Enies Lobby.
The land of perpetual daylight, without night, also known as the "Island of No Night."
It was one of the three major institutions under the World Government's jurisdiction, a place dedicated to judging pirates.
Any prisoner who arrived here was guaranteed never to return, symbolizing the World Government's absolute justice.
In short, just showing up meant you were guilty.
On the Bridge of Hesitation leading to the Gates of Justice, Spandam stood, gripping his elephant sword, Funkfreed, his face pale with panic.
"Dammit! Why is Leo here? Those useless Marines, even an Admiral couldn't catch him!" Spandam cursed frantically, spittle flying. Though it was only Sengoku's speculation, he didn't dare gamble. He'd received the report: Rob Lucci and Kaku were dead by Leo's hand. As for Kalifa, she was missing, but Leo was undoubtedly involved. If Leo really came to Enies Lobby, he'd be finished. Run, you dead leg, run! As long as he crossed the Bridge of Hesitation and opened the Gates of Justice, he would be safe.
"Spandam, where do you think you're going?!"
A chilling voice floated over. Spandam's heart sank. He turned instinctively.
"Nami... Nico... Nico Robin?!!" Upon seeing Robin, Spandam shrieked as if he'd seen a ghost. The Devil Child they had searched for years had actually joined the Leo Pirates?! Remembering what his father had done to Robin, a chill ran down his spine.
Robin and Nami walked in unison, their rhythmic footsteps sounding like a death knell, frightening Spandam into retreating step by step.
"Stay away from me~!" Spandam screamed hysterically at the two women, waving Funkfreed with one hand while frantically pulling something from his pocket with the other. It was a golden Den Den Mushi.
Clutching the golden Den Den Mushi like a lifeline, Spandam sighed with relief and immediately became smug. "You two stop right there! This is the Golden Den Den Mushi that can activate a Buster Call! If I press it, you'll both die with me!!"
Nami and Robin remained unmoved, continuing to advance.
"Robin, is this the guy?!" Nami asked, shooting Spandam a look of disgust.
Robin nodded in response, her face like ice. The reason for her life today was all thanks to Spandam's father, Spandine. Since Spandine wasn't here, she'd start with Spandam.
"Hey!! Did you two even hear what I said?!! This is a Buster Call! Robin, you can't possibly not know what that means, right?!!" Seeing the women still showed no sign of stopping, Spandam's eyes turned bloodshot as he blustered.
Hearing this, Robin stopped. "Spandam," she said coldly, "you shouldn't have brought up that past."
"Trente Fleur: Clutch!"
With a flurry of petals, several arms sprouted from Spandam's body. In the next instant, the arms restrained his hands, head, and neck.
"Robin, you... what are you...?"
"Clutch!"
Before Spandam could finish, Robin's two slender hands clenched sharply.
CRACK!
CRACK!
The sound of dislocating bones echoed in the quiet passageway. Spandam's eyes widened, his head lolled to the side, and the life fled his body instantly.
"He got what he deserved," Robin stated coldly, her face impassive as she looked at Spandam's corpse.
Nami picked up the elephant sword and the Golden Den Den Mushi from the ground. "Robin, let's go to his office and find those two Devil Fruits."
Robin gave a slight nod, took one last look at Spandam's body, and left.
Shortly after they left, the Gates of Justice, which hadn't opened in a long time, began to creak apart, revealing a sliver of an opening.
Meanwhile, at the main gate of Enies Lobby, Leo easily found the two Giant warriors guarding the entrance, Kashii and Oimo.
"What did you say?! Captains Brogy and Dorry weren't captured by the World Government? They're still dueling on Little Garden?!!" Kashii and Oimo stared, their large eyes wide, feeling their brains couldn't keep up. They'd been told one thing, now they were hearing another. Who was telling the truth?!
Leo couldn't be bothered to explain. He simply grabbed them and teleported!
Primordial Island, Little Garden!
Deep in the forest, Leo appeared out of thin air with Kashii and Oimo in tow. The two Giants looked around, speechless. What kind of ability was this?! It was incredible! One second they were at Enies Lobby, the next they were in... well... where was this?!
Ignoring the Giants' astonishment, Leo expanded his Observation Haki, sensing the entire island. Although his Observation Haki hadn't advanced to the level of seeing the future or hearing thoughts, its range, amplified by his lightning power, was vast enough to easily envelop the entire Primordial Island, even farther than Enel's had on Skypiea.
