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Chapter 170: All Fear is Born from Lack of Strength
Chapter 170: All Fear is Born from Lack of Strength
"Woooo—"
Not long after, amidst the towering waves, a long, slender object cut through the seawater, unfazed by the rolling tides, and swiftly moved forward, emitting a strange, wailing sound.
At the very front was a massive searchlight, illuminating the path ahead.
"The Sea Train!"
Reinette's eyes lit up, and her head stretched out like a hammer, reaching from the ship to the sea train as she eagerly tried to get a better look.
"Go and plunder Water 7 City. If you can get your hands on this technology, that would be fantastic." Sag said.
He didn't even need to remember this; with Owl by his side, a chatterbox who always seemed to be in the know, he could find out anything he wanted as long as the World Government was willing to share it with its subordinates.
These underlings might not have access to much intelligence, but Spandelm was a different story. It was understood that this guy had been in contact with Water 7 City as far back as a decade ago.
For a sea train like this to navigate the treacherous waters of the Grand Line and the paths occasionally attacked by sea kings, it undoubtedly required impressive technology.
The most challenging part wasn't the laid tracks but figuring out how to make the train run on them. The late Fishman Carpenter, Tom, had spent a decade crafting just two operational trains, and even then, the distance covered by the tracks over so many years was relatively short.
The rails passed through two routes: one on the very left and the other on the second route from the left. As for the distance covered, including Water 7 City itself, it spanned a total of four magnetic field islands.
In the vast ocean, it wasn't all that useful, and many still preferred ships.
After all, just the Grand Line itself was astonishingly vast, and four magnetic field islands were insignificant. Each route in the Grand Line had a different number of magnetic field islands, some more, some less.
This route, starting from Inverted Mountain, had fewer magnetic field islands than other routes. The three cities that Sag had plundered were all on routes with numerous magnetic field islands, making it quicker to fill up on magnetic force, and sailing by ship was more convenient.
How long had it been since they started shipbuilding?
Building railways, especially over the sea, took too long.
But if they were going to learn, Sag hoped that Reinette would be able to master it.
The climate in the New World was indeed more bizarre than the first half of the Grand Line, and if they managed to find a suitable territory, perhaps they could connect all their acquired lands later on, making travel even more convenient.
Of course, that would only be possible if they succeeded in their robbery!
Sag looked at the sea train rapidly approaching and about to pass by, a malicious smile curling his lips. He took a step forward, causing a wave of air to ripple under his feet, and then he swiftly leaped forward through the air.
Grabula and the other two followed suit, using the Moon Step to keep up with Sag as they all descended toward the speeding train.
Boom!
A thunderous bolt of lightning suddenly tore through the sky, illuminating the surrounding space for a brief moment.
In that fleeting instant of lightning and darkness, the figure that had been in the air just a moment ago now stood at the very front of the sea train, facing the Grim Reaper and laughing loudly: "The plan begins!"
"Let's go!"
Lily drew out White Thunder and pointed it toward Water 7 City. "Weigh anchor and set sail. Circle Water 7 City in a circular formation and wait for Sag's signal."
For this division of their forces, Sag carried a Den Den Mushi with him. As soon as the events on Judicial Island unfolded, he would notify Lily and the others to begin their operation.
"Whoo-ho-ho-ho! All that's left is to reach Judicial Island!"
Sag laughed heartily, paying no mind to Grabula, who had landed on the fourth car. He jumped between the connecting passageways of the cars, casually pushing open the door, and greeted the lone black-haired woman in her prime sitting there with a shocked expression on her face.
"It's been a while, Nico Robin."
"You—"
Robin's eyes widened, and she abruptly stood up, cold sweat breaking out on her skin as she exclaimed, "Sag! Why are you here?"
"Of course, it's for the same reason as you."
Sag strolled past the empty seats and plopped down next to Robin, leaning back comfortably. "This sofa's made of good material. As expected of the renowned sea train, everything is top-notch."
"Stop joking around, Sag!"
Robin said, her voice shaking with emotion: "I don't care what your goal is; just leave. I can handle this alone. The World Government doesn't need two Ohara survivors! You haven't truly experienced the terror of the World Government yet, Sag; it will drive you to despair!"
"Despair?"
Sag let out a disdainful laugh. "Sorry, but in my life so far, I've never known what despair is. As long as a person is alive, there is always hope!"
