Arrival at Enies Lobby

The Bedrock sailed across the sea for several days. As the Log Pose guided it onward, the surrounding sea fog gradually dispersed, and the sky slowly took on an unnatural clarity.

Rain stood at the bow, wrapped in marble armor, his dark gray cloak snapping in the sea wind. He raised his head against the blinding sunlight and looked toward the colossal sight gradually emerging at the horizon.

It was an island suspended above a massive waterfall-like current. There was no seabed around the island, only bottomless abysses. Seawater poured madly into the huge hollow at its center, producing a deafening roar. Beyond the island's gates stood the Gates of Justice, symbolizing the World Government's absolute justice.

There was no night here. It was forever shrouded in daylight.

One of the World Government's three great institutions: Enies Lobby.

Rain lowered the mainsail and guided the Bedrock around the outer currents, slowly entering the harbor of Enies Lobby's front island.

However, the moment this rough-hewn rock sailing ship docked, he was not met with the usual port inspection.

"Surround him! Don't let him make any suspicious moves!"

Amid a flurry of hurried footsteps, dozens of fully armed Marines and World Government officials surged onto the pier like a tide. Rows of dark musket barrels instantly aimed at Rain as he stepped off the deck.

An officer wearing a major's insignia drew his command saber, his expression unusually grim. "You're the bounty hunter, 'Grayrock' Rain? Raise your hands!"

Rain looked at the display before him. Rather than panicking, the corner of his mouth curled into a faint smile. It seemed the corpse of Commodore World at G-2 Base had finally been discovered, and the news had traveled even faster than he had expected.

"I'm Rain. What is the meaning of this?" Rain did not raise his hands, merely standing where he was with calm composure. "Does Enies Lobby arrest even bounty hunters who have legally paid their taxes now?"

"Stop playing dumb!" the major barked. "Early this morning, we received an emergency trans-sea Den Den Mushi report from G-2 Base! Commodore World, the base's logistics chief, was found brutally murdered in his own office! And you entered the base yesterday and have more than enough strength to carry out an assassination!"

The Marines around them could not stop cold sweat from forming on their hands gripping their guns. Assassinating a Marine commodore under heavy guard was the act of an utterly audacious madman.

"Assassination?" Rain sneered, his tone carrying just the right amount of mockery. "Major, please use your brain. I went to G-2 Base yesterday to turn in the head of a wanted criminal worth eighty-five million. A Marine commodore was killed deep within his own base, and instead of investigating your internal security flaws, you suspect a hunter who entered through the front gate, collected his reward, and left?"

The major was momentarily speechless. In fact, the report from G-2 had also stated that Commodore World's death was extremely bizarre. There were no wounds on his body, yet his heart had been carbonized as if boiled. There were no signs of forced entry in the room, either. They truly had no direct evidence that Rain had done it. They had only listed him as the prime suspect because of his terrifying strength and the timing of his appearance.

"Whether there is evidence is a matter for the World Government and the Court of Justice!" the major said stubbornly. "Since you have come to Enies Lobby, you must remain detained here and cooperate with the investigation until the joint investigative team from G-2 Base arrives and clears you of suspicion!"

That seemingly stern warning sounded like heavenly music to Rain.

He had originally been considering using the excuse of avoiding the Aqua Laguna tsunami to force his way into staying, but that might have provoked resentment from the government officials and gotten him expelled. Now, the Marines had stepped forward on their own and given him an impeccable reason to remain.

"Cooperate with the investigation? No problem."

Rain casually tugged at his dark gray hood, projecting the ease of a man with nothing to hide.

"I had originally planned to go to Water 7 ahead and have shipwrights from the Galley-La Company refit my vessel. But the annual Aqua Laguna tsunami happens to be sweeping through those waters. Since you insist on keeping me here, I'll lie low on this island without nightfall. However..."

Rain's pitch-black eyes swept over the crowd, and a faint pressure belonging to a top-tier hunter emanated from him. "Until you produce conclusive evidence, I remain a free and lawful citizen. I demand at least the basic treatment of a guest room. If anyone tries to use the investigation as an excuse to torture me, I won't just sit still and submit."

Faced with that undisguised threat, several government officials exchanged hushed words.

Although more than ten thousand elite troops were stationed at Enies Lobby, this was not the time to fall out with a ruthless figure capable of killing pirates worth tens of millions alone. Besides, the higher-ups would soon be making a major move. There was no need to create further complications.

"Take him to the guest quarters at the edge of the front island! Keep him under strict watch!" The major sheathed his command saber and issued the order coldly. "Other than that building, he is absolutely not to approach the main island or the Court of Justice!"

Night did not fall, but according to the nautical clock, it was already late at night.

Rain was placed in an isolated stone building at the edge of the front island. Two rotating squads of armed guards stood outside, surrounding the place like an iron barrel.

From his room's window, he could clearly see the Sea Train tracks cutting across the ocean. Like a steel dragon, the tracks stretched over the turbulent sea, one end linked to Water 7 and the other leading straight into the interior of Enies Lobby.

Rain pulled over a chair and sat by the window, resting his bandage-wrapped right arm on the sill. His fingertips tapped rhythmically against the stone wall.

Everything was moving along its predetermined track.

Becoming a "suspect" and being temporarily confined was simply the most perfect disguise in the world. The guards outside believed they were watching a dangerous wolf, unaware that the wolf was merely borrowing their cage as it leisurely waited for a perfect chance to hunt.

Of course, he had not come to Enies Lobby to avoid some tsunami. With the [Rock-Rock Fruit] and the ability to turn his ship into a high-density fortress, the Aqua Laguna was troublesome, but it was not impossible for him to cross.

He had stayed here purely because he had calculated the timing.

By his estimate, matters in the City of Water should have reached their peak by now. CP9's assassination unit would soon bring Nico Robin back to this island aboard the Sea Train. Close behind them would come that straw-hatted idiot, followed by an epic rampage capable of smashing this eight-hundred-year fortress to pieces.

"Come quickly."

Rain watched the waves outside grow increasingly violent, a cold smile full of anticipation pulling across his lips.

"I can hardly wait to enjoy your spectacular performance as you wreak havoc on Enies Lobby from these perfect seats."