It was a bold move, but Tom had finally accepted the proposal to go into hiding.
Unexpectedly, Franky (Cutty Flam) insisted on joining him. The incident at Scrap Island had left him deeply unsettled; seeing his "Battle Frankies" used as tools for terror had shaken his identity as a shipwright.
He viewed this relocation to Zossen Island—a place with a completely different shipbuilding culture—ing as a chance to find a new perspective and clear his head.
Krieg saw no reason to refuse. Keeping the "wild card" under supervision was safer than leaving him behind to potentially clash with Spandam again.
Iceburg, however, chose to stay. As the more level-headed apprentice, he took over as the head of Tom's Workers to maintain the Sea Train and the city's industrial delicate balance.
Kokoro also remained to keep the trains running on schedule. Joining the travelers, however, was the giant sumo-wrestling frog, Yokozuna.
The journey to Zossen Island took several days. Krieg used every spare moment to pick Tom's brain about external paddle-wheel propulsion.
Tom provided invaluable insights on stress distribution and heat management for high-output steam cores.
While they talked shop, Franky spent his time exploring every inch of the Fine Izetta, frantically sketching blueprints for a "new kind of ship," while Yokozuna engaged in spirited (and destructive) wrestling matches with Sigma and the Magatsuno.
Arrival at Zossen Island
As the Fine Izetta docked at the rugged, industrial piers of Zossen Island, the group was greeted by the sight of massive hulls and heavy-duty cranes.
「Tah-hah-hah! Sorry for all the trouble, Krieg-dono!」 Tom laughed, patting the railing of the ship.
「Don't mention it. CP's interference is bad for business. If this misleads them for a year or two, it's a small price to pay.」
「Whoa! Look at that, Tom-san! That's a super-heavy paddle ship! And is that... the latest Culverin cannon?!」 Franky was already bouncing around the deck, his eyes shining with renewed excitement.
Krieg handed Tom a letter of introduction. 「I've already made the arrangements. Take this to the location on the map. I'll come back to check on you once the heat dies down. Until then, keep a low profile.」
「Leave it to me with a 'Don!' I'll build a ship that'll make even this island's veterans stare!」
「...Try not to stand out too much,」 Krieg warned with a dry smile. 「If Spandam sniffs you out, we'll be back to square one.」
「Don't you worry, Marine-san!」 Franky chimed in, punching his palm. 「Tom-san might be oblivious to that stuff, but I've got his back! If that Spanda-guy shows his face again, I'll blast him into the next sea!」
「Make that the last resort, Franky. Just stay safe.」
With a final wave, Krieg watched as the legendary shipwright, the future cyborg, and the sumo frog vanished into the bustling crowds of Zossen. His mission—at least the secret part of it—was a success.
Return to Marineford: A Reunion of Power
The voyage back to Headquarters was smooth. As Krieg stepped off the gangplank at the Marineford docks, a deep, gravelly voice called out to him.
「Oh? Krieg. You've returned as well.」
Krieg turned to see Admiral Sakazuki, better known as Akainu. One of the Navy's three Great Powers and a fellow graduate of Krieg's generation. The man radiated a grim, volcanic intensity even when standing still.
「You're back at HQ? That's rare. I haven't seen you since the last promotion ceremony,」 Krieg replied.
Back in the day, the four of them—Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, and Krieg—used to gather regularly. But since the other three had become Admirals and Krieg had taken command of the Independent Vanguard Unit, their schedules rarely aligned.
「Hmph. I just finished a sweep of the New World. How about dinner tonight? There are matters I wish to discuss.」
「I'm game. I just need to file my report with Fleet Admiral Sengoku and check in with the Tech Division first.」
Sakazuki gave a curt nod and walked toward the central plaza. Krieg, meanwhile, headed straight for the top floor of the fortress.
The Report to the Fleet Admiral
Sengoku looked up from his desk, his pet goat chewing on a stack of confidential documents nearby.
「Ah, Krieg. Welcome back. How was Water Seven? Did your scouting for 'Project Militarista' bear fruit?」
Krieg paused for a split second. Between blackmailing CP5, relocating a legendary criminal to a secret island, and technical debates about steam engines, he had almost forgotten the "official" reason he went there.
「Ah... yes, Fleet Admiral. The recruitment was... complicated, but the technical data we secured is invaluable. We have established a long-term 'consultancy' with the lead engineers of the Sea Train.」
Sengoku narrowed his eyes. 「Is that so? I received a rather frantic and incoherent complaint from a Chief Spandam of CP5 regarding 'Navy interference.' Would you happen to know anything about that?」
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