Before long, Werther reached the battlefield. He stopped pestering Kalifa, had Tuski arrange a front-row seat for her, then headed toward the fighting.
The battle was nearly over. Luffy had defeated Rob Lucci, but he could no longer move. He lay on the ground, drained of strength.
When Werther saw Luffy's condition, he walked slowly toward him. This was the first time he had seen Luffy since arriving in the Pirate World.
"It's been a long time, Monkey D. Luffy. Or perhaps I should say, it's a miracle I got to meet you at all."
Exhausted, Luffy struggled to turn his head at the voice beside him and saw Werther.
"Who are you? I don't think I know you."
Luffy, who had just finished speaking with Usopp, looked weaker than ever.
"Heh. You don't need to know me." Werther turned away from Luffy and looked toward the fighting on the opposite bridge.
The connecting bridge had collapsed, separating Luffy from his companions.
His companions were locked in a chaotic battle with the Marines, unleashing every move they had. Werther watched with keen interest.
The most remarkable of them was probably Robin's Flower-Flower Fruit.
As Werther watched Robin, he noticed how different she was from before. Had she grown more cheerful?
Robin looked toward Luffy to check on her captain. The instant her gaze reached him, she saw someone else.
It was the man who had taught her what true terror meant, the man who had starred in countless nightmares: Werther, the Thunder Swordsman.
Robin seemed unable to believe her eyes. She took two steps back, as though the shock was more than she could bear.
"Why? Why is he here? I'd finally seen hope—the hope of going to sea. Why did he have to appear? Am I really not supposed