"Judge Jace, my two apprentices and I will take our leave for now," Tom the shipwright announced, his weathered hands clasped respectfully behind his back. Despite the chaos that had just unfolded, his voice remained steady and dignified. "Perhaps you could notify us once you've confirmed the date for the retrial?"
The elderly judge stroked his beard thoughtfully, weighing the delicate political situation before him. With CP5's attack now exposed, he knew the World Government's interference was inevitable if he delayed too long.
"You may go, Tom, but let's settle the retrial date now while we can," Judge Jace declared with newfound resolve. "Court will reconvene tomorrow at noon sharp!"
Tom studied the judge's weathered face for a long moment, reading the determination there. The old man was taking a considerable risk by moving so quickly. Finally, the shipwright's shoulders relaxed slightly.
"Thank you, Judge Jace," he said with genuine gratitude before departing with Iceburg and Cutty Flam in tow.
Once the courtroom had cleared of most spectators, Gustave stepped forward with his characteristic confident smile.
"Judge Jace, we should also take our leave—"
"Mr. Gustave, a moment please," the judge interrupted, raising a weathered hand. "You and your crew were the ones who apprehended CP5. We'll need your continued assistance in this matter."
Gustave's eyebrows rose with feigned surprise, though his eyes sparkled with barely concealed amusement. "Wouldn't that be... irregular?"
Judge Jace's lips curved into a knowing smile. The old fox had read Gustave like an open book—this French chef was far more cunning than his polite demeanor suggested.
"Mr. Gustave, you've established strong ties with the Marines. As you said when we first met: we're all family here. And family helps family, wouldn't you agree?"
The judge's strategy was transparent but clever. By keeping Gustave involved, he'd have additional leverage when facing the inevitable pressure from CP and the World Government.
"The honor is ours," Gustave replied with a theatrical bow, his accent adding a touch of continental flair to the proceedings.
"Well, it's getting quite late," Kizaru interjected, already edging toward the exit with his hands in his pockets. "I really should return to Marineford. See you next time, Gustave."
The Admiral's attempt at a casual retreat was almost comical—clearly, he wanted no part in the political minefield this case had become.
"Borsalino, wait just a moment," Gustave called out, his tone deceptively light. "I have something important to discuss with you."
Gustave approached the towering Admiral, their height difference forcing him to crane his neck upward as he gestured for privacy. Kizaru's curiosity was clearly piqued despite his desire to escape.
"Stay and help me with this little... venture," Gustave whispered conspiratorially, holding up two fingers. "I'll give you twenty percent of whatever we extract from this situation."
Gustave's plan was elegant in its simplicity—use Spandam's spectacular failure to squeeze his father Spandine for compensation.
Kizaru's lazy expression sharpened immediately. "Oooh, that's scary... but I'd need at least fifty percent to get involved in something this troublesome."
"Thirty percent, maximum," Gustave countered smoothly. "Consider all those free meals you've enjoyed at Bamboo Staff as part of your compensation."
"Fifty-fifty or nothing," Kizaru maintained with surprising firmness.
"Forty percent—my final offer!"
"Deal!" Kizaru agreed so quickly that Gustave immediately realized he could have negotiated the Admiral down to thirty-five percent. The sly grin spreading across Kizaru's face only confirmed his suspicion.
"Fine, forty percent it is," Gustave muttered through gritted teeth. "But you follow my lead completely."
"No problem!" Kizaru patted Gustave's shoulder with obvious satisfaction. Easy money was his favorite kind of money, and this job required nothing more than showing up and playing along.
Judge Jace observed their private negotiation with keen interest. Whatever agreement they'd reached had left both men looking remarkably pleased with themselves.
"Judge Jace, would you mind if I borrowed Spandam for a preliminary interrogation?" Gustave asked upon returning, his smile now carrying a distinctly predatory edge.
The judge nodded readily. Spandam was a political hot potato he'd rather not handle directly. If Gustave could extract useful information, all the better.
"Luffy, Ace—escort our guest to the ship," Gustave ordered with mock courtesy.
"Roger that!" Luffy grinned, he and Ace hauling the unconscious CP5 commander away like a sack of potatoes while Kizaru followed at a leisurely pace.
Spandam's return to consciousness was far from pleasant. He found himself securely bound to a chair in what appeared to be a ship's cabin, facing a young man whose sunny disposition was thoroughly contradicted by the calculating gleam in his eyes.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Spandam demanded, trying to inject authority into his voice despite his vulnerable position. "Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"
"Oh my, such intimidating authority!" Gustave gasped with theatrical terror, though the crackling ball of electricity dancing at his fingertips suggested anything but fear. "I'm absolutely terrified, Mr. Spandam—Commander of CP5."
The casual revelation of his identity, combined with the deadly lightning at Gustave's command, made Spandam's blood run cold. This wasn't some random kidnapping—this was a calculated move by someone who knew exactly who they were dealing with.
"What... what do you want?" he asked, his voice barely steady.
"Nothing too dramatic," Gustave replied cheerfully. "I simply wish to discuss a business proposition with your father."
"What kind of business?" Spandam swallowed hard.
"You'll understand shortly. But first, let's contact dear old dad, shall we?" Gustave produced Spandam's personal Den Den Mushi with a flourish. "I assume this video model can reach Spandine directly?"
Trembling, Spandam nodded. His upbringing under Spandine's brutal tutelage had left him with more cowardice than courage.
Gustave untied his prisoner and handed over the snail. Spandam's hands shook as he initiated the call.
"I told you never to contact me unless it's urgent!" Spandine's irritated voice crackled through before his image materialized. But his anger evaporated the moment he saw his son cowering beside a stranger.
"Who are you, and what's your game?" Spandine's tone turned ice-cold.
"No need for hostility, Mr. Spandine," Gustave said warmly, draping an arm around the trembling Spandam's shoulders. "I'm here to propose a mutually beneficial business arrangement."
"What kind of arrangement?" Spandine demanded, though his forced calm barely concealed his fury.
"Well, your son commanded CP5 in an attack on a judicial ship, resulting in injury to a Marine Admiral," Gustave explained with mock regret. "Quite the scandal, really. I imagine Morgans at the World Economic News would find this story absolutely fascinating..."
He let the implications hang in the air like a storm cloud.
"That's impossible!" Spandine exploded. "My son couldn't injure a Marine Admiral if his life depended on it!"
Spandine knew his son's limitations better than anyone. Attacking a judicial ship was well within Spandam's capacity for stupidity, but harming an Admiral? Preposterous.
"Oh dear, you don't believe your own son's capabilities?" Gustave tsked sympathetically. "Perhaps some evidence would help."
He snapped his fingers, and Luffy wheeled in Kizaru—dramatically bandaged around the head with his right arm in an elaborate sling.
Spandine's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets. The sheer audacity of the performance was staggering.
"Spandine," Kizaru intoned weakly, "your son ordered CP5 to attack the judicial ship. I was gravely injured in the assault. I'll be filing a full report with the World Government upon my return to headquarters."
The Admiral's Oscar-worthy performance of a wounded fighter was so convincing that even Spandam stared in confused amazement. When had Kizaru even arrived? How could he possibly have been injured? This was clearly an elaborate frame job!
"How much?" Spandine asked through clenched teeth, abandoning all pretense.
"One billion Berries," Gustave stated simply.
"One billion?! Why don't you just rob the Celestial Dragons while you're at it!" Spandine roared.
"Oh my, if you're going to be difficult about this," Gustave sighed, examining his fingernails with exaggerated boredom, "I suppose I'll just have to share this fascinating story with Morgans. I'm sure the World Government and the Five Elders will be absolutely delighted to read about it in tomorrow's headlines."
The threat hit home like a thunderbolt. The actual crime wasn't necessarily career-ending, but a public scandal of this magnitude would force the Five Elders to make an example of someone—and Spandine knew exactly who that someone would be.
"Fine! I agree!" Spandine snarled, his face purple with rage.
"Excellent! Mr. Spandine, you're such a reasonable businessman," Gustave beamed. "Oh, and just to ensure everything goes smoothly..."
He produced another Den Den Mushi with a theatrical flourish. "Our entire conversation has been recorded. If I don't see one billion Berries delivered to Water 7 within the week, well... accidents happen, and recordings sometimes find their way to journalists."
"You'll have your money!" Spandine spat before cutting the connection.
The cabin fell silent for a moment before both Gustave and Kizaru burst into barely suppressed laughter. Gustave was thrilled at the prospect of adding another billion to their war chest, while Kizaru was practically giddy at earning 400 million Berries for what amounted to an afternoon's acting performance.
Besides, Kizaru had never liked Spandine anyway. Getting rich while humiliating the man was practically a perfect day in his book.
"Haha, what a wonderfully productive afternoon," Gustave chuckled, his French accent making the satisfaction sound even more refined. "I do so enjoy conducting business with professionals."