Meiser had no reservations about becoming Luffy's crewmate.
Back when he watched this anime, he'd always liked these characters. Now that he'd actually encountered them, how could he not join their adventure?
Besides... sticking with the protagonist should at least guarantee survival, right? This world didn't have things like needing to sacrifice someone to unlock the Mangekyou or anything.
"You're just agreeing like that?" Paulie said. "Not even going to think it over?"
Joining a pirate crew... was it really something to decide so casually?
"What's there to think about?"
"Do you even know who they are?"
"Of course." Meiser nodded. "I read the papers."
"The Straw Hat Pirates, right?"
The moment he said this, Zoro's gaze sharpened again.
"Did you come looking for us on purpose?"
"Don't be ridiculous." Meiser scoffed. "I'd have to be insane to wait out in the open sea just to intercept a train."
He hadn't even known trains could run on the ocean in this world.
Unfortunately, this explanation didn't convince Zoro. But since Luffy had already invited Meiser to join their crew, Zoro was willing to extend some basic trust.
That said, he'd be keeping an eye on Meiser—just like when Nico Robin first joined them.
Given their current circumstances, he couldn't afford to be careless.
"It's the Sea Train," Kokoro corrected.
"Oh, so it's the Sea Train." Meiser nodded in understanding.
A train that could run across the ocean—naming it the Sea Train made perfect sense.
"Anyway, from now on, Meiser's one of us!" Luffy declared. "Too bad we can't throw a party right now. We'll have to wait until after we rescue Robin."
Normally, welcoming a new crewmate called for a celebration, but their current situation didn't allow for it.
"Rescue Robin?" Meiser frowned. "What exactly happened?"
Now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen Sanji or Usopp around either. And instead of the Golden Merry, they were aboard this unfamiliar Sea Train.
"I'll explain," Nami said.
Since Luffy had accepted him, she was willing to trust Meiser too—though she also wanted to see if he'd back out after learning who they were up against.
After all... it was Enies Lobby!
She then gave Meiser a rundown of recent events.
"So Nico Robin did something like that..."
Sacrificing herself for her crewmates, just to give them a chance to survive.
No wonder the Straw Hats were willing to storm that place to save her—she was worth it!
After a moment's thought, Meiser said, "So right now, we need to get to Enies Lobby and rescue her before she's sentenced, right?"
"Exactly."
"Got it." Meiser nodded, then grinned. "Taking on something like that, huh?"
"Sounds fun."
"Let's go turn the place upside down!"
The word "fear" simply wasn't in Meiser's vocabulary.
Seeing Meiser not only unafraid but even wearing an excited expression, Nami was momentarily stunned before breaking into a smile.
Seems like this new crewmate... isn't half bad.
Paulie, on the other hand, twitched his lips, at a loss for words.
This group of lawless troublemakers was about to attack Enies Lobby, and this new guy, upon learning of their plan, wasn't scared—he was thrilled.
Well, of course. How normal could anyone joining the Straw Hat Pirates possibly be?
Still, it was for the best. Having a Ninja who knew ninjutsu join them would significantly boost their combat strength and improve their odds.
"If only we could catch up to them before they reach Enies Lobby," Nami said.
"That's impossible," Kokoro shook her head. "The Rocketman is fast, but it can't overtake the Sea Train that left ahead of us."
Kokoro knew this well.
This time, they'd have to face their enemies head-on at Enies Lobby and fight to bring Robin back.
"Then we'll fight," Meiser said nonchalantly.
"Exactly!" Chopper declared firmly. "No matter what happens, we're getting Robin back!"
This time, they were prepared to risk their lives in battle—there was no room for hesitation.
"I'll check in with Sanji and see how things are on his end," Nami said.
Sanji and the others had left some time ago, and she had no idea what their current situation was.
"Granny!!" Chimney called from the window. "The Aqua Laguna is here."
"Finally," Kokoro said calmly, taking a swig from her bottle as if she'd expected this all along.
She knew the Aqua Laguna would eventually reach them.
As for how they'd get past it?
That wasn't her problem to solve—she was just the driver.
Curious, Nami leaned out to look, and her pupils shrank in shock. "Th-that's... a massive tsunami!!"
