"I can go with you."
The towering fish-man Tom spoke calmly as he looked at the masked agent standing before him.
"But my apprentices…"
"They're innocent."
His deep voice carried a trace of worry.
Tom had already realized something important.
The man in front of him this terrifying figure from Cipher Pol Aigis Zero had not appeared for the sake of the trial.
He had come specifically for him.
So Tom made the only request he could.
A small one.
Behind the mask, the CP0 agent known as Adolf slowly turned his head toward the tribunal.
"You heard him."
The hoarse voice sounded cold enough to freeze the air.
The masked face tilted slightly toward the Chief Judge.
"Iceburg and Franky have committed no crimes."
"They are ordinary citizens of Water 7."
"They will not be harmed."
The smiling mask seemed almost alive under the sunlight.
The Chief Judge felt cold sweat run down his back.
His scalp tingled with fear.
Just moments earlier he had promised the mysterious "Big Shot" on the Den Den Mushi that Tom would be delivered safely to Enies Lobby.
Yet now
CP0 had arrived.
And judging from the situation, this CP0 agent was acting under the orders of the exact same powerful figure.
The judge swallowed nervously.
"Y-Yes!"
"Iceburg and Franky are innocent citizens!"
"They will be released immediately!"
His voice trembled slightly.
Inwardly, his mind was racing.
What kind of man is Tom?
To attract attention from someone powerful enough to command CP0…
Adolf nodded once.
"Good."
Then he turned.
"Let's go."
Hearing those words, Tom let out a long breath.
Beside them, Spandam stood frozen.
He didn't dare say a single word.
The aura of the CP0 agent was far too terrifying.
Even as a member of CP5, Spandam clearly understood the hierarchy within Cipher Pol.
CP1 through CP9 all served the World Government.
But CP0…
CP0 served the Celestial Dragons themselves.
To challenge a CP0 agent was practically suicide.
Still, as Tom was escorted away, a sudden thought struck Spandam.
Wait…
Could this CP0 agent also be here for Pluton?
Did the Gorosei send him to compete with me?
The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became.
Damn it!
Wasn't I enough to handle this mission alone?
Why send CP0 too?
Of course
Spandam had completely misunderstood the situation.
Tom and Adolf soon departed Water 7 aboard a newly developed high-speed government vessel.
The craft skimmed across the ocean surface like a blade slicing water.
For a while, neither man spoke.
The silence became awkward.
Finally, Tom scratched his head.
"You're a Devil Fruit user, aren't you?"
He had clearly seen the bullets freeze in midair earlier.
That wasn't something ordinary strength could accomplish.
Adolf didn't respond.
Tom leaned forward slightly.
"Come on, don't be so quiet."
"If I'm going to die soon, at least let me chat with someone on the way."
Still no reply.
Tom kept talking.
"A real man should speak clearly and proudly!"
"What's with all this silence?"
"So what's your name, friend?"
Adolf finally snapped.
"Enough!"
The sudden shout made Tom blink.
"When we arrive at Mary Geoise, a very important person wishes to see you."
"You would do well to show respect."
His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"Otherwise…"
"Neither you nor your apprentices will leave alive."
After saying that, Adolf leaned back and fell silent again.
That was the end of their conversation.
Tom looked out across the sea.
Mary Geoise…
So the Pluton matter has finally reached the highest level.
He clenched his fist slightly.
Iceburg…
Protect those blueprints well.
If necessary… destroy them.
No matter how great a masterpiece they are…
They must never fall into the hands of the World Government.
The distance between Water 7 and Mary Geoise was not especially short.
With a Permanent Log Pose, an ordinary ship would take more than ten hours.
However
The government's special high-speed craft was far faster.
Seven hours later, they arrived.
Tom was escorted into a massive building complex.
A large sign hung above the entrance.
Center for Physical Research
Tom blinked.
As both a shipwright and inventor, he had always been interested in science.
He glanced around curiously.
Is this some kind of scientific institute?
Inside
Three elderly men in white laboratory coats sat around a table.
They were playing cards.
"Pair of nines!"
"A newbie is arriving, I heard!"
"Pair of circles!"
"The Young Lady is collecting strange talents again!"
"Pair of twos!"
"You people disgrace the name of science."
"I pass."
"If you fold, I'm out."
"Airplane!"
One of the old men slammed his cards onto the table proudly.
The others groaned.
Just then, one of them noticed the large fish-man standing at the doorway.
"Eh?"
"Who are you?"
Tom opened his mouth to introduce himself.
But the old man suddenly waved his hand.
"Wait!"
"Don't tell me!"
"I'll remember…"
"Jerry? No…"
"Rem?"
"…Ah!"
"I got it!"
"You're Tom!"
"The man who built the Sea Train!"
The old scientist snapped his fingers proudly.
Tom blinked again.
These people were clearly eccentric.
For a moment he wondered if he had accidentally entered a retirement home.
"Nice to meet you!"
One of the scientists stood up.
"I'm Dr. Siva."
"I never expected a famous inventor like you to join our institute."
"It seems the Young Lady still remembers us."
He sighed.
"For the past two years, no new researchers have joined."
"We were starting to worry we'd been forgotten."
Tom scratched his head awkwardly.
At that moment
A loud voice echoed outside.
"His Holiness Saint Victor has arrived!"
A plump Celestial Dragon strode into the building.
A large group of guards and Cipher Pol agents followed behind him.
Victor circled around Tom curiously.
"So this is Tom?"
"A fish-man, huh?"
He poked Tom's belly with a finger.
"Hm."
"You don't look very impressive."
"Why is my darling daughter so interested in you?"
Just a few minutes earlier, Saint Roselith Seraphina had contacted him again to ask about Tom.
Victor had been slightly jealous.
She didn't even ask how her old man was doing first.
But he quickly dismissed the thought.
Ah well.
Let the girl do what she wants.
After a brief inspection, Victor waved his hand dismissively.
"What happens to him can wait until Seraphina returns."
"Let her decide."
With that, he left.
Tom stood there in complete confusion.
Was that… really a Celestial Dragon?
The man had seemed surprisingly ordinary.
Tom glanced down at his arm.
The burned mark of the Sun Pirates' brand still remained faintly visible there a scar from long ago.
Adolf remained behind.
"Tom."
"You will stay here."
"Do not wander."
His tone carried an unmistakable warning.
"The guard behind me will watch you."
"Do not leave his sight."
After saying that, Adolf turned and walked away without another word.
This
Was precisely why Saint Roselith Seraphina disliked leaving matters to her father.
Victor always got results.
But his methods were… chaotic.
Meanwhile
Victor happily spoke into a Den Den Mushi.
"Hey! Sweetheart!"
"Your dad handled that thing you asked for!"
"Everything's settled!"
"Tom is perfectly safe."
"He's already been moved to the research institute."
"We're just waiting for you to come back."
"Don't worry, he's living a comfortable life here!"
"I told Adolf to treat him respectfully."
"Relax, relax!"
"He swore he would."
Victor chuckled happily.
Clearly
He had no intention of ending the conversation anytime soon with his precious daughter,
Saint Roselith Seraphina.
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