OPTC Chapter 225 Now Is It Too Late To Change My Name To Tom?
At this moment, Shipwright Tom was working with his two apprentices and a giant frog to help the Navy's craftsmen repair the Judicial Ship.
The earlier battle had left considerable damage, and since tomorrow's trial would allow some citizens of Water 7 to attend as observers, such a shabby appearance would be disgraceful. Because of this, the old judge personally asked Tom and his apprentices for help.
Their masterful craftsmanship left the Navy's shipwright completely stunned. From being haughty at the start, he quickly turned humble, asking for guidance, and soon was reduced to little more than an assistant. His despair only deepened when he realized his efficiency wasn't even on par with that of the towering frog.
What broke him completely was when a little cat, after watching for a while, pulled out a tiny hammer and saw from who-knows-where and joined in on the repairs.
He wanted to stop the cat from messing around, but before he could say a word, the feline had already patched up a hole. Its efficiency and skill were shockingly no worse than Tom's.
Only after asking around did he learn that this cat was also named Tom.
The Navy shipwright suddenly had an epiphany: clearly, only those named Tom could become top-tier shipwrights. Then… would it be too late if he changed his name to Tom now?
But such things needed careful thought. Being a sensible man, he put aside the idea for the moment and instead went to the cook to request a large variety of fish dishes as an offering for the impressive little cat.
Cat Tom rubbed his paws happily. As his master always said, a cat was born to be useful, snacks spent would always return. Delighted, Tom shared some of the food with the frog Yokozuna.
He had learned that this big frog was Shipwright Tom's pet, which in a way made it his own pet too. Cheerfully, he fed the frog for a while, then reached out to pat its head.
Meanwhile, snackless Perona was frowning inside the cabin, writing homework. Though the exam had been interrupted, homework could not stop. If it did, she could kiss her snacks goodbye.
Brook, on the other hand, said he didn't dare set foot on the Judicial Ship, as it made him feel like he was about to be interrogated. He stayed behind on the Amber.
Ye Yan, having not napped enough, went back to sleep, saying to wake him if something important came up.
The others followed Zhang Da Ye, guided by a few sailors, to tour the Judicial Ship. The interrogation of the CP5 members was being handled directly by the old judge and Captain Soisos. No outsiders were allowed to participate, since this was technically a conflict between two World Government departments. However, the judge assured them a proper answer would be given.
The Judicial Ship was huge, capable of carrying hundreds of people with ease.
It was essentially a floating courthouse. Its courtroom was built high and grand, which slowed its sailing speed considerably. Zhang Da Ye had already noticed this while traveling to Water 7 — they had been forced to hold back their speed just to keep pace with the lumbering Judicial Ship.
Its sluggish movement probably served to highlight the solemnity and dignity of the seaborne court, though its helpless floundering whenever attacked really was a sorry sight.
From deck to courtroom, to barracks and dining hall, the sailors showed them everything. Unlike the filthy, chaotic pirate ships they'd seen before, the Judicial Ship, though old in some areas, was spotless and well maintained.
Even its prison was kept remarkably clean. There they saw the Silver Fox Foxy and his crew.
Everyone seemed to have received decent medical care — at least judging by how loudly they could curse. After being scolded repeatedly by the sailors, they finally quieted down, though they still glared with hatred at the ones who had put them behind bars.
Zhang Da Ye didn't mind. He even politely waved goodbye as they left the prison.
After visiting several non-confidential areas, Zhang Da Ye came upon the old judge again. The man was frowning as he spoke, while nearby, Franky looked like he was about to explode. More composed, Iceburg had him locked in a headlock to keep him still.
Zhang Da Ye asked, "Mr. Justice, is the interrogation going poorly?"
The old judge nodded. "Some of them insist they are from Tom's Workshop, while others claim they were hired by Tom. Although I have the authority to request CP5's personnel records, they are an intelligence agency — it will take time. If they keep trying to pin this on Tom, tomorrow's trial may be complicated."
"Damn it, let me go, you idiot! I'll beat the truth out of them!" Franky roared, struggling.
"Enough, you stupid Ki! Haven't you already caused enough trouble?" Iceburg barked, looking ready to hit him.
"What did you say?" Franky, though refusing to back down verbally, clearly felt guilty, as his tone lost much of its strength. He knew this mess was largely his fault.
"Da-ha-ha-ha, if it comes to that, then so be it." Shipwright Tom laughed heartily. His dream had always been to build the Sea Train and restore Water 7's vitality. Now that the Sea Train was complete, he believed the city only needed time to flourish again. His own life, he didn't value so heavily.
Zhang Da Ye thought for a moment and said, "If the goal is to make them admit who they really are, I might have a method. But I can't guarantee it will work."
Franky and Iceburg immediately stopped arguing, looking at him expectantly.
The old judge said without hesitation, "What is this method? As long as it isn't too extreme, try it."
"In that case, let's try. Allow me to fetch something from the ship first."
Five minutes later, Zhang Da Ye returned from the Amber — with a small white ghost floating beside him.
The moment they saw the ghost, Tom ducked behind Artoria, while Rui Meng Meng and Shark Chili looked uneasy. Shark Chili didn't show much expression, but even he seemed stiff.
"What is this, a ghost? Can it make people tell the truth?" Franky leaned in curiously, even reaching out to touch it.
"Pervert!" a little girl's voice echoed faintly from the Amber as the ghost passed straight through Franky's body.
"Franky!" Despite being annoyed with him a moment ago, Iceburg shouted in concern right away.
Zhang Da Ye reassured him, "Don't worry, he'll be fine."
Franky dropped to his knees, pounding the floor uncontrollably. "This week I've been the worst! I don't deserve to be called a pervert at all!"
The group fell silent. Was being "not perverted enough" really something to grieve about?
Iceburg smacked his own forehead. "This idiot."
"Ahem." Zhang Da Ye cleared his throat and explained. "That's a Negative Ghost. Whoever it passes through becomes extremely pessimistic for a short while — just like Tom's apprentice there. I thought maybe we could use it to make those people blurt out the truth without realizing it."
Rui Meng Meng and Shark Chili shuddered. Only their boss could come up with such a socially devastating tactic.
The old judge stroked his beard and carefully took half a step back. At his age, if he ended up on his knees like that, who knew if he'd be able to stand up again.
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