All Men Are Equal

"Based on the fact that Shipwright Tom built the Pirate King Gold Roger's pirate ship, the Oro Jackson, he is deemed to have aided a world-class heinous criminal. Shipwright Tom is to be transported to Judicial Island."

"Sentenced to death!"

As the verdict was handed down, a murmur rippled through the gallery.

"Tom's been sentenced to death!"

"Finally convicted, huh..."

"He brought trouble to the world, it can't be helped."

Leon held back Franky, who was itching to move beside him.

Ignoring the crowd's chatter, Tom, still in handcuffs, calmly addressed the lofty judge on the bench. "I'm currently designing a steam-powered paddleboat that can run on sea tracks..."

Tom's Sea Train plan captured everyone's attention in the room.

As Tom spoke, Leon, seated in the front row, turned his head and scanned the varied expressions of the crowd.

Tom, shunned and driven out by the people of Water Seven, had used time to save this city...

How many of those present would, ten years later during the CP5-framed case, clamor for the execution of that disgusting fish-man, Tom...

And how many, twenty years later, would become loyal supporters of Iceburg, the disciple of Tom, who had already become mayor of Water Seven...

"The Sea Train is the hope of Water Seven!!!"

Tom's voice rang out with conviction. The long-bearded judge on the podium stared at him solemnly.

"How many years will it take?"

"Ten years!"

The judge slammed his gavel, commuting Tom's sentence to a ten-year reprieve.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

"Go for it, Tom!!!"

"Save Water Seven!!!"

"Hahahaha, I made it out alive!"

Back in the small hut on Scrap Island, Tom finally laughed in relief.

A group gathered around the table, slurping ramen to celebrate Tom's safe return. Only Franky looked disgruntled, bickering with Tom before storming off with Yokozuna to practice freestyle swimming.

"Kokoro, could I have another bowl?"

Leon paid no mind to the little spat between master and disciple. Kokoro's cooking was truly excellent, and she was easygoing, often flashing a wide-mouthed, cheerful grin...

"By the way, Mr. Tom, how did you end up coming to Water Seven?"

During a lull in the meal, Leon voiced his curiosity. Tom's answer was surprisingly simple.

"Because I love shipbuilding. I heard the best shipwrights were here, so I came with a bang!"

"That must have been tough, right?"

Tom said with a candid expression, "Yeah, when I left Fish-Man Island, I was already mentally prepared."

"But reality was worse than I imagined. A lot of humans even see fish-men as a different species..."

"When I first arrived at Water Seven, I often heard people calling me a monster, hahahaha."

Seeing Tom's open-mindedness, Leon felt genuine admiration.

"Even so, Mr. Tom, you still want to save this Water Seven?"

"I just can't bear to watch this city wither away..."

Tom stood up.

"Speaking of which, I'm also surprised. Young Leon, being a Marine, still trusts me, a fish-man."

"When you first came to me asking to repair your ship, old man, I was honestly taken aback."

"I even wondered if you had some ulterior motive..."

Ulterior motive?

The Dark King? A super warship that could destroy an island with one shot? Is that impressive?

Unless you could build a fully armed nuclear submarine or a loaded aircraft carrier with your bare hands...

Looking at the earnest Tom, Leon wiped his mouth and said seriously, "I didn't expect Mr. Tom to see through me."

Leon's words instantly froze the harmonious atmosphere in the room.

"Actually..."

"I am a Marine fighter dedicated to opposing racial discrimination!"

Leon's voice rang out with conviction.

"In my heart, humans, fish-men, the Mink Tribe, the Giant Tribe..."

"Every race living on this sea—none of them are high or low, noble or base."

"I once stumbled upon a book about monster girls..."

"A storybook..."

"From then on, I set a goal, just like in that storybook: to let all races live equally on this sea!"

"Amazing!"

Leon's lofty ideal left Tom and Iceburg in the room staring wide-eyed with shock.

Beside them, the still-charming Kokoro handed Leon a bowl of noodles and said softly, "I never thought there'd be someone like you, young Leon, in the Marines..."

"I'm quite interested in that storybook you mentioned. Could you tell me about it?"

Faced with Kokoro's face, Leon found it hard to refuse, so he racked his brains and began telling the story of the Mermaid Princess.

Unexpectedly, after hearing the tale of the Mermaid Princess, a teary-eyed Kokoro stared intently at Leon...

"Such a great love story exists in this world..."

"Young Leon is truly an interesting person."

"If I were a few years younger..."

"You flatter me, Kokoro!"

Leon jolted, sprang to his feet, and fled out of the hut as if escaping.

His voice came from outside right after.