Chapter 146 - Encounter on Enies Lobby
Enies Lobby, in front of the waterfall between the main island and the Tower of Justice.
The six Straw Hats stood on the stone pillars on the roof of the courthouse, lined up in a row, looking at the Tower of Justice opposite. Behind them lay Blueno, defeated by Luffy.
On the Tower of Justice, the CP9 agents led by Rob Lucci looked down on the six Straw Hats with contempt. They didn't take the pirates seriously, even after they'd broken through the defenses and defeated fellow CP9 member Blueno.
"Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, you can't escape the massive force that is the World Government. They're like a curse. The more I try to be with you, the more danger I bring. Last time it was Aokiji, and now this..."
"I don't want to burden you anymore. No matter how much you care about me, eventually you'll tire of it and abandon me."
"That's what I fear most. So let's end it here!"
"I'm going to die sooner or later anyway. I choose to die here now. So please, don't try to save me!"
On the Tower of Justice, Nico Robin, chained by seastone cuffs, cried out to the Straw Hats with tears streaming down her face.
"Wahahaha!" laughed Spandam, head of CP9. "You're absolutely right, Nico Robin! The World Government's pursuit is a curse for you. No one would blame you for running."
"Pirates, I doubt you understand who this woman is up against. Look up at that flag!" Spandam pointed to the World Government flag flying above the Tower of Justice. "That flag represents the alliance of over 170 nations across all the seas and the Grand Line."
"That symbol represents the entire world!"
"When you face the world, how small and powerless you are becomes crystal clear!"
"Now I get it… Robin's enemies..." said Luffy, raising his head to look at the flag. "Sogeking, shoot down that flag."
"Roger!" said Usopp, still wearing his Sogeking mask. He loaded his massive slingshot and aimed.
"New weapon: Giant Slingshot! Witness its power!"
"Special Attack: Firebird Star!"
BOOM!
The flaming projectile pierced the World Government's flag as everyone watched in shock.
To save their crewmate, the Straw Hats officially declared war on the World Government right in front of CP9 and all of Enies Lobby.
"Robin! I haven't heard it from you yet!" Luffy yelled. "Say it! Say you want to live!"
"Luffy..." Robin's eyes welled with tears again as she stared at the friends willing to defy the world for her.
"I... want to live!" Robin screamed with all her might. "Take me with you—to sea!"
"LET'S GO!" shouted Luffy. The six Straw Hats jumped off the roof of the courthouse.
Below, the Rocketman train made its final sprint, taking them all over the bottomless waterfall and launching them into the Tower of Justice.
The ensuing battle between the Straw Hats and CP9 was fierce. But with their unwavering resolve, the crew pushed past their limits and defeated their powerful foes.
During the chaos, the cowardly Spandam mistakenly activated the Buster Call using the Golden Den Den Mushi entrusted to him by Admiral Aokiji.
Five Vice Admirals and ten Marine warships emerged through the Gate of Justice, launching an indiscriminate bombardment of Enies Lobby, one of the World Government's central strongholds.
The Straw Hats managed to escape thanks to the reappearance of the Going Merry, but just as they fled, they encountered a Marine warship escorting Crocodile.
"What?! A warship? Here?!"
Panic surged as the crew spotted Vice Admiral Onigumo (correcting past mislabeling of Ghost Spider) on the deck.
"Luffy... they made it to Enies Lobby?!" thought Ace, who was hidden aboard the escort vessel. He was stunned.
Exhausted from their battle with CP9, Luffy and his crewmates were in no condition to face a Marine Vice Admiral.
"So... the Straw Hats took down Enies Lobby?" Onigumo said after receiving reports. Drawing his sword, he sneered, "Then I'll personally send you all to Impel Down."
"Damn it. This ruins my infiltration plan." Ace frowned, ready to intervene.
BRU-BRU-BRU-BRU~!
Just then, the Den Den Mushi rang on Onigumo's warship. Admiral Aokiji had called with new orders—do not capture the Straw Hats.
Though confused, Onigumo complied.
"Phew..." Ace let out a quiet breath. This unexpected development allowed his mission to continue.
"Still, I should let that idiot Luffy know I'm around. Otherwise, he'll throw a tantrum later."
As the warship passed the Going Merry, Ace released a pulse of Conqueror's Haki aimed at Luffy, drawing his brother's gaze.
Then, with a smile, Ace tipped his hat.
"A...Ace!!" Luffy gasped.
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