are finally assembled. Let’s sit back and watch the Straw Hats destroy each other! This is entertainment!”

Robin and Luffy locked eyes across the void. Hers were conflicted, trembling. His were unreadable.

Kalifa raised an eyebrow. “That’s the one who made it here?”

Kumadori hummed dramatically. “Indeed! Reaching this far is quite impressive!”

Jabra smirked. “Blueno got wrecked. What an idiot.”

Lucci muttered, “Five years of bartending’ll do that to a man.”

Elias side-eyed him. “That an insult, Lucci?”

“How could he lose?” Kaku muttered.

“Lose he did,” Fukuro chirped. “Chappa-pa!”

Finally, Luffy spoke, ignoring all of them. “Robin… you want to die?”

Robin shouted back, “That’s right!”

Jabra gestured toward him. “Director! Why don’t we just take him out right now? That ends it, doesn’t it?”

Spandam leaned forward, fascinated. “The captain travels halfway across the world to save one crewmate… and gets rejected? You ever see a more tragic performance than that?”

Elias folded his arms. “Hmph. When you put it like that… it’s a hell of a drama.”

“Exactly!!” Spandam laughed. “Isn’t it delicious?!”

Luffy clenched his fists. “ROBIN!! You want to die?!”

Spandam giggled madly. “Listen to him! That desperate scream! I wish I could see his face—”

Luffy stuck a finger in his nose.

Spandam gasped. “H-Huh?! He’s… picking his nose?!”

“HEY, ROBIN!!” Luffy shouted again, louder this time. “We’re all here already!!”

BOOM!

The roof behind him exploded.

Nami landed perfectly on her feet. Chopper… landed on his head.

Luffy grinned and continued, “We’re here to save you! And if you still want to die… do it later!!”

Zoro popped up from a second rooftop hole. “Should’ve climbed up like this from the start.”

Another hole burst open, Sanji flipped up dramatically, posed, and declared in his smoothest voice, “Of course… I’m the first one here. Robin-chan, sorry to keep you waiting. I’ve come to rescue you.” He turned, hand extended. “Aster-chan, take my hand—”

But she vaulted up with her spear, landing beside him cleanly. “Thanks,” she said politely. “But I’ve got this.”

“Moss-head?! What the hell are you doing here?!”

“You’re late. What happened? Lose your way?”

“AAAAHHH!!! HOW DARE YOU—”

Above them, Sogeking launched into the sky like a missile.

“Sogeking!!” Chopper gasped.

“Huh. He’s flying,” Nami blinked.

“Where was he this whole time?” Sanji muttered.

“I’m just glad he’s okay…” Aster said quietly.

Zoro watched him soar, unimpressed. “Not for long. Can that idiot land?”

Sogeking crashed down in a dramatic heap.

The CP9 agents looked increasingly annoyed.

“How many of them are there?!” one muttered.

Spandam looked ready to scream but then his eyes locked on Aster. He blinked once and twice then his face went pale.

“Oh… my god. It’s really her.”

“Robin!!!” Luffy screamed, his voice hoarse. “If you want to die, or whatever—fine! Say whatever you want! But you have to say it… to our faces!!”

The Straw Hats all echoed in unison:

“He’s right, Robin!”

“Come back!!”

Robin’s eyes flooded with tears.

Luffy raised his voice, firm and certain.
“Leave the rest to us!!”

Aster stood among them, suddenly aware of how intimate this moment was, how much history bound them. For a second, she felt like an outsider. But that feeling vanished as soon as her eyes drifted toward the CP9 agents who betrayed her. Her fists tightened around her spear, and her jaw clenched. The fury hadn’t dulled. If anything, it had sharpened.

How dare they.

Kalifa adjusted her glasses with an amused smirk. “They overcame Aqua Laguna and made it here. Quite impressive, really.”

Jabra snorted. “Looks like luck’s on their side.”

“I’m going to enjoy breaking them,” Elias said, eyes locking directly onto Aster.

Lucci’s expression remained stone-cold.
“This time, we have a license to kill.” Hattori cooed ominously on his shoulder.

Kaku cracked his neck. “Much simpler when we don’t have to hold back.”

“But don’t forget about Saint Valeria…!” Fukuro warned.

Jabra raised an eyebrow. “Alive? Right?”

Elias grinned faintly. “Very much so.”

Robin didn’t answer anyone, she just trembled.

Franky turned to her, exasperated. “Oi! That’s enough of this, isn’t it?!”

