One Piece, Volume 44

Chapter 420
Franky tries all the keys everyone had fought for and gained from the CP9 members until he finds the one that opens Robin's cuffs to the shock of Spandam. Spandam cannot believe the Straw Hat Pirates defeated all the members of CP9 in the Tower of Justice, claiming they must have stolen them and ran. They tell Robin via Den Den Mushi to thank them later and do whatever she wants in the meantime. Her first act is to summon arms on Spandam and proceed to beat him senseless.

Franky orders the others to join him. Just then a loud explosion from the Gates of Justice grabs the group's attention, the fence around the island is now broken and the sound is a signal that Buster Call is arriving and the bombardment has already begun. A huge explosion hits the tower where Sogeking was, Paulie and the others with him hear it and start worrying. The World Government workers and Marines still left on Enies Lobby realize they have to get off now. Sanji calls Sogeking, Sogeking stands up reporting he is fine. Spandam orders the Marines with him to catch Franky and Robin now.

In the underground tunnel Nami, Kokoro and Chimney rush through the tunnel to escape the bombardment above as the vibration hits the tunnel. Meanwhile, above Bridge of Hesitation, Luffy and Rob Lucci continue fighting. Rob Lucci finally figures out how Luffy's Gear Second works. Rob Lucci speaks of the earlier explosion being a test and that the real bombardment is about to start on the island. He mocks Luffy saying his crew and everyone else is about to be destroyed and anyone in the underground tunnel will drown.

Back on the bridge, Spandam tells the Marines to stop messing around, reminding them the ships are coming. But it is already too late, one of them reports they can see the ships now; the Buster Call has arrived.

Chapter 421
The details of the Buster Call are announced to all ships in the fleet; destroy Enies Lobby and capture Nico Robin again. On the Bridge of Hesitation, the Marines run in fear. Spandam retells his father Spandine saying how even the indiscrimination of Buster Call would not kill him. Just as he predicted, the bridge is excluded from targeting via the Buster Call. Franky is amazed by the sight, and Robin cannot stop shaking after seeing the horrid sight of the Buster Call in action again. Back in the Tower of Justice, all other members of CP9 lay still unconscious.

Under the tunnel, Zoro and Sanji rush Sogeking in the tunnel. Coming the other way is Nami, Chopper, Kokoro, Chimney and Gonbe who are trying to outrun the flooding waters behind them.

The battle with Rob Lucci rages on between him and Luffy. Below them, the room they are fighting in is now filling up with water. Lucci heads up to the top, followed by Luffy. Lucci says he'll allow Luffy to go off to save his friends if he wishes to, but Luffy says his crew and the others will survive and that he will not take his eyes off Lucci because he knows Lucci would take the opportunity to kill them. Lucci expresses some approval of Luffy's leadership as compared to Spandam's, but tauntingly asks if Luffy will be able to follow through in battle.

Lucci launches himself at Luffy and the fight continues as Lucci throws more Rokushiki techniques at him. Luffy tries his hardest, but Lucci gets the better of him in every instance. Luffy fights on, claiming that if he cannot beat Lucci, he cannot protect anyone. Once again Lucci attacks, striking Luffy hard, Luffy can barely hold out, Luffy decides it's time for Gear 3. Lucci is surprised at Luffy's technique which makes his arm the size of a giant, he blocks and is hit by a Gomu Gomu no Gigant Pistol attack, which knocks him through the wall of the tower.

Chapter 422
Onboard one of the Buster Call ships, Doberman is asked by one of his men if they should attack the Bridge of Hesitation where Nico Robin is. The Vice Admiral retells the story of 15 years ago when a single aided in an incident against a group of pirates. The same boy was Rob Lucci who is on a mission right now to get Robin.

The remaining Marines on the island rush to the Sea Train to find there is no driver, but board it anyway. Underground, Zoro, Sogeking and Sanji suddenly find they have water rushing in behind them and are running for their lives. Unfortunately the water is rushing in from both sides and ahead Nami, Kokoro, Chimney, Chopper and Gonbe are heading their way. Zoro tries to cut through the wall, but unfortunately, the tunnel has been strengthened and cannot be cut and at that moment they are engulfed by water.

