The journey that should have taken two days stretched into three due to towing the damaged judicial ship. During these extended travels, Gustave and Chief Justice Jace gradually developed a mutual respect and friendship.
Through their conversations, Gustave learned the true purpose of Jace's mission. The elderly jurist had traveled to Water 7 to oversee the retrial of Tom the shipwright - Franky's master and the man who had built the Oro Jackson for Gol D. Roger.
"I made an agreement with Master Tom ten years ago," Jace explained during one of their talks. "He would have a decade to complete his Sea Train project, and the success of that endeavor would determine his ultimate fate."
It was a fascinating case of justice delayed. Tom had been condemned simply for building a ship for the future Pirate King - the World Government's vendetta against Roger extended even to the craftsmen who had served him. Yet Chief Justice Jace had somehow withstood enormous political pressure to give the shipwright a chance at redemption.
Gustave found himself genuinely admiring this elderly judge who clung to his principles of justice despite the forces arrayed against him.
Before their arrival at Water 7, Gustave invited Chief Justice Jace aboard his ship for a farewell dinner.
Jace accepted graciously and arrived with Captain Pete just as Gustave was setting out the prepared meal. However, their intimate gathering was about to receive an uninvited guest.
As Gustave prepared to take his seat, a brilliant beam of light streaked across the evening sky toward their ship. The radiance slowly dissipated to reveal a familiar, perpetually lazy expression that made Gustave's eye twitch with recognition.
"Yo! Long time no see, Gustave!" Kizaru announced with characteristic nonchalance.
Captain Pete immediately snapped to attention and saluted - this was one of the Marine's highest-ranking officers. Chief Justice Jace rose as well, though with the measured dignity appropriate to his own elevated position.
"Borsalino, what are you doing here? Isn't it barely past your official working hours?" Gustave asked with obvious exasperation. This man had haunted his kitchen at Marineford daily, and now he was tracking them across the seas for free meals.
"I haven't tasted your cooking in several days! I was getting withdrawal symptoms, so I came over as soon as my shift ended," Kizaru replied with shameless honesty, pulling up a chair without invitation.
"Little Luffy, be a good boy and fetch me some dishes and utensils," he added casually.
The Admiral truly treated himself like family. Despite Kizaru having once swindled him out of 500,000 berries, Luffy inexplicably remained fond of the lazy powerhouse and immediately jumped up to fulfill the request.
"Luffy, please allow me to assist you with that," Captain Pete interjected eagerly.
Kizaru studied Pete with mild interest. "I feel like I've seen you somewhere before, Captain."
Pete practically vibrated with excitement. "Admiral, my name is Pete! I served in your direct command unit before being transferred to Enies Lobby a year ago!"
"Ah yes, Pete. I'll try to remember that," Kizaru replied with typical indifference, though Pete seemed to interpret this as the highest praise possible.
As Pete hurried off with Luffy to gather dinnerware, Kizaru noticed their other guest.
"Gustave, who might this distinguished gentleman be?"
"I am Chief Justice Jace of Enies Lobby," the elderly jurist introduced himself directly.
Upon hearing this title, even Kizaru showed proper respect, rising and extending his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Chief Justice Jace."
"Likewise, Admiral Kizaru," Jace replied, accepting the handshake with equal courtesy.
Soon Pete and Luffy returned with the necessary items, and Gustave resigned himself to hosting yet another impromptu meal for his persistent Admiral friend.
If you ask Kizaru to do actual work, he'll find a thousand excuses to delay, Gustave mused with bitter amusement. But when it comes to dinner time, he can apparently travel anywhere in the world instantaneously.
Tonight's menu reflected the realities of life at sea—fresh vegetables were scarce, but the bounty of the ocean more than made up for it. Most of the dishes featured seafood caught during their journey, prepared with care and ingenuity. Gustave had intended to personally introduce each course to Chief Justice Jace, offering detailed explanations of their ingredients and techniques. However, before he could begin, Kizaru casually slipped into the role of an overly enthusiastic food critic, commenting on textures, flavors, and plating with surprising flair—completely hijacking the presentation.
"Ohh, Gustave, your culinary skills remain absolutely superb," Kizaru declared after sipping the kelp and vermicelli soup. "Chief Justice Jace, you simply must try this soup first - it warms the stomach beautifully before the main course."
Following Kizaru's guidance, Jace sampled the soup and found it remarkably fresh and appetizing.
Next, Kizaru reached for a perfectly steamed crab, its shell still glistening with heat. He cracked it open with practiced ease, dipped a chunk of tender meat into Gustave's specially prepared sauce, and took a bite. His eyes briefly widened behind his sunglasses before he resumed his self-appointed role as food critic.
"Fresh crab, steamed just right. The texture is flawless. And this sauce—complex, balanced, just the right kick. Truly exceptional!" he declared, nodding with genuine appreciation as if addressing a panel of judges no one else could see.
Chief Justice Jace began imitating Kizaru's eating technique and discovered that the Admiral's enthusiasm was entirely justified. These crabs, caught fresh during the day by the crew, combined with Gustave's masterful preparation created an absolutely divine dining experience.
As the meal progressed, Kizaru continued his running commentary on each dish while Jace followed along with obvious delight. By the end of dinner, the Chief Justice completely understood why a Marine Admiral would chase across the seas for another taste of Gustave's cooking.
As they finished their meal, the distinctive silhouette of Water 7 finally came into view ahead.
At sunset, two ships approached the famous city's harbor in tandem formation.
Meanwhile, high in a concealed building within Water 7's urban sprawl, a figure with lavender hair and distinctly clownish features watched the approaching ships through a telescope. His expression carried the twisted cunning of someone planning violence, and he clutched a Den Den Mushi in his free hand.
"Damn it! They said three days, so why are they arriving at sunset on the fourth day?" the man complained bitterly about the delayed timing.
"Captain Spandam, there's an unidentified ship ahead of the judicial ship. Are you certain we should proceed with the operation?" came a voice through the Den Den Mushi.
This was indeed Spandam, current commander of CP5 - one of the World Government's most secretive intelligence agencies.
"Don't worry about identifying that other ship! We've been waiting for days for this opportunity. Execute the original plan!"
"Oh, and make sure to sink that ship with the cat flag completely, while only severely damaging the judicial ship!"
"Understood, sir!" his subordinates replied immediately.
Spandam had somehow learned that the blueprints for the ancient weapon Pluton were in shipwright Tom's possession. He'd initially approached Tom directly with offers and threats, only to be flatly refused.
Enraged by this rejection, Spandam had been preparing to extract the information through force when his agents reported that the judicial ship for Tom's retrial would arrive within days.
That intelligence had inspired a far more elegant solution to his problem.