There it is Enies Lobby! - Break Through the First Gate
"Doesn't matter where they take her, we'll just keep fighting until we take her back."
Umiko had to cover her ears as Luffy loudly shouted with glee, right by her ear.
"We found them, the giant Yagara boat!" He yelled.
Umiko easily shoved her way toward one of the windows to take a look outside. In the distance, she could spot the familiar Yagara boat that was owned by the Franky family. It was a relief to see that they were alright in this dangerous weather. But something caught her eye. Leaning forward and further out of the window–disregarding the shout of Paulie telling her that's dangerous–she focused her sights towards the back of the large boats.
Without turning away or pulling out from the window Umiko reached behind her and grabbed a fistful of red cloth. Luffy was yanked forward, wedged in the small space of the window along with Umiko.
"There," Umiko pointed out.
Disregarding that he had been dragged over like a ragdoll, Luffy smiled, spotting a familiar face amongst the Franky Family. "Hey, Sanji!" He shouted.
"Yahaha, it looks like we caught up to them no problem," Kokoro laughed.
"Well now that we've found the others it's time for our date with the World Government," Nami said
"H**l Yeah, it is!" Kokoro cheered,
"Yaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!" Tilestone yelled joining in.
The air with Rocket Man was a buzz, anticipation filling everyone to the brim. Weapons were gathered, blades sharpened, guns loaded, everyone prepping for the battle ahead.
Umiko set down the case given to her by Iceberg. She undid the latches and raised the lid. Her gaze swept over the gauntlets so lovelily crafted by Iceberg and those of Water 7. Her family.
She pulled out a gauntlet, lightly bouncing one in her hand and testing out the weight. It was hefty, but nothing for her. They'd make for great offense and defense and she was sure if she hit someone she could break a bone or two.
Umiko opened the gauntlets and snapped each one on her wrists. She punched her fists together with the blue line that ran the circumference of the gauntlets glowing just a bit.
"Alright everyone this is it, now approaching Enies Lobby! All hands get ready for a showdown!" Zambai announced.
Umiko tightened the cuffs on her wrist and had a fierce look on her face ready to fight.
The Franky Yagara's had been hooked back up to Rocket Man, Sanji rejoining his crew mates followed by a new face.
Umiko crossed her arms and tilted her head at the odd mask the "newcomer" wore. It was garish and she wanted it.
"Who are you!" Luffy yelled pointing at the long-nosed masked man.
"Who am I? Well, I'll tell ya!"
He started to sing, somehow harmonizing with himself, posing every once in a while to exaggerate this theme song he had created for himself. He looked utterly ridiculous introducing himself as Sniper King. Everyone was disinterred, tuning out all the theatrics but he had three people enraptured.
Luffy, Chopper, and Umiko.
Chopper and Luffy wore the same expression of open mouths and sprawling eyes that screamed amazement. Umiko's eyes had widened with interest, fully vested in Sniper King and his mask.
"Sniper King from Sniper Island, for real?!" The two males shouted.
"That's right. I'm a close friend of Usopp's and he asked me to lead you on the perilous journey."
"He's a superhero! I knew it from the mask and cape! Amazing! I've never seen one before!" Luffy said.
"Wearing a mask and a cape means you're a superhero?" Chopper asked.
"Of course! Everyone knows that!"
As the duo continued to gush over Sniper King, Umiko shifted closer to the male. She, without asking or any words, reached for his mask. Sniper King flinched and stepped away, still holding his "cool superhero" pose. Umiko was undeterred, closing the distance and going for the mask again. It became a game of cat and mouse as Sniper King tried to hold up his cool hero's visage while dodging the tailed girls' grabs.
While everyone watched, one by one, they voiced how their quick realization that Sniper King was indeed just the Ussop, in a poor disguise. Even those who barely knew him were very aware of who was behind the mask.
Umiko took a seat on the floor crossing her legs, having given up on trying to get Ussop's Sniper King mask. She will try again later. Sniper King started to teach Chopper and Luffy his theme song, the duo picking up the tune rather fast. From the annoyed and displeased looks on their faces, Zoro and Nami were on the edge of putting an end to the loud singing.
"Hey Nami," Sanji spoke up.
"Yeah? What is it?"
"Just a second–" Sanji looked at the little singing trio. "–the rest of you idiots should hear this too. Before we go rescue Robin, there's something you need to know."
Sanji's story left a bitter tang at the tip of Umiko's tongue. It reminded her of a set of berries Iceburg brought home one day. He'd been too slow to inform her that they weren't ripe yet and she stuffed several in her mouth. Her face puckered so much that she feared she was going to swallow her own lips.
By the looks on everyone's faces, they felt the bitterness too.
Sanji sat hunched over, eyes avoiding those in the train car. "So there you have it. CP9 is controlling Robin using her childhood fears against her. I'm not making excuses for not saving her. I'm just trying to make it clear that even if we march in there to save her, it doesn't necessarily mean she'll come with us."
"None of that matters! I won't stand for this!" Luffy shouted as he threw his hands up in the air.
Riled up, Chopper shouted, "Yeah!"
"Damn Robin–"
Nami appeared fist knocking against the back of Luffy's head. "It's not her fault!"
"Of course it is Nami. She doesn't want us to rescue her, what's her big deal?" Luffy said.
Umiko tuned out the conversation only coming back in when she heard Paulie.
"Hey guys take a look at this." Paulie held up a paper. "I've been to this island before. I drew this from what I could remember."
He set the map down allowing the others to see. From what he created there wasn't much to the island, Enies Lobby had a rather simple setup. It was in a large circle with a smaller circular section of land in the middle. Two large towers with several buildings sat in the middle with a large tower located towards the back. The landmark that stood out the most on the map was a large black circle that encompassed Enies Lobby; it was similar to a moat in design.
"It's a rough sketch of the island's layout. The gates of justice are located at the back, the only way to get to it is through the tower of law."
"What's that big black thing?" Luffy asked.
"It represents the waterfall. Once we get there, you'll see. If we don't rescue Franky and Nico Robin before they pass through the main gate and through the gates of justice then that's it."
"Why's that? Doesn't matter where they take her, we'll just keep fighting until we take her back."
"I explained this before we left Water 7, remember?" Nami huffed while sitting next to Luffy. "Once we pass through that gate the only people who can pass those gates are Navy admirals and prisoners. No matter what happens we have to settle this before they pass those gates."
"Yup pretty much," Paulie confirmed. "On top of that even if we all rush the island the only one who can go up against those CP9 guys are you Straw Hats–"
Umiko huffed, tuning out Paulie's words. She took offense to that. Crossing her arms she faded away from the shipwright. She definitely could handle any of those CP9 jerks. Besides she owed each and every one of them a good lump on the head for what they did to Iceberg. She was gonna tear through that island like they tore through her home. Yeah…she was gonna have a lot of fun.
Umiko had drifted off into her own world, wondering what enemies she was gonna face until she came upon the big bosses only to finally be brought back by the sound of Kokoro's voice over the loudspeaker.
"Alright, folks! We're approaching the front of the island. While we're here, take a look at the sky behind the island. Behold the Gates of Justice!"
Sticking her head out the window, Umiko at first thought there was a shadow behind the large gate of Enies Lobby. But through the haze of the fog that drifted about she could finally make it out. It was–
"Whoooooooooaaaa! It's huge!"
Yup, it was huge. Massive. It was possibly the largest structure on the seven seas. A large gate that spanned across the water
"It's not a good idea to open them all the way. When it's time to bring a prisoner through they only open it enough to let them through. Behind that gate is some giant Sea Kings, it's much like the calm belt. An eerie body of water that cuts right through the calm belt. No ship would dare to sail through there, they'd be lost forever."
Fearfully the group listened to Kokoro's words. Well not everyone.
"Hey, where's Luffy?" Chopper asked.
Confused, the group looked around the small train car and couldn't find any sign of the straw hat-wearing boy.
"Gah!"
Everyone looked at Paulie, the shipwright jumping to his feet as his head whipped around.
"Umiko's gone!"
"Ready tail girl?"
"My name is Umiko."
Umiko kept her tight grip on Luffy's hips, scooting further back across the roof of Rocket Man. Luffy's hands were on the railing, knuckles barred down as he squeezed the metal. Umiko kept moving back until she reached the edge of the roof.
"Ready," Umiko said.
"Alright!"
