Just as Spandam glared darkly at old Tom, a sudden voice from outside made everyone freeze.
Tom knew very well—this time, there would be no escaping death.
Unless he handed over the blueprints of the ancient weapon.
But if those blueprints were to fall into the hands of the World Government...
The image that came to mind—the consequences of them controlling such a weapon—made Tom's resolve harden. He would rather die than hand them over.
Just as that conviction solidified in his heart, the sudden voice interrupted everything.
"Who's there!?"
Spandam and the two CP agents behind him spun around sharply.
Two figures stood just beyond the doorway, their silhouettes framed by the bright, blinding light from outside.
Their faces couldn't be seen clearly, but it was obvious one was a man and the other a woman.
As the two stepped inside, Spandam's eyes went wide.
Nico Robin!
The instant he recognized her, his mind went blank—then quickly filled with excitement and greed.
"Catch her!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Spandam shrieked the order.
The two CP agents, obeying their superior, moved instantly—appearing at Robin's sides, reaching for her shoulders.
BOOM!
Before their hands could even make contact, they were sent hurtling backward, crashing through the walls faster than they had attacked.
Two gaping holes appeared in the room's walls. The agents were nowhere in sight.
Lowering the leg he'd just raised, Don turned toward the pale-faced Spandam, then shifted his gaze to Tom.
"Sorry about the wall. I'll compensate you later."
"Huh?"
Still dazed, Tom blinked and nodded reflexively—then shook his head in a panic.
"No, no need to pay!"
Don smiled and nodded, then turned slightly toward Robin.
"Spandam," he said calmly, "the World Government official who's been ordering your capture all these years—his father is Spandine, the one who activated the golden Den-Den Mushi and launched the Buster Call."
Robin's eyes locked on Spandam's trembling figure. She then looked back at Don.
"I'll let you decide."
Though her hatred for the World Government ran deep, Robin was always rational.
She worried that acting rashly against an official might cause Don unnecessary trouble.
"You bastard!"
Spandam, ignored and humiliated, drew his blade in fury.
The weapon in his hand twisted and warped, growing massive ivory tusks.
"Ivory Assault!"
Gripping his transformed sword, Spandam roared and charged forward, striking at Don and Robin with desperate rage.
"Rokuren Kaika: Hook Claw."
Crack.
The sound of bones snapping echoed through the room.
The ivory and steel blade froze mid-swing before clattering to the ground.
Spandam's eyes were filled with disbelief, his neck bent grotesquely to one side.
"I need a ship built," Don said, glancing once at Spandam's limp body. With a flick of his hand, the fallen sword—with its ivory traits—flew into his grasp. Then he turned to Tom.
Tom's eyelids twitched as he stared at the collapsed Spandam, then nodded heavily.
"Of course. What kind of ship do you need?"
He took a deep breath, though his mind was reeling—who exactly were these two?
"Not too big," Don replied. "But it must be fully functional and sturdy. And I want a flame-thrower installed."
He raised his hand, which burst into flames.
Logia-type ability user…?
Tom froze, his eyes widening in astonishment at the sight of Don's blazing palm.
"I understand."
Don's request wasn't complicated, but Tom decided to use the best materials and technology available.
Consider it payment for saving his life.
Still, the World Government wouldn't let this slide—especially with one of their own officials dead.
"Robin," Don called out suddenly.
Robin, still watching Spandam's twitching body, turned toward him.
"The money for the ship!"
She blinked, then understood. Taking off her backpack, she stepped forward and handed it to Tom.
Tom received it automatically, and when he opened it, his eyes widened—it was full of Berries.
"Five hundred million Berries. For the ship."
"I—I can build it for free," Tom stammered instinctively. But when he looked up, Don and Robin were already walking away.
"Forget free," Don's voice echoed back. "Also, the World Government agents in Water 7 won't be bothering you for a while. Still, a bit of advice—when the ship's done, you'd best leave this city."
Leaving only those words behind, Don and Robin vanished down the street.
Outside Tom's workshop, dozens of CP agents lay sprawled unconscious across the ground.
"Are we leaving Water 7 for now?" Robin asked, glancing around at the bodies.
"No need," Don replied. "With the city's shipwrights, it won't take long to build. We'll stay put for now."
He spoke casually as they walked through the streets of Water 7, his eyes glinting as he examined the weapon in his hand.
A sword that had eaten a Devil Fruit.
It wasn't the only one.
And it wasn't just swords—non-living objects could eat Devil Fruits too.
Crocodile's subordinate had a gun that ate the Dachshund Fruit, and now Don held a sword that had consumed the Elephant-Elephant Fruit.
Then there was Shanks' brother—Figarland Shanks' elder sibling, the former commander of the Holy Knights, Figarland Shamrock—whose blade had devoured the Mythical Cerberus Fruit.
"What is that?"
Robin noticed Don staring at the blade with interest.
"A weapon that's eaten a Devil Fruit," he replied.
"Huh?"
Robin blinked, momentarily confused.
Don chuckled, handing the sword to her as he walked toward the city's bank, explaining how inanimate objects could consume Devil Fruits.
A short while later, Don emerged from the bank carrying a large chest.
"That should be enough for our expenses. Feels like it's been a while since we earned anything."
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"It's not like we have many places to spend it anyway," Robin said with a faint smile.
"So, what now?" she asked.
"Now," Don said, looking out toward the bustling city, "we let a few people know that I'll be staying in Water 7 for a while—so they don't come looking for trouble."
As he spoke, his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) expanded, enveloping the entirety of Water 7.
Most of the CP agents stationed here had gone with Spandam to Tom's workshop.
After all, Spandam had been the commanding officer for CP in this area.
…
In a quiet bar at the edge of Water 7, a few figures sat huddled together.
"There's been no word from the chief," said Blueno, his voice low.
The bar—newly opened and empty of customers—was deathly silent.
END OF CHAPTER
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