The Rumor

A wide view of Water 7 shows the city under a cloudy sky with the wind blowing hard ("BYUOOO"). Nami asks, "Bad?...What's bad?" She explains, "The *topography and the climate of this island." An editor's note defines topography as the lay of the land or geographical features. She continues, "This place is called the City of Water... A typhoon might pass through tonight. And the pressure is dropping. The wind is blowing hard," Down on a rooftop, Nami and Luffy are sitting together. Nami says, "So, subsequently, it's vulnerable to any natural disasters on the seas." Luffy, looking unconcerned, replies, "So what?" Nami sighs, "Um, I'll check into it later."

Still on the rooftop, Nami points towards the Galley-La Company headquarters. "Anyway, that's it... look down. Journalists are crowding around that place. It's connected to the first dock, too... Iceberg-san must be in that mansion!" Luffy stands up, and Nami asks, "You're really going!?" Luffy replies, "Yeah. I'm gonna ask him why he thinks Robin shot him." Nami warns him, "Let me remind you that we're being chased. So find Iceberg's room first, then enter when no one..." Before she can finish, Luffy stretches his arms far out ("GUI... W") and grabs onto the mansion's tower. He says, "See ya later." Nami yells in panic, "Wait...!!!" Luffy just says, "What...?" as he prepares to launch himself.

Luffy slingshots himself directly through a large glass window of the Galley-La mansion, shattering it into countless pieces ("!!?"). Inside, two Galley-La workers, one wearing a shirt with "26" on it, scream in shock as the glass explodes inward. Luffy lands with a fierce, determined expression. The workers yell, "AH!!!" and "WHO..." Panic ensues inside the building. Workers shout, "WHAT!!?" "A WINDOW BROKE!!!" "WE'RE BEING ATTACKED!!!" Outside, the citizens and journalists gathered around the headquarters hear the commotion and look up, wondering, "WHAT'S HAPPENING?!!!"

Outside the Galley-La headquarters, the crowd erupts into a panic ("WAAAAAA"). Someone shouts, "'STRAW HAT LUFFY' HAS INVADED HEADQUARTERS!!!" Inside, the Galley-La workers are scrambling. "WHAT!!?" "IN BROAD DAYLIGHT!!?" "SO SUDDEN!!!" "WHERE IS HE!!?" "FROM THE SECOND FLOOR STAIRS TO THE THIRD FLOOR!!!" "HE'S PROBABLY GOING AFTER THE BEDROOM. STALL HIM!!!" Another worker yells, "HE'S WEARING A RED VEST AND A STRAW HAT!!!" "PROTECT ICEBERG-SAN!!" Kalifa is shown standing quietly from behind, listening to the chaos (".........."). A worker runs past, yelling, "IT'S THE STRAW HAT!!!"

The Galley-La workers continue their frantic search, running through the halls with weapons. "ARE YOU SERIOUS!!?" "WHERE ARE THE HEADS!!?" "THEY'RE ORDERING THE WORKERS AROUND THE ISLAND!" "HE'S GOING AFTER THE HQ AGAIN SO FAST!!!" Luffy is seen running down a hallway, panting heavily ("HAA HAA HAA HAA"). He thinks to himself, "WHERE IS IT?" Workers spot him and yell, "THERE!!!" "WHOA!!!" Meanwhile, inside a quiet bedroom, Iceburg is lying in bed, heavily bandaged. He asks, "Nmaa... what is it? It's so noisy outside." Kalifa stands by the open door and informs him, "I am terribly sorry... Apparently, the Straw Hat has invaded the HQ..." Iceburg remains silent (".........."). Kalifa then says, "Kalifa, I have a favour to ask......"

The chase continues inside the mansion. A worker fires a gun at Luffy ("BAM!!"), but another worker scolds him, "IDIOT!! DON'T USE A GUN!! WE'RE INSIDE!!!" "BUT THEY'RE..." "IT'LL AFFECT ICEBERG-SAN'S BODY!!!" "WHERE DID HE GO!?" Luffy jumps up to a higher level, and the workers follow. "HE WENT TO THE SECOND WING!! GO UP!!!" "WOW!! SO MANY OF THEM!!" Luffy looks surprised ("!?") as a worker spots him and yells, "STRAW HAT!!" Luffy says, "HUH?" and the worker says, "YOU'RE..." Back near Iceburg's room, Kalifa steps out into the hallway. A worker asks her, "HEY KALIFA-SAN, DID A PIRATE PASS BY?" Kalifa replies, "NO. BUT PLEASE, CHASE HIM QUIETLY!! ICEBERG-SAN IS STILL SLEEPING." The worker agrees, "OK... THEN WE'LL GUARD HERE. HE'LL DEFINITELY COME FOR THIS ROOM." Kalifa stands silently by the door ("..........").

