Luffy burst out of the forest with the South Bird held high, but stopped after only a few steps.
"What... what's going on here?!"
The others returned right behind him. As soon as they pushed aside the leaves blocking their view, they saw a mass of Marine warships!
"Why are the Marines here?"
"Oh my God!"
"Aaaaaah!"
Nami and the others cried out.
They hurried over to Cricket, their faces full of worry.
"Old man, are you all right?!"
Luffy asked anxiously, but Cricket didn't answer. He simply stood behind Barn, facing the fleet of warships and smoking one cigarette after another.
Just then, Robin came over too. The faint smile she'd worn upon leaving the forest had turned into an expression of utter terror, like a child who had just awakened from a nightmare.
"This is...!"
"A Buster Call?"
Terror was written all over Robin's face. The sight of so many warships gathered together had appeared in her nightmares countless times: the island where the Tree of Knowledge grew engulfed in flames, screams and cries for help ringing endlessly through the fire, the friend who had stayed by her side turned into an ice sculpture, the death of the mother she had always longed to see...
Robin rushed to Barn like a woman possessed, dug both hands into his clothes, and shook him violently.
"You demon! What have you done?! Why is the Marines' Buster Call here?!"
Barn's expression remained calm, but that expression offered Robin no sense of safety whatsoever. All she felt was fear!
Smack!
The sharp crack of a slap echoed across the unnaturally quiet shore...
"Miss Robin?"
"Robin!"
Everyone looked in bewilderment at Robin, who had slapped Barn. After striking him, she slowly slid down against him and slumped onto the ground. Gradually, they heard