Hello, Bastards

Seeing Nico Robin's stubborn expression, Xi Yan felt utterly helpless. Now he finally understood how the Straw Hat Pirates felt.

The partners were risking their lives to save her, yet she had no desire to live. Even with him standing right in front of her, she still wanted to die.

"We've already come this far, and you're still saying that?" Xi Yan said. "I can take you away right now. As for this Sea Stone, we can figure something out afterward."

His lockpicking skills might not necessarily work on Sea Stone handcuffs, but with so many Devil Fruit Users out there, surely they could find someone capable of opening them.

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

"Even if you won't think of yourself, you should at least think of Luffy and the others."

If the Straw Hat Pirates went to war with CP9 here, she had no idea what the consequences would be.

"Don't listen to what this stubborn woman says," Franky said. "Get out of here first. We can talk after we're out of danger."

They could slowly straighten out Nico Robin's way of thinking once they were safe.

Before that, they needed to ensure their survival.

Xi Yan ignored Franky. That guy had thick skin and tough flesh; staying tied up a little longer would not hurt him.

Nico Robin's problem was serious. If it was not resolved, then even if Xi Yan took her away now, someone else might take her away next time. If her heart was not with them, then sooner or later, she would be gone too.

Some things had to be settled once and for all. Otherwise, there would be endless trouble down the road.

"Hey, are you even listening to me?!"

"It's because of the Buster Call, isn't it?" Xi Yan said.

Nico Robin raised her head at those words, pain flickering in her eyes.

"The Buster Call..."

"You have no idea just how terrifying the Buster Call really—"

"Enough. You don't need to keep talking." Xi Yan turned around and glanced at the tightly shut Great Gate beside them. "I understand."

"It's good that you understand." Nico Robin let out a sigh of relief.

As long as he did not cause trouble, the Straw Hat Pirates would not be put in danger. Then her sacrifice would have meaning.

"What do you mean, 'you understand'..." Franky struggled as he spoke. "Hurry up and let me go! Why do you care what she says?"

"Franky!"

"What?"

"If we don't solve the Buster Call problem, Robin will never escape the nightmare in her heart." Without turning back, Xi Yan said, "That nightmare will wake her again and again, clinging to her like a demon that refuses to let go."

"So what?"

"So... what we need to do isn't just save her. We need to beat that damned demon to death, so Robin can sleep peacefully from now on!"

After saying that, Xi Yan said nothing more and walked toward the Great Gate step by step.

Nico Robin suddenly raised her head and stared at Xi Yan's back. "What are you going to do? Stop right now!"

Nico Robin sensed that something's wrong from Xi Yan's words. Was this guy planning to fight CP9 here?

"Stop!"

"Did you ask Luffy before doing this?!"

"You..."

Xi Yan said nothing. He took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed it in front of Nico Robin.

The call was answered quickly, and the Den Den Mushi transformed into Luffy's likeness.

Clearly, this was the Den Den Mushi Xi Yan had given Luffy earlier—though Luffy had not noticed when he got it.

"Hey, Luffy."

"Xi Yan?!"

"Gum-Gum Pistol!"

"Boom!"

Standing on the Rooftop, Luffy punched away a Marine charging at him, then dodged the attack of a long spear.

Only then did he say, "Where are you? Did you find Robin?"

"I found her."

"You really are amazing, Xi Yan! That's great!" Luffy said excitedly. "Where are you? I'll come find you right now."

Xi Yan had found Robin so quickly, which greatly exceeded Luffy's expectations. At the same time, he could not help thinking that a Ninja truly was impressive.

"We're inside the tallest building. You should be able to see it from the Rooftop of Judgement Hall."

"Okay, got it." Luffy nodded. "Is Robin okay?"

"You guys..." Nico Robin opened her mouth, but for a moment, she did not know what to say.

"I told you already—they weren't even afraid of the Gods of Water. How could they possibly fear Judicial Island?" Franky laughed loudly. "They're a bunch who fear neither heaven nor earth!"

Franky had more or less understood Xi Yan's intentions. As a proud man, of course he supported him!

"Haha, Robin, we'll be there soon!" Luffy laughed. "Wait for us!"

"Why are you coming..."

"Isn't it obvious? It's because we're partners," Xi Yan said.

After saying that, he ignored Nico Robin and looked at the Den Den Mushi. "Luffy, there's something I need to tell you."

"Hmm, go ahead."

"Damn it, you guys are really persistent."

Luffy frowned at the Marines chasing after him. He bit the Den Den Mushi in his mouth, then launched himself away in a single leap.

After landing on another Rooftop, he finally had a moment to talk without being disturbed.

"I can forcefully take Robin away right now, but if we don't solve one problem, then what happened today might happen again in the future," Xi Yan said.

Luffy fell silent for a moment before replying, "Yeah. You're right."

Today, someone could use them to threaten Nico Robin. Tomorrow, someone might use them to make her kill herself.

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

"I'm standing right outside their headquarters. I'll find a way to deal with the Buster Call."

The moment he saw Nico Robin in person, Xi Yan understood. If they did not get rid of this problem, Nico Robin would never escape her nightmare.

In that case, he would personally shatter it!

"Hey, can you people listen to someone for once?!" Nico Robin said, her eyes wide.

What had she just heard? This newly joined Partner intended to challenge the Buster Call head-on?

Where did he get that confidence?

"Does something like that even need to be asked?" Luffy clenched his fist. "Do it, Xi Yan!"

"Whether it's CP9 or the Buster Call, I'll send them all flying!"

"Hey, you guys..."

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

"Crack~"

As soon as he finished speaking, Luffy crushed the Den Den Mushi's receiver in his grip.

"You heard him, Nico Robin." Xi Yan crushed the receiver in his own hand. "Your will cannot change our minds."

"No, why are you all like this?"

Franky was completely dumbfounded. He had wanted to ask how his men were doing, but this guy had simply crushed the Den Den Mushi's receiver.

After sighing helplessly, Franky looked at the stunned Nico Robin beside him. "See that? That's their resolve."

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

"And all of it was to save you!"

Franky's words echoed in Nico Robin's mind, while her eyes remained fixed on the man walking resolutely toward the Great Gate.

That man... did not fear the World Government in the slightest!

"Boom!!"

Xi Yan slammed his fist into the Great Gate, blasting it clean off and sending it flying straight onto Spandam's head. It scared him so badly that he dropped onto the floor on his backside.

The CP9 members all turned toward the entrance, their gazes gradually sharpening.

With one hand in his pocket, Xi Yan walked into the room. He swept his eyes over the CP9 members staring at him, then grinned.

"Hello, bastards!!"