Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1511. Only one year remained until the Sea Train, as depicted in the original story, would be completed and operational.
Ever since Franky's arrest, a strange atmosphere had descended upon Water 7. The flow of pirates and merchants hadn't diminished; in fact, the city had become even more prosperous. But this was all just a facade. Beneath the calm surface, a great danger was brewing.
At the center of the storm, Tom, Iceburg, and Franky were caught. No matter how much they struggled, they would ultimately have to face what was coming.
And the executioner who had orchestrated it all, Doflamingo, watched silently from the shadows as events unfolded. His goal remained unchanged: to acquire the Pluton blueprints and put these unwitting shipwrights to work for him.
Building Pluton was a massive undertaking that would require a vast number of shipwrights. Where else could one find more than in Water 7? If it weren't for this need for labor, Doflamingo would have long since used other means to coerce Tom into surrendering the blueprints.
When people have something to care about, they have a weakness. And through that weakness, what one desires can naturally be obtained.
Aboard the Ark Maxim, Doflamingo was sunbathing with several of the women.
"Young Master! Water 7 has been so lively lately!" Baby 5 grumbled as she diligently applied sunscreen to Doflamingo's back. It was clear she wanted to go out and play.
"It's true, Young Master. It seems like the number of pirates and Marines in Water 7 has increased recently," said a scantily clad Monet, lounging on a beach chair and gazing at Doflamingo with alluring eyes.
"Is something big about to happen, Dof?" asked Ibes, who had just arrived with drinks. She sat down by Doflamingo's legs and handed a beverage to him and to Robin, who was engrossed in a book nearby.
Doflamingo stopped Baby 5's vigorous rubbing and sat up, taking the drink from Ibes and downing it in one gulp.
"What could happen? It's nothing more than a normal occurrence. Let's just enjoy this rare moment of peace," Doflamingo said, walking to the edge of the ark and gazing out at the island of Water 7.
"Heh, that's true. Who would dare to provoke us anyway?"
"Brother, do all these Marines have something to do with us?" Robin asked, putting down her book and taking a small sip of her drink. She looked seriously at Doflamingo, who was standing by the railing.
Hearing her question, the others also turned to Doflamingo with tense expressions.
"Relax. We're not so easily provoked," Doflamingo said with a self-deprecating smirk. "And the World Government and the Marines aren't that foolish. A new era has begun, and they're very busy. They don't have time to bother with small-fry like us."
"Young Master, we are not small-fry!" Baby 5 retorted, disagreeing with Doflamingo's assessment. "We are the Donquixote Pirates, and our name will be known across the seas!"
"Is that so? Then you'd better work hard. Have you mastered everything I've taught you?"
"Th-this... Young Master, I..."
Baby 5's bold ambition vanished in an instant, replaced by her usual meekness.
"Since you're so eager for our crew to become famous, I'll have to train you rigorously," Doflamingo said bluntly.
"Alright! Bring it on, Young Master! I'm not afraid of you!"
"That's the spirit."
The others watched their exchange, and the atmosphere grew cheerful.
While the Donquixote Pirates were full of laughter, Tom was working himself to the bone, preparing to get Franky released.
At Tom's Shipyard, Iceburg and their secretary, Kokoro, stayed by Tom's side, but he remained completely focused on his work.
"Mr. Tom, what are we going to do? In two days, they're going to take Franky to Enies Lobby for trial! If he's found guilty, he'll face endless imprisonment, or even execution!" Iceburg asked anxiously.
"Iceburg, let Mr. Tom have a moment of quiet," Kokoro gently advised.
"I... I'm sorry, Mr. Tom," Iceburg apologized.
"It's alright, Iceburg. I'm glad you're so worried about Franky's safety. He's lucky to have a good brother like you," Tom said, putting down his wrench to comfort him. "Franky will not die."
"Mr. Tom, do you have a plan?" Kokoro asked, looking at Tom tentatively.
"Yes. I do," Tom said simply.
Hearing this, inextinguishable smiles spread across the faces of Iceburg and Kokoro.
