Who the Hell Are You?

Water 7, the day after the Sea Train's maiden voyage.

"Rear Admiral, the escort mission is officially over."

Vergo walked over with the voyage schedule in his hands. "When are we heading back?"

"We'll stay another two days."

Ron leaned against the railing at the dock, watching the distant silhouette of the train shrink over the sea, its smokestack trailing a long plume of white smoke.

"It took ten years to build. I want to see if it can really bring a city back to life."

Vergo was a little surprised, but he didn't ask any further. He stood at attention and acknowledged the order.

That afternoon, the first group of merchants from the outlying islands arrived on the Sea Train.

Some hauled crates full of cloth, while others clutched orders as they ran toward the shipyards.

Before long, more than a dozen handcarts had appeared in the once-deserted unloading area.

"Boss! Can this lumber get to the factory tonight?"

"It can! There's another Sea Train tomorrow!"

At an inn on the street corner, where the owner had been about to put up a transfer notice, he was now standing on a ladder, polishing the sign again.

An old shipwright received his first repair order in a long time. He grinned so widely that his pipe fell into the wood shavings.

Of course, there were still plenty of empty shops and workers sitting idle, waiting for work.

But in this once-gloomy city, people had finally begun talking about "tomorrow's business."

An elderly doctor carrying a medical kit stepped out of a carriage and excitedly told the people meeting him, "Before, when we traveled by water, patients couldn't hold on long enough for the medicine to reach them. Now, at last, we'll know exactly when it'll arrive."

Ron watched the crowd coming and going, the corners of his mouth quietly lifting.

That old Fish-Man Tom really was something.

With no new mission for once, Ron headed into the shopping district.

Hibari was already twelve. If he tried to fob her off with another bag of candy, she'd be sure to nag him for half a month.

A Marine cap adorned with tiny pearls and an exquisitely crafted starfish brooch were both the sort of things a young girl would like.

"Buying them for your sister?" the shopkeeper asked with a smile.

"Yeah. One's twelve, and the other's three."

"What about your younger sister? What does she like?"

Ron was stumped.

At the children's shop, rows of little dresses, leather shoes, and stuffed toys were neatly arranged.

He stared at a pink floral dress for a long while. "Is this... a little too flowery?"

Then he picked up a pair of little leather shoes, frowning as he weighed them. "Would these rub her feet?"

Finally, he pinched the long ears of a stuffed rabbit and tugged them. "Why does this rabbit look kind of stupid?"

The shopkeeper stared blankly at the three-meter-tall young Rear Admiral before him.

He looked less like he was there to buy toys and more like he was there to interrogate them.

Hibari (age three)

Hibari was Sakazuki's younger daughter and was only three years old.

Ever since the little girl had been brought to Marineford, her favorite thing to do was wait outside Ron's office.

Whenever she saw her big brother return, she would run over on her short little legs and hold out her arms.

"Big brother, pick me up!"

Ron smiled at the thought.

When Sakazuki lectured him, he didn't waste a single word. He could keep a straight face and go on for two hours.

But if Hibari so much as coughed, the iron-blooded Vice Admiral would drag the military doctor over three times.

Once, Hibari spilled juice on Sakazuki's impeccably pressed uniform. Ron watched Pops knit his brows, only to squeeze out a single "Be careful next time."

If it had been him? He probably would have been thrown onto the training ground to endure two hours of magma.

Favoritism? Ron had no complaints.

If some pink-haired or blond-haired guy, or some other fool who didn't know what was good for him, ever dared set his sights on Hibari...

He'd show them exactly what the "monster Rear Admiral" pirates talked about was like.

"Sir?"

The shopkeeper spoke up cautiously. "Which one would you like?"

Ron came out of his daze, a little embarrassed.

"Wrap them all up."

"Huh?!"

"Except the rabbit."

After a pause, he reached out and picked the rabbit back up.

"Actually, I'll take this too."

The next day, a ship flying the World Government's flag docked at the port.

A man with curly purple hair and dark circles around his eyes came down the gangway, followed by two members of Cipher Pol No. 5.

Spandam.

He looked up in the direction of Tom's Workers and curled his lip. "The Sea Train's finished?"

"Yes, sir. The maiden voyage was a success."

"Perfect."

Spandam smiled confidently. "I hope that fish is smart enough."

Inside Tom's Workers.

"Congratulations, Mr. Tom."

Spandam sat down and gave him a few insincere claps.

"The Sea Train has transformed Water 7, and the World Government greatly appreciates your contribution."

Tom put down the wrench in his hand and wiped his hands on his apron.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

"Straight to the point. Good."

Spandam pulled out a stamped internal document and pushed it across the table.

"The government knows you're holding on to something that shouldn't be in civilian hands."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Spandam glanced around, then suddenly lowered his voice.

"The blueprints for Pluton. I know you have them."

Tom's hand paused on the wrench.

"I don't."

"You built a ship for the Pirate King, and now you're hiding something like this."

Spandam leaned closer, his voice sinister. "Don't force us to take measures."

"I said I don't have them."

Spandam stared at him for a long moment, then abruptly stood up.

"Fine. You're stubborn, all right."

He straightened his collar.

"I hope you can still be this defiant the next time we meet."

With that, he left the workshop with the two Cipher Pol No. 5 members.

That night, Tom summoned Iceburg alone.

From a hidden compartment deep inside the workshop, he took out a rolled-up set of blueprints sealed with wax and placed it in his young apprentice's hands.

Iceburg's heart sank. "Master, this is..."

"Pluton."

"Then why did you just—"

"Something like this can't fall into the government's hands."

Tom pressed a hand on the blueprints, his voice growing quieter.

"Nor can it fall into the hands of people who want to use it to start wars."

"If anything happens to me one day, you'll be the one to keep it safe."

Iceburg looked down at the blueprints.

"Master, is it really that dangerous?"

"More dangerous than you think."

Tom looked at him.

"Remember, you must never let it fall into the hands of anyone who wants to use it to kill."

Iceburg gripped the blueprints tightly.

"I understand."

Outside, Franky and Yokozuna were examining a new cannon barrel.

"Yokozuna! A little more to the left!"

"Ribbit!"

Boom!

Something exploded, and Franky laughed at the top of his lungs.

Inside, Iceburg held the blueprints tightly against his chest and said nothing for a long time.

The following afternoon, Spandam returned, just as expected.

This time, he dispensed with the pleasantries altogether and brought his men straight to the workshop entrance, blocking it.

"Tom! Don't think finishing the Sea Train wipes out your past crimes!"

The two Cipher Pol No. 5 members simultaneously placed their hands on their gun grips.

"I'll ask one last time. Where are the blueprints?"

Tom's face darkened completely. "I told you, I don't have them."

"Then don't blame—"

Click.

Before Spandam could finish his threat, a door suddenly opened in the air beside him.

A hand carrying gift bags emerged first, followed by a white Justice Coat and a huge cloud of cotton candy.

"Coming through."

Spandam hurriedly dodged to the side. He turned to look, and his eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"R-Rear Admiral Ron?!"

Ron took a bite of cotton candy and studied him for two seconds, looking utterly bewildered.

"Who the hell... are you?"

"..."

Spandam's face turned pale, then flushed.

He was the head of Cipher Pol No. 5, for crying out loud! This bastard didn't even know his name?!

"I'm Spandam! By order of the World Government—"

"Oh."

Ron's gaze passed over him and fell on the two Cipher Pol No. 5 members behind him, whose hands were still on their weapons.

"If you're asking questions, just ask. Why are your hands on your weapons?"

The two immediately let go and put their hands behind their backs.

"Ron!"

Franky rushed out of the work shed, his eyes shining.

"Let me see that sword of yours again!"

"Get lost."

"Just one look!"

"Not even half a look."

Tom roared with laughter, making the shed hum.

Spandam looked at the Fish-Man laughing without a care, then at the seemingly unconcerned Marine Rear Admiral who nevertheless radiated pressure.

If he wanted to force a search today, he would probably have to ask that sword for permission first.

"A misunderstanding."

He immediately put on a smile. "Just routine official questioning. We'll be leaving now."

"Take care."

Ron leaned against the doorframe and took a bite of cotton candy. "Don't damage their tracks on your way out."

Spandam slunk away with his men.

Ron watched his retreating figure, narrowing his eyes.

That face... He seemed to have seen it somewhere before. All he remembered was that the guy was no good.

He shoved the cotton candy into Franky's hands and turned to Tom. "What trouble did that guy come here to cause?"

Tom fell silent for a moment.

"The government doesn't intend to let me off easily."

"I can see that."

Ron pulled out the Den Den Mushi he usually used to contact his subordinates.

"Vergo, set up a few Visual Den Den Mushi around the workshop and the government ship's berth. Take turns watching them."

"To guard against pirates?"

Ron looked toward the street corner where Spandam had disappeared. "To guard against thieves."

"And don't tip them off."

Vergo paused, then immediately replied, "Understood."

Aboard the government ship.

Bang!

Spandam slammed his fist on the table.

"He's just a Navy rear admiral! What's so great about him?!"

A Cipher Pol No. 5 member beside him quietly reminded him, "Sir, he's Sakazuki's..."

"I know!"

"And he was just commended by the Holy Land..."

"Shut up! I know that too!"

"Then are we still going to search?"

Spandam's face darkened.

"Search for what?! Can't you see he's still in Water 7?!"

Spandam gritted his teeth and looked out the window.

Beside the harbor, several oddly shaped battleships were moored side by side.

Spandam had only glanced at them casually at first.

But when he saw the gun barrels aboard the ships, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"Who built those?"

"Tom's apprentice, Cutty Flam."

"Oh?"

Spandam took another look at the battleships.

A moment later, he grinned.

"Tom, oh, Tom..."

"If you won't hand over the blueprints, then don't blame me for trying another way."