Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

"Damn it...who does that bastard think he is?!" Spandam roared, slamming his fist against the table, his face flushed with rage. His clenched fists trembled, more from frustration than fury.

"You looked really scared, boss. Chapapa!" Fukurou quipped bluntly, his round face unbothered by the tension in the room.

Spandam's livid gaze snapped toward him, veins bulging in his forehead, but before he could unleash his temper, Lucci's calm, icy voice cut through.

"There's no need for anger, Director. He'll soon understand the consequences of crossing us." Though Lucci's tone remained composed, the subtle edge of simmering rage beneath his words was unmistakable.

Spandam gritted his teeth, his anger briefly tempered by Lucci's presence.

"He comes under Isgor's orders, though." Jabra muttered, leaning back with arms crossed, his usual cockiness replaced by a flicker of unease. "That's the creep even the higher-ups avoid, right?"

"Right…and Toji even had proof of it." Spandam mumbled, his bluster deflating slightly at the mention of the man backing Toji.

"So what?" Lucci's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a low growl. "Toji Fushiguro won't live long enough to enjoy that protection." A sharp grin crept across his face, cold and predatory. "The Straw Hats sadly managed to kill him—we'll simply claim we avenged him."

"Hahaha! I see!" Spandam's mood shifted in an instant, an eager grin spreading across his face as if he'd crafted the plan himself. "Once Yorozu and Blueno return with those brats, we'll use them to lure out Toji Fushiguro. And when he comes back for 'The Cursed Being' Ryomen…" His grin grew wider, eyes gleaming with delight. "We strike!"

Spandam's fervor blinded him to the wary glances his agents exchanged at the word "we."

"Unlikely." Lucci stated flatly, ending Spandam's premature triumph.

"Huh? Are you saying they can't handle a few measly pirates?" Spandam snapped, his pride flaring again.

"You underestimate them." Lucci shot back, his sharp gaze shifting to Kalifa and Kaku. "They've already proven capable of standing against us."

Kalifa's jaw tightened, her usual cool demeanor slipping for a moment as she glanced away. Kaku's expression mirrored hers, guilt flickering behind his stoic face.

"Do not worry, Lucci-san!" Kumadori boomed suddenly, striking an overly dramatic pose, his voice echoing with exaggerated bravado. "They cannot withstand all of us! Yoyoi!"

"We'll handle it." Kaku muttered, his voice firm.

"This time will be different." Kalifa added quietly, her eyes narrowing with determination. "We've grown stronger since our last encounter."

"Hmph. We'll see." Lucci dismissed coldly, his disinterest evident as the conversation dwindled.

Suddenly, the doors to the room burst open with a loud BANG! An officer stumbled inside, panting heavily. He clutched a Den Den Mushi tightly in his trembling hands.

"Director Spandam!" The officer gasped. "The main gate officers are trying to contact you—it's urgent!"

Spandam groaned, rubbing his temples in irritation. "What now?" He snatched the transponder snail from the officer's shaky hands. "This better be important."

…

The clash between Ryomen and Yorozu raged on, their blows echoing across the roof. 

Yorozu's breath grew heavier, her frustration mounting. 'Unbelievable…such Haki mastery. It might even rival Lucci's!' Her eyes narrowed at the dark liquid armor rippling across Ryomen's body, blocking each of her strikes.

Ryomen smirked, his stance relaxed despite the intensity of their duel. "Looks like you're starting to tire out. How about you step aside, and I won't kill you?" His words carried the weight of a genuine threat, despite the casual tone.

"Tired?" Yorozu threw her head back with a manic laugh. "Hahaha! No, not even close! But you're right about one thing—this isn't going anywhere." Her grin widened. "So how about we change that?"

"One last trick, huh? Alright, let's see it." Ryomen's eyes gleamed with anticipation, his fingers flexing slightly.

"This is my ultimate technique." Yorozu declared, spreading her arms wide. Plates of metallic substance began forming around her, layer upon layer. "Forged through witnessing countless evolutions. Witness perfection!"

'She's leaving herself open.' Ryomen realized instantly. Without hesitation, he closed the distance with a burst of speed, his hand slicing through the air like a blade.

"Cursed Cleave!"

Yorozu's eyes widened. 'Too fast!' She hastily formed a dense plate over her abdomen, just in time to intercept Ryomen's strike. The impact pushed Yorozu back, as the plate was instantly destroyed.

"Tsk." Ryomen clicked his tongue, annoyed he hadn't finished her off.

"You bastard! Don't you have any sense of honor?!" Yorozu spat, her concentration wavering, causing the armor to stop its completion.

"Honor won't help me win." Ryomen's response was cold, matter-of-fact.

Yorozu's face twisted with rage beneath her mask. "I'll cut off all those extra limbs of yours and feed you to every single member of CP9!!"

