Robin froze.
Her well-intentioned plan… was it actually betraying everyone's feelings?
That's right.
Everyone had risked angering the World Government to come all the way to Enies Lobby. How could they have done all that just to hear her say, "Go back. I want to die."
Nami quickly shouted, "Yeah, Robin! If you give up now, then it's all over! Don't you still have your dream of deciphering the Poneglyphs?"
"As long as you're alive, there's hope! And I believe in Lord Oguro—he and the others will definitely help you achieve your dream!"
Tears welled up in Robin's eyes.
So this… is what it feels like to have companions?
"Damn it! You filthy trash of the sea—stop spouting nonsense!"
Spandam roared, pressing the muzzle of his pistol hard against Robin's temple.
"Hurry up and tell them to get lost! That way you might still live! Don't forget—I still have the Buster Call!"
But under the threat of his gun, Robin didn't surrender. Instead, she lifted her head and shouted with all her strength—
"Please! I want to live!"
Her desperate cry was like a signal—
and Spandam's face instantly twisted with rage.
"You bitch! You're asking for death!"
He tightened his finger on the trigger.
Buzz!
A surge of overwhelming, domineering pressure erupted like a tidal wave.
Conqueror's Haki – Soul Blade!
It was a unique fusion of Conqueror's Haki and a Shinigami's Reiatsu—
a spiritual strike sharp enough to cut straight into the soul itself!
"Gyaaaah!"
Spandam was nothing but a weakling—he couldn't possibly endure that crushing force, let alone Oguro's special, Shinigami-enhanced version of it.
His eyes rolled white as he screamed and collapsed.
At his level, even if he didn't die, the damage would leave him crippled for life.
In a flash, Oguro used Shunpo to appear beside Robin, rummaged through Spandam's coat, and pulled out the key.
With a click, the Seastone handcuffs fell away from Robin's wrists.
"Thank you…" Robin choked out softly.
Oguro shook his head with a faint smile. "We're comrades, aren't we?"
Hearing that, Robin smiled through her tears. "Yeah… we're comrades."
Ding!
At that moment, a familiar notification sounded inside Oguro's mind.
Congratulations, Host! You have successfully recruited an Epic-level companion. Reward: Epic Lottery Ticket!
After everything that had happened, Robin had finally, truly accepted them in her heart.
"Robin, that's wonderful!"
Nami threw her arms around her, crying with relief and joy.
"Hanatarō, treat her wounds," Oguro ordered gently.
"Yes!"
Yamada Hanatarō immediately checked Robin's injuries. Fortunately, though she looked battered, most were superficial.
He activated Kaido, and soft green light enveloped Robin. A cool sensation spread through her body, easing her pain almost instantly.
Zzzzt…
A strange crackling sound suddenly reached everyone's ears.
Oguro frowned and looked down—
the golden Den Den Mushi clutched in Spandam's limp hand had been activated!
It must've been triggered when he fell!
"Not good! The Buster Call's been launched!" Robin cried, her face going pale.
Even Oguro looked genuinely surprised.
So this was it—the world's correction force at work?
Enies Lobby was destined to be destroyed by the Buster Call, no matter what?
...
Marine Headquarters
Inside the communications room, a silver Den Den Mushi suddenly started transmitting a strong signal.
The marine on duty froze—it had been over twenty years since this thing last went off!
"Alarm! Alarm!"
Snapping out of it, the marine immediately raised the highest alert level.
The entire Marine Headquarters erupted into chaos.
"Who authorized the Buster Call?!" Fleet Admiral Sengoku demanded, face grim.
"Report! The signal is from Admiral Aokiji's authorized Den Den Mushi! Target… Enies Lobby!"
"What?!"
Sengoku was completely stunned.
Aokiji had indeed reported authorizing Spandam for emergency use—but this?
Only one thought filled Sengoku's mind now.
Has Spandam lost his damn mind?!
That's Enies Lobby!
Who would ever use a Buster Call on that?
Unfortunately, the World Government's iron rule was absolute—
once the Buster Call was activated, it could not be stopped.
Sengoku immediately ordered a fleet to mobilize while also trying to contact the Government for clarification.
Five Vice Admirals and ten warships were quickly assembled—the standard Buster Call formation.
Just like in the original timeline, the lineup was:
Momonga, Doberman, Onigumo, Strawberry, and Yamakaji.
Onigumo, whose injuries had nearly healed after extensive treatment, looked at the others and asked,
"Who's commanding this Buster Call?"
With five Vice Admirals, someone had to take the lead.
He wanted that command role himself—
after all, a Buster Call demanded absolute ruthlessness.
Who better than him, an unflinching hawk?
The other four remained silent. None of them wanted the position.
Destroying everything without caring who was innocent or not—
that wasn't something just anyone could stomach.
Purururu…
The transponder snail on the lead ship suddenly rang.
When it connected, a lazy, familiar face appeared.
"This time's commander… is me."
"Admiral Aokiji!"
The Vice Admirals immediately stood at attention.
Onigumo asked, "Admiral Aokiji, why are you coming personally? Is the enemy that dangerous?"
Even for a Buster Call, it was rare for an Admiral to personally take command.
Aokiji yawned, still as lethargic as ever. "Can't be helped. Enies Lobby's been invaded—by a pretty serious threat. Spandam launched the Buster Call before contact was lost."
"A serious threat?"
All five Vice Admirals grew solemn.
If even an Admiral called someone that, they weren't to be taken lightly.
Aokiji continued, "Yeah. He refused the offer to become a Warlord of the Sea, and now he's invaded Enies Lobby… Pretty bold move, huh?"
Because Spandam had contacted the World Government before his capture and wildly exaggerated the enemy's strength,
the Government not only refused to cancel the Buster Call but also ordered an Admiral to take command personally.
"I'm already nearby," Aokiji said. "I'll scout the situation first. You all move in fast."
He hung up.
Onigumo's expression darkened.
Refused the Warlord invitation, then attacked Enies Lobby?
There was no doubt.
It was Sith Oguro.
The story of his Warlord offer had already spread through Marine Headquarters.
"Heh… Looks like I get my chance for revenge after all."
Onigumo's eyes gleamed coldly.
The one who had crushed him—Soifon—was indeed powerful,
but this time, with Admiral Aokiji personally present, their high-end strength was overwhelming.
Combined with the full might of a Buster Call fleet—
wiping out that pirate crew would be no problem at all.
...
Meanwhile, inside Enies Lobby,
word of the Buster Call's activation had already spread through World Government channels.
Jabra roused the remaining CP9 members, shouting for them to evacuate.
Even with a broken ribcage, Blueno forced open an Air Door, transporting everyone directly to a warship at the harbor.
"That bastard Spandam's lost his mind! Didn't even warn us before triggering the damn Buster Call!" Jabra cursed as he started the ship's engines.
Blueno's tone was ice-cold. "That guy only ever cared about his own promotion. He never once thought about us."
Thinking back to what had happened at Water 7, even the normally calm Blueno now felt a deep, seething resentment toward Spandam—and toward the entire World Government itself.
***
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