At Water 7, outside Tom's Workshop.
Wayne, with his arm around a blushing Eina, arrived at a shipyard with a strong industrial feel, located near a waterway.
Before they could even push the door open, a fierce argument penetrated the wooden door:
"Flam you idiot! Wake up! Those bastards from the World Government are after Tom! They won't give up! We have to find a way to get out of here!"
"You're the idiot! Stupid Iceberg!" another voice immediately retorted, bristling, full of youthful recklessness and defiance. "Tom said a man has to go all out! What's there to be afraid of?! We'll just fight them!"
"I'm super awesome! Look at my new weapon..."
"You idiot! How awesome can you be compared to those agents? You're going to get Tom killed!"
"How dare you call me an idiot? Damn it, I'll fight you! Super..."
"Alright, alright! Kapapapa!" A huge Fishman, whose upper body was almost oval and skin was yellowish, stretched out his hands and pulled apart the two squabbling young men.
"Don't worry, I have been building ships in Water 7 for so many years, what kind of storms haven't I seen? Nothing will happen!"
After he calmed his two apprentices, he finally turned his gaze to the two uninvited guests standing at the door.
His eyes lingered on Wayne's face for a moment, then swept over the curvy female companion beside him, and he asked calmly, "Guest, our workshop is no longer taking new orders."
"If you need anything, there are many other excellent shipbuilding companies in Water 7 that can serve you."
Wayne chuckled, reached behind him, and pulled "Ace" from his storage space, sticking it into the floor: "Master Tom, I have something I'd like to discuss with you, what do you think?"
"Ah!" Eina exclaimed, instinctively covering her mouth, her beautiful eyes wide, not having seen where the sword had appeared from!
The moment he saw Ace, Tom's pupils suddenly contracted. He built the ship for Roger back then, and naturally knew that this was Roger's personal sword.
Now that Roger was dead, his personal sword was in this man's hand, and he had specifically sought him out... Tom took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over Iceberg and Cutty Flam, who were also attracted by the sword. They had all seen Roger, so there was no point in asking them to leave.
"Yes, but this lady..."
Wayne immediately understood, and gently patted Eina's perky bottom: "Miss Eina, would you mind waiting outside for a moment?"
Eina nodded obediently: "Mm, okay, but hurry up."
The door closed, and Wayne reached out to pull "Ace" from the floor: "Mister Tom, it seems you've already recognized this sword."
"Of course! Ace, one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords, Roger's personal sword! How did it end up in your hands? What is your relationship with Roger?"
"The sword was given to me by Roger's wife. As for Roger... we were very good friends. Oh, and my name is Wayne."
"Roger has a wife?!" Tom's eyes widened suddenly, then he burst into a booming laugh, "Kapapapa, that guy actually has a wife?! That's truly unexpected..."
"However, since you're Roger's friend, then you're also my friend! Tell me, what brings you here to see me specifically?"
Wayne didn't answer directly, but handed over the newspaper he bought today: "Mister Tom, it seems you've run into a bit of trouble? Do you need any help?"
Tom took the newspaper, glanced at it, and shook his head: "No, no need. I can handle it myself, and I don't want to involve you."
"You should be very clear that the World Government's target has never been you, but the design blueprints for pluton in your hands." Wayne looked directly into Tom's suddenly constricted pupils. "They will never give up until they get it."
Tom was shocked: "Roger told you even that?!"
"That's right, Roger told me that if you got into trouble because of him, I should come and help you."
Just a little white lie, easy enough to do.
Tom fell silent, and after a long while, let out a heavy sigh: "I know, but I will never hand over those blueprints to the World Government, no matter what methods they use."
"I have a way that can both save the blueprints and make the World Government shift their target."
Tom looked at him in confusion: "Oh? You're not suggesting I hand over the blueprints to you for safekeeping, are you?"
"No, I will attack Tom's Workshop, take your two apprentices hostage, and threaten their lives. And you, in order to save your apprentices, will have no choice but to hand over the design blueprints for pluton."
"And I, after getting the blueprints, will immediately flee. As for the real blueprints, you must hide them well, in a place no one can find."
"This way, all of the World Government's attention will be focused on me."
"And you all, although you'll suffer a bit, will be completely free from the World Government's harassment. From then on, you can peacefully pursue your beloved shipbuilding career."
Iceberg, listening nearby, nodded repeatedly: "Tom, I think Wayne's method is very effective. Let's do as he says!"
Flam also patted his chest and shouted: "This plan is super~ awesome, Tom, let's do it!"
Since Wayne's plan was indeed feasible, and his two apprentices also agreed, Tom was naturally somewhat moved.
Just as he was about to speak, the workshop door was violently slammed open with a "bang."
Six CP agents in black suits burst in. The leading agent had a triumphant smile on his face, and behind him, a man in black was holding a gun to Eina's throat.
Eina's face was ashen, her eyes filled with terror, and her body trembled slightly.
"Tom! I knew the design blueprints for pluton were in your hands. We heard your conversation just now loud and clear!"
Tom's eyes widened: "You were spying on me?!"
"Hahahaha!" The agent leader laughed triumphantly, "Obviously. Leave a big fish like you, who controls an ancient weapon, alone? What if you ran away with the blueprints?"
Then he looked at Wayne, "What I didn't expect was an unexpected bonus: Pirate King Roger's friend, and his personal sword 'Ace'." He licked his lips, as if he saw easily obtainable merits.
"This achievement is enough for me to be promoted three ranks, hahahaha!"
Tom's fists instantly clenched, and a look of determination flashed in his eyes. He knew there was no turning back now.
"Iceberg! Flam!"
"Take Wayne to my room! Give him the iron box with the anchor carved on it, under the bedside table!"
His gaze finally fell on Wayne: "Wayne! These two good-for-nothing brats, I'm entrusting them to you!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Tom charged forward like a cannonball, roaring as he lