On the way back to Tom's Shipyard, Iceburg walked alongside Tom. He was bursting with curiosity and tried several times to speak, but the words wouldn't come out.
"Iceburg, if you have something to say, just say it," Tom said in a gentle tone, seeing his apprentice's anxiety.
"Mr. Tom, can Franky be saved?" Iceburg asked anxiously.
"Just wait a little longer. We'll have a result soon," Tom reassured him.
"Is that so? Alright..." Iceburg was disappointed. He had gotten an answer, but not the one he had hoped for.
The two walked on toward the shipyard, lost in their own thoughts.
While Tom was away, Albert had explained everything to Spandam in detail. It had to be said, Albert was quite reliable when it came to getting things done—perhaps because he wanted to wash his hands of the whole affair and avoid any further connection to it. After all, he didn't want this matter to blow up and jeopardize his career. He had done more than enough for his good friend.
"Men, go and inform Tom," Albert commanded a guard after hanging up the phone. "Tell him that in three days, someone will be waiting for him here."
"Yes, sir!"
The message arrived at Tom's Shipyard just as Tom and Iceburg returned.
"Alright, I understand. I will be there on time," Tom replied to the guard.
Iceburg watched the guard leave and turned his gaze back to Tom. This time, however, he didn't ask any questions. A few ideas had already begun to form in his mind. Perhaps Mr. Tom had some unusual connections within the Marines.
It seemed Franky could be saved after all.
Buoyed by this thought, Iceburg felt a weight lift from his shoulders, and he was filled with hope for the future.
"Oh, by the way, Mr. Tom," Iceburg said, suddenly remembering something. "A few guys came by yesterday wanting to become shipwrights. Would you like to meet them?"
"They want to become shipwrights?" Tom's heart swelled with gratification. There were still people who wanted to continue in this trade. Even without him, they would carry on.
"No, I'll leave it to you, Iceburg," Tom declined.
"Alright, Mr. Tom. Don't worry, you can leave it to me," Iceburg promised.
Tom nodded and looked at Iceburg again, his eyes filled with gentle affection.
"Mr. Tom, why are you looking at me like that?" Iceburg asked, puzzled.
"Haha, Iceburg, you and Franky have been studying with me for over a decade now, haven't you?" Tom said with a smile.
"It's all thanks to your teaching that Franky and I were able to become skilled shipwrights," Iceburg said, looking at Tom with deep respect.
"Then do you want to go out and make a name for yourself? To surpass an old man like me?" Tom asked, his gaze serious.
Iceburg pondered for a moment before answering earnestly, "I do have that thought. I've already discussed it with some like-minded friends."
"Good, that's good! A man has to go out and make his mark. With ambition like that, I can rest easy," Tom praised him happily. "Just... you'll have to take good care of Franky from now on."
"Don't worry," Iceburg chuckled. "Even if I can't handle that kid, isn't Mr. Tom still here?"
"Yes, I am," Tom said evasively. He then urged, "Go on, go see those new young men who've joined us."
"Alright!"
Iceburg left with a joyful heart, ready to meet the newcomers.
In a room at the shipyard, Iceburg was interviewing the new applicants. He looked at the seven or eight men standing before him, his expression turning serious. "Do you all want to become shipwrights?"
"Yes!" the men answered in unison.
"Good. Since you've joined us, I will teach you well," Iceburg replied with satisfaction.
His words, however, did not satisfy Lucci, who was standing among the group. He was here to get close to Tom, and it would be best if he could do so from the very beginning.
So, Lucci voiced an objection.
"Mr. Iceburg, I was wondering if I could learn directly from Mr. Tom," he asked, his face a calm, emotionless mask.
The others looked at Lucci, surprised by his audacity.
"Haha, a fine young man. What's your name?" Iceburg wasn't angered by the question; on the contrary, he seemed pleased.
"Rob Lucci. The man who wants to become the greatest shipwright in the world," Lucci answered coolly.
"Good, very ambitious!" Iceburg praised, then sighed. "Unfortunately, Mr. Tom is no longer taking apprentices. Otherwise, I would have truly wanted you to become my junior."
"It doesn't matter if I can't become your junior, Mr. Iceburg. As long as I can work with Mr. Tom, I'll be satisfied. After all, being able to learn from him is my greatest wish."
