After a fierce struggle, Sanji and his companion still failed to rescue Robin. They were left behind in the detached train car, watching the others move ahead.
Thankfully, they were soon saved by Franky and his family.
"So, you came to rescue people too?"
Sanji nodded, took a drag from his cigarette, and fell silent. His expression was heavy, weighed down with concern.
"That means you got separated from Luffy and the others?" Usopp asked. "Will you be able to catch up with them?"
Even with their combined efforts, rescuing Robin would be impossible without additional support.
"Our goals are the same," one of them said. "We just head toward Enies Lobby. You can already see the lights of the city ahead."
"Enies Lobby?"
"This place is called the City That Never Sleeps because it's bright all day long."
"Quite an unusual place," Usopp muttered, gazing at the glowing city in awe.
"Found the Straw Hats!" someone came running in, clearly excited.
"Great!"
Sanji's eyes lit up. "Quick, let's meet up with them."
He had crucial information to share with the crew. Without resolving this, rescuing Robin would be much harder.
"We're about to reunite with Luffy and the others," Usopp murmured, pressing his lips together with a sigh. No matter how dangerous it was, some things were inevitable.
Once the groups converged, Usopp joined Sanji in the Rocketman train car.
Zian noticed him and tilted his head in curiosity.
"You…?"
It was definitely Usopp. That unmistakable nose left no doubt.
"Ha! Nice to meet you. I'm the Sniper King!" Usopp puffed his chest out and struck a heroic pose. "A friend of Usopp's."
"Sniper King?" Chopper asked, tilting his head.
"It's a hero!"
"Oh!"
"Sniper King!"
Both Luffy and Chopper looked at Usopp with admiration, which seemed to delight Usopp to no end.
Zian blinked in confusion. What was he going on about?
Zian looked at Sanji, hoping he could explain.
"This is Zian," Sanji said.
"Yes, that's me," Zian confirmed.
Seeing that Sanji wasn't planning to explain further, Zian figured it could wait until after Robin was safe.
Usopp, unable to contain his excitement, stared at Zian and exclaimed, "You're the ninja?! Can you show me some ninjutsu?!"
"Ninja!"
"Ninja!"
Zian simply stared. It seemed that anyone who sailed with Luffy had at least a hint of the same boundless enthusiasm.
"Show your ninjutsu later," Sanji interjected, serious now. "I have important information to share."
"Luffy, come listen too," he added.
Luffy obediently blinked and walked over. Zoro, curious, had wanted to tease Sanji, but seeing his serious expression, he stayed silent.
"Nami was right," Sanji said, voice grave. "Robin sacrificed herself because she was being threatened."
"But there's something we didn't know."
"What is it?"
"The Demon-Slaying Order!"
"The Demon-Slaying Order?"
"Yes, the Demon-Slaying Order," Sanji confirmed. "I heard it from CP9. It's a military force made up of five Vice Admirals and ten Navy warships. Their mission is simple: destroy the entire island."
"And that's what Robin fears," Sanji continued, shadow flickering across his face. "Her home was destroyed by a force like this. She was the only survivor."
"So that's why Robin had a bounty of seventy-nine million berries at just eight years old," Zian said.
"Most likely," Sanji nodded. Even a prodigy child could not have earned such a high bounty otherwise; the Demon-Slaying Order explained it perfectly.
"Five Vice Admirals, ten warships…" Chopper gasped. "And the people on Enies Lobby too…"
So these were the enemies they would face this time.
"We must prepare ourselves mentally," Sanji said.
"Who cares?" Luffy said defiantly. "If we don't save Robin, she'll be killed. I don't care who the enemy is. I'll beat them all!"
Seeing Luffy march off in anger, Zoro muttered, "Our mission was decided from the start. Nothing will change that."
No threat, not even the Demon-Slaying Order, could shake their resolve to rescue a comrade.
"I know that," Zian said calmly. "I just want everyone to be mentally ready. It's unwise to rely on hope alone."
"Actually, the Demon-Slaying Order may not even be activated," Nami reasoned. "We're headed to Enies Lobby, right? They wouldn't trigger it there. Our priority is rescuing Robin first. Worry about the order later."
"But we still have to be ready if they do activate it," Zian said.
Since Sanji had brought the intelligence, they had to assume the worst from the start.
"If they really activate it, I'll find a way to stop them," Zian added. His current strength made him confident in confronting even a Vice Admiral, though five at once remained uncertain.
Sanji looked at him in surprise. He hadn't expected such self-assurance. He knew the threat of the Demon-Slaying Order, and he had some idea of the power five Vice Admirals represented. Even Smoker was only a Captain, after all.
"Alright, then let's plan our operation," Barry said, pulling out a sketch. "I've done maintenance on Enies Lobby before, so I drew this map. Take a look."
The crew gathered around as Barry pointed out the details. "From the front gate, there are two large doors. My idea is to get inside, open the main doors, and then you all follow using the Rocketman."
He looked at the Straw Hats. "CP9 is strong. You're the only ones who can handle them. Save your energy elsewhere; this is your task."
Zian examined the map. "How do we open the gates?"
Barry replied, "Someone just needs to go to the side doors to unlock them."
Zian waved his hand. "That won't be necessary."
"Why not?"
"Because I'll make them open it for me."
As he spoke, the Sharingan gleamed in his eyes.
Fight?
It wouldn't be needed at all.