Faced with Luffy's proposition, the four government agents fell silent.
As spies raised by the government since childhood, their loyalty to the World Government was unquestionable.
"Don't rush to answer me. I'll give you a few days to think it over."
Luffy said casually.
He didn't care about their combat abilities, but their identities as government agents could be useful.
"Bartolomeo."
"Yes, Lord Luffy. Your loyal little brother has been waiting for your gift!"
Bartolomeo arrived promptly.
"Lock them up. You'll be in charge of looking after them."
"Yes, sir!"
After dealing with them swiftly, Luffy turned to Franky.
"You did the entire transformation of this ship?"
"How could one man modify a ship from this port in just a month? The people from Galley-La... Those two helped me."
Franky shook his head.
Rob Lucci and Kaku—whose superficial identities in Water 7 were shipwrights of Galley-La—had aided him.
"So they were government spies?" Franky frowned slightly.
Being targeted by government agents... Of course he knew what they were after.
"They're after the blueprints of the Ancient Weapon Pluton hidden in your body."
Luffy stated outright, shocking everyone on the spot.
"Huh? The blueprints for Pluton? Ancient Weapon?"
Usopp's mouth dropped open.
Franky's expression changed, feigning confusion:
"What are you talking about? Blueprints?"
"Over 800 years ago, the greatest warship in shipbuilding history—the super battleship built in Water 7—was known as Pluton, one of the three Ancient Weapons."
Luffy smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm not interested in the blueprints."
There was already a version of it constructed—what did he need with the blueprints?
Even if he wanted to build another, who knew how costly that would be?
The only force in the world capable of gathering all the necessary resources was the World Government.
Franky's face darkened.
He didn't understand how Luffy knew about this... He was the only one who knew the secret of those plans!
As they talked, Robin suddenly approached and pressed herself against Luffy, her expression seductive.
"Captain Luffy~... Your slave Robin is here~"
(...What!?)
Luffy was completely baffled.
In the next instant, the real Robin's voice rang out behind him.
"Seis Fleur: Slap!"
Six hands suddenly sprouted from "Robin's" body and began slapping their face.
"Ouch, ow! What are you doing, Robin?!"
Mr. 2's face was swollen from the series of slaps Robin gave him.
"Don't use my appearance to do such embarrassing things,"
Robin said solemnly.
"Even I get embarrassed by that."
Mr. 5 laughed out loud:
"He totally deserved that, hahaha! Captain, Miss Robin, allow me to help discipline him!"
Too lazy to argue with Bentham, Luffy turned to Nami and asked:
"Nami, is the Log Pose ready?"
"The magnetic field here has been stable for a week, but the needle is acting a bit strange—it's tilted slightly downward."
Nami raised her left hand and showed the wristwatch-like device to Luffy.
The needle, which pointed toward the next island, was angled slightly down.
"The next island it's pointing to is Fish-Man Island."
Luffy explained:
"But before that, we have to cross the 'Florian Triangle.' Get ready, everyone—it's time to set sail!"
As he spoke, he wrapped one arm around Robin's waist and with the other grabbed Franky—who had been trying to sneak away—by the neck.
"I'll head over to Galley-La and settle your payment with the mayor!"
In the next moment, amid Franky's screaming, he flew toward the central area of Water 7.
---
At the mayor's mansion.
Iceburg had suffered some injuries during last night's attack.
Now, he was resting alone in bed, a bandage on his forehead, staring out the window with a serious expression.
He recalled the warning Luffy—Straw Hat—had given him a month earlier:
[Your secretary is a government spy.]
That statement had become a reality last night.
The government had their eyes on the Pluton blueprints and had planted spies at his side years ago.
"What should I do now?"
Iceburg pondered, completely unsure of his next steps.
With his limited strength, how was he supposed to protect both Water 7 and the blueprints?
Last night made it clear how far the government was willing to go. They'd clearly run out of patience.
Just then, someone entered through the window and flung the curtains open.
"Luffy? Franky?"
Iceburg looked at the Franky in Luffy's grasp in shock, and his expression changed instantly.
"The blueprints are inside him."
Luffy got straight to the point:
"You did a great job. As payment for modifying my ship, I'll be taking him with me—and I'll carry the burden of the Pluton blueprints for you."
"What?"
Iceburg was stunned.
"What are you saying?"
Robin suddenly stepped forward and said:
"I understand."
After a pause, she smiled and continued:
"Mayor Iceburg, our captain wants to entrust the blueprints to you for safekeeping. And Franky—we'll take him with us. The government will focus all their attention on us, while you and Water 7 will remain safe."
That's just like Luffy, she thought to herself.
Iceburg spoke in disbelief:
"Luffy, how do you even know about this? Did Franky tell you?"
"How could I say something like that?!"
Franky protested.
"Wasn't it you who told him?!"
Both of them turned to Luffy.
"It doesn't matter,"
Luffy said plainly.
"I don't need to lie to you. You already know who the woman by my side is."
He had the blueprints and an archaeologist capable of reading ancient script… Reviving Pluton was a real possibility.
Iceburg understood what he meant and immediately got out of bed.
"Why would you do something like this for us?"
"I told you—this is your payment for modifying my ship."
Franky finally regained his senses and pointed at himself:
"So I have to join his crew now?"
"We'll just tell the government that the Straw Hat crew kidnapped an exceptional shipwright named Franky from Water 7,"
Luffy said with a half-smile.
"What do you think?"
Thud!
Iceburg immediately knelt down and bowed deeply.
"I will never forget this kindness, Luffy!"
Franky was still full of reluctance, but in the end—persuaded by Iceburg—he surrendered the blueprints hidden inside his body.
"Goodbye then, Mayor Iceburg."
With their final task completed, Luffy grabbed Franky, scooped up Robin, and in the blink of an eye flew out the window.
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."