It had to be said, Lucci slipped into his role quickly. He was playing the part of a dedicated shipwright to perfection.
"You'll have your chance," Iceburg said, walking over to Lucci and patting his shoulder encouragingly.
The gesture made Lucci's entire body tense up.
Iceburg assumed he was just nervous and said with a smile, "Relax. From now on, we're partners."
"Understood."
Three days later, Spandam, who had deliberately made Tom wait, met him on time in Albert's office.
"Mr. Tom, we meet again," Commodore Albert said with a smile.
"Thank you for your trouble, Commodore."
"Not at all. This is Chief Spandam. He will answer all of your questions. I'll leave you two to talk."
After introducing Spandam, Albert quickly left the room.
Only the two of them remained.
Spandam looked down on Tom, and a strange, tense atmosphere filled the office.
Finally, Tom broke the silence. He smiled at Spandam and said, "Chief, everything Franky is accused of, I did it. It has nothing to do with him."
"Oh? How would I know that? Just because you say it has nothing to do with him, it doesn't?" Spandam said aggressively.
"I am willing to trade my life for his. Is that enough, Chief?" Tom asked, completely unfazed by Spandam's despicable demeanor.
"Not enough, Tom. Some things aren't calculated that way. If you want to trade for Franky's life, do you have any more valuable chips to offer?" Spandam continued to press.
Hearing this, Tom's heart tightened, but he held his ground. He asked tentatively, "Chief, my Sea Train was approved by the World Government. That achievement, plus my life, should be enough to trade for Franky's, shouldn't it?"
"Heh. Tom, where is your Sea Train? I haven't seen it," Spandam sneered.
"Chief, the Sea Train will be operational very soon. I just need a little more time," Tom said through gritted teeth, refusing to give up.
"Tom, you and I are both smart men. Let's stop beating around the bush. That thing is not something you should possess. You can't handle it. Give it to me, give it to the World Government! Only then can you all live well. The Sea Train, your apprentice... everything will be fine."
The dagger was revealed. Spandam began to lay out the stakes for Tom.
"Chief, I... I don't know what you're talking about," Tom stammered, sweat beading on his forehead as he feigned ignorance.
Spandam's patience snapped. He slammed his hand on the table, rushed over to Tom, and grabbed him by the collar. "Old man, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!" he snarled. "Cooperate with me, and everything will be fine!"
Tom was not intimidated by Spandam's ferocious expression. He calmly replied, "Chief, I really don't know what you're talking about."
"Fine, fine, fine," Spandam said, his anger turning into a twisted smile. He carefully straightened Tom's wrinkled collar and threatened, "Then your precious apprentices will have to share your fate. You don't want anything to happen to them, do you?"
"You...!" Tom was furious, pointing a finger at Spandam before letting his hand fall helplessly.
"Don't be angry. I hear the Sea Train is your lifelong dream. Don't you want to complete it? And watch your two precious apprentices succeed and achieve great things?" Spandam persuaded.
Tom fell silent, pondering the consequences for a long time.
After a while, Spandam's patience wore thin. "Haven't you decided yet?" he demanded.
Tom finally relented. "Alright. I want a guarantee that they will be safe. And I will only hand it over after I've completed the Sea Train."
"Hahaha, good, good, good! Fine!" Spandam laughed. "You go ahead and build your Sea Train. I have time, I can wait. However, Franky will only be released when it's finished."
"I understand," Tom nodded.
"It's all up to you now."
After their talk, they both left, each weighed down by their own thoughts.
Returning to the shipyard, Tom's heart was heavy. He had calculated everything, but the secret of the Pluton blueprints had still been leaked. Although he had promised to hand it over the moment the Puffing Tom was complete, he had no intention of doing so. The blueprints must never fall into the hands of the World Government.
He had already planned for the future.
The things that needed to be entrusted would be passed down to the next generation. Then, he could depart with a happy heart.
Iceburg and the others were unaware of Tom's thoughts and continued with their work as usual. Only Kokoro, who suspected the truth, kept her mouth shut at Tom's behest, not daring to speak of it.
Water 7 was peaceful, having returned to its usual tranquility.
However, no one knew that this was merely the calm before the storm.