Legal notice: all original characters, plot, and settings belong to Eiichiro Oda. I also grabbed the first lines of Usopp's Hero song from a fan wiki website. Enjoy chapter 25!
"Better stop laughing and regret, CP9. Never again will you get a chance like before to cut me down, World Government dogs!" There was silence after Zoro's declaration.
"I've said it before! I'm not a dog!" the giraffe eventually protested.
The wolf chuckled. "It's just an expression. Whoever heard of a World Government giraffe?"
Magina shook her head. Even if the two animals were allies, it didn't seem like they would ever get along. It was better for them in the long run, but it was still annoying. Nami snapped at Zoro and Usopp as soon as the assassins turned away.
"And what do you two think you were doing? You know that we don't have a lot of time to play around!"
"That's because he was doing something stupid!" Zoro and Usopp barked back while pointing to each other.
Magina stifled her giggle. Nami was right. This wasn't the time to be joking and playing around. Robin was getting farther away, and they still didn't have all the keys. A change in the air pressure warned her just in time. Magina rolled out of the way as the giraffe suddenly attacked. A strong presence intercepted the strike.
"Pay attention, siren and look around you! These enemies will kill you if your attention wanders during the battle!" Zoro growled.
Magina's first reaction was to argue back but Zoro was right. She wasn't focused yet. She glanced behind her. Usopp and Nami were waiting by the door and it looked like trouble was about to join them.
"Got it! Leave it to me!" Magina saluted and began sprinting to the others.
Rushing forward, she heard Zoro say, "No, you idiot! That's not what I meant!"
Magina clenched her teeth. She knew that wasn't the answer that Zoro was looking for from her, but she could do nothing else. That wolf was already attacked Usopp once. He couldn't be allowed to try a second time! Magina heard a plink when the wolf tossed the key to the ground. The trap was set and any moment now… She pushed her legs to move faster.
"No, don't! Watch out!" Nami warned as the sharpshooter bent down to pick up the key.
Magina leapt in front of the wolf. The sharp claws raked her body. The force of the blow sent her flying backwards into Usopp. The marksman grunted as they both soared through the air before they crashed through a wall.
"Magina!"
She dimly heard the voice. Black surrounded her vision for a few more heartbeats. Rubble fell to the ground. A steady hand jostled her gently.
"Magina-kun, are you alright?"
She really should respond, reassure them that she was fine. It was just a little bump. She ground her teeth together and gathered up her strength. She needed to say something, anything… Instead, she only coughed weakly and groaned. She tasted blood in her mouth, and she couldn't catch her breath.
"Yosh. Rest here for a little while, Magina-kun. As thanks for taking the brunt of his attack, I'll do something about that wolf."
Magina struggled to move. No! Usopp would not be able to handle that enemy. She dragged her body up. She leaned against the broken wall.
"Oh, sounds like you're all fired up. Why don't you give me your best shot?" the wolf grinned wickedly.
"Don't regret it. Special Move: Sunflower Star!"
Magina inhaled deeply. It hurt a little, but her breath was slowly turning even again. She didn't have a lot of time. She needed her body to move now so that she could back up Usopp. 5 pellets flew through the air, straight at the wolf. Right before they were about to hit the target, the animal disappeared. The inhuman speed at which this group moved was unreal. The next second, he was standing right behind Usopp.
Her eyes widened. Couldn't she do anything? Magina stood up, her entire body trembling. The broken wall supported her. She lurched forward a step. She had to help!
"Was that the best you can do? I'm a little disappointed. I thought since you were talking so seriously that you were on a higher level. Now, it's time to hunt!" the wolf howled before jumping and kicking Usopp away.
The wolf tracked Usopp's movement in the air before finally kicking Usopp down to the ground. Magina felt the vibrations under her feet from the impact. Nami tried to jump in but was also kicked away. Magina staggered another step. She concentrated so hard on getting closer to the wolf that she didn't notice the sultry sound until a hand patted her shoulder.
"Magina-san, I'll handle this. Even if I could forgive this wolf for going after a comrade, I will never forgive the beast for attacking two wonderful ladies. Now, please, excuse me, mademoiselle. The hunter is about to become the hunted."
Sanji. Magina sagged to the ground in relief.
Zoro and Nami cried out "Usopp!" simultaneously as the wolf poised to make a killing blow.
Magina couldn't help a small smile as Sanji interrupted the wolf with a flying kick of his own. She even heard the slight relief from Zoro as soon as Sanji came on the scene. There was annoyance as well, but Zoro was entrusting the wolf to the cook.
Usopp propped himself up to one elbow and coughed. "Sorry, Sanji-kun. I guess I really am useless after all."
Sanji interposed his body in between Usopp and the wolf.
"You are too distracted with strength. Pay a little more attention to what's happening around you. Look outside."
Magina tried to catch a strain from his song, some kind of hint as to what he was pointing out. His melody betrayed nothing except that the situation was serious. Magina limped over to stand by Nami. They both peered outside.
