Oguro's words struck Lucci like a thunderclap, leaving his mind buzzing.
He had thought that being hailed as the strongest CP9 in 800 years would earn him respect within the World Government.
And yet…
They hadn't even glanced his way.
A pawn…
Exactly. If he weren't a pawn, how could he have ended up under Spandam, a total incompetent?
After a long silence, Lucci finally spoke in a low voice, "Even so… the World Government hasn't betrayed me, and I will never betray them. Give up your hope!"
At the very least, Lucci wanted to preserve the shred of dignity he had left.
"Ha! No betrayal?" Oguro chuckled.
For now, perhaps. But in the original timeline, the entire CP9 squad had been sold out by Spandam, relentlessly hunted by the World Government.
In the eyes of the World Government, a true elite was worth less than a useless Spandam.
"The World Government isn't trustworthy. If I were you, I'd already be planning my next move," Oguro said meaningfully.
Lucci's mind flickered.
Could it be… that this guy was trying to recruit him?
The next second, Oguro rose and headed toward the door.
Lucci couldn't help but call out, "Aren't you going to ask about Nico Robin?"
Oguro smiled faintly. "Where else? That fool Spandam would surely send her to Enies Lobby!"
Thinking carefully, it was obvious. Robin's fate was either that she would be sent to Enies Lobby or temporarily held by Lucci and his team.
Since Lucci was still safely at home, it was most likely that Robin had already been sent to Enies Lobby.
Earlier, Oguro had been too angry to think clearly, but now, calm and collected, he quickly understood.
"You plan to storm Enies Lobby?"
Lucci guessed Oguro's intention and thought the man must be insane.
That was the World Government's direct court, their showcase of justice! Storming it would be a direct slap in the face.
"If Spandam dares to take someone from my ship, he must bear the consequences!"
He turned suddenly, his eyes filled with boundless killing intent.
"Inform Spandam to prepare himself to die in atonement!"
After Oguro and his group left, Lucci paused, then reluctantly retrieved a backup Den Den Mushi.
Ring ring…
After a moment, Spandam picked up, immediately shouting in rage.
"Lucci! Don't you know what time it is? If you have nothing important to do, watch how I deal with you!"
Lucci's expression instantly turned cold.
This incompetent had wasted six full years of his life!
He didn't hold back. "Spandam, if I were you, I would immediately prepare Enies Lobby.
The 'Noble Prince' Sith Oguro already knows we took Robin. He's telling you to prepare to die in atonement!"
"What?! B-b-bold! A mere pirate dares to threaten the CP9 Commander?!"
Spandam's eyes blazed. It was the first time anyone had threatened him so brazenly—a tremendous humiliation!
"Rob Lucci! You didn't capture this lunatic, yet you relay his message?! Is this how the strongest CP9 in 800 years operates?!"
Lucci paused briefly, then replied honestly, "He's beyond my ability! His subordinate in the white haori caught me in one move, and in two strikes, I was severely injured.
I need to see a doctor now. Consider your own actions carefully! Don't actually make someone die in atonement, Commander Spandam!"
Without waiting for a reply, Lucci hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Nearby footsteps approached, likely curious neighbors drawn by the earlier commotion.
Soon, Lucci was taken to a hospital with their help.
...
Blue Station.
As Oguro had expected, Robin was being escorted onto the seaborne train here.
This train went directly to Enies Lobby.
"There's only one train on this line. If you want to ride, you'll have to wait until tomorrow!" the stationmaster shrugged.
"Lord Oguro, I'll bring the ship over!" Soi Fon offered.
Oguro shook his head. "No. The ship is slower than the train! By the time we arrive, Robin might already have been executed!"
Unlike capturing Franky, CP9 had to keep him alive to interrogate him about the Pluton blueprints.
But Robin didn't need to live for interrogation. Executing her was the ultimate deterrent against those daring to investigate the Void Century. Leaving her alive only increased risk.
"What do we do then?" Nami asked anxiously.
Oguro's gaze swept toward a direction in Water 7. "Perhaps… there's another seaborne train."
He led the group to the Carrara Company, confronting the owner, Iceburg.
Iceburg was reluctant to meet him.
But considering the 200 million Berry bounty on Oguro's head and his assertive demeanor, he agreed to see him.
"We need a seaborne train to reach Enies Lobby!" Oguro stated bluntly.
Iceburg shook his head. "The Moby Tom is the only seaborne train. Since my master Tom died, no one can build another."
"No! I know of another prototype, the Rocketman!" Oguro's gaze was resolute.
Iceburg was startled. Few knew of this—how did Oguro find out?
He refused immediately. "No! Though it's called a prototype, it's a failed one. Rocketman has no brakes. Riding it is certain death!"
Oguro waved dismissively. "That's none of your concern. We have our own ways to survive."
Death? He had Shinigami who could fly. Except for extreme ocean weather, he could simply fly along the rails to Enies Lobby!
Iceburg shook his head again. "Sorry. It's my master's legacy. I can't let it be destroyed."
No brakes meant driving it out would result in wreckage. Iceburg couldn't allow his master's creation to meet that end.
Oguro grew slightly impatient.
Then he remembered Lucci. His tone changed. "Mayor Iceburg, I'll trade information for the Rocketman!"
"CP9 has infiltrated Water 7 to investigate the Pluton blueprints. I can tell you the identities of all their undercover agents. You give me Rocketman—deal?"
At the mention of the Pluton blueprints, Iceburg's pupils shrank sharply.
He quickly forced himself to stay calm. "Pluton blueprints? We don't have such a thing here!"
Oguro had no time for argument. He growled, "Do I need to tie Franky in front of you before you hand over the Rocketman?""