The Clown

Jabra now understood clearly: the exploding water dragon earlier was just a diversion. It hadn't actually hit the ninja at all, and even the splashing water might have been deliberately caused by the enemy.

"Damn it!"

How could they be toyed with like this? How could Jabra not be furious?

"The roles of offense and defense have switched again, Chababa~"

"No one would think you're mute if you kept your mouth shut right now." Kalifa said irritably.

Did this idiot ever consider the timing or situation when he spoke?

Then again, if this kid actually knew when to say what, he wouldn't have had his mouth zipped shut with a zipper.

"What's going on? What's going on?"

Spandam, clutching his head, ran back over. When he saw the situation in the distance, his eyeballs nearly popped out.

"Hey!"

"Why did Nico Robin and the others end up over there?!"

"CP9, what the hell are you even good for?!"

Spandam was furious. Just moments ago, he'd been dreaming of his bright future, and reality had smacked him hard.

Franky had burned the blueprints, and both the ninja and Nico Robin had returned to Straw Hat and his crew. What was there left to play for?!

CP9's faces turned even uglier after being chewed out. Being outmaneuvered by the enemy was bad enough, but now they had to endure their idiot commander's rage.

"Yo yo yi~"

"Commander sir, going over there doesn't mean they can leave here alive." Kumadori struck a pose. "As long as they're still on Judicial Island, we can catch them."

"That's right." Blueno said. "That waterfall might be insurmountable for others, but not for us."

Using Geppo, they could charge over at any time and engage in fierce battle.

"Ah, that's true." Spandam nodded, calming down.

He'd been too worked up and forgotten that. CP9's Six Powers let them cross the waterfall to attack the enemy.

"Most importantly, without the key, Straw Hat can't free Nico Robin." Kalifa pushed up her glasses.

After saying that, she glanced at the Straw Hat Pirates, who were caught up in their joy. "Hey, pirates!"

But unfortunately, no one paid her any attention.

"Tch~"

A vein bulged on Kalifa's forehead as she shouted angrily, "Hey, pirates of the Straw Hat crew, are you listening to me?!"

"What do you want?" Nami shot her a glance.

Couldn't she see they were in the middle of celebrating their reunion with their partner? The enemy was being a real buzzkill right now.

"Don't get too cocky!" Kalifa said. "Have you forgotten that Nico Robin is still locked in Sea Stone handcuffs?"

"What, do you have the key?"

"Hehe, something like that."

At those words, Xi Yan's eyes instantly sharpened. If the key was on that woman, he wouldn't mind killing her first.

Xi Yan's glare made Kalifa step back in fright, but remembering she was still with her comrades, she stepped forward again.

"Don't rush, let me finish." Kalifa pulled out a key. "There are six keys now, one on each of us six."

"And the real key that can unlock Nico Robin's handcuffs is one of them. Are you sure you want to run away now?"

Normally, Kalifa wouldn't bother with extra moves, but now she had to use this trick to keep these pirates from leaving easily.

"In other words..." Zoro rested his hand on his sword hilt. "We can't free Robin without taking the keys from you."

"Hah... exhale..." Sanji lit a cigarette. "Then we fight."

"Can't we figure out the handcuffs later?" Nami said. "We've already got Robin back."

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Kalifa said. "Facing assassination every day while dragging along someone locked in Sea Stone handcuffs."

"What if someone can open them?"

"Sorry, but these Sea Stone handcuffs are special." Kalifa sneered. "Unless you can find a special Devil Fruit user, finding the key is your only option."

"But this sea is vast. Can you really find one?"

"Or do you plan to keep Nico Robin in Sea Stone handcuffs for the rest of her life?"

Kalifa looked like she had them cornered, completely unbothered by the possibility of them leaving.

"Well said!" Spandam laughed loudly. "Pirates, even if you leave today, I can mobilize more troops to hunt you down!"

"Can you really protect Nico Robin while she's cuffed?!"

"You all..."

"Shut up!!!"

Luffy suddenly roared, cutting Spandam off mid-sentence and making him jump so hard he nearly fell on his ass.

"I told you, I'm going to beat that pigeon guy into the ground!" Luffy said. "And besides, we already declared war on you. No way we're leaving now."

"Luffy..."

"That's right." Xi Yan said calmly. "Since you've already launched a Buster Call, it'd be a bit hard to justify leaving without doing something."

"This time, I'll make Robin see that the Buster Call isn't anything special!!"

"Xi Yan..."

Nico Robin, held in Xi Yan's arms, felt tears start to well up in her eyes, but she bit her lip and held them back.

"Looks like the outcome hasn't changed much." Zoro said.

"Isn't that just what we wanted?" Sanji said. "I've been itching to kick their asses."

"You guys..." Nami shook her head helplessly, then turned serious. "In that case, let's raise some hell."

"Just what I wanted!" Chopper said angrily. "You bastards who dared to bully Sister Robin, get ready for it!"

"Sniper King isn't a pushover either!"

"Everyone..."

Nico Robin couldn't hold it in anymore. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Ah!!"

"You bunch of bastards!!"

Franky covered his face and said, "I love you guys so much!!"

"Bastard!"

"Bastard!"

"Alright!" Franky stood up and said, "Let super me lend you a Helping Hand!"

"I'm super awesome today too!!"

Kalifa watched this scene with a pale face. She hadn't expected them to already be on board with fighting, making her feel like a complete fool.

She thought she had leverage, but they'd handed her the knife.

"Damn it! If that's the case, why did you go through all this trouble?!" Kalifa said angrily, glaring at Xi Yan.

"Me?" Xi Yan glanced at Kalifa. "While I did plan to fight you, I don't make a habit of leaving my comrades in your hands."

"Having the power to save them but letting them stay in danger—that's not something I do."

"Bastard!"

"Fine then, let's settle this with our fists!" Kalifa said.

"Kid, the Buster Call isn't as simple as you think." Rob Lucci said. "You'll regret today's decision."

"No."

"You... don't understand my strength at all!"

Xi Yan grinned. "Making an enemy of a Ninja on the sea is your biggest mistake!"

"A mistake worth remembering for the rest of your lives!"