You're Not Alone

Having slipped into the coach where Robin is held, Sogeking lays out the rescue plan to her. He explains that Sanji and Franky are aboard the vessel drawing the attention of the others, and that more allies are still en route. Robin cuts him off, insisting she cannot return. Sogeking counters by telling her that Iceburg survived and has already revealed to the crew the real motive behind her decision to leave. Their exchange is broken by a knock, and Corgi steps inside. Sogeking conceals himself beneath Robin's cloak; Corgi grows wary yet fails to spot him.

Two cars away, Sanji presses his fight with Wanze, who has surged in strength after donning his ramen-based suit. Beyond the boost in power, Wanze can ensnare Sanji whenever the cook strikes. When Sanji aims for the face, Wanze blocks it, claiming he has no openings anywhere and that he has already studied Sanji's combat style. In response, Sanji breaks his own rule and takes up chef's knives, reasoning that a kitchen full of food as a weapon justifies using his hands.

Sogeking lets Robin know her crewmates among the Straw Hats are chasing the Sea Train and that they understand what truly drove her away. For the first time, Sanji fights with his hands, wielding kitchen knives against Wanze. Franky opens his clash with Nero. The pair size each other up, evenly matched in attack and defense, while the Puffing Tom closes to roughly twenty minutes out from Enies Lobby.

This installment belongs to the Water 7 Arc. The cover continues the serialized Goldenweek side story, the ninth volume of Operation: Meet Baroque Works, in which Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, bruised from a rough landing on Kyuka Island, learn the place is overrun with Marines while Goldenweek herself is fixated only on getting ice cream.