OPTC Chapter 226 Spandine
"I'm nothing but a worm that can't face the light of day…"
"Every day I grovel to that idiot of a superior, I really am hopeless!"
"A useless man like me doesn't even deserve to be an agent…"
One after another, more than thirty agents were brought out to face the test of the Negative Ghost.
By the end, some had collapsed to their knees, others sat hugging their legs, all revealing the very depths of their despair.
At the same time, they unconsciously let slip all sorts of interesting information. The old judge and other officials silently recorded useful testimony, though while doing so they quietly edged further away from the ghost.
The old judge sternly asked, "You CP5 agents disguised yourselves as members of Tom's Workshop and attacked the Judicial Ship, causing the deaths of dozens of Navy sailors. What do you have to say for yourselves?"
The agents fell silent. After a long pause, one finally muttered, "We were only following orders. Everything we did was for the sake of justice. As for those dozens of sailors, they were simply necessary sacrifices."
Captain Soisos wanted to punch them. Necessary sacrifices? Dozens of outstanding sailors, men who hadn't fallen fighting pirates, who hadn't died protecting civilians, ended up cut down by their own supposed allies instead?
The old judge pressed them again on the reason for the attack.
The agents all stuck to the same story — they were only following orders, they knew nothing of the reason, and if anyone wanted answers, they should speak to their superior.
"In that case, this incident has nothing to do with Tom's Workshop. You may leave. But remember to return tomorrow morning to attend the trial for the case from ten years ago. As for the damaged ships, I'll see what I can do about compensation."
"Da-ha-ha-ha, then I thank you kindly!" Shipwright Tom was more than satisfied with this outcome.
"Mr. Zhang Da Ye," the old judge said, "once again this time we owe you and your companions. I wonder, would you be willing to join the World Government? With my authority, I can at least ensure none of you would hold low positions."
He couldn't help making the offer. Within this small group were all sorts of remarkable people — skilled in combat, masters at shipbuilding, even capable of aiding in interrogations. Such talents were rare.
"Thank you for your generous offer," Zhang Da Ye replied smoothly. "But we're still young, and right now we only plan to travel the seas. When the time comes to settle down, we'll trouble you then."
"What a pity," sighed the judge, but he didn't push further. "In that case, I still have some matters to prepare…"
"Then we won't take more of your time." Catching the clear signal to leave, Zhang Da Ye politely bid farewell.
His purpose here had been to help clear Shipwright Tom's name, and now that it was accomplished, the conflict between the Judicial Ship and CP5 was no longer his concern. Hopefully, the old judge would pass a swift death sentence on Spandam.
As they stepped out of the courtroom, Zhang Da Ye said, "Mr. Tom, would you like to come aboard our ship for a visit?"
"Would that be alright?"
"Of course. After all, this ship was personally built by your younger brother."
"Younger brother?" Franky's eyes lit up. "Is he also an incredible shipwright? Does he look like you, Tom?"
"No, not at all. Den is a merman, while Tom is a fish-man."
Cat Tom shook his head beside them. He was a cat.
Shipwright Tom blinked in surprise. "Den? You've been to Fish-Man Island?"
Zhang Da Ye nodded. "Yes, we received much kindness from King Neptune and Queen Otohime."
…
Once Zhang Da Ye's group and Tom's Workshop had left, the old judge entered a special holding cell. He tossed the agents' confessions in front of Spandam. "You had better explain this. Otherwise, I can only send you to Judicial Island on charges of dereliction of duty and treason against the World Government, to face execution."
"Those fools actually confessed!" Spandam raged, hurling the documents to the floor. His expression twisted as he thought desperately. Could he push all the blame onto his subordinates? Claim they had acted without his orders?
But that would require silencing them, and while he was locked up himself, that was impossible.
Which left him only one path. Puffing up with false authority, he declared, "This matter concerns important secrets of the World Government. I must seek instructions before I can tell you anything. I need a Den Den Mushi!"
The old judge eyed him coldly. The man's words were half true, half lies. That it involved secrets was believable, and that he needed to contact higher authorities was also believable. But whether it was for instructions or to beg for protection, that was another matter.
Still, the judge reasoned, convicting a CP5 commander was not something that could be hidden anyway. In the end, they handed him a Den Den Mushi.
Spandam dialed quickly, then pretended to recall something. "This call is classified. You can't listen!"
"Hmph. Ten minutes," the old judge said, leading his men out and closing the door.
The line connected, and Spandam blurted out, "Dad, save me! The people of Judicial Island want to execute me!"
"What happened?" The voice on the other side belonged to Spandine, Spandam's father, the current head of CP9 — the very man who, ten years ago during the Ohara Incident, had pressed the Golden Den Den Mushi to unleash the Buster Call.
Their family, it was said, had served the Celestial Dragons for generations, and thus held high rank and influence within the World Government.
Spandam poured out the story in a rush. He had boasted before the Five Elders that he could obtain the blueprints for Pluton, but not only had he made no progress, his blunder had landed him accused of attacking the Judicial Ship.
Naturally, he couldn't mention Pluton's blueprints. If the Five Elders heard of that, they would be the first to have him killed. But without a convincing reason, he couldn't hope to escape conviction either. Desperate, Spandam put his hopes entirely in his father.
Spandine, calmer than his son, asked, "Tell me in detail how the attack on the Judicial Ship failed."
"Because the Navy somehow got hold of a pirate ship to use as a shield. And there was a strange little ship with a bunch of powerful fighters. They tore through our fleet in no time! Damn those people, I don't even know where they came from!"
The moment he thought of that flag with the grinning cat face, Spandam seethed with rage.
Spandine immediately devised a countermeasure. "I see. Then here is what you must do…"
"Yes, yes… ha ha!" Spandam grew happier as he listened. It seemed he would get out of this after all. Still, he couldn't help bringing up his ambition. "And about the Pluton blueprints…"
"That matter can wait. There's no proof he has them anyway. Once this incident blows over, just find some smaller achievements to build up your record. Then I'll have you transferred into my position. Hmph — the agents here aren't as useless as CP5's lot. Once you're here…"
The room echoed with the proud laughter of father and son.
"Hey, old man! Come take the call!" Before the ten minutes were even up, Spandam pounded on the door. When the old judge finally accepted the receiver with a frown, Spandam smugly declared, "It's the Five Elders on the line."
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