Two days later.
The Enies Lobby incident had ended in victory for the Straw Hat Pirates and the Twilight Pirates.
Back in Water 7, everyone was recovering from their exhaustion while planning their next move.
Amidst this, Kaie and Caterina frowned, a newspaper in hand.
"Strange."
"Very strange."
It had been a major incident. They had expected the government to waste no time in blaming Twilight and loudly proclaiming their expulsion from the Seven Warlords, yet even today, there was no mention of the incident in the World Economy News Paper. They had thought using the papers to tarnish reputations was the government's standard practice, and the slow response felt like an anticlimax.
"At this rate, it'd be faster for us to broadcast it on the radio, and we could probably get our version of the story out first… I wonder what they're thinking?"
"I can't say for certain, but perhaps there was some sort of deal between Morgans and Lady Kanata?"
"Ah… for some reason, he's quite taken with Lady Kanata. He might just show us some favoritism, even against the government."
Caterina let out a dry laugh, recalling the bird-like man who would occasionally visit, ask her out for a meal, and get rejected. But that, too, must have been a dangerous tightrope walk. There was no telling when the appearance-obsessed Morgans might go back on his word, and the pressure from the government would surely be immense.
Of course, for the government to admit defeat after mobilizing an Admiral and CP-0 would be a complete loss of face. They needed to find some kind of compromise. If they simply announced that they had expelled Twilight from the Warlords for being dangerous, it could provoke a backlash from the member nations, especially since Twilight controlled a large portion of the economy. The upper echelons of the government were likely facing a difficult decision.
"Well, if they're moving slowly, it gives us some breathing room, which helps. Water 7 is in no shape to deal with anything else right now, with all the damage from Aqua Laguna."
An unusually powerful tidal wave had destroyed the back streets, and while the members of the Galley-La Company were out making repairs, the scale of the damage meant it was not a job that could be finished in a day or two. The government would likely revoke this island's status as a member nation, and if it were to be publicly declared as Twilight's territory, they would need to establish proper defenses. To put it bluntly, there was no time to spare.
"Has that arrived?"
"Yes, Komurasaki brought it by air this morning. But are you sure about this?"
"Should be fine, right? It's what Lady Kanata decided."
"She seems to have a strange soft spot for that Straw Hat boy… though I suppose it's the same with Robin."
"Franky was all fired up drawing the blueprints, and he went to convince them to let him build it. It's not like he's doing it for free."
Caterina, accompanied by Kaie, headed for a guest house near the Galley-La Company headquarters. Iceburg had lent it to the Straw Hats, knowing that their newfound fame would mean they'd be hounded by reporters and the like and unable to rest in any of the city's inns. Since there were things she needed to tell them, Caterina decided to pay them a visit.
Franky was already there, having seemingly finished most of his discussion about the ship. Amidst the serious faces, only Luffy was single-mindedly devouring the food on the table. It was still a little early for lunch.
"Hey there! You all look well! Luffy-kun, you just woke up and you're already eating so much!"
"Ah… that's not it."
"It's not?"
"He apparently hates missing meals after a fight, so he's mastered a technique to eat in his sleep."
"He's sleeping!? Like that!?"
Looking closely, she could see a snot bubble inflating from his nose and his eyes were still closed, but Caterina was still taken aback, never having imagined he was eating while asleep. The passion he had for food was on a whole other level.
Well, if he was sleeping, it couldn't be helped. It was an important conversation, and she had wanted Luffy, as the captain, to be present, but hiding Robin here for days on end was becoming dangerous in itself.
"Well, if that's the case, I guess we'll manage… Did you hear the gist of it from Franky?"
"Most of it. But is it really going to cost 300 million, even with Franky building the ship?"
"Franky is a skilled shipwright, and the wood we're sourcing this time is quite special."
A branch from the Treasure Tree Adam, of which only a few existed in the world, was something money couldn't always buy. Not only was it the highest quality of lumber, but it was also so rare that acquiring enough to build a single ship would cost hundreds of millions. Including the fee for Franky's craftsmanship, 300 million was probably on the cheap side. Still, while the Straw Hats had money to spare, it was their first time paying a sum in the hundreds of millions, so it was understandable they would be cautious.
