CP9
Seeing the unpleasant expression on Aokiji's face, Luna, who was holding Robin, calmed herself down, still stroking his dark hair.
“Mr. Kuzan, I’m not talking about you, of course. You’re not a ruler, and although you have great military power, you can’t interfere in politics. On the contrary, because of you and people like Mr. Garp, the Navy has people who are genuinely concerned about the civilians. You are truly doing something to protect peace, so that the word ‘justice’ behind the Navy doesn’t seem too ridiculous.”
"..." Aokiji wanted to say that most of the navy actually protects civilians.
But those within their own ranks know best; those harboring ideals are mostly low-ranking soldiers. Officers of colonel rank and above, even those who don't commit wrongdoing, rarely care about civilians. They value order and authority more, believing that anyone who challenges authority and order deserves to die.
Simply put: if killing one hundred innocent people could save ten thousand, they would kill the one hundred innocent people without hesitation.
Akainu is a representative of this type of person in the Navy, and he embodies the ideology that the Five Elders believe is appropriate for the present moment. People like myself do have supporters in the Navy, but they are not considered part of the mainstream.
He and Smoker had a good relationship, and they didn't have major differences in their values. The fact that Smoker, who is a Logia-type Devil Fruit user, was sent to a place like the East Blue proves that people like him who are 'unruly' are ostracized by most people in the Navy.
He himself is different; he is more shrewd, has more power, is more powerful, and has Mr. Garp's connections, which is why he has become the current leader.
“You have your stance, and I… no, of course we won’t back down from our principles. But Robin is our comrade, and the Straw Hat crew will definitely protect her.” Luna raised her chin, her eyes filled with determination and stubbornness.
"That's right! Robin is our comrade!" Luffy was still unaware of what had happened, but his expression was unusually serious.
Is this person going to attack Robin?
As the captain, he absolutely cannot allow it!
"How naive! You guys, this isn't child's play!" Aokiji chuckled, and ice emanated from his body as he attacked Luffy.
Luffy blocked the attack and saw that his wrist was covered in ice shards; his hand was frozen solid. He staggered backward and saw Sanji and Zoro rushing forward as well.
Ace, who had gone to check on his ship, saw the fight breaking out and immediately wanted to help. Luna handed Robin to Nami, drew her sword to block Ace's attack, smiled at him, and stood still, telling her companions to stay back and behave themselves.
Don't worry, Mr. Kuzan won't kill him.
Ace frowned slightly, but didn't take any further steps. He understood that Luffy still needed to know his place.
Hearing Luna's voice in their minds, everyone paused to watch the battle. After all, besides the three of them, the strongest person was still blocking their way.
In less than ten minutes, three frozen humanoid statues stood there. Aokiji turned his head with a sense of oppression, staring silently at Luna, his fingers still emitting cold air.
"Thanks, I'll treat you to some local specialties from my hometown another day." Luna smiled and thanked her politely.
Aokiji: "..."
So unlovable!
Aren't you scared at all?
Aokiji held his breath and charged straight at Luna. But he was blocked halfway by a magic circle that lit up on the ground. The towering flames turned into a pillar of fire, and heat emanated from within a 10-meter radius.
Aokiji felt incredibly hot and quickly jumped out of the attack range, landing in a magic circle. His pupils contracted as he sensed something was wrong with his body; sure enough, when he looked down, he found similar sensations.
"What?"
"I'm still pretty strong." Luna was particularly proud, at least she would not be hurt by ice until her eye power and chakra were exhausted.
If her companions weren't around, she could have easily created a lava illusion. Realistic enough to make Aokiji experience what it's like to fall into lava.
"I see, no wonder he's called a magician." Aokiji smiled, appeared behind Luna with a flick of his wrist, and was about to punch her.
"Ah!" Usopp cried out, only to see a semi-transparent wall, its light pink color growing thicker and thicker. Yunxiu's eyes turned blood red, the butterfly patterns within them exceptionally beautiful.
"To avoid being too unbalanced, I've also practiced close combat." Luna swung her sword, Moon Slash, and saw ice shards fall all over the ground.
“Domineering aura is very unstable.” Aokiji glanced at the ice shards, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
"The old man has only been teaching me for seven days, I still have a lot of practice to do." She nodded, quite certain of this.
"...Take care of yourself." Aokiji was too lazy to test her anymore. This girl was being personally taught by Mr. Garp? Clearly, she knows how to coax people.
Ace quickly stepped forward to thaw the three of them. His flames moved with complete freedom, instantly reviving them on the spot. The Straw Hat crew was overjoyed, with Chopper being the first to rush over, letting out a happy cheer.
"Luffy, Sanji, Zoro—"
"Chopper? Where's that guy?"
"They're gone. Yunxiu chased them away."
Three pairs of eyes looked over, and the person involved, sweating profusely, quickly shook her head in denial. She wasn't that capable; it was all thanks to Luffy's connections.
"Yunxiu, I will become stronger." Luffy, however, didn't quite grasp her thought process and made a serious promise.
Luna smiled.
He reached out and patted his head, continuing to put pressure on him: "I know Luffy will definitely get stronger."
