"Yes, sir!"
Having gained a general understanding of Gawain's outward character, Spandam stopped flattering him and instead followed behind Gawain and his group with utmost seriousness, heading towards the Front Island of Enies Lobby.
As he walked, Gawain glanced up at the incredibly bright sun in the sky.
Some things are just that strange; many things in the Pirate King world really don't follow basic physical rules!
Why does the sky suddenly become sunny when driving from the dark area to the area around Enies Lobby?
And the sunlight really does come from the sun!
Thinking about this, Gawain reminded himself again that he could indeed make certain judgments about the future based on the plot's development.
However, in daily life, I must never bring any common sense from before I transmigrated into my life.
Because the world has truly changed!
Spandam, who had been watching Gawain closely, noticed that Gawain frowned slightly after gazing at the sun.
He immediately went to his subordinate's side and took a pair of sunglasses off his subordinate's face.
"Gawain, please put on these sunglasses. Enies Lobby is a true City of Never-Setting Sun; the sunlight here is exceptionally bright!"
As he spoke, he held the glasses in both hands, bowed, and handed them to Gawain.
Seeing this, Gawain nodded and casually picked up the glasses and put them on.
Spandam didn't take credit and returned to the end of the queue. After taking a short walk and enjoying the scenery of Enies Lobby, Gawain and his group officially entered Front Island Station.
Inside the station, hundreds of soldiers from Enies Lobby, dressed in naval uniforms, were busily working around a carriage of the Puffing Tom.
They installed anchors, applied a waterproof coating, and added water. In addition, they decorated the special carriages with basic decorative items.
Most of the ornaments had Enies Lobby style, so Shirahoshi stared awkwardly at the miniature execution platform standing in her carriage, speechless for a long time.
As Gawain and his men approached, the soldiers' captain immediately raised a flag and blew a whistle. The busy soldiers sped up quickly, finished the last bit of work, and then turned and left in formation.
The three-headed Chief Justice of Baskerville gave Gawain a timely bow.
"Saint Gawain, it is the most honorable thing for our Enies Lobby in recent years to welcome you."
Although you're in a hurry, Enies Lobby will always welcome you back!
"Um."
Gawain nodded, then stepped towards the Sea Train.
Only then did Spandam finally start moving again.
"My Lord, Lord Gawain!"
Spandam rushed up to Gawain and said in a humble, soft voice.
"Please wait a moment, sir. I have something very important to report to you privately!"
"Oh?"
Seeing this, Gawain pondered for a moment.
"Come with us."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain boarded the train without looking back. Gion and Jinbe, one holding Shirahoshi's upper body and the other dragging Shirahoshi by the tail, carried the little girl into the carriage specially prepared for her.
Dan didn't get that treatment. He hopped along behind Gawain, tail in hand, but when they reached the connecting area between the carriages, Dan was a little troubled.
Spandam glanced at Dan, then stretched out his hands toward the Fish-Man.
Dan blushed and gently opened her arms.
Spandam was startled, and then punched Dan in the chest with his little fist.
"What are you thinking? I'm here to get you some documents; they must be very important to Gawain!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Spandam snatched the documents and continued to follow behind Gawain.
Dan's face turned green, and then, helplessly, he climbed up the carriage door and used his tail to hop across the carriage connection.
The car ahead is Gawain's, and the car next to Gawain's is Shirahoshi's custom-made car.
While Gion and the other person were helping Shirahoshi into the carriage, Gawain chose a seat he liked, and after sitting down, he picked up his cup and nodded to Spandam.
"Speak your mind."
"This..."
Spandam hesitated for a moment, after all, Merfolk Dan was still in the carriage, but since Gawain had no objection, he quickly put down the documents, picked up the drinks, and poured a drink for Gawain while saying something.
"My lord, I have news to report to you that relates to the legendary Three Ancient Weapons. What do you think...?"
"Just say it directly, everyone here is one of my people."
Gawain gave a noncommittal response.
Upon hearing this, Spandam glanced at the people in the carriage with immense envy.
Merfolk, Merfolk, Fish-Man, and a Vice Admiral.
These people all gained Saint Gawain's trust and became true close associates of the Celestial Dragon!
For a time, Spandam's ambitions soared!
He put down the bottle, then knelt on one knee. Looking at Gawain's expectant eyes, Spandam's lips trembled slightly.
"Saint Gawain, I'd like to be frank with you. Before your arrival, I obtained a little information about you through my father!"
"Have you... Awakening Conqueror's Haki?"
"You're asking me a question!" Gawain asked coldly.