Soon, he located Brogy and Dorry, who were busy roasting meat. Grabbing the two Giants again, he teleported once more.
Elsewhere, a top-tier Marine warship had passed through the Gates of Justice and arrived at Enies Lobby. There weren't many people on deck, but if any pirate recognized them, they would flee without looking back. Because if they were slow, they'd get to experience a certain someone's light-speed kick.
At the ship's bow stood four figures. At the front were two men: one wore a yellow-and-white striped suit and sunglasses, with a猥琐 (lecherous) face; the other was muscular, draped in a Marine justice cloak, with a scar over his left eye. They were none other than Admiral Kizaru and the Hero of the Marines, Monkey D. Garp. Flanking them were two elite Marine Vice Admirals: Onigumo, the eight-sword stylist, and Doberman.
Further back on the deck were several dozen elite Marine soldiers. Though few in number, the lineup was extremely powerful.
"Vice Admiral Garp, do you really think Leo and his crew will come?" Kizaru asked, raising an eyebrow as he gazed at the tranquil Enies Lobby. As a nine-to-five Admiral, he thought Sengoku was overreacting. Even if Leo was heading in this direction, it didn't mean he'd come here.
"Wahahahaha! I hope Leo does come. I've been ready to give him a good pounding!" Garp dug his nose without a care, flicking boogers into the sea. He was still sore about what happened to Luffy. The day Luffy chose to become a pirate against his advice, he knew his grandson would face many enemies, even powerful ones. Growth required certain experiences. But knowing his own grandson had almost been killed by Leo and doing nothing? He'd be a failure as a grandfather. This wasn't about using his position for personal revenge; Marines punishing pirates was natural! The thought made him angry. That stupid grandson, so embarrassing, getting taken down right after leaving Foosha Village. Not as good as Ace at all.
"Huh?" Just then, Kizaru raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting toward the Tower of Justice. An exaggerated expression spread across his face. "Ooooh~ Fleet Admiral Sengoku is truly prescient." With a self-deprecating laugh, Kizaru's body dissolved into countless golden particles and vanished from the deck.
Garp also looked toward the Tower of Justice, grinning widely. "Leo! I've come for you!!!"
Meanwhile, in Spandam's office...
"Wahahaha! Robin, this trip was worth it! Two Devil Fruits, an elephant sword, and a Golden Den Den Mushi!" Nami proudly displayed their haul. While there was no gold or jewels, these items were worth several billion Berries.
"The Captain will definitely like them," Robin said with an elegant smile. For her, the biggest gain was eliminating Spandam.
Just as Nami was about to summon a cloud to leave, her movements froze, her expression turning serious. Before them, a cluster of golden particles flashed, coalescing into a lanky, yellow-clad figure.
"Ooooh~ Let's see who we have here?!" Kizaru stood with his hands in his pockets, lifting his sleepy eyelids to look the two women over. "Navigator Nami of the Leo Pirates, and... hmm? Nico Robin?!" A rare look of surprise flashed in Kizaru's eyes. Aokiji's report hadn't mentioned the Devil Child had joined Leo's crew.
"Admiral Kizaru?!" Nami's face darkened, immediately identifying him. Though it was her first time seeing him, Leo had briefed them. If you see a man in a yellow suit with a猥琐 (lecherous) face, it's definitely Kizaru. Yellow suit, lecherous face. It matched perfectly.
"Wahahahaha! Just two little girls? Where's Leo?" A hearty laugh came from nearby. Nami and Robin looked over, their faces turning grimmer.
"Garp!!" It was Vice Admiral Garp himself!
"Wahahaha! Since you know who I am, tell that brat Leo to come out! I need to teach him a lesson!" Garp laughed, his Observation Haki sweeping across the entire island. "Huh? It really is just you two?!" He scratched his head, puzzled.
"Hmm?" Kizaru, who also found nothing, narrowed his eyes slightly. "Since Leo isn't here, we'll just have to take you two back instead. Especially you... Nico Robin." He deliberately drew out her name. In his view, Robin's value far exceeded Leo's. Bringing her back would be a great achievement.
"Take us back?! In your dreams!" Nami snorted, utterly fearless. The Nami of today was far from the girl who left Cocoyashi Village. Even if she was no match for an Admiral, she wouldn't go down without a fight.
