Boom!
In an instant, Bai Yu, prepared with various abilities, looked up at the sky.
"…What is this?"
Nami, who had just rushed out of the cloud world, was also stunned.
Next to her, Nojiko, standing on the island cloud, was equally surprised. "Is someone attacking the spaceship?"
"The ship will be fine, right?" Conis asked worriedly. She loved the ship—her room was big and beautiful, and it had all kinds of musical instruments from the Blue Sea.
"Bai Yu said that unless they have special abilities, attacking the ship physically or with energy won't be enough to damage it."
Hearing that, Nami breathed a sigh of relief before quickly gathering everyone and flying toward Bai Yu.
Swish!
Bai Yu teleported to Nami and the others. His gaze fell upon Kalifa, who was unconscious and bound, and he raised an eyebrow. "She is…? Never mind. Let's return to the ship first."
Swish!
In an instant, Bai Yu teleported everyone back through the spaceship's energy shield.
Meanwhile…
Aokiji: "…"
This was sloppy. He had chosen the wrong target.
Still airborne, Aokiji gazed at the massive spaceship resting on the island cloud from a distance. He recalled Sengoku's words—take down the crew first. And that's exactly what he intended to do.
Destroying Bai Yu's ship first would buy more time.
Thus, Aokiji quickly stepped forward using Geppo (Moonwalk), scanning the area with Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) as he prepared to investigate.
However, what he saw left him stunned mid-air.
Standing in perfect formation on the deck were 100 female robots, each about one meter tall, their entire bodies made of sleek white metal.
"So many… robots?"
Aokiji was momentarily confused.
But he was a veteran of many battles. Sensing no immediate presence, he made a quick decision—freeze the ship first, then search for the crew later.
"Ice Age!"
Aokiji unleashed his power. The island cloud instantly froze, and the cold surged toward the spaceship.
However—
Hum!
The moment the ice reached the bottom of the spaceship, a light blue energy shield activated, completely isolating the cold.
"A barrier?"
Aokiji hesitated.
Testing further, he summoned massive ice pillars and launched them at the shield. The impact caused a loud roar, drawing Bai Yu's attention within seconds.
At the same time, Nico Robin stepped onto the deck.
Seeing her, Aokiji fell silent.
One wrong move had led to another.
At Marine Headquarters
Watching Bai Yu vanish from the live broadcast, Sengoku nodded slightly. "Aokiji is efficient. Maybe he has already captured the crew. Now, we just have to see how Bai Yu responds."
"It shouldn't be that easy…" Kizaru muttered, feeling uneasy.
"Wait, what is that?"
The camera feed shifted and froze, showing a skyward view of the unfolding scene. The admirals leaned in, watching closely.
Back at the Scene
Just as Aokiji was about to speak, Nami turned to Bai Yu. "Has flight mode been activated?"
Seeing Bai Yu nod, Nami waved her hand.
"Alright, down you go, you damn thief!"
Boom!
With a swift attack, Nami shattered the island cloud beneath Aokiji's feet. The frozen surface cracked, and suddenly, Aokiji found himself falling.
Using Geppo, he stabilized himself mid-air.
"Athena, fire at him! Use the laser cannons!"
At Nami's command, a holographic figure appeared on a circular platform on the deck.
"Yes, Ms. Nami."
It was Athena, the advanced AI.
"Target locked."
"Laser cannons charging."
Buzz!
Fifteen cannon muzzles at the front of the spaceship began glowing with energy, causing Aokiji to frown.
"Energy-based attacks?"
He immediately distanced himself, cold mist forming around his hands.
"Fire!"
At Athena's signal, fifteen blue laser beams erupted, all aimed at Aokiji.
"Ice Wall!"
Aokiji instinctively erected a thick ice barrier.
Boom!
The laser blasts shattered the ice wall instantly. The residual energy surged forward, blasting apart chunks of ice in the sky.
Fragments rained down.
Hiss!
A hush fell over the City of Water, Water 7.
As the island cloud broke apart, the spaceship—now in full flight mode—was revealed for all to see.
A massive spherical energy shield enveloped the spaceship, which spanned hundreds of meters in size.
Under the sunlight, the ship's metallic sheen gleamed, impossible to look away from.
Majestic. Grand. Unparalleled.
"This… this ship?!"
On the island, Franky's jaw dropped.
"No way… Is that thing entirely metal?! And was that a laser cannon just now?"
"It's… so cool!"
It wasn't just Franky. Every shipwright in Water 7 stared at the spaceship in awe.
This was beyond anything they had ever imagined.
Marine Headquarters
Sengoku, watching the broadcast, was momentarily stunned.
A ship flying through the sky—it instantly reminded him of the Golden Lion.
But more than that—how the hell was Aokiji supposed to chase Bai Yu now?!
The entire battle plan had collapsed.
Meanwhile, reporters in Water 7 snapped photos frantically.
They smelled big news.
Aboard the Spaceship
Ignoring Aokiji, Bai Yu turned around and embraced Nico Robin, who was trembling slightly.
Aokiji had once let Robin escape. But for her, his presence still evoked fear—memories of watching Saul being frozen, the overwhelming force of the World Government behind Aokiji.
Yet, in Bai Yu's arms, she found comfort.
"Why don't you hug me like this normally?" Robin suddenly asked.
Bai Yu blinked, then chuckled. "Didn't want to make you shy. Besides, I'm a serious man."
Robin scoffed. Liar.
She knew exactly what went on between him, Nami, and Makino at night.
At least the ship's soundproofing was good.
Bai Yu whispered, "Are you still afraid? Or should I just destroy the World Government?"
Robin smiled. "Go on, then."
Bai Yu smirked. "No need to rush. A slow death is much crueler, don't you think?"
Robin rolled her eyes playfully.
"But for now, let's start collecting some debts."
Turning to Athena, Bai Yu commanded, "Scan the area. Look for three connected islands surrounded by iron fences—the one with a massive gate. Mark Enies Lobby as our destination. Move forward at full speed."
"Yes, Master."
Athena activated the radar. With a 4,000-kilometer scan range, locating Enies Lobby was effortless.
Whoosh!
The spaceship shot forward, vanishing into the sky in an instant.
Back to Aokiji
"Ara…? They just left?"
Standing on a frozen patch of sea, Aokiji looked around, bewildered.
They had completely ignored him.
Marine HQ
"Their target—where?!" Sengoku barked.
A Marine officer, drenched in sweat, stammered, "S-Sir… Enies Lobby!"
Bang!
Sengoku slammed his fist on the table.
"Too arrogant!"
"Kizaru, intercept him immediately! Aokiji, you go too!"
Sengoku's fury exploded.
"I know he's fast, but what about his crew?! If two Admirals can't even capture one of them… you both can look forward to confinement!"
"Moving out now!"
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