Luffy finally reaches Iceburg's bedroom. He stands at the foot of the bed, panting heavily ("HAA HAA ZEEEE..."). Iceburg is sitting up in bed, looking at him. Iceburg says, "....." then asks, "Nmaaa, you have business with me?" Luffy replies, "YEAH." Iceburg calls him a "PIRATE TWERP." Luffy says, "THANKS... FOR CALLING ME. I WANT TO HEAR THE REAL STORY!!" Iceburg calmly states, "IT'S VERY UNLIKELY THAT YOU CAME TO KILL ME IN THIS CHAOS."

Iceburg reveals, "LAST NIGHT, I SAW NICO ROBIN WITH MY OWN EYES.....!! SHE'S ONE OF YOU." Luffy confirms, "THAT IS TRUE." Suddenly, Iceburg pulls a flintlock pistol from under his blankets and aims it directly at Luffy ("GACHA...!!"). Luffy is shocked ("!"). Iceburg says, "ARE YOU SURE IT WAS ROBIN? DON'T SPEAK. YOUR WORDS HOLD NO POWER ANYMORE. THE REASON I CALLED YOU HERE IS BECAUSE I HAVE A FAVOUR TO ASK..." Iceburg glares intensely and demands, "LET ME MEET WITH NICO ROBIN ONE MORE TIME." Luffy looks distressed and replies, ".......... THAT'S... IMPOSSIBLE. I DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE IS..."

Outside the bedroom, the Galley-La workers hear a loud gunshot ("DOOON!!!"). They panic, yelling, "A GUN WENT OFF, FROM THE BEDROOM!!!" They burst through the double doors ("CREAK CREAK"), shouting, "ICEBERG-SAN.....!!!" Inside, they find Iceburg sitting in bed, holding the smoking gun. The window is wide open, with the curtains blowing in the wind ("SHUUU"), indicating Luffy has escaped. A worker says in relief, "YOU'RE SAFE." Iceburg simply replies, "YEAH..." In a close-up, Iceburg thinks to himself, "IT'S USELESS. I WAS HOPING THAT I COULD GET CLOSER TO THE TRUTH."

Outside the mansion, the Galley-La workers are mobilizing. "ARREST ALL OF THEM..." "OF COURSE!!!" Luffy is shown as a dark silhouette standing on a nearby rooftop, looking back at the headquarters. He returns to Nami, who is waiting on another roof. Nami asks, "...WERE YOU ABLE TO TALK WITH ICEBERG?" Luffy sits down and says, "HE REALLY DID SEE ROBIN..." Nami looks worried and asks, "BUT... BUT WHY WOULD ROBIN DO SUCH A THING..." A close-up of Luffy shows him looking incredibly determined and angry as he declares, "I WON'T BELIEVE IT!!!"

The scene shifts to "WATER SEVEN MIDDLE TOWN". An establishing shot shows a building with a sign that reads "BLUENO'S BAR". Inside, the bartender Blueno is wiping a glass and chuckles, "WELCOME. HEHEHE..." The saloon doors swing open ("GII..."). Franky bursts into the bar, striking a flamboyant pose alongside his two companions, Mozu and Kiwi. Franky shouts, "HOW YA DOING, BLUENO?!!! ARE YOU SUPER!!?" Mozu and Kiwi strike their own poses and say, "AU!"

Franky sits at the bar counter. Blueno says, "HEHEHE... I GUESS, YEAH." Franky retorts, "'I GUESS'? BE A BIT MORE CLEAR, WILL YA? I'LL TAKE THE USUAL, FILL 'ER UP." Blueno asks, "YOU GOT MONEY?" Franky dismissively says, "WHATEVER, JUST GIMME SOME COKE." Blueno places three bottles of cola on the counter. Franky complains, "YOU'D TAKE MONEY FROM YOUR CUSTOMER? HOW CAN YOU RUN A BAR LIKE..." Kiwi interrupts, "WE'VE GOT SOME CHANGE FROM YESTERDAY'S SHOPPING." Franky asks, "CHANGE!?" Kiwi reveals, "ONE MILLION BERI." Franky is outraged, yelling, "WHAT!!? WE STILL GOT THAT MUCH!!? WHAT SHAMEFUL BEHAVIOUR!!! I LOOK BAD!!! FOR ME TO HAVE 'OVERNIGHT LEFTOVER CHANGE' MONEY WITH ME!!!" He grabs the stacks of cash and throws them into the air ("BASA"), shouting to the bar, "AU!! CUSTOMERS!!! WHAT LUCK!!! YOUR BILL'S ON ME. DRINK WHATEVER!!!" The patrons cheer wildly, "WHOA!! REALLY!!? YOU'RE A GREAT PERSON, FRANKY!! WATER SEVEN'S DARK FACE!! THANKS A LOT!!"