"The Treasure Tree Adam? Is that the one we saw on the sky island!?"
"Ah, you went to Skypiea, didn't you? We brought a piece of Ohara's island up there to grow it, but that one is just a sapling grown from a cutting."
"A sapling? It was that big and it's still a child!?"
"Of course. A fully grown Treasure Tree Adam is something else entirely. You'll see it if you ever get the chance to go to Elbaf."
"It's in Elbaf!! Whoa, now I really want to go!!!"
As Usopp grew excited, Caterina's expression turned serious. "Aside from the ship, I came here to talk about something important."
Normally, she would have told Luffy as well, but a detailed explanation could wait. For now, she would state only the crucial points.
"It's about Pedro and Zepo. They won't be able to continue on with you from here."
"Wha…"
"You're going to tell us why, aren't you?" Robin asked, as the others were left speechless. Amidst the stunned silence, only Chopper, who had been involved in their treatment, remained quiet, already knowing the situation.
Caterina nodded and began to speak.
About the two who had been gravely injured in the recent incident.
"Pedro and Zepo fought Akainu. They are honorable wounds, sustained while trying to let us all escape, so I have nothing to say about that. The problem is the severity of those wounds."
Akainu was a magma man. Normally, being pierced by his body would mean being burned by the magma's heat, a double attack that was not survivable. The fact that Pedro, whose side had been gouged out, was alive was a miracle. His life had been saved for now, but he was in a coma. Zepo's injuries weren't as dramatic as Pedro's, but the cumulative damage from fighting both CP-0 and Akainu in succession was far greater than Luffy's. Burns and internal injuries. It could be said that he was in a more dangerous condition than Pedro, who had only had his flesh torn.
First aid and intensive care on the ship had managed to save their lives, but they were in no condition to continue their journey.
"It was a great help having you assist, Chopper-kun."
"It's fine! It's a ship doctor's job to heal his injured crewmates!"
"If Sukura were here, we could provide more effective treatment, but he's a busy man… Well, I studied medicine in Drum too! You can rest assured!!"
"What!? You studied in Drum too? I studied in Drum!"
"Oh, I thought the treatment methods looked familiar, so that's why. I learned from a woman named Dr. Kureha. Is she still well—"
"Doctorine!?"
Perhaps because he had heard a familiar name in an unexpected place, Chopper began to excitedly chatter with Caterina about this and that.
Sanji, Nami, Usopp, and Robin found it a little difficult to join in the cheerful conversation. The circumstances were what they were. They couldn't just leave their friends behind. They could just wait until the two had recovered. It would take time for the ship to be built anyway.
As they were discussing this, Kaie, who had come with Caterina, shook her head.
"You should leave here as soon as the ship is ready. The government is still after Robin, so there's no guarantee there won't be another attack."
It would only be a temporary solution, but if they lived the life of a pirate, constantly on the move and never staying in one place, the government would at least not be able to send a fleet specifically to target them. Of course, it was possible they could be anticipated and ambushed on an island they visited, but if they remained in Water 7, Twilight would have to concentrate its defenses in anticipation of an attack. That was a little inconvenient at this time.
"Don't worry, we'll send them to you once they've recovered. Twilight's ships are always coming and going. If the timing is right, they'll catch up to you in no time."
It wasn't just the speed of the ships themselves; they had pioneered numerous sea routes for shipping. They could often travel faster by riding the currents than by normal means. So, if the timing was right, they could travel faster than normal.
Hearing this, Nami and the others exchanged glances and looked relieved. The one who would complain the most would be Luffy, but given the circumstances, they would have to have him accept their temporary departure from the crew. If they were to catch up as soon as their injuries were healed, it would be easier to persuade Luffy.
As a sense of relief settled over them, Caterina placed a Den Den Mushi on the table with a thud.
"Alright, one last thing. She said she wants to talk."
"She? Who?"
'—It is I.'
As if a connection had been pre-established, a voice answered Nami's question. It was a voice the Straw Hats had heard once before. For Robin, it was a voice she had heard many times in the past.
