Time rewound to half an hour earlier.
On the Going Merry.
Thanks to the tinkering of Usopp, Chopper, and Franky—three tech-savvy geniuses in chemistry, biology, and mechanics—a brand-new Franky robot was born!
Encased in Pluton-class armor, powered by ancient engines, equipped with a new multi-weapon system crafted by the three of them, and fueled by Sanji's specially concocted super-carbonated cola…
Franky's only vulnerable point was the human flesh hidden beneath all that metal.
As long as he avoided attacks that pierced or shook with extreme force, Franky could now withstand the full-strength blows of anyone below the level of a Yonko.
And with the trio's dream modifications, as long as the cola tanks were full, Franky could soar through the sky like Astro Boy.
The modifications naturally drew admiring glances from all the men of the Starry Sky Pirates.
Usopp and Chopper were particularly insistent on joining Franky's first test flight!
So, after taking the Dragon Sword handed over by Luffy, Franky performed his maiden flight above the Going Merry.
The trial went spectacularly well, evident from the envious eyes of the crew on deck.
The next long-distance flight test was reserved for the lighter observers: Koby and Brook.
The rest hesitated—they weren't eager to take that risky chance.
Although Koby could already fly using the Moon Step, piloting a robot was an entirely different experience.
Meanwhile, the Going Merry raced at full speed toward Marineford, bringing the Starry Sky Pirates dangerously close to the battle between Zephyr and Blackbeard.
Within minutes of taking off, they reached the sky above Zephyr and Blackbeard.
At that moment, while enjoying the feeling of flight, Koby suddenly sniffed the air, lifting his nose like a foraging squirrel.
Sensing an unusual presence, he immediately abandoned his playfulness. His face turned serious as he spoke to Franky below:
"Franky! Something doesn't feel right down there!"
"Huh!?"
Franky, now transformed into a jet-propelled humanoid airship, immediately slowed down.
His mechanical head rotated a full 180 degrees toward Koby on his shoulder.
"What's wrong!?"
Though Franky now had a nearly indestructible body, his real combat ability hadn't caught up. Haki—both Observation and Armament—remained a mystery to him.
Meanwhile, Brook frowned the moment Koby spoke.
With his exceptional Observation Haki, he immediately sensed the terrifying power of Blackbeard and his crew below.
The calculating skeleton's eyes narrowed, and he said gravely:
"Something's off…"
"If I'm not mistaken, those below are the Blackbeard Pirates Zephyr mentioned—the ones who attacked the Marineford!"
"I don't know why they're fighting the Marines here…"
Patting Franky on the shoulder, Brook added:
"Franky, I think we should return to the Going Merry and report this to Luffy.
"With our current strength, confronting them would be dangerous."
"Got it!"
Franky replied immediately, ready to turn and head back.
"Wait!!! Franky!!!"
Before Franky could respond, Koby shouted:
"Brook! Look over there!"
He pointed toward Blackbeard approaching the fallen Zephyr, his voice tense:
"Something's wrong!
"That Marine is in danger!"
"Koby!"
Brook shouted sharply.
He knew Koby's heart—he wanted to save that Marine.
But given their current power, such a move would be like a lamb walking into a tiger's mouth.
Even Brook could sense that the dark aura below rivaled Luffy's!
"Koby…"
A mop, glowing with brilliant white light, appeared in Koby's hand.
The determined young man's expression radiated unshakable resolve:
"Brook! That Marine… I can feel his justice!
"He must not die here!"
"Koby!!! This is not the time to act on impulse!!!"
Brook stared, confused. Normally obedient, Koby now refused to listen.
Yet even after Brook's warning, Koby remained firm, replying:
"Brook, do you trust me?!"
"You…"
Brook faltered for a moment. Then, the icy skull slowly tilted up, meeting Koby's gaze.
"I trust you."
"Hey… hey… what are you two talking about?
"What should we do now?!"
Franky, carrying them, was completely out of the loop.
Koby only said:
"I'll explain everything later!"
And with that, he leapt from Franky's shoulder.
"Brook! What's going on?!"
"I'm not entirely sure, but…
"Luffy and the others will arrive soon. If we can hold them for three minutes, it should be fine!"
SWOOSH!
Brook followed, landing beside Koby.
"Hey! Hey!! Tell me what's going on!"
Franky grumbled in protest, but he retracted his jet boosters and followed them toward the Marine ship below.
