[Pirate] I! Orochimaru! I will never split! Chapter 076

Orochimaru collapsed utterly ungracefully onto the corner sofa, his legs casually draped over one armrest, his upper body slumping bonelessly over the other, as if all his bones had been removed.

The tips of his hair brushed the floor, forming a strange arc. His eyes were unfocused and hazy, staring blankly as a group of CP 9 agents discussed whether Devil Fruits tasted good.

Franky had been somewhat excited at first, but with Spandam’s rude attitude, his blustering and showing off, completely unlike a competent officer, Franky quickly grew bored. He was now lying on the ground, pretending to be a, wriggling around to wipe the floor.

Only Robin quietly observed everything unfolding before her, her face devoid of any emotion, as if none of it concerned her.

In fact, when she arrived, she had already had a premonition, knowing things might escalate to this point. However, when Spandam personally declared that he had never intended to let the Straw Hats go from the very beginning, Robin’s expression finally shifted slightly. She bit her lip, glaring at the despicable villain.

Spandam finally finished his long-winded speech. To assert his authority, he began hitting and kicking the puppets of Franky and Robin. The puppets’ reactions were exactly what Spandam wanted to see.

Only Rob Lucci frowned deeply. He felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint it. Why were there three empty sofas in the corner? He pressed his temples, trying to dismiss the thought, assuming they were spares.

He didn’t know how long he waited, but just as Orochimaru was about to fall asleep, he finally heard the commotion outside. He rubbed his head… Maintaining a genjutsu for a long time was indeed quite tiring.

He stretched, let out an ungraceful yawn, then tidied his clothes.

“Luffy is so slow. Let’s go, Robin… Luffy is here to pick you up. And Franky? Come along.”

Luffy stood on the opposite building.

“Robin!! We’ve come to save you!!”

As Luffy shouted, the CP 9 agents gradually appeared on the balcony, looking at Luffy across from them. The two puppets were tossed aside.

As Zoro and the others arrived one by one, the Straw Hats stood in a line, confronting CP 9 across the gap.

Spandam looked at the group opposite him, a little flustered, then put on an act as he addressed them.

“Ah ha ha ha ha… You foolish pirates, I’ll make you realize that no matter how heroic you act, the outcome won’t change! Behold the might of the assassin group CP 9! Behold the impenetrable thickness of the Gates of Justice, which no human power can open! Most importantly, I now hold the Golden Den Den Mushi!” Spandam held up the Den Den Mushi, laughing wildly. As he laughed, his hand felt empty.

He clenched his hand and brought it back, staring at his empty palm, his eyes wide. “Where’s my Den Den Mushi!!!!!” He covered his mouth and searched on the ground.

Orochimaru, with Robin and Franky, stood on the roof above CP 9. He looked at the Den Den Mushi in his hand, examining it. It really was golden… What a strange animal, to have so many colors.

Luffy ignored the frantic Spandam! “Hey! Pigeon guy! Where’s Robin!”

The CP 9 agents looked at the puppet Robin and Franky beside them, confused. What was the Straw Hat kid talking about? Nico Robin was right there.

Lucci finally realized something was wrong. Nico Robin was too quiet! He reached out and squeezed the puppet’s neck. No! The feel, the weight, it wasn’t right… This wasn’t what a human should feel like.

Lucci held up the thing in his hand and looked at the Straw Hats. “Hey! Straw Hat kid! What’s in my hand!”

Luffy tilted his head in confusion, trying to think of the right words… What was this thing? It looked a bit like a person, but not quite. “A tattered broom with hands and feet??”

“Pigeon guy! Don’t say such nonsense!! Where’s Robin!! Give Robin back to me!!”

At that moment, Robin’s voice suddenly came from above.

“I’ve already told you!! I don’t want to see you! Why did you come!! I… I already want to die!”

The CP 9 agents heard the voice but saw no one, and also realized something was amiss. Only Spandam was still on the ground, searching for the Den Den Mushi.

Luffy looked up at Robin on the roof. “It doesn’t matter if you want to die or whatever!! Say those things when you’re with us!”

Robin was silent, completely oblivious to Orochimaru playing with the Den Den Mushi. “Twenty years ago, a single Buster Call destroyed countless lives, and that Buster Call is now threatening the companions I finally found, with whom I can open my heart.”

Orochimaru took a step back at these words, hiding the Den Den Mushi behind him (•́ ₃ •̀).

Robin looked at Luffy’s group with tear-filled eyes, somewhat pained. “The more I want to be with you, the more you will be dragged down by our fate. No matter how long I walk the seas, there will always be vast enemies I cannot shake off, because my enemy is this world and its darkness.”

“It was the same with Aokiji, and it’s the same this time. I’ve already dragged you into this twice. If this keeps happening, no matter how good you are, you’ll see me as a burden.”

“You’ll definitely betray me! And abandon me! That’s what I fear most! So I don’t want you to save me! I told Orochimaru from the beginning! Since I’m going to die anyway! I might as well die here!”

Luffy looked up, his gaze solemn, at the World Government flag next to Robin. CP 9 followed his gaze but saw nothing, their brows furrowed.

“I finally know who Robin’s enemy is. Usopp… Shoot down that flag.”

Usopp put on his mask again, no longer to hide his identity, but as a brave declaration of himself. He aimed his giant slingshot at the flag, and a fiery projectile flew across the sky, piercing the World Government flag.

The lingering flames scattered in the air. At that moment, Orochimaru also released the genjutsu. Lucci and the others saw the three figures on the roof and angrily threw away the puppets in their hands.

Robin looked at the burning flag, biting her lip to keep from crying.

“Robin! I want to hear you say it yourself! That you want to live!!” Luffy shouted at Robin.

Robin couldn’t stop her tears from flowing. No one had ever expected her to live. If she could really make a wish…

“I… I want to live! Take me with you to the sea!”

Orochimaru turned and looked at the sky. Sure enough, only idiots’ words were effective. Franky watched the scene, kneeling on the ground, crying tears of. Luffy and the others finally smiled.

“Then let’s fight! Let’s go! Save Robin!!” Luffy excitedly looked at CP 9 opposite them.

Orochimaru suddenly poked his head out from behind Robin. “Where are you going to save Robin? Isn’t Robin right here…?”

“Ah ∑(°°๑)… Oh, right…” Everyone instantly froze… Then they realized… Franky and Robin weren’t in their (our) hands right now.

A flock of crows flew by, cawing.