At the front gate of Enies Lobby, nearly a hundred Marines were standing guard.
"Hey, look—what's that thing in the distance?" one Marine asked, pointing forward in confusion.
"What thing?"
"Can't you see it?"
"It's pitch black. How am I supposed to see anything? You're probably just imagining things," his companion rolled his eyes. "Enough nonsense. Commander Spandam ordered us to guard the main gate carefully. Don't slack off."
The one being escorted this time was the Demon Child, Nico Robin—someone capable of destroying the world.
Although he didn't believe anyone would actually dare to come here to rescue her, appearances still had to be maintained.
Otherwise, how would he ever catch the commander's eye and get promoted?
"I think you're just too nerv—"
Before he could finish, a shadow flashed past, instantly drawing his attention.
"Wait—what the hell just flew by?"
"Forget that, look ahead!" his companion exclaimed in shock. "What is that?!"
In their field of vision, an enormous water dragon was racing across the sea, charging straight toward the main gate.
"So you weren't seeing things?!"
"Damn it—is that a Sea King?!"
"No, that looks like a dragon made entirely of seawater!"
"Look! There's someone standing on its head!!"
"An intruder! Kill him!"
The Marines panicked as the water dragon rapidly closed in, raising their rifles and opening fire.
But it was useless.
The flintlock shots couldn't harm the water dragon in the slightest—barely even splashing water.
"It's over…" one Marine said despairingly.
"BOOM!!"
The massive water dragon slammed violently into the ground, engulfing the Marines below in its impact.
With a single strike, nearly everyone was wiped out.
Only a handful of Marines positioned at higher ground survived—and even then, just barely.
"As expected, this kind of ninjutsu is the most convenient for dealing with fodder," Jin said as he landed calmly.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique.
Perfect for clearing mobs.
One attack—clean sweep.
If he hadn't needed a few people alive to open the gate, he would've eliminated all of them.
"Who… who are you?!" a surviving Marine shouted.
"Isn't it obvious?" Jin grinned, flashing his teeth. "I'm an intruder."
The bluntness of his answer left the Marines momentarily speechless.
"Commander Spandam! We've discovered an intruder!"
"Hm?"
As one Marine lifted a Den Den Mushi, Jin glanced over.
Their eyes met.
In the next instant, the Marine's pupils lost their light, his expression turning vacant.
"An intruder?" Spandam's voice came from the other end, full of disbelief. "Someone actually dared to invade Enies Lobby?"
"Are you sure about that?"
"My apologies, Commander Spandam. The intruder has already been dealt with."
"Oh? Already taken care of?" Spandam nodded. "If he's dead, then don't bother reporting it!"
He had no interest in some fool who died trying to break into Enies Lobby.
After hanging up, Spandam broke into a smug smile.
"Hehehe… Lucci and the others will arrive soon. When that happens, I'll be the true hero!"
Capturing Nico Robin and Franky—two criminals capable of shaking the world—
He would become a hero of all mankind!
What kind of reward would the Five Elders give him, he wondered?
"Commander's fantasizing again, chapapapa~"
"Shut up, Fukurou!" Spandam snapped.
What did he mean fantasizing?!
He was absolutely right!
He'd captured world-threatening demons—didn't that qualify him as a hero?!
"Enough chatter!" Spandam barked, turning toward the three sitting nearby. "This mission was supposed to involve only three assassination targets! So why did it turn into twenty-three by the end?!"
"Explain yourselves!"
"That's not our fault," Jabura said helplessly. "The mission intel was leaked. The moment we went in, we were surrounded. We had no choice but to kill them all."
"Nonsense! How could mission intel possibly leak?!"
"Hehe, that was me, chapapapa~" Fukurou said cheerfully. "I accidentally said it out loud in the street."
Jabura: "???"
"You bastard! Whose side are you on?!" Jabura roared. "And what's the zipper on your mouth even for?!"
"Yoyoi~ Commander, allow me to commit seppuku," Kumadori said dramatically, drawing his sword. "Someone must take responsibility for this."
"I shall atone with my life!"
"Iron Body!"
Clang!
"D-Death… will not come…"
"Damn it, just die already!" Jabura shouted.
Spandam clutched his head in pain.
What kind of lunatics were these people…
...
"Even if we fooled them for now, Luffy charging in alone is bound to cause a huge commotion," Jin muttered.
Back when they were still discussing strategy, Luffy had already snuck up onto the roof.
By the time Jin noticed, Luffy had already launched himself inside like a human cannonball.
It left Jin feeling helpless—but it wasn't entirely bad.
If Luffy stirred up enough chaos inside, it would reduce the pressure on Zoro and the others.
"You three—go open the gate," Jin said calmly.
"We're not listening to—okay."
"…?"
The surviving Marines stared blankly at their companion whose tone had completely changed mid-sentence.
Even the one who'd called Spandam earlier—what exactly was going on?
As their comrades silently walked off to open the gate, the last remaining Marine turned toward Jin—
And his pupils shrank violently.
He saw a pair of crimson eyes.
"You… you're a devil…"
"Too much talk."
The three-tomoe Sharingan slowly rotated.
The Marine's body stiffened, and the light vanished from his eyes.
"When did Nico Robin enter?" Jin asked.
"Half an hour ago."
"Half an hour…"
Jin frowned.
Not too long. Not too short.
If not for that detached carriage earlier, they probably would've caught up already.
Still, half an hour wasn't enough time to put Robin on trial.
They were still in time.
"Where are they taking Nico Robin?"
"I don't know," the Marine replied mechanically. "I'm just a regular soldier. I don't have access to that information."
"My only duty was guarding the gate."
"But you can try the Judicial Tower on the inner island. Prisoners brought here are usually sent there first."
Whether Nico Robin would follow the standard procedure—he couldn't say.
"Looks like I'll need to capture someone with rank if I want more information."
Shaking his head, Jin knocked the Marine unconscious.
In a flash, he vanished.
When he reappeared, he was already behind the gate—
And behind him, the massive main doors of Enies Lobby were slowly opening.
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