Luffy, You Bastard!

"Anyone can talk big," Spandam said coldly. "You'll shut up once you actually see the Buster Call."

Spandam refused to believe this guy could withstand a Buster Call. Did he think he was an emperor?

Even an emperor would have to think twice before facing a Buster Call.

Xi Yan let out a scoff, too lazy to bother with this fool.

Spandam didn't care. He glanced at Rob Lucci and said, "Rob Lucci, escort me to the Gate of Justice."

Rob Lucci paused, then frowned. "Sir, I need to stay and fight them."

"No, you must ensure my safety first."

"Then why not have Blueno escort you?"

With Blueno's Door-Door Fruit ability, he could get Spandam to the escort ship in no time.

Spandam had to know that. Yet he still insisted on Lucci escorting him... Why?

"Blueno's ability is better suited for retrieving Nico Robin." Spandam glanced at the pirates in the distance. "I hate to admit it, but that ninja is indeed a bit unsettling."

Clearly, Spandam was afraid of getting assassinated on the way.

"Blueno, find a chance to snatch Nico Robin back," Spandam said.

Rob Lucci frowned. Against a strong opponent, Blueno's ability might not be effective.

But thinking it over, Spandam had a point. If they could grab Nico Robin first, the enemy would have to hold back.

"Yes, I understand," Blueno said.

"Hmm, once you catch her, bring her to me first," Spandam said. "Remember, speed is key!"

"Because of the Buster Call?" Kalifa asked.

"Yes." Spandam nodded. "From the moment the Buster Call is activated, the warships will arrive here in under an hour."

"If they depart from Navy Headquarters, that time could be even shorter. So you don't have long to deal with them, got it?"

"Understood."

"Hmm." Spandam nodded and waved at Rob Lucci. "Come on, let's get out of here."

His top priority was his own safety, then forcing CP9 to retrieve Nico Robin.

That way, both his life and his promotion were secured!

Rob Lucci found it deeply frustrating, but he couldn't say much. After all, Spandam was his superior.

As long as Spandam remained the CP9 commander, Lucci had to follow his orders, even if they pissed him off.

"Chababa, the commander sure is scared of dying~"

"Hahaha, pulling off an assassination under the threat of a Buster Call?!" Jabra licked his lips. "Why am I getting excited?"

"Don't let your guard down. Like the commander said, that ninja is no joke."

"Hmph, I was just careless before. I won't give him another chance to run wild."

"Yo Yo Yi, the tension before a big fight—it really gets the blood pumping~"

"Nico Robin, huh..."

Blueno stared hard at Nico Robin, held in Xi Yan's arms. Since his mission was to take her back, he'd have to face that man head-on.

But that man had taken Jabra's punch without a scratch. Could he really take him down?

For a moment, doubt filled Blueno's mind, but Spandam's authority left him no choice—even if it meant dying at that man's hands!

"Relax, we'll do our best to back you up," Kalifa said.

"Hmm."

"Pirates!" Kalifa called out to the Straw Hat Pirates. "If you want the key to save Nico Robin, come find us here!"

"The Buster Call has been activated. The time you have left... isn't much!"

"Shave!"

With that, CP9 vanished from sight.

"If the Buster Call warships are coming from Navy Headquarters, they'll arrive very fast," Franky said.

He didn't know how the Navy could freely move through the Calm Belt, but they clearly had the tech to reach Judicial Island quickly.

"Even faster, huh." Xi Yan grinned. "I actually hope they get here soon."

Though their earlier clash was just a skirmish, the only CP9 member worth his attention was that pigeon guy.

But Luffy had already claimed that target, so Xi Yan wouldn't steal his prey.

Now, all he had to do was wait for the Buster Call to arrive and deal with that mess.

Of course, if some clueless CP9 member ran into him, he wouldn't mind taking them out on the side.

Just then, the bridge below began rumbling, clearly descending.

"It's the Franky Family!!" Usopp shouted. "They did it!"

Just as they arrived at the Judgement Hall, those people had already seized control of the bridge. Now it seemed they had succeeded.

"BOOM!!"

"BOOM!!"

"BOOM!!"

Suddenly, several cannonballs slammed into the bridge, forcibly halting its descent until it stopped completely.

"Pirates, don't even think about crossing!" the Marines roared. "Even if we have to destroy this place, you're not getting through!!"

"That's right!"

"Damn it, those bastards." Zanbai's face darkened. "We're finished. The bridge is wrecked."

Without the bridge, how would Straw Hat and his crew get across?

"Bridge?" Xi Yan blinked. Why would they need that?

"Hmm?"

Nami, sensing the Den Den Mushi ringing, pulled it from her pocket and answered. A voice came through.

"Hey, pirates, what are you dawdling for?"

"But the bridge is broken..."

"It's fine. Just jump down without hesitation!" Kokoro laughed heartily. "I'll catch you!"

With that, she took a swig of booze and stomped hard on the gas pedal.

"Jump down..."

"Heh~"

Luffy glanced at Nami beside him and flashed a sinister grin.

Nami instinctively sensed something was wrong. Whenever this bastard smiled like that, nothing good ever followed!!

"I can use Water Release Technique to help everyone..." Xi Yan hadn't even finished speaking before he felt a long, thin arm wrap around his and Franky's shoulders from behind.

Xi Yan's expression shifted. A familiar feeling surged in his heart.

"Not again, are you serious?"

"What does that mean?"

Franky stared blankly at the hand gripping his shoulder, clueless about what Straw Hat was up to.

Unfortunately, no one answered him. The only response was Luffy's powerful leap.

"Everyone, time for takeoff!!"

Dragged by Luffy's strength, the group was helplessly yanked along as they fell.

"Bastard!!"

"Luffy, why do you always do this!!"

"I swear I'll cut you down one day!"

"My Water Release Technique could have flown us over!!" Xi Yan roared. "Luffy, you bastard, you're going to get me killed one day!"

To keep Nico Robin from getting hurt, Xi Yan had no choice but to hold her horizontally in front of him, shielding her in a princess carry.

The next moment, the blazing fast Rocket Man burst out, catching everyone from the fall.

"Ahaha, plan's a success!" Kokoro laughed. "Brace yourselves, we're landing!"

"BOOM!!"