Early the next morning, Tom, along with Iceburg and the others, was waiting at the Blue Station. Spandam and a contingent of Marines were also there. Doflamingo had brought his people to join the crowd as well, specifically to witness this famous scene.
The station was packed with people, creating a lively atmosphere. Everyone was excited to witness the impending miracle.
"Young Master, there are so many people!" Baby 5 said excitedly, pressing close to Doflamingo. Having just returned from her training, she had managed to catch this grand event.
"Witness this miracle closely," Doflamingo instructed, glancing at the members of the Donquixote Family present.
"Yes, Young Master!"
Amidst the noisy crowd, a thundering rumble drowned out all other sounds. On the blue sea, a steel train was speeding towards them. The onlookers watched the behemoth approach, their faces filled with excitement and awe.
The Sea Train successfully docked at the Blue Station. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the test passengers disembarked safely, one by one.
Tom looked at his masterpiece with satisfaction. As for Spandam, who stood nearby, he was ignored. All Spandam cared about were the Pluton blueprints, and he was growing impatient.
"Today, the Sea Train has officially made its successful run!" Tom announced to the crowd, his voice filled with excitement.
"Hooray!"
"Amazing!"
A wave of cheers erupted from the crowd in response to Tom's words.
But just as the people were celebrating this moment of success, Spandam stepped in to spoil the party.
"Alright, alright! Since it's a success, all you spectators can leave now. It's time for us to get down to business," Spandam said, stepping out from the crowd and shooing them away.
"Who does this guy think he is?! Get lost! Ruining such an important moment."
"Yeah, yeah! Is this guy blind?"
The crowd was displeased by Spandam's interference and cursed at him. The members of CP9, hidden in the crowd, watched coolly, not getting involved, letting everything unfold.
"You damn fools! I am a World Government official!" Spandam shouted arrogantly at the crowd.
Perhaps out of fear of the World Government, the onlookers fell silent.
Seeing that the scene had finally quieted down, Spandam turned to Tom and said coldly, "It's time to go, Mr. Tom."
Tom smiled, calmly allowing the World Government agents to place shackles on him.
"Mr. Tom, what is going on?" Iceburg, seeing this, rushed towards Tom, desperate for an answer. But before he could reach him, Spandam's men stopped him.
"Stay back! This is a criminal," the two guards watching Tom said to Iceburg.
Tom shook his head at Iceburg, signaling him not to be reckless.
"Now, I will say this one more time for all to hear," Spandam announced to the crowd with an air of authority. "Tom, for privately building battleships that resulted in the deaths of World Government officials, will be taken in for interrogation."
"How can this be?"
"Mr. Tom would never do such a thing!"
"Mr. Tom is absolutely not that kind of person!"
The crowd was outraged, refusing to believe Spandam's words.
"Are you all rebelling? How dare you question the decision of the World Government? Do you want me to arrest all of you too?" Spandam threatened sternly.
People are all the same. The moment it concerns them personally, they shrink back, all their previous righteous indignation gone.
"Heh. Good that you understand," Spandam sneered. He had never taken these peasants seriously. "Take him away!"
"Mr. Tom!"
Under the gaze of the crowd, Tom was led away, dragging his heavy shackles.
Iceburg, witnessing everything, was overcome with an indescribable sorrow. If Kokoro hadn't been there to support him, he would have collapsed.
"What a farce."
Doflamingo watched from the crowd, doing nothing. Soon after, accompanied by his Family, he returned to the ark.
Meanwhile, with Mr. Tom's arrest, Spandam, for once, honored his agreement and let Franky go. This was mainly because Tom had held his ground, insisting on seeing Franky freed before he would agree to hand over the blueprints.
The moment he was released, Franky saw the arrested Tom. Just as he was about to ask what had happened, Spandam's men threw him out.
"Now, you can hand it over," Spandam said, staring at Tom, his greed unstoppable.
"Cough, cough... it's on me."
Hearing this, Spandam frantically searched Tom's body and finally found the Pluton blueprints.
"Hahaha! I finally have the Pluton blueprints in my hands!" Spandam cheered with extreme excitement.
Tom watched him with a smile, feeling no guilt whatsoever. Of course, these were fake blueprints. He would never hand the real ones over to the World Government.
"Take him away, take him away!" In his excitement, Spandam found the sight of Tom an eyesore and ordered the guards to take him away.
