Even if they knew Luffy was heading to Enies Lobby now, would Marine Headquarters have time to respond?
A pirate with a 200 million bounty, while impressive in the first half of the Grand Line, was still only that far. The higher-ups wouldn't focus their full attention on him.
"Mobilizing Marine reinforcements takes time."
Kalifa pushed up her glasses, analyzing. "The only forces that could reach Enies Lobby in time are the Marine units near Water 7. They likely wouldn't be enough to threaten the Straw Hats."
Enies Lobby—one of the three major institutions under the World Government—was a symbolic existence that absolutely could not be compromised.
After they reported the situation, Marine Headquarters would definitely send troops. But could they hold out until reinforcements arrived?
Deep down, Jabra wasn't very hopeful.
The strength Straw Hat had displayed was too overwhelming.
"If he comes, let him entertain me."
Lucci suddenly sneered, dangerous light flickering in his eyes.
That CP9 had been defeated by one man didn't matter to him. What mattered was the mission.
But if the mission required it, no matter how strong the opponent—even an Emperor—he would fight.
That was why he hadn't hesitated to cut the train cars loose, completely disregarding the lives of those World Government officials and Marines in the rear cars.
Now, Pluton's blueprints on Franky were the most important objective—they could not be compromised. He acknowledged Luffy was strong. But who said he had shown his full hand?
Lucci turned to Jabra:
"I heard that during your last mission, you seized a batch of drugs from Fish-Man Island on the black market?"
Jabra's expression shifted sharply. "Lucci, you're not thinking—"
Lucci held out his hand, his tone brooking no argument: "Give them to me."
Jabra said, "Those drugs are said to be experimental mixtures of stimulants and enhancers smuggled out of Fish-Man Island. Their effects are intense and extremely unstable. The side effects are unknown. They never underwent proper clinical trials. The World Government has classified them as a banned substance."
"Give them to me."
Lucci repeated, his gaze icy. "The mission must be completed today."
As for whether relying on outside help was honorable—to Lucci, such concerns were meaningless. Completing the mission was the highest principle.
Seeing the look in Lucci's eyes, Jabra knew he couldn't refuse. Gritting his teeth, he pulled a small box from his coat and handed it over.
Lucci opened the box. Inside were crimson pills, radiating an ominous aura.
In the first half of the Grand Line, in the waters before the Red Line, there existed a massive whirlpool.
Marine Headquarters Marineford, the Undersea Prison Impel Down, and Enies Lobby—each stood at the edge of the whirlpool, before its respective Gate of Justice, forming the World Government's exclusive Triangle Current.
The Going Merry and the Rocket Man—now just an engine car—raced side by side, propelled by Vivi's wind powers. They cut through the surging waves, speeding toward the island bathed in eternal daylight.
"Straw Hats! I can see the island!"
Kokoro's hearty voice came from the Rocket Man's cockpit, carrying clearly through the wind and rain to everyone's ears.
Luffy stood on the Going Merry's sheephead figurehead, gazing ahead, his pupils slightly widening:
"Oh, so that's Enies Lobby?"
The sight before them was truly shocking.
Surrounding them was pitch-black night. Thunderstorms brewed in the dark clouds, lightning dancing wildly. Yet at the center of this darkness and chaos, the sky seemed to have been split open by some invisible force. A massive, solid beam of light descended, completely enveloping the island and bathing it in daylight—utterly at odds with its surroundings.
Not only that, but from the Going Merry's position, they could clearly see the island was encircled by a huge circular waterfall, endlessly cascading.
Below the waterfall was darkness so deep it seemed bottomless—like an abyss straight to hell.
The entire island appeared to float like a divine realm in the sky!
Such was the wonder and magnificence of the sea. One could not imagine it without seeing it with their own eyes.
"The Island of Eternal Day. That's Enies Lobby."
Robin brushed back her wind-tossed hair, her tone calm, but something complicated flickered in her eyes.
That place was supposed to be her place of judgment—the end of her fugitive life. But now, everything was different.
"They claim it never knows night. Eternal daylight. A symbol of the World Government's so-called absolute light and justice."
Vivi added, a trace of irony barely perceptible in her voice.
Luffy curled his lip, unimpressed:
"The World Government sure loves their flashy nonsense."
The Sea Train and the Going Merry cut through the waves, breaking through the edge of the storm and sailing into waters bathed in eternal light.
Even the violent wind and rain seemed to be kept out, unable to touch this illuminated place.
"But how do we get in?"
Sanji lit a cigarette, looking at the towering iron fence that completely surrounded Enies Lobby. "That fence isn't going to open for us, is it?"
"I'll do it."
Luffy grinned, leaping from the Going Merry's sheephead to take point.
He took a deep breath. The muscles of his right arm bulged as he stretched it back. Busoshoku Haki instantly wrapped around it. His skin turned red and emitted steam.
"Gomu Gomu no... Hakoku!"
BOOM!
A colossal white fist phantom, wrapped in black-red lightning, struck like the fist of a giant god against the solid iron fence.
In the deafening crash, the fence—capable of withstanding cannon fire from battleships—was blown open like paper. A huge gap appeared, with shattered iron bars flying everywhere.
Gulp.
The Franky Family members collectively swallowed. Their eyes nearly popped out of their heads.
What... what kind of monstrous strength was this?!
"Looks like we already have people waiting for us."
Luffy withdrew his fist, his gaze sweeping beyond the fence.
CP9 was no longer here.
What came into view were over a thousand Marines and World Government officials. They had received word from CP9, who had just arrived.
They had prepared themselves before coming.
A great pirate with a 200 million bounty—Straw Hat Luffy—was likely to invade Enies Lobby.
They had gathered this many people to arrest him!
At first, they thought it was ridiculous. A 200 million pirate actually dared to attack Enies Lobby? Was he delusional?
And what was he after?
Until they saw a giant's fist blow away the fence. The Going Merry and Rocket Man flew in from above. Their smiles stiffened.
Across from them, the Marine Captain in charge of command watched the fence smashed open by brute force. The muscles in his face twitched, but he forced himself to remain calm, drawing his sword and pointing it at Luffy:
"Confirmed: Straw Hat crew. The invaders have arrived! Hound Squad, ready! Where the hell are Oimo and Kashi?!"
***
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