"…Casualties have surpassed four thousand!!!
Zoro, the swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates, 'Pirate Hunter', has defeated a thousand people!
And the cigarette-smoking, curly-browed fighter beside him, a master of kicking techniques, has also defeated a thousand people!
Additionally, a long-nosed man wearing a mask, a raccoon-dog man capable of transformation, and a woman who can wield lightning have claimed countless more!"
The Transponder Snail in Spandam's hand trembled, its eyes wide as it urgently relayed the terrifying news.
"Captain Straw Hat Luffy has vanished after defeating over a thousand people! We are still searching. Sir, Enies Lobby is beginning to fall into Pirate hands! Send reinforcements immediately! We are about to—Ah!!!"
The Transponder Snail emitted a shriek, then fell silent. It seemed the intelligence officer on the other end had met with misfortune.
Spandam stared blankly, disbelief spreading across his face. This was not what he had anticipated. Weren't the Straw Hat Pirates supposed to be crushed by the Marines and spy agents of Enies Lobby?
Because Spandam had deliberately placed the Transponder Snail near Franky and Robin, both had heard the terrifying report.
"Ow! Ah hahahaha…" Franky sneered, mocking.
"Some people truly underestimate the Pirates! Did you even consider that a crew capable of serving a Pirate comparable to one of the Four Emperors would be weak?!"
"Shut up!" Spandam slapped Franky's face.
Smack!
Immediately, he clutched his hand in pain, squatting briefly before recovering.
"It hurts so much!!!"
After regaining composure, Spandam, chief of CP-9, gnashed his teeth and roared at his stunned subordinates:
"What are you waiting for?! Go tell Lucci and the rest of CP-9 to stop resting! Confront the Straw Hats immediately!
Also, send distress signals to the Marines in the surrounding waters! If Enies Lobby falls to these Pirates, it won't just be CP-9 who suffers disgrace—the Marines will as well!"
Spandam hadn't expected things to deteriorate so drastically. He had assumed that the absence of the troublesome Fifth Emperor from the Straw Hats would ensure smooth sailing. Now, everything was spiraling in the opposite direction.
Fortunately, all CP-9 members were on the island, with CP-0 standing by as backup.
Yet Spandam hesitated. Should the situation worsen, he might have to call the Gorosei and request CP-0's aid. Doing so, however, could cast doubt on his value, potentially jeopardizing future promotions.
He drew a golden Transponder Snail from his pocket, eyes flickering with malice. If things got bad enough, perhaps silence would solve the problem…
If everyone were eliminated, no one would know he had failed and allowed Pirates to infiltrate Enies Lobby.
"Buster Call!!!!"
Robin's eyes widened at the golden Transponder Snail in Spandam's hand, her face filled with pain and dread. That device had caused the Ohara tragedy years ago.
"That's right! Buster Call!" Spandam sneered, toying with the golden snail.
"Do you want to witness that intoxicating power again? The cannon fire only supreme authority can command?"
"Don't joke!" Robin snapped, anger flashing in her eyes.
"You have no idea what kind of destruction that Buster Call can unleash! It doesn't target devils—it wipes out countless innocents! The World Government hides behind the name 'Buster Call' while slaughtering civilians, completely violating the ideals of Marine justice!"
"Heh! Foolish woman, trying to lecture me on justice?" Spandam sneered, yanking her hair and glaring.
"Devil child, obey me! Your companions are on the way—persuade them to stop, or I'll annihilate them all within Enies Lobby with the Buster Call!"
Robin's heart wavered between fear of the Buster Call and trust in her companions, especially after Shirogai's reassurances. She hesitated, torn between relying on her allies or fearing the overwhelming power about to descend.
"Buster Call… what a ridiculous name."
Shirogai reclined on the soft body of the Cloud Monarch, smiling as he addressed Aokiji.
"How many times has the Marines' Buster Call been used against truly dangerous Pirates or criminals?"
"The Buster Call is subject to strict review," Aokiji replied lazily.
"It cannot be used indiscriminately."
"So, you casually allowed a Buster Call, capable of obliterating an island, to be triggered for an arbitrary clown?" Shirogai chuckled.
"How strict indeed!" he added, smirking.
"I do have my considerations." Aokiji's gaze shifted to the Straw Hat Pirates below.
"The Straw Hat Pirates, which you are part of, are worth targeting with the Buster Call."
"So, in your eyes, I am considered a devil?" Shirogai asked, smiling at his companions.
"Then watch closely, righteous Marine, as the devil's allies declare war against the World Government."
"Sniper King, take down that flag!"
"Understood!"
Under CP-9's gaze, a firebird soared, striking the organization's flag accurately. Flames engulfed it—the symbol of rule over the Four Seas and forged by one hundred seventy-three nations—until it fell into the abyss of the ocean.
"Haha, ignorant Pirates. Do you realize what you've done?"
"To declare war on the World Government, how pitiful."
The CP-9 members looked down on the Straw Hats, pitying them as if they were mere children.
"You fools!" Spandam sneered, clutching the stone railing.
"You've declared war on the World Government! You're dead!!!"
Yet the six Straw Hat Pirates remained unmoved.
"Robin! We will never abandon you!!"
They stood firmly on the opposite rooftop, fearless, while Robin struggled with her emotions.
Atop the air, Shirogai descended, smiling at his companions and then at Aokiji, who twisted and fell like a leap of faith.
Swish! Whoosh!
The wind whistled sharply as Shirogai performed a backflip mid-descent, dissipating the fall's force, and gracefully landed on the courthouse rooftop.
"Yo, I'm late! But not too late," he called, smiling.
"Shirogai!"
His companions' faces lit up, their confidence in saving Robin renewed.
"Damn it! Where did that troublesome guy come from?!" Spandam yelled, clinging to the railing in disbelief.
"Chief, he fell from the sky!" Kumadori reported solemnly.
"From the sky? Why can't an Admiral fall from the sky on our side?" Spandam exclaimed.
Looking up, he was astonished as Aokiji slowly descended.
"Holy crap, an Admiral really appeared!"
"Chief, you truly have a divine mouth! Whatever you say comes true!" Kumadori said with admiration.