Robin Is Captured

After Luo had taken Franky apart, he quickly found the stack of blueprints. Lu Zhuo took out a Dial he had brought down from Skypiea and recorded everything on it. "Put him back together. We've got what we came for."

Luo nodded. With a few small waves of his fingers, Franky was restored in an instant, as if he'd never been taken apart.

What a handy ability for stealing things. Lu Zhuo looked at Luo, a faint smile suddenly appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Luo studied the image projected by the Dial in Lu Zhuo's hand. "These blueprints seem to be written in the Ancient Script. Could Robin possibly read them?"

"Of course!" Lu Zhuo nodded.

When Luo joined the Holy Sword Pirates, everyone had only given a brief introduction. He'd immediately connected the fact that Robin was an archaeologist with the blueprints of Pluton being written in the Ancient Script. Luo's powers of deduction were truly impressive.

"Still, if you do this, could Robin and Conis be in danger?" Luo glanced at Lu Zhuo with some concern. After all, CP9 was an organization of the government.

He knew very well how Lu Zhuo felt about Robin and Conis. He was already almost completely familiar with everything that went on aboard the Holy Sword Pirates' ship. That was precisely why he admired Lu Zhuo even more.

He now had complete faith in Lu Zhuo's claim that he was absolutely certain he could take down Doflamingo.

"Don't worry. They won't hurt Robin. From what I know of those people, they'll have a hard time capturing Robin. They'll definitely use Conis to threaten her and force her to surrender."

In a corner of Water 7, Lu Zhuo rubbed his chin, a hint of murderous intent on his face.

"Those two might have to suffer a little, but it's necessary if we're going to help Robin overcome her emotional burden. I'll have to apologize to Conis afterward. As for CP9, though, we'll just wipe them all out."

Luo looked at Lu Zhuo beside him, a complicated glint passing through his eyes.

Lu Zhuo was going to such lengths to help a woman close to him resolve her emotional burden—carefully carrying out a plan and even using CP9 as pawns to oppose the World Government.

How could someone with such complicated feelings calculate everything so clearly?

In Luo's view, being caught up in countless emotions only brought one's progress to a standstill. That was why, even after his plan had failed in the original story, he hadn't agreed with Luffy's suggestion.

Only at the very end, when he saw Luffy's convictions, was Luo finally enveloped by Luffy's protagonist's aura...

"Right, let's find somewhere to train for a while. You still have a lot of room to improve!" Lu Zhuo said, patting Luo lightly on the shoulder.

Luo nodded. He was deeply impressed by how perceptive Lu Zhuo was when offering him advice. Lu Zhuo had only needed a general understanding of the Op-Op Fruit's abilities to instantly deduce the path Luo could take in the future.

Lu Zhuo could point out the right direction so precisely partly because of his broad way of thinking, but also because he knew the original story.

Knowing the original story was Lu Zhuo's greatest trump card. Without it, he might still have reached the pinnacle of this world, but it would have been much harder. He would have taken detours, faced more dangers, and so on.

Enies Lobby, central tower.

Spandam looked at Blueno before him, excitement shining in his eyes.

"Really? Nico Robin has appeared? Excellent! Go capture her at once!"

Across from him, Rob Lucci sat on a sofa wearing a top hat. He spoke slowly. "Nico Robin is now a member of the Holy Sword Pirates. They can even fight against Admiral Aokiji. Their strength is no small matter. We can't act rashly."

Spandam's expression stiffened, and his thoughts churned.

"Whatever it takes, bring her back!"

Spandam finally made up his mind and said viciously, "I told you to investigate the Pluton Blueprints, but there's been no progress for so long. I've run out of patience!"

"Bring Nico Robin back here at all costs. Once she's here, even if Lu Zhuo has more nerve than anyone alive, he'll have no choice but to let her go!"

Lucci stood up and said coldly, "We already have a lead on the Pluton Blueprints. Why—"

"Damn it, are you refusing to follow orders?!" Spandam roared, glaring coldly at Lucci.

Lucci met his gaze. A few seconds later, he stepped back and said coldly, "Understood!"

"Robin, this is so pretty," Conis said, holding a lovely crystal ornament as she looked at Robin.

Robin chuckled. "Buy whatever you like. We still have plenty of treasure left from Skypiea."

"Wonderful!" Conis smiled sweetly.

Just then, Robin suddenly sensed that something was wrong with their surroundings.

The pedestrians in the distance began slipping into the side streets and disappearing from view.

The shopkeeper selling ornaments in front of them also suddenly changed expression, darted into the building behind him, and slammed the door shut.

In an instant, Robin and Conis were the only ones left on the entire street.

A frightened look crossed Conis's face as she watched several masked people approaching them.

Robin's expression turned cold. "Are you CP9, agents of the World Government?"

"Child of the Devil, Nico Robin, with a bounty of one hundred and thirty million Beli. Will you surrender quietly, or should we take you by force?" Lucci said casually. He wore a tall hat, and a pigeon perched on his shoulder.

"Damn it... Water 7 is so big. I doubt the captain and the others will notice what's happening here in time." Robin's expression darkened slightly. If she were alone, she wouldn't fear CP9, but Conis, who was with her, had very little fighting ability.

Not far away, in an inconspicuous corner.

The clear ring of swords echoed without pause.

Cold sweat beaded on Luo's forehead. Panting heavily, he said, "I can't go on. The gap between our strengths is still too great!"

Lu Zhuo slowly lowered his sword and looked at Luo, drenched in sweat. He sighed. "What a shame. You're a Devil Fruit user with the Op-Op Fruit, not a pure swordsman. There's a lot I can't teach you."

Luo slowly slid his sword into its sheath, his expression unchanged. "I'm just a doctor."

At Luo's words, Lu Zhuo laughed. In the next moment, however, his expression cooled slightly, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Has it started?

CP9 had indeed made the first move. In that case, they'd better be ready to be wiped out. I won't let you live to see two years from now!

Half an hour later, Lu Zhuo found Nami and Bepo, and the four of them returned to the ship.

Seeing Lu Zhuo's gloomy expression, Nami looked worried too, but she still tried to reassure him. "Don't worry. Robin and Conis will be fine!"

Of course! I planned all of this, so everything's under control.

That was what Lu Zhuo thought, but he kept his face stern and said coldly, "CP9 is finished. Not even a Marine Admiral can protect them!"

Lu Zhuo was certainly strong enough to say that now.

With his current strength, he could hold off an Admiral by himself. Even if he couldn't win, he wouldn't lose for a short while.

Under his guidance, Luo, who had recently joined the crew, had also reached Vice Admiral level.

Nami had the Cloud-Cloud Fruit and was improving rapidly, reaching the level of a top Vice Admiral.

At Lu Zhuo's command, the Holy Sword set sail at full speed toward Enies Lobby.