Reunion of Master and Apprentice

With the completion of burning Pluton's blueprints, it was almost certain that the Enies Lobby arc in the original storyline would not occur.

Even if a request came from above to capture Robin, it would be easy to deflect it by saying that capturing pirates is the Navy's job, and they should handle it.

However, now that the wedge had been removed and I could alter the original work, I must admit that personally, I want to support Luffy and the Straw Hat crew.

Luffy is the protagonist of the original story, a character destined to be loved by fate. Even if the Enies Lobby arc doesn't happen, there will likely be alternative events where he gains Gear Second and Gear Third.

And unless I interfere directly, they will continue to progress according to fate... In fact, the Straw Hat crew is not a group that actively opposes the government. They usually choose to escape when facing battles they can't win against the Navy.

For example, except for Enies Lobby, Impel Down, and Marineford arcs, they rarely engage directly with the government.

By canceling the Enies Lobby arc, and without Ace being captured by the Navy in Impel Down and Marineford arcs, these events won't happen. Moreover, since they mostly save countries and such, it's because they are the main characters of the story.

Anyway, that doesn't really matter. The reason I want to support the Straw Hat crew is simple... I want to know the true identity of the One Piece, the legendary treasure.

Since I died before the One Piece story was completed, I have no idea what the One Piece really is. It could be an object that connects this world to another, like a portal, or something like the Dragon Balls that grants wishes... Though the fact that Roger's crew burst into laughter suggests that it's something different, I can't say for sure since it's still unknown.

Since no one outside of Roger's crew has reached it for hundreds of years, it's not something you can find just by searching. Besides, I can't read ancient texts, so I can't follow the Poneglyphs even if I wanted to.

Even if I could read the ancient texts, I still don't know the location of the fourth Road Poneglyph. If I were to start searching for the One Piece, the World Government wouldn't just let me be. That would almost certainly lead to me becoming an enemy of the world.

If obtaining the One Piece would definitely grant my wish, I might consider searching for it even if it meant destroying the world... But honestly, the odds of that happening are low.

I don't feel like searching for it on my own, especially when the world seems so hopeless. So, I think it's a good idea to rely on Luffy and the Straw Hat crew to find the One Piece and reveal its true identity in the end.

...Well, that doesn't mean I'm going to do anything specific. Besides, the only arc where I have any direct involvement with the Straw Hat crew is Enies Lobby.

If they reach the One Piece through their own efforts, guided by fate in a place unrelated to me, that's fine. Fate isn't as absolute as I think it is, and if their dreams can be shattered without my interference, then so be it... I'll start looking into it when I'm at the point of despairing about the world.

At least, if I knew the location of the fourth Road Poneglyph, I might have other options... Well, never mind.

With that in mind, I looked at the clock and realized it was time for Tom's handover, so I got up and moved.

***

When I arrived at the designated location, I saw the figures of Iceburg, the person in charge, and Frankie, who probably insisted on tagging along. Initially, it seemed like Iceburg was planning to come alone, but Frankie insisted on joining him.

As they saw me, their expressions tensed up, but when they saw the person walking behind me, they were overcome with emotion and tears welled up in their eyes.

"Tom...!?"

Despite having lost some weight during his time in prison, Tom looked otherwise unchanged, and the two couldn't hold back their emotions as they rushed toward him and clung to him.

"Tom, I... I..."

"Don't cry, Frankie. I put you through a lot. And Iceburg too..."

"Tom... We're sorry for what we did with the things you entrusted to us..."

"I've heard the story. It's all right. If anything, I should have disposed of it sooner. Anyway, I'm glad to be able to meet you two, who have grown into fine individuals."

Even though the handover wasn't complete yet... well, it's not so impolite as to interrupt such a touching reunion, so I took out a candy and put it in my mouth while waiting for the two to calm down and talk to Tom.

After a while, when Iceburg had calmed down, I had him sign the formal documents for Tom's release.

"Indeed... with this, Tom is officially released."

"...I still don't quite understand your intentions. What exactly is your purpose?"

"...Why do you all see me as such an evil person? It's just a job. Oh, while I'm at it, here's another thing..."

Since all the key players were gathered here, I decided to discuss this matter as well and took out the documents.

"Let me confirm, Tom will be employed by the Galley-La Company?"

"Most likely, that will be the case for the time being. There is still some animosity towards Tom. He will have to endure for a while."

"I see. Then... here's a job request."

"...Huh?"

"We are planning to rebuild Enies Lobby in a few years, which will naturally require more supplies to be transported. So, we'd like you to add another railway track for the Sea Train and increase the number of Sea Trains, so that trains can run simultaneously in both directions. This is an official request from the government, so we will provide appropriate compensation."

In the original story, after the Enies Lobby arc, the Galley-La Company completed a new Sea Train called "Puffing Ice." But if Tom is here, there's no need to wait five years.

It would be better to add more tracks and it's also an opportunity for the Galley-La Company to have its craftsmen learn about the technology of the Sea Train. It's not a bad deal, I think.

"...In this flow of events, you're suddenly asking for a job request..."

"Well, I will prepare the official documents later and bring them to the Galley-La Company... but I thought it would be better to discuss it while you're present. Currently, Tom is the only one who can build Sea Trains, so it's best to discuss it with him here."

Iceburg looked exasperated, but Tom was thinking seriously with his arms crossed. After a short silence, he nodded once and spoke up.

"...I don't mind accepting that request, but... there is one condition."

"Oh? Sure, go ahead and tell me."

"If it's possible... then, if possible..."

"All right. In that case, how about this method?"

Upon hearing the condition Tom offered in exchange for accepting the job, I sighed lightly. As expected of the man who can build Sea Trains, he came up with an unexpected idea.

Although I felt impressed, I gave an answer that fit the condition he presented.

"However, it won't be an eternal arrangement. I plan to stop it at some point, so you should consider fundamental measures."

"Got it. Then, leave the matter of the Sea Trains to me."

"You... Spandam... Can you really keep your promise?"

"No problem. Besides..."

Frankie, who looked doubtful, and I, who waved my hand lightly, watched as a gigantic water column rose far in the distance.

"For me, I don't need ancient weapons to destroy an island. You understand why I'm not interested, right?"

Saying that, I turned my back to the dumbfounded trio and started walking towards the Tower of Justice.

Well, the condition he asked for was to do something about Aqua Laguna using Aquaragna. So, for the time being, I settled on a solution where I would blow away Aqua Laguna each year during its season.

After all, I guess I'm the only one who can do it now... Well, considering the benefits of increasing the Sea Trains, dealing with Aqua Laguna once a year is a small price to pay.

***

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