Chapter 106: Terrifying Lineup
Dusk was settling in. On the distant sea horizon, the sun had already half-sunk, the residual light burning the entire sky a brilliant red.
Birds circled low, the air temperature began to drop, and compared to the fine, sunny weather of the day, the fiery sunset clouds now seemed to foreshadow an approaching storm.
Water 7, aside from the giant fountain at its highest point, had its populated areas divided into inner and outer layers.
The inner circle was Central Street, also where the seven great docks were located, connected to the outer periphery below by the Water Gate Elevator.
The outer periphery was also known as the Back Streets and had a significant height difference from Central Street.
Franky House, the scrap shipyard, and the place where the Going Merry was docked all belonged to this outer area, which was also densely populated with residential houses.
At this moment, though it was sunset, the Back Streets were incredibly bustling, but everyone wore anxious expressions.
"Honey! Are you sure everything is packed and ready!?"
"All packed! Nail the doors and windows shut tight, okay?"
"My craftsmanship? Don't you worry." A middle-aged blond man wearing round-framed glasses patted his chest confidently.
Hammer in hand, he continuously pounded, sealing the doors and windows securely, muttering to himself:
"This year's Aqua Laguna is said to be very fierce. It'll be trouble if the house floods."
"Tell me about it."
Behind the man stood an orange-red-haired woman, his wife. A pile of miscellaneous items lay at her feet, her face etched with worry.
"Thank goodness the Mayor opens up the shipyards for residents to take refuge every time before Aqua Laguna arrives. Otherwise, with so many people in the Back Streets, who knows what we'd do tomorrow."
The rising wind forebodes the coming storm. (Idiom: Signs of an impending crisis).
At this moment, many people like this couple filled the Back Streets, all doors and windows tightly shut, carrying large and small bags, leading their families towards the higher ground of Central Street to seek refuge.
Whoosh~
A cool breeze blew in, carrying the chilling air of the sea, making people shiver involuntarily, goosebumps rising on their skin.
Reiner walked along a street beside a waterway. Witnessing the scene before him, he understood that a disaster was approaching this island.
Aqua Laguna was a special climatic phenomenon caused by Water 7's magnetic field; a giant tsunami would strike the island once every year.
And on the day before Aqua Laguna's arrival, the lower-lying Back Streets would be almost entirely submerged.
Residents were forced to evacuate one after another. Fortunately, since Iceburg took office, he opened the seven great docks as shelters every year.
Meanwhile, in Central Street, a pub near Dock One...
Though it was the time when bar business should be starting, a 'Temporarily Closed' sign hung on the door. There was no owner or bartender at the front counter.
And at the back of the pub...
In a secret room, chairs were arranged. Only a few candles were lit, their dim yellow light struggling to illuminate the entire room, making the red walls appear somewhat gloomy.
A burly man with a black bull-horn hairstyle and rugged features sat at one end. Opposite him sat a black-haired woman in a slim-fit leather outfit.
It was unmistakably Robin, who had quietly left the Going Merry!
"Nico Robin. The note I gave you during the day said before four in the afternoon, didn't it?"
Blueno spoke in a low voice. He was a spy dispatched by the World Government five years ago to go undercover in Water 7, one of the members of CP9.
For five years, he had been running this pub. Its location near Dock One meant that over the years, his clientele primarily consisted of the shipwrights from there.
Blueno had come into contact with almost everyone who had some connection to Iceburg over these years.
"Why were you so late?"
Blueno's voice was deep and heavy, tinged with dissatisfaction. "For this, I even had to suspend business. That's not good for a professional spy."
"Oh, you mean this?"
Robin raised her hand and placed a slip of paper on the table. She had been out for a walk during the day when Zoro got lost, and Blueno had contacted her then.
He had merely stated his identity and handed her a note with the address of this pub and the time: 4 PM.
"I don't recall agreeing to come."
Robin spoke coolly, her expression blank. "So then? The legendary CP9 is actually hiding on this island. What exactly is your objective? And what business do you have with me?"
"That's none of your concern!"
The dissatisfaction on Blueno's face deepened. "We've been undercover here for five years; naturally, we have our objectives. What we're discussing now is you, Nico Robin!"
"The Straw Hat crew's route is far too predictable. To travel with someone like you and still blindly follow the Log Pose... It seems you haven't told your companions about your past."
"Cut the nonsense," Robin interrupted Blueno coolly. "You didn't specifically call me here just to taunt me, did you?"
"You seem quite agitated. Do you care that much about those pirates?" Blueno observed Robin's expression calmly.
They had been undercover for five years, all for the Ancient Weapon blueprints in Iceburg's possession.
They had gathered piles of useless intelligence, even figuring out Iceburg's daily routines, yet found absolutely no information related to the blueprints. His level of caution exceeded their imagination.
However, their superiors still hadn't issued any other orders. Sometimes, Blueno even had the illusion that those above had forgotten about them.
After all, their commander, Spandam, was simply a...
Until recently, after learning Nico Robin was coming to Water 7, their superiors informed them they could conclude their mission early and find a way to bring her back.