Before she could reply, Spandam clapped his hands together gleefully and marched toward CP9.

“CP9! Listen up. Eliminate the Straw Hats—” he glanced toward Aster, “—except for the important one. Do it in the Tower of Law. No guarantee they’ll even make it up here.”

He faced the crew and laughed maniacally.

“Wahahaha!! You pitiful pirates! Soon you’ll learn that nothing you do can change a thing!! Tremble before CP9, the elite killers of the government! Bow before the Gates of Justice, which no human force can open! And best of all… I now possess the authority to use this—” He pulled a golden Den Den Mushi from his coat. “—the Golden Transponder Snail!! With just one press…”

Robin’s face turned pale.

“YES!” He shouted. “This is the exact power that destroyed your homeland, Nico Robin!! The Buster Call that erased Ohara from existence!!”

“Robin’s homeland?!” Chopper gasped.

Aster’s face darkened. “…Ohara.”

Sanji ground his teeth. “This masked clown… I wanna kick him off a waterfall.”

Robin screamed, “Stop it! Don’t!!”

Spandam cackled. “Oh, I love that reaction! The drama! So, what do you say, should I press the button? Wouldn’t that be fun?! Wahaha!”

“You have no idea what will happen if you do that!!” She cried, panic etched into her voice.

The Straw Hats froze. It wasn’t often they saw Robin this unguarded, that alone was chilling.

Spandam raised the golden snail, finger hovering over the button.

“With one press… these pirates will have zero chance of escape!! Isn’t that nostalgic, Robin?! Wahahahaha!!”

“It won’t end like that! Just stop it!!”

“Oh? Feeling bold now?” he taunted.

Her voice cracked. “You said it yourself, Ohara disappeared from the maps, didn’t it? Can you even prove people existed if you erase their names from the maps? That’s the world you see! Through maps and machines… and that’s how you justify doing such monstrous things!!”

He stiffened.

Her fists trembled. “Twenty years ago… they took everyone I ever loved from me. They upended countless lives. That one act of violence, the Buster Call, was all it took. And now…” Her voice rose. “Now they’re coming for my friends… the ones I finally found!! The more I want to stay with them… the more I fear they’ll be hurt because of me!! No matter how far I run, the enemy never stops. Because the real enemy is the world… and all its darkness.”

Aster bit her lip hard. A painful guilt coiled in her gut—not because she caused it, but because she let it happen. She ignored it. She enabled it. And Robin… Robin suffered because of it. Her voice cracked again, now on the edge of desperation, “First with Aokiji… now again… I’ve dragged them into this twice! If this goes on forever… no matter how kind they are… one day they’ll betray me. One day, they’ll leave me behind! That’s my greatest fear!! That’s why I didn’t want them to come for me!! If I’m going to die anyway… then I’d rather die here!!!”

The Straw Hats whispered her name, their hearts cracking wide open. Everything they’d suspected… was true.

Spandam roared with laughter. “Wahahahaha! I see it now! Of course, you’re right!! Having you around—no one would ever see that as anything but a nuisance! Wahaha!!”

He pointed at the World Government flag flying high above the Tower of Law.

“You see that symbol?! It represents over 170 nations united across the seas and the Grand Line! That’s the World! That’s the power that backs her! So you tell me… how do you think your little rebellion stacks up against that?!”

“…”

“I know exactly who Robin’s enemy is.” Luffy turned. “Sogeking.”

“Hm?”

He pointed. “Burn… that flag.”

Aster’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Roger!” Said immediately, no hesitation.

He raised his brand-new slingshot.
“This is my weapon, Kabuto! Witness its power!”

The air shimmered as the slingshot stretched back.

“Special attack: Firebird Star!!!”

The flaming projectile screamed through the sky and struck the World Government’s flag dead center.

The flag went up in flames.

Aster’s jaw dropped as Spandam’s eyeballs popped from their sockets. Robin stared in utter disbelief.

Aster swallowed hard, heart pounding.
“H-He… He really did it…” she murmured.

He burned the flag. He actually did it.

Did he even know what it meant?

No. he knew. He understood exactly who Robin’s enemy was. He’d said it himself.
Robin’s enemy… was the world. And he still chose to challenge it.

He had just declared war on the World Government.

Not for justice. Not for freedom. Not for some grand cause like slavery or oppression or peace. No. Luffy declared war for one person. For Robin.

“You crazy bastard!” Spandam screamed, voice shrill with panic. “Do you think you can survive after making the entire world your enemy?!”

