Spandam's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his entire body trembling.
"Y-you can't kill me! The Navy's already here! I'm the chief of CP9 — the World Government's direct agent! If you kill me in front of them, you'll have no place left in this world! They'll hunt you down to the ends of the sea!"
Arthur tilted his head slightly, pretending to think.
"Oh? Is that so…?"
The sudden hesitation lit up a flicker of hope in Spandam's eyes.
He scrambled to his feet, desperate, words tumbling out like bullets.
"Y-you let me go, and I swear—"
He never finished.
Because Arthur was suddenly standing right in front of him, expression mild and pleasant, voice dripping with mock sincerity.
"That's perfect."
"Eh—?"
Before Spandam could react, Arthur's hand moved.
One flash of lightning, one muffled crack.
The world spun.
For a brief, blissful second, Spandam thought he was flying — weightless, free.
Then his head hit the ground several meters away with a dull thud.
Arthur stood over the twitching body, eyes cold.
"You really thought they'd save you?"
"You should've prayed they'd save themselves."
He crouched down and picked up the ornate sword that had fallen beside Spandam's corpse — Funkfreed, the elephant-sheathed blade that had never even been drawn.
He twirled it once, smirking.
"A weapon that never saw battle… what a waste. Guess I'll hold onto it."
A deal's a deal — even in hell, Arthur wasn't one to leave loot behind.
But there was no time to admire his prize.
Because now… the real trouble was just beginning.
The sea beyond the bridge churned violently.
Twenty battleships lined up in two separate formations — ten to the left, ten to the right.
One group veered toward Enies Lobby proper, their cannons still silent.
The other set their course straight toward Arthur and the others, forming a wide encirclement.
"Looks like we've got company," Arthur muttered as he cut through Robin and Franky's restraints.
He had no idea that, as he worked quietly beside Robin, his presence was wreaking absolute havoc on the archaeologist's heartbeat.
That face — calm, sharp, lit by flickers of blue lightning — it was dangerously distracting.
Every careful movement of his hands, every slight furrow of thought in his brow, sent heat rising to her cheeks.
He saved me. He actually saved me.
For the first time in years, Robin felt something unfamiliar — safety.
But Arthur didn't notice her gaze. His eyes were fixed on the horizon, calculating.
"Not ordinary Marines," he said softly. "This… feels like the main force."
And just as the thought crossed his mind, reinforcements arrived from below.
A thunderous BOOM echoed as the underground tunnel burst open —
"ROBIN!! Don't be scared! I'm here to save you!!"
Luffy came flying out, fists raised high, his crew charging behind him.
Behind them were Redfield, Crocodile, and Bundy World, stepping onto the bridge like returning conquerors.
The Straw Hats blinked at the scene before them —
A decapitated Spandam.
Robin already free.
Franky unchained.
And Arthur standing calmly in the middle of it all like a victorious storm god.
"Huh?"
"Wait… what the hell…?"
Sanji's cigarette fell from his lips.
Zoro's eye twitched.
Usopp just stared, his jaw hanging open.
They'd fought through every level, every enemy, ready for one last glorious brawl — only to find out that someone else had already cleared the entire dungeon.
"So that's it, huh?" Franky muttered, blinking. "We're just… background characters now?"
"From start to finish, even the minibosses are gone," Nami groaned.
"He even took the drops!" Usopp cried. "Not even a single Marine left to punch!"
Their collective glare could have killed.
But Arthur ignored them. His gaze was fixed far beyond the bridge.
Redfield's eyes narrowed.
"Three strong presences… closing in fast."
Arthur nodded.
"Thirty seconds until contact."
Luffy blinked.
"Why does that sound so familiar…?"
Before anyone could respond, the first battleship broke formation and pulled ahead.
On the deck stood three figures — instantly recognizable to anyone on the Grand Line.
The world's strongest Marine trio:
Monkey D. Garp, the legendary Hero of the Navy.
Borsalino, Admiral "Kizaru."
Kuzan, Admiral "Aokiji."
Their mere presence made the air heavy.
But what the onlookers saw next shattered that image completely.
Garp was fuming.
Veins bulged across his forehead as he waved his arms wildly, barking at the two men beside him.
"You lazy brats! Sengoku gives you a mission and what do you do? Tag along on my ship! What's wrong with you two?!?"
Kizaru scratched his chin lazily, sunglasses reflecting the sunlight.
"Oooh~ But Garp-san, it's so troublesome, you know? The Sea Kings were all in the way, and the sunlight was sooo nice…"
Aokiji yawned from where he was sprawled across a deck chair, one hand resting behind his head.
"My ice broke… couldn't walk on water anymore. Had to hitch a ride."
Garp's face turned red.
"You call that an excuse?! We've circled Water Seven, the Sea Train route, and Enies Lobby—and we've found nothing but empty air!"
Kizaru adjusted his glasses and smiled faintly.
"Well~ now we found something, right?"
"You two—! I'll knock sense into you yet!"
The old man clenched a fist. The air cracked as he prepared his signature Love Punch.
But before he could swing it—
Snore~
A massive snot bubble inflated from his nose.
He had fallen asleep mid-lecture.
Silence.
Thousands of Marines stared in disbelief.
Even Arthur and the Straw Hats stood frozen.
"...Is this real life?" Usopp whispered.
"Is this… really the Navy's strongest lineup?" Nami said weakly.
"They look like idiots," Chopper muttered.
Only Arthur remained composed.
He knew better.
He knew these three might act like a comedy trio, but beneath that laziness and chaos lay the kind of power that could sink islands.
If anyone underestimated them, they'd be dead in seconds.
But his calm didn't stop the Straw Hats from letting their guard down.
"Tch. They look like pushovers," Usopp said confidently, hands on hips. "One good shot from me and they're done for!"
"Don't get cocky," Sanji warned. "Those are Admirals — I can feel it. Their aura's not normal."
"Still…" Luffy tilted his head, squinting. "That old guy looks kinda like my gra—"
"HEY! YOU LOT OVER THERE!!"
The shout came from across the bridge. The massive Gate of Justice had opened wide, and ranks of Marines poured through, their voices echoing in unison.
"Look! Admirals Kizaru and Aokiji — and Vice Admiral Garp himself!"
"We're saved! Those criminals are finished!"
"Two Admirals and the Hero of the Navy — this'll be over in seconds!"
The soldiers raised their rifles, confidence restored.
But Arthur simply smiled, electricity flickering faintly across his shoulders.
"Admirals, huh?"
"Finally… some real opponents."
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