Fitted with a Slave Collar

Five hours.

They passed quickly.

Sumer felt as though he had only just lain down when Califa carefully woke him.

"Saint Sumer, the warship has been repaired, and Spandam has returned!"

Califa spoke as she helped Sumer get dressed.

On the bed.

Nami and Robin wore expressions of despair. Their eyes, which should have shone brightly like stars, were now dull and lifeless.

Those five hours had been excruciating for them.

Because Zoro and Sanji had been captured again, they had lost all hope.

Most humiliatingly, slave collars had been placed around both their necks.

As long as that beast, Saint Germain Sumer, pressed the switch, they would be blown apart.

They would die horribly!

Because they had been fitted with slave collars, Robin's Seastone handcuffs had been removed.

"Oh?"

Hearing that Spandam had returned, Sumer felt somewhat expectant.

Last time, Spandam had brought Jabra and the other two, along with the Giraffe Fruit and Bubble-Bubble Fruit, to Water 7 to pay respects to him and Saint Marcus Mars.

He had practically fawned over Sumer at every turn.

He had looked as though he wanted nothing more than to kneel down and lick Sumer's shoes, like a lapdog wagging its tail for favor.

At the time, Sumer had merely mentioned wanting a handy firearm, and the man had immediately pledged his loyalty, saying he would take care of it.

Then, without even eating, he had left Water 7 again.

This time, he should have returned with a gift.

After tidying himself up.

Sumer arrived in the hotel lobby, where he saw Spandam directing several government agents as they carried treasure chests in from outside.

"Saint Sumer!"

The moment Spandam saw Sumer, he immediately performed a grand bow, kneeling and kowtowing three times. The words "utterly loyal" might as well have been carved across his face.

When it came to being a lackey, Sumer considered himself inferior to Spandam.

For the sake of climbing higher, that man would resort to any means and had no bottom line.

Even if Sumer ordered him to kill his own mother, Spandam probably would not hesitate for long.

"Get up."

Sumer's gaze fell on the six treasure chests as he wondered what Spandam had brought him.

"Yes."

"Saint Sumer, I returned in too much of a hurry this time, so I was only able to gather some ordinary items."

Spandam sidled up to Sumer with a fawning expression and waved for the government agents to open the six chests.

Creak—

As the six wooden chests were opened one after another, the first three were revealed to be filled with neatly stacked gold bars.

Their purity was obviously very high.

Sumer passed over them without a second glance. To him, money was just a number now.

Did he need to buy anything he wanted with money?

The fourth chest contained a Devil Fruit, which surprised Sumer.

Weren't the Giraffe Fruit and Bubble-Bubble Fruit the only ones left uneaten in the Enies Lobby Arc?

"Saint Sumer, this is the Zoan-type Gray Rabbit Fruit. I spent two hundred million Beli to win it at auction."

Spandam was very good at reading people.

Seeing Sumer pass over the three chests full of gold bars and pause before the Gray Rabbit Fruit, he immediately began explaining.

"Two hundred million Beli? Isn't the market price for an ordinary Devil Fruit currently one hundred million Beli?"

Sumer picked up the Gray Rabbit Fruit and examined it. Unfortunately, it was merely an ordinary type. It would have been better if it were an Ancient Zoan or Mythical Zoan.

Even a Paramecia would have been better!

Spandam's capabilities were still rather limited.

"Saint Sumer, it is a treasure of the sea after all, so it is not easy to obtain. I faced malicious bidding at the auction."

"Though it is only an ordinary type, I have seen your sincerity."

Sumer placed the Gray Rabbit Fruit back in the chest. On the surface, he still highly praised Spandam's gift.

Actually, from Spandam's perspective, there was nothing wrong with wanting to climb higher.

After all, everyone had dreams and ambitions.

He was the same in that regard.

For the sake of survival and better conditions for making his debut, was he not also like a lapdog trying to curry favor with Saint Nerona Imu?

As he had said before.

They were all trying to live, all striving to live better!!!

"It is only what I should do."

Spandam felt a surge of joy.

With just those words, he no longer regretted selling off all his estates and possessions, along with the money he had gained through embezzlement and bribes, to buy these items.

"These things are not bad either."

The fifth and sixth chests were relatively large, and they were packed with firearms and ammunition, all made of gold.

There were golden flintlock pistols, golden short-barreled shotguns, smoothbore muskets, handguns, rocket launchers, sniper rifles, golden axes, daggers, and more.

They were filled to the brim with both modern weapons and cold weapons.

At a glance, they were clearly collections belonging to nobles and wealthy people.

Sumer took a liking to a Golden Revolver. It felt excellent in his hand, and when he opened the cylinder, he found that it could hold ten bullets.

"Saint Sumer, the Five Elders sent me to notify you that it is time to set sail and return to Mary Geoise!"

Just as Sumer was handling the Golden Revolver and loading it with ten golden bullets, a Marine colonel entered and gave a standard salute.

Yes.

Even the bullets were made of gold, each engraved with exquisitely beautiful spiral patterns.

"Understood."

Without even raising his head, Sumer continued playing with the Golden Revolver. The more he handled it, the more he liked it.

Especially the metallic sound made when he spun the cylinder. It was particularly pleasing to the ear.

"Spandam, I'll keep this revolver and the Gray Rabbit Fruit for now. Store the rest for me first!"

"Work hard from now on. You have a bright future!"

"Lucci, bring the bullets and the Gray Rabbit Fruit."

Sumer tucked the Golden Revolver into the left side of his waist. As for the right side, it was naturally occupied by Elephant Sword Funkfreed.

Elephant Sword Funkfreed had not been stolen by him. It had been borrowed.

When Spandam had left Water 7 last time, he had explicitly stated that he wanted to give it to him.

Since it had been voluntarily offered, Sumer naturally had to graciously accept it to save the other man's face.

It had to be said.

Spandam truly understood social etiquette.

That was why Sumer had a fairly good impression of Spandam.

A person like him was well suited to handling certain shady matters. He could be considered a special kind of talent.

"Yes, Saint Sumer. I will definitely work hard from now on!"

Having received Sumer's approval once more.

Spandam stood as straight as a ramrod, as though pumped full of adrenaline. His face was filled with fervor and the conviction that a man would die for one who appreciated him.

Sumer said nothing and merely patted Spandam on the shoulder.

After Sumer had completely left.

Spandam clenched his fists, his face brimming with wild delight. He knew that he had left a good impression in Saint Sumer's heart.

He was getting closer and closer to a promotion, a raise, and being transferred to serve in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.

Dad, your son has finally made something of himself.

Over here.

Sumer arrived aboard the warship, where many Marines were moving supplies.

Next, they would sail directly to Mary Geoise. Unless something happened along the way, they would not dock again.

Sumer had originally planned to visit the Sabaody Archipelago and have a look around, but that would have to wait until next time.

When the time came, he would have a Marine admiral escort him and enjoy himself first.

"Saint Sumer!"

Doll and the other Marines saluted Sumer. Their outward conduct and expressions remained as respectful as ever.

"Looks like things were quiet during those five hours."

Sumer waved for the other Marines to get back to work. After looking around, he turned toward Doll, who wore a Marine coat of justice.

Logically, Garp, Dragon, Red-Hair, Ace, and the others should already have received news that Straw Hat had been captured by them in Water 7.

Red-Hair and Ace aside, he did not believe Garp and Dragon had not been secretly keeping an eye on Straw Hat.

It had probably only been a little over a day, not enough time for them to rush over from the Four Blues or the New World.