In the days that followed, a strange and peaceful feeling settled over the villa in Shambles.
Tesoro had changed. The man who was once driven by money and revenge now had a much softer presence. He was no longer the ambitious man focused only on building a golden fortress. There was a new light in his eyes—a light of hope and happiness.
He and Stella were almost always together. Kyle had given them their own villa next door, allowing them to have a world of their own. Sometimes, others would see Tesoro walking with Stella in the garden. The man who could have drowned the world in gold would now gently move a branch out of her way. Other times, Stella would be in the kitchen cooking for Tesoro, who would stand nearby, watching her with a foolish smile.
This simple happiness spread to everyone else in the villa. Even Mihawk, who usually kept to himself, would soften his gaze for a moment when he saw the couple leaning on each other while he practiced his swordsmanship in the backyard. Moriah still let out his signature "Jihahahahaha!" laugh, but he never disturbed them, choosing to watch from a distance.
As for Kyle, the man who made it all happen, he had become a completely hands-off boss. He spent his days either sunbathing on the beach or sipping black tea that Robin brewed for him, living a life more relaxed than any retired old man.
This afternoon, Tesoro found Kyle enjoying the sun by himself. He wasn't wearing his usual flashy gold suit, just simple clothes, but he looked more alive than ever.
"Mr. Kyle," he said, walking over and bowing deeply.
"What is it? Another speech?" Kyle asked lazily without opening his eyes. "Please don't. I've heard so many emotional words lately, my ears are getting tired."
Tesoro straightened up with a sincere smile. "No, Mr. Kyle. I just want you to know that from now on, my life, my powers, everything that I, Gild Tesoro, have... it all belongs to you." His voice was firm, without any doubt.
"Before, I was chasing money and power so I could get revenge and never lose anything again. But I get it now," Tesoro said, looking toward the gentle sunlight. "I'm going to use this power to protect people. I'll protect Stella, and I'll protect everything you've built."
Kyle finally opened his eyes. He looked at Tesoro and saw that the fire in the young man's eyes was completely different. It was no longer a destructive flame of revenge but a warm and steady light that could brighten the future.
"That's a good promise," Kyle nodded. "Alright, I understand. Now go spend time with Stella. Don't just stand there; you're blocking my sun."
"Yes, sir!" Tesoro bowed again and started to leave.
Just then, one of Moriah's men, a member of his intelligence network dressed in a black suit, rushed over. He ran directly to Kyle and whispered something in his ear. Kyle's lazy expression vanished instantly. He shot up from his lounge chair, his eyes turning sharp.
"Is this information confirmed?"
"Yes, sir. Spandam, the chief of CP5, is leading the team himself. He's taking Tom to Enies Lobby, charging him with the 'unforgivable crime of building a ship for the Pirate King.' The mayor of Water 7 tried to argue that Mr. Tom's work on the Sea Train should be enough to forgive his past crime, but Spandam ignored him. It looks like he's determined to have him executed."
"Damn it…" Kyle muttered.
Uncle Tom. He remembered the honest Fishman shipwright who had been a part of the Roger Pirates and built their ship, the Oro Jackson. Kyle could picture the big Fishman laughing loudly, always with tools in one hand and a bottle of sake in the other. Roger and the crew had always called him "Big Brother Tom," and Kyle had certainly enjoyed a lot of Tom's special sake back on the ship.
Being arrested for building the Oro Jackson... In the end, this was the Roger Pirates' fault. Since Roger was gone and Rayleigh and Jabba were in hiding, the responsibility to fix this fell on him.
A hot anger burned inside Kyle's chest. Those disgusting cowards in the World Government. Roger had been dead for years, but they still went after anyone connected to him. That idiot Spandam was probably trying to use Uncle Tom's life to get a promotion.
"Mr. Kyle, what's wrong?" Tesoro asked with concern, noticing the sudden change in the atmosphere.
Kyle didn't answer him. He just stared at the sea with cold eyes. "Where are Moriah and Doffy right now?"
"Mr. Moriah is organizing his shadow intelligence network in the first half of the Grand Line, and Mr. Doflamingo should still be in Dressrosa."
