Planned against the unprepared, with sheer speed and overwhelming strength, Buggy's crew struck first. The two CP9 operatives—users of Zoan fruits, the Wolf-Wolf Fruit (Gray Wolf model) and the Fox-Fox Fruit—were swiftly subdued. Their skills rivaled Marine captains, strong enough to defeat most pirates with bounties in the tens of millions. But against Buggy's crew, they never stood a chance.
Buggy had no intention of killing them yet. They still had value. Leaving Shiryu and Weevil to guard the unconscious agents, Buggy advanced alone toward Tom's workshop.
Near the shed, a brash young man with blue hair and a half-bare chest stepped in his path. He glared at Buggy and barked,
"Who the hell are you? What business do you have here? Don't think you can push us around!"
It was Franky, fiery-tempered even as a teenager. In a scrapyard like this, trouble came often. Seeing a stranger approach, he naturally assumed the worst.
Buggy chuckled, amused by the boy's fierce posturing.
"Relax, kid. I'm no enemy. I've come to see Tom. He's… an old acquaintance."
Franky scowled.
"Kid? Who are you calling, kid? You don't look any older than me. Don't joke around—someone like you couldn't possibly know Tom!"
His words were sharp, but his stance betrayed immaturity.
At that moment, the towering figure of Tom himself approached, his deep laugh rolling like thunder.
"Gahahaha! So you're here for me, eh?"
"Tom-sensei, he claims to know you," Franky said, pointing accusingly at Buggy. "But how could you have friends that young? He's obviously up to something!"
Buggy remained silent, only tugging the scarf higher over his face.
Tom studied him carefully, sensing something familiar beneath the disguise.
"…Do we know each other, lad?"
Buggy's voice was steady.
"Let's talk inside. This isn't a place for open words."
"Don't listen to him, Tom-sensei!" Franky snapped. "He's plotting something against us, I can feel it!"
But Tom ignored his apprentice. There was weight in Buggy's presence, not malice. And the man's choice to hide his face told Tom enough: this stranger did not want to bring trouble here.
"Alright," Tom said finally. "Come inside."
Leaving Franky outside to stand guard, Tom led Buggy and Iceburg into their modest wooden house.
Inside, Buggy pulled down the scarf, revealing the unmistakable red nose.
"Tom-ossan… do you still remember me?"
Tom's eyes widened—and then he roared with laughter.
"Buggy! Hah! So it was you! What a surprise! To think you'd come all the way here! It's good to see you, boy—very good indeed!"
Even shackled by hardship, Tom's spirit burned bright. His joy was genuine.
But Buggy lowered his head, bowing deeply.
"I came to apologize. Because of the Oro Jackson… because you built our ship, you've been condemned to this fate. For the trouble the Roger Pirates brought you—I am truly sorry."
Tom's laughter fell silent. His expression grew solemn.
"Buggy. Don't. There is nothing to apologize for."
He met Buggy's gaze squarely.
"To lend my craft to a man like Roger—to help build the ship that carried him to the Pirate King's throne—that is the greatest honor of my life. I regret nothing. Not then, not now."
Tom's voice rang with conviction.
"If this is the price, then so be it. The world may curse me, but I'll never curse the path I chose. Roger was no villain, and neither are you. The fault lies with the world itself."
Buggy's chest tightened. He had come to deliver an apology, but in Tom he saw a man whose pride could not be broken, even by injustice. A man worthy of respect.
"Tom-ossan," Buggy said after a long silence, "how far has the Sea Train project progressed?"
At this, Tom blinked, caught off guard. How could Buggy know of such a thing?
"…It's still in its infancy," he admitted. "Several years, at least, before there's a working model."
Buggy nodded slowly. The timeline remained unchanged. There was still time to alter Tom's fate.
He leaned forward.
"Tom-ossan, if you wish, we could take you away. I'll protect you, no matter what it takes."
Tom's booming laugh returned, though it carried a hint of sadness.
"Hah! I see what you're thinking. But until the Sea Train is complete, there's no danger. And even if there were—I wouldn't run. My work is my pride, and I'll finish it here."
Buggy sighed inwardly. He had expected this answer, but still hoped otherwise. Tom's will was immovable.
He could not be swayed.