Yet the man standing before them was offering Haki itself as payment—just to destroy Enies Lobby.
It wasn't arrogance on their part. With the remaining defensive forces stationed at Enies Lobby, any two or three of them could handle the task with ease.
Lucci and Kaku couldn't help exchanging glances, their expressions clearly thoughtful.
If the other party wasn't joking, this deal was extraordinarily advantageous for them.
They had already killed Spandam, the director of CP9. The World Government would never let them escape punishment. Destroying Enies Lobby on top of that wouldn't cost them anything extra.
"And if I can truly master Haki, my strength will rise dramatically," Lucci thought.
"Even if the World Government brands us as wanted men afterward, aside from CP0 and the Marine Admirals, no one else will be a match for us."
Having reached this conclusion, he saw no reason to hesitate. He answered in a serious tone:
"Fine. I accept the deal."
"However…"
Lucci paused for two seconds before continuing, "Simply destroying Enies Lobby doesn't seem equal in value to learning Haki."
"Since the Buster Call was accidentally activated just now due to our carelessness, why don't we add another condition? We'll help you resist the Buster Call together. That way, the deal will be fair."
Jabra and the others nearby nodded in agreement, raising no objections.
Obtaining a power like Haki so easily had felt almost unreal to them. Adding the condition of helping fend off the Buster Call made the exchange feel far more reasonable.
This mindset had become second nature after years of carrying out secret missions—only by completing objectives did one receive proper rewards.
Will raised an eyebrow, surprised that the other party had voluntarily raised the stakes. Still, he didn't refuse. He nodded with a smile.
"Alright. After you destroy Enies Lobby, if you encounter any Marine warships on your way back, help hold them off."
"No problem."
Lucci nodded firmly. "Then we'll set out immediately."
With that, he quickly led Kaku, Jabra, and the rest toward the nearby Government-exclusive sea train. Taking it would allow them to reach Enies Lobby directly.
Just as the group was about to board, Will suddenly seemed to remember something. He raised a hand to stop Kalifa as she walked past, leaned down slightly, and whispered a few words into her ear. Her face instantly flushed red.
After listening, Kalifa adjusted her glasses and nodded seriously in response.
Once Lucci and the others had all entered the train, Will turned to Robin and Enel.
"Let's go too. We'll head back to the Galley-La Company headquarters first and inform Iceberg and the others about the Buster Call."
Ten minutes earlier.
Marineford.
Inside a special communications room, a "Silver Den Den Mushi" that had remained silent for many years suddenly opened its eyes and began ringing loudly.
The Marine on duty was visibly shocked. He immediately relayed the message up the chain of command.
John Giant, the Giant Vice Admiral currently on duty and responsible for Marine dispatch, received the report at once.
He stood up without hesitation, slammed his massive hand down, and roared at the communications officers:
"The Buster Call has been activated! Target location: Water 7 in the Paradise segment of the Grand Line!"
"Contact the five Vice Admirals closest to Water 7 immediately! Have each of them bring two Rear Admirals, at least two thousand Marines, and two or more warships. They are to rush to the target area, assemble on site, and assume frontline command!"
The communications officers sprang into action.
Soon after, Vice Admirals Doberman, Onigumo, Strawberry, Yamakaji, and Nezumi—who were all currently near Water 7—received the Buster Call orders from Marineford almost simultaneously and began assembling their forces at once.
"Let's move."
Vice Admiral Nezumi, with his thin face, handlebar mustache, and mohawk, wore a grave expression as he slowly stood up.
"To Water 7."
Vice Admiral Yamakaji, sporting a full beard, narrowed eyes, and a cigar in his mouth, kept a faint smile as he set sail once his troops were ready.
"Set sail."
Vice Admiral Strawberry, wearing his unusually tall hat and long black whiskers, remained expressionless after receiving the order and immediately commanded his men forward.
"Everyone, follow me!"
Vice Admiral Onigumo, with his fierce features, shoulder-length hair, and helmet engraved with a twin-headed dragon, clenched a cigar between his teeth and prepared to lead his forces to the target as quickly as possible.
"Let's go!"
After receiving the order, the scars on Vice Admiral Doberman's face seemed to stand out even more as he swiftly gathered his men and set sail.
None of the five delayed. They led their subordinate Marines and raced toward Water 7 at full speed.
Meanwhile, Kuzan, who had been leisurely cycling across the open sea, suddenly heard a Den Den Mushi ringing.
Bururururu— Bururururu—
"Hmm?"
Kuzan raised an eyebrow, slowly came to a stop, and answered the call.
"Hello, this is Kuzan."
"It's me, Kuzan."
Hearing the familiar voice on the other end, Kuzan's eyes flickered. He replied lazily, "Ara, it's the Fleet Admiral. Something you need?"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, seated at his desk, spoke in a grave tone:
"You haven't heard yet? Your golden Den Den Mushi was just activated. The Buster Call has been triggered again after many years. The target is Water 7 in the Paradise segment of the Grand Line."
"Oh?" Kuzan's brows furrowed slightly. He murmured, "So it really was activated… the Buster Call…"
Sengoku continued without dwelling on the comment. "If I remember correctly, you entrusted your golden Den Den Mushi to that government official Spandam, correct? He didn't contact you just now?"
