After personally killing Spandine, Robin did not feel the rush of satisfaction she had imagined would come with vengeance fulfilled. Instead, she stood there in silence, her expression heavy with sorrow.
Her eyes were distant and unfocused, staring straight ahead while her thoughts drifted back to the faraway island of Ohara. That island, once filled with the quiet dignity of scholarship and the warmth of family, now existed only in her memories. Faces she knew all too well appeared before her again, familiar smiles, gentle voices, unspoken care, replaying in her mind like fragments of an old film. As the memories washed over her, tears slipped free, trailing down her pale cheeks one after another, falling soundlessly to the ground like broken pearls.
Eli Winters stepped forward and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Looking at Robin, he spoke softly, "You still have us."
The words were simple, yet they carried the warmth of sunlight in winter, steady and reassuring.
Robin slowly turned her head and looked at the companions gathered around her. Concern and worry were clear in their eyes. In that moment, a quiet warmth rose in her heart, like a stream flowing gently through land long frozen by loneliness. She gave a faint smile, tinged with sadness but utterly sincere.
"Thank you," she said softly, her voice light, yet filled with gratitude.
Seeing her like this, Philina and the others felt a sharp ache in their hearts. They stepped forward and pulled Robin into a tight embrace, each of them murmuring gentle, comforting words.
Eli watched the scene with a small smile. Then he turned and walked toward Spandine's corpse. He had not forgotten the man's strange behavior earlier, the madness and resolve in his eyes. It was obvious Spandine had left something behind.
Eli crouched down and reached into Spandine's coat.
Before long, his fingers touched something hard. He carefully pulled it out. It was a remote control, about the size of a phone. Its black casing was worn with age, and a single red button stood out on its surface, vivid as fresh blood, radiating danger.
"So this was his trump card for dragging us down with him?" Simon asked from behind Eli.
"Looks like it," Eli replied with a smile. "We can just ask someone who knows."
"Heh, I'll grab someone," Big Pan volunteered eagerly. Without waiting for a response, he charged straight toward the remaining soldiers.
Moments later, Big Pan returned, dragging along a man in his thirties with an average build.
"Boss, this guy's Spandine's deputy. He'll know," Big Pan said, shoving the man forward.
The deputy's eyes immediately locked onto Spandine's body. Already terrified, he collapsed to the ground, shaking uncontrollably.
Eli kicked him lightly, impatience in his voice. "Relax. Answer my questions honestly, and I won't kill you."
"Yes, yes, sir," the deputy stammered, desperation flooding his face. "As long as you spare me, I'll tell you everything."
Eli held the remote up in front of him. "Have you seen this before?"
The deputy studied it carefully, then said nervously, "Sir, I've never seen this."
Eli frowned, killing intent leaking from his body.
Seeing this, the deputy hurriedly added, "But I did see Spandine loading a lot of things onto the ships before. I secretly checked them later. They were the most powerful explosives currently available. One charge the size of a fist could destroy a warship. He planted over a hundred of them across three ships, all with detonators installed."
"Damn," Big Pan exclaimed. "That old man was really that crazy? Even if we died, he wouldn't survive either."
Even with their current strength, they might not be killed outright, but injuries would be unavoidable.
"That's insane," Simon said, still shaken.
"Looks like Spandam really mattered to him," Eli said with a sigh. Then he turned his gaze back to the deputy, smiling faintly. "If you knew about the bombs, why did you still follow him?"
The deputy forced a flattering smile. "After I found them, I secretly removed the detonators." He glanced at Eli uneasily.
"You're quite the talent," Eli said with a laugh. His opinion of the man shifted slightly. Cowardly, perhaps, but sharp.
"We're not Spandam's direct subordinates," the deputy said carefully. "We weren't about to let him drag us to our deaths."
"Alright," Eli said. "Get lost. We won't kill you this time. But remember this. If anyone from Enies Lobby dares to come after me again, I'll wipe you out without mercy."
The deputy was overjoyed. He bowed repeatedly. "There won't be a next time. We're not risking our lives for a lousy paycheck."
"Haha, scram," Eli said, waving him off.
After the deputy left, Eli turned to the others. "Let's go."
No one objected. They followed him back to the Angel's Judgment.
Once aboard, Eli headed straight for the infirmary where Iceburg was resting.
Iceburg was wrapped in bandages from head to toe and looked battered, but his complexion was steady. He was clearly out of danger. Eli told him what had happened, focusing especially on the exchange with CP0.
"I've troubled you again," Iceburg said gratefully. His voice was weak and hoarse, but the sincerity was unmistakable. Without Eli's intervention, he knew he would have fallen into the hands of the World Government.
"It's nothing," Eli replied calmly. "What are your plans now?"
Iceburg thought for a moment before answering. "Since you've taken responsibility for everything and Spandine is dead, I'll return to Water Seven. They shouldn't make things too difficult for me. With Spandine gone, the World Government has lost its main leverage in this matter. And I still have influence in Water Seven."
Eli nodded. It was the best choice. Heh. Did Iceburg really think that message was all he had arranged?
After escorting Iceburg back to Water Seven, Eli and his crew set their course for their next destination.