"So, we came here for nothing?" Sanji muttered, brows furrowed in irritation.
"All that running around, storming through the sea... and Robin's not even here?" Alvida added, her voice cold with a mix of disbelief and rising worry. "Where exactly is she, then?"
The mood was shifting quickly. Shock gave way to frustration.
"Hey—what about our Aniki?!" Zambai suddenly shouted, eyes scanning around the massive structures. "Where's Franky?!"
Zino, still calm and observant, raised a hand and pointed forward, "He's already being escorted... across the bridge. They're taking him to the Tower of Justice."
"What?!" gasped one of the Franky Family. "Aniki's being taken even further away!"
"Then we have to go after him right now!" shouted another.
But before anyone could rush off, Galdino crossed his arms. "Robin's not here. That was our reason for coming. There's no point fighting through all this just for one guy. We no longer need to go through that kind of trouble."
"No." Zino's voice cut through, gaze cold and steady. "Robin may not be here, but that doesn't change what they've done. The moment they laid a finger on her—the moment they took her from us—they crossed a line."
He paused, his crew hanging on every word.
Zino's tone hardened. "That act alone… was a declaration. They provoked us. And now—" his eyes cold and sharp, a gust of wind swirling at his feet, "we return the favor."
Silence fell again.
Then—
"Hear me out." Zino's voice rang out, sharper, louder. "All of you—go cause some chaos on this island. I want THIS Enies Lobby turned upside down!"
Eyes widened.
"If you want your bounty to rise—" his eyes glinted dangerously, "now is the time! Make sure the World Government knows loud and clear—We. Are. No. Pushovers!"
The Orcas were silent only for a second.
Then—grins. Nods. Fierce glares.
"Now that I think about it... my bounty really is too low,*" Alvida muttered with a smirk, narrowing her eyes at the towering fortress ahead.
"Been a while since my swords got a real workout," Zoro said, casually cracking his neck as he reached for his blades.
Gin hold out his tonfas, nodding once. "I guess this is the perfect place for me to really start fighting the world."
"I'll make sure they regret ever touching Robin," Sanji said, eyes burning.
"I… should probably try my best?" Kruz said hesitantly, though his feet were already stepping forward.
The Orcas were now forming a line—shoulders squared, faces fierce, all eyes on the government forces ahead.
Then came a voice of doubt.
"W-Wait, wait!" Usopp called out, his hand raised nervously. "What if this causes the World Government to send more reinforcements?! Like, Admirals or something?!"
Zoro side-eyed him. "Usopp... are you getting cold feet again?"
"No! I'm just being cautious, okay?! There's a difference!" Usopp argued, sweat on his brow.
"No need to worry." Zino stepped forward, wind swirling again at his feet. "If they send reinforcements… leave them to me."
The Orcas grinned.
If Zino was serious—then what was there to fear?
"Alright. Go now!" Zino commanded. "*And one more thing—you can knock them out, bleed them, break their pride, but—don't kill them. Got it?"
"Got it!" the crew shouted back.
And with that, the Orcas charged forward—fully hostile, eyes blazing, and hearts ready for war.
Baral, help them take down all those gates blocking the way." Zino ordered calmly.
A grin stretched across Baral's face. "Finally, I can show my real self."
Without another word, the Mimic leapt off the Silent Orca. His form shifted mid-air, body growing rapidly, limbs expanding, fur spreading across his skin like wildfire. By the time he hit the ground, he had already transformed into the towering Cloud Yeti, his enormous feet shaking the island beneath him.
GROOOAAARRR!!!
The deafening roar echoed across Enies Lobby, blasting outward like a sonic wave and making even the ground tremble slightly.
"Gyaahhhh!! T-The monster again?!" cried one of the Franky Family, who had seen Baral's transformation before. "It's that terrifying giant!!"
Panic swept through their group, some dropping to the ground in fright.
"Baral is here?" Gin looked up, eyes following the massive figure.
