Evening.
Water 7.
"Get on, Robin. Who would've thought that someone who's spent half her life running would also meet a day of total despair, hahaha."
Robin didn't respond. Her face was calm but resolute.
If my death can protect my friends… then maybe, this is the only real value my life ever had.
With that thought, her determination only deepened. That so-called courage to face death, in truth, came from a desire to protect something precious—even if it meant giving her life.
With such resolve, Robin stepped onto the sea train, the train that, to her, led straight to hell.
Hiding behind a wall nearby, Sanji exhaled a long stream of smoke. His face was tense.
"Where is he? Why isn't he here yet? Chopper, did you tell the others?"
At that moment, four figures approached slowly from the distance. A burly man with horns, and a tall man in a black suit with a long nose, were each carrying someone over their shoulders. They were heading toward the sea train.
It was CP9, returning with the captured Franky and Usopp!
Lucci glanced at his watch and said, "Pick up the pace. Headquarters says the Sea Kings will arrive earlier than expected. We must board the Puffing Tom immediately. If we miss this, we're staying here."
The others nodded and moved faster.
At the dock, agents from the World Government and Marines swarmed the platform, shoulder to shoulder.
Just as CP9 returned and was preparing to board, an unfamiliar voice called out from not far away.
"Finally! We made it!"
Ding!
[Congratulations, Host! Check-in successful at Water 7! Reward: World Tree Trunk x1! Next check-in location: Enies Lobby!]
"About time."
The four of them had arrived by their own unconventional means—like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea.
Shiranami Hakusei running across water was nothing strange. After all, he had the Third Raikage's template.
Crocodile used his sand powers to float just above the waves, carrying the muscular Waldo like an awkward backpack. Barely worked, but it worked.
The one who suffered the most was old man Redfield. With limbs like dried twigs, he swam all the way here.
Originally, Hakusei had planned to carry him too. Crocodile's "flight" wasn't true flight—more like hovering by clinging to currents of wind and sand. Carrying Waldo already had him teetering on the edge.
But Redfield was absurdly stubborn. He insisted on relying on himself, which led to him swimming like a drenched cat across the sea.
Hakusei didn't even know what to say to that. Since they had a brief moment of peace, he opened his inventory to check out the reward.
A glowing wooden trunk shimmered in his hands.
"What's this?" His eyes lit up in surprise.
He originally thought it was just high-grade shipbuilding material.
He never expected it to come with something extra—a tree spirit.
[World Tree Trunk: A mystical wood from another world, containing a living tree spirit. Any ship or construct made from this material will gain autonomous control functions and regenerative capability. The tree spirit is fully controllable by the bound user's will.]
With this, there would be no need for a shipwright, or even a helmsman. It was essentially a top-tier support companion!
Just as he was thinking this through, Waldo patted him on the shoulder.
"Boss, quit daydreaming. We've got company."
Hakusei looked up and frowned.
The entire dock was swarming with World Government agents and Marines. Each and every one of them wore grim expressions as they stared at the four newcomers.
"…What's with these guys?"
"Why do they look so familiar?"
"Wait… that's Crocodile! And Waldo! Redfield too?!"
The Marine soldiers jolted in shock, shouting in alarm.
They didn't recognize Hakusei—but CP9 did.
Unlike ordinary soldiers, CP9 was a special unit. They had access to internal reports from Marine Headquarters. Lucci had already read the latest intel regarding this mysterious young man.
[Three days ago, initiated a full-scale riot in Impel Down. Freed all prisoners from Level 2 to Level 5. Escaped with Crocodile, Waldo, and Redfield. Defeated Magellan, slashed Shiryu of the Rain, gravely wounded Marine Vice Admiral Burning Mountain, and escaped unscathed from Admiral Kizaru.
Bounty: 250 million Berries.
Name: Shiranami Hakusei. Codename: Flying Thunder God.]
As Lucci read the report aloud to the others, his expression became increasingly serious.
The timing of their arrival couldn't be a coincidence.
They must have come here on purpose.
At that moment, Hakusei swept his gaze over the dock and quickly pieced it together.
"CP9, Water 7 docks, the Sea Train headed to Enies Lobby… This must be the part where Robin is taken."
But those people had nothing to do with him.
"Our goal is to build a ship. Let's go find Iceburg first," Hakusei said casually, waving his hand and turning to leave.
Lucci narrowed his eyes.
"So they really are here to cause trouble."
He quickly shouted toward the World Government official, "Tell the conductor—depart now!"
The agent didn't hesitate. He too sensed danger and rushed off to the train.
As the Marines and World Government staff began boarding, Hakusei frowned slightly.
I don't have time to play with small fry. Don't force my hand.
"Shiranami Hakusei, Crocodile, Waldo, Redfield… You escaped from Impel Down and now you're showing your faces in public like it's a joke?" Lucci stepped forward, blocking their path.
Hakusei glanced at him and chuckled.
CP9? You think you're enough to stop us?
He smiled calmly. "So? What now?"
Lucci answered coldly, "I'm taking you in."
"You think you can?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
Lucci gestured sharply, and the CP9 team spread out, each facing a target. The air around them turned suffocating with killing intent.
Compared to Hakusei's calm, Lucci and the others looked grim. After all, their opponents were legends.
Lucci gently laid down Franky and Usopp, keeping his eyes fixed on Hakusei.
"Blueno, take Waldo. Just stall him, don't try to win. Kalifa, handle Crocodile. Kaku, you hold off Redfield. I'll deal with the rookie. Once I'm done, I'll help finish the rest."
Pfft…
Huh?
Hakusei let out a small chuckle, lips curled into a mocking smirk.
Lucci's face twitched.
What the hell is with this kid?!
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter