OPTC Chapter 230 Tom's White Gloves
No matter how ridiculous the verdict was, once the judge had spoken and declared the court adjourned, everyone could only leave in an orderly manner under the guidance of the navy soldiers.
Soon, the news would spread throughout Water 7, and Tom's Workshop would gain an even greater reputation. Meanwhile, that foolish CP5 officer who accidentally injured his own men would become the laughingstock of the city.
As for Spandam, his mind was collapsing. This wasn't what had been agreed upon! He was supposed to be rescued quickly, build some merit, get promoted, and then continue plotting over the Pluton blueprints. But this stubborn old judge had dared to clash with the Gorosei over something so trivial. If not for Spandain desperately protecting him, Spandam would already be on his way to Impel Down, never to come out again.
Meanwhile, Tom's Workshop and the Amber Travel Group, as victims, remained behind. Soldiers escorted them to a lounge to wait for the old judge.
Before long, the judge appeared in casual attire. Compared to yesterday, he looked as if he had aged a great deal. Perhaps it was because his lifelong faith in justice had been broken, draining his spirit and leaving him weary.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you all," the old judge said, his voice heavy. "For certain reasons, I couldn't give him the punishment he deserved."
The group didn't know what had happened after they left the judicial ship yesterday, but they could hear the helpless sorrow in his tone. For a man like him, having to read out a fabricated truth must have been agony.
Tom the fishman laughed heartily. "Tah-hahaha! You've already done more than enough. Thank you for your judgment ten years ago!"
Zhang Da Ye added, "The people of Water 7 are fortunate to have a judge like you."
In the end, the World Government only served the Celestial Dragons. Expecting perfect justice from them was impossible. This old judge was already a rare clear stream in a muddy river. Good men shouldn't have to live their lives staring down the barrel of a gun.
The judge shook his head. Even if these people didn't blame him, he couldn't forgive himself. Waving a hand, he ordered two soldiers behind him to hand over a chest to Tom and Zhang Da Ye. "This is a small form of compensation. Please, don't dwell on what happened."
The money for them, along with the extra compensation for the navy casualties, had been pulled straight from CP5's budget. After such a huge blunder, it was only right to bleed a little.
The CP5 branch would likely have a rough year ahead. Still, the Gorosei wouldn't care much. Lose CP5, and there was always CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4, CP6, CP7, CP8, CP9, and CP0.
Neither Zhang Da Ye nor Tom bothered to count the money. Curiously, though, despite Tom's Workshop losing more than thirty warships, their compensation seemed smaller than what the Amber Travel Group—who suffered no losses at all—received.
"In addition, the World Government asked me to extend an invitation to the Amber Travel Group. If you are willing to join the navy or CP, they promise you suitable positions."
Zhang Da Ye noticed the judge's tone this time was similar to Major Kuro at the Sabaody bounty exchange. "Our answer is the same as yesterday."
The old judge nodded. He had expected that. Yesterday's invitation was his personal goodwill. Today's was just him going through the motions, fulfilling orders from above.
After a few more words of comfort, they left the judicial ship.
"Prepare for return," the judge told the soldiers, watching the group depart. Once the orders were passed, he quietly turned back to his room, his figure looking lonely.
…
"Mr. Tom!"
"Mr. Tom!"
"Thank you for all your efforts for Water 7 over the past ten years!"
Crowds of residents swarmed the pier, surrounding Tom's Workshop and showering them with gratitude. If not for Tom's massive frame, they might have lifted him up for a celebratory toss.
Shark Chili pushed through the crowd at the front, Zhang Da Ye and Ye Yan followed behind, with Artoria and Rui Meng Meng close after. They formed a sharp formation just to squeeze their way out. Today's spotlight belonged to Tom's Workshop, not them.
Once clear, Zhang Da Ye instinctively reached behind his head, sketching the outline of a cat with his hands—but felt nothing. Looking back, he saw a helpless little paw waving frantically for rescue from within the crowd.
He grabbed the paw and pulled hard—only to tug off a white glove. His first thought? Try it on himself.
"There's no opening… how do you wear this? Uh…" He noticed his companions' amused looks, coughed in embarrassment, then grabbed Tom's small furry hand again and yanked with all his might.
Tom's body stretched like elastic before springing back with a duang, knocking Zhang Da Ye flat on his rear.
Patting his squashed face, Tom took the glove from Zhang Da Ye, slipped it on, flexed his fingers, and found it fit perfectly—indistinguishable from his real skin and fur.
Artoria and the others were already used to Zhang Da Ye and Tom's antics. Ye Yan, too, no longer bothered commenting on Tom's bizarre body.
"Alright, let's head back to the Amber. Call Brook and Perona. Time for a food crawl!"
Zhang Da Ye handed out fresh wads of spending money. The ink was still fragrant, as if freshly printed by a cash-strapped World Government.
The group split into two. Ye Yan, Brook, and Perona aimed for clothing. Ye Yan still had some outfits gifted by Zhang Da Ye, but wanted to commission special designs. Brook had only the clothes he'd worn for forty years, and Perona's wardrobe had long been lost. Until now, Tom had been altering other people's clothes for them. Zhang Da Ye couldn't help feeling they were wronged.
Since it wasn't proper for two men to accompany a little girl, Rui Meng Meng went with Perona to help her choose clothes and toys. Artoria wasn't allowed, in case she prioritized snacks shaped like teddy bears over the actual teddy bear toys Perona might want.
The second team was Zhang Da Ye, Tom, Artoria, and Shark Chili. Their goal: eat from the north of the city all the way to the south. Then, as Kokoro had suggested yesterday, ask around the southern port for news of Business.
A/N: It seemed the Gorosei weren't very concerned about the Pluton blueprints. From the beginning, it had all been Spandam pushing hard to earn credit, begging the Gorosei until they finally gave him the mission. Even then, they only said, "It's good to have such a thing early," rather than issuing an order to retrieve it at all costs. Perhaps it was an early oversight in the story… or maybe they already knew Im had a way to destroy nations with a single strike, making Pluton irrelevant.
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