As Aokiji walked, he unfolded the small slip of paper in his palm and carefully read the words on it. It was a little story that seemed like cryptic writing, utterly unbelievable.
A member of the Whitebeard Pirates, who had been hiding for decades, killed the Fourth Division Captain Thatch and then, by virtue of his ability to capture Portgas D. Ace, rose to the rank of Shichibukai. During Portgas D. Ace's execution and a fierce conflict with the Whitebeard Pirates, he infiltrated Impel Down and released the criminals raised in Level 6.
He seized the opportunity to assassinate Whitebeard, took the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and wreaked havoc at Marine Headquarters. He swiftly eliminated the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates and became one of the Four Emperors.
Blackbeard and the prisoners he released caused immeasurable harm to civilians.
"Stop joking." Aokiji wanted to go back and ask why that little girl made up such a story.
These are Ace's precognitive dreams. He confirmed some things through the clues and believed the dreams. Now, the future will definitely change, but I still hope the Navy is on guard against Blackbeard. At the very least, he can't become a Shichibukai and have the opportunity to board a warship. The prisoners on Level 6 of Impel Down must never see the light of day again, otherwise…
Upon seeing this, the little note disappeared from his palm. Aokiji merely twitched his finger: "Heh, not a high request at all. Why not tell Mr. Garp?"
Wait a minute? Mr. Garp?
Thinking of his mentor's face and that unrestrained smile, Aokiji couldn't help but cover his face with one hand: it seems this bastard delivered himself to my doorstep.
Meanwhile, Ace was making muffled noises next to Luna, eating Sanji's food while asking her when she learned Haki from the old man.
"While you guys are busy in the kitchen, besides, it's not like I'm the only one improving. Zoro is also spending all his time in the kendo room." Luna bit into a pineapple pie, squinting her eyes to savor the fruity flavor spreading, the aroma seemingly melting on her tongue.
"..."
"..."
Luffy and Ace stiffened for a moment, as if they were too unambitious?
After sending his brother to a safe island, Ace quickly left. He was heading to the Sabaody Archipelago to reunite with Marco and intensify the hunt for Blackbeard, while his brother had his own adventure to pursue!
No one tried to stop Ace. Luna secretly sent a thought agent to follow him, so that if they really encountered Blackbeard, she could grab him and run away if all else failed.
The Straw Hat crew's joyful reunion in Water 7 didn't even last until dusk. Nami and Sanji informed them of the Going Merry's repair results: its keel was broken and in critical condition, unable to safely carry them to the next island.
In the process of changing ships, Luffy's money was stolen, and he clashed with Franky, the leader of the island's thugs. Later, Luffy and Usopp disagreed on whether or not to change ships, and the two even considered parting ways.
Usopp was adamant about it, and no one could dissuade him. Luna thought the main reason Usopp was reluctant to part with the Going Merry was because it was a gift from Kaya.
This fickle nature is frustrating. Luna hesitated for a few minutes, but swallowed back the words she wanted to say about how Miss Rokoa would feel if she knew that Luna had perished at sea on the ship she had given her.
Forget it, let's make a scene.
—A bar—
Robin sat listlessly at the table. She had encountered CP9 while shopping with Chopper and Sanji. Aokiji was clearly not there to play games; he had specifically set a trap for her. But this time… she didn't run away.
Her time with the Straw Hat crew was short, but it was the happiest time of her life since she turned eight. Even knowing she was the child of a devil, everyone steadfastly protected her. Whether facing Aokiji or anyone else, her companions would never back down.
But she couldn't be so selfish as to let those she cared about be destroyed. If she ran away, her companions would be in danger, and this place she cherished so much would be destroyed because of her.
"Nicole Robin, it's about time to start." A tall man with pigeons stood in front of the table. He wore a carnival mask, which made him look somewhat comical.
Behind him stood several people dressed similarly. Their figures were concealed by brightly colored cloaks, making it impossible to discern their specific features.
Robin's eyes regained focus, but her expression remained dim, carrying a faint sense of death. She donned a dark green cloak and an ornate mask, and followed the CP9 members on an assassination mission.
Sorry, everyone.
My wish is for you to have a safe voyage.
Led by CP9, Robin arrives at the mayor's bedroom in Water City for interrogation and assassination. She's somewhat dazed and doesn't even notice what CP9 wants—what could a mayor possibly be hiding that CP9 would covet?
"Where are you going?" Luffy, Nami, and Chopper rushed in, as if they wanted to know what was wrong with Robin.
"Let's part ways here." Robin lowered her eyes, not wanting to look Luffy in the eye. Everyone else was so sunny and cheerful; she was the one who didn't fit in.
"Robin?" Luffy's face crumpled, but the pigeon man blocked his way.
"Bye now."
Robin jumped out of the window, intending to leave with CP9. As soon as she landed, she felt someone on her back; the soft touch was familiar, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears. She wanted to say, "Don't follow me," but… if she said it, the CP9 members would notice.
Robin silently put on the mask, tears streaming down her face.
A phantom silently followed in mid-air, its purple-haired, red-eyed form swaying gently. Anyone with psychic abilities would surely be startled.
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