Now that they looked carefully, they noticed it—the Silent Orca had arrived, parked in the unnatural calm at the storm's edge. Zino didn't just come alone. He brought everything—the ship, and the whole crew. The Orcas began to understand: this wasn't just a rescue.
It was a statement.
From the front lines, the Marine soldiers gawked, frozen in disbelief.
"W-What in the world is that thing?!"
"Is he a Zoan user?! Or a monster?!"
"Who are these pirates?!"
Fear and chaos started to ripple through the ranks.
"Hey! Don't just stand there! Someone call the Director! NOW!!" one soldier barked, snapping out of his daze. He grabbed a Den Den Mushi and quickly dialed.
...
At that very moment, Spandam was lounging inside the Tower of Justice, grinning with satisfaction.
He swirled a wine glass in his hand, humming to himself. "Soon, the ancient weapon's blueprints will be in my grasp…"
Brrrt! Brrrt!
"Tch. What is it now?" he muttered, picking up the receiver. "Yes, what is it?"
"Director! Trouble! Pirates are attacking the island!!"
"Pirates? How many?" Spandam asked lazily, clearly not taking it seriously.
The soldier blinked, then started counting in a rush. "Uhh, maybe around fifty, sir!"
"Hmph. Only fifty? That's barely a threat. Just take care of them like you're supposed to."
"Wait, sir! There's more. There's a… a giant!"
"A giant?" Spandam's grin dropped. "What kind of giant?!"
"A-a furry one! With wings! And he's—HE'S COMING OVER HERE!!!*"
...
Back on the battlefield, Baral spread his massive wings wide. Wind gusted violently in all directions, causing nearby marines to stumble and cover their faces.
"Oi! Baral! You're affecting us too!" Sanji shouted, shielding his eyes from the violent drafts.
Zino just raised a finger—and with a flick, the wind around their side instantly calmed. The chaos resumed only at the Marine end.
High above, Baral was already airborne. His eyes narrowed at the distant main gate.
"Take my KICK!!" he roared, tucking into a dive.
BOOOOMMM!!!
His foot smashed into the massive steel gate with titanic force. The entire structure shattered, pieces of metal flying into the air like shrapnel. Some parts were hurled backward, others crumbled and fell into the deep trench below.
"Oops. My bad." Baral muttered, scratching his head awkwardly.
Down below, several soldiers screamed as the ground gave out beneath them.
Zino, calmly watching from afar, sensed the danger. He raised one hand—and with a sharp gust, he sent a tornado spiraling into the trench.
As it descended, the winds stabilized and twisted, forming a floating wind platform that caught the falling soldiers just before they hit the abyss.
Zino stood quietly, his eyes scanning the field. "This much… is the least we can do," he said under his breath.
Alvida cracked her neck and smirked. "Alright then. Time to raise my bounty." With that, she charged ahead. In a single rush, she swung her mace and sent several Marine soldiers flying.
Not wanting to fall behind, Zoro, Gin, Sanji, Kruz, Hibari, and Binko bolted after her.
Zoro slashed through a wave of enemies, drawing blood in a single wide arc.
Gin's tonfas knocked out Marines left and right with rapid precision.
Sanji dashed forward, flames bursting from his leg as he sent a large soldier crashing into a wall.
Kruz calmly walked forward, his fists punching through space tear, knocked out Marines from a distance.
Hibari picked off enemy shooters with his rifle, each bullet landing with deadly accuracy. Meanwhile, Binko weaved through the battlefield with two daggers flashing in both hands, dancing around enemies before striking them down.
The chaos erupted instantly.
At the rear, Galdino clicked his tongue and muttered, "Bunch of hot-headed lunatics…"
Zino turned to him. "Aren't you going too?"
"I am," Galdino said, adjusting his gloves, "but not like those maniacs."
Zino glanced at the battlefield again. "Kruz is doing better than I expected. At this rate, his bounty might rise above yours."
Galdino frowned and started walking forward. "Not if I raise mine first."
Zino chuckled lightly as he watched him go.
