Chapter 127: The Gate of Justice

Throughout Buffon’s entire account, Robin’s expression shifted continuously, yet she did not interrupt him once. After listening, she remained stunned for a full minute before slowly saying, "If your deduction is correct, then Enies Lobby likely holds critical clues regarding the missing hundred years. Captain Buffon, I once again request to join the Juventus Pirates." This time, Robin’s expression was far more earnest than when she had left Alabasta.

Buffon did not give an immediate answer. He knew perfectly well that if his hypothesis held true, having Robin search for clues on Thriller Bark would be far more efficient than her running around the world with the Straw Hat Pirates, chasing after Poneglyphs. Moreover, his own ship was home to Robin’s old friend and savior, Saul. After a moment of contemplation, Buffon said, "Very well. How do you intend to bid farewell to Luffy and the others?"

Hearing this, Robin regained her usual composure and replied with a smile, "You don't need to worry about that, Captain Buffon! Do you have any tasks for me now?"

Buffon thought for a moment and said, "If I’m not mistaken, your Hana Hana no Mi (Flower-Flower Fruit) ability should be useful for eavesdropping. Help me gather information from the Marines here in Water 7 regarding the transport ships coming from Marine Headquarters that will pass through Enies Lobby on their way to Impel Down."

Robin nodded in agreement and left the inn to return to the Straw Hat crew. As for how she would leave them, Buffon was not worried; as the former Vice President of Baroque Works, she was not a person to be trifled with. In the original story, after joining the Straw Hats, her character had been forced into a state of diminished intellect—becoming docile while her combat prowess significantly declined. Buffon did not want to see that happen on the Juventus.

After Robin left, Buffon activated his Suke Suke no Mi (Clear-Clear Fruit) ability and headed to Blueno’s Bar, the spot where CP9 frequently met to exchange intelligence. He figured it was the most concentrated source of information in all of Water 7. Buffon was in luck; upon arriving, he encountered Lucci, who had come for a "drink."

He followed Lucci into the secret chamber hidden deep within the bar. The moment the door opened, Kalifa and Blueno were already waiting inside. Perhaps due to professional instinct, Lucci had felt eyes on him since entering the bar. Seizing the moment the secret door opened, he fired a Shigan (Finger Pistol) into the "empty" space behind him. Only after confirming that no one was following did he enter the chamber.

Seeing this, Blueno teased, "Lucci, you’re being a bit too cautious, aren't you? There was nothing behind you, yet you had to test it with a Shigan. If I find any damage to the bar’s walls later, you'll be paying for the repairs."

"The time to close the net is almost upon us. It’s better to be careful to ensure the mission’s success. Tell us, why did you call us here?"

Responding to Lucci’s inquiry, Blueno said, "The rewards for completing this mission have been finalized by the higher-ups: two Devil Fruits. So, hurry up. Also, there is confirmed news that the Straw Hat crew has officially entered Water 7, and Nico Robin is with them."

Upon hearing this, Kalifa asked, "So, does the higher-ups' intent mean we are to capture Nico Robin as well?"

"Yes. She is the only person in the world who can decipher the ancient texts. The blueprints for Pluton require her to read them!" Blueno explained.

Had Buffon heard this, he would certainly have taken preemptive measures to prevent Robin’s capture. However, after dodging Lucci’s attack earlier, he had failed to follow Lucci into the room. Through the wall, he couldn't hear a thing. After waiting a while, it suddenly dawned on him.

Blueno, inside the chamber, was a user of the Doa Doa no Mi (Door-Door Fruit). The door they had just used was likely created by his ability. Once inside, the three of them were likely in an isolated dimension. Thinking of this, Buffon shook his head and made his way out of the bar. He would never let the blood and abilities of these CP9 members go to waste, especially Blueno’s Door-Door Fruit.

After finishing their discussion, Lucci returned to Dock One. From Kaku, he learned that the Straw Hats had come to have their ship repaired. "Kaku, keep a close eye on them. Nico Robin is hidden among them. We must capture that Woman of Sin."

Kaku nodded. "Don't worry, I'll watch them. The time to close the net is approaching, isn't it?"

Lucci nodded, released his pigeon, Hattori, and continued, "With the Straw Hats on the island, many things will become much easier."

Not long after, Hattori returned with a new piece of information. Upon learning it, Lucci frowned inexplicably, then said coldly, "Those weaklings in the Navy are truly useless, allowing a rookie pirate to run wild on the seas like this. If he dares to go to Enies Lobby, I will kill him myself!"

"What are you talking about, Lucci?" Kaku asked.

Lucci remained silent, and Hattori spoke for him using ventriloquism: "Spandam, that fool, has been locked up in the Enies Lobby prison."

"By whom?"

"Cassidy Buffon!"

"Is that the rookie pirate the World Government is trying to capture in secret?" Kaku’s tone sharpened, though his voice remained low enough for only the two of them to hear.