As long as he lived, he would persistently and unwaveringly pursue his goals.
Nothing could drive him to despair. He had failed so many times, and if he had ever felt true despair, he would have starved to death before even setting out to sea.
Robin's thoughts took a turn for the worse as she slumped back, her eyes losing their spark. "Have you also been threatened? Did you also sacrifice yourself for your companions? It makes sense; as fellow survivors of Ohara, the World Government will never tolerate us."
"What are you babbling about? What does this have to do with me sacrificing myself for my companions? My subordinates have always been the ones to make sacrifices for me. When has it ever been my turn to do the same for them?" Sag countered, giving her a peculiar look. "I'm here because I chose to be, because it's part of my plan. It has nothing to do with your wild imagination."
Robin remained silent.
"Is that not the case?" Sag asked, puzzled. "Sister, I don't care what you've done in the past, but now that you've joined Straw Hat's crew, you're a pirate! Pirates aren't supposed to be threatened by the World Government."
While pirates didn't provoke the World Government, they certainly weren't their allies.
Threatened by the World Government? Why would a pirate be threatened? If one was threatened before becoming a pirate, why would they still be after embracing the pirate's life?
What was the point of being a pirate then?
"That's the 'Buster Call'!" Robin exclaimed, her eyes narrowing as if recalling a distant memory. Instinctively, she hugged herself and said in a trembling voice, "Sag, you were too young back then to understand the terror it brings. It has the power to destroy everything!"
Robin had witnessed the destruction of Ohara, and although Sag was probably only two years old at the time and might not remember the exact cause, he likely recalled how it had happened.
The 'Buster Call' was indeed fearsome, especially with the vice admirals leading the charge.
"That's right! The 'Buster Call'!" Sag exclaimed, snapping his fingers as he remembered. "I recall now. That was what started the incident at Enies Lobby, and it's also why those warships showed up. I think that idiot Gabura has it."
In other words...
"All I need to do is get my hands on it, and I won't have to wait around! With that, I can mobilize the Marines whenever I want!" Sag explained.
"You don't understand, Sag!" Robin cried out, her entire body shaking. "Do you know what the 'Buster Call' represents? We're both from Ohara, and its destruction was caused by that very order. It's the ultimate weapon capable of indiscriminately attacking an island and obliterating everything on it!"
"Yeah, I saw it," Sag replied nonchalantly.
A cruel smile spread across his face as he continued, "It used to be powerful because of those vice admirals leading the charge. But now, the vice admirals might not be as formidable, so what's the big deal?"
Ten large warships? Five vice admirals?
So what?
Even when Sag was two years old, he hadn't found warships particularly impressive. After all, it was people who controlled the ships, and no one could match his Haoshoku Haki.
Back then, he had only awakened his Haoshoku Haki a little late, and by then, it was too late to do anything but be swallowed by the sea beast.
Even at that time, he had only been intimidated by the vice admirals who could stand against his Haoshoku Haki.
Now, however...
He feared nothing.
"All fear is born from a lack of strength, Nico Robin. Your fear stems from your own weakness, both in power and in your heart," Sag asserted, extending his hand and clenching it into a fist. "The 'Buster Call' may seem like an all-destroying, ultimate terror to you, but to me, it's merely a tool to mobilize the Marines and accomplish my plans!"
"You'll be killed!" Robin warned, her voice filled with despair. "It's not too late. Leave now, and I'll take the blame. I'll offer myself to the World Government in exchange for them sparing you."
As soon as she finished speaking, she paused, bowing her head in dejection and despair.
Could it really be that simple? She had already made a similar bargain once, offering herself to spare the Straw Hat crew.
Would it work again, offering herself as an Oharan scholar with knowledge of the True History, in exchange for Sag, who was also from Ohara?
Sag glanced at her sideways. "Forget it. I'll make sure you're safe because of what you just said, but I doubt it'll come to that."
Some things never changed.
This kind and pessimistic woman...
He shook his head, paying no further attention to her dejected state. Instead, he called out to the outside of the carriage, "Hey! Bring me some food! I'm hungry!"
...
Almost simultaneously with Sag's entrance into the carriage, in the second carriage, a World Government official was reporting to the four people inside: "In the seventh car is CP6's Jerry, guarding the seventh car. The sixth car is guarded by the twins. The fifth car is guarded by T-Bone, a former royal knight and current Navy Headquarters colonel."
