Chapter 279

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Under the cover of night, Abel wrapped himself in the powers of darkness, eliminating all traces of his presence as he began to infiltrate.

With the perception of Observation Haki, the hidden Cipher Pol agents nearby were as visible as fireflies.

Throughout the process, not a single soul detected his presence.

Tom, who was fast asleep, suddenly felt a terrifying killing intent and abruptly woke up to see a man in a suit sitting on a chair not far from his room.

Sitting up from his bed, Tom's face was calm, as if he had anticipated this day, "The Sea Train will be completed in a few days. Can't you even wait that long? Go ahead, do what you came for."

"If you keep talking so loudly, I might actually have to take action."

Bathed in moonlight, Abel leaned forward slightly, finally revealing his handsome face.

Tom was taken aback, "You're not an agent sent by the World Government to kill me?"

Killing intent + black suit + timing

No wonder Tom mistook Abel for an agent of the World Government. Otherwise, how could an outsider bypass the heavy surveillance and enter his room?

"I'm here to discuss a deal with you."

Seeing that Abel might actually not be an agent of the World Government, Tom didn't relax but became even more serious.

This meant the stranger was no ordinary person, capable of silently evading all surveillance to confront him and, in a way, disregarding the World Government entirely.

Otherwise, an ordinary person, even if capable, wouldn't dare take such a risk.

There must be significant motives behind this!

Is it for that thing?

With this thought in mind, Tom directly asked, "What deal?"

"I want to commission you to build a ship."

Hearing this request eased Tom's mind a bit, but he still shook his head, "I am currently a man with a criminal record, busy with completing the Sea Train. I don't have the time to build a ship for anyone. You should seek others. There are many excellent shipwrights here, I can recommend a couple to you."

"I have already approached those you mentioned, but their responses did not satisfy me. I aim to construct a ship that rivals the 'Pluton,' and they are not up to the task. Thus, I had no choice but to seek you out."

Tom frowned, his tone getting a bit harsh, "I don't have the skills you require. Please find someone more capable."

Abel was puzzled by the sudden change in attitude, though he then realized mentioning 'Pluton' must have caused suspicion about his intentions.

"I'm aware that you have the blueprints for 'Pluton,' but I have no interest in that. My earlier mention was merely a metaphor. Whether or not you believe me doesn't matter. Once we strike a deal, you will see my sincerity."

After a moment of silence, Tom spoke again, "Are you truly not with the World Government?"

Instead of explaining further, Abel tossed over a wanted poster.

Tom, surprised, saw that Abel was a pirate with a bounty of 50 million berries, and it wasn't even a recent poster. 

This was something easy to verify, and Tom knew he couldn't be deceived.

What surprised him wasn't the high reward amount but rather that it seemed a bit low.

After all, he was the shipwright who built ships for the Pirate King, having encountered many significant figures. "Although I don't know how you found out that the design plans for the 'Pluton' are with me, I really don't have the time to build a ship for you."

"That makes sense. After all, by the time the Sea Train is completed, it will be the time of your death," Abel nodded.

Tom furrowed his brows again, suspecting the other party might have obtained some information he was unaware of.

Even though the World Government had always promised him that as long as the Sea Train was completed, his crimes would be pardoned.

But who would trust the World Government to keep their promises?

It would be easy for them to send a few agents to assassinate him.

This was also why he had previously mistaken Abel for an agent sent by the World Government to kill him.

So, it wouldn't be a surprise if the World Government turned against him eventually.

After thinking it over, he cautiously asked, "Why do you say that?"

"Because the World Government wants the design plans for the 'Pluton'. They are not pressuring you now, only letting you focus on building the Sea Train. Once the Sea Train is completed, their true intentions will be revealed."

"I know, even in death, you would not hand over the design plans for the 'Pluton'. But don't forget, as long as someone is human, they have weaknesses, and your weakness is the people around you."

"Do you think, when the World Government can't get the design plans for the 'Pluton' from you, they won't harm the people close to you to force your hand?"

Abel's words made Tom's face turn very ugly.

Because this was indeed something they were capable of doing!

The thought of Iceberg, Franky, and others possibly being harmed because of him made it impossible for him to stay calm.

"So, you went through all the effort of finding me and telling me this, what's your actual motive?"

"I told you, this is a deal. You help me build a ship, and I save your life. How about it?"

"Why should I believe you?"

Tom was not naive; this could very well be a trap, placing him in a very passive position.

"You don't need to believe me. I can 'pay' first, then take delivery."

"Once you're safe, it's not too late to help me build the ship."

After thinking it over, Tom felt he wouldn't lose anything in this deal. The worst-case scenario was losing his life, which he had already come to terms with.

He would absolutely not hand over the design plans for the 'Pluton', so as long as others are not implicated, that was enough.

"If you can guarantee the safety of the people around me, ensuring they are not affected or harmed, I can agree to do my utmost to build a good ship for you."

Tom set his only condition.

Abel pretended to think about it and nodded with some distress, "Alright, but I can only guarantee their lives. If they insist on looking for trouble and get beaten half to death, then I can't do anything about it."

"Good, what do I need to do in cooperation with you?"

"For now, nothing. Just act as if nothing has happened and complete the Sea Train as scheduled. When the time comes, I will find a way to inform you."

Tom nodded, showing he understood.

He wasn't entirely trusting Abel's words but rather preparing for the worst-case scenario, giving his people a chance to live if that situation really happened.

"By the way, will the Celestial Dragons come?"

"They definitely will."

This was one thing Tom was very certain of.

That was all that mattered.