Meanwhile, back at the docks, preparations for the coming storm were underway.
The Going Merry had already been moved.
Franky, concerned about the ship's fragile keel, had transported her to his secret modification base.
This was a necessary precaution because Water 7's unique natural disaster—the terrifying high tide known as "Aqua Laguna," was due to strike the island in two days.
Until the repairs were finished and the blueprints for the new ship were completed, it was much safer to keep a small, damaged vessel like the Merry in a secure, dry location.
As for the Big Top, (Buggy's flashy pirate ship) the clown simply waved his hand and told everyone not to worry.
"I have my own methods," he bragged. "A ship of that magnificence can handle a little splash."
For Franky's personal safety, Ray had ordered the cyborg to stay at Iceburg's office building.
It was the safest place on the island right now, guarded by Zephyr, and it allowed Franky to work on the blueprints alongside his senior, Iceburg.
Currently, the main combat force—Ray, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and the members of the Buggy Pirates—were all waiting at the rocky shore, watching the dark waves crash against the seawall.
The air was heavy with the scent of salt and the anticipation of the violence about to unfold.
Buggy sat on a crate, his mood significantly calmer than it had been three hours ago when he first realized Ray had tricked him into this mess.
He had entered "thinking mode," his brow furrowed in deep concentration.
Finally, he looked up and raised a question that had been gnawing at him.
"Hey, Luffy," Buggy grunted, looking at Luffy. "I've got a question. If the Marine's Buster Call arrives before all the residents have evacuated, what will you do?"
Luffy didn't even blink.
He responded without a second of hesitation.
"Of course I'll protect them," Luffy said firmly. "I'll hold the Marines back until the people escape first."
Buggy narrowed his eyes.
He wasn't satisfied with that generic hero answer. He leaned forward, his expression turn serious for once.
"Alright, then answer me this," Buggy pressed. "What if the situation goes to hell? What if one of your crewmates is in mortal danger at the exact same moment a group of civilians is facing cannon fire? You can only save one side. What would you do then?"
Buggy asked this question intentionally.
He wanted to prepare Luffy for the brutal realities of the battlefield. He was afraid that this brainless rubber boy would be too naive.
Without sufficient strength, it was impossible to play the hero for everyone.
Did he think he could achieve both with just a kind heart? Impossible.
However, Luffy's response made Buggy's heart tremble.
Luffy looked Buggy in the eye, his gaze darkening slightly.
"I believe my crewmates can handle anything," Luffy said, his voice dropping an octave.
"But... if the situation you described really happens, I won't hesitate. I will prioritize helping my comrades."
These were words Luffy spoke without overthinking.
It was his instinct.
Then, he adjusted his straw hat and added one more thought.
"Since war is inevitable, how could there be no sacrifices? People get hurt in wars. But I want to minimize casualties. And the best way to do that isn't to run around saving everyone one by one—it's to quickly capture the enemy leader and end the fight."
Hearing Luffy's response, Buggy let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
He laughed.
"GYAHAHAHA! I really underestimated you, Luffy."
Buggy stood up and walked over to Ray, who was staring out at the sea, seemingly spacing out.
Buggy leaned against a rock and spoke slowly.
"Has Luffy changed this much? Did you teach him that?"
Ray didn't turn his head. He watched the horizon as he responded lightly.
"He was never as foolish as you thought, Buggy. He's just more mature now."
Ray had naturally heard Luffy's reply.
It was the correct answer for a captain on the Grand Line.
Luffy wanted to save people—that was his nature. But trying to save everyone? That was pure idiocy.
A "savior complex" on a battlefield would only lead to hesitation, and hesitation led to total collapse.
Only those who could weigh gains and losses, who could make the hard choices most beneficial to their side, were qualified to enter the New World.
Otherwise, they were just walking to their graves.
Luffy cared about his comrades more than anything, but he also had the heart to save innocents.
Deep down, he understood the potential consequences of this battle. Danger was always present. Because he believed in his comrades' strength, he allowed himself to join the battle.
But he knew the mission: defeat the leader to save the many.
Rejecting perfect solutions. Rejecting the fantasy that everyone survives.
Only by accepting this reality could they move forward on this cruel sea.
Pure idealism only existed in novels or anime.
'Luffy is becoming more and more like a true captain,' Ray thought as a small smile touching his lips.
'The future of this crew is going to be interesting.'
Ray finally turned to look at the clown.
"Buggy, are you sure you want to get involved in this? It's going to get messy."
Buggy snorted disdainfully, crossing his arms.
"Who do you think I am?! Words spoken are like piss thrown—once it's out, it can't be taken back!"
Ray stared at him, speechless.
'What kind of disgusting analogy was that?'
Shaking his head, Ray decided he needed to check one last thing before the chaos started.
"Alright," Ray said. "But before the Marines get here, let me test your current strength. I need to know if you won't die in five seconds."
Hearing this, Buggy immediately jumped backward, his face turning pale.
'Is this guy fucking crazy?!' Buggy thought frantically.
'Is Ray just looking for an excuse to beat me up to vent his anger?'
Though inwardly fearful, Buggy couldn't lose face in front of his crew and the Straw Hats.
He grinned fiercely, detached his hands, and spun knives between his fingers.
"Come on then!" Buggy yelled. "Today I'll split your head apart, pretty boy!"
BOOM!
Ten seconds later, a massive explosion rocked the dock.
Simultaneously, a charred, black body that looked suspiciously like a clown went flying high into the sky, trailing smoke.
"RAY!!!" Buggy howled as he disappeared into the clouds.
