Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique

"Why? Why did I launch the Buster Call...?" Spandam knelt on the ground, pounding the floor with his right hand over and over. He could not understand why he had pressed it.

This was Judicial Island. He knew all too well what it meant to launch a Buster Call here.

Even with his father's achievements behind him, the enraged Five Elders might still have him killed.

"This idiot..." Rob Lucci said with an ugly expression.

Why did their superior have to be this guy? Launching a Buster Call on Judicial Island—how had he even come up with that?

Judicial Island, which had stood for eight hundred years, was about to be blasted away by their own Buster Call. It was the equivalent of slapping the World Government across the face!

"Did you do something?!" Kalifa stared fixedly at Xi Yan.

His expression just now had been extremely strange. She had seen it clearly!

As if he had grabbed onto a lifeline, Spandam immediately scrambled up from the ground. His hair was disheveled, and he stared at Xi Yan like a vicious ghost. "Was this your doing?!"

If this had not been his intention, then his punishment would be much lighter. At the very least, he would not be killed... probably.

"You pressed the button yourself. What does that have to do with me?" Xi Yan said with a snicker.

"Impossible! How could I have pressed it?!"

"But that's the truth~"

Spandam:...

Yes, that was the truth. He had personally pressed the Golden Den Den Mushi's button, and he had launched the Buster Call that would destroy Judicial Island.

"Hehe, so that's how it is." Sanji seemed to understand something and immediately laughed.

"What is it? What is it?" Usopp asked Sanji in confusion.

"Just watch closely."

Sanji had no intention of explaining. After all, the enemy was right in front of them. Explaining aloud would be the same as telling them the truth.

"Interesting."

Zoro's lips curled upward as well. Like Sanji, he had seen through it.

When they had opened the Great Gate of Judicial Island earlier, Xi Yan had already displayed his ability. It was an Illusion that could control people without them realizing it!!

That guy had been controlled by Xi Yan into launching the Buster Call just now... That was fine too!

Xi Yan had said before that he would handle the Buster Call. Since that was the case, they would leave it to him!

A powerful Ninja who could control seawater—taking down ten Navy warships alone was not impossible.

"It seems they know something." Kaku said, forcing himself to calm down.

He had seen the Straw Hat Pirates' expressions clearly. Although they had not explained why, they definitely had something to do with this matter.

No matter how much of an idiot Spandam was, he would not use a Buster Call to destroy his own base. Something was obviously wrong!

"Bastard, since you do not intend to tell us, then wait for CP9 and the Buster Call to crush you." Spandam took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

Then, he glanced at CP9. "Nico Robin must not be harmed. Take them down!!"

There were only three people here right now. If all of CP9 attacked together, taking down this guy should not be a problem.

"You could not do anything to me just now, and now you think you can take me down?" Xi Yan tilted his head slightly.

"That was then. This is now." Jabra grinned viciously. "With two burdens in tow, do you still think you can get away unscathed?!"

He admitted that the other man was incredibly fast, so fast that he sometimes could not even react. That meant hitting him would not be easy.

But... this time, Nico Robin and Franky were holding him back. His speed advantage might not be able to come into play!

"Chababa, offense and defense have changed~"

"Hmph, as long as Nico Robin is still in my hands, there is no problem."

After calming down, Spandam realized this. Destroying Judicial Island with a Buster Call was certainly terrible, but if he could bring Nico Robin back, it would mean the Ancient Weapons could be revived!

Ancient Weapons... terrifying weapons capable of destroying an entire island with a single strike!!

With that achievement, offsetting his merits against his crimes should not be a problem!

No... he might even receive a reward!

At that thought, Spandam became excited all over.

"Robin will not return to your hands." Xi Yan clapped his hands together. "Not now, and not ever!"

As he spoke, splashes of water began appearing beneath Xi Yan's feet, and the ground began to tremble faintly.

"Take him down!"

"Shave!"

CP9 attacked Xi Yan together, clearly intending to kill him.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

"Boom!!"

A Giant Water Dragon appeared out of thin air and sent CP9 flying, forcibly halting their attack.

"What the hell is that?!"

Jabra, who had steadied himself, wore an expression of utter disbelief. What had he just seen?

An enormous Water Dragon had appeared out of nowhere on the balcony, swallowing those three people in the blink of an eye.

Not only that, the Water Dragon had actually flown up and headed toward the distant Judgement Hall?!

"Water Release... could this guy be a Ninja?!" Spandam, who had been swept into the corridor by the water, froze for a moment before roaring, "Do not let him get away! Capture that Ninja!!"

If this person really was a Ninja, then he might be from Wano Country!!!

That meant they might be able to obtain information about Wano Country from him. That would also be an enormous achievement!

Hearing Spandam's roar, all of CP9, having regained their footing, came back to their senses.

"A Ninja?"

Did these things not exist only in stories? How could a real Ninja have appeared now? Could he be a Devil Fruit User?

"Not good, he's heading back to the Judgement Hall!" Rob Lucci said.

"Rankyaku!"

CP9 attacked together. A barrage of Rankyaku flew toward the Water Dragon, blasting its rear half apart in a spray of water!

"Boom!!"

"Boom!!"

"Boom!!"

The Water Dragon, just about to reach the Judgement Hall, seemed to lose all momentum. It burst into splashes of water and fell downward.

"Hmph, trying to escape right in front of us? Wishful thinking." Jabra snorted.

"But... didn't our superior order us to capture them alive? Chababa."

Jabra:...

Damn it. He had not thought when he attacked. If he had killed Nico Robin and that Ninja, would they not be punished?

"Calm down." Rob Lucci said with a grave expression. "They are fine."

"Why do you say that?"

"Can't you hear Franky's voice coming from the other side already?" Kaku pointed into the distance.

"Bastard, I almost thought I was going to die!" Franky cried out.

As the splashes of water faded away, the entire scene at the upper part of the Judgement Hall came into view.

Xi Yan stood on the platform beside the Straw Hat Pirates with a smile on his face, his left arm around Nico Robin's waist and his right hand holding Franky by the leg, standing shoulder to shoulder with his partners!

"Xi Yan!!"

"Great! He got Robin back!"

All of the Straw Hat Pirates looked at Xi Yan in delight. They had clearly not expected him to retrieve Nico Robin so easily!

"We... we were played!!"

"Damn Ninja!!"