"1. 2. 3–"
On 3 Umiko jumped, wrapping her legs around Luffy's waist and her arms around his shoulders. The dup shot forward, slingshotting across the water and towards the main gate of Enies Lobby.
"Look!" One of the Franky Family members pointed towards the sky. "Inst that Straw Hat?"
"That blue hair…ah that Umi-tan too!"
"Whaaaaat!"
"Why the h**l is he going in there alone?!" Paulie shouted.
"Well he's not alone, he took Umiko with him," Someone pointed out.
"That doesn't make things better!" Paulie shouted.
Luffy and Umiko were heading right for the pointed spike of the gates. Umiko "hmphed" and swung her body weight around.
"Whoa!"
Luffy gasped as he was suddenly flipped and thrown upon Umiko's back. The girl landed on the flat edge of the gate, holding Luffy in a piggyback style. From behind she could hear the King Bulls roar, along with the wild cries of those within the sea train.
"Why the h #l did he go on his own?! And he took Umiko with him!" Paulie yelled
"Those crazy idiots didn't understand the plan at all!" Zambai yelled
It was of little surprise to the Straw Hat crew members of their captain's actions. A little surprising that he managed to rope someone else in along with him. Chopper expressed what they were all feeling, jaw unhinged and dropped so low it hit the wood flooring. Nami gave an exasperated sigh, sure that a headache had already started to form. She dropped to her knees, shaking her head as she covered her face with her hand.
"Well there goes our strategy," she lamented.
Sniper King shook his head. "Luffy's really not a 'wait 5 minutes guy. I can't believe he took that blue haired girl with him too. Birds of a feather I guess."
"Hey!" Paulie snapped. "Don't go lumping our Umiko with that idiot!"
"Yeah!" TI and Lulu hopped in backing up Paulie.
Zoro sighed as he crossed his arms. "Damn should've known."
Kokoro let out a boisterous laugh, head thrown back just a bit from her amusement. "Haha he's an impatient one, isn't he? Not surprising Umiko joined in, once that girl gets riled up it's nearly impossible to stop her."
Chimney cheered, running around her grandmother, arms raised and fists pumping. "Yeaaahhh! Yeeeaaah! Go, Mr. Pirate! Go Umi!"
"It's too late now!" Zambai booked it for the Franky family boat. "Let's go Sodom, Gomorrah jump over that iron fence and break open the main gate!"
The massive bull kings reeled back, rancorous fierce roars bellowing forth. They charged, barreling towards the fence.
Luffy seemed to enjoy being on Umiko's back, arms hanging around her neck, perched up slightly to examine Enies Lobby.
"Wooooo! What's up with this place? What a huge hole! It looks like the island is floating or something!" Luffy said in amazement.
"It's the bottomless waterfall. It surrounds the main part of Enies Lobby to make it look like it's floating. It makes it harder to escape," Umiko explained.
"Cooool!"
Umiko didn't falter as Luffy climbed higher on her shoulders like she was some kind of ladder, one hand on her shoulder and the other firmly planted on the top of her head. He hoisted himself up trying to look across the area.
"Hey, I see a town too." Luffy pointed forward. "I wonder if Robin's down there."
"And Franky," Umiko added.
Luffy nodded his head, "Let's go find them Umi-tail!"
Umiko crouched low about to take off. Before her feet could leave two gunshots sounded off. She quickly jumped out the side, bullets flying by her head. Marines were quickly gathering around the fencing, guns drawn and pointed at the duo.
"There's people there! Shoot'em down before they get away!"
"Whoops, guess they spotted us," Luffy said
"Hold on," Umiko said.
She pushed off, feet denting the metal beneath her feet. With Luffy still on her back, she flew over the Marine's heads. Umiko landed on the hard paved ground, digging so deep that she created a small crater that came up to her ankles. The ground shook as those nearby nearly fell from the tremor.
Umiko pulled her feet out, flicking her legs to shake off the rubble that was clinging to her skin. Luffy hopped off her back and they took off. Luffy giggled the entire time as the duo tore through the city in search of their friends.
It was easy for them to get to the first gate, its large stature looming overhead. As they drew closer more and more Marines gathered about, attempting to stop them. A Marine on a transponder snail was fervently calling for help only to have his call cut off by a foot to the face.
A Umiko plowed down a Marine Luffy was taking his own out, fists flying like a gatling gun.