"YOUR ATTACKS ARE SO DAMN DIRTY!!!"
...
Meanwhile, five kilometers away.
On a desolate stretch of shore, far from the city center, a dark gathering was taking place.
Seven figures stood in the shadows.
Six of them wore black suits, radiating dangerous energy. The seventh was a sleazy-looking man wearing a leather mask and a metal headpiece.
This was Spandam, the current chief of CP9, who had previously spoken with Lucci on the Den Den Mushi.
Surrounding him was the full might of the assassination unit.
All members of CP9 were present: Lucci, Kaku, Kalifa, Blueno, and the three new arrivals—Fukuro, Kumadori and Jabra.
Spandam was pacing back and forth, furious.
"Incompetent! All of you!"
He was so angry his hand was shaking, hovering over the Golden Den Den Mushi—the Buster Call activator.
He wanted to press it right now just to watch the world burn.
But a sliver of rationality held him back.
To complete the mission, he needed the Blueprint.
It was best to capture Iceburg and Franky before initiating the Buster Call.
Once the bombardment began, the entire island would be leveled. If Franky and Iceburg died in the fire, the blueprints for Pluton would be lost forever.
Spandam took a deep breath, feigned confidence, and began issuing orders in a very official, arrogant tone.
"Listen up! The Buster Call ordered by the World Goverment will commence tomorrow morning. Your objective is simple: capture Iceburg and Franky tonight, before the battle begins."
The three newcomers—Kumadori, Jabra, and Fukuro—nodded.
They had no objections; to them, this sounded like an easy snatch-and-grab mission.
However, Lucci, Kaku, Kalifa, and Blueno exchanged uneasy glances.
They were anxious.
They had personally experienced the terrifying strength of that man, Ray.
He possessed a presence that reminded Lucci of the monsters of the New World.
If Ray was currently protecting Iceburg and Franky, attacking them would be suicide. Even if all seven CP9 agents attacked together, against that man, they might be nothing more than cannon fodder.
Although the proud Rob Lucci didn't want to admit that he was inferior to anyone, the pain in his chest from Ray's attack was a stark reminder for him.
The facts were undeniable.
Lucci tried to voice his concern. "Chief, the pirate Ray is guarding them. His strength is..."
"Shut up!" Spandam interrupted, eager to complete the task and claim the glory.
He ignored their concerns because his weak mind couldn't devise a solution to break the deadlock anyway.
"This is a direct order!" Spandam shrieked. "How you complete it is your problem! Just get me those blueprints!"
Lucci, Kaku, Kalifa, and Blueno clenched their jaws in frustration.
They were trapped.
Their lives as CP9 agents belonged to the World Government. Even if they knew it was a suicide mission, they had no choice but to charge ahead.
"Understood," Lucci said coldly.
The seven agents crouched low, then simultaneously used Soru and Geppo.
They vanished from the shore, rushing swiftly toward Iceburg's city hall office like a pack of wolves.
As he ran across the rooftops, Lucci could only cling to a sliver of hope.
'I have to pray that Ray isn't there,' Lucci thought, sweat beading on his forehead.
'As long as Ray isn't in the way... I can handle the others. I could even take down the captain, Straw Hat Luffy. But not him. Not Ray.'
…
Mayor's Office, Water 7
The atmosphere inside the office was tense and chaotic. Phones were ringing, and papers were flying.
Iceburg was standing over a map of the city, his face pale with stress.
He was still desperately trying to arrange the evacuation efforts.
"Damn it!" Iceburg slammed his fist on the table. "I've already scheduled the Sea Train to full capacity! The warships are in position, and I've mobilized all usable sailing ships from the shipyard, but it's still not enough!"
He turned to the former Admiral standing by the window. "Zephyr-san, can you dispatch a few more warships? Can you call for backup?"
"At this rate," Iceburg wiped sweat from his brow, "even conservatively, one-third of the residents will still be trapped on the island when the Buster Call arrives tomorrow!"
Zephyr, smoking a cigar, shook his head irritably.
The smoke swirled around his grim face.
"I can't," Zephyr growled. "These five warships are the maximum authority I have right now. Any more and Headquarters will notice."
Just as Iceburg and Zephyr were feeling overwhelmed by the logistics, movement from the sofa caught their attention.
Chouchou suddenly stood up, his ears perked forward.
Beside him, Usopp jumped up, his nose twitching.
"Something's coming," Usopp whispered, pulling out his slingshot with trembling hands.
"Seven people. They're approaching fast from the rooftops!"
Chouchou barked a confirmation. "It's them. It should be those four CP9 members from before, plus three reinforcements with strong scents."
Chopper and Nami immediately tensed up.
They exchanged nervous glances. This was their first major battle without Ray, Luffy, Zoro, or Sanji present.
They were the "Weak Trio," and they were the last line of defense.
"We have to do this," Nami said, clutching her Clima-Tact.
Robin stood up gracefully, closing her book.
She remained calm on the surface, though her heart was unsettled.
'This is it,' she thought.
'My first direct confrontation with the World Government since I was a child. I'm done running away!.'
In the corner of the room, Franky stopped his work.
He carefully stored the half-finished blueprints inside the hidden compartment in his chest.
The cyborg stood up, his metal joints whirring.
He recalled the humiliation of being tied up and tortured alongside Iceburg just hours ago.
A fire ignited in his eyes.
"SUPER!" Franky roared, striking a pose.
"I must get revenge! Those suit-wearing bastards... I'm going to beat them so badly that their own mothers won't recognize them!"
---------
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