Lucci is near unconscious after being hit by Luffy's Gomu Gomu no Giant Pistol. He reminds himself he cannot allow himself to fall in the water. He uses a technique to survive and lands alive on a battleship. When he recovers and transforms back into human form, the Marines attempt to find out who he is and arrest him, but a Vice Admiral prevents them. They soon realize the man is Rob Lucci of CP9. Lucci tells them all to shut up as hearing their whimpering offends him. Attention is drawn as Luffy comes after Lucci.

The Marines fire at Luffy, but Luffy takes the shots and focuses on Lucci. Lucci avoids a Gomu Gomu no Gigant Axe. Lucci transforms into his Devil Fruit Beast Form and bites Luffy in the shoulder. Luffy blows off Lucci by pulling the air back into his body. With a Gomu Gomu no Gigant Whip, Luffy knocks down the mast of the battleship which once again results in Lucci escaping. Lucci believes he has figured out Gear 3.

At that moment, one of the Vice Admirals orders an attack on the battleship in an attempt to kill Luffy, despite the fact there are one thousand Marines on board. The soldier who asks him what about their allies being at risk is shot dead in front of everyone.

Chapter 423
The Marine ship that Luffy and Lucci were fighting on collapses, Luffy is shocked from it due to his Gear 3 running out. He shrinks down to "Chibi" size. Luffy knows that Gear 3 is fun, but the side effects are too troublesome and he will now have to spend a minute like this because he spent a minute using it. He hides, but Lucci has already seen him.

Elsewhere, the Straw Hat Pirates allies are scrambling to get out of Enies Lobby.

As the destruction rages on round them, Spandam boasts about the power of his Buster Call. Spandam tries to reason with Franky over Nico Robin, but he mentions Franky's mentor, Tom which trigger Franky's anger. Spandam draws Funkfreed and orders it to give Robin a serious wound so she will not be able to resist later. The elephant sword is stopped by Franky who then calms the elephant's attack through a threat and a reminder of what kind of animal Funkfreed is. Franky remembers why he is doing this and that it is only because of the Straw Hat Pirates he is able to get what he has always wanted; to take out the guy who put Tom away. His anger boils and he throws Funkfreed back at Spandam. Franky proceeds to take out the Marines who are with Spandam. Robin joins in saying she is not alone and has no reason to be afraid anymore.

On the tower, Luffy has been drawn out by Lucci, Lucci boasts about how Luffy should accept his power's weaknesses and let it end now. Luffy attempts to hit Lucci after being pinned against the wall, but his attacks now have no strength against Lucci. He is thrown against another wall, Luffy can only beg his body to return before the next attack kills him, but the damage from Luffy's earlier attack suddenly hits Lucci's legs unexpectedly. Luffy is relieved as his body returns to normal.

In the tunnel below Zoro, Sanji, Chopper, Chimney, Gonbe, Sogeking, Nami and Kokoro have now all been submerged by the water in the tunnel. They attempt to hold their breaths and do something but all is lost. Someone grabs them and pulls them along, and they see an image of a beautiful mermaid. Unfortunately, the dream is shattered when they see the mermaid is actually Kokoro which causes them to all nearly drown out of shock.

Chapter 424
Franky and Robin secure the transport ship for their escape. Kokoro then bursts out of the water, yelling for people not to die. The Franky Family, Galley-La foremen, and the giants reach the main gate. They then stop in their tracks when they see that war ships have already arrived. The Marines are boarding the ship, but are ordered by the vice admiral in command to identify their unit, quarter, Marine code, and have a photo ID. All the soldiers are grateful to not die. The ships' cannons, as well as all the guns on board, are being pointed at the escaping pirate collaborators. After securing the Marines, the ships pull back from the shore and start bombarding the island.

Back at the ship by the bridge, Nami, Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Chopper, Chimney, and Gonbe are all on the deck in a state of shock. Kokoro called the state near-death and wondered what caused it. Franky tells Kokoro it was her. Zoro, Usopp, and Sanji regain consciousness. After seeing Kokoro again, Zoro believes the legend of dugongs being mistaken for mermaids to be true. Usopp does not believe that mermaids have legs. Sanji is in denial about the whole thing. Kokoro explained that mermaids' tail fins split in two when they turn 30, allowing them to live on land. She tells them they will see it once they reach Fish-Man Island. Chopper wakes up.