Behind them, the Franky Family charged into the fray, hot on the heels of the Orcas. Meanwhile, Nojiko, Nami, Kaya, Mikita, and Marianne followed calmly, walking at a more relaxed pace behind the frontline chaos.
Further back, Usopp and Stev shouted encouragements, trying to sound bold.
"Let's go! Show them what we're made of!" Usopp yelled, though his voice cracked a little.
"Don't fall behind! Hit 'em hard!" Stev added, holding his custom-made Sniper Dial close to his chest.
Despite their shouting, both of them remained at the furthest rear. Usopp had his slingshot ready, while Stev nervously adjusted his aim.
Chloris stood quietly near Zino, her expression thoughtful. "Zino," she said, "can you check if Moris is here?"
"Moris?" Zino asked, raising an eyebrow.
"When we first saw Robin boarding the Sea Train, he said he'd follow her while I called for reinforcements," Chloris explained.
Zino closed his eyes again, extending his senses across the island. After a few moments, he opened them and shook his head.
"He's not here."
Chloris looked down, unsure.
Zino's eyes narrowed slightly. A possibility clicked in his mind. "Wait… what if Moris actually succeeded in rescuing Robin?"
He turned to her. "Do you think that's possible?"
"I don't know," she replied honestly.
"I see…" Zino nodded slowly, thinking aloud. "Where could he have gone if he did? Did he really manage to save her?"
On the shoreline, Paulie, Lulu, and Tilestone stood over the unconscious body of Rob Lucci. Their eyes were filled with cold hatred.
Tilestone gripped his massive hammer tightly, raising it with the clear intent to strike.
"I'll crush his damn head," he growled.
But Lulu stepped forward and stopped him. "Iceburg-san is still alive," he said firmly. "You shouldn't kill him."
Paulie nodded, his tone sharp. "Let's just tie this guy up and take him back to Water Seven. Let him face Iceburg-san himself and apologize."
Zino's voice cut in from behind them. "It's pointless."
The three turned toward him.
"That man," Zino said, looking at Lucci with disdain, "he doesn't understand compassion. He only lives for the World Government's orders. He's nothing more than a tool. A soulless, obedient weapon."
Paulie stared down at Lucci for a long moment, silent.
"…A tool, huh?" he muttered at last. "Pitiful. Doesn't even deserve the chance to apologize."
...
Far out at sea, Moris was still paddling his small raft. Robin, who had already regained consciousness, sat beside him and helped with the paddling. After a moment of silence, she asked softly, "Why did you rescue me?"
Moris replied without hesitation. "Because you're part of the Orcas family. My family."
Robin froze for a moment. That word—family—struck something deep within her.
Moris continued, "Besides, the Captain would be really worried if he found out one of his crew was missing. He told us to wait for him in Water Seven. That means all of us should be there. Not one missing."
Robin lowered her gaze. "…Do you really believe Zino can escape from Aokiji?"
"I don't believe," Moris said, shaking his head. "I trust that he'll come back. Just like he promised."
Robin looked at the short dryad. He was small in size, but his faith seemed stronger than hers had ever been.
"I don't want to burden you guys…" she murmured.
"Family should share burdens," Moris said gently. "Chloris and I—we lost everything because of those slave traders. But we still wanted to believe in something. That's why we joined the Orcas and treated them as our family."
He paused, then added, "And you… you're part of that family too."
Robin looked down, and tears quietly began to form in her eyes.
Moris didn't speak further. He just kept paddling in silence.
"You're… a good person," Robin whispered, her voice trembling as the tears slipped down her cheeks. "All my life, I've met so few people I could truly trust."
Moris remained quiet, listening.
"I lost everything. My home. My people. And the world called me the Devil Child…" she said. "I've been running ever since. Every time I thought I found someone to rely on, they either turned on me… or disappeared."
"We're not like that," Moris said. "Just trust us."
Robin stared at him. She didn't respond—not with words. But her silence held weight.
They continued paddling, side by side, the sea quietly stretching on around them.