Orochimaru was completely slumped in the corner sofa, his legs casually draped over one armrest, and his upper body softly slung over the other, as if all the bones in his body had been removed.
The tips of his hair touched the ground, forming a strange arc. His eyes were unfocused, as if he had lost his sight, staring blankly at a group of CP9 discussing whether Devil Fruit tasted good.
Franky was excited at first, but as Spandam's terrible attitude, his bluster and arrogance, completely unlike a capable officer, he soon found it boring. Now he was lying on the ground, bored, pretending to be a maggot, wriggling around to clean the floor.
Only Robin quietly watched everything unfolding before her, her face showing no ripple of emotion, as if none of it concerned her.
In fact, when she arrived here, she already had a premonition, knowing that things might develop to this point. However, when Spandam personally said that he had never intended to let the Straw Hat go from the beginning, Robin's expression finally changed slightly, biting her lip as she looked at the despicable villain.
Spandam finally finished his long-winded speech. To assert his authority, he punched and kicked the puppets of Franky and Robin, and the puppets' reactions were exactly what Spandam wanted to see.
Only Rob Lucci frowned deeply. He always felt something was off, but couldn't quite place it. Why were there three empty sofas in the corner? He pressed his temples to stop himself from thinking about it, figuring they must be spares.
After an unknown wait, just as Orochimaru was about to fall asleep, he finally heard the commotion outside. He rubbed his head... Indeed, maintaining a genjutsu for a long time was quite tiring.
He stretched, let out a completely unrefined yawn... Then he tidied his clothes.
"Luffy is so slow. Let's go, Robin... Luffy is here to pick you up. Franky? Come along."
Luffy stood on the building opposite.
"Robin!! We've come to save you!!"
As Luffy's shouts rang out, the CP9 members gradually came out onto the balcony, looking at Luffy across the way. The two puppets were thrown aside.
As Zoro and the others arrived one after another, the Straw Hat stood in a line, confronting CP9 across the gap.
Spandam looked at the group opposite, a little flustered, then put on an act as he addressed them.
"Ah ha ha ha ha... You foolish Pirate Crew, I'll let you know that no matter how much you play the hero, the outcome won't change! Witness the power of this assassin group, CP9! See the thickness of the Gate of Justice, which no human can open! Most importantly, I now hold the golden den den mushi!" Spandam held up the den den mushi and laughed wildly, but as he laughed, his hand felt empty.
He clenched his hand and brought it back, looking at his empty palm, his eyes wide. "Where's my den den mushi!!!!" He covered his mouth and searched on the ground.
Orochimaru, with Robin and Franky, stood on the roof above CP9, looking at the den den mushi in his hand, examining it. It really was golden... What a magical animal, to have so many colors.
Luffy ignored the flustered Spandam! "Hey! Pigeon guy! Where's Robin!"
The CP9 members looked at the puppet Robin and Franky next to them in confusion, their faces strange. What was Straw Hat talking about? Nico Robin was right here, wasn't she?
Lucci finally realized something was wrong. Nico Robin was too quiet!! He quickly grabbed the puppet's neck. No! The feel, the weight, it was all wrong... This wasn't what a human should feel like.
Lucci held up the thing in his hand and looked at the Straw Hat, "Hey! Straw Hat! What's in my hand!"
Luffy tilted his head in confusion, trying hard to think of the right words... What was this thing? It looked a bit like a person, but not quite. "A tattered broom with limbs??
Pigeon guy! Don't say such nonsense!! Where's Robin!! Give Robin back to me!!"
At this moment, Robin's voice suddenly came from above.
"I've already told you!! I don't want to see you! Why did you come!! I!! I already want to die!"
The CP9 members heard the voice but didn't see anyone, and also realized something was amiss. Only Spandam was still on the ground searching for the den den mushi.
Luffy looked up at Robin on the roof, "It doesn't matter if you want to die or anything! Save those words for when you're by our side."
Robin was silent for a moment, not noticing Orochimaru playing with the den den mushi. "Twenty years ago, countless lives were destroyed by a single Buster Call, and that Buster Call is now threatening the companions I finally found, with whom I can open my heart."
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru took a step back, hiding the den den mushi behind him (• ́ ₃ • ̀).
Robin looked at Luffy and his crew, tears in her eyes, somewhat pained. "The more I want to be with you, the more you will be implicated by our fate. No matter how long I've walked the seas, there's always a massive, inescapable enemy, because my enemy is this World Government and its darkness.
That time with Aokiji, and this time too, I've dragged you into trouble twice now. If these kinds of things keep happening, no matter how good you are, you'll eventually see me as a burden.
You'll definitely betray me! Abandon me! That's what I fear most! So I don't want you to save me! I told Orochimaru from the beginning! I'm going to die anyway! I want to just die here!"
Luffy looked up, his gaze heavy, at the World Government flag next to Robin. CP9 followed his gaze but saw nothing, their brows furrowed.
"I finally know who Robin's enemy is. Usopp... Shoot that flag down."
Usopp put on his mask again, no longer to hide his identity, but as a testament to his bravery. He aimed his giant slingshot at the flag, and a flaming projectile flew across the sky, piercing the World Government flag.
The aftershocks of the flames scattered in the air. Orochimaru also dispelled the genjutsu at this moment. Lucci and the others saw the three on the roof and angrily threw away the puppets in their hands.
Robin looked at the burning flag, pressing her lips together to keep from crying.
"Robin! I want to hear you say it yourself! That you want to live!!" Luffy shouted at Robin.
Robin couldn't stop the tears streaming down her face. No one had ever expected her to live. If she could really make one wish...
"I... want to live! Take me with you to the sea!"
Orochimaru turned to look at the sky. Sure enough, only the words of a fool were effective. Franky, watching the scene, knelt on the ground, crying tears of joy. Luffy and the others finally smiled.
"Then let's fight! Let's go! Save Robin!!" Luffy looked excitedly at the CP9 opposite.
Orochimaru suddenly poked his head out from behind Robin. "Where are you going to save Robin? Isn't Robin already here...?"
"Ah ∑(°mouth°๑)... Oh, right..." Everyone froze instantly... They just realized... Franky and Robin weren't actually in the opponents' (our) hands.
A flock of Crows flew by... cawing, "Caw, caw."
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