At the main gate of Enies Lobby, nearly a hundred soldiers stood on guard.
"Hey, what's that thing out there?!" one Navy soldier shouted, pointing into the distance.
"What?"
"Can't you see it? The thing over there?"
"It's too dark to see anything. You must be imagining things," his companion replied, rolling his eyes. "Enough with the nonsense. Captain Spandam ordered us to guard the main gate. Stay alert."
This was no ordinary mission. They were escorting Nico Robin, the child of a devil capable of shaking the world. While he didn't believe anyone would dare attempt a rescue, appearances still mattered. Otherwise, how could he earn favor with his superiors and secure a promotion?
"You're just under too much "
Before the soldier could finish, a black shadow streaked past, capturing his attention.
"Wait, what just flew by?"
"Forget that. Look ahead!" His comrade shouted, astonished. "What is that?!"
From their perspective, a colossal water dragon raced across the sea, heading straight for the main gate.
"So you weren't imagining it!"
"Damn, is that a Sea King?!"
"No, it looks like a dragon made entirely of water!"
"Look! Someone's standing on its head!"
"An intruder! Take him down!"
The Navy scrambled, raising their weapons and firing at the approaching dragon.
It was useless. The muskets barely scratched the water dragon, and only a few splashes erupted on impact.
"It's over…" one soldier muttered in despair.
Boom!
The massive water dragon slammed into the ground, sending a shockwave through the ranks of soldiers below. One strike nearly annihilated everyone! Only a handful stationed on higher platforms survived.
"As expected, this kind of ninjutsu is perfect for dealing with cannon fodder," Zian remarked, landing smoothly on the ground.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique. A simple yet devastating jutsu, perfect for clearing weak enemies. One blow, total clearance.
If not for leaving a few alive to open the gate, he would have wiped them all out.
"Who are you?!"
"Isn't it obvious?" Zian grinned, flashing his teeth. "I'm the intruder."
His blunt answer left the Navy momentarily speechless.
"Captain Spandam! Intruder detected!"
"Huh?"
The soldier holding a Den Den Mushi locked eyes with Zian. In the next instant, his gaze went blank, and his expression soulless.
"An intruder?" Spandam exclaimed, incredulous. "Someone dares to invade Enies Lobby?"
"Are you sure?"
"Sorry, Captain Spandam. The intruder has already been dealt with."
"Oh, it's already done?" Spandam nodded, then gave a blank expression. "Then don't bother reporting it next time!"
He didn't know who this lunatic was, but as long as the intruder was gone, there was nothing to worry about. A dead person wasn't his concern.
Hanging up, Spandam smiled. "Heh. Luffy and the others will be here soon. Then I'll be the true hero! Taking down Nico Robin and Franky, the world's dangerous criminals humanity's hero will be me!"
He imagined how the Five Elders would reward him.
"Captain's daydreaming again, cha-ba-ba~"
"Hey, Owl, cut it out!" Spandam snapped.
What do they mean by daydreaming? He was right. Capturing two individuals capable of shaking the world certainly qualified him as a hero!
"Enough chatter!" Spandam glanced at three people seated nearby. "The assassination list had three targets. How did we end up with twenty-three?"
"Explain yourselves!"
"We can't be blamed," Gabra said helplessly. "Our mission info was exposed. Once we went in, we were ambushed. We had no choice but to eliminate them all."
"Bullshit! How could the info be exposed?"
"Heh, it was me," Owl said with a grin. "I accidentally let it slip while we were on the street."
Gabra: ???
"You idiot! What the hell are you?! And is that zipper on your mouth just for decoration?!"
"Your Excellency, let me commit seppuku," Wei Qu said, drawing a long blade. "Someone has to take responsibility this time. I will die to atone!"
"Idiot!"
"Clang!"
"D-Dead… can't… die…"
"Just hurry up and die!" Gabra shouted.
Spandam held his face in disbelief. What kind of madness was this?
…
"Even if we've kept them in the dark for now, Luffy's solo attack is going to make a huge commotion," Zian said.
While they discussed strategy, Luffy had already sneaked to the top of the train car. By the time Zian noticed, Luffy had launched himself forward like a human cannonball.
Zian shook his head. At least Luffy's chaos would ease some of the pressure on Zoro and the others.
"You all, open the main gate for me," Zian said calmly.
"And why should we… Fine."
"???"
The Navy who survived gaped at the incongruent tones of the crew. Even the soldier who reported to Spandam was dumbfounded. What was happening?
When the silent crew approached to open the gates, the lone surviving Navy soldier saw Zian's eyes and froze.
A pair of crimson eyes!
"You… you're a demon…"
"Too many words," Zian said.
The three-tomoe Sharingan slowly rotated. The soldier stiffened and his gaze went lifeless.
"How long has Nico Robin been inside?" Zian asked.
"About half an hour ago," the soldier answered.
"Half an hour…"
Zian frowned. Not too long, not too short. If it weren't for the obstacle at the entrance, they might have already caught up.
No matter. Half an hour was still short enough to prevent Robin's trial from progressing.
"Tell me, where are they taking Nico Robin?"
"I don't know," the soldier admitted. "I'm just a regular guard. I don't have clearance. My job is only to watch the main gate. But you might find her at the inner island's courthouse. Usually prisoners go there first before being executed or transferred."
Zian shook his head. To get more intelligence, he'd need someone of higher rank.
With that, he knocked the soldier unconscious and vanished. In the next instant, he appeared behind the main gate. Behind him, the massive doors slowly creaked open.