"That's why you were ranting about numbers earlier? Man, you guys really are weirdos." Ryomen's smirk deepened, knowing exactly how to provoke her.

"You—"

Before she could finish, a thunderous crash interrupted them. Blueno's battered body slammed into the ground nearby, drawing Yorozu's attention for a brief, fatal second.

That's all Ryomen needed.

"Cursed Armament!" His fist struck Yorozu square in the chest with devastating force. The impact sent her hurtling backward, crashing through stone.

But she wasn't done yet.

Gritting her teeth, Yorozu extended her arms, attempting to form wings from her armor fragments to halt her descent.

'Not happening.'

"Dismantle."

A thin, invisible slash severed the forming wings mid-creation, reducing them to shards. Yorozu's scream of frustration was swallowed by the roaring wind as she plummeted toward the sea below.

Ryomen exhaled, his stance relaxing slightly.

"You done?" Luffy's voice broke the silence as he approached, a casual grin on his face.

"Yeah." Ryomen replied, his expression blank. "Unlikely she'll survive that."

But in the back of his mind, the familiar, disdainful voice echoed.

'It's unlikely she didn't.'

Ryomen's brow twitched. 'Hm? How would you know?'

'...Someone swooped in to save her.' It replied with an annoyed sigh.

'Why are you telling me this?' Ryomen questioned, but the voice faded into silence.

He sighed, his gaze shifting back to Luffy, who watched him curiously.

Noticing the subtle tremor in his captain's arms, Ryomen asked. "You good?"

Luffy chuckled, brushing it off. "Hmhm! Just not used to using Second Gear!"

"Second Gear. huh?" Ryomen muttered, recalling Luffy's mention of a new attack on the Sea Train.

Luffy's fist clenched with renewed determination. "We should get going now!!"

Ryomen nodded, his expression hardening. "Yeah. Let's not keep Robin waiting any longer."

…

"Hurry up! Take them away!"

Spandam's enraged voice echoed through the stone walls as several marines seized Robin and Franky by the arms, dragging them roughly.

"The train will depart soon, and you'll face your sentence!" Spandam barked, his face twisted with triumph and fury.

"The hell crawled up your ass all of a sudden?" Franky scoffed, struggling against the marines with little effort but refusing to cooperate.

'Could it be…?' Robin's thoughts trailed off as she caught the flicker of fear hidden behind Spandam's bravado. 'No. Stop it.' She shook her head slightly, refusing to nurture the fragile seed of hope trying to bloom in her heart.

"A few dozen nobodies…managing to take down over two thousand of my men and making our giants betray us!!" Spandam's voice cracked, unable to mask his frustration.

Franky burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Is that so? Those idiots are actually pulling it off!" Despite his words, pride flickered beneath his grin. 'Those guys came for me too.' He thought, the warmth of that realization settling in his chest.

'So many…' Robin's eyes widened in surprise, but her worry didn't dwindle.

"No matter what…I won't leave you to face this alone."

Ryomen's words from Water Seven echoed in her mind. A sad smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

'I don't deserve it…' She clenched her teeth as the marines dragged her forward.

"ROBIN!!"

A desperate shout pierced through the tower's thick walls.

Spandam froze. "Who the hell—?" He rushed to the nearest window, shoving a marine aside to peer out.

His face went pale.

Atop the main gate stood Ryomen and Luffy, glaring at the Tower of Justice with unwavering determination. Near their feet lay Blueno, unconscious and defeated.

"Those two… They actually got past Yorozu and Blueno!" Spandam's voice trembled, disbelief etched across his face.

"Those idiots…why?" Robin whispered, her heart clenching painfully.

"Like you need to ask." Franky grumbled. "They care about you. What more do you want to hear?"

"I…I don't know…" Robin looked down, her fingers curling into fists.

"We're gonna take you from these assholes!!" Luffy roared, pulling out two large chunks of meat from his pockets and chomping down to regain his strength.

"Do you hear, Robin?! We'll save you!!" Ryomen bellowed, his voice raw with emotion.

Spandam staggered back from the window. "H-How…? How did they lose!?"

"Director, are you alright?" A marine cautiously asked.

"No…no, no, no! Call Lucci and the others! I want the Straw Hat pirates—completely annihilated!!" Spandam shrieked, spit flying with each word.

"Yes, sir!" The marines scrambled to obey.

Franky glanced at Robin, his tone softer now. "Raise your head already. They've come this far…that's really something."

"They shouldn't have come at all." Robin shot back, her voice sharp, masking the tremor beneath.

"Because you're afraid they'll die?" Franky pressed. "If you keep pushing them away, they'll just keep coming. And yeah, maybe one day your fears will come true."

Robin didn't respond, her heart waging a war against itself.

…

"Is she hearing us?" Luffy asked, squinting toward the tower.

"Even if she can't…" Ryomen cracked his knuckles. "We're storming in either way."

