The Attack

Chapter 179: The Attack

BOOM!

A creature with a fiery red body and three tails pierced through the walls, roaring loudly, its enraged howl echoing throughout the Judicial Island!

"What's going on? What's that sound?" Rob Lucci, the strongest member of CP9, frowned, sensing that something was amiss. Suddenly, he had a foreboding feeling that had lingered in his mind ever since they brought Robin to Enies Lobby, and it was not easy to dispel.

He didn't like this feeling.

Robin, her abilities sealed by Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs, raised her head, wearing an expression that seemed to say, "I knew it." 

Her heart was filled with a mix of emotions—gratitude, anxiety—because she knew who had arrived. From the moment she had come to this place, she knew he would come, but she hadn't expected it to be so soon.

Captain...

"ROAR!!!"

The sound grew louder, and Rob Lucci felt the temperature dropping rapidly all around them.

Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!

The sound of howling echoed within the Tower of Justice, and this time, Rob Lucci heard it clearly—it was the howling of wolves.

How was that possible? Why would there be wolves here? Could it be a Devil Fruit user with such abilities?

He sniffed the air, even in his human form as the user of the Cat-Cat Fruit Model: Leopard, he had a strong sense of smell. He smelled snow—the icy cold scent that he remembered all too well.

But... why would there be snow here?

He furrowed his brows and looked at Robin, asking, "Do you know something?"

Robin simply smiled and replied, "He's here. I was foolish, really. I can't believe I trusted you all to use the Buster Call and didn't have faith in Captain's power."

The only way Robin could leave Rodney covertly was through the Buster Call, and having witnessed the destructive power of the Buster Call, she knew it was a terrifying force—one that could obliterate ten warships, five vice admirals, and the elite forces of the Marines. It had the potential to wipe out most major powers in the world.

She wasn't doubting Rodney's strength; she was doubting the World Government. As the only person in the world who knew the true history, she knew the World Government would never let her go. If one day, the World Government really decided to act against her, Avellone would likely turn into a sea of flames.

It was Rodney's and the children's hard work. Those kids should never have a childhood like hers. They were the "future" that Rodney had nurtured, and nothing could be allowed to happen to them.

That was why she had chosen to follow Rob Lucci's group here.

She just hadn't expected Rodney to be so fast. "Robyn, you dare to run off without my permission! I'll have to settle accounts with you after this," Rodney said, his face looking grim.

Robin smiled brightly, "I'm sorry, Captain. I ventured out on my own."

"In that case, you can serve me tea and water for a month when you go back! That's your punishment!"

"That's too severe!" Robin chuckled. 

"How about two weeks?"

"Two months! And no using your Devil Fruit powers!"

"One week! Not a day more," Robin negotiated. 

"Captain, what do you think?"

"Hmph! Forget it, after dealing with these small fries, I'll come back and deal with you!" Although he spoke of punishment, Rodney's tone didn't carry any blame. It even touched her.

Rob Lucci and the others had long faces. Did these two not care about them at all? Did they consider them insignificant due to the vast difference in strength?

Rob Lucci said, "Shichibukai Rodney, don't get too arrogant. This is Enies Lobby, and every move you make here is being monitored by Den Den Mushi surveillance."

"Oh? Is that so?" Rodney scratched his head and said, "I didn't see that along the way."

"How is that possible? There are cameras on the walls..." Rob Lucci looked up, only to see the Den Den Mushi surveillance devices covered in a layer of ice. This sent a chill down his spine.

Undeterred, he continued, "Attacking Enies Lobby will result in your removal from the Shichibukai!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Even though I no longer care about my Shichibukai status, I still want to profit from it. So, except for that group of people, everyone who sees me today will die." Rodney flashed a sinister smile, sending shivers down the spines of the CP9 members.

It felt as if they were being targeted by a fearsome beast. Rob Lucci bit his tongue, forcing himself to regain his composure. What they had witnessed was not Haoshoku Haki; it was pure killing intent—unconcealed and directed at them.

He was truly going to oppose the World Government!

This guy was definitely not as simple as his outward appearance of greed for riches. He harbored even more terrifying plans, the details of which remained unknown, but his depth of thought was unfathomable.

Thinking this, Rob Lucci felt that the person before them had a terrifyingly hidden agenda, one they couldn't grasp. In his first reaction, Rob Lucci wanted to capture Robin to use her as leverage against Rodney. He understood that Rodney was here for the "Devil Child," and if they held Robin hostage, they might be able to negotiate a retreat.

His speed was incredibly fast, and as a user of the Cat-Cat Fruit series, his movements were lightning-fast.

But someone was even faster. Robin had disappeared from beside him, and Rodney had an additional figure by his side, encased in a red chakra hand.

"So, you thought you could threaten me with my own people? You really underestimate the allure of your golden voice." Rodney scoffed, showing his disdain for Rob Lucci.

This guy was loyal to the World Government through and through. There was no room for negotiation, and it might be possible to use him as leverage if they could find a way to get him on their side.

"Extend your hand!"

Robin obediently extended the handcuffed hand, and Rodney reached out with a finger. Chakra flowed from his fingertip into the lock, forming a makeshift key out of coral. With a gentle twist, the Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs were unlocked.

Three-Tails had an ability called "Coral Fist," which could create dense coral formations upon impact, slowing down the target's movements. For people in this world, the weight was completely negligible, making it more of a hindrance than anything else. However, Rodney had ingeniously used this ability as a makeshift lockpick. Surprisingly, it worked well.

Then, he turned his attention to the rest of them and said, "Alright, those who have captured my people and thought of using her to threaten me, we have some settling to do."