Jiro had been keeping an eye on the Straw Hat Pirates for the past few days, observing their every move from a distance. Despite their cheerful demeanor, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. And then, the oddest thing happened—the long-nosed, goggle-wearing guy was suddenly missing. He had been an oddball, sure, but now... no one mentioned him. It was like he'd never existed.
Jiro tried not to dwell on it, but the absence gnawed at him. He'd learned not to trust pirates easily, especially after seeing how they operated in Water 7. They were often selfish, ruthless, and unpredictable. He had no interest in getting involved with them. Yet, the disappearance of the goggle guy felt like a sign that something bigger was going on. But that was their problem, not his.
It was on one of these days, as he was walking through the bustling streets of the city, that he overheard something that made him stop dead in his tracks.
"Luffy, you have to do something! They're taking Robin... to Enies Lobby."
Jiro's heart skipped a beat. Enies Lobby. The name sent a chill down his spine. He knew about the place. It was a government stronghold, known for its cruelty, and anyone who was taken there didn't usually make it out alive. If Robin—whoever she was—was being taken there, it was bad news.
He quickly ducked into a nearby alley, his instincts screaming at him to stay out of sight. The Straw Hats were already deep in something dangerous, and Jiro had no interest in being dragged into their mess. He was just trying to survive, keep his head down, and avoid unnecessary conflict.
But then he heard Luffy's voice, loud and clear, cutting through the noise of the city.
"We'll get Robin back! I'm not letting them take her!" Luffy said, his voice full of determination.
Jiro clenched his fists, listening closely as Nami's voice cracked with frustration. "Luffy, you don't understand! We're talking about the World Government here! This isn't some small-time fight. We need a plan!"
The crew was in deeper than he'd thought. This wasn't just some treasure hunt or random adventure anymore. This was serious. And yet, as much as Jiro wanted to ignore it, he couldn't help but listen.
Luffy's voice softened, but there was an unmistakable resolve in it. "Robin is part of my crew. She's my friend. I won't let them take her. I'm going to save her, no matter what."
Jiro's brows furrowed at that. 'A crewmember?' Luffy was talking about Robin like she was family. There was something in his voice—something pure—that made Jiro pause. He had always thought pirates were nothing but trouble, and maybe some still were. But these pirates... they weren't like the ones he had heard about in the stories. They were different. They cared for each other. They were willing to risk everything for their friends.
Jiro felt his resolve crack slightly. He didn't want to get involved. This wasn't his fight. But Luffy's words stirred something inside him. The idea of a group of pirates—of friends—fighting for one of their own struck a chord. Maybe they weren't the typical pirates he had been taught to despise.
Still, Jiro wasn't sure if he could just stand by and watch them get themselves killed, especially with the World Government in the mix. If they were going to charge headfirst into a place like Enies Lobby without any kind of plan, they were bound to fail.
With a deep breath, Jiro stepped out of the alley, following them at a safe distance. He didn't plan to get directly involved—not yet. But he couldn't leave them to do something this reckless alone. Not when it was clear they needed help. He wasn't doing it for them. He was doing it for Robin. For a crewmate who deserved better than to be thrown into the lion's den without any chance of escape.
He was only going to help temporarily, just to make sure they didn't make a fatal mistake. That was all. He'd keep his distance. He'd be a shadow, not a hero. After all, he wasn't the type to go around saving people. He had his own problems to deal with.
But something about Luffy's words lingered in his mind. 'Robin is part of my crew. She's my friend.'
"Friend..." Jiro muttered, looking at the group slowly leaving away. He felt like something is starting to spark inside of him, he doesn't know, and doesn't have any time to think about it.
-----
As Jiro following them, watching the Straw Hat Pirates from a distance, his mind raced. The way Luffy had spoken about Robin, like she was more than just a crewmate, it's like she was family, this thought struck him deeply. The crew was risking everything for her, and he couldn't just ignore that. He might not be ready to fully commit, but he couldn't just walk away either.
With a deep breath, he slipped into the shadows, staying far enough behind the Straw Hats to avoid detection but close enough to keep an eye on them. They didn't seem to notice him at first, caught up in their preparations for the journey ahead. They were heading to Enies Lobby, something Jiro never imagined he'd ever witness firsthand. He had heard rumors of its terrible reputation, a place where even the most hardened pirates feared to come here. The government's grip on the place was ironclad, and the few who had dared to defy them rarely returned.
He watched them board the 'Rocketman', the Sea Train that would carry them to Enies Lobby. As the train whistled and chugged along the tracks, Jiro found himself caught between staying out of sight and being too far to keep track of the crew. He couldn't risk them spotting him, but he also couldn't bring himself to leave them to face such a deadly place alone.
The journey aboard the 'Rocketman' was intense. The crew, fired up and ready for action, barely noticed Jiro sneaking onto the train. He kept to the shadows, his presence concealed as he observed the group from a distance. Every now and then, he'd catch snippets of their conversation about their plans, some jokes, and their talk of Robin. It only solidified his decision to stay close. He couldn't just leave them to rush into Enies Lobby without some kind of backup.
As the 'Rocketman' rattled down the tracks, Jiro's heart pounded with a mix of uncertainty and resolve. He didn't know what he was getting into, but he couldn't stand by and let them march into a slaughterhouse, even if they were pirates. Pirates or not, these people were loyal to one another, and that was something Jiro couldn't ignore.
Eventually, the gates of Enies Lobby loomed far ahead, it's dark, oppressive presence sends a chill down to his spine. Jiro knew the dangers that awaited them. The World Government controlled that place, and it was infamous for its cruelty. It was a place where even the most powerful pirates could be broken.
He had no plan. No strategy. Just a determination to help them survive, if only for a short time. He had no stake in this fight, Robin wasn't his crewmate, and he didn't owe anyone anything. But as Luffy's words echoed in his mind, Jiro knew he couldn't walk away now.
"Alright, let's do this!" Luffy shouted, his eyes burning with fierce determination. "Robin's waiting for us, and we're not leaving without her!"
Jiro clenched his fists. It was clear now, he was going to help them. He wasn't a hero, he didn't consider himself as one, but his sense of justice keep nagging him, he couldn't leave them to face Enies Lobby without any chance of survival. He had seen enough in this world to know that sometimes, just standing by and watching wasn't an option.
For now, he would stay hidden. He'd offer what little help he could from the shadows. After all, he wasn't doing it for them. He was doing it for Robin. For a crewmate who deserved better than to be thrown into the lion's den without a fighting chance.