However, after a moment of joy, Spandam found himself in a predicament. Should he give the blueprints to Doflamingo? This was a problem. Doflamingo held his heart in his hands. If he didn't hand them over, his own life would be forfeit. But on the other hand, how would he explain this to the World Government? This was his ticket to promotion and wealth.
After hesitating for a long time, Spandam came up with a brilliant idea. He decided to make a copy. One for Doflamingo to save his own skin, and one for the World Government to get his promotion and riches.
How very Spandam. How very greedy.
Purupurupuru...
Doflamingo answered the call. Spandam said timidly, "Joker, I have the item. I can bring it to you right now."
"Good work, Spandam," Doflamingo praised.
"Not at all! This is all thanks to you, Joker!" Spandam quickly deflected the credit.
"I know. That's all," Doflamingo said and hung up, leaving Spandam on the other end confused, unsure if he had done the right thing.
After calling Doflamingo, Spandam eagerly called the Five Elders.
"Lord Elders! I have not failed my mission! The Pluton blueprints are in my hands!" Spandam reported respectfully.
"Good. Bring them here at once," one of the Elders commanded.
"Yes, I'll have someone deliver them immediately," Spandam replied.
"No. Something this precious is not safe enough. Have him make the trip."
"I think that's a good idea."
"It's more secure that way."
"Agreed."
"So be it."
The Five Elders approved the plan and immediately notified Sengoku to send Kizaru on the mission.
Receiving the order, Sengoku became serious. While he thought the Five Elders' decision was wise, he immediately dialed Kizaru's number.
"Moshi moshi... Kizaru here."
The usual lazy, drawn-out, and somewhat sleazy tone echoed in Sengoku's ear.
Sengoku suppressed the urge to punch someone and said to Kizaru, "Borsalino, the Pluton blueprints are in Water 7. Get over there at once and ensure they are delivered safely."
"The Pluton blueprints?" Hearing Sengoku's words, Kizaru's expression turned a little more serious. "I understand," he said.
Knowing the gravity of the situation, Kizaru put aside his lazy and sleazy demeanor and reluctantly played the part of a courier.
While Kizaru was setting out, Franky rushed back to the shipyard to confront Iceburg.
"Iceburg, what the hell is going on?" Franky demanded of the exhausted Iceburg.
"You're asking me what's going on?" Iceburg shot back, his eyes bloodshot.
Seeing Iceburg's state, Franky was stunned.
"It's all because of you! If it weren't for you, Mr. Tom wouldn't be in this situation!" Iceburg roared, grabbing Franky by the collar. He then let go, his strength failing him, and slowly explained everything that had happened recently.
"No, I don't believe it! I'm going to save Mr. Tom! I didn't kill any World Government officials! Why should I suffer for this? Besides, there's no reason for Mr. Tom to take the blame for me!" Franky shouted, tears welling in his eyes. He turned to run outside.
"Franky, haven't you caused enough trouble?!" Iceburg grabbed Franky's arm, holding him back.
"Iceburg, let me go! Are you just going to stand by and do nothing, like you are now?" Franky demanded angrily.
"How are you going to save him? As reckless as you are, who can you possibly save?" Iceburg shouted back.
"Even if I can't, I have to try! I'm not you! I will absolutely not let Mr. Tom die!" Franky struggled.
"Alright, you two, calm down," Kokoro said, trying to mediate and stop their argument.
"Kokoro-san, are you just going to watch him die too?" Franky asked, turning to her.
"Franky, it's not as simple as you think."
"Fine! You can all rest assured, I will bring Mr. Tom back!" Franky forcefully broke free from Iceburg's grip and rushed outside.
"Franky!!!" Iceburg shouted after him.
"Let him go. If he doesn't do something, he'll die of regret," Kokoro advised.
"But... alright. I'll think of something else," Iceburg sighed.
While Franky was desperately trying to save Tom, rumors began to spread throughout Water 7, saying that it was because of Franky that Tom had been forced down this path to his own demise. In an instant, the entire city was in an uproar, and everyone who didn't know the truth was filled with disgust for Franky.
As the public opinion in Water 7 exploded, Doflamingo and his crew had already set off for the next island. Although he hadn't had the chance to ride the Sea Train himself, there would be other opportunities, wouldn't there?
As Doflamingo left, Kizaru was on his way, and the Sea Train that would transport Tom was about to depart.
Cutty Flam was, in the end, still destined to become Franky. Fate had not been kind to him. On the contrary, with Doflamingo's involvement, his story had become even more tragic.