---
The sea train thundered forward, speeding wildly across the water as everyone returned to the carriage. Akira's earlier show of strength left most of the passengers in quiet awe. Only Shisui, Itachi, and Granny Kokoro seemed unaffected by the tense atmosphere.
Nami cautiously broke the silence. "By the way... why are there so many of you here?"
Paulie clenched his fists, responding with a steely resolve. "We're here to settle scores. The ones who took your friends are the same criminals who attacked Mr. Iceburg! Kalifa, Kaku, and Lucci—traitors of our Galley-La Company. We can't let this slide."
"Yeah! The scum who hurt Mr. Iceburg have it coming!" Tilestone, who had swapped his shotgun for a cannon, growled, the glint of vengeance in his eyes. Peepley Lulu, pressing down his unruly hair, echoed the sentiment, "Iceburg's injury is our burden. But betrayal won't be forgiven lightly."
"And what about you, Mr. Akira?" asked one of the foremen, glancing over at the young Uchiha.
Akira replied calmly, "We're here because Mayor Iceburg hired us. Our main job is to protect you, so don't worry about us too much."
"Protect us?" Nami's brow furrowed, puzzled. "Aren't you going against the World Government?"
Breaking into Enies Lobby meant becoming enemies of the World Government, a move that could be catastrophic for Akira's security company.
Akira chuckled. "I don't want to antagonize the World Government. But Mayor Iceburg gave us a deal that was too good to refuse."
With his long-term contract, the Uchiha clan's influence in Water 7 was poised to grow, securing resources to train new talent. For Akira, it was an opportunity not just for funds but for power. And, truthfully, Iceburg's payment wasn't the only incentive—the system offered its own rewards as well.
Nami was speechless. To outsiders, Akira probably looked like someone poor who'd risk his life for a paycheck, but she knew he had recently taken most of Sky Island's gold, enough to rival a lot of nations' treasury. His apparent "poverty" was almost comical.
"Regardless, thank you…" she said, gratitude evident in her voice.
"That damn pigeon guy! I'll take him down myself!" Luffy vowed, fists clenched as he recalled the twice-failed attempts against Lucci.
He felt he could win against him now.
---
On the Sea Train
"We're close now," Kalifa announced, watching the horizon.
The train moved fast; Lucci and his team would soon reach their destination.
"It's been five years since we've been back," she mused, looking toward the island ahead.
The island loomed in the distance: Enies Lobby, known as the Island That Never Sleeps, devoid of night and day, eternally lit and vigilant. Here was where Lucci and his team operated.
After some time they finally arrived.
"CP9! Open the gates!"
---
Enies Lobby
The sea train slowed to a halt as CP9 stepped onto the platform, dragging Franky and Usopp behind them in chains.
"Look, it's Nico Robin!" one Marine muttered, awestruck. "The government has been after her for two decades!"
"She is so beautiful…" another soldier murmured, momentarily captivated.
As CP9's members filed in, World Government officials lined the entrance, welcoming them back. "Thank you for your hard work!"
The large iron doors creaked open as Lucci and his crew entered the fortress, the towering structure of Enies Lobby swallowing them whole.
"Whoa!! What kind of place is this?!" Franky and Usopp gasped as they took in the sight. The massive island suspended before them, with seawater cascading down like waterfalls around it, was surreal. A single pathway led to the tribunal in the distance.
On the train, Sanji saw all the people outside and couldn't help but light a cigarette for himself, "How should I get out now?"
---
Tower of Justice
CP9's chief, Spandam, sat smugly at his desk with his Den Den Mushi, grinning as he welcomed his team back. "Ah, Lucci! You've returned—and brought us some presents, I see! Today's a big day; after five long years, our elite team is finally whole again."
But his grin faded as he skimmed a report on his desk, his eyes narrowing. "Wait… what's this? I ordered the elimination of three Revolutionary targets, but you ended up killing twenty-three people! Care to explain yourselves?!"
One of the agents, Fukurou, a towering figure sprawled on the floor like a massive frog, stammered, "M-my deepest apologies, sir! I take full responsibility!"
Jabra threw him an exasperated look. "Fukurou, get up! A man shouldn't bow his head so easily. Let me explain to the chief!"
"U-understood," Fukurou mumbled, reluctantly sheathing his weapon. "Chapapa…"
Spandam scowled. "Enough theatrics! Just explain already!"
Fukurou, zipper-mouthed and nervously chuckling, finally spoke up. "Chapapa! We did infiltrate as ordered, but… um, the operation's details… got leaked." He glanced away, sheepish. "I, uh, may have… mentioned the plan to some townsfolk without meaning to! Chapapa!"
Jabra slapped his forehead in disbelief. "You 'didn't mean to,' again? What's the point of that zipper on your mouth if you can't keep it shut?"
---
Rocketman
"Look! Enies Lobby's just ahead!" Granny Kokoro slowed the train as they neared the imposing gates.
Everyone gawked at the sheer size of the iron gates, an imposing barrier marking the entrance to Enies Lobby.
"That's the main gate," Granny Kokoro explained. "But the important thing is to look there at the end of that Bridge, it's the Gate of Justice, once inside, prisoners face nothing but despair. That door stays shut, except when prisoners are brought through. Beyond it is the Sea King-infested Calm Belt. Regular ships wouldn't last a moment out there."
"Then we have to get our people before they go through that gate," Nami said firmly.
"Akira," Granny Kokoro said, glancing over at him. "As the security professional here, do you have a plan for rescuing the hostages?"
The others looked to him expectantly.
"Plan?" Akira shrugged, a small grin crossing his face. "Not necessary. We're going in head-on."
...