Meanwhile.
The young Spandam, listening to his father's instructions over the Den Den Mushi, was filled with surprise:
"Is that true! Father!!"
"Hahaha, that's great!!!"
"I'll go do it right away!"
He hung up the phone impatiently, eager to leave.
Promotion was within reach, how could he not be excited?
But then he seemed to remember something:
"No."
"I still need to ask the Five Elders for permission."
After all, CP5 was directly subordinate to the World Government, an organization under the jurisdiction of the Five Elders.
Acting without authorization could upset them.
Moreover, this opportunity would allow him to make an impression on the Five Elders, coupled with his father's machinations...
Spandam’s smile was uncontrollable.
He laughed more and more brazenly...
------
Meanwhile.
In a high-level office of the World Government.
Spandain watched the Den Den Mushi call abruptly end.
He suppressed the throbbing veins, pressed his temples, and felt a bad premonition...
"This idiot... I hope he doesn't mess it up."
He had a headache, how could he, so wise and mighty, have such a foolish son...
------
Half a day later.
The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
As the head of CP5, Spandam had the right to directly petition the Five Elders.
Outside a leisurely palace in the Holy Land.
The Five Elders were sitting by the swimming pool, resting.
Spandam walked in with a righteous demeanor, bowed respectfully, and stood straight.
The Five Elder with a sword said:
"What is it that requires an audience, speak."
Spandam respectfully said:
"It's like this, Five Elders."
"According to our investigation, the Fish-Man Tom possesses the blueprints for Pluton."
"It is true!"
The tall, slender Five Elder said:
"That thing... it truly exists."
Spandam respectfully replied:
"Yes, and many pirates are also eyeing the blueprints."
"If it falls into the hands of anyone outside the government."
"It will be difficult for the government to handle."
"The Great Pirate Era has begun for over ten years."
"The pirates' strength is constantly growing, and their numbers are increasing."
"Preventing the revival of an ancient weapon."
"Is a matter of utmost urgency!"
"We who uphold justice must possess this trump card!"
"Ancient weapons should be controlled by us!"
"To destroy this Great Pirate Era!"
Spandam's righteous speech grew more passionate.
The blond Five Elder frowned slightly.
The curly-haired Five Elder, however, nodded:
"Times are changing, what you say has some merit."
The Five Elder with a sword said:
"Then you go and retrieve the blueprints first."
"We'll discuss other matters later."
The tall, slender Five Elder looked at Spandam:
"This matter is entrusted to you, Spandam."
Spandam saluted respectfully:
"Yes!!!"
"Leave it to me!!!"
After respectfully retreating, his ecstatic joy was uncontrollable.
Promotion... promotion!!!!
------
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Looking at the latest issue of the newspaper, a small corner featured news about the Sea Train.
Sakazuki's eyes narrowed. If he remembered correctly... this Fish-Man Tom possessed the blueprints for Pluton.
After some thought, he summoned Enel...
Late at night.
Sakazuki used the latest equipment designed by Vegapunk to conduct a video call.
On the other side of the video, it was still the familiar underground secret chamber in Punk Hazard.
However, it was now much more enriched.
Vegapunk said:
"What is it, Sakazuki."
Sakazuki transmitted the information he had gathered during the day:
"I have something interesting for you to see."
Vegapunk became interested:
"Oh?"
A few seconds later, the scanned files appeared on Vegapunk's screen.
The introduction at the beginning immediately captivated him. The possessor of the ancient weapon 'Pluton's' blueprints...
Then, as he read about the life experience and the construction of the Sea Train, he frowned...
"This guy..."
"Does he really have Pluton's blueprints?"
Looking at the outdated design of the Sea Train, Vegapunk seriously doubted... if Sakazuki had been deceived.
A device powered by steam was simply too primitive...
With Pluton's blueprints, even learning a little wouldn't lead to such a backward design, right?
After all, it was something capable of destroying an island with a single cannon blast, and its energy source couldn't possibly be primarily steam.
Sakazuki chuckled:
"We'll know the result in a few days."
------
A few days later, Water 7.
On the shore of Shipwreck Island, Fish-Man Tom and the future mayor Iceberg were assembling a new Sea Train.
Iceberg assembled the train absentmindedly:
"Mr. Tom..."
Fish-Man Tom stopped working:
"Hmm?"
Iceberg's brow furrowed:
"Although everyone is happy that we can safely cross the sea..."
"But... the trade isn't going smoothly."
"The prices for materials are being maliciously inflated by various islands."
"If this continues, nothing will change."
Fish-Man Tom laughed:
"Hahahaha."
"But aren't people full of vitality?"
"The effects won't be apparent immediately."
"As long as we do what we can, a man should stand tall and proud!!!"
Iceberg was stunned for a moment, then smiled:
"That's true..."
With a ding-dong, they resumed working.
At this moment...
A group of men in black surrounded them.
Leading them was... Spandam.
Spandam approached with a cheerful demeanor:
"Excuse me~ I'm sorry to bother you."
"Are you the shipwright Tom?"
Whoosh—
A faint whistling sound came through the air.
A few CP5 subordinates tried to warn him:
"Um..."
Spandam suddenly turned his head with a fierce expression and roared:
"Shut up!!!"
"Can't you see I'm talking to Mr. Tom!!!"
The subordinates silently withdrew their warning:
"Yes."
Spandam turned back, and then looked at Tom gently:
"I have something I'd like to discuss with you..."
Boom!!!!
A cannonball hit the ground at their feet.
Sending Spandam flying.
And those subordinates had already disappeared the moment Spandam turned around...
Looking at Spandam who had fallen to the ground, they "worriedly" said:
"Officer Spandam!!!"
------
On Shipwreck Island, in a small brick house by the shore.
Fish-Man Tom and Spandam, who was bandaged head to toe, sat opposite each other:
"Hahahaha."
"I don't have any blueprints for that thing."
With no one else around, Spandam dropped his pretense:
"Stop lying!"
"I've been humble and shown you enough respect, and you're still playing dumb?"
"Old man! I've already traced the history of Water 7, stop making excuses!!!"
"As long as we search everything around you, we'll have results soon!"
Fish-Man Tom said:
"You don't have the right to search me."
Spandam said smugly:
"Of course I do, Tom."
"I've already found out that you are the great sinner who built ships for the Pirate King."
"Since you are a sinner, we naturally have the right to search."
Fish-Man Tom laughed:
"Hahahaha."
"The government already knew about that long ago."
Spandam looked astonished:
"How is that possible? If they knew, you'd still be working as a shipwright here?"
He had set off in a hurry and hadn't investigated thoroughly... He had no idea about Enies Lobby.
Even his report to the Five Elders was an exaggeration, just wanting to complete the mission quickly.
Fish-Man Tom stood up:
"You'll have to find that out for yourself."
"Goodbye!"
With his thick arm, he directly threw Spandam out and closed the door.
Thump—
Spandam, who had fallen to the ground, got up angrily.
He rushed towards the doorknob and yanked it forcefully:
"Bastard!"
"I haven't finished speaking!"
"Do you know who I am!!!"
"How dare you!!!!"
------
Late at night.
Fish-Man Tom activated his Observation Haki, sensing his surroundings.
He found no suspicious individuals and let out a sigh of relief, then looked at his apprentices behind him:
"Iceberg, Franky."
"Come here, the two of you. I have something important to give you."
On the tall tower in a distant town.
Enel lay casually on the rooftop, propping his head with one hand and holding an apple in the other.
Crunch—
He took a bite and chewed a few times:
"Finally, it's time to bring it out, huh."
"Pluton's... blueprints..."