The platform at Enies Lobby was lit as brightly as day. Dazzling searchlights exposed every inch of every corner, and cold gun barrels formed a forest of steel, all trained on the Puffing Tom, which had just come to a stop. Twenty thousand elite Marines stationed on Enies Lobby stood in three impenetrable defensive lines, their steel helmets gleaming coldly beneath the lights. Their killing intent pressed down so tangibly that it was hard to breathe; even the sea breeze seemed frozen by the murderous atmosphere.
Inside the prison car at the rear of the train, Robin leaned against the cold iron bars. The Seastone Handcuffs on her wrists and ankles left her unable to muster any strength. As she looked at the densely packed Marines outside the window, her heart felt as though a cold hand had clenched around it. The warmth that had just risen at the arrival of Luffy and the others was instantly drowned in despair.
This was Enies Lobby, the gateway to the World Government. In eight hundred years, no pirate had ever broken in and made it back out alive. She could not let these people die here because of her.
"Luffy... please, all of you, go..." Robin said softly through the iron door to those outside, her voice thick with tears. "There's still time to turn back. If you go any farther, you really won't have any way out!"
"Don't be stupid!" Luffy whipped around and grinned at her, his eyes holding not a trace of fear, only unquestionable resolve. "We said we'd rescue you, and we're definitely taking you back! A way out? From the moment we set foot on this island, we never planned on needing one!"
Franky thumped his chest and tapped Robin's Seastone Handcuffs with his wrench, laughing broadly.