Chapter 91

As Tom-san remained steadfast in his refusal to hand over the blueprint, a tense silence settled over the workshop, broken only by the distant roar of the storm outside. His determination was unwavering, his resolve unyielding, despite the mounting pressure from all sides.

Growing impatient with his obstinance, I turned my attention to Iceburg, whose fear was palpable as he stood frozen in place, caught between loyalty to his mentor and the fear of the consequences of defiance. With a swift movement, I seized him by the neck, my grip firm and unrelenting.

" Let him go, you bastard!!"

Tom-san moved to intervene, his expression a mix of concern and desperation, but I pushed him back with a forceful shove, his attempts to intervene thwarted by my determination to see this through to the end.

"Tom-san, you may be ready to die for your beliefs, but are you willing to sacrifice your loved ones?" I challenged, my voice cutting through the tension like a blade. The words hung heavy in the air, their implications clear.

Franky's roar pierced the tension, his desperation evident as he lunged forward, attempting to tackle me to the ground. But despite his determination, the current Cutty Flam was no match for me. With ease, I caught him by the neck, my grip tight and unforgiving.

"You bastard! Let Iceburg Senpai go!" Franky's voice trembled with a mix of anger and fear, his eyes blazing with defiance even as he found himself held captive in my grasp.

A dark chuckle escaped my lips as I leaned in close to Franky, my breath cold against his ear. "I am very much tempted to end you here and now," I whispered, my voice dripping with malice. "Just to see if fate will have a way to save you. Just don't tempt me more."

The words hung heavy in the air, a silent warning to both Franky and Tom-san of the consequences of resistance. In that moment, the workshop seemed to hold its breath, the weight of our confrontation pressing down on us like a suffocating blanket.

After what seemed like an eternity, Tom-san deliberated the weight of his decision. His gaze shifted between his trembling apprentices and the teen who held them captive, barely Iceburg's age but emanating a pressure that spoke of a hardened conqueror. The atmosphere in the workshop was heavy with tension, each passing moment carrying the weight of an entire world's fate.

Tom-san knew that the teen before him was serious about his threats. He could sense the determination and ruthlessness that lurked behind those cold eyes, a resolve that had likely been forged amidst countless battles and hardships. Despite his own lack of fear for his life, Tom-san couldn't bear the thought of his loved ones suffering for his sake.

With a heavy heart and a resigned sigh, Tom-san finally relented. Perhaps it was fate that the blueprint had fallen into the hands of this kid, and as for how it would all end up, that was something beyond his control. The decision weighed heavily on his conscience, but he knew that it was the only choice he could make to ensure the safety of those he held dear.

As the tension in the workshop began to ease, a sense of resignation settled over Tom-san. He had made his decision, and now all he could do was hope that it was the right one. In the uncertain times ahead, one thing was clear: the fate of PLUTON and the world itself hung in the balance, and the consequences of his choice would ripple far beyond the confines of the workshop walls.

"Fine, I will hand the blueprint over. Let the children go," Tom-san sighed, his voice heavy with resignation. With his words, I gave a bright smile and released both Iceburg and Franky. Franky still tried to lunge forward in a burst of defiance, but Iceburg, with a steadying hand, managed to hold his junior back.

"See, Tom-san? It was so simple. We didn't have to go through all that drama," I remarked, my tone almost jovial. "Now that's dealt with, how about reconsidering my offer about joining my family? I'm sure I would rest assured if a man like you were to lead the project. Your name would be etched in history for all eternity once you built such a ship."

Despite my hopeful offer, Tom-san's expression soured. He had just been deprived of his greatest secret at knife's edge, and now the teen before him wanted him to help build PLUTON. Though he felt a pang of temptation at the idea, his reluctance triumphed. He couldn't bring himself to work for someone he didn't trust, no matter the potential rewards.

"No, I have much more important things to do. I have an important project to work on," Tom-san replied tersely as he turned and moved towards the area where the galleon was being built. With a graceful dive into the water, he disappeared beneath the surface, his form disappearing into the depths.

As we waited for Tom-san to retrieve the blueprints, I turned my attention back to the two apprentices. Iceburg, in particular, caught my interest. He seemed to possess a quiet determination that belied his youth, a trait that intrigued me.

"Iceburg, why don't you tell me what your dream is?" I inquired, my tone casual but expectant. I could sense hesitancy in his response, as if he were grappling with the weight of his aspirations.

"I... I want to help Tom-san fulfill his dream. I want to help him transform Water 7 completely," Iceburg declared, a rare glint of passion flickering in his eyes. Yet, beneath his resolve, there lingered a hint of uncertainty, as if he were still searching for the strength to fully commit to his goal. Perhaps Tom-san's recent brush with danger had left its mark on him, reshaping his ambitions in its wake.

"How long have you been studying under Tom-san?" I probed further, curious to gauge the depth of his commitment. I wanted to know if he possessed the fortitude to pursue his dream even in the absence of his mentor's guidance.

"I have been under Tom-san's tutelage since I was a little kid," Iceburg replied, his voice tinged with a mixture of respect and nostalgia.

"So you must have learned almost everything that Tom-san has to offer, correct?" I probed further, wanting to assess the extent of Iceburg's skills and knowledge. While I knew he wouldn't be on par with Tom-san, I needed to ascertain his capabilities for the tasks ahead.

Iceburg's reluctance was palpable, but I ignored it, already deciding his fate. "Iceburg, you will come along with us and work for my family. I'm sure you will like the New World," I declared, brushing aside any objections. "I promise I will help you fulfill your dream."

