On the other side.
The young Spandam, listening to his father's instructions over the Den Den Mushi, looked overjoyed:
"Really?! Father!!"
"Hahahaha, this is great!!!"
"I'll handle it right away!"
He hung up impatiently, eager to set off.
A promotion was right before his eyes—how could he not be excited?
But then something seemed to occur to him:
"No... wait."
"I need to report to the Elders first."
After all, CP5 was directly under the control of the World Government, and the Elders were in charge.
If he acted on his own and angered them, it would be all over.
Besides, this was also a chance to show his face before the Elders. Combined with his father's maneuvering...
Spandam couldn't contain his grin.
The more he thought about it, the wilder his smile became...
...
On the other side.
In the upper offices of the World Government.
Spandine stared at the Den Den Mushi that had been abruptly hung up.
He pressed his temples, veins twitching as he fought to keep calm. He had a bad feeling about this...
"This idiot... don't you dare screw this up."
His teeth ached. How had someone as brilliant as him ended up with such a useless son...
...
Half a day later.
The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
As the head of CP5, Spandam had the right to seek an audience with the Elders directly.
Outside a leisure palace in the Holy Land.
The Elders were sitting by a poolside, resting.
Spandam walked in with a self-righteous look, bowed respectfully, and stood straight.
The Elder with the sword spoke:
"What brings you here?"
Spandam said respectfully:
"Elders-sama, here's the matter."
"According to investigations, the Fishman Tom indeed possesses the blueprints for Pluton."
The tall, thin Elder spoke:
"So such a thing... really does exist."
Spandam said respectfully:
"Yes, and quite a few pirates are after the blueprints as well."
"If they fall into anyone's hands outside the Government..."
"The situation could become... troublesome."
"The Great Age of Pirates has been going on for over a decade now."
"Pirates grow stronger every day, and their numbers keep rising."
"Preventing the resurrection of ancient weapons..."
"Cannot wait any longer!"
"As the ones upholding justice, we must control this ultimate weapon!"
"Ancient weapons should be in our hands!"
"To end this so-called Great Age of Pirates once and for all!"
Spandam's voice grew more fervent, his righteous tone growing louder with each sentence.
The blond Elder frowned slightly.
But the Elder with the curly hair nodded:
"Times are changing. What he says isn't without merit."
The sword-wielding Elder spoke:
"Then secure the blueprints first."
"Everything else can wait."
The tall, thin Elder looked at Spandam:
"This matter is yours to handle, Spandam."
Spandam saluted respectfully:
"Yes, sir!!!"
"Leave it to me!!!"
As he left respectfully, the wild grin returned to his face, uncontrollable.
A promotion... A promotion!!!
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Reading the latest issue of the newspaper, his eyes falling on a corner article about the Sea Train—
Sakazuki narrowed his eyes. If he remembered correctly... this Fishman Tom was the one with Pluton's blueprints.
He thought for a moment, then summoned Enel...
...
Late at night.
Sakazuki used the latest device designed by Vegapunk for a video call.
On the other side of the screen, as always, was the familiar underground lab of Punk Hazard.
But it looked far more furnished now.
Vegapunk spoke:
"What's the matter, Sakazuki?"
Sakazuki sent over the day's investigation files:
"Take a look at this."
Vegapunk's curiosity was piqued:
"Oh?"
Seconds later, the scanned documents appeared on Vegapunk's screen.
The very introduction caught his attention.
The owner of the ancient weapon 'Pluton' blueprints...
But as he read through the man's life story and the construction of the Sea Train, his brows furrowed...
"This guy..."
"Does he really have Pluton's blueprints?"
Looking at the outdated Sea Train design, Vegapunk seriously doubted... was Sakazuki being fooled?
A steam-powered contraption? That was so primitive...
If someone had Pluton's blueprints, even a fraction of that technology shouldn't have led to something this backward.
After all, Pluton was said to wipe out entire islands with a single shot. Its power source couldn't possibly rely on steam.
Sakazuki chuckled lightly:
"We'll know the truth in a few days."
...
A few days later, Water 7.
At the Scrap Island shore, the Fishman Tom and the future mayor Iceburg were assembling a new Sea Train.
Iceburg was distracted as he worked:
"Tom-san..."
The Fishman Tom paused his work:
"Hmm?"
Iceburg frowned:
"Everyone's happy the train crosses the sea safely."
"But... trade isn't going smoothly."
"The islands are hiking material prices maliciously."
"At this rate, nothing's really changing."
The Fishman Tom laughed:
"Hahahahaha."
"But people are full of energy, aren't they?"
"The results won't show overnight."
"As long as we do what we can, a real man keeps his head high!!!"
Iceburg froze for a moment, then smiled:
"Yeah... you're right."
Clang, clang—the work continued.
At that moment...
A group of men in black surrounded them.
At the lead was... Spandam.
Spandam spoke cheerfully:
"Apologies for the intrusion~"
"You must be the shipwright, Tom-san."
Whoosh—
A faint sound of air being sliced came from behind.
Some CP5 agents tried to warn him:
"Um..."
But Spandam suddenly turned, face twisted in rage, and roared:
"Shut up!!!"
"Can't you see I'm talking to Tom-san?!"
The subordinates silently swallowed their words:
"Yes, sir."
Spandam turned back, smiling warmly at Tom:
"I have something to discuss with you..."
BOOM!!!!
A cannonball landed right at his feet.
Spandam was sent flying.
Those agents had already disappeared the instant he turned his head...
They stared at Spandam lying on the ground, 'concerned':
"Chief Spandam!!!"
...
On Scrap Island, inside a small brick house by the shore.
The Fishman Tom sat across from Spandam, who was covered in bandages:
"Hahahahaha."
"Sorry, but I don't have any such blueprints."
With no outsiders around, Spandam dropped the act:
"Stop lying!"
"I've given you so much respect, and you still pretend?!"
"Old man! I've traced the history of Water 7! Stop playing dumb!!!"
"If we search everything around you, we'll have the truth soon enough!"
The Fishman Tom said:
"You don't have the right to search me."
Spandam smirked:
"Of course I do, Tom."
"I've discovered you were the one who built ships for the Pirate King. A great criminal."
"As a criminal, of course we have the right to search you."
The Fishman Tom laughed:
"Hahahaha."
"The Government has known about that for ages."
Spandam froze in shock:
"Impossible! If they knew, how could you still be a shipwright here?!"
He had departed hastily, with barely any real investigation... He knew nothing about Enies Lobby's stance.
Even his report to the Elders had been greatly exaggerated—he just wanted the mission as quickly as possible.
The Fishman Tom stood:
"That's for you to find out."
"Goodbye!"
With a single arm, he threw Spandam out and slammed the door shut.
Thud—
Spandam got up from the ground, furious.
He charged at the door handle, yanking it violently:
"Bastard!"
"I'm not done yet!"
"Do you know who I am?!"
"You dare—!!!"
...
Late at night.
The Fishman Tom spread out his Observation Haki, sensing the surroundings.
No suspicious presences. He exhaled and turned to his apprentices:
"Iceburg, Franky."
"Both of you, come here. I have something important for you."
Far away, on the tallest tower in town.
Enel lay on the roof, one hand supporting his head, the other holding an apple.
Crunch—
He bit into it, chewing slowly:
"So it's finally coming out."
"Pluton's... blueprints..."
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg. 414 chapters in total