Luffy took a deep breath… and bellowed from the bottom of his lungs, “ROBIN!!! LET’S GO!!”

Tears spilled down Robin’s cheeks. Behind her, the government flag continued to burn, its ashes scattering into the wind.

Luffy wasn’t done.

“I still haven’t heard it from your mouth!!” he shouted. “Say it!!! Say you want to live!!!”

Robin trembled. Her breath hitched and her eyes squeezed shut, and then she screamed, voice raw, voice real, ““I want to live!!!! Take me with you, into the sea!!!”

Franky broke down in tears. “Damn it… You guys… you absolute punks… You’re just too damn cool!!!”

Luffy grinned wildly.

Aster could only stare in awe.

From below, Chopper looked up. “The drawbridge, it’s coming down!”

The gears groaned, the bridge creaking to life.

Sanji smirked. “Looks like they pulled it off.”

“I’m so hyped right now…” Usopp muttered, eyes wide.

“Get that thing down faster,” Zoro growled, eyes sharp.

Nami wiped sweat off her brow. “That face is terrifying!”

Luffy cracked his knuckles, smiling fiercely. “Let’s go.”

Aster whispered, filled with conviction,
“Luffy… I’d follow you to hell if you asked me to.”

Nami raised an eyebrow. “Okay, isn’t that a bit much?”

Kalifa chuckled coolly. “Such bravery…”

Jabra laughed. “Heh… so they’re not scared of the government’s flag anymore!”

Elias’ voice was flat, his stare cold. “Then it’ll be even more satisfying to crush them.”

Kaku folded his arms. “Doesn’t matter. They can’t beat us.”

BOOM!

An explosion shook the air. The drawbridge shuddered… and stopped.

Aster’s eyes widened. “The bridge stopped moving!”

Luffy growled, “Someone’s interfering! What’s going on?! Who’s there?!”

Spandam sprang into motion, yanking Robin’s arm. “You’re coming with me, Nico Robin! Someone bring me Cutty Flam too!”

“ROBIN!!!” Chopper cried from below.

Spandam looked down at them, a nervous flicker in his eyes, covered up by arrogance. “Hmph… Fools! We’ve got CP9 on our side!” he shouted. “Nico Robin, the last survivor of a nation of scholars who tried to resurrect the ancient weapon… And Cutty Flam, heir to the weapon’s blueprints! You think I’m letting all that power slip away?! WAHAHAHAHA!”

Franky stepped forward, eyes grim. He pulled something from his coat.

Spandam’s eyes locked on it. “What—! That’s—!! Is that… the Pluton blueprints?!”

Franky held the bundle of papers high. “The real deal. You believe me?”

Lucci’s eyes narrowed slightly as Kaku shifted.

“It really is…?” He muttered. “So you had it hidden in your body all this time?”

Spandam was drooling with excitement. “Is it real?! It’s real, isn’t it?! GIVE IT TO ME!! Give me the blueprint of my dreams!!”

Franky didn’t flinch.

“Nico Robin,” he said calmly. “I get it now. You’re not a demon… not some monster bent on destroying the world.” He turned to Spandam. “These blueprints… they’ve been passed down for generations by the shipwrights of Water 7. Not to build a weapon. But to build something stronger.”

Spandam hissed, “Give it to me!!”

Franky kept going. “The reason Tom-san and Iceburg protected it… was simple. If the ancient weapon ever fell into the hands of a lunatic like you—someone drunk on power, then another weapon would be needed to stop you. That’s what the original engineer feared.” He looked to Robin again. “With Nico Robin alive, the weapon can be reborn. That makes her dangerous… but it also means she needs protection. And she’s got that now.” He took a breath. “That’s why I’ve decided. If I’m going to carry out that man’s will… there’s only one thing left to do.”

He raised the blueprints again.

Spandam’s face twisted. “NO!! STOP!! GIVE IT TO ME!! IT’S MINE!!!”

Franky blew flames from his mouth and torched the blueprints to ash.

“NOOOOOOO!!!” Spandam howled. “YOU IDIOT!! I’LL KILL YOU!!”

Kalifa’s face drained of color. “Five years of surveillance… gone…”

Kaku and Lucci both looked rattled.

Elias clenched his jaw. “That fool machine…”

Franky grinned fiercely. “Those plans existed as a failsafe. But once the government found out about them… they had to be destroyed. That was the real rule.” He shouted, “If Nico Robin falls into your hands, we’re doomed! But if the Straw Hats win… then you’ve got nothing! I’m putting everything on them!!”