"Tell them to come to Shambles immediately," Kyle said, his voice flat and empty of emotion. "Tell them I have a private job for them."
He stood up and brushed the sand off his clothes. "We're going to Water 7 to rescue someone."
…
In the underground operations room of Kyle's villa in Shambles, a giant electronic sea chart covered an entire wall. It was covered in red and blue dots, showing the locations of the World Government's forces and Kyle's own. The air in the room was cold and tense.
Kyle sat at the head of the table, tapping his fingers on the surface, making a soft, rhythmic sound.
The door opened, and two men walked in. They looked very different, but both had powerful auras. One was the incredibly tall Gekko Moriah, who let out his "Jihahahahaha" laugh. The other was "Heavenly Yaksha" Doflamingo, wearing his pink feathered coat and walking with an arrogant swagger, a wicked smile on his face.
"Mr. Kyle, you called us back so quickly. Are we about to have some fun?" Doflamingo asked as he dropped into a chair and crossed his legs. Since the incident at Mary Geoise, his respect for Kyle had turned into deep-seated fear. But Doflamingo was still Doflamingo; his arrogance now showed itself as a desire to impress Kyle.
Moriah stood quietly to the side, but the look in his eyes showed he was also eager to hear what Kyle had to say.
"Fun?" Kyle glanced at Doflamingo. "This isn't for fun. We're saving an old friend." He pushed a report to the center of the table.
"His name is Tom, a Fishman and the world's greatest shipwright. He's in Water 7. The World Government has sentenced him to death for building Captain Roger's ship, the Oro Jackson. The chief of CP5, Spandam, plans to take him to Enies Lobby for public execution to boost his own career." Kyle's voice was calm, but Doflamingo and Moriah could both feel the dangerous coldness behind his words.
"The shipwright of the Oro Jackson?" Doflamingo picked up the report, a playful smile spreading across his face. "Fuffuffuffu… The World Government really knows how to hold a grudge. But, Mr. Kyle, what's your connection to this shipwright?"
"He was an old friend of mine from Captain Roger's crew," Kyle said simply. "I owe him a few drinks. I can't just let him die an unfair death."
Doflamingo's expression changed instantly. He understood now how serious this was. This wasn't just another mission; this was personal for Kyle. The boss's personal business was always the most important business. There were very few people in the world Kyle called "old friends." Handling this perfectly would earn them more of Kyle's favor than completing ten regular jobs.
"Fuffuffuffu, I see," Doflamingo said, dropping his casual attitude and leaning forward slightly. "Mr. Kyle, just give the order. Dealing with those useless CP agents and sneaking someone out from under their noses… that's what I do best."
"Jihahahahaha…" Moriah laughed as well. "And when it comes to swapping a living person with a dead one, my shadows are the experts."
Kyle nodded, satisfied. His subordinates were all a bunch of troublemakers, but they were surprisingly reliable when things got serious.
"Good," Kyle said as he stood up and walked over to the giant sea chart. He pointed to Water 7. "The plan is simple. We'll call it 'The Cat for the Prince.'" His finger moved across the map, tracing the route from Water 7 to Enies Lobby. "That fool Spandam will definitely use the Sea Train to transport Tom. He'll want to make a big show of it, which gives us the perfect chance to make our move."
"Doffy," Kyle said, looking at Doflamingo, "your job is to create a distraction. I don't care how you do it. Use your Parasite String, start a gang war, whatever you want. Just as the Sea Train is leaving, I need you to cause a massive disturbance on the other side of Water 7. It needs to be big enough to pull away most of the CP agents."
Doflamingo licked his lips, his eyes shining with excitement. "Fuffuffuffu, piece of cake. I'll make the night in Water 7 brighter than any festival."
"Moriah," Kyle said, turning to him, "your job is the most important part. When the train passes a certain point and the chaos is at its peak, you'll use your shadow ability to get inside the train and swap Tom out."
"Jihahahahaha, no problem," Moriah answered, and it sounded like ghosts were whispering from his shadow. "But what about the fake Tom we swap in? Should I find a suitable corpse beforehand?"