Watching the terrifying wave approach in the distance, Nami's face paled.
Even without deep knowledge of the Sea Train's mechanics, she could imagine the consequences of hitting that tsunami at this speed.
They were absolutely doomed!!
"Kokoro, think of something!" Nami cried desperately.
"No can do," Kokoro replied coolly. "I told you—once the Rocketman's on the sea tracks, it can't stop. Even I can't change that."
With that, she took another deep gulp of alcohol, looking every bit the drunkard, making Meiser's eye twitch.
Just how reliable was this old lady?
"Then what do we do?"
Nami was at her wit's end. If the Sea Train's driver wasn't going to help, what could they do?
If they didn't find a way to deal with the tsunami, the Rocketman would shatter on impact, and they'd all be doomed.
Paulie and Zambai, who had just struck a deal with Luffy, exchanged glances before declaring, "Leave it to us!"
Then, they led their men away.
Meiser, intrigued, peeked outside at the approaching tsunami and remarked, "Huh, that's a big one."
"Do you have a way to handle it?!" Nami asked, looking at him with hopeful eyes.
"Let them try first." Meiser pointed upwards and said.
Those guys had just said they'd handle it, so there was no need for him to steal their thunder.
If they really couldn't solve it, he could always step in later. There was still time.
"So you really have a solution?"
"Yes."
"Alright then."
Nami nodded calmly, then took out her Den Den Mushi to contact Sanji. Her demeanor suggested complete trust in Meiser, which actually surprised him a little.
"Fire the cannons! Let this so-called Aqua Laguna witness the power of Galley-La Company!"
"Whoo!"
Dokuro aimed his massive cannon at the distant tsunami and fired. Others quickly followed suit, launching their own shells.
"Boom!"
Unfortunately, the cannonballs merely splashed against the tsunami, failing to make even a dent in the massive wave.
"It's no use. The cannons are too weak," Paulie said with a grim expression.
"Leave it to the Franky Family!" Zambai shouted. "Let our special cannons handle this!"
"Target: Aqua Laguna!"
"Fire!"
"BOOM!!"
Meiser marveled at the enormous cannon barrel. "Now that's a real cannon."
The caliber was so large a person could crawl inside it.
His eyes followed the trajectory of the cannonball until it struck the tsunami.
Hmm. Still just a splash.
"Seems like it's not working," Meiser shook his head. "Guess I'll have to handle it."
He had expected those guys to come up with something more impressive, but all they did was try to blast the tsunami with cannons.
What's more, while the cannons looked intimidating, their actual firepower was underwhelming.
"Alright, it's your turn, Meiser," Luffy nodded.
Luffy sat calmly on the ground, showing no intention of getting up. Clearly, he believed Meiser could do it. At this point, he had fully entrusted his life to Meiser—if Meiser failed, they'd all perish together.
This display of trust made Meiser pause for a moment before he replied, "Don't worry. Leave it to me."
With that, Meiser grabbed the window ledge and leaped out, landing atop the Rocketman.
"Ninja boy, you're out here too," Paulie glanced at Meiser while continuing to fire his cannon. "Got any ideas for this?"
Despite their efforts, they couldn't make a dent in the massive tsunami.
"We're out of options," Zambai said grimly.
Earlier, Meiser had mentioned that confined spaces limited his ninjutsu. But what about out here?
Could he do something about the Aqua Laguna?
"Yeah, leave it to me."
Meiser looked at the towering tsunami ahead and called out, "Hey, Luffy, didn't you want to see my ninjutsu?"
"Now's your chance. Watch closely!"
With that, Meiser clapped his hands together and activated his technique.
The sea trembled, waves surging violently as if some monstrous beast were about to emerge.
The next moment, two colossal water dragons erupted from either side of the Sea Train, roaring as they charged toward the distant tsunami!
"Water Release: Twin Water Dragon Whirlwind!!"
Two enormous water dragons began converging and spiraling towards each other, ultimately crashing violently onto the water's surface.
"BOOM!!"
The tremendous force directly blasted a massive hole through Aqua Laguna!
"It... it's open?!!!"