At the edge of the square, rain pattered against the awning over a café's second-floor balcony.
Sephiroth and his three companions watched from there as a lightning strike saved Luffy.
"Lord Sephi, was that lightning...?"
Tashigi, leaning against the railing with both arms, lowered her binoculars.
"It wasn't me..."
Sephiroth's Mantra had detected someone familiar.
Of course, it was that man who had evolved from the "King of Cold Sweats" into the "King of Rescues."
"Well, this certainly looks like 'divine intervention'..."
Reiju, who had been drinking cider, rose slightly from her booth, her gaze settling on Sanji.
She watched Sanji, Gin, and Zoro meet up with Luffy and begin fighting their way out of the square.
Marines emerged from every direction to surround the pirates. The Buggy Pirates were the first to take a beating.
"It certainly looks like 'divine intervention.' Leaving aside what happened at the Execution Platform, this downpour and the wind direction..."
Baby 5's expression grew a little more serious as she looked at the Marine soldiers. The sudden downpour had rendered their gunpowder weapons useless. Large numbers of Marines were affected, and quite a few went back to change their equipment.
During that brief gap, the blockade between the square and West Port was left almost undefended. The Straw Hat Pirates passed straight through.
"Lord Sephi, the wind is very favorable for setting sail right now. It's a strong tailwind."
Her personality might have been a little questionable, but her professional skills were beyond reproach. She was a capable navigator, too.
...After all, she and Buffalo, the Spin-Spin Fruit user, could travel all over the sea with just the two of them.
"Divine intervention... that might have played a part, but this was someone's doing."
Sephiroth removed his motorcycle sunglasses, revealing his wine-red eyes.
"I'll