Gate of Justice!

"The Gate of Justice is gradually opening, which means the Buster Call is coming soon..." Nico Robin said with a grave expression.

Departing from Navy Headquarters and entering Judicial Island through the Gate of Justice was the fastest route.

"Isn't that perfect?" Xi Yan chuckled, "I'm really looking forward to it."

"Hm?"

As if sensing something, Xi Yan looked up towards the sky and immediately spotted two figures battling mid-air.

It was Franky and Onimaru Owl, locked in aerial combat!

"You bastard, just sink into the sea and drown!!" Onimaru Owl roared.

Having taken several heavy punches from this bastard, Onimaru Owl felt his liver aching. It would be best to throw him into the waterfall quickly.

"Damn it, I can't move!"

Franky, enraged, wanted to counterattack, but the impact of the opponent's power left him completely immobile. He could only be passively dragged into the sea along with his enemy.

"Boom!!"

"The battle is quite intense," Xi Yan remarked.

"Are you alright..."

Xi Yan didn't answer, merely staring ahead with his Sharingan, specifically at the two figures underwater.

At this moment, Franky had broken free from Onimaru Owl and was struggling to swim upwards.

Onimaru Owl, however, was moving through the water, seemingly intending to stop Franky, though it didn't look promising.

"No immediate problems," Xi Yan stated.

Just then, Sanji burst out of the water and landed on the shore.

"I... I'm saved..."

That feeling of powerlessness earlier was too agonizing. Sanji thought he was going to die.

Fortunately, he had encountered Xi Yan.

"It seems seawater really restrains Devil Fruit users," Xi Yan mused, stroking his chin. "One could completely use seawater to nullify their abilities."

"What else can you do when the sea is the nemesis of ability users?" Nico Robin said.

Back then, her method to deal with Crocodile was to touch him with some seawater, causing his elementalization to fail, giving her a chance to kill him.

"Not all abilities can be solved this way," Sanji said. He took out a cigarette from his pocket, intending to light it, but his expression turned disappointed when he found both the cigarette and the lighter were wet.

"What do you mean?"

"Aokiji's ability can't be solved by seawater," Sanji explained. "He can ice-seal the sea!"

Xi Yan: ...

Fine, fine, you just had to pick the most special example.

How would seawater solve ice?

What was Sanji thinking to come up with that answer?

Sanji also realized his words were a bit problematic. He coughed lightly and asked, "Did you defeat this ox-head?"

"Yes, Xi Yan defeated him."

"Oh, right, quickly get his key." Xi Yan immediately walked over and retrieved a key from Blueno's pocket.

He tried it next to Nico Robin but found it didn't work. "Looks like it's not this one."

"What number key is it?"

"Number 2."

"Number 2!" Sanji immediately said, "Quick, take this key to Zoro. That idiot Usopp locked the two of them together, and they need the number 2 key to unlock it."

Xi Yan: ???

What kind of bizarre development was this? Why would Usopp lock them together with Sea Stone handcuffs? Was he planning to deal with ability users this way?

But wasn't the object reversed?

Just then, Franky and Onimaru Owl burst out of the water together, immediately drawing Sanji's attention.

"Franky?!" Sanji stammered, "Why is this guy in the sea?"

"And another CP9..."

Did they fight in the sea? He hadn't even noticed. What kind of unconventional method was this?

"The two of them just fell from upstairs," Xi Yan said, handing the number 2 key to Sanji. "You go ahead, I'll handle things here."

If the opponent wasn't a woman, Xi Yan believed Sanji wouldn't fail.

Sanji hesitated for a second before nodding. "Alright, I understand."

Only Xi Yan could guarantee saving Franky in this environment; others didn't have the ability to fly.

After Sanji departed, Xi Yan's gaze returned to the sea, and Onimaru Owl also noticed Xi Yan at that moment.

"Chababa... You actually defeated Blueno?"

Onimaru Owl's eyes gloomily glanced at Xi Yan, then at the fallen Blueno.

As comrades who survived the training camp together, their bond was quite good. Now that his partner was defeated, Onimaru Owl's mood grew exceptionally heavy.

"I advise you not to worry about us," Xi Yan said calmly.

"Hmph, don't get too arrogant," Onimaru Owl snorted. "After I finish this damned guy, I'll deal with you!"

"I will avenge Blueno!"

Then, without regard for Xi Yan's reaction, Onimaru Owl plunged back into the water, seemingly intending to completely finish off Franky.

But unfortunately, even after hitting Franky with a waterfall, he couldn't defeat him. Instead, he was restrained by the opponent and could only use his single-legged Geppo to slowly ascend.

"This guy really has a way," Xi Yan chuckled, then called out, "Need help, Franky?"

"No need!" Franky shouted loudly.

Xi Yan nodded, not forcing the issue.

"Boom!!"

Suddenly, a loud noise came from above, accompanied by an incredibly wild roar.

"Roar!!!"

This sudden turn of events immediately captured Xi Yan's attention.

"Beast Roar?" Xi Yan frowned. "Is it that wolf?"

"Perhaps."

Nico Robin knew that CP9 had two Devil Fruit users. One was Rob Lucci, who ate the Leopard-Leopard Fruit. The other was the wolf Xi Yan mentioned.

"Hmm... it's also possible there are others," Xi Yan mused. "After I blasted open the Great Gate and entered, two people consumed Devil Fruits."

"It's not impossible that someone is a Zoan type."

Xi Yan couldn't help but chuckle when he recalled the actions of those two. They were so afraid he would snatch their Devil Fruits.

"Having just eaten a Devil Fruit, they might not be able to exert much power yet," Nico Robin said.

Well, that was an optimistic thought.

Xi Yan said nothing, merely nodding, and then shifted his gaze to the two figures in the air.

At this moment, Franky was sitting on Onimaru Owl, raising his hands towards the latter's head.

"1.5 Cola power, Coup de Vent!"

"Boom!!"

The terrifying impact force blasted Onimaru Owl out of the sky. The immense power literally carved a pit into the ground!

Onimaru Owl lay at the center of the pit, eyes rolling back, unconscious.

"Whoosh~"

"Thump~"

Franky, landing on the ground, let out a sigh of relief. He retrieved the key from Onimaru Owl, then quickly ran to Xi Yan's side, saying, "Finally dealt with this guy."

"Here, Ninja Bro, take the key. See if you can open Nico Robin's handcuffs."

"Thanks."

He glanced at the key's number and found it was labeled '6'.

Xi Yan tried it, but it didn't work.

"Looks like this one isn't it either."

"Then we'll just have to wait until they defeat their opponents and snatch the keys," Franky said helplessly.

Just then, he noticed the Gate of Justice opening and exclaimed, "Hey, isn't this thing almost open?!"

Such a massive Gate of Justice, did it need to be fully opened by the ship?

Wait... is it because of the Buster Call!

"It seems we don't have much time left," Xi Yan said, grabbing Blueno from the ground and dragging him backward. "Let's go find them first."

"Oh!"

"Wait... why are you bringing this guy?"

"He'll be useful later."

"Got it." Franky nodded, half-understanding, then looked back at the Gate of Justice. "Buster Call, huh..."

Perhaps today... they might just make history.