Nami gasped, "No way!" Robin!"
Magina felt the world spin and she struggled to stay standing. The Gates of Justice were cracked ajar. She remembered that Kokoro-san told them the Gates were never opened all the way, just enough to escort prisoners through.
"Robin," Usopp whispered from the ground.
Sanji nodded. "There is no longer any time to waste. Every minute, every second that we take here means that Robin-chan gets farther away from us."
Magina dragged her eyes away from the crack for a second. The clang of steel rang out throughout the room as the giraffe kept attacking Zoro. Magina had no doubt that Zoro would be victorious. Was there any way to save Robin? She snapped back as Sanji's song changed. Anger, worry, and determination rang through Sanji's voice.
"There are things that you cannot do and there are things that I cannot do. I will take care of what you can't do. I will defeat this enemy. And you need to take care of what I can't do. You are the only hope for saving Robin-chan."
There was stunned silence for a moment. Magina's brows furrowed. What was Sanji implying? He had some sort of plan. Wouldn't it just be faster to tell them what he was thinking? Sanji turned towards her.
"And I think your abilities will help him stop Robin-chan, Magina-san."
"Sanji…" Usopp's tortured voice cracked.
Sanji tapped his shoe on the ground, preparing to engage in combat with the wolf who was emerging from the rubble.
"You can't fight this enemy. Leave him to me. I can't do anything to save Robin-chan from here. Only you and Magina-san can stop her from leaving us. Think carefully, Usopp!"
What was Sanji thinking? Usopp was trying to keep his identity a secret! Instead of being shocked, Usopp silently contemplated Sanji's words.
"I got it! Magina-kun, come with me! We have to stop Robin-kun!"
As injured as he was, Usopp was suddenly beside her. She glanced over at Nami. The navigator looked just as confused as she felt. They couldn't do anything from this far away, could they? She saw Usopp's hand grip the handle of his new weapon. Magina's eyes widened. Of course! She threw an annoyed look at Sanji. He should have just told him in the first place.
Nami and Usopp rushed out of the room. Magina breathed in deeply and prepared to follow them. Sanji had a final word for her.
"Magina-san, my words weren't just for that masked idiot. You have an important role as well. Robin-chan needs your power. Sacrificing yourself to act as a shield isn't what any of us want. I know the marimo probably doesn't tell you enough, but you are not useless."
"Oi! Keep calling me marimo and I'll cut you up after this giraffe, you damn Love Cook!" Zoro growled while he blocked an attack.
Magina glanced between the two men. They fought often but in this one instant, they were in unified agreement. Tears burned the back of her eyes for just an instant. She nodded curtly and started following Nami and Usopp. She couldn't take the time to mull over Sanji's words or Zoro's obvious agreement. She had a job to do. It didn't take long until she caught up to the two of them.
"Hanapp, are you sure you'll be okay to fight? That lying wolf kicked you pretty hard," Nami asked.
Usopp coughed weakly. "So, you're not using any part of my name anymore? Well, anyway. Of course, I'm fine. Because I am…Sogeking!"
"Hai, hai. Where are we going?"
"This is the "Tower" of Law, correct? We're going as high up as we can go. I will need as much height as I can get."
Nami turned towards her. "And you, Magina? Are you okay?"
She grunted. This wasn't the time to be worried about her wounds. Robin came first. She borrowed something from Chopper's pack. It wasn't much, but maybe it would help. She dug it out and handed it to Nami.
"One roll of gauze might not do much good for the three of us, but I hope it helps a little."
Magina glanced over at Usopp. Ever since the talk with Sanji, his song had switched completely over to his normal melody. How was she supposed to help him?
"Magina-kun. While we were traveling on the Rocketman, did you learn the song that I taught Luffy-kun and Chopper-kun?" Usopp asked her seriously.
The question startled her at first. What was he planning? "Oh! I think I remember how it goes. Why?"
"Magina-kun. I think with your voice singing that my aim and my shot will improve. Will you help me stall Robin-kun?"
Magina only hesitated a second.
"I want to save her just as much as anyone else on the crew. But…"
"Hmm? What's wrong, Magina-kun?"
She pulled a face. "Do I have to sing that song? Can't I sing the other one?"
"There's no need to be embarrassed, Magina-kun! I'll sing it along with you until you learn it. We'll begin right now! On the Sniper Island I was born…"
Usopp didn't even wait until they were in position. Magina groaned. There was no helping it. She would have to sing the song, even if it was stupid.
Hi All! I hope you enjoyed Chapter 25! It's been crazy, so it was pretty amazing that I finished this chapter in time. Things are going back to normal at my work starting next week, so I've been thinking about taking another month break just to get reacclimated. (I also have to talk with my sisters and try to work out some sort of schedule!) As always, I pray that everyone is safe and healthy and that this chapter brings some joy and excitement in your life! See you in August!