Under Rengoku's command, all of CP9—except for Rob Lucci—evacuated from Enies Lobby.
The Franky Family, Marines, and Government agents also followed his orders to the letter, prioritizing escape over fighting each other.
Thanks to Rengoku's swift judgment, several small evacuation ships had already departed for Water 7.
That meant, as long as there was enough time, not a single person on Enies Lobby needed to die.
Meanwhile, after receiving the keys from the retreating CP9 agents, the Straw Hats were stunned when Nami revealed the truth.
"What? Then we didn't even need to fight CP9 in the first place?"
"That's right. Robin's Seastone cuffs—the real key is in the hands of that Marine Vice Admiral, Rengoku. We were tricked from the very start by that guy Fukurou!"
"That fluttery punch freak… can't believe we fell for that…!"
In reality, Fukurou hadn't lied—he just conveniently "forgot" to mention that Rengoku held the real key.
"Either way, we can't rule out that woman lying to us. We should at least try the keys we've collected! Zoro, Sniper King, you both got your cuffs off?"
Zoro flexed his freed wrists and nodded.
"Yeah, I'm good now."
"Perfect. Then all that's left is to regroup with Luffy and rescue Robin! Let's give it everything we've got!"
"Ooooh!!"
The five Straw Hats, along with Franky, rallied together and charged into the underground passageway that Chimney had shown them, heading to support Luffy.
"What about Kokoro and Chimney?"
"They must have escaped already after that broadcast. Good—better they don't get caught up in this mess!"
"Alright then! From here on out, nothing else matters—we'll get Robin back, no matter what!"
Determination blazed in Nami's eyes as the six support fighters pressed forward.
"Think that leopard bastard escaped too?"
"Of course he did! He's with the World Government, no way he'd ignore a superior's command!"
It was an optimistic thought from Nami.
And a reasonable one—if only she knew.
That leopard, Rob Lucci, was every bit as stubborn and self-willed as their own captain.
"Luffy!"
The support team shouted as soon as they saw him.
And then they saw who he was still fighting—Rob Lucci, locked in a deadly standoff.
"Eeeek!! Why's he still here?!" Sogeking yelped in disbelief.
"Luffy! Forget him! What matters now is saving Robin!" Nami cried. She thought her idiot captain was the one keeping Lucci from leaving out of pure battle obsession.
But Luffy quickly shot back, frustrated.
"I don't wanna waste time with pigeon-boy either! He's the one who won't leave!"
Hearing this, Zoro unsheathed his swords, fixing his gaze on Lucci.
"Hey, pigeon bastard. Your superior gave the order to retreat. All your comrades already pulled out. Shouldn't you obey the chain of command too?"
Lucci snorted.
"Hmph! I am an agent of Cipher Pol. That Marine Vice Admiral is nothing more than a temporary proxy commander. Even if I disobey, he has no authority to punish me! And besides—" his grin sharpened, "—isn't this better? Fighting to the edge of death, heart pounding, as we await the storm of the Buster Call?"
"You're full of crap."
Zoro bit down on Wado Ichimonji and slid into Santoryu.
"Oi, Zoro! Don't butt in. This fight's mine!" Luffy barked.
For once, Zoro agreed—but he still refused to back down. Instead, he did something rare: he explained himself to Luffy.
"Don't forget our real objective, Luffy. What we need to do is rescue Robin, not waste time defeating CP9. If we get delayed fighting this guy and Robin is dragged past the Gates of Justice, then what?"
"Whoa… Zoro's actually explaining things with logic to Luffy…"
"A fool teaching another fool? What's the world coming to…"
Even the crew was surprised at this rare side of Zoro.
And just like that, Luffy was convinced.
"You're right. Besides, that Marine officer is up there too—we need to take him down and get Robin back!"
"Hmph! Trash gathered together is still just trash! Soru!"
Despite facing the united Straw Hats and Franky, Lucci radiated confidence.
Clang!
Zoro blocked Lucci's sudden assault.
"You read my Soru?!"
"My eyes are getting used to your tricks, pigeon bastard!"
"Santoryu—Oni Giri!!"
Zoro's explosive charge forced Lucci back with sheer strength, his footing briefly unsteady.
"Nice one, Mosshead!"
"Neck Shot!!"
From behind Zoro, Sanji darted in with a blazing kick aimed at Lucci's neck.
"Tekkai!"
Crack!
Sanji's strike smashed through Lucci's Tekkai, his raw power overwhelming even a warrior measured at 4000 douriki.
"This is my full-powered love—for Robin-chwan!!"
The blow staggered Lucci, breaking his stance wide open.
"Zoro! Sanji! Fall back!"
"Special Attack—Sunflower Star!!"
Sogeking's giant slingshot fired a storm of explosives, pelting Lucci's face with a rain of blasts.
Zoro and Sanji withdrew in time, letting the detonations drive Lucci even further off balance.
"Alright! Chopper, cyborg! Let's finish this!"
"My transformations are unstable… but fine, let's go!"
"Strong Right—Ultimate Hammer!!"
"Heavy Point!! Damn…!"
Though his double Rumble Ball left him unstable, Chopper's body shifted into a bulked-up form, boosting his striking power.
Together, his fists and Franky's steel punch crashed into Lucci, sending him rolling across the floor.
"We got him! This is the end—Perfect Clima Tact! Thunderbolt Tempo!!"
From Nami's hands, a charged orb shot into the cloud above, releasing a fierce bolt of lightning that tore into Lucci's body.
Each of the crew's attacks had flowed seamlessly, one after another like rushing water. Even Lucci couldn't withstand it all unscathed.
And yet—despite being battered and electrocuted—Rob Lucci still forced himself upright, blood dripping, eyes burning.
"Haa… haa… Now this is finally getting interesting. Come at me, pirates. Here and now—I'll wipe you all out!!"
The killing intent blazing in his eyes was overwhelming.
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