After confirming Robin's safety and memorizing the scent of the masked man beside her, Ray began returning to the Going Merry.
Just as he reached the coast, his sharp hearing caught Zoro and Chouchou's conversation about "adulterous couples" and "stalking."
It nearly made him die of anger.
'I'm petty? I'm stalking?'
Okay, fine.
He was stalking!
But he was stalking because he was worried about her safety!
Not because he was jealous!
That's nonsense!
After doling out physical punishment to the gossipers, he told Zoro and Chouchou his actual deduction regarding Robin's motives.
"Oh... so that's how it is," Zoro muttered, rubbing the fresh bump on his head.
"To move the battlefield away from the city."
"Buster Call? Ray, have you heard of this thing?"
Ray nodded grimly.
It was the Marines' ultimate indiscriminate attack.
At least five Vice Admirals and ten battleships, raining down enough firepower to erase an entire island from the map.
It was the nightmare that had turned Robin's hometown, Ohara, into ash.
Hearing this, both Zoro and Chouchou's expressions turned grave.
"Let's inform Luffy and the others about this once they return," Zoro said seriously.
"Mm." Ray agreed.
During his pursuit earlier, Robin had briefly appeared beside him using a clone, confirming the situation.
She had left behind a playful, yet sincere remark.
"You must come and save me, okay?" Leaving Ray utterly speechless.
To ensure Robin's safety while she played her dangerous game, Ray immediately gave Chouchou a new order.
"Chouchou. Disguise yourself and follow Robin."
"If anyone threatens her before we reach Enies Lobby, take immediate action."
Chouchou promptly accepted the order.
He rolled in the dirt to mess up his fur, disguising himself as a scruffy stray mutt, and followed Robin's scent.
His mission was twofold: protect her, and relay information to Ray via Bloodline Communication.
Ray sighed, looking at the city.
'That woman... she really trusts us to come for her.'
...
That Evening.
Luffy, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, and Chopper returned to the ship, exhausted but triumphant.
Thanks to Usopp and Nami's improved strength, the Franky Family lackeys never stood a chance.
The moment they tried to ambush the group at the shipyard, Usopp had blasted them away with an Exploding Star before they could even draw their swords.
His Observation Haki was no joke.
As for the two suitcases of money Nami was carrying... even stray dogs that approached too closely got kicked by her feet.
They had exchanged the gold for a staggering 600 million Belly.
Now safely aboard, Luffy announced the plan: take the Going Merry to the Galley-La shipyard tomorrow for a full assessment and modification plan.
Once settled, Ray and Zoro informed the crew about Robin's situation with CP9.
Surprisingly, most of them took it rather well.
They trusted Robin implicitly.
If she was leaving to protect them and the city, they would simply go get her back when the time was right.
But Sanji wouldn't have it.
He was practically vibrating with chivalrous rage.
"Nami-san! Please dress me up to look like Robin-chan! Let me take her place as a hostage!"
Everyone looked at him like he was an idiot.
"Hah~" Sanji exhaled smoke, trying to regain his cool.
"It's all that Moss Head's fault for being too weak. If he could just tear down Marine Headquarters by himself, Robin-chan wouldn't have to worry."
"Hah?" Zoro's eye twitched. "Are you stupid? If you're so capable, you do it. With a perverted kappa face like yours, you probably couldn't even get through the front gate."
Just as the two were about to start their daily brawl, a provocative voice boomed from the shore.
"OY! STRAW HAT PIRATES! My underlings told me you have a lot of money. I'd like to 'borrow' some!"
Ray didn't even need to look.
He had smelled the cologne and cola from a mile away.
The crew filed out onto the deck.
Standing on the pier was a man built like a vending machine.
He had massive, disproportionate forearms, blue hair styled like a kinetic sculpture, and wore only an open aloha shirt and a speedo.
Behind him stood several dozen thugs, armed to the teeth.
Franky and the Franky Family.
Luffy stepped forward, blinking. "You want to borrow money? Sure! We have lots right now!"
BAM!
Nami's fist collided with the back of Luffy's head.
"Why would we lend it to them?! That's our ship repair fund! You idiot captain!"
"Ow..." Luffy rubbed his head, realizing his mistake.
He turned back to Franky apologetically. "Sorry. Nami says no. Maybe try borrowing from someone else? If I have any left over after fixing the ship, I'll lend you some!"
"LEND MY ASS!" Nami screamed.
Zoro sighed and his hand resting on Wado Ichimonji.
"Luffy... they clearly have bad intentions. This afternoon, they even tried to 'borrow' my head."
Franky burst into laughter.
"GAHAHAHA! The 450 million berry 'Straw Hat Luffy' is actually an idiot! That Moss Head is right. I never planned to return it!"
"Men! Weapons out!"
In front of everyone's eyes, Franky's left hand suddenly transformed.
The palm flipped open like a lid, revealing a gun barrel hidden in his wrist.
"Weapons Left!"
BOOM!
A cannonball shot out from his wrist, hurtling straight toward the Going Merry.
Luffy didn't move. He didn't need to.
"Special Attack: Lead Star."
Thwip!
Usopp drew his kabuto with lightning speed.
A single lead pellet intercepted the cannonball fifteen meters away from the ship.
KA-BOOM!
The explosion scattered shrapnel everywhere.
"Heavy Point!"
Chopper transformed instantly into his muscular human form, standing like a shield in front of Nami and the mast, deflecting the shrapnel with his tough hide.
On the deck, Luffy's playful expression vanished.
It was replaced by the cold, serious look of a captain protecting his crew.
"Since you dare to attack my ship... you must be prepared for the consequences."
Franky stared in disbelief.
His attack had been neutralized by the long-nose—who looked like the weakest member—and the pet tanuki.
He immediately felt like he had kicked an iron plate.
But he couldn't retreat.
For years, Franky had operated as the underworld boss of Water 7, protecting the city from pirates in the shadows.
Rumors said the Straw Hats were ruthless monsters who had extorted 600 million berries.
If he let them into the city, who knew what destruction they would cause?
Even if it meant death, he had to stop them here!
Franky puffed out his massive chest.
"Today, I'm not just taking your 600 million! I'm taking all your bounty heads too! For the peace of Water 7!"
Behind him, his subordinates roared, raising their weapons with desperate, fanatical eyes.
Usopp, Nami, and Chopper were furious!
"Luffy! Zoro! Sanji! Get them!"
However, the Monster Trio hesitated.
They weren't angry—they were puzzled.
Sanji took a deep drag of his cigarette. "Something's off. Why do they look so... ready to die?"
Zoro nodded. "Like soldiers marching into a suicide mission."
Luffy frowned.
He didn't get it. But if they wanted a fight, he would oblige.
He leaped down from the ship, landing on the pier with a heavy thud.
"If you're so determined... bring it on!"
VROOOM!
A wave of red-black pressure exploded from Luffy, washing over the pier.
In an instant, the dozens of armed thugs rolled their eyes back and collapsed, foam leaking from their mouths.
The only one left standing was Franky, his knees shaking, sweat pouring down his face as he struggled to remain conscious against the overwhelming will of a King.