Chapter 170: All Fear is Born from Lack of Strength
"The fourth section is the external dining car, guarded by CP7's Mizuke. The third section is for new recruits, including Rob Lucci, and so on."
"However, intruders have already infiltrated the sixth and seventh cars, and we don't know where they are," the man continued, his voice filled with concern.
The group escorting Nico Robin was sizeable, including not only World Government officials but also Navy personnel. Despite their seemingly foolproof plan, they had just received alarming news that intruders had accessed the last two cars, and Cart Frampton, who had been locked in the sixth car, had disappeared.
One of the four people in the carriage, a stern-looking man with a black top hat and a trim goatee, spoke up: "Search the carriages thoroughly. No one could have boarded midway, so the intruders must have gotten on at the station."
"We apologize for our negligence!" The World Government official lowered his head, his face pale with fear.
The man before them was none other than Rob Lucci, the most brilliant talent CP9 had seen in eight centuries.
He was a terrifying man.
Failure to complete this mission would undoubtedly result in severe consequences, perhaps even death.
"That may not necessarily be the case. It's possible that they boarded midway," Lucci countered, his brow furrowed.
Suddenly, the carriage door swung open, and a voice called out from the threshold.
Lucci's furrowed brow relaxed, only to crease again in surprise as he turned toward the door.
"Oh?" The long-nosed man exclaimed, "What brings you here?"
Without waiting for a response, a sphere flew into the carriage toward the four occupants.
The group exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and understanding.
Among them, a tall man stood up and kicked the sphere toward a blonde woman with glasses.
She adjusted her glasses and delivered a swift kick, sending the sphere flying back toward the long-nosed man.
He punched it away, redirecting it toward the entrance of the carriage.
From the doorway, a figure caught the sphere and paused, eyes closed, before speaking: "Kalifa, 630."
A beautiful, mature woman with golden hair and an intelligent air about her smiled faintly.
"Bruno, 820."
The tall man remained expressionless.
"Kaku, 2200."
The long-nosed man seemed unconcerned.
"Lucci, 4000."
Lucci lifted his head slightly, his gaze shifting to the three figures at the front of the carriage.
The owl in the center introduced himself: "I am Owl, 850."
"Grabula, 900."
"Sag, 2300."
"Four thousand?!?"
Grabula stepped into the carriage and shouted at Owl, "Hey, are you sure you didn't make a mistake? How can this guy have so much Spirit Power?!"
"Oh? I thought I had surpassed you by now," Kaku said, surprised, looking at Grabula.
"What are you looking at? Are you implying that my Spirit Power is inferior to yours? Don't make me laugh! I, Grabula, am incredibly strong!"
Grabula gritted his teeth and added, "And stop calling me old! It's true that I'll get old if you keep bringing it up!"
"That's because Grabula here wanted to compete with us to see who's the best at Rokushiki, so he brought us along to train. Our Spirit Power has increased because of that, otherwise, Kaku, you'd be the second-best, chibababa."
Owl hopped around excitedly, "Long time no see, everyone!"
"I thought we agreed not to mention that, Owl!" Grabula exclaimed.
"Yo-yo-yi! It's been a while, how embarrassing!"
Grabula fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. He drew his rib saber and declared, "We failed to protect our ship and were blackmailed by the enemy. I can't face my companions, so I must atone for my sins by committing seppuku!"
"Iron Block."
Clang!
The saber struck his abdomen, followed by the sound of metal colliding.
"You won't die that easily, yo-yo-yi!"
"Hahahaha!" Grabula laughed with malicious amusement.
"Long time no see, but why are the three of you here?"
Lucci frowned, "Weren't you supposed to be gathering intelligence on the 'Calamity' ship? Why did you board the train midway? Did you get the Calamity's head?"
"How could that be possible? That guy is so terrifying; I can't even imagine who could take his head," Grabula waved his hand.
"Sag came with us and is now in the first car," he added.
"The first car?"
The World Government official who had been reporting earlier narrowed his eyes, "That's where the criminal, Nico Robin, is being held!"
"Hey, bring me some food! I'm hungry!"
Before anyone could react, a voice rang out from the direction of the first carriage, interrupting their conversation.
(End of Chapter)
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