Chapter 160: Tom, You’ve Been Exposed

When Wood returned to Tom's workshop, he happened to see Ruth and the others getting ready to head out.

After Robin returned to report, Ruth and the others hesitated for a while before finally deciding to go check on Wood's situation.

Although Robin said that Wood had asked them to prepare to set sail and leave that night, that kind of thing might fool a child, but Ruth and the others knew right away that Wood intended to part ways.

Maybe he felt that he wouldn't be able to escape this time and didn't want to drag them down, or perhaps he was worried they'd hold him back.

"It's all right now. The people tailing us were intelligence agents from Enies Lobby. It seems they started focusing on me because of the incident with the Sea Train.

Mr. Tom, if possible, I suggest you go back to Fish-Man Island for a while. Water 7 is going to get very chaotic soon!

And I think they might be targeting you. After what happened during the Sea Train trial run, I'm sure you've figured that out."

Hearing Wood's pointed remarks, Tom wasn't too surprised.

After all, Wood wasn't stupid. The incident on the Sea Train clearly targeted Tom's workshop.

Moreover, since Wood had encountered intelligence agents from Enies Lobby tonight and managed to escape unscathed, it's natural to assume he'd learned something from them.

But seeing that Wood was still willing to keep things secret and offer a warning after knowing that trouble was coming his way, Tom's trust in Wood increased even further.

This guy really was someone worthy of being friends with Fisher Tiger. Not everyone could resist the allure of the ancient weapon "Pluton."

"I'm not leaving Water 7. I've been away from Fish-Man Island for so many years, I've come to see this place as my true home.

And I don't have what they're looking for. Even if they try to pull some tricks, Old Tom won't be scared!"

Wood wasn't particularly interested in 'Pluton.' Even if he couldn't complete the task assigned by Fleet Admiral Sengoku, it wasn't a big deal to Wood. At worst, he'd just continue being an undercover agent for a few more years.

Tom's workshop was refitting their pirate ship for free, and Tom and Kokoro were genuinely hospitable to them. Wood didn't want them to become casualties in the covert battle between the Navy and the World Government.

Unfortunately, despite Wood's warnings, Tom remained quite firm, so Wood couldn't persuade him further.

"Don't worry about these unpleasant things. I've lived in Water 7 for so long and made significant contributions to this place.

Even if it's Enies Lobby, without a valid reason, they can't do anything to me.

But your ship's refit, I'll have my apprentices work overtime for the next couple of days so you can leave Water 7 as soon as possible."

"That new commander from Enies Lobby is a despicable scoundrel. He might not be able to do anything to a tough guy like me.

But you're pirates, and since you helped us out before, you've caught their attention. They'll probably come after you."

Tom draped one of his large hands over Wood's shoulder, drinking beer while looking on the verge of tears, repeatedly apologizing for getting Wood and his crew involved.

After several rounds of drinks, only Wood and Tom were still sober; the others had all been knocked out by the alcohol.

Tom picked up his tools, ready to pull an all-nighter to finish Wood's ship, but Wood suddenly realized that someone was missing from tonight's gathering.

"Mr. Tom, where did that brat Franky go?"

Tom knew that Wood seemed to get along better with the rambunctious Franky than with his other apprentice, so he casually replied, "That brat insisted on installing some crazy things on your ship.

We scolded him, so he went out, saying he'd prove himself to us."

Franky had stormed off in a huff several times before, so Tom didn't think much of it.

But while Tom spoke casually, Wood listened carefully. If he remembered correctly, this was how the tragedy at Tom's workshop began.

The success of the Sea Train offset the crime of building a ship for Gol D. Roger.

But at that time, Franky was tricked by Spandam and taken to see his inventions. Spandam then stole Franky's "Battle Frankies" and used them to attack a judicial ship, leading to Tom being implicated.

In the end, to save Franky, Tom's contributions in building the Sea Train were used to offset the attack on the judicial ship, and he was taken to Enies Lobby to be executed for the crime of building a ship for the Pirate King...

And when Franky learned that Tom, who was like a father to him, was being taken to Enies Lobby for execution, he tried to stop the Sea Train with his own strength, only to be nearly killed in the process.

Because of this, everyone thought Franky was dead, but he later reappeared in front of Iceburg, having turned himself into a cyborg.

"Mr. Tom, you've already guessed that Enies Lobby would find it difficult to get what they want from you.

I think they're not targeting us but rather your two apprentices!"

Hearing Wood's words, Tom froze mid-hammer, looking at Wood with disbelief, his eyes questioning the basis for Wood's conclusion.

"It's simple. Those two apprentices you treat like your own children are probably your only weakness.

Iceburg is calm and steady, so he's not easy to fool, but Franky... with his love for building dangerous things..."

After hearing Wood's analysis, Tom couldn't sit still anymore and immediately prepared to go out and find Franky.

But just as they were about to leave, a large number of Marines suddenly stormed in, surrounding Tom's workshop and everyone in Wood's crew.

Dressed to the nines and flanked by two CP9 agents in black suits, Spandam, with his insufferable expression, stood arrogantly before Wood and Tom, surrounded by Marines.

The current Spandam was much younger than he would be over a decade later, and at his young age, he certainly had reasons to be cocky.

This time, he had brought hundreds of Marines with him, had two CP9 agents at his side, and outside, Vice Admiral Garp was overseeing the operation. Spandam wasn't worried that Tom and his crew could escape, nor was he concerned that they'd dare to lay a finger on him in these circumstances.

"Old man, your apprentice Cutty Flam (Franky's real name) piloted a dangerous vessel and openly attacked a judicial ship.

He's already been taken back to Enies Lobby for interrogation, and you all, being close associates, may be accomplices or masterminds. Please come with us to Enies Lobby for questioning!"

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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 280+ at pat_reon.com/Betek.