"No need," Kyle shook his head. "Doffy, find a prisoner on death row or someone from the black market who is already dying. Make sure he has a similar body type to Tom. Give him some money to take care of his family. Then, Moriah, you'll use your shadow to swap him with Tom."
"After that…" A cold smile formed on Kyle's lips. "We'll let the substitute 'accidentally' die on the train. To avoid losing his big promotion, Spandam will have to announce that Tom was successfully executed. As far as the world is concerned, Tom will be dead, and the World Government will never bother him again."
The plan was ruthless, detailed, and left no loose ends. Doflamingo and Moriah looked at each other, both impressed by Kyle's cunning. This man wasn't just powerful; his mind was just as terrifying.
"Understood, Mr. Kyle," they both said at the same time.
"Go," Kyle waved his hand. "And remember, I don't want any mistakes. I want Uncle Tom brought here safely."
"Yes!"
Doflamingo and Moriah left, and the operations room was quiet again. Kyle sat back down, looking at the small island on the map. Water 7… he thought, remembering Tom's two apprentices, who were complete opposites. One was Iceburg, a calm and reliable kid who would later become the mayor of Water 7. The other was Cutty Flam, who would later call himself Franky. He was a wild kid who loved running around without pants and would one day get his hands on the blueprints for the Ancient Weapon, Pluton.
Uncle Tom had cared a lot about his two apprentices and had already made plans to protect them. Kyle wondered how they were doing now. He sighed. This time, he was only here to save Tom. He didn't want to interfere too much with the lives of those two boys. All he could do was save their beloved teacher from his dark fate.
…
Several days later, in Water 7, the dock was crowded with people. The air was thick with tension. Countless shipwrights and citizens had come to say goodbye to the man they all respected, Mr. Tom.
Spandam, the chief of CP5, stood proudly in front of the Sea Train with Funkfreed, his sword that had eaten the Elephant-Elephant Fruit. He was enjoying all the attention.
"Look closely, everyone! This is what happens when you build a ship for the Pirate King!" he shouted through a Den Den Mushi megaphone. "Anyone who helps pirates will face the justice of the World Government!"
In the crowd, a young Iceburg clenched his fists so hard that his nails dug into his skin. Beside him, a blue-haired Cutty Flam stared at Tom, who was tied up in chains, his eyes red with anger.
"Mr. Tom!"
"Teacher!"
Tom looked at his two apprentices and smiled, proud and defiant. "Iceburg! Flam! Keep your heads up! A man must always be proud of the ships he builds!"
"Waaah…" Flam couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into tears.
"Depart!" Spandam ordered impatiently.
With a long whistle, the Sea Train slowly started to move. Just as everyone felt their hearts sink, something suddenly happened.
BOOM—!!!
A massive explosion echoed from the other side of the city. Flames shot into the sky, followed by thick black smoke as more explosions went off.
"What's going on?!" Spandam yelled in shock.
"Sir, report! There's a series of huge explosions at the scrapyard in the back alleys! It looks like a gang war, and they're using heavy weapons!" a CP agent reported frantically.
"Idiots! A bunch of idiots!" Spandam stomped his foot in anger. "Leave half the men here! The rest of you, come with me and stop that riot!" He wasn't going to let some stupid gangs ruin his big moment.
A large group of CP agents rushed off with Spandam, and the security at the dock was suddenly much weaker. Iceburg and Flam looked at each other, confused. The timing of the explosions was too perfect to be a coincidence.
The Sea Train picked up speed, rushing along the tracks above the ocean. Inside one of the cars, only a few agents were left to guard Tom, who was locked in an iron cage. The train traveled over an empty stretch of sea, far from any islands.
Just then, the lights inside the car flickered. One of the guards yawned and rubbed his eyes. The shadow under his feet twisted strangely in the flickering light, stretching out silently until it reached the iron cage. The shadow moved like it was alive, quickly covering Tom's entire body. The whole thing took less than a second.
When the shadow pulled back, Tom was still sitting there, as if nothing had happened. The only difference was that his eyes now looked dull and empty. No one noticed the tiny change.
The train continued on its way to Enies Lobby.
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