"Mr. Iceberg, I'm completely serious about this. Look, let's discuss the unlimited energy concept first..." Jerry continued his nonsensical technical discussion while pointing meaningfully at the note in Iceberg's hand.
The message was written clearly: 'There's a Den Den Mushi listening device under the table. You're being monitored by the government.'
This revelation was what had caused Iceberg's earlier outburst. While unlimited energy and Red Line destruction were indeed absurd concepts, combined with the note's contents and events from several years past, Iceberg couldn't be certain whether Jerry actually knew something significant.
Iceberg was naturally aware of Jerry's identity—Water 7 wasn't some remote outpost, and wanted posters definitely circulated through the city. He shifted his position casually while glancing around the office, quickly spotting something concealed in the shadows beneath the table.
"Unlimited energy... even if such a thing could be theoretically achieved, it's not something that could be casually constructed. I suspect it would require some kind of external power source," Iceberg replied, his eyes gleaming with understanding. While appearing to engage in casual conversation, he was actually writing his own note and gently passing it back to Jerry.
'What do you know?'
After reading the note, Jerry maintained his serious expression. "External power sources aren't a problem. Don't we have Devil Fruits to work with? We could approach the problem from that angle."
As he spoke, he passed another note across the desk.
'I mean no harm. Tom and the ancient weapons—you understand. Tonight at midnight, Shipwreck Island.'
Iceberg's pupils contracted sharply as he read the message. After a moment of consideration, he quickly scribbled a response and handed it back while answering with apparent technical interest.
"Devil Fruit powers? That's genuinely fascinating. Maybe such a thing could actually be achieved."
"Exactly. While we might not achieve truly unlimited energy, we could greatly improve our conservation and utilization efficiency," Jerry replied, reading the simple 'Yes' written on the note before discreetly storing it in his system space.
The two men continued their fabricated technical discussion for several more minutes, covering concepts both real and imaginary. Eventually, they stood up, shook hands formally, and exchanged meaningful nods.
Jerry and Iceberg opened the office door and emerged to find that Deuce and Kalifa had also concluded their business discussions.
After polite farewells, Jerry and Deuce declined an invitation to dinner and began walking back toward their ship.
"Jerry, what did you actually discuss in there? Can you tell me?" Deuce asked curiously during their return journey. He genuinely couldn't imagine what common interests Jerry and Iceberg might share.
With a slight smile, Jerry chose to maintain the mystery rather than explaining immediately. "You'll find out if you come along tonight. We have another appointment scheduled."
"That mysterious, huh? Well, I guess I'll see what this is about," Deuce replied, his curiosity only increasing. Since he had no other plans, he might as well investigate.
After eating a quick meal, they soon returned to their ship, which no longer displayed any pirate insignia. Ace, Carrot, and the others had already returned and were entertaining themselves on deck.
The group had gathered in a lively circle around a game board with numerous pieces—they were playing the Five-in-a-Row game that Jerry had taught them during their travels.
"Oh, that looks fun," Jerry observed, slowly approaching the group.
"We're planning to take the Sea Train to Food City tomorrow," he announced, patiently waiting for the intense match between Skull and Carina to conclude while gently patting Carrot's head.
"Yay! That means we can eat lots of delicious food!" Carrot exclaimed excitedly.
"Haha! My goal this time is to sample every single delicacy they have!" Ace declared with obvious enthusiasm.
Both Carrot and Ace were already lost in culinary fantasies, their imaginations running wild with possibilities.
"Yohohoho! It's making me drool with anticipation, even though I have no saliva to drool," Brook added with his characteristic skeletal humor.
The evening continued pleasantly as Brook provided violin accompaniment for their gathering. Sometimes he played solo pieces, other times Carina took the lead vocals, and they essentially created an impromptu concert right there on deck.
As night deepened and the city grew quiet, Jerry took Deuce and headed toward their arranged meeting place with Iceberg. He had informed the crew about their nighttime excursion in advance.
Jerry could have easily avoided involvement in Water 7's complex situation with the World Government. However, for Tom's sake and the principle of the matter, Jerry didn't mind providing some assistance. After all, maintaining good relations with the World Government was already impossible given his current status.
Soon, Jerry and Deuce arrived at Shipwreck Island. When Jerry spotted a figure on the coastline, he activated his Observation Haki and nodded to Iceberg, who turned at their approach.
"Good evening, Mr. Iceberg. Sorry if we kept you waiting."
"Good evening. I just arrived myself," Iceberg replied.
After brief pleasantries, Iceberg continued, "Mr. Jerry, shall we continue the discussion we began this afternoon?"
"No rush. We have some uninvited observers nearby," Jerry said, raising his palm with a smile while looking toward the shadows. He called out loudly into the darkness: "Come out now, or I'll have to be less polite about this."
Shipwreck Island offered numerous hiding places among the scattered debris, but this particular location was special due to its proximity to Franky's base of operations.
Following Jerry's challenge, more than a dozen figures gradually emerged from the surrounding shadows. Leading them was the eccentric man known as Franky, wearing only an open Hawaiian shirt and swimsuit briefs.
At this point in time, Franky was still the overconfident cyborg who had recently returned to Water 7 to establish his territory. He had just begun building his Franky Family and was involved in various businesses as a dismantler and part-time bounty hunter.
Perhaps because he recognized the location, Iceberg remained calm and showed no surprise at the interruption.
Franky swaggered forward with his gang, his eyes briefly sweeping over Iceberg while cracking his knuckles theatrically. "Hey there, boys! What exactly are you planning to do on my turf?"
"Actually, you're perfectly timed. Saves me from having to track you down," Jerry replied with even greater arrogance, completely dismissing the cyborg's posturing.
He raised his right hand and waved casually at Franky's subordinates, clearly indicating they should keep their distance. Then Jerry manipulated the surrounding seawater, causing several water dragons to rise silently with their heads looming high overhead, observing all present with silent menace.
The sight caused Franky's gang members to break out in nervous sweats as they stammered to their leader: "Big Brother... this guy..."
Before they could say more, Jerry turned to Franky with a knowing smile. "Don't worry, I have no hostile intentions. If I wanted to harm you, you'd have no power to resist anyway."
Jerry's expression grew more serious as he continued, "Besides, I know your real name—Cutty Flam, now Franky, correct?"
"Furthermore," Jerry added with a mischievous grin, "you wouldn't want your... ah, senior brother here to lose his position, would you?"