"No," Kuzan answered honestly, then said indifferently, "But it's fine. I was already heading toward Water 7 anyway. I'll sort things out once I arrive."
Sengoku's expression eased slightly. "So you're heading there too. Good. I feel much more at ease with you present. This Buster Call will be placed entirely under your command, Kuzan."
He then briefed Kuzan on the approximate forces involved.
"Understood, Fleet Admiral."
After listening, Kuzan's tone grew a little more serious. He hung up the call, resumed cycling, and noticeably increased his speed.
"It seems Spandam has probably been killed…"
"So it's come to this, Nico Robin… Was Saul's decision to let you live right or wrong? Will you give us the answer this time?"
"And 'Madman' Will…"
"What a troublesome bunch…"
His voice faded into the distance as a white ice road stretched further across the sea.
Water 7.
Galley-La Company Headquarters.
Will, accompanied by Robin and Enel, returned inside from the balcony. The moment he stepped out of the room, he intended to inform Iceberg about the Buster Call. However, he found that everyone in the building had gathered in the living room.
He walked to the edge of the hallway and looked down.
There, he saw a tall man with his hair pulled back, wearing only briefs, looking utterly exhausted and tightly bound with rope by Paulie.
After glancing at Issho, who stood guard nearby, Will immediately understood what had happened.
"You're back, Captain," Issho said calmly, turning his head.
"Thanks for your hard work, Issho."
Will smiled and flipped down the stairs in one smooth motion.
Enel, beside him, had already turned into lightning and instantly reappeared seated on the central sofa. He picked up an apple from the fruit bowl, took a big bite, leaned back, and asked Franky, "Who's this guy? An enemy?"
Iceberg, standing nearby, was momentarily stunned before quickly explaining, "He's not an enemy. This person… is actually the junior brother I mentioned before. Because of what happened at Dock 1 earlier, he misunderstood the situation and suddenly came looking for me."
"Junior brother?" Will didn't dwell on the details. He walked over and asked directly, "So his shipbuilding skills are about on par with yours, right?"
"Well…" Iceberg's expression grew serious at the mention of shipbuilding. He answered confidently, "In terms of shipbuilding skill, I should still be slightly better, but his abilities are indeed excellent."
The moment those words left his mouth, Franky—who had been listless from running out of cola—immediately perked up and shouted, "Aargh~! Damn you, Iceberg! How dare you claim your skills are better than mine?! It's obviously my skills that are superior!"
Seeing the two about to start arguing, Will cut in lazily, "How about this? When building my ship, have your junior brother help as well. I want it constructed with durability and defensive power comparable to—or even surpassing—Pluton."
"What? Pluton?!" Franky's expression instantly turned uncertain and surprised.
But when he glanced at Iceberg beside him, he saw that the other man didn't look shocked at all, clearly already in the know.
Noticing Franky's reaction, Will smiled and reassured him, "Don't worry. It's just the design blueprint for the ancient weapon Pluton. I'm not particularly interested in that sort of thing, so there's no need to be so nervous. And I'm not asking for destructive power on Pluton's level, so you don't have to worry about what I'll use the ship for either."
Then he suddenly changed his tone, sounding slightly provocative. "Or are you saying that even as Master Tom's prized disciple, working together with your senior brother, you lack the confidence to build a ship with durability and defensive strength far exceeding Pluton?"
Franky relaxed, then declared with clear excitement, "Aargh~! No way! Even without Iceberg getting in the way, as long as we have enough materials, I can definitely build the kind of ship you want!"
"Is that so? Excellent." Will smiled, visibly satisfied.
He then turned to Nami and Carina nearby. "By the way, have you finished discussing the new ship order?"
"It's all settled. The money we brought is more than enough," Carina replied with a smile, arms crossed.
Nami added, "Mr. Iceberg has already sent people to order the special materials. Once they arrive, construction should only take a few days."
"Very good." Will nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Iceberg. "As for Franky helping with the shipbuilding and the appropriate compensation, you two brothers can discuss that between yourselves."
Iceberg nodded seriously. "No problem, Mr. Will."
After settling the matter of the new ship, Will didn't forget the main issue. He immediately informed everyone about the accidental activation of the Buster Call.
"What?! Someone activated the Buster Call targeting Water 7?!"
As the mayor who frequently dealt with the World Government, Iceberg's eyes widened in terror at the words "Buster Call." Although he had never witnessed one personally, he had learned of its horrors through special channels.
Robin, who had walked over to Will's side, noticed that the three foremen didn't fully understand and explained in a grave tone:
"Simply put, the Buster Call is an order for the complete annihilation of an island. Once activated, the Marines dispatch at least five Vice Admirals and ten Rear Admirals from Marineford, along with ten thousand Navy soldiers and ten or more warships."
As she spoke, memories of that horrifying scene from the past surfaced, and her eyes grew complicated.
"After the warships surround the island, they unleash a devastating barrage of cannon fire. Then they send in all their forces to eliminate any survivors…"
"Very few islands can withstand such overwhelming military power. Every island targeted by a Buster Call in the past has ultimately been destroyed…"
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