"Luffy——!"
The Straw Hat crew cried out as one, rushing toward their fallen captain.
But for Zoro, whose left arm had withered, and Sanji, whose right leg had been severed, there was no time to check on Luffy.
They stood firm beneath the looming hull of the Terror Ghost—blocking the path of Davy Jones and his companions.
Both men shared an unspoken resolve: if Jones and the others tried to harm Nami or the rest, then even at the cost of their own lives, they would hold the line.
This was their fight. Whatever consequences came of it were theirs alone to bear. The crew must not suffer for it.
"Luffy!"
Chopper, his little hooves scrambling, dashed in circles around Luffy's motionless form. His panicked cries rose higher and higher:
"Doctor! Doctor! Where's the doctor?!"
"Chopper, calm down! You're the doctor!" Nami reminded sharply.
"Ah! Right, I am the doctor!"
Snapping back to himself, Chopper pressed close to the captain lying sprawled in the crater. Luffy's arms and legs were splayed limply, his eyes rolled back white. Chopper's small hooves trembled as he examined him.
"Nami, his condition?" she asked urgently.
Chopper's face turned grave.
"Several broken bones. He's unconscious. I have to start treatment immediately. You need to help me get him back to the ship."
Back to the ship?
That was easier said than done—especially with monsters standing right before them.
But in moments like this, someone had to step forward.
Zoro ripped the green bandana from his arm and tied it around his forehead. With Wado Ichimonji clenched in his teeth, he muttered through gritted jaws:
"Take Luffy and get out of here. I'll give you one minute of safety."
"Dumbass moss-head, what are you talking about?"
Sanji flicked his cigarette to the ground, grinding it out beneath the toe of his left shoe. His stubbled jaw worked as he lifted his severed right leg in one hand.
"The two of us together… we can buy at least three minutes."
"…Hmph."
For once, Zoro didn't argue.
Back to back, the two stood ready to face the three waiting above them: the "Lord of the Deep," the "Sand Crocodile," and the "Surgeon of Death."
They both knew—they were facing opponents far beyond their reach.
"But Zoro… your arm. And Sanji, your leg…"
Chopper's eyes brimmed with tears.
Nami and Usopp looked just as stricken.
"Go."
Their voices came cold and unyielding. Neither Zoro nor Sanji turned to look at them.
High above, Davy Jones left the ship's railing and stepped onto the tattered gangplank.
He descended onto the stone platform below, striding toward Zoro and Sanji.
With every step he drew closer, the pressure on the two men grew heavier. And right behind him followed Crocodile and Law.
"Go!" Zoro barked again. If they hesitated any longer, no one would make it out alive.
A quiet sigh broke the moment.
Robin stepped out from the Straw Hats' protection.
"Robin?" Nami asked, bewildered.
Robin's gaze flickered briefly to Luffy's unconscious form, then to the broad backs of Zoro and Sanji. Her lips curved bitterly, mocking her own weakness.
Why couldn't she simply do what she'd done so many times before—watch them die, and then attach herself to another pirate crew?
She didn't know why she was doing this. Only that she was.
She moved past Zoro and Sanji, walking straight toward the three enemies.
"Robin-chan?!"
Sanji lunged forward, trying to grab her wrist, but she slipped easily from his grasp.
"Stand back."
Her expression was one Sanji had never seen before—not the calm, calculating woman who seemed always in control, but a fragile girl baring herself to danger.
"I'll handle this. Nothing will happen."
Sanji froze, stunned.
Behind Jones, Crocodile's lips curled into a vicious grin.
At last, the woman who had betrayed him once before had delivered herself into his grasp. He could hardly wait to crush her.
Robin turned her eyes away from Crocodile, refusing his murderous glare. Instead, she fixed them on Davy Jones.
"'Demon of the Deep,' I still remember our first encounter. That sight has never left me."
"…Do I know you?"
Jones studied her, tentacles shifting faintly across his face.
"I once served under Mr. Crocodile, at your side."
She reminded him, feeling Crocodile's killing intent stabbing into her back like blades. Her heart thundered, but she forced herself to stay steady.
Don't fear. Don't falter. If my judgment is right… then not even Crocodile would dare strike me before Davy Jones.
Recognition dawned in the sea demon's expression. Back in the Alabasta palace, the scene had been chaos—he couldn't possibly remember every face.
"…You."
He remembered. A good start.
Robin exhaled softly. The only key to unlocking this deadlock lay in this terrifying man before her. Crocodile's opinion—or anyone else's—meant nothing.
"Whether it was your talks with Crocodile, or your actions themselves… they left a deep impression on me. I know what you value most: contracts and deals. And what you despise above all: betrayal."
The words tumbled out in a rush. Robin didn't know if they would work, only that she had to try.
Crocodile's face darkened. She was exposing his failures, reminding Jones of his broken contract. His eyes flashed a silent warning: watch your tongue.
"I know those three have offended you. Taking their lives would be effortless. But if I offered you a trade—valuable information—in exchange for our lives… would you accept?"
Robin lowered herself completely, lips pressed tight after her plea. All hope now rested on Jones's judgment.
"What information?"
Jones's voice rumbled with a spark of interest. He didn't believe the trembling woman before him would dare try to fob him off with worthless scraps.
Robin glanced briefly at Crocodile and Law, then said:
"I want to speak to you alone."
Crocodile's eyes narrowed. He knew immediately what she meant to bargain with.
It had to be the secret of the Poneglyphs. She intended to trade the location of the ancient weapon, Pluton, for her life—and theirs.
"You—" he began, but Jones cut him off with a raised hand.
"Step aside."
Law bowed slightly. "As you wish."
Turning, he clapped Crocodile on the shoulder with mocking amusement. His sly smile said clearly: I'll enjoy watching you choke on this one.
Crocodile's eyes narrowed dangerously at Robin, but after a long, tense moment, he turned away and followed Law.
"…Hahhh…"
Robin let out a shaky breath once Crocodile was gone.
But her relief was short-lived. Now every ounce of pressure weighed squarely on her.
To be left alone with the "Lord of the Deep" was no blessing. If she lived through this night, Robin knew she would wake in terror from dreams of his writhing visage.
"You may speak," Jones said, inclining his head.
"In Arabasta, Crocodile pursued the Poneglyphs, seeking the weapon known as 'Pluton.' I have read the stone myself. I know where it lies."
"Pluton?"
"A warship said to fire a single shot strong enough to sink an island."
One shot, one island. Stronger by far than any Buggy Ball.
"Where is it?"
"Pluton lies in the New World—within Wano Country. And Wano… is territory ruled by one of the Yonko. By Kaido of the Beasts."
Robin swallowed hard. She kept her head bowed, eyes fixed on the twitching of Jones's tentacles, unwilling to meet his gaze—afraid of the chill she might find there.
Silence lingered like a bell's echo.
At last, Jones's voice resounded, low and resonant:
"…Interesting. Very interesting. A fine piece of information. You may go."
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