Enies Lobby was in chaos.
"Where did those invaders go? You idiots, you actually got knocked out by the enemy!"
"Damn it! How hard did we just fight them? You latecomers don't even know how vicious they were!"
Boom!
Artillery shells exploded, flames shooting into the sky.
"Over there! Quickly pursue!"
"Don't worry, there are giants over there. They're dead for sure!"
Navy soldiers swarmed toward the flames, their formations chaotic, some lagging behind.
...
Above the island, sitting on a swaying cloud, Aokiji observed the disorder below.
"Seeing incompetent teammates frustrates you?"
Shirogai lay lazily on the soft cloud, yawning:
"The Marines stationed on Enies Lobby have grown complacent. They've spent too long in a safe environment and forgotten their identities as warriors. Their weapons are more for show than actual combat."
"Alas," Aokiji sighed.
Everything Shirogai said was true, and that made it particularly disheartening. These once-elite Marines, stationed on Enies Lobby—a judicial island symbolizing the World Government's authority where no pirate dared tread—had degenerated into paper tigers. Outwardly imposing but inwardly weak, they could only intimidate, not fight.
Dressed in pristine uniforms, the soldiers looked formidable but were easily thrown into chaos by a few pirates and bounty hunters, along with a reckless shipwright foreman charging headfirst. Had these Marines been the elite from Marineford, or led by a Vice Admiral, the intruders would have been cut down in moments, their demise inevitable.
"Oh my, it's unbearable to watch."
Aokiji's gaze swept over the chaos, a wry smile forming.
"The moment the World Government entrusted Enies Lobby to Spandam, this was already inevitable."
Shirogai chuckled lazily:
"A cowardly soldier creates another coward, but a cowardly general breeds an entire nest of them. Spandam, CP9's chief and Enies Lobby's overseer, is a vain, petty rat obsessed with appearances. Naturally, his Marines have absorbed that arrogance, reveling in false strength. Now, with fearless pirates storming in, these Marines are paralyzed by self-doubt and fear. My companions lead the charge—they are not weak. Ordinary Marines can't withstand even a single strike from them, which terrifies the Enies Lobby forces. Watch carefully, Aokiji. When the last hope—the giants—turn, the collapse will be complete."
Aokiji exhaled heavily:
"I hope the Marines will rise and not completely disappoint me."
But Shirogai's prediction came true.
The two giants guarding the Second Gate, Oimo and Kashii, suddenly rebelled, turning on the very Marines they were meant to protect.
"You've deceived us for so long!"
"Thanks to the Sniper King, we know the truth! Otherwise, we'd still be in the dark!"
Marines scattered in panic as the giants' sudden assault threw them into chaos.
"Shirogai?"
Aokiji glanced at Shirogai, lazily observing the commotion, suspicious. Could he have used some hidden ability to influence the giants?
"Don't look at me, I'm innocent."
Shirogai raised an aggrieved expression:
"I'm a man of my word. I'd never stoop to the World Government's tricks."
"That's right! Lord Shirogai is principled, kind, handsome, rich, and good-tempered..."
The cloud beneath him, Cloud Monarch, gazed at him adoringly, fawning.
"Cloud Monarch, shut up!"
Shirogai pinched the small cloud face playfully:
"One more word, and don't expect me to make a companion for you."
"Wuwu…"
The cloud immediately quieted, obedient.
Aokiji scratched his curly hair, yawning:
"I suddenly regret making this bet with you."
...
Below, the Straw Hat Pirates launched one-on-one fights against CP9.
CP9 Blueno faced Luffy.
"Door-Door Fruit user…"
Aokiji muttered, observing Blueno, clearly aware of his powers.
"Straw Hat Luffy has a high chance of victory."
Shirogai smiled, watching the battle:
"He's even begun to wield Armament Haki."
"He has only a basic understanding," Aokiji noted calmly, seeing Luffy's hands glowing faintly with Armament.
Shirogai teased with a grin:
"You know how combat geniuses grow rapidly in battle. You were like this too, Aokiji."
"Gear Second!"
Luffy surged forward, Armament Haki coating his attacks.
"Gum-Gum Jet Pistol!"
Blueno, once composed, scrambled under Luffy's relentless assault. In a final strike, Luffy's Haki-imbued fist shattered Blueno's Iron Body defense, sending him crashing unconscious.
One down—one of CP9's seven temporarily eliminated.
_____
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