"I wouldn't dare!"
Spandam immediately prostrated himself on the ground, his forehead pressed against the earth, and shouted.
"My name is Spandam, former CP5 commander, and current CP9 commander."
But I am fully aware that I have neither ability nor strength; all I have is unwavering loyalty!
Therefore, in order to live up to the trust that the World Government has placed in me, I have always done my best to collect and investigate every useful clue!
Until you appeared before my eyes!
Although only a few days have passed since you Awakening Conqueror's Haki, the matter has already begun to spread within the Cipher Pol.
Since you are an ambitious Celestial Dragon, I am of course willing to serve you wholeheartedly!
I now have a clue that relates to the whereabouts of the complete design blueprints for Pluton, one of the Three Ancient Weapons!
I am willing to offer it to you, sir!
"Oh?"
Gawain picked up his wine glass and took a small sip.
Gawain let the liquor slide down his throat, savoring its taste, while simultaneously leaving Spandam waiting for a moment.
Time passed second by second, and sweat gradually beaded on Spandam's forehead. As the sweat dripped down, Gawain smiled slightly and said.
"Is it dedicated to me, and not to the World Government?"
"You are Celestial Dragon, you are the World Government. Serving you is also serving the World Government!"
Spandam nervously agreed.
Upon hearing this, Gawain nodded.
"It's good that you have the intention, but the clues you have are useless to me!"
Gawain casually pointed to the Fish-Man not far away.
"That scholar is Tom's brother. Do you understand now?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain took out a cigarette from his coat pocket.
Seeing this, Spandam's hands trembled as he struggled to light the fire.
But Gawain gently pushed Spandam's lighter away.
You're not qualified.
With a casual remark, Gawain lit his tobacco and took a shallow puff.
Spandam collapsed to his knees, too weak to move.
Although Gawain didn't say anything, Spandam had already imagined everything.
He thought he was hiding the secret of Dark King and wanted to use it to gain merit, but the news had already spread, and even reached the ears of Saint Gawain, Celestial Dragon who had only left Mary Geoise less than a week ago!
Moreover, Saint Gawain actually managed to get his hands on the younger brother of the Tom. The Tom actually had Merfolk brother, and he had no idea!
My work skills are terrible, absolutely terrible!!!
For a moment, Spandam was almost in despair, realizing that he had not only failed to prove his worth to Gawain.
If word gets out that he concealed information about Dark King and conducted his investigation privately, he might lose his position within CP9!
Just as Spandam was on the verge of despair, a wisp of smoke drifted onto his face.
Spandam lifted his face, which was completely soaked with sweat, and stared blankly at Gawain.
"And Gawain," he said softly through the smoke.
"When I arrive in Water 7, you... summon Rob Lucci and his men to see me."
As for the future, we'll see how you perform.
"Yes, yes, yes, yes!!!"
Spandam finally breathed a sigh of relief. He collapsed to the ground, agreeing while sobbing with excitement.
After flicking his cigarette ash, Gawain continued speaking to him.
"Don't bother me now, get off the bus, I'm leaving."
"Yes, sir!"
Spandam leaped up and dashed out of the carriage. He stood on the platform, bowing to Gawain, and remained there for a long time.
It wasn't until the Puffing Tom sailed away from Enies Lobby that Spandam realized with a start that his sweat had soaked through his suit!
On the Puffing Tom, Shirahoshi lay in a carriage that was mostly flooded, idly fiddling with models of various torture instruments.
Gion and Jinbe then sat down next to Gawain.
"My lord, Pluton's blueprints weren't just a figment of our imagination after all. Judging from that dead panda's expression, he really does seem to have some clues."
"Um."
Gawain nodded readily, then suddenly remembered something.
"Wait, you called him Dead Panda?"
"Hehe, everyone who knows that guy likes to call him that. Panda is like panda, and his family is the family of dead pandas."
Gion offered an explanation, then continued.
"However, sir, Spandam and his father Spandine are indeed doing quite well in the CP system. Now that he has pledged allegiance to you, you can certainly take control of him and use that control over a portion of the Cipher Pol."
Judging by his appearance, he should be quite useful; he's very obsequious.
"Not necessarily."
Gawain shook his head.
"He flatters me, and he flatters other Celestial Dragon as well, especially the Five Elders. That's not loyalty, but his own ambition to climb the ranks."
This kind of person shouldn't be allowed to acquire power too easily!
And just as he said, he had neither strength nor ability, only loyalty.
There are just too many people like him! Water 7 has several people who are far more suitable than him!
"You mean Rob Lucci?"
"Indeed."