Otherwise, Blueno thought he might end up staying in this pub for the rest of his life.
(Though that wouldn't have been too bad either...)
"Nico Robin. I won't beat around the bush with you."
Blueno crossed his arms, laying his cards on the table according to their original plan. "We will take you. As long as you cooperate willingly, we will not make a move against the Straw Hat crew."
"This is just a very simple deal. What do you intend to do, Nico Robin?"
"And if I refuse?" Robin asked, completely unafraid.
"Then we will initiate hostilities directly. After we've eliminated the Straw Hat crew, we will take you away by force."
The dagger is revealed when the map is unrolled! (Idiom: True intentions revealed at the end)
Blueno's tone was icy, making his intentions clear in just a few words.
In truth, it was best if they could avoid a direct confrontation, as they had another mission besides Nico Robin.
According to intelligence, there seemed to be two powerful fighters among the Straw Hat crew.
Although Blueno was confident – having mastered Rokushiki, martial arts surpassing human limits, dealing with three pirates with bounties over 100 million shouldn't be a problem – if a fight broke out and something went wrong, delaying the mission concerning Iceburg would not be worth the loss.
For this reason, they had even prepared a second plan.
"Try it, if you dare."
A cold glint flashed in Robin's eyes as she crossed her arms before her. "If you want to start a war with us... even if you are the legendary CP9, we are not so easily trifled with."
She knew CP9 was strong. But...
She chose to believe in her companions!
The scenes from Alabasta and Sky Island, where Reiner and Luffy joined forces against Crocodile and Enel, were still vivid in Robin's mind.
Luffy, wreathed in white steam, his ghostly figure attacking in the blink of an eye...
And Reiner, commanding a host of powerful undead, conjuring vast seas of sand and fire with a wave of his hand... The images of these two powerful figures were deeply imprinted in Robin's heart.
With them around, even against the legendarily strong CP9, they might not be without a fighting chance!
"Don't act rashly, Nico Robin."
The moment Blueno saw Robin's gesture, he immediately tensed his entire body, using Iron Mass from the Rokushiki.
"I think you've misunderstood something. Your opponents are not us, CP9, but the World Government. And being an enemy of the World Government... you should know what that means."
"Those above are determined to complete their mission concerning you this time. If necessary, they can even authorize a Buster Call against the Straw Hat crew!"
"What did you say!?"
In the airtight room, the candle flames flickered ceaselessly. The faint candlelight cast on Blueno's face made it appear even more sinister.
Hearing this, Robin looked utterly incredulous. She slammed both hands on the table with a 'bang' and couldn't help but stand up.
"Are you kidding me!? This is Water 7! The World Government's designated shipyard! How could they possibly authorize a Buster Call here!?"
The Buster Call... that was a tragic memory Robin could never forget.
Led by five Vice Admirals, ten warships, ten thousand Marine Headquarters soldiers, including hundreds of elite officers ranked Captain or higher...
Conducting indiscriminate attacks on the target area until it was utterly destroyed!
More importantly, the authority to authorize a Buster Call, within the Marine ranks, belonged only to the Fleet Admiral and the three Admirals!
Meaning, it's highly likely an Admiral is overseeing this CP9 operation!
Is it Aokiji? It must be him!
Panic began to set in Robin's heart. She had encountered him just a short while ago. The power Aokiji displayed, even unintentionally... even Reiner and Luffy would likely struggle against it.
Blueno's words felt like a cold, thousand-catty weight pressing down on Robin's heart, making it hard for her to breathe.
"Nothing is impossible."
Blueno's tone carried a clear threat. "You greatly underestimate your importance to the World Government. Furthermore, that legendary Vice Admiral hailed as a Marine Hero... is currently not far from these waters."
"If it truly comes to that, those above will definitely dispatch him for support. You should understand what such a lineup signifies for the Straw Hat crew."
"Marine Hero!"
Hearing this title, Robin's pupils instantly dilated.
A man's name, a tree's shadow. This Marine Hero, who had roamed the seas for decades, whose fame was known to all... it was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, plunging her into complete despair.
Besides the CP9 agents before her, there was also the threat of a Buster Call, a Headquarters Admiral, and the Marine Hero...
Such a lineup, for their pirate crew, was an absolutely devastating blow!
Robin gritted her teeth, staring deadly at Blueno. He didn't look like he was lying. She had never imagined the World Government would go to such lengths for her.
Could it be... that she was truly fated not to be with everyone?
The candlelight gradually weakened, like a candle flickering in the wind, about to be extinguished at any moment. Robin unwillingly unclenched her fists.
"I understand."
Her body went limp, and she collapsed back into the chair. Her heart felt like dead ashes as she said, "I accept your conditions. As long as you guarantee you will no longer target my companions..."
"I will leave with you."
Blueno also sighed in relief. If they could avoid fighting the Straw Hat crew, it would save a lot of trouble.
"A wise choice. This is for the best, beneficial for both of us."
(End of this chapter)
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