Sanji sees Robin and tries to hug her, but Nami and Chopper get to her first and hug her so hard that she is actually pushed back, causing Sanji to crash head first into the mast of the ship. Chimney is surprised her grandmother is a mermaid. Chopper then falls over, stiff as a board. Zoro is on the bridge, watching the assault on Enies Lobby. The whole place is on fire. Franky walks up and tells him about the order to not kill Robin. He figures that once the bombarding is done, they will probably double back and try to take her in close combat.

They see smoke coming from near the bridge, and realize that Luffy must still be fighting. They conclude his opponent is Rob Lucci. Usopp suggests lending a hand, but Zoro said it is best not to get involved. There is a brief glimpse of Luffy fighting Lucci.

The Franky Family and the others are still at the main gate. Paulie secures a Den Den Mushi to hear updates about the Straw Hats. Two cannon balls are then shot at the group. They get caught in the blast and fall over the side. The building is collapsing all around Luffy and Lucci. Luffy says he will not stop using his power until Lucci is defeated. The chapter ends with Luffy activating Gear 2.

Chapter 425
The assault from the Buster Call continues and Luffy's battle with Rob Lucci rages on. The battleships report that all Marine and World Government personnel are safely aboard. They also report fifty pirates at the main gate, and everyone on the main island is dead, much to everyone's shock and horror, and that the only structure not obliterated was the Bridge of Hesitation. When Nami asks if people can just die so easily, Robin replies that humans cannot be seen on a map. She says that the Buster Call is erasing an island from the map, without any hesitation. Franky then yells for Luffy to hurry up.

Back underground, Luffy is fighting Lucci after having activated Gear 2. Luffy uses Gomu Gomu no Jet Pistol and blasts Lucci back. Lucci uses Shigan, but Luffy dodges it. They both punch each other but both block each other's punch. Luffy then hits Gomu Gomu no Jet Bullet and hits Lucci in the stomach and follows it up with another Jet Pistol. Lucci then tells Luffy he will show him the most powerful Six Powers technique. He clenches his fists and brings them to Luffy's stomach. He uses the technique, Rokuogan, to unleash a massive shockwave on Luffy's body. Luffy compares it to the Impact Dial from Skypiea, only with a greatly amplified power. While Luffy is on the ground, Lucci uses Rankyaku Gaicho, causing an explosion. Chopper muses that it is almost like Luffy knows who he should fight from the start. A soldier reports to one of the Vice Admirals that they spotted Luffy, and he orders all ships to make a battle formation around the Bridge of Hesitation.

Chapter 426
Luffy and Lucci face each other as the first half of the Bridge of Hesitation. The battleships report Lucci and Luffy's fight on the first prop. The ships then surrounds the rest of the Bridge of Hesitation. One of the Marines on board one of the ships wonders what kind of people the Straw Hats are, as Enies Lobby's reputation had remained intact for 800 years. The Straw Hats then look over by the first prop of the bridge to see that the wall had crumbled to reveal Luffy and Lucci. Luffy looks up and sees his friends, who cheer him on in his fight. Zoro then turns and calls the whole ordeal a game of endurance. Lucci commends Luffy for being right about his friends being alive, but says it would be worth seeing if that is still true in a few minutes. Two ships come along the bridge on either side.

All personnel between the ranks of Captain and Lieutenant Commander are ordered to the front. Looking at all the officers, Zoro and Usopp then realize that Sanji is gone. As they wonder where he is, the order to attack is given. The men jump from the ships and pour onto the bridge. Franky punches a man in the stomach, but he absorbs the blow by transforming his body into balls. Zoro attack another man who blocks his sword attack with his bare hands. Zoro then watches as Yubashiri is turned to rust. Franky warns everyone that some of the attacking Marines have Devil Fruit users among them. Robin takes out several men at once with her Clutch technique, and Nami uses her lightning attacks to electrocute her opponents while Kokoro and Chimney declare themselves hostages.

Zoro, who had procured a cutlass to replace his freshly destroyed sword, tells everyone to hold out until Luffy arrives. Luffy and Lucci are still in a heated battle. Lucci notes that Luffy's Gear 2 technique seems to be losing its power. Lucci tells Luffy that it is impossible for anyone to escape, and that he will pursue Robin to the ends of the earth in the name of Absolute Justice. Luffy tells him that is what they are here to free her from. Luffy uses Gomu Gomu no Jet Stamp, Lucci dodges with Soru and then uses Rokuogan, knocking Luffy to the floor. Luffy does not move. Sogeking sees his friend in danger as a Marine tries to attack him. Zoro intercepts the Marine, telling Sogeking to be careful. Sogeking then takes off his mask and calls out to Luffy.