Spandam’s voice trembled with rage. “You reckless bastard! You want to die too, is that it?!”

“BRO!!” a voice rang out from below.

It was Zambai, yelling from the bridge.

“BROOO FRANKY!!!”

The rest of the Franky Family shouted joyfully:

“He’s in the Tower of Law!!”

“Thank god he’s okay!”

“We’re here to save you, bro!”

“Sodom and Gomorrah gave it everything they had!”

“Let’s go home, bro!”

“Are you hurt?!”

Franky stared down, overwhelmed. His lip quivered. “You guys… you stupid… amazing… idiots!!!” He burst into tears. “Who told you to save me?! You punks!! You jerks!! D-damn it, I’m not crying!!!”

“Shut up already!!!” Luffy roared, furious.

Aster flinched. “Whoa. He’s pissed.”

He pointed. “Robin’s waiting! DROP THAT DAMN BRIDGE!!”

The crew below shouted:

“Oh yeah!! Let’s go!!”

“That’s right, move your asses or I’ll kick you!”

“Wow, Nami-san, you’re hot when you’re mad ♡~!”

Franky grinned down. “Straw Hat!! Looks like my guys owed you big time. This time, I’ll show you what their boss, Super Franky, can do!!”

Luffy glared. “Whatever!! I’m still mad you chased Usopp off the train!!”

Franky scratched his head. “Uhh… he’s right next to you though…”

Suddenly, Spandam rammed his palm into Franky’s chest, throwing him off the balcony.

“FRANKY!!!” Aster and Usopp screamed together.

The Franky Family below gasped, “BRO!!! He’s falling toward the waterfall!!!”

The Den Den Mushi in Nami’s hand crackled to life.

“Oi, pirates! I heard everything. What’re you waiting for?”

Nami blinked. “Waiting? But the drawbridge… it’s only halfway down, Kokoro-san.”

She chuckled. “Halfway’s enough. I’ll be there in four seconds. Jump toward the waterfall.”

“What?!” Nami shrieked.

Luffy turned. “What’s going on?”

“She’s… she wants us to jump… toward the waterfall?” she said, bewildered.

A horn blared the place.

Luffy’s eyes lit up. “That sounds like the Sea Train!”

With zero hesitation, Luffy extended both arms, wrapped them around his crew—and Aster—and with a huge grin shouted. “Let’s go!!!”

And leapt.

The entire crew screamed in terror.

They were airborne, falling straight toward a deadly drop, until Rocketman burst from the courthouse, slamming beneath them like fate itself, they landed hard. Franky clung to the front of the train, gripping steel with both hands.

Inside the tower, Spandam’s jaw hit the floor. “TH-THE TRAIN?!?! COMING RIGHT AT US?!?!”

Kokoro laughed heartily. “Ngyahaha!!”

Chimney grinned, “It’s a waterfall!!”

Kokoro added, “That Roger guy was a fool. Luffy’s just the same. That’s why I helped him. Looks like all of Tom’s apprentices are backing this pirate kid…”

Luffy’s voice cracked with panic, “WE’RE GONNA CRASH!!”

Aster clung tighter, eyes shut as the front of the train smashed through the side of the Tower of Law, crashing into walls and debris until it finally groaned to a stop.

Franky scrambled through the wreckage. “HEY!! Are you three okay?! Old lady Kokoro!! Kids!! Why are you even here?! I can’t believe you—driving Rocketman like this?! That’s insane!! But… thanks to you, we made it…”

He looked down at Kokoro, who was lying still.

“H-Hey… HEY!! Get up! C’mon, you can’t die! You can’t die now!!”

Kokoro, Chimney, and Gonbe suddenly sat up, all three with bloodied noses.

“Look!” Chimney said proudly. “Bloody noses!!”

Franky exploded. “THAT’S IT?! THAT’S ALL?! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!”

From the rubble, Luffy popped out like nothing had happened.

“Alright!! We’re here!!” He gave Kokoro a big grin. “Thanks, monster lady!!” Then turned to his crewmates and yelled,

“C’mon, guys! Get your act together!! That was nothing!”

A shaky hand rose from a pile of debris. Usopp groaned, “Sh-sh-shut up… Not everyone’s made of rubber… We’re normal humans, you know… You don’t just bounce back from a crash like that…”

But they all stood. No broken bones and just rage.

Luffy nodded, satisfied. “Everyone’s fine.”

