Ray pondered about the most likely possibilities as he watched Robin's retreating figure.
If it was about choosing a battlefield, then her behavior made perfect sense.
It definitely couldn't be because she was afraid the Straw Hat Pirates would lose to the Marines.
They could already fight evenly with Admirals.
At this stage, to capture them, unless Marine Headquarters had shit for brains and sent two Admirals to paradise, the Straw Hats held the advantage.
Sengoku, known as the Wise General, would absolutely not do such a thing.
As for what exactly Sengoku planned to do, Ray didn't know the specifics.
But if he were the Fleet Admiral, he'd have to put up at least a token fight to appease the World Government.
Even without sending Admirals, using a Buster Call to respond to the World Goverment' demands seemed like the most logical escalation.
'So... Robin is going with CP9 to move the target.'
Ray's eyes narrowed.
'This woman is too kind-hearted.'
If she resisted CP9 and stubbornly stayed here, the Buster Call would likely occur at Water 7.
The island would be obliterated.
The Straw Hat Pirates were stuck here for at least two weeks while repairing or replacing the Going Merry.
They couldn't just take a broken ship out to sea to fight the Marines.
Even if they won, the Merry would sink.
So, the perfect solution for Robin was to go with CP9 to Enies Lobby—the Judicial Island—and face the Marines there.
This way, she could protect both the Going Merry and the innocent residents of Water 7.
After deducing Robin's thought process, Ray prepared to follow and confirm.
"Chouchou," he whispered to the air. "Return to the Going Merry first. Guard Zoro make sure he's not lost."
"Yes, Master."
...
The Going Merry.
Zoro was having his usual midday nap.
His snoring was deafening, sounding like a chainsaw cutting through scrap metal.
In his dream, Zoro was strolling through a bustling street, going wherever he wanted.
Left, right, straight—it didn't matter.
In this dream world, there was no such thing as getting lost.
It was paradise.
Suddenly, the dream shifted and the streets became hazy.
...
He found himself surrounded by over a dozen Rays, each drawing their demonic swords.
"Zoro," the lead Ray said with a smirk. "I lost to you some time ago. Today, I've brought my brothers to defeat you, the World's Greatest Swordsman."
"Come!" Dream-Zoro shouted.
The intense fighting spirit made his hair stand on end. He was excited. Too excited.
He woke up with a start, his hand instinctively grabbing the hilt of Wado Ichimonji.
In his daze, Zoro saw over a dozen figures rushing him.
"Shit! The clones!"
Zoro grabbed his three swords, rolling sideways to dodge a hail of bullets and swords.
Wait. These weren't Rays.
...
He stood up, blinking the sleep from his eyes.
Before him stood a group of thugs dressed in metal armor and speedos.
"Who are you?" Zoro asked, his voice low and dangerous. "Have you prepared yourselves for the consequences of waking me up?"
Zanbai, the leader of the Franky Family, forced a confident smile, though beads of sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Pirate Hunter Zoro. Bounty: 110 million Belly. Today, your head belongs to us, the Franky Family!"
Hearing this, Zoro relaxed. They were just bounty hunters. Weak ones.
"Once my swords are drawn, they won't be sheathed until they taste blood," Zoro said, mimicking Ray's favorite line.
He released a wave of killing intent.
The air suddenly grew heavy.
The Franky Family thugs froze, feeling as if a blade was already pressed against their throats.
Zoro scoffed. "With this little courage, you think you can claim my head? Go call your boss."
Unexpectedly, upon hearing Zoro ask for their boss, Zanbai and the others snapped.
They began shouting, brandishing swords, clubs, and even rocket launchers.
"FIRE!"
"Tsk." Zoro didn't have time to ponder their mood swings.
He drew his swords.
"Two-Sword Style: Blazing Dragon!"
BOOM!
A shockwave of blue energy blasted outward, sending all dozen men flying off the ship and splashing into the sea.
Zoro sheathed his swords with a clack.
"Can't let you damage the Merry," he muttered.
He walked to the railing and looked down at the thugs bobbing in the water.
"If you still want to fight, come up. I kill you this time."
Zoro's expression was deadly serious and Zanbai immediately gulped.
"Brothers... retreat! Back to base!"
"Yes, Aniki!"
Zoro watched them limp away. He rarely killed those who posed no real threat.
Shortly after the group departed, a white blur leaped onto the deck.
Chouchou had returned.
"Zoro," the dog barked, which Zoro somehow understood perfectly. "Were those people causing trouble?"
"Yeah. They came for my head."
"Judging by the situation, that's really too bad."
Zoro's eyebrow twitched. "What do you mean by that, you little mutt?"
Chouchou looked innocent. "Isn't this the kind of banter you and Sanji always have? I thought I'd try it."
"Shut up." Zoro sat back down. "Why are you back alone? Normally you're glued to Ray's leg."
Chouchou sat down, scratching his ear.
"Master didn't tell me anything, but we both saw Robin left with a strange man in a mask."
The little dog rested its chin on its paws, deep in thought.
"Master must be angry and went to catch the adulterous couple!"
Zoro made a disgusted face. "Your intelligence really is on par with Luffy's."
"Then what do you say, oh wise Moss Head?" Chouchou picked his nose with a claw and flicked a booger at Zoro.
Zoro dodged it effortlessly.
"Your thinking is too extreme. Based on Ray's usual attitude toward Robin... at most he's a bit jealous and went to follow her to uncover the truth."
"What adulterous couple? Robin and Ray aren't even involved. Besides, she just arrived on this island—where would she have any acquaintances?"
Zoro paused, then his eyes widening.
"Hiss~ Could it be childhood sweethearts? Tsk tsk."
Zoro shook his head. "Tch Ray... everyone can see Nami and Robin like him, yet he never makes his stance clear. Now when Robin goes on a date with another man, he secretly follows them? This guy's really petty."
Chouchou nodded vigorously. "True! In dog packs, if a female leaves, we just find another one! Master is being very un-dog-like."
The man and dog began analyzing Ray's love life with intense fervor.
"I suggest you talk to Ray," Zoro said sagely. "Tell him to accept his feelings so he won't do embarrassing things like stalking anymore. Acting like such a weakling... a real man should accept things as they come."
"I agree!" Chouchou barked. "I think Master should learn from me. On every island, I leave my seed, not my heart! Unlike Master who actually got himself hurt over this."
Zoro looked shocked. "My god... the one who seemed purest on the entire ship is actually this filthy!"
Chouchou puffed out his chest.
"It's about passing on genes! Such a pity that Master, though a dog demon, acts all hesitant and reserved like you humans. Completely improper of him."
"Zoro, you look fit too. Why not find some girls on this island and leave some offspring behind?" Chouchou advised him like an experienced elder.
"..."
"Eh? Why did you stop talking, Moss Head?"
Suddenly, Chouchou froze.
The fur on his back stood up!
He sensed a very familiar, very demonic murderous aura radiating from behind him.
He had been careless. His master had returned.
BONK!
WHACK!
A moment later, the dog's head was swollen with a fresh bump.
The Moss Head was also sporting a steaming lump.
Ray stood over them, veins throbbing on his forehead.
He was speechless!
What nonsense had these two been discussing? Their conversation was completely incoherent, yet their intention to mock him was crystal clear.
"Typical," Ray muttered, cracking his knuckles.
"I haven't been hitting you two enough."
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