"Is this Water 7?"
Lina stared at the sprawling city before them, excitement lighting her eyes. She could already sense the promise of shopping sprees inside those grand buildings. The air was humid and salty, giving her skin a breath of softness just being there.
Kuro and the others also froze for a moment — Water 7 was perhaps the most magnificent city any of them had ever seen. From what Rolan had told them, this place, much like Alabasta, was part of the territories controlled by the Ion Tempest pirates.
The ship slowly docked at the port under Nami's careful guidance. Before the anchor even hit the ground, Lina, arm in arm with Nami and Robin, leapt off the deck. Her movement, her expression — everything screamed of a woman deprived of shopping for years.
Watching them go, Rolan allowed a faint smile to form. Women and shopping: it seemed that, in this world or the last, nothing changed.
Relief flickered across his features at the thought that women here didn't rely on men to carry bags. But before he could dwell, a swirl of white cloud wrapped around his wrist, pulling him forward toward the three women.
"Oi, hold on a second," muttered one of them, but their collective laughter drowned the voice.
Just as Rolan had stepped onto the pier, Zoro dropped the anchor and jumped to the ground.
"Kuro! What are you doing?" someone called.
Zoro turned slowly, voice flat. "Just grabbing some wine. What, you want to come along?"
Kuro teleported beside him, a manic grin on his face. "Let's go together."
Zoro tilted his head, shifting slightly. "Do you think I'd walk arm-in-arm with you, you road idiot?"
Kuro's face fell blank, lines spreading across it.
"If I didn't have orders from Rolan to watch you, do you think I'd waste time with you?"
Zoro's cheeks flushed; he snapped his mouth shut.
At that moment, Rolan spotted two figures sprinting toward them from the harborside, shouting. Their urgency was unmistakable. The earlier carefree atmosphere vanished.
"Rolan sama! Rolan sama!" they cried as they neared. Rolan recognized them immediately — Kiwu and Mozu, younger sisters of Franky, both with spade-shaped hair and pointed noses.
They dropped to their knees before him. "Rolan sama, please hurry and rescue Mayor. Iceburg."
Rolan crouched slightly and helped them up, his expression cold but steady. "What happened?"
Mozu wiped a tear from her cheek. "Mr. Iceburg was taken by World Government agents. They demanded he build a ship."
Something in Rolan's gut twisted. Water 7 had the finest shipyards in all seas. There was no need to drag Iceburg elsewhere for building a ship. Their goal was clearer: interrogate him about the ancient blueprints of Pluton.
"Where did they take him?" Rolan asked.
Kiwu trembled. "We saw them put him on the Sea Train in suits. We don't know the destination."
Rolan's eyes narrowed. "Enies Lobby."
"And when did this happen?" he added.
"The night before last," Kiwu answered softly.
"Understood," said Rolan curtly. "We leave now."
Mozu grasped his coat. "Please take us with you," she begged.
Rolan shook his head. "No. That place is for criminals. It's filled with high-ranking agents. You two are too weak — you'll only slow us down."
Kiwu tried to argue. Mozu's lips quivered, but Rolan's gaze was iron-hard.
"Go back," he ordered. "Prepare a feast. We'll return within a day, and bring your brother back."
Defeated, the two sisters let go and nodded, then hesitantly moved away.
In a blink, Rolan was back by Nami and the others.
"What happened?" asked Lina, worry in her voice.
"Iceburg was captured, taken to Enies Lobby," said Rolan. "Gather everyone. We move now."
---
On the ship, Franky had been lazily combing his hair when the news reached him. His eyes widened as he ran forward.
"What? Iceburg was captured?"
Zoro and the rest tensed. None of them knew Iceburg personally, but they knew his importance — he was the mayor of Water 7.
Rolan nodded grimly. "If we hurry, we can still catch them."
Franky grabbed his shoulders. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
"Franky," said Rolan, tone clipped, "can you guide us to Enies Lobby?"
He hadn't retrieved an Eternal Pose for the destination. But since the Sea Train was built by Tom's Workshop, and knowing that Franky had helped build it, maybe he knew where to go.
Franky nodded firmly. "Of course I do!"
Rolan patted his shoulder. "You lead from the front. Nami, you steer the ship."
Franky pointed. "This way."
Nami raised a cloud beneath the ship and rushed off in the indicated direction. Flying would be much faster than sailing. In a few hours, the ship hovered above Enies Lobby.
"This must be Enies Lobby," muttered Robin under her breath.
Even at dusk its lights glowed like a pearl in the open sea — fitting for the "Island of Nightless Nights."
They barely had time for wonder. Rolan activated his senses, using what he called his "Super Heart Net" to scan the island.
Why were so many special agents at the main gate? Why were they holding firearms? Were they expecting someone?
Call it instinct, but Rolan sensed danger. He turned and ordered:
"Nami, land the ship in the second plaza."
The ship descended quickly. As it stabilized, a ring of Special Agents surrounded them — dozens of dark barrels pointed straight at the crew.
Kuro's eyes narrowed. "What's going on? These agents seem to have been waiting for us."
Rolan's face went expressionless. He let the weight of the moment sink in.
"This isn't a rescue… it's a trap."
Confusion rippled among Lina and the others. "Trap?" someone whispered.
Outside, a Special Agent picked up a Den Den Mushi and barked into it.
"Reporting: Rolan and his crew did not enter through the main gate but came straight to the second plaza. Requesting backup! Requesting backup!"
Silence fell.
The trap was sprung.
---