Meanwhile, on the Marine ship, Zephyr, Teach, and Shiryu looked up, sensing something unusual in the sky.
THUD!
THUD…
PUFF…
Koby slammed onto the deck, cracking it further.
Brook landed silently, as light as his soul, while Franky finally spotted the Marines and adjusted his landing.
"Hehehe…"
Blackbeard recognized Koby and Brook instantly, laughing loudly as if celebrating their arrival.
He had studied the Starry Sky Pirates while vying for the Warlord title.
Though he knew Luffy wasn't simple, Blackbeard still didn't fear anyone on this sea.
Well… maybe one or two people, but certainly not the Starry Sky Pirates.
"Perfect… today we'll finish them all!"
Hehehe…
Suddenly, a righteous voice cut through his thoughts:
"Blackbeard! You cannot kill that Marine!"
Koby, on the ground, raised his Hero Mop to shield Zephyr.
His sharp eyes locked on Blackbeard and Shiryu, ready for their attack.
"Koby!"
Brook drew his Yomi Sword, releasing a frigid aura into the surroundings.
Instantly, the weather in the area turned bitterly cold.
The freezing wind pierced the air, unnerving Blackbeard and Shiryu slightly.
Franky banged his mechanical fists in the air, announcing his presence with a crisp metallic clang.
"Cough! Cough… you… you are…"
Zephyr, clutching his wound, stared in surprise at the trio.
Before the mission, Sengoku had briefed him about the Starry Sky Pirates, especially Brook—the skeleton who could defeat a Marine Admiral in one blow.
Now, just as he was about to die by Blackbeard's hand, the pirates he intended to kill had saved him.
Zephyr's emotions twisted in confusion.
Blackbeard, hearing Koby's shout, erupted into exaggerated laughter:
"Hahaha!!! The Starry Sky Pirates, wanted criminals, are protecting a Marine!
"This is the biggest joke of the year! Hahaha!!!"
Brook, leading the group, stood firm, sword pointed at Blackbeard:
"Sorry, but we have…"
"…a reason we must save him!
"There's information on him that is vital to the Starry Sky Pirates!
"And it concerns the Void Century!"
Brook began his "nonsense mode" to buy time. Zephyr didn't know the Void Century, but Blackbeard might be curious.
After hearing this, Blackbeard's foolish grin turned serious… until—
FLASH!
A shadow streaked like lightning.
Blackbeard raised his fist, not reckless, but cautious.
He activated his ability to nullify powers against Brook.
Brook remained calm—after all, his strength was only second to the Admirals.
"Wait, Brook!"
Before Brook could act, Koby leapt forward to intercept Blackbeard.
"Koby!! What are you doing!!?"
Brook yelled in panic.
But Koby ignored him:
"Trust me, Brook!"
BOOM!!!
They collided mid-air.
Shockwaves burst outward like a violent gale.
PUFF!!!
Koby spat blood, bouncing back at high speed.
Franky immediately caught him in his arms.
"Ah!!!!"
Blackbeard, standing still, let out a piercing, heart-wrenching roar, mouth gaping, eyes bulging—utterly grotesque.
Cough…
Koby spat out the blood, whispering:
"My instincts… were right…"
From the moment they were above, he'd sensed the overwhelming darkness below, the consuming desire of Blackbeard's power.
Koby felt no fear toward this opponent, whose aura rivaled Luffy's.
The darkness was part of his food chain—it was meant to be conquered by him.
Indeed, the clash confirmed his intuition.
The Hero Mop amplified Koby's attacks against differences in light and dark, justice and evil.
Perhaps Koby's justice was simple—protecting the weak—but Blackbeard's darkness was immense.
With the Dark-Dark Fruit, his power rivaled that of a nation.
The gap made the Hero Mop's impact terrifying.
And with the Devil Fruit's passive effect, absorbing damage and converting it to double pain, Blackbeard experienced unimaginable agony.
If anyone else faced it, their head would have exploded!
PUFF…
Blackbeard collapsed, eyes flickering white and black, teetering between consciousness and unconsciousness.
The world has its counters.
Without the Dark-Dark Fruit, Blackbeard could crush Koby in two punches.
But now… he lay in ruin.
Half an hour later.
Blackbeard finally steadied himself.
Everyone, including Shiryu, stared in shock at Koby, propped up by Franky.
No one knew what to say…