"Wonder when the others are gonna show up." Luffy mumbled, glancing back.

"Doesn't matter. The two of us are enough."

'Are you really?' The familiar voice slithered through Ryomen's mind, dripping with sarcasm. 'Last time you fought that yellow mutt, you got a hole in your chest.'

'I couldn't use my powers then. It'll be different now.' Ryomen shot back, his jaw tightening.

'But fighting alongside your friends would be the obvious choice, wouldn't it?'

'I don't need them for this.' Ryomen insisted. 'I can do this myself.'

Before the mental conflict could spiral further, Luffy's excited shout snapped him back.

"Robin!! Thank goodness you're here!!"

Ryomen followed Luffy's gaze. There, standing on a crumbled balcony, were Robin and Franky. The wall behind them had been blasted open, debris still crumbling.

"Looks like Franky's with her too." Luffy noted.

"Let's go there!" Ryomen instructed.

"Hang on!" Luffy replied as he prepared to launch the two of them toward the Tower.

But Robin's voice interrupted all of their plans.

"HOW MANY TIMES MUST I TELL YOU!? I'M NOT COMING BACK!!"

The words hit harder than any punch.

"GO HOME! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR FACES EVER AGAIN!!"

Luffy and Ryomen froze, stunned into silence. Even Franky stared at her in disbelief.

"WHY DID YOU COME TO SAVE ME?! DID I EVER ASK YOU TO?!"

"Robin…" Ryomen's voice was low, hurt flickering beneath his stoic exterior.

"I JUST WANT TO DIE!!" She screamed, her face a mask of fury, though her eyes betrayed the cracks beneath.

"The hell are you talking about?!" Ryomen roared back, fury snapping through his restraint. "STOP LYING!!"

He took a step forward, fists clenched. "Did you forget what you told me? That I should take responsibility for making you live?! That we're bonded now?! Whether you like it or not, I'll never give up on you!!"

Robin's breath hitched. She squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them, her expression cold and distant.

"I know what I said." She whispered. "But what could you possibly do to help me now?"

Ryomen's words died in his throat.

"Hey, Robin! That's not fair!" Luffy snapped, stepping forward—only for Ryomen to hold out an arm, stopping him.

"Don't." Ryomen muttered, his eyes dark. "We're not getting anywhere like this."

…

"What the hell's wrong with you?!" Franky barked. "They risked their lives to come here!"

"That was their choice." Robin replied softly, but her voice trembled.

Before Franky could argue, a powerful kick from Kaku slammed him into the wall, leaving him crumpled on the floor.

"You're in my way." Kaku muttered coldly, walking past.

"Ahahaha! Hey, Kaku, still bitter about your weird giraffe fruit?" Jabra teased, snickering.

"Shut up. I like it." Kaku snapped.

"Enough." Lucci ordered, his voice sharp. "We're moving out."

The agents passed Robin without a second glance.

"Wahaha! Let's wait a bit." Spandam cackled. "The Straw Hats seem to be tearing themselves apart. This is better than I could've hoped for!"

…

Outside, all the CP9 agents stood aligned, their cold gazes fixed on Ryomen and Luffy.

"Oh? Only these two? After all that boasting, Yorozu's nowhere to be seen." Kalifa sneered, adjusting her glasses with a flick of disdain.

"It seems they're not to be underestimated after all." Kumadori muttered, his expression unusually serious beneath his wild hair.

"Hah! Blueno got flattened like a pancake! What an idiot!" Jabra laughed, baring his sharp teeth in amusement.

"Five years tending a bar would dull anyone's edge." Lucci remarked flatly, his arms crossed. "Though I doubt Yorozu would go down that easily."

"Still…where is she?" Kaku questioned, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Don't worry! I bet she'll pop up soon enough—chapapa!" Fukurou chimed in, his grin as wide as ever, though even his voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

As tension thickened, sudden explosions erupted behind Ryomen and Luffy.

Smoke plied, and out of the holes leaped the rest of the Straw Hats.

"Ugh, my clothes are all filthy now." Nami groaned, dusting herself off.

"At least you're not hurt." Chopper replied, shaking debris from his fur.

Zoro grumbled. "Should've just climbed like this instead of taking those damn stairs."

From the second hole, Sanji flew out, striking a landing pose.

"Robin, I've come to—Mosshead?!" He froze, noticing Zoro already there.

"What happened? Lost again?" Zoro smirked.

"You bastard!!" Sanji lunged—

But before they could bicker, a figure soared through the air.

"Is that Usopp?" Luffy blinked.

Usopp flailed mid-flight, hands clasped in prayer. "THE GIANTS ARE CRAZY!!"

As the crew reunited, Ryomen stepped forward, his voice cutting through the noise.

"ROBIN!!"

She flinched.

"Just leave the rest to us!!"

For the first time, Robin's mask wavered.