"Anyone can talk big," Spandam sneered coldly.
"When you truly witness the Buster Call, you'll behave yourself."
He absolutely refused to believe this man had the power to resist a Buster Call.
Did he think he was one of the Four Emperors?
Even an Emperor would have to think twice before facing something like that.
Jin snorted, completely uninterested in replying to such nonsense.
Spandam didn't care either. He turned toward Rob Lucci.
"Rob Lucci, escort me to the Gates of Justice."
Lucci paused, then frowned.
"Sir, I should remain here to deal with them."
"No. You must guarantee my safety first."
"Then why not have Blueno escort you?" Lucci asked.
With Blueno's Door-Door Fruit, he could transport Spandam to the evacuation ship at the fastest speed possible.
Spandam clearly knew this—yet he still chose Lucci.
Why?
"Blueno's ability is better suited for retrieving Nico Robin," Spandam said, glancing toward the pirates.
"I don't like admitting it, but that ninja is… troublesome."
It was obvious.
Spandam was afraid of being assassinated halfway.
"Blueno," he ordered, "find an opening and seize Nico Robin."
Lucci frowned.
Against a monster like that ninja, Blueno's ability might not even work.
Still… if Robin could be taken back first, the enemy would be forced to hold back.
"I understand," Blueno replied.
"Once you capture her, bring her to me immediately," Spandam added.
"Speed is critical."
"Because of the Buster Call?" Kalifa asked.
"Yes," Spandam nodded.
"From the moment it was activated, the battleships will arrive within an hour."
"If they depart from Marineford, it could be even faster."
"You don't have much time. Remember that."
"Understood."
"Good." Spandam nodded and waved at Lucci.
"Let's go."
His top priority now was survival.
After that—forcing CP9 to reclaim Nico Robin.
If that happened, both his life and his promotion would be secured.
Lucci felt deeply dissatisfied, but said nothing.
As long as Spandam remained their commander, orders had to be obeyed—even disgusting ones.
"Chapapa~ The boss sure is afraid of dying."
"Haha! Assassination under the pressure of a Buster Call?" Jabra licked his lips.
"Why am I getting excited?"
"Don't underestimate him," Kalifa warned.
"Like the boss said—that ninja isn't simple."
"Hmph. I was careless earlier," Jabra growled.
"Next time, I won't let him run wild."
"Yoyoi~ The tension before battle really gets the blood pumping."
"Nico Robin…"
Blueno stared fixedly at the woman in Jin's arms.
That was his target.
But that man had tanked Jabra's full-powered blow without issue.
Could he really succeed?
Doubt filled his heart—but Spandam's authority left him no choice.
Even if it meant dying.
"Don't worry," Kalifa said. "We'll support you as much as possible."
"…Understood."
She then turned toward the Straw Hat Pirates.
"Pirates! If you want the keys to free Nico Robin—come find us!"
"The Buster Call has already begun!"
"You don't have much time left!"
"Shave!"
With that, CP9 vanished from sight.
"If the battleships are coming from Marineford," Franky said grimly,
"they'll arrive fast."
"Even faster, huh." Jin grinned.
"Honestly, I hope they hurry up."
He'd already tested CP9.
Among them, only the pigeon guy was worth his attention.
But that one was Luffy's prey—he wouldn't steal it.
His true enemy… was the Buster Call itself.
And if any CP9 idiots got in his way, he wouldn't mind eliminating them first.
At that moment, the great bridge below began to rumble.
"It's the Franky Family!" Usopp shouted.
"They did it!"
They'd gone to seize control of the bridge earlier—and it worked.
"BOOM!"
"BOOM!"
"BOOM!"
Suddenly, cannon fire blasted into the bridge, halting its descent completely.
"Pirates! You're not crossing this bridge!" the Marines roared.
"Even if we destroy it, you're not getting through!"
"Damn it!" Zambai cursed.
"The bridge is wrecked!"
Without it, how were they supposed to cross?
"Bridge?" Jin blinked.
Why would they need that?
"Huh?"
Nami's Den Den Mushi rang. She answered quickly.
"Oi, pirates—what are you dawdling for?"
"The bridge is broken—"
"No problem!" Kokoro shouted with a laugh.
"Just jump down boldly! I'll catch you!"
She took a huge swig of booze and slammed the throttle.
"Jump… down?"
"Heh~"
Luffy suddenly flashed Nami a very dangerous grin.
Nami's instincts screamed.
Whenever he smiled like that—nothing good followed.
"I can use Water Release ninjutsu to carry everyone—" Jin began.
Before he could finish—
A long rubber arm wrapped around both him and Franky's shoulders.
Jin's expression changed instantly.
That familiar feeling surged up.
"…Not again."
"Huh?" Franky blinked. "What's going on?"
No one answered him.
Instead—
Luffy jumped.
"Everyone—take off!!!"
Dragged by Luffy's insane momentum, the entire group was launched downward.
"YOU BASTARD!!!"
"LUFFY, WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS LIKE THIS?!"
"I SWEAR I'LL CUT YOU ONE DAY!!"
"I COULD'VE FLOWN US OVER WITH WATER NINJUTSU!!" Jin roared.
"LUFFY, YOU'RE GOING TO GET ME KILLED ONE DAY!!"
To protect Nico Robin, Jin instinctively pulled her into a princess carry, shielding her completely.
The next instant—
The Rocketman burst forth at insane speed, catching everyone mid-fall.
"Ehahaha! Perfect timing!" Kokoro laughed.
"Brace yourselves—we're landing!"
"BOOOOM!!!"
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