Sitting nearby, Kokoro laughs heartily, "NGA-GAGA GAGA!! YOU SEEM TO BE IN A GOOD MOOD, FRANKY......!!" Franky jumps in surprise ("BIKU!!") and yells, "NYUO!! KOKORO HAG!!! I THOUGHT YOU WERE SOME KINDA STATUE OF A WEIRD MONSTER!" Kokoro asks, "CAN I REFILL MY JUICE, FRANKY?" Franky scolds her, "YO, THIS IS A BAR. IT'S NOT A PLACE FOR LITTLE TWERPS." Chimney is running around with her pet rabbit Gonbe, cheering, "YAY~~~ I GOT JUICE~~~ I GOT JUICE~~~" Franky complains, "I'M HAVING A GOOD TIME, BUT I'M IN A BAD MOOD. THIS A LOAD OF CRAP... LOAD OF CRAP. 'CAUSE OF SOME STUPID PIRATES!" Blueno hands Franky the cola bottles, saying, "HERE YA GO. ALL FULL." Franky grabs them, yelling, "AU!! FINALLY, SOME FUEL!!" He chugs the cola rapidly ("GUBIBIBI!!"). Finishing, he strikes a pose and grunts, "HN...!!!"

Franky strikes a massive, dynamic pose, flexing his muscles and shouting, "SUPER!!!" He then says, "GAH!!! I'M BACK!!!" and mutters angrily, "NEXT TIME I MEET THAT BASTARD, HE'D BETTER...!!!" Kokoro asks him, "BY THE WAY, HAG. WHY'RE YOU HERE? DID YOU FINISH GUARDING YOUR HOUSE AGAINST IT?" Kokoro laughs, "NO, I DIDN'T. 'CAUSE I GOT NO HOUSE TO SINK. ISN'T THAT AMAZING? HAHA HAHA." Franky notes, "AQUA LAGUNA'S COMING." Looking around the lively bar, Franky adds, "SO THAT'S WHY THE WIND'S SO FREAKIN' STRONG."

Kokoro takes a drink and says, "I WAS HOPING TO DRINK WITH ICEBERG TODAY, BUT... APPARENTLY, HE WAS SHOT." Blueno, still working behind the bar, adds, "APPARENTLY..." Kokoro continues, "THEY SAY IT'S BY THOSE PIRATES, SO THE WORKERS AND THE CITIZENS ARE ALL MAD." In a close-up, Kokoro smiles ominously and says, "PIRATES? NGA-GAGA. ARE YOU REALLY GONNA BELIEVE THAT?" Franky looks at her seriously and warns, "YOU SEEM TO KNOW SOMETHING. DON'T GO AROUND SAYING RANDOM THINGS, HAG."

Kokoro continues her thought, "BUT ISN'T ICEBERG BEING STALKED? BY THE WORLD GOVERNMENT...!!" Franky is skeptical, "HUH!? SO WHAT, THAT COGI GUY DID IT? THAT LEAD-GUT ISN'T THE ASSASSIN TYPE." Kokoro clarifies, "NO, I MEAN, THE CRIMES IN THE DARK ARE DONE BY CP9...!! DO YOU KNOW, BRUNO?" Blueno replies calmly, "RUMORS, YEAH....." Franky scoffs, "...WHAT A PETTY BOURGEOIS... THEY BELIEVE SOME ORGANIZATION THAT DOESN'T EVEN EXIST AND GET HAPPY ABOUT IT. STUPID... THEY EXIST... THEY JUST DON'T SHOW THEMSELVES. THEY'RE THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES UNIT....WHAT'S WITH THE CONFIDENCE... YOU GOT SOMETHING?" Kokoro explains, "I HEARD IT THERE. THAT'S A RUMOR! THE FACT THAT THEY'RE CONSIDERED 'A RUMOR' IS WHAT'S SCARY. THEY MAKE PEOPLE DISAPPEAR WITHOUT EXPOSING THEMSELVES. YOU'LL DIE IF YOU GET INVOLVED." Franky ignores her warning and asks, "FRANKY, CAN I HAVE A REFILL?" Kokoro yells, "YOU, JUST DRINK WHAT YOU WANT!!!"

The scene changes to "WATER SEVEN BACK STREET", showing an "EMPTY STORAGE" building. Inside the dark, cavernous room, two silhouetted figures are sitting at a table. A male voice says, "FIRST, I WANT TO SAY THAT... YESTERDAY WAS A SUCCESS." The man continues, "PIECE OF CAKE. OF COURSE, YOU ALSO BECAME AN OUTLAW... NICO ROBIN." The man leans forward in the shadows and says, "YES. BUT THAT'S TEMPORARY. WHAT'S IMPORTANT... IS TONIGHT!!" The other figure is revealed in the light to be Nico Robin, looking serious and resolute.

The silhouetted man continues giving orders to Robin. "GET INTO ICEBERG'S MANSION AGAIN. IF WORST COMES TO WORST, YOU CAN ERASE ALL EVIDENCE. 'TOM' HAD IT ORIGINALLY, AND OF ALL OF HIS APPRENTICES, THE ONLY LIVING ONE IS ICEBERG." A close-up shows the man's eyes gleaming in the dark. "I DON'T CARE HOW YOU DO IT. IN THE NAME OF CP9, YOU MUST TAKE IT TONIGHT." A final close-up shows Robin's stoic face as the man concludes, "YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS THE DUTY OF JUSTICE..."

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