"Kizaru, if you want to take us, you'll have to ask our Captain's permission," Robin said with a light laugh, assuming a fighting stance.
"Oh?!" Kizaru let out a sound of surprise, looking at the two women in disbelief. What kind of potion has Leo given them?! They knew they were facing two Admiral-level opponents, yet they were so confident! In his script, shouldn't Robin be pale and trembling upon seeing him?!
"Wahahahaha! Leo's already run away, and you still expect him to save you?!" Garp shook his head, thinking the two girls were too naive. In his long Marine career, he'd seen all kinds of pirates. Betrayal, abandonment, exploitation... he was used to it.
Facing Garp's taunt, Nami and Robin exchanged a glance. "Garp," Nami said disdainfully, "Leo isn't that kind of man. He'll come for us as soon as he's finished with his business."
Robin nodded in agreement. "Our Captain doesn't abandon his comrades. And..." She paused, sweeping a cold gaze over Kizaru and Garp, "...he really hates it when people bully his women. When he returns, you should think carefully about how you'll withstand his wrath."
Silence.
For a long moment.
"Wahahahaha!"
"Pfft—ahahaha!"
On the warship, including the two Vice Admirals, all the Marines burst out laughing. They couldn't help it. Anyone listening would think Robin was talking to some random nobodies. These were Admiral Kizaru and the Hero of the Marines, Garp!!
"You find that funny?" A mocking voice cut through the laughter, clear and distinct to everyone.
The next second, Leo appeared beside Nami and Robin.
Garp and Kizaru exchanged a glance, both frowning. They had just scanned the area with Observation Haki and found no trace of Leo. Where had he come from?
"Captain, I knew you'd come," Robin said calmly, a serene smile gracing her lips.
"Leo, these two old farts were bullying me and Robin. Teach them a lesson," Nami said, hands on her hips, pointing imperiously at Garp and Kizaru. Did they think she had no backup?! Seemingly remembering something, she leaned in and whispered in Leo's ear, "If you can't win, we run first. We can always get them next time." She'd been so angry she'd forgotten they were facing two Marine powerhouses.
Leo was taken aback, then shook his head with a wry smile. They were so close; Garp and Kizaru had definitely heard.
"No need," Leo said. "Robin was right." He turned, his gaze cold as it landed on Garp and Kizaru, his expression darkening. "I really do hate it when people bully my women. Especially these two."
As the words left his mouth, a violent, overwhelming aura erupted from Leo's body, powerful enough to give everyone present pause.
"Huh?!" Both Kizaru and Garp looked at him with renewed interest. So he does have some skill. No wonder he got away from Aokiji.
"Ooooh~ What a terrifying little monster," Kizaru said, still wearing his猥琐 (lecherous) expression. He glanced casually at Leo, then at Garp. "Vice Admiral Garp, you or me?!"
Garp picked his nose and grinned. "You cover me. Just don't let him escape." A grandson's grudge was best settled by the grandfather himself.
"Wahahahaha...!"
Hearing their conversation, the corner of Leo's mouth curled into a cold smirk. "You two old farts really love putting on an act, don't you?! Putting on a show all the way from Marineford to Enies Lobby?! Don't bother deciding. Come at me together!!!"
RUMBLE~
RUMBLE~
Silver lightning erupted completely. The roar of thunder assailed the senses from all directions. In an instant, the entire sky above Enies Lobby transformed into a domain of thunder.
Everyone looked up in terror at the cataclysmic scene above, stunned into silence.
High in the air, Leo spread his arms. His pupils had turned a frightening silver-white, like a Thunder God descending. Thick bolts of lightning coiled around his body like venomous snakes slithering and weaving.
Leo looked down upon the two men from his lofty position, his voice cold as ice. "Garp! Kizaru! Let's fight!!"
The rolling soundwave swept outwards.
"To have developed the Rumble-Rumble Fruit to such an extent... A dangerous element like you belongs in Impel Down," Garp said, the earlier ease gone from his face. Kizaru's expression was equally grave. According to Marine records, every user of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit was incredibly troublesome! They just hadn't expected Leo to grow so quickly.
"Nami! Robin! The others are yours!"
"Remember! Leave none alive!!"
"Don't worry, Leo! I've had enough of their faces!" Nami said, a cruel smile appearing as she looked at Onigumo. She might not be a match for an Admiral, but a Vice Admiral... she could handle. Kill!
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T/N :
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