Chapter 427
Usopp calls out to Luffy to wake up. The Marines still on the ships are stunned, as the pirates are defeating their captains with ease. Luffy looks up and sees Usopp looking down at him, surprised to see his friend there. Usopp still tries to sound bitter at Luffy, and tells him he only came to rescue Robin and not to see him. Usopp then challenges Lucci to a fight. Luffy tries to tell Usopp not to try and fight him, but Lucci tells him he has no business with someone who has been defeated, and everyone will soon be dead anyway. Luffy tells Usopp not to fight him as he will be killed. Usopp tells Luffy to stand up and stop pretending he is about to die. He then points out that they aren't in Hell yet. Luffy gets up, as the soldiers and Vice Admiral Momonga watch the pirates fight the captains.

Lucci is surprised that Luffy can still move. He then uses Seimei Kikan: Kaijo to bring himself to full power. Lucci uses Shigan "Madara", which Luffy counters with Gomu Gomu no Gatling. Lucci then brings two fists forward and stops them in front of Luffy. Luffy feels determined not to get hit by Rokuogan again, but Lucci uses a technique called Sai Dai Rin: Rokuogan, the most powerful form of Rokuogan. To Lucci's amazement, Luffy is still standing. Luffy then remembers what Aokiji told him about how he would soon regret taking in Nico Robin as part of his crew. He then remembers Robin's involvement in the whole thing from shooting Iceburg up until now. Lucci uses Tekkai, but it is instantly penetrated by Luffy's Gomu Gomu no Jet Gatling. Rob Lucci is punched into and through the wall. Lucci and Luffy land on the ground outside where they were fighting. Lucci is unconscious. Luffy then calls out to Robin that they are going back together, causing her to tearfully smile. The chapter ends with the battleships reporting the defeat of Rob Lucci.

Chapter 428
Everyone is shocked by Rob Lucci's defeat. One of the Marines calls him the strongest CP9 leader in the history of Cipher Pol. Nami orders everyone to get on the escape ship. One of the Marines on one of the ships asks a subordinate where a certain noise is coming from. He concludes it is coming from a Den Den Mushi. The voice is from Zambai of the Franky Family. Vice Admiral Strawberry asks if the pirates at the main gate were defeated. A soldier reports that he saw them fall into the ravine below the island.

Thanks to some quick work, Paulie had been able to fashion two nets together out of the rope he had with him, which everyone was holding onto. Kokoro and Gonbe are happy to hear everyone is ok. Franky tearfully tells them he wasn't worried about them. Zoro tells Franky that his relief would not matter if he died. Onigumo orders that the pirates at the gate be left for now. Franky blocks and attack from Sharinguru. A Marine is heard reporting that Luffy is wounded and not moving.

Usopp is urging Luffy to get up. Stretch over to the ship and Usopp would carry him from there. Luffy tells him his body will not move. Nami tells Usopp they can take the ship to Luffy. Right after she says that, the ship is blown up with Kokoro, Chimney, and Chopper still on board. Just then a black leg is seen coming out of the wreckage of the burning ship. Sanji bursts out carrying everyone on board. Sanji explains his absence by saying he had some errands to run. A Marine tries to attack Nami, but gets kicked away by Kokoro. They are now all trapped on the prop with five ships surrounding them with their cannons trained on them.

Nothing can be done to bring Luffy over to them. Everyone is yelling at him to stand up. Sanji asks him if he could do anything at all. A bow cannon from a warship is now pointed directly at Luffy. Usopp then hears a strange voice. Luffy tells him to look below him. The ships declare they will fire simultaneously at Luffy and the others in five seconds. As they are counting down, Usopp tells Robin to drag Luffy's body into the ocean and orders everyone else to jump. He tells everyone they have one crewmate left. Everyone falls as the Going Merry appears in the water below them. The ship tells the Straw Hats she has arrived to take them home.

Chapter 429
The Marines are surprised that the Going Merry got past their warships without being seen. Everyone lands in the water. Kokoro tosses Luffy, Robin, and Chopper onto the deck. Zoro tells Nami to give them orders. Luffy tries to thank Robin for saving him from the attack, but she sprouts a hand to cover his mouth and just smiles. She then stands up and thanks everyone for saving her. Zoro tells her to thank them once they get out of there, prompting Sanji to kick him, but is blocked. Nami breaks up the fight by telling Sanji to steer the ship. Spandam gives the order to take out Robin with the Straw Hats, lying to the Marines the order came from Admiral Aokiji. The Marines try to fire at the Going Merry, but somehow accidentally hit another one of their own ship. They then realize that the Gates of Justice are closing without them noticing.

