Summary:
Robin finishes her story, saying that while she considers the Straw Hats her friends, she believes that one day they will no longer be able to protect her from her pursuers. She is also afraid that the Straw Hats will also betray her like the others. After Spandam points out that accepting Robin means making the entire world an enemy, Luffy tells Sogeking to shoot the World Government flag. Sogeking uses his Fire Bird Star to burn the flag and declares war on the World Government over Robin, much to the shock of those present. Touched by the depth of Luffy’s actions, Robin exclaims that she wants to live and return to the sea with the Straw Hats. The rest of the Straw Hats then prepare to battle CP9 and rescue Robin.
Saul fights the battleships and attempts to allow Robin to escape. She attempts to board an evacuation ship, but is denied access on Spandine’s orders. Vice Admiral Kuzan, later known as Admiral Aokiji, enters the scene to engage in battle with Saul. As they fight, the evacuation ship is sunk by the fanatical Vice Admiral Sakazuki, later known as Admiral Akainu. Saul, on the brink of death, instructs Robin to escape on his raft. Convinced by Saul’s argument and Sakazuki’s action, Kuzan helps Robin escape. Since then, Robin has lived a life on the run, unable to trust even the kindest people in the world who believe her existence is a sin. In the present, Robin confesses her greatest fear: being seen as a burden by her crewmates and shunned because being with her means having the world as an enemy. Finally knowing what was holding her back, Sogeking burns the government flag on Luffy’s orders and declares war on the World Government itself. Spandam, the Marines, and the World Government soldiers are completely shocked. Spandam howls at the Straw Hats that they can’t expect to live with the entire world as their enemy, but Luffy roars in rage if he wants to bet on it. Robin begins to cry after seeing her friends stay by her side. Luffy yells at Robin that she wants to live and the others cheer her on. Robin remembers Saul’s words to her – that she will find true friends who will never leave her side no matter what. While she also remembers all the horrible things they once said to her, she also remembers what Usopp told her: to believe in Luffy. She broke down in very heavy tears, realizing that the world had denied her a reason to live. Until now, she had never been allowed to voice her own wishes. Finally, she wails that she wants to live and for Luffy to take her and the crew to sea. Luffy flashes a triumphant smile while Franky sobs at being touched by what he just saw. The Straw Hats prepare to battle CP9 to save their beloved crew member at all costs.