Luffy managed to snag a Marine, pulling the man in close with a frown. "Tell me where Robin is right now!"
Receiving no answer he threw the Marine to the side, colliding with several others in a large pile. He kept this up, grabbing and tossing men whenever he didn't get an answer.
Umiko wasn't wasting any time, going right for the gate. No one was going to tell her where Franky was, she would simply just have to take them all out and drag him out herself.
A Marine cut in front of her, gun raised with a cocky smirk on his face.
"Hey now little girl we don't want to have to hurt you," He snickered.
Behind him, several other Marines, weapons drawn, stood behind him.
Umiko kept running forward, eyes narrowing in a heated glare. Her pace picked up, knees bending further as her feet dug into the ground with each step.
"Wait…" One man lowered his gun. "Isn't that–?"
"It's Umiko of Water 7!"
"Who?"
"Wait doesn't that mean–?!"
Umiko shot forward like a bullet, tearing through the paved road.
"Anchor Charge - Rush!"
"It's the beast of Water 7, Umiko!"
The men had no time to scramble or escape as Umiko bowled through them like a bull in a China shop. Screams and pleas for help flew through the air as Umiko slid across the ground, landing in a lunge. She made a clear pathway for the gate. Umiko raised her left foot and with a shove forward she blew a hole through the gate. A perfectly wide opening for her and one Straw Hat teen to fit through. Glancing over her shoulder she found Luffy still threatening Marines in hopes of one of them demanding where Robin was.
As he snagged another one Umiko grabbed Luffy by the back of his red vest pulling him.
"Let's go," she said.
She pulled Luffy through the hole. They'd made it through the first major obstacle.
"The city. I bet Robin's here," Luffy said
Umiko pointed towards the next gate. "They've gotta be that way."
With that, Luffy smiles and runs off again, Umiko right behind him. The other side of the gate had an unsurprising amount of Marines waiting for them. They came in droves, hundreds of them armed and ready to take down the intruders.
Cocky seemed to be the main status of most of the Marines, one being so bold enough to step forward, gun slung on his shoulder.
"Hey Straw Hat Luffy, Beast of Water 7: Umiko, how many friends did you bring!" He jeered with a superior smirk.
Unphased Luffy simply answered with a, "It's just us."
Umiko took one step forward, cracking her knuckles. "Get out of our way," she said.
It was a beat before raucous laughter broke out amongst the crowd of Marines. Shoulders bouncing and bellies shaking with peals of laughter. This only further served to Umiko's boiling rage.
Her glare grew sharper as she raised one foot and stomped on the ground. Just like she'd done many times before, the pavement cracked and gave way beneath her foot, forming a Umiko foot-sized crater.
Those located towards the front, able to witness Umiko's strength, stopped laughing. Their eyes darted down to her foot and back towards the girl's face whose heated gaze bore down on them. A chill swept across the first line of Marines, their self-assured attitudes darting away.
Luffy started the battle with a warcry, charging at the enemy. Umiko followed right behind, unleashing a torrent of attacks. Fists and feet swinging. Bones were crushed, blood was spilled, and teeth went flying.
Luffy had managed to grab a tree uprooting it from the ground. He chucked it at a group of Marines plowing them over like bowling pins. Umiko took to grabbing Marines and tossing them at one another, using their own bodies against them. Amongst the chaos, she managed to spot a Marine on the second floor of a building. The angle of his weapon showed he was aiming for a shot toward Luffy.
Umiko reeled her foot back and swung it around, a spin kick right into the wall.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
The Marine yelled as the wall gave way and he fell from the window. Umiko caught him, but she didn't allow him any leeway, headbutting him and knocking him out.
"I gotcha!"
A Marine appeared from behind Umiko, throwing his arms around the girl and entrapping her in a bear hug. Umiko blinked as the snickers of the Marines entered her ear.
"Now your–huh?"
The Marnie floundered as his feet were lifted off the ground. He was pulled forward as Umiko leaned over until her upper body was parallel to the ground.
"What you–ahhh!"
Umiko whipped her body back, body-slamming the Marine into the ground. His head cracked against the pavement and he was out like a light. Umiko stood up, tail flicking slightly behind her.
She took a brief moment to gaze across the battlefield set before.
The battle was heating up, but the real challenges were yet to begin.