Franky deadpanned, “None of you are normal. Just saying.”

Aster sat up, nose bleeding slightly. She grinned, cheeks flushed. “That was terrifying!”

He gave her a side-eye. “What’s with that smile? Why are you happy?”

Still smiling, she dusted off her clothes. “The racing heart… the sweat… the fear of dying… Isn’t it kind of exciting?”

He muttered, “You’re not a normal girl either…”

…

Spandam yanked Robin down a hallway, barking orders over his shoulder.

“Alright!! CP9, go wild!! Wipe them all out right here in the Tower of Law!! You have my blessing!! Except that girl…” He jabbed a finger toward the stairwell behind them. “I want her alive. Since we lost the blueprints… she will be our compensation.”

He turned to Lucci.

“Lucci!! Stay close to me. No matter what happens, you’re my guard dog. Got that?!”

Lucci said nothing but the pigeon on his shoulder ruffled its feathers.

…

Luffy pointed. “There’s the stairs! Robin’s up there—let’s go!”

“Wait.”

A voice echoed above and everyone looked up in unison.

Fukuro, perched on a wall like a spider, grinning like a demon.

“What the hell is that?!” Luffy snapped.

Fukuro grinned. “Chapa-papapa… So, you made it to Enies Lobby! But even if you break into the next room… Nico Robin’s not there anymore. Lucci already took her to the Gates of Justice.”

“What?!” The crew gasped.

Fukuro twirled a key on his finger. “Don’t bother asking how to find them. We’re CP9. We won’t let you reach her. Our orders are to kill you all… unless, of course, you defeat all six of us.” He tossed the key into the air and caught it. “Take a good look. Nico Robin’s in Sea Prism cuffs.”

Chopper blinked, confused. “Sea what?”

Nami quickly explained. “Sea-Prism Stone. It drains Devil Fruit powers. It’s like being submerged in the ocean.”

His ears drooped. “That’s why… That’s why Robin didn’t fight back, even with her power…”

The CP9 agent nodded. “Even if you do reach her… the cuffs are harder than diamond. You’ll never break them. If that’s fine with you, go ahead, try and save her.”

Luffy snarled and stretched his arm toward the key. “Then hand it over!!”

But Fukuro vanished midair.

He reappeared on another wall. “I never said it was the real key.”

“WHAT?!”

“There are six of us CP9 agents left. Each of us holds a different key. One of them is the right one. The rest are useless.”

Zoro gritted his teeth. “So we have to defeat all of you, take your keys… and guess which one unlocks her chains?”

Sanji growled. “What a goddamn waste of time…! While we screw around, they’re dragging Robin to those gates!”

Nami barked, “Focus! Robin is the top priority! We find her first, the keys can come after! Forget those agents and move!!”

Fukuro giggled. “Chapa-papa… clever girl. But if you ignore us…” He dangled the key, “…we’ll just toss them into the sea.”

Everyone froze.

“That’s right,” he said smugly. “We’re giving you a fair chance. Fight us if you want the keys… Good luck.”

He vanished.

Sanji straightened up, eyes narrowing. “So… Lucci’s the pigeon guy?”

Aster nodded. “Yeah.”

He cracked his knuckles. “If he’s the one with Robin-chan… then I say we let Luffy go after him.” He pointed down the hall.
“Luffy! Go knock that bird-man out!!”

Luffy didn’t need to be told twice, he was already sprinting, dead focused.

Sanji turned back to the others. “There’s seven of us left. Six CP9 agents. We grab their keys… and when we’ve got them all, we catch up to Luffy. If Robin gets past those gates, it’s over. This is a race against time.”

Zoro unsheathed his sword. “Losing the fight means losing time. Win, even if it kills you.”

“Right!!!” they shouted in unison.

And they all split up, scattering through the Tower of Law, kicking doors open, hunting their enemies.

Aster ran too. Her heart pounded hard in her chest, she couldn’t tell if it was fear or excitement or both.

She pushed through doors, to empty rooms.

She growled. “Damn it…”

“Well well. Just the one I wanted.”

She spun on instinct, weapon raised. Her shoulders tensed.

Standing at the far end of the corridor, was Elias.

Her grip on her spear tightened.
Perfect. One of the traitors. One of the ones who threw her away. Exactly who she needed.

She stepped forward, rage simmering behind her scowl. “Same here,” she said through clenched teeth. “You bastard.”

Elias gave her a small, glacial smile.

“My, such language,” he said. “From you, of all people. Saint Valeria…”

She froze.