"My, my, this is quite spacious!"
In the first-class cabin of the Sea Train, Garp sprawled across his seat with an unrefined posture that was anything but Marine-like—more like a bandit.
"Though I expanded the train's height and width somewhat, it still couldn't accommodate that young man's massive frame... had to make do with stuffing him in the freight car."
"Hahaha, that's understandable. If there's one race with zero need for the Sea Train, it's the Fishmen," Michael said, sitting across from Tom.
"And even among Fishmen and Merfolk, giants like Jack and Neptune are rare, right?"
"Well... size isn't the main issue," Tom replied with a chuckle. "It's that most normal Fishmen would never choose to eat a Devil Fruit."
"True enough."
Michael laughed wryly.
For humans, eating a Devil Fruit is almost always a pure boost—except for losing the ability to swim.
But for Fishmen, it really does feel like putting the cart before the horse.
Still, given Jack's sheer size, mastering Fishman Karate was unlikely anyway.
And since he stayed by Michael's side, not being able to swim hardly mattered—as long as he could accept it.
"So, what should we do when we reach Enies Lobby?"
"Just take your seat in the Judgement chamber. Don't lift a finger, don't say a word—just wait for your trial. I'll handle everything else." Michael's lips curled into a sharp, confident smirk.
"Let soldiers come, I'll block them; let floods rise, I'll stem them. Even if the Five Elders show up... well, they wouldn't mobilize over such a trivial matter, would they?"
Hearing Michael's words, Tom felt reassured.
Since he couldn't contribute much himself, further questioning would just be a waste of time.
As a typical hands-on shipwright, he had no interest in inefficient matters.
So he relaxed completely and began chatting with Michael.
"You mentioned earlier that my invention is a hundred times more valuable than Pluton? What exactly did you mean by that?"
"Pluton is merely an extremely powerful weapon of war. It might be somewhat useful in this era, but it can't truly influence the course of battles... Once the current conflicts end, this invincible warship will instantly become redundant—unworthy of keeping yet too precious to discard... But the Sea Train is different. Whether now or in the future, it will become a vital tool to connect the entire Grand Line."
Michael wasn't just flattering Tom.
If the Sea Train could be fully popularized, the dangers and troubles of the Grand Line would be greatly reduced.
The Marines could also use it to strengthen their control over every corner of the sea... effectively decreasing the number of pirates.
Even setting aside the pirate issue, it would completely link and circulate the economy across the seas.
Instead of relying solely on trading ships.
It could be said that for the entire world, the significance of the Sea Train is immeasurable.
After all... who doesn't want to become wealthy?
Who doesn't want their impoverished hometown to prosper?
This is the purpose of the Sea Train... to connect island after island, piecing the fragmented oceanic world back into a whole.
Right now, it's just the beginning—there's no need to rush.
However...
"Speaking of the Sea Train... would you be interested in taking on a job, Tom-san?"
"A job?"
"After this matter is settled, I'd like to hire you as the chief engineer of the Marine Engineering Corps. The Marines will provide you with full support, whether financially or technically... If needed, we can even send you to Egghead Island to collaborate with Vegapunk on upgrading the Sea Train."
Michael's words were undoubtedly sincere.
A talent like Tom in the industrial field was someone he absolutely couldn't let slip away.
Keeping him firmly in hand would bring countless benefits and no harm... Besides, Tom was a fish-man, and given Michael's relationship with the Ryugu Kingdom of Fish-Man Island, this was only natural.
With the level of black technology in the One Piece World, plus the presence of Vegapunk, they might even develop something like a high-speed rail for the seas.
"Are you... serious?"
"Of course." Michael nodded, then outlined his plan to Tom.
First, connect the four seas, then radiate outward from Marine Headquarters, ensuring the Marines could reach every corner of the ocean at the earliest possible moment.
The sheer scale of this project made even Tom, the inventor of the Sea Train, gasp in awe.
No one understood the potential of the Sea Train better than he did.
This Marine Grand Inspector before him... truly had extraordinary vision.
"If I survive... I'll take this job without hesitation."
"Ahahaha, truly worthy of being the world's greatest shipwright... By the way, where are your two apprentices? They must be extraordinary to be your disciples. Why not have them join us too?"
"You mean Iceburg and Franky? But those two youngsters still have a long way to go in their training... Especially Franky—he's far too reckless."
****
"Shipwright Tom, for building the pirate ship for the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, is essentially guilty!"
"However, because he constructed the Sea Train, the World Government has shown mercy and decided to arrest the criminal Tom only now!"
"Currently, the criminal Tom is being escorted by the Grand Inspector Michael to Enies Lobby to face Judgement!"
The undercover spies of CP had now all reverted to their original attire, using subtle distortions to twist the truth—portraying Tom and Michael's journey to Enies Lobby as Tom being arrested by Michael and taken there for trial.
And since this came from the mouths of World Government spies, it was hard not to believe.
So...
Now, all of Water 7 was in an uproar.
"All you shipyard workers! Listen up! Launch every ship! We're heading to Enies Lobby to bring Tom back!"
"Why is Franky the one giving orders!? Once we rescue Tom, we'll teach that disrespectful little brat a proper lesson!"
"Ahahaha! Stop complaining. After all, Tom-san is Franky's teacher—it's only natural for him to shout that! Hurry up! The Sea Train won't wait for anyone!"
Thanks to the resurgence of Tom's Shipbuilding Company, Iceburg had become the mayor of Water 7 several years earlier than expected.
At this moment, he eyed the CP agents with suspicion.
Legend had it… that the Grand Inspector of the Marine didn't get along too well with the World Government.
And according to the Rear Admiral T-bone, it was this very man who had instructed the Enies Lobby garrison to look after Water 7!
"There's definitely… something fishy going on here."
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