"The winning bomb…"
Usopp, busy all this time, let out a long breath after securing the final mechanism. "It's finally in place."
He turned toward the designated area he had agreed upon with Zoro, muttering nervously, "Zoro, you have to hold on! We're about to take down those two! You absolutely must stay alive!"
---
"Franky's side won; Kumadori has been defeated."
Shirogai glanced toward the edge of Enies Lobby.
"That shipwright isn't your crewmate. Have you already decided to let him join your pirate crew?" Aokiji asked idly. "Is this the legacy, then? The apprentice of the shipwright who built the Pirate King's ship is about to join a crew of dangerous pirates."
"This is passing on the spirit of adventure," Shirogai said with a smile, "entirely different from the World Government's foolish practice of keeping people from facing history and blinding them to the truth."
"That raccoon dog has grown so much; he seems to be winning too. But even so, your calculations might still fail," Aokiji said, spreading his Observation Haki to track Spandam, the CP-9 officer hastily escorting Nico Robin away.
"Robin has already been brought to the Gates of Justice," Aokiji continued, regret in his tone. "Once she is inside, with your crew's current strength, no one can break in to retrieve her. Only you would be capable of rescuing her, Shirogai San, but if you do, your gamble ends in defeat."
Shirogai remained calm, smiling. "Don't rush. Let's see if events unfold the way you predict."
Boom!
A massive explosion erupted from the Judicial Tower, the structure cracking violently from the middle and threatening to collapse.
"Oh dear, if it falls like this, it will harm many innocent Marines," Aokiji muttered, his hands radiating bone-chilling cold. "This shouldn't count as interfering in the battle, right?"
"I'll assist you."
Before Aokiji could act, Shirogai pointed toward the burning fractured area. A massive outer shell of frozen energy rapidly formed, stabilizing the upper half of the Judicial Tower on the lower half, preventing disaster.
---
Inside the Judicial Tower, Nami faced the aftermath of the explosion.
"Oh my god! Where did that come from? It didn't collapse the building, did it?" she muttered, dodging Kalifia while seeking a safe position.
"How can I defeat this bubble woman?" Nami hesitated, finally focusing on her Clima-Tact. "I have to use lightning to take her down."
Kalifia, recovering from her daze, scanned the surroundings with subtle frustration. She had intentionally left openings many times, hoping to allow Nami to strike. But the girl remained cautious, retreating from every feint, leaving Kalifia speechless.
Kalifia's mission was clear: infiltrate the World Government's spy organization and gather intel for Shirogai. Any slip would compromise her cover. Years spent among CP-9 had honed her sense of suspicion and cunning to perfection.
"Little girl, stop hiding. I've found you," Kalifia said, releasing a room full of bubbles that floated through the air, shattering strategically to reveal Nami's position.
"Is she here?" Kalifia asked, hovering toward Nami's hiding spot.
"Huh? She's gone?"
Bang!
The wall beside them shattered. A giant claw slammed onto Kalifia, sending her crashing to the ground, seemingly unconscious.
"Finally, a proper way to lose," she sighed inwardly. Years of training had perfected her Observation Haki. She anticipated Chopper's transformation and coordinated her 'loss' to ensure Shirogai's plan succeeded.
---
"Wuwuwu…"
Nami froze, staring at the towering, roaring giant monster before her. Only when she noticed the hat did realization strike.
"Chopper?"
Her heart pounded. Could he have encountered a threat strong enough to force this transformation?
The next moment, CP-9's Kumadori leaped toward Chopper, raising his metal staff with deadly intent.
"No!!!" Nami screamed, but could do nothing as Kumadori plunged the staff into the giant reindeer's head.
Just then, a dark shadow streaked through the air.
"How dare you make Nam-swaaaan sad!"
Sanji kicked the staff from Kumadori's hand and sent him flying.
"Sanji!" Nami cried with relief.
Sanji, cigarette in mouth, dodged Chopper's wild swings. "Nami-swaan, who is this giant monster? Can I attack it?"
"Don't attack! He's Chopper! He's Chopper!" Nami shouted.
"Chopper???" Sanji's mouth fell open. The towering creature before him was unrecognizable as the little friend he knew.
"The enraged lion will slaughter all of you despicable pirates!" Kumadori roared, unscathed thanks to his Iron Body and Armament Haki.
"Get out of the way! I don't have time for you!" Sanji observed Chopper's trembling eyes and rapid breaths, realizing the immense strain his giant form imposed. Continuing the fight could endanger him.
"Time for a one-hit solution!"
Sanji focused his strength into his right leg, Armament Haki condensing slowly as he spun rapidly. Crimson flames rose from his foot.
"Diable Jambe!"
____
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