"What is it?" Iceburg asked eagerly.
"You don't need to worry about that. When the time comes, just make sure you keep a close eye on Franky," Tom said, giving Iceburg a deep, meaningful look.
Iceburg pondered this for a moment before replying, "I understand. I'll watch that guy Franky and make sure he doesn't cause any more trouble."
Tom looked at Iceburg and nodded with satisfaction. With an apprentice like him, he could rest assured.
"I'm going to see Commodore Albert."
"Alright, I understand. I'll arrange it at once."
Iceburg immediately set off for the Commodore's station.
It wasn't easy for an ordinary person to see a Marine officer. He was a man of some rank, after all, and carried himself with a certain air. Without a little incentive, they weren't keen on seeing just anyone.
Not everyone was as approachable as Garp. Most Marines were just trying to make a living. If they could secure a high rank, they could enjoy the benefits that came with it. Why would they work themselves to death chasing pirates? They'd rather spend their time in the office, drinking tea and flirting with their secretaries.
To be honest, this phenomenon existed in every organization, but corruption was particularly rampant in the Four Blues. The further from Marine Headquarters, the worse it became—as the saying goes, "heaven is high, and the emperor is far away."
Watching Iceburg hurry away, Kokoro spoke up with worry in her voice. "Mr. Tom, do you really have a plan? This is no ordinary matter. Are you thinking of...?"
"You know, and that's enough. Don't say it out loud, and don't tell Iceburg or Franky," Tom said, cutting her off.
"But... if you do that, you'll really die!" Kokoro said, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Haha, if it weren't for the Sea Train, I probably would have died long ago. All things considered, I've had a good, long run," Tom said with a laugh, completely at ease and showing no fear of death.
"Mr. Tom..." Kokoro murmured his name, looking at his smiling face.
"It's alright. Maybe the World Government won't decide to kill me," Tom said, trying his best to console her.
"I understand," Kokoro said, wiping away her tears. It was shameful to cry in front of a man she respected so deeply. Since he had chosen his path, she had to support his decision, no matter what.
Tom smiled, and his white beard seemed to smile along with him.
Soon, with Iceburg having smoothed the way, Tom arrived at Commodore Albert's office.
There were only two people in the room. For the sake of confidentiality, Tom had asked Iceburg to wait outside.
"Commodore Albert, we meet again," Tom said politely.
"Mr. Tom! What wind blew you here today? Please, have a seat," the Commodore said with a polite smile.
"I want to see the person behind you," Tom stated directly, not taking a seat. He had come to get straight to the point.
His words were a bombshell, and the smile on Albert's face froze.
"What are you talking about, Mr. Tom? The only thing behind me is the Marines!" Albert said, regaining his composure.
"I just want to meet them. There's no danger to you in this, you can rest assured."
Albert could see the seriousness in Tom's round face, and the complete transparency with which he saw through his little game.
This old fox... does he already know everything? Or perhaps... ah, forget it. An old man's cunning is a force to be reckoned with. I'd better let my good friend handle this. I've done my part. Albert weighed the pros and cons and decided to wash his hands of it. Getting involved with a World Government official without direct orders from above was against the rules.
"Ahaha, you're joking, Mr. Tom. You'll be seeing him very soon," Albert laughed, his composure restored.
"Then thank you, Commodore Albert. In that case, I won't disturb you any longer."
Tom had been inside for less than three minutes, and now he was leaving.
"In that case, I won't see you out. Just wait for my message."
"Thank you."
Under Albert's watchful eye, Tom opened the office door and left with Iceburg.
"Old fox. Sharp as a tack," Albert muttered, casting a deep glance at Tom's retreating figure. He then picked up the Den Den Mushi and called Spandam. "Heh heh... I'll leave this to you, my good friend."
Purupurupuru...
"He wants to see me? Alright, I understand. It's about time I met this old fellow," Spandam said, hearing Albert's report and giving him a sense of reassurance.
After hanging up, a sinister, intriguing smile spread across Spandam's face.