Chapter 153: Water 7 – A Face Slap as Swift as a Tornado

Riding the Yagara Bull with Iceberg on board, Takumi couldn't help but draw attention wherever they went. Every person who saw Iceberg, the city's beloved mayor, waved and called out to him, and Iceberg cheerfully returned their greetings.

Takumi, on the other hand, remained silent the whole time. If it wasn't for… well, Iceberg had asked him three times. That's the only reason he agreed to this. No way would he have let this guy sit on his Yagara otherwise.

Soon, they arrived at Iceberg's large office and residence.

"Make yourself at home," Iceberg said as he walked into his office. He pointed to the couch by the window. "I'll have someone bring drinks, snacks, and some liquor."

Takumi nodded and made his way over to the couch, sitting down without hesitation.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Iceberg opened it, revealing a young man in a uniform, a small red cap perched on his head. He looked flustered. "Mr. Iceberg, something terrible has happened!"

"I'm fine," Iceberg interrupted before the man could continue. "Actually, you're just in time. Uchi, go fetch the drinks and snacks the government folks dropped off, would you?"

The young man, apparently named Uchi, looked confused for a moment, awkwardly shifting on his feet. "Mr. Iceberg, now's not really the time for tea. Commander Spandam's been attacked!"

"Spandam?" Iceberg paused, a cold glint flickering in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared. He waved his hand dismissively. "What's that got to do with me?"

"But it happened here, in Water 7!"

"What?" Iceberg's brow furrowed. "When did Spandam arrive? How come I wasn't informed?"

"He arrived with the government fleet, not his own ship," Uchi explained quickly.

"Have they caught whoever did it?"

"Er… well, he's not dead yet."

Iceberg sighed. "Oh."

"The attack was by some outsider," Uchi continued, "and witnesses saw a tall, pale man who used lightning to strike Commander Spandam."

"A tall, pale man?" Iceberg immediately thought of Takumi's crewmate.

Turning to glance at Takumi, who was lounging on the couch, basking in the sunlight pouring in through the window, Iceberg thought it over before asking, "Takumi, do you know anything about Spandam being attacked?"

Takumi glanced over, his expression calm. "Nope."

"Oh, right!" Uchi suddenly remembered. "People also mentioned a younger guy was with the tall man, and that Admiral Aokiji was present. It seems like they know each other. Aokiji left first, and then the tall guy attacked."

Takumi remained silent, though his expression grew slightly tenser.

Iceberg rubbed his chin, thinking it over. "Alright, I'll stop by to check on Spandam later. For now, go grab those drinks and snacks I mentioned."

With a slightly embarrassed nod, Uchi hurried off to fetch the refreshments.

Iceberg shut the door, turning back to Takumi with a helpless smile. "There's a Devil Fruit up for auction here in Water 7 in three days. The Navy put out the word yesterday morning, so they've got an Admiral keeping an eye on things. I didn't expect Spandam to show up, though. He must be after the fruit as well."

Takumi sighed inwardly. Another Devil Fruit auction? It seemed like he was always in the middle of something.

"Water 7 is close to Enies Lobby and works directly with the government," Iceberg continued. "Pirates usually don't cause much trouble around here, especially with Aokiji in town."

Takumi raised an eyebrow. "The Navy's not planning to bid on the fruit?"

Iceberg shook his head. "They're the ones who leaked the information about the auction."

Takumi narrowed his eyes. "And why are you telling me this?"

Iceberg shrugged. "It's not exactly a secret. Everyone in Water 7 knows about it."

Just then, there was another knock at the door.

"Huh, Uchi sure works fast," Iceberg said as he opened it.

But instead of Uchi, a towering figure stood there—taller than Enel even—wearing a green visor across his forehead.

Iceberg blinked in surprise. "Aokiji? What brings you here?"

Aokiji yawned lazily. "Got roped into it. HQ wouldn't stop bugging me, so here I am, to talk about the Devil Fruit business."

His gaze shifted to Takumi. "Oh, hey, Takumi. What're you doing here? And where's that lightning guy of yours? He's not around."

Takumi clenched his jaw. Thanks a lot, Aokiji.

Iceberg glanced over at Takumi, confusion etched across his face.

Takumi simply turned away, unscrewing the cap of his sake bottle and taking a long, silent drink.

Aokiji shrugged. "Eh, as long as you two don't cause any trouble, we're good. Iceberg, handle the whole Devil Fruit thing however you want. If HQ calls, tell them we talked it over, make up the details yourself. I'll be at the auction in three days. Don't bother me until then."

He was halfway out the door when he turned back to Takumi. "Wanna come along?"

Takumi frowned. "What?"

Iceberg looked equally confused. "Come along where?"

"To nap, of course," Aokiji replied nonchalantly. "That kid likes to nap too. We've had a couple of siestas together before."

"Excuse me?" Iceberg's jaw dropped.

Takumi nearly choked on his drink, coughing as he stared incredulously at Aokiji. "Do you even realize what you're saying?"

Who the hell naps together?

That kind of talk would definitely lead to some misunderstandings.

Aokiji blinked. "What's the problem?"

Iceberg chuckled awkwardly. "Can I ask what kind of relationship you two have?"

Aokiji thought for a second before answering, "Not much of one. We just have similar interests."

"Alright, enough of this. I'm out," Aokiji said, waving his hand as he finally left.

Iceberg turned back to Takumi with a sheepish grin.

Takumi, though reluctant, couldn't leave that hanging. It was too embarrassing. "It was just in Loguetown. We happened to cross paths a couple of times, and we'd nap in the same area, minding our own business."

Iceberg laughed. "I figured it was something like that."

Takumi scowled. "So I didn't need to explain?"

Still chuckling, Iceberg took a seat on the couch across from Takumi. "By the way, I've got to thank you for something. Don't ask what—it's a secret, and I'm not telling."