"No, I will not help you people build weapons of war. I will never help you build a ship like Pluton," Iceburg protested, his resolve unwavering. However, Franky's curiosity piqued at the mention of weapons of war, his gaze flickering with intrigue.

"Iceburg, one mustn't care what kind of ship you make... it's neither good nor bad. You can make any ship you want! But... even if the ship kills someone or destroys the world... A creator must never disown a ship he designed! He must always love it! The ship is not to blame! When a man builds a ship... he takes pride in what he built with a don!" I recited Tom-san's own final words of philosophy, hoping to sway Iceburg's decision. Though I wasn't giving him a choice, I didn't want him to be resentful once he joined our family.

"Where did you hear that?" Tom-san's voice cut through the air as he returned, carrying a tightly sealed wooden chest in his arms. He rushed forward with blinding speed and gipped my shpulders firmly. His grip tightened on my shoulders as he demanded an answer, but I simply chuckled, refusing to respond. My attention was fixated on the chest he held, knowing that within it lay the key to our future plans.

"Tell me, boy, where did you hear that?" Tom-san persisted, his tone laced with urgency as he sought an answer to the origin of the profound statement I had recited.

"Tom-san, tell me, will it help sway your decision if I tell you who exactly told me this?" I countered, seizing the opportunity to leverage this unexpected reaction from Tom-san. While I hadn't anticipated such a strong response to the quote, I quickly realized its significance and sought to exploit it to our advantage.

"This..." Tom-san hesitated, his mind racing with thoughts. As he contemplated my words, I carefully retrieved the wooden chest and opened it. As I unveiled its contents, both Doffy and Mihawk edged closer, their interest piqued by the legends surrounding Pluton.

Inside the chest lay an old, thick record. With cautious reverence, I lifted it and examined its contents. True to our hopes, it contained what appeared to be the complete blueprint of Pluton, though its complexity rendered immediate understanding impossible.

"Now that we have the blueprint, there is one more matter we must discuss, Tom-san," I declared, carefully replacing the blueprint and handing the chest to Doffy, who cradled it like a precious artifact.

"Say, Tom-san, what's stopping you from stabbing us in the back once we leave? So I have a proposal," I continued, placing a reassuring hand on Iceburg's shoulder. "He will come with us. You needn't worry; he will be treated as one of our own."

However, Tom-san's expression darkened. "That was not the deal. You let go of him!" he demanded, his tone tinged with desperation.

"Tom-san, I don't even know if the blueprint you provided is genuine. And I'm sure you can continue your Sea Train project without one of your apprentices. I need Iceburg's help in another grand project—a floating city. In the meantime, he can also assist us in starting the Pluton project," I proposed, hoping to assuage Tom-san's concerns while subtly advancing our own agenda.

"How do you know about the sea train?" How do you know all this? Who are you? Do you know my master? Tell me, is he still alive?" Tom-san's questions poured forth in a torrent, revealing his deep attachment to his mysterious mentor.

"Tell me, Tom-san, did you never wonder how I learned that you possessed the blueprint to one of the ancient weapons?" I prodded, dropping hints and allowing Tom-san to draw his own conclusions about his master's involvement.

Tom's mind raced, now certain that the teenager before him must have some connection to his master. Not only did he know of the Pluton's blueprints, but he also seemed aware of the Sea Train and his master's dream project—a floating city that would be the salvation of the sinking world. Perhaps, if the kid truly knew his master, he must also know that the world was sinking. Tom recalled his master's words from his own youth, foretelling the world's imminent demise and the need to challenge the World Government's control to save it.

"Are you really planning to build a floating city? Can you tell me why? Why do you need a floating city?" Tom-san questioned, his earlier hostility dissipating as curiosity and a glimmer of hope filled his eyes.

My mind raced. Why did Tom ask such a question? Did he already know? Was it possible that he, too, was aware of the world's sinking? In the canon, Tom would meet his demise at Spandam's hands in ten years' time, with no mention of his knowledge about the world's fate.

Yet, beyond the highest echelons of the World Government, there were surely others privy to this secret. Perhaps Tom had helped Roger build the Oro Jackson because he believed they had the chance to reach the final island and uncover the truth.

After considering all the information at hand, I decided to take the gamble. "Why else, Tom-san? Because the world we know is sinking, and in a few decades' time, our entire world will be buried beneath the sea," I stated plainly, causing everyone in the room to tense. Even Doffy and Mihawk, to whom I had disclosed the information earlier, hissed in disbelief; earlier, they were uncertain whether I was jesting or serious. However, now that I am declaring the world's fate again, the gravity of my words is unmistakable.

Iceburg's knees buckled, and he stumbled, falling onto his rear from the shock of the revelation. Even Franky stood frozen, his usual bravado replaced by stunned silence. Yet, Tom's reaction was different. It was as though he had found someone with whom to share his burden, someone who understood the weight of his master's legacy.

His master had entrusted him with Pluton's blueprints and the vision of a floating city, disappearing two decades ago with only a cryptic message about being pursued by the World Government and the importance of building Pluton when the time was right.

"You... you must be joking, tell me it's a joke, right!" Franky gathered his courage and questioned me, his voice trembling with disbelief. When he saw that I was only smiling cryptically, he turned to his master for assurance. Tom-san's expression, or lack thereof, was all the answer everyone in the workshop needed to confirm whether the world's fate was truly as I had disclosed.