"Yes. Moria was his captain. Now that Moria has been captured and is being transported from Marine Headquarters to Impel Down, the higher-ups want us to keep a watch. This kid might try to intercept the transport ship at Enies Lobby!"

After hearing Hattori’s report, Kaku said coldly, "Does that mean he is nearby?"

"Don't worry about that. A guy who could escape from Konohana-sakuya-hime won't leave behind flaws for us to find him easily. He will only appear when the transport ship arrives!" Kaku nodded and said nothing more.

...

The next morning, at the first light of dawn, Buffon and Mr. 2 were awakened by the shouting of newspaper hawkers on the street: "Extra! Extra! Mr. Iceburg was assassinated in his room last night! The perpetrators are the Straw Hat Pirates!"

Before Buffon could react, Mr. 2 got up and went out, returning moments later with a newspaper. Upon reading the headline and recalling the original plot, Buffon felt that things were about to take a turn for the worse.

"Mr. 2, we’ll split up and meet back at the restaurant under the inn in two hours." Buffon then described the attire of the target individuals to Mr. 2. However, with Water 7 currently in the midst of the Masked Carnival, the disguises used by CP9 were difficult to distinguish, and Buffon wasn't sure if they would succeed.

Buffon left, found a secluded corner, switched to his invisible state, and headed back to Blueno’s bar. This time, however, other than Blueno, he encountered no other CP9 members. Just as he was looking for an opportunity to leave, he ran into Franky, who had brought people inside.

The cyborg, wearing nothing but his briefs, performed an exaggerated routine with his two female assistants before suddenly throwing a handful of Berries into the air. "I'm treating everyone to drinks today! I’m covering the tab for everyone here!"

The regulars in the bar seemed accustomed to this, and someone joked, "Franky, did you secretly dismantle another great pirate’s ship again?" The crowd erupted in laughter. Buffon, however, knew that Franky had likely stolen the one hundred million Berries that the Straw Hats had exchanged from their treasure.

As everyone enjoyed the drinks bought by Franky, they chatted about the assassination of Iceburg. Buffon heard Franky mutter to himself, "That guy is the mayor already, yet he still gets assassinated. I hope he’s alright."

Just as he finished, someone rushed into the bar in a panic. After scanning the room and spotting Franky, the man rushed over and said, "Boss! Someone is here to challenge us! It’s that long-nosed guy."

Franky roared, "Is that kid never going to give up?" With that, he slammed the table and charged out with his men. Buffon knew this was likely because Franky intended to dismantle the Going Merry, and Usopp, who held deep affection for the ship, had come to stop him.

Buffon didn't linger and followed Franky’s group out of the bar. After wandering the streets for a while with no results, he saw that the time was nearing and headed back toward the inn. Upon arriving at the restaurant, Mr. 2 was already waiting at a table with food and drinks.

Once Buffon sat down, Mr. 2 whispered, "I just learned from a Marine on duty that three transport ships left Marine Headquarters this morning!"

Buffon nodded, ate a few bites of sea-salt cuisine, and gave quick orders: "Stay here and keep scouting for news on Robin. Once you find her, don't make contact easily; just make sure you don't lose track of her."

After saying this, Buffon took one of Mr. 2’s fingernails, kept it on his person, and hurried away. When it came to tracking, Mr. 2’s Mane Mane no Mi (Clone-Clone Fruit) ability was nearly as good as Absalom’s, especially in a city with such a large population; even if he were discovered, he could simply turn a corner, change his face, and vanish into the sea of people.

Mr. 2 didn't ask where Buffon was going. In his mind, it was undoubtedly Enies Lobby! The reason Buffon didn't bring him along was likely not only out of concern for Robin’s safety but also to avoid exposing himself as a "fugitive." Ever since Crocodile had his Shichibukai title revoked, Mr. 2, who had been missing, had seen his bounty restored to 32 million Berries.

After arriving at Enies Lobby, Buffon didn't stop elsewhere and went straight through the main island and the Judicial Tower to the Bridge of Hesitation. The entire island was suspended above an abyss and divided into four parts: the Front Gate, the Main Island, the Judicial Tower, and the Bridge of Hesitation, all surrounded by waterfalls and connected to the Gates of Justice behind the island.

The final section of the Bridge of Hesitation was a folding bridge, usually retracted, and only opened when prisoners were being escorted to the Gates of Justice. Because of his familiarity with the plot, Buffon knew where the switch was, but he could not reveal his target while it remained uncertain whether Moria was on the transport ships.

After all, Enies Lobby was guarded by ten thousand soldiers year-round. While their combat power was far inferior to that of Marine Headquarters or Impel Down, alerting the guards would certainly draw the attention of the World Government. The government would surely link the event to him and Moria, making rescuing Moria even more difficult.

Therefore, Buffon could only wait patiently on the Bridge of Hesitation in his invisible state. Since a transport ship was coming, the Gates of Justice would definitely be opened.