However...
The Recording Radio Snail slowly moved.
A high platform beneath the execution scaffold appeared in everyone's sight.
Three chairs were placed on the platform, and three Vice Admirals with naval cloaks sat on them: Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters Ryokugyu, Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters Akihara Kagura, and Vice Admiral of the Navy Headquarters Fujitora. These three Vice Admirals' strength was probably the strongest among all Vice Admirals.
Unfortunately...
No one outside knew about all this.
Many people only knew a Vice Admiral named Akihara Kagura, a Natural Type Rumble-Rumble Fruit user, who had once joined the battle against the Konoha Pirates on Sky Island, using his Thunder God's Body to fight against Konoha Pirates' Vice Captain Uchiha Madara and retreat alive.
The other two...
Didn't have particularly strong reputations.
Only a few people knew some information about Fujitora and Ryokugyu.
However...
No one would think the Navy would lose.
Because the Recording Radio Snail soon stopped at the highest execution platform.
Everyone saw a tall figure, Navy Headquarters Admiral Aokiji, the highest commander of the Enies Lobby battle, and the strongest force in this war.
"Is the Revolutionary Army and World Government war about to start?"
People around the world felt anxious, aware that this war would completely alter the world's structure.
If the Revolutionary Army wins, the World Government's allied countries' departure would accelerate, with more and more allies leaving; if the World Government wins, the Celestial Dragon's rule might continue for a while...
At least...
Not something the Revolutionary Army can shake.
However...
The Revolutionary Army had yet to appear.
The Navy sat tightly ready, prepared for the waiting.
From the lineup, people still believed the Navy had a greater chance of victory, as the Revolutionary Army's cadres didn't seem particularly famous.
The only one worth mentioning perhaps...
Is the Revolutionary Army's leader, Monkey D. Dragon.
"I am Navy Headquarters Admiral Aokiji."
Aokiji, holding the Radio Snail, spoke with a complex expression: "I apologize, we are gathered here with significant meaning, to address the criminials at hand..."
"Dragon's child, Straw Hat Luffy, led his men to attack Enies Lobby, plotting to invade the World Government's key locations to assist your father, Revolutionary Army leader, the world's most dangerous criminal... Dragon... to establish a foothold for attacking the Navy Headquarters and World Holy Land..."
"Straw Hat Luffy..."
"Do you have anything to say?"
To avoid causing trouble, the World Government requested Aokiji to omit Monkey D. Luffy's surname, to avoid his name linking to Navy Hero Garp.
However, those who should know...
Mostly already knew.
"I want to become the Pirate King!"
"I want to rescue Robin!"
Straw Hat Luffy refused to admit guilt, smiling slightly at the corner of his mouth, then loudly shouted: "Hey, Robin, sorry, this time I'm going to die here first!"
"..."
All the Navy present were somewhat dumbfounded.
This guy...
What nonsense is he talking about!
At this moment still talking about becoming the Pirate King, still talking about wanting to rescue Robin and such, shouldn't he be crying about dying?
"That guy..."
Smoker held a cigar, smoke even rising from it, he looked up at Luffy on the execution platform, forcefully extinguished his cigar!
"Still that same damned look..."
Smoker's hand clenched, crushed the cigar in his hand, his teeth gritted tightly: "Still smiling at a time like this..."
"It's terrifying..."
Tina stood beside Smoker, her eyes exceptionally serious: "Hey, Smoker, is that the pirate you've been wanting to capture? Really extraordinary..."
Tower of Justice.
Nico Robin had always been here.
When Luffy's last words spread throughout Enies Lobby, Nico Robin heard everything, a look of disbelief flashed in her eyes.
"!!!"
This woman had been watching the situation here, knowing about Luffy's background, knowing why Luffy would be executed, yet had no way to save her captain...
Before the execution began...
Nico Robin had resigned to fate.
Because neither Akihara Kagura nor Aokiji took notice of her desire to save Luffy, even if Akihara Kagura assured no accidents would happen, asking her to quietly await the result...
However...
At this moment...
What result should she be waiting for now!
Nico Robin had always been here, hearing Luffy's loud declaration, tears instantly welled up, nearly bursting into tears!
"Luffy!"
Nico Robin covered her lips and cried painfully.
That is her captain!
Her captain was to be executed by the Navy, yet still hadn't given up the thought of rescuing her from the Navy, even apologizing for not being able to save his crew...
What...
Am I doing!
Still holding the Pluto information waiting for so-called results!
"Wait for me..."
Nico Robin could no longer control her emotions, covering her mouth, she rushed out of the Tower of Justice, nearly falling down the stairs!
However...
Nico Robin didn't care about that!
Now she just wanted to rush over to do something, anything, she couldn't just watch her captain die here!
"Saul..."
"I found people willing to accept me..."
"I found people willing to protect me..."
Nico Robin dashed downholding onto the staircase, as if returning to herself twenty years ago, her mind fused Luffy's image with the one who saved her, Saul's...
These two people...
Both wanted to protect her!
"Miss Robin, don't go."
Just as Nico Robin finally rushed out, a red-haired female Navy's figure blocked Nico Robin, preventing her from going near the execution platform.
"I want to find my captain!"
Nico Robin crossed her arms instantly over her chest, her eyes sharp and filled with determination, the tears at her eyes unable to overshadow her resolute attitude: "All my deals with Akihara Kagura are annulled, now even if you want to kill me, I want to die together with my captain!"
This is...
Nico Robin's resolve!
This is the Straw Hat Pirates' archaeologist's determination!
Nico Robin raised her hands abruptly in front of her, posed a gesture that was ready to unleash her Flower-Flower Fruit ability!
"Don't be rash."
Karin's Ninja Sword pressed against Nico Robin's neck.
"The deal cannot be annulled."
Karin stood at the Tower of Justice's entrance, capturing Nico Robin, her gaze didn't shift to the execution platform, she calmly soothed Nico Robin: "I understand your feelings well now, how lucky it is to have someone willing to protect you..."
"But..."
"I must obey Lord Kagura...Admiral Kagura's orders."
Karin's gaze slowly turned towards the port direction, continued: "But you need not worry, Admiral Kagura's deals never fall short..."
As Karin's words fell...
Enies Lobby's Gate of Justice suddenly began to open slowly.
"The Gate of Justice is opening!"
A Navy Soldier reported in terror!
"Don't worry."
Aokiji holding the Radio Snail, whispered, continued: "This is part of the plan, it should be the Revolutionary Army's troops coming..."
However...
In the next moment!
A massive pirate ship wrapped in coating suddenly leapt out from the seabed, a skull flag fluttering in the sun, a red-haired man smiling standing at the bow!
"Hey, Luffy."
Red-haired Shanks adjusted his Western Sword Gryphon at his waist, smiling at the distinct figure of Straw Hat on the execution platform: "We said we'd meet again when you became a Great Pirate, how come after so long, you still need me to rescue you..."