Dusk.
Water Seven.
"Get on the train, Robin. Never thought I'd see the day the woman who's spent her whole life running would give up so easily, haha."
Robin said nothing. Her face was set, her eyes calm — the kind of calm born not from peace, but from acceptance.
If my death can buy my friends their safety… then maybe, for once in my life, I can do something selfless.
Her thoughts hardened like steel. To stride toward death willingly — that was courage born from love. To protect what she cherished most, she would go to hell itself without hesitation.
With that resolve, Nico Robin stepped onto the Sea Train — the train that would carry her to her execution.
In the shadows near the corner of a wall, Sanji exhaled a long plume of smoke, tension etched across his face.
"Damn it… where are they? Chopper, did you tell the others yet?"
Before Chopper could answer, four figures appeared at the far end of the platform.
A tall, broad-shouldered man with bull horns and a square-nosed agent in a black suit were dragging two beaten figures behind them.
Lucci and the CP9 had returned — with Franky and Usopp as their captives.
Lucci checked his watch and said flatly, "Pick up the pace. Orders from above — the 'Sea Train of the Gods' will depart early. We're to leave immediately before night falls and complications arise."
The rest nodded wordlessly, quickening their steps.
The docks were swarming with marines and World Government agents, the combined presence nearly filling the entire port.
As CP9's unit returned, preparing to depart, a loud, unexpected voice cut through the din.
"Finally! We made it!"
Ding!
"Congratulations, Host — Check-in at Water Seven complete!
Reward: Trunk of the World Tree acquired.
Next check-in location: Enies Lobby!"
"At last!" Arthur sighed in relief.
It had been a wild journey.
For him, sprinting across the open sea was trivial — with the Third Raikage's lightning chakra, he could skim the waves like solid ground.
Crocodile had used his sand ability to glide low over the ocean, carrying Bundy World on his back — not elegant, but effective.
The worst off was Redfield, who'd insisted on swimming.
Arthur had offered to carry the old man himself, but Crocodile's pseudo-flight couldn't handle two passengers, and Redfield's pride wouldn't allow it anyway.
So the old legend had paddled through the Grand Line on his own.
"He's… stubborn, I'll give him that," Arthur muttered, glancing at the elder's dripping coat as they finally regrouped.
With a moment's respite, Arthur opened his system interface to inspect his new reward — The Trunk of the World Tree.
A line of text appeared:
World Tree Trunk:
"A divine relic from another world. The trunk houses a 'Tree Spirit.'
Any vessel constructed from the World Tree will possess autonomous control, self-repair functions, and a consciousness linked to its bound owner."
Arthur's eyes widened, and a grin tugged at his lips.
"So this thing comes with an A.I. helmsman? Guess we won't need a shipwright or navigator anymore!"
He was about to delve deeper into the details when Bundy suddenly tapped his shoulder.
"Boss — we've got company."
Arthur looked up — and his expression darkened.
The entire dock was packed wall to wall with marines and World Government agents, all staring at them in stunned silence.
"What's with these people?"
"Hold on… those faces look familiar…"
"Yeah… wait, that's—Crocodile! Bundy World! Redfield!"
The realization hit them like a bomb.
The entire port erupted in chaos.
But none of them recognized Arthur — at least, not the ordinary soldiers.
The CP9 agents, however, knew better.
In the chaos, Rob Lucci produced a dossier and began reading in a low, grave voice:
"Three days ago — incident at Impel Down.
A single man liberated Levels Two through Five, releasing every prisoner.
Defeated Warden Magellan, slew 'Shiryu of the Rain,' heavily injured Vice Admiral Momonga, and escaped Admiral Kizaru's pursuit unharmed.
Now wanted for two hundred and fifty million berries — codename: The Flying Thunder God, Arthur."
His tone tightened with every line.
He'd received this intel days ago, but never imagined he'd run into the man himself — here, of all places, at the most sensitive moment.
"This can't be coincidence," he muttered under his breath. "They're here for something… but what?"
Meanwhile, Arthur had already pieced it together.
The sight of the CP9, the sea train, Robin being led away — it all clicked instantly.
"So this is that Water Seven scene," he realized. "Robin's capture… Enies Lobby next, huh?"
He sighed.
"Well, not my business. We're here for a ship — nothing more. Let's find Iceburg and start construction."
He waved a hand. "Move out."
Lucci frowned as the group strode straight toward them.
"So it is deliberate," he hissed, signaling to his subordinates.
"Tell the train conductor to depart — now."
The Government's representative blanched but didn't argue. Even he could sense the danger radiating from these four men. He barked the order, and marines began rushing onto the train.
Arthur's brow furrowed as he watched the sudden commotion.
"Hmph. I really don't have time to deal with small fry… but they just had to get in the way."
Lucci's cold voice rang out:
"Escaped convicts Arthur, Crocodile, Bundy World, and Redfield — you've got some nerve. Most criminals hide like rats after breaking out. Yet here you are, strolling into a Government port."
Arthur couldn't help but laugh.
"CP9, huh? You're seriously trying to pick a fight with us?"
A smirk tugged at his lips. "And what exactly are you planning to do about it?"
Lucci's eyes narrowed, his killing intent visible.
"Naturally — capture you all."
"And you think you can manage that?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
He motioned sharply, and his team spread out across the dock — Kaku, Blueno, and Kalifa forming a line beside him, each locking onto their respective targets.
The air itself seemed to still — a fragile calm before the storm.
On one side stood CP9, the World Government's elite assassins.
On the other stood the monsters of Impel Down — a fusion of legends, convicts, and Arthur himself.
Lucci gave quick orders under his breath:
"Kaku — stall Redfield, don't try to win.
Blueno — same with Bundy, buy time.
Kalifa — keep Crocodile occupied.
I'll deal with the new one myself. Once I finish, I'll assist you all and take them down one by one."
He exhaled, focusing his Tekkai, muscles hardening like iron.
Then—
Pfft.
Lucci blinked.
Arthur was looking right at him — smiling faintly, eyes full of amusement.
That easy, almost teasing grin made Lucci's blood boil.
"What's this kid playing at?!"
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