The whirlpools created by the gates closing are overriding the Marines' steering, causing their aim to be off. Usopp is about to ask Sanji if he was behind the gates closing, but Sanji simply tells him this was not the kind of enemy they could simply beat in a fight. They have to outsmart them as well. Zoro then points out that the whirlpools are dangerous for them too. Nami assures them that Merry can cross anything as long as they are on it. A ship right behind them fires at the Going Merry. Zoro and Sanji grab Luffy's arms and legs and catch the cannon balls in his stomach, using his rubber body to slingshot the cannon balls back from where they came, landing a direct hit on the ship behind them. Nami then orders Chopper to turn hard to port at 9 o'clock. They catch the outer edge of a whirlpool and gain speed from it.

Spandam is berating the Marines for having a whole fleet at their disposal yet are unable to take out a single person. Robin sees Spandam and uses Clutch on him to break his spine. Franky then uses Coup de Vent and launches the ship out of range of the Marine ships. Usopp creates a smokescreen and the Straw Hats get away. The Franky Family, Galley-La foremen, and the giants all made it out by getting on the Puffing Tom. Aokiji is watching the whole battle from a distance on his bicycle. The Marines want to go after the pirates, but one of them says that by looking at the devastation done to their ships and the island, the result is clear, and Aokiji finishes the thought by saying it is the Marines' complete defeat. On the Going Merry, Franky asks the Straw Hats how they could do something so outrageous as burning a World Government flag. Luffy said all they did was take back their friend who was taken from them. They then declare their victory and celebrate.

Chapter 430
Luffy and Chopper realize Usopp is missing. Usopp tells Sanji he cannot show his face now that he has come around. Sogeking tells them that Usopp got on another boat, and Zoro still cannot believe they do not realize who Sogeking is. Nami reports that she searched the ship but found no one on board to explain how the Going Merry got to them. They talk about the voice they heard with Kokoro. Chopper is certain that the voice was that of their ship. Just then, Luffy spots a ship up ahead. It is the Galley-La Company's ship with Iceburg and the rest of the shipwrights on board. They are relieved to see that the Straw Hats are alright. Just then, the bow of the Going Merry falls off from the rest of the ship. Someone asks what is going on all of a sudden. Sanji replies that this is not sudden, since their ship was supposed to not be able to go any further. Luffy pleads with the shipwrights to help them. Iceburg tells Luffy the only thing that can be done for their ship is to let her rest. Iceburg then has a flashback to when he heard and found the Going Merry on Scrap Island. She told him she wanted to go out on one last journey. Iceburg then worked tirelessly to fix up the ship as best he could. The other workers told him a big wave was about to come and he started to walk away. He then heard the ship's voice thanking him as the wave carried it out to sea. Iceburg called the ship a miracle that had reached its limit.

The Straw Hats and Franky are then in a lifeboat beside the Galley-La ship. Luffy is in a smaller boat several yards away next to the Going Merry, holding a torch, and asks the crew if they are ready for the Going Merry's Viking burial. Luffy tells the ship that the bottom of the sea is dark, and they will see her off here. Luffy adds that it is best that Usopp is not here, as he probably could not handle this moment. Zoro asks Sogeking what he has to say about it. Sogeking replies that Usopp is ready to accept it. He adds that when men part ways, there should be no tears. Luffy touches the torch to the ship's hull, and the flames engulf it. Luffy thanks her once again for carrying him all this way. Nami looks up and realizes it is snowing. The crew then remember when they first got the Going Merry, when they entered the Grand Line with her, and when they went to and left Skypiea with her. Going Merry then says she is sorry, as she wishes she could only carry the crew a little bit farther. Luffy tearfully tells her that they should be the ones apologizing to her. He tells her that he ripped the sails and drove her into an iceberg, Zoro and Sanji were clumsy and broke things too, and Usopp was never any good at fixing her. Going Merry simply tells them that she was happy. Luffy, Usopp, Nami, Franky, and Chopper are in tears and Zoro, Sanji, and Robin just look onward silently as their ship slowly sinks into the sea.