Three days later, it was the day when the World Government's judicial ship arrived at Water 7 for the trial of fish-man Tom.
Many people in Water 7, including some on the judicial ship, believed that Tom could be acquitted this time because, over the past decade, he had single-handedly completed the construction of several Sea Train lines.
Although in the original story, even years after the invention of the Sea Train, there were still only a few lines, many people could see the remarkable nature of the Sea Train. Even the judge who had made a pact with Tom back then and was now presiding over his trial, after personally riding the Sea Train, gave high praise to this mode of transportation and to Tom's efforts.
However, not everyone on this island hoped for Tom's acquittal.
Spandam, having been thrown out by Tom and ridiculed by Gin, roamed the streets and alleyways, investigating and learning that the judge on the judicial ship might acquit Tom due to his contributions to the Sea Train.
For Spandam, this was unacceptable.
The importance of the Sea Train to this city and even the entire world was insignificant to him compared to the tangible achievements. Only by obtaining the blueprints for the ancient weapon, the battleship "Pluton," could his mission be considered complete. And only if Tom remained guilty could he manipulate him under the name of the World Government.
Spandam, being somewhat clever, after learning this information, wandered around the Scrap Island where Tom's Workshop was located. Seeing the warships filled with weapons docked by the shore, he finally came up with an idea.
Cutty Flam's personality was like that of a child who never grew up. He didn't want to harm others, but he had an extraordinary love for weapons and destructive things. Combined with his outstanding manufacturing talent and incorrigible nature, he had created many highly lethal weapons and ships over the years, often used to challenge and hunt the sea's rulers, the Sea Kings.
As the CP5 chief, Spandam, having come up with an idea, immediately ordered his department to send a few more skilled intelligence agents to the city.
Thus, on the day the trial began, when Spandam learned that the judicial ship had arrived at Water 7, he ordered the waiting intelligence agents to infiltrate the various warships docked on Scrap Island and sail them toward the judicial ship.
By the time the noise reached Tom and Iceburg, a total of over thirty warships loaded with various weapons and ammunition had already sailed far away.
"Mr. Tom!" Iceburg looked anxiously at the warships that had inexplicably sailed away and then at the serious-faced Tom. "Those ships..."
The young Iceburg was more composed and intelligent than his fellow student Cutty Flam. Although he couldn't fully guess that Spandam would be so insane as to order his subordinates to attack a judicial ship belonging to the same World Government, he vaguely sensed something ominous.
Tom's usual smile was absent from his face as he gazed in the direction the ships had departed, speaking in a deep voice, "That seems to be the direction of the judicial ship."
...
Despite living under a bridge outside the city all these years, surrounded by scrap and trash, Tom's past achievements in building ships for the Pirate King Roger and his contributions to the Sea Train had given him a Pivotal Figure status in the hearts of Water 7's residents. Today was his trial day, and whether they hated him due to the Great Pirate Era and wished for his execution or were grateful for the Sea Train and hoped for his acquittal, they all gathered at the dock where the judicial ship was moored.
The originally quiet dock gradually became bustling.
Having gone into the city early to buy groceries to prepare for a celebration of Tom's acquittal, Cutty Flam also arrived at the dock. On his way there, he overheard many conversations among the local residents, most of whom believed that the judicial ship had returned to Water 7 after fourteen years to declare Tom innocent.
Maintaining a good mood, Flam turned his head and spotted a familiar figure in a white uniform. Approaching, he greeted, "Gin, you're here too? Didn't you say the arrival of the judicial ship wasn't your responsibility?"
Gin turned around at the sound, his gaze instinctively sweeping over Flam's lower body, noticing that this exhibitionist, who usually preferred wearing briefs, was actually wearing pants. After taking a second look, he replied, "I care about Mr. Tom's trial and hope to hear the result as soon as possible."
"Mr. Tom will definitely be acquitted," Cutty Flam said nonchalantly. "This trial is unnecessary."
"Better safe than sorry," Gin smiled, then asked, "Did that World Government official I met at Tom's Workshop a few days ago come back? I've heard he's been in the city these days, asking about Mr. Tom and you guys. You should stay alert."
Gin continued, seemingly concerned, "Do you know what that official wanted with Mr. Tom?"
"I don't know," Flam paused before replying somewhat dismissively, "Maybe it's about building a ship for Roger."
"Isn't the judicial ship here for that reason?" Gin frowned slightly.
"Who knows? The World Government is like a scattered mess, with departments unclear about each other's responsibilities, even conflicting sometimes. It's common," Cutty Flam said with impatience.
Seeing this, Gin stopped asking questions, appearing thoughtful. But then, his muscles suddenly tensed, his pupils rapidly contracted, and he instinctively grabbed the two T-shaped steel batons tucked behind his waist.
Despite being thin, Gin was always strong. Before joining the Marines, he had used solid iron rods as weapons. Later, after learning swordsmanship at the dojo, he found he didn't particularly like swords. Upon entering the Marine system for training, he returned to using the heavier and more familiar iron rods. After further learning and exchanging experiences with colleagues at headquarters, he switched to the more practical T-shaped batons.
Compared to iron rods, this weapon was much more flexible in its techniques, combining offense and defense. In William's previous life, even the police force was equipped with them, demonstrating their practicality.
Boom!
The moment Gin became alert, an explosion suddenly erupted on the judicial ship. Along the distant coast, a row of warships lined up, continuously firing cannonballs, launching an attack on the judicial ship.
Gin squinted to observe, and upon recognizing the warships, he abruptly turned to look at Flam beside him, only to find the latter standing dumbfounded.
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