They didn't even get close to the blueprints; the moment they neared the mansion, they were immediately detected.
The battle lasted nearly an hour, and in the end, all intruders were completely subdued. And those who had stepped in to handle the situation were only three regular members and two Officers of Phantom.
As for the "Ruler of the Oceans" — Sea Dragon — he hadn't moved a muscle from start to finish. It seemed battles of this caliber simply didn't interest him.
Now, inside the grand hall of the central mansion, the captured intruders knelt on the floor with their hands bound tightly behind their backs, each and every one of them wearing grim expressions.
There were twenty-seven people in total, belonging to six different groups. Crocodile and Gecko Moria were among them as well.
Standing beside them, watching coldly, were four figures: the Nine-Tailed Fox, the Emperor of Sands, Shuten-douji, and the Knight King.
As for Golden Lion, he stood off to the side, having played the role of nothing more than a gatekeeper throughout the entire incident.
"Is... is that all of them?" Robin stared blankly at the scene unfolding before her. "So fast... the entire disturbance was quelled this easily?"
"No," Shuten-douji shook his head. "There's still one person who hasn't returned yet."
No sooner had he spoken than a flock of crows flew into the hall, gathering together to form a human shape.
"Apologies. One managed to escape."
As he spoke, Uchiha Itachi formed hand seals. Immediately, the gigantic form of Susanoo materialized. It conjured a large gourd in its hand, and from within it, a figure slowly emerged.
It was none other than Polu. However, he was no longer the massive wolf-dog dozens of meters tall; instead, he lay motionless on the ground like a dead dog.
"The one who escaped is Big Mark," Itachi said calmly. "He vanished into thin air. Even Sea Dragon didn't detect his departure. I have no idea how he managed to leave."
Hearing this, the Nine-Tailed Fox grinned, a mocking smile on his face. "As expected of the Steal-Steal Fruit user. Rumor has it that even Whitebeard himself couldn't catch him. He was most likely sent by the Marines, but he's nothing to worry about. Later, we'll send a Dominator Officer to hunt him down and bring him in."
"What shall we do with these people?" the Knight King asked, turning his gaze toward Nico Robin.
In truth, he wasn't really asking for her opinion, but rather observing to see how she would handle this.
Meanwhile, the captives were trembling with fear and deep regret.
They had thought they'd stumbled upon an easy opportunity to seize a great treasure. Who would have expected the members of Phantom to return so quickly? They hadn't even had a chance to run.
The most furious among them was Gecko Moria. At this moment, he looked absolutely miserable.
Covered in blood and tied up tightly like a package, he had taken a direct hit from the Nine-Tailed Fox's Tailed Beast Ball during the battle. He was severely wounded — the only reason he was still alive was sheer luck.
As for Crocodile, he remained silent. Bound by Seastone handcuffs, he was completely stripped of his ability and powerless to resist.
Glancing at the group of prisoners, Nico Robin gritted her teeth and said, "This isn't a decision I can make. I'm just a new member who handles miscellaneous tasks. Please contact the Captain for instructions."
Hearing this, the members and officers of Phantom nodded in approval. It seemed this young woman at least knew her place.
"Very well. I shall contact him."
The Emperor of Sands stepped forward, pointing his golden staff into the air. Instantly, a stream of golden magic surged forth.
He murmured a few incantations, and the magic began to condense and elongate, slowly taking the shape of a human figure.
The figure wore white robes and exuded an ethereal, otherworldly aura.
Vladimir slowly opened his eyes. He glanced briefly at Robin before turning his gaze toward the prisoners.
Under the weight of that gaze, all twenty-six intruders felt their hearts and minds tremble violently.
It was the same feeling an ordinary person would get upon encountering a fierce tiger in the wild. Just making eye contact made their bodies stiffen with terror; they didn't dare move a muscle, nor even breathe too loudly.
It felt as if taking even one more breath could spell their doom.
Terrifying!
This was the single thought echoing in everyone's mind at that moment.
"So this is the Captain of Phantom... Emperor Vladimir?" Crocodile narrowed his eyes, kneeling perfectly still, not daring to move even an inch. "Such a mysterious man..."
From his perspective, even though Vladimir was standing right in front of him, his presence felt impossible to grasp or sense.
It was as if Vladimir existed on a completely higher plane of reality — merely being able to see him felt like a privilege.
"This is merely one of my avatars," Vladimir spoke, his voice low and calm. "I am already aware of everything that has happened here. As for how to deal with you..."
He paused, his gaze terrifyingly calm and unreadable.
"Make an example of you to deter others. Throw them down to Water 7 and display them publicly as a warning."
Simply killing them would be meaningless and wouldn't serve as enough of a deterrent. Instead, binding them tightly, nailing them to wooden crosses, and displaying them for all to see in the city below would send a clear message:
The dignity of Phantom is absolute and shall never be offended!
"Yes, sir!"
All the members of Phantom nodded respectfully in unison, ready to carry out the order.
Seeing this, Robin quickly bowed and said, "Yes, Captain."
Upon hearing the decision, most of the prisoners let out silent sighs of relief. Being put on display was humiliating, but at least they were still alive. There might even be a slim chance of escape later — unlikely, perhaps, but definitely better than being executed on the spot.
Only Crocodile's expression darkened visibly. "Emperor Vladimir..."
"Hmm?"
Vladimir glanced at him coldly. "Shichibukai... Crocodile. If you had simply stayed in your position and minded your own business, nothing would have happened to you. But you chose to provoke us... bringing ruin upon yourself."
With just that look, it felt as if the entire world was collapsing down upon him.
Crocodile's mind reeled in shock. In that instant, Vladimir's figure seemed to expand infinitely, towering over everything like an ancient giant who held up the sky and earth.
"Impossible... just from making eye contact?!" He was terrified deep inside, yet instinctively lowered his head, not daring to meet those eyes again.
"Heeheehee..." The Nine-Tailed Fox chuckled. "I reckon this guy isn't convinced at all. Maybe we should strip him naked before putting him on display — that would teach him proper respect."
"Do as you wish," Vladimir replied indifferently.
He then looked down at Polu, who still lay motionless on the ground. "As for him... lock him up. He is a uniquely awakened Zoan user. Question him thoroughly."
Having said that, he glanced once more at Nico Robin, before his form dissolved into golden light and returned into the Emperor of Sands.
Throughout the entire conversation, Vladimir hadn't spoken a single word directly to Robin. While this put her under immense pressure, she also felt a small sense of relief.
It seemed that, for now, the Captain was satisfied with her performance.
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