"—Lady Kanata."
'It has been a while since we spoke directly, Robin. I am glad to see you are well.'
During the Alabasta incident, they had contacted each other occasionally when the time was right, but not recently. It wasn't that they hadn't been in contact for a long time, but reports had been handled by Pedro or Zepo, who could more easily deceive Crocodile's eyes, so they had rarely spoken directly.
Robin looked at the Den Den Mushi with a tense expression, her gaze wavering as if she didn't know what to say.
Perhaps sensing her hesitation through the Den Den Mushi, Kanata spoke before Robin could say anything.
'Robin, do you still intend to stay with that crew?'
"…What do you mean?"
'You should have understood from this incident. It is difficult for that crew to fully protect you. In a situation where even CP-0 and Akainu make an appearance, it matters not how many grunts you have who cannot even use Haki.'
She now understood that the enemies targeting Robin were immense. The World Government, the Navy. And in Alabasta, even the Four Emperors had made a move to capture her. Any half-baked force would be easily torn apart. No matter how hard a small-time pirate crew with no influence of its own tried, all that awaited them in the end was ruin.
You are not one who cannot understand this, Kanata said quietly. Even through the Den Den Mushi, her words carried an almost palpable pressure.
'Many are after you. If it were just you, or you with Pedro and Zepo, you could have moved freely and continued to run. But as part of a pirate crew, however small, there will be times when you cannot move freely. Like this time.'
"That is the same no matter where I am. Here, or with Twilight."
'True. But at least with us, there is no fear of being captured by another power.'
Robin's knowledge could upset the balance of the world. For Kanata, it was certainly safer to have her close by. However, Robin had hated the idea of simply reading through the materials brought to her and conducting research.
She had listened enough to a child's selfish whims. From here on, her life would be in constant danger. Kanata had to confirm if she still intended to persist in her selfishness.
'Your knowledge could be misused and the balance of the world could collapse. Or a tragedy you do not wish for could befall your crew. Even so, will you continue to travel with them?'
Kanata's question was like a reprimand for involving her friends in the incident that had just occurred. But if she couldn't answer this, then she had no right to go with them—that was what Robin thought.
Before Usopp, Sanji, or Nami could open their mouths to retort, Robin nodded.
"Yes—even so, I will go with them."
'—I see.'
Kanata's reply to Robin's answer was terribly simple. As if she had known from the beginning that she would answer that way.
'Then I shall tell Olvia so. Your journey is not yet over. Strive to achieve your goal until the day it is fulfilled.'
"Thank you, Lady Kanata… but this is a little surprising. I thought you would object."
'I did not mind either way. I was merely questioning your resolve.'
"Is that so? But in that case, shouldn't you ask the captain as well?"
'He has done this much for you. There is no need to ask now.'
Kanata seemed to have a great deal of trust in Luffy, whom she had never even met. It was so unexpected that even Caterina, Kaie, Robin, and Franky, who knew Kanata, were wide-eyed with surprise. She did not easily trust those she had not met in person. When face to face, she could gauge the truth of their words from the movements of their emotions with her Observation Haki, and there was much she could understand. Therefore, she considered those she could not meet to be unworthy of her trust.
And for Kanata to have this assessment of Luffy. It was only natural for Caterina to think there was something more to it.
"Do you know something about Luffy-kun?"
'I have received information about him from various places. I would like to meet him in person if possible, but it seems I will not have the time.'
"Various places, you say…"
'If he has received similar evaluations from the likes of Shanks and Jinbe, that is enough. Besides, I know both his father and his grandfather.'
"You do!?"
The unexpected revelation that she was an acquaintance of his family made everyone present stare in wide-eyed surprise. They never would have thought that someone they had met by chance would know about Luffy's family.
Of course, it seemed Kanata had no intention of revealing any more.
'He probably doesn't know his father himself. As for his grandfather… he will likely have the chance to meet him eventually.'
"His grandfather is that active? He's not in his hometown or something?"
'Look at the man before you. Do you think a blood relative of his would be the type to sit quietly and read a book?'
The members of the Straw Hat crew all shook their hands vigorously, as if to say, "No way, no way." It seemed that was one thing they could all agree on.
As they were wondering what kind of person he was, Kaie was the first to notice something.
"—A strong 'voice.' I have been hearing it for a while, but Komurasaki should have been here… it seems they have landed despite her."
"They broke through Komurasaki's defense? And our own defenses aren't even ready yet… who could it be?"
"I do not know. But they are incredibly strong—"
Before Kaie could finish, the impact came.
A massive impact that shook the entire island.
Considering they could fight Komurasaki head-on, they had to be at least as strong as a Marine Admiral, but feeling the clash of unexpectedly powerful Haki, Kaie broke into a cold sweat. Fighting this opponent would be extremely dangerous. From the strength of the clashing Haki, the Navy must have come to capture them in earnest.
"In any case, I will go as well. If Komurasaki cannot handle it alone, Yuisheeze and I will have to step in."
"Right. I'm counting on you, Kaie."
'—No, that will not be necessary.'
"Eh?"
Despite the tense atmosphere, Kanata continued to speak as if nothing were wrong.
'If an Admiral had moved, I would have been informed. None of the three Admirals are on the warships currently in motion, and there are extremely few Marines other than the Admirals who can fight Komurasaki head-on.'
There were several Vice Admirals who were candidates to become Admirals, but among them, there was no fool who would act on their own while the Navy was still unprepared. If there was such a person, it would only be a problem child who would ignore orders from above and act on their own. And as far as Kanata knew, there was only one such problem child with that much strength.
CRASH!! Something came flying through the wall. As if with the same momentum, it smashed through the opposite wall and was sent flying. Then, someone entered through the destroyed wall.
"Aah~~ that packs a punch. As expected of the one who repelled Sakazuki, she's pretty good. Bwahahahaha!!"
The man was covered in scars. He had burns. There were also traces of slashes. But even so, the man was laughing heartily, as if to say he was only slightly injured. The wrinkles etched on his face were like the rings of a tree, showing his years of battle, and the scars were proof of his many fights with powerful enemies.
People said that the Navy had a "Hero."
She did not know when he had risen to prominence. But he was, without a doubt, the "Hero" of the Navy who had fought and captured many pirates, and had even cornered the Pirate King himself numerous times.
"But was it a mistake to destroy a private house…? Hmm, you all look familiar. Are you pirates?"
"The Navy!? They're already here…!?"
Kaie instantly moved in front of Robin to protect her. Sanji, Nami, Usopp, and Chopper—all those who could fight—had judged that a Marine had come for Robin.
However, in the end, that was a mistake.
"Guga…"
"Wake up!!!"
The first person the man targeted was Luffy, who was still asleep. Struck with a dull thud, Luffy groaned in pain. The others voiced their confusion at Luffy, who was crying out in pain from a simple punch. A mere punch should not have worked on the rubber man Luffy. If he had been using Haki, Kaie and the others would have noticed. But there was none.
"There is no defense against a fist of love… You've been on quite a rampage, haven't you, Luffy?"
"Geh!!? Grandpa!!!?"
""""Grandpa!!?""""
Everyone cried out in unison.
The man was one of the most well-known figures in the Navy.
People called him the "Hero."
Because of his absolute strength, everyone spoke his name with awe and admiration.
'It has been a long time, Garp. I am glad to see you are well.'
"Kanata. Over here, we're in a whole lot of trouble because you're doing so well."
Despite being enemies in essence, the two began to converse casually, as if they both knew that neither would make a move.
***
Kanata: Knew about Luffy. When Dragon began his activities as a revolutionary, she investigated his background and learned of his son's existence. She confirmed it by tricking Garp.
Dragon: Had no idea she knew. But since he judged she wouldn't be hostile, he gave up and accepted it.
Garp: Was tricked by Kanata and had his grandson's existence revealed. He had wanted to keep it a secret because family could be a weakness, but he had no choice but to talk (he showed a bit of doting grandfatherly pride and was met with exasperation). Even though he believed she wouldn't be used against him because Dragon trusted her, there was a period where he was quite worried. Now that Luffy has become a pirate, he has moved on.