Hello, Bastards

Looking at Nico Robin's stubborn expression, Xi Yan felt utterly helpless. He now understood the Straw Hat Pirates' feelings.

Their partners fought desperately to save this woman, yet she had no will to live at all. Even when he was right in front of her, she still wanted to die.

"Even at this point, you're still saying that?" Xi Yan said. "I can take you all away right now. As for this Sea Stone, we can figure it out later."

Though his lockpicking skills might not work on these Sea Stone handcuffs, there were so many Devil Fruit Users out there—they'd surely find someone who could open them.

"Please don't let my efforts go to waste..." Nico Robin lowered her head. "Please leave."

"Even if you won't think for yourself, you should consider Luffy and the others."

If the Straw Hat Pirates started an all-out war with CP9 here, she couldn't predict the consequences.

"Don't listen to this stubborn fool," Franky said. "Let's get out of here first, then worry about safety."

They could straighten out Nico Robin's mindset once they were safe.

Before that, they needed to ensure their survival.

Xi Yan ignored Franky. That guy was thick-skinned and tough—a few more minutes tied up wouldn't hurt.

Nico Robin's problem was serious. If he didn't resolve it, even if he took her away now, someone else might take her later. If her heart wasn't in it, she'd be gone sooner or later.

Some things had to be settled in one go, or they'd cause endless trouble.

"Hey, are you listening to me?!"

"It's about the Buster Call, isn't it," Xi Yan said.

Nico Robin looked up at Xi Yan, pain flickering in her eyes.

"The Buster Call..."

"You have no idea what the Buster Call really..."

"Enough, you don't need to say more." Xi Yan turned around, glancing at the sealed Great Gate to the side. "I understand."

"Good that you understand." Nico Robin sighed in relief.

As long as he didn't cause trouble, the Straw Hat Pirates wouldn't fall into danger, and her sacrifice would mean something.

"What do you mean, 'you understand'..." Franky struggled. "Let me go already! Why are you listening to her?"

"Franky!"

"What?"

"If we don't solve the Buster Call problem, Robin will never escape the nightmare in her heart," Xi Yan said without turning back. "That nightmare will keep waking her up, again and again, clinging to her like a demon."

"So?"

"So... what we need to do isn't just save her. We need to kill that damn demon, so Robin can finally sleep peacefully!"

After saying that, Xi Yan said no more and walked step by step toward the Great Gate.

Nico Robin jerked her head up, staring at Xi Yan's back. "What are you doing? Stop!"

She sensed something's wrong from his words. Was this guy planning to fight CP9 here?

"Stop right there!"

"Did you ask Luffy about this?!"

"You..."

Xi Yan didn't speak. Instead, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi and dialed right in front of Nico Robin.

Soon, the other end picked up, and the Den Den Mushi transformed into Luffy's face.

Clearly, this was the Den Den Mushi Xi Yan had given Luffy earlier—though Luffy hadn't noticed.

"Hey, Luffy."

"Is that Xi Yan?!"

"Gum-Gum Pistol!"

"Boom!"

Standing on the rooftop, Luffy punched a charging Marine flying while dodging a Long Spear attack.

Then he said, "Where are you? Did you find Robin?"

"Found her."

"Awesome, as expected of Xi Yan!" Luffy exclaimed happily. "Where are you? I'll come find you right now."

Xi Yan finding Robin so fast caught Luffy off guard, and he marveled at the Ninja's skill.

"We're in the tallest building. You can see it from the Judgement Hall's rooftop."

"Got it." Luffy nodded. "Is Robin okay?"

"You..." Nico Robin opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.

"I told you, they weren't afraid of the Gods of Water—why would they fear Judicial Island?" Franky laughed loudly. "This is a bunch of guys who fear nothing!"

Franky had probably figured out Xi Yan's intent. As a man who stood tall, he was all for it!

"Haha, Robin, we'll be on your side soon." Luffy laughed as he spoke. "Wait for us!"

"Why are you all coming...?"

"What else is there to say? Naturally, because we're nakama." Xi Yan said.

After saying that, he didn't bother with Nico Robin anymore, instead looking at the Den Den Mushi and saying, "Luffy, there's something I need to tell you."

"Hmm, go ahead."

"Damn, you guys are really persistent."

Luffy scowled at the group of marines chasing him, bit down on the Den Den Mushi, and launched himself away with a single bound.

After landing on another rooftop, he finally bought himself a moment of uninterrupted communication.

"I can forcibly take Robin away right now, but if one problem isn't solved, today's situation might repeat itself in the future." Xi Yan said.

Luffy was silent for a moment, then said, "Hmm, you're right."

Today, someone could use them to threaten Nico Robin; tomorrow, someone might use them to make Nico Robin kill herself.

"So..." Xi Yan grinned. "Luffy, declare war on them."

"I'm right at the gates of their stronghold now. I'll figure out a way to deal with the Buster Call."

The moment he laid eyes on Nico Robin, Xi Yan understood—if this trouble wasn't resolved, she would never escape her nightmare.

In that case, he might as well shatter it with his own hands!

"Hey, will you two listen to what people are saying?!" Nico Robin's eyes went wide as she spoke.

What was she hearing? This newly joined nakama actually planned to challenge the Buster Call head-on?

Where did he get that confidence?

"Do you even need to ask?" Luffy clenched his fist and said, "Go ahead and do it, Xi Yan!"

"No matter if it's CP9 or the Buster Call, I'll punch them all flying!"

"Hey, you two..."

"Robin!!" Luffy cut her off loudly. "Wait for us!"

"Kacha~"

As the words fell, the Den Den Mushi's receiver was crushed to pieces by Luffy's hand.

"You heard that, Nico Robin." Xi Yan crushed the receiver in his own hand and said, "Your will can't change our minds."

"No, why are you all like this?"

Franky was dumbfounded. He'd wanted to ask about his little brothers, but this guy had gone and crushed the Den Den Mushi's receiver.

Letting out a helpless sigh, Franky looked at the stunned Nico Robin and said, "See that? That's their resolve."

"They fought their way out of Water Seven, charged through the Gods of Water that could destroy everything, and came to this Judicial Island that's stood for eight hundred years."

"And all of it—just to save you!"

Franky's words echoed in Nico Robin's mind, while her eyes were locked on the man walking toward the Great Gate with unwavering determination.

That man... didn't show a shred of fear toward the World Government!

"Boom!!"

Xi Yan slammed his fist into the Great Gate, sending it flying clean off its hinges and crashing down right on top of Spandam, making him fall on his ass in terror.

The CP9 members all turned their gazes sharply toward the entrance, their eyes growing razor-sharp.

Xi Yan strolled into the room with one hand in his pocket, swept a glance over the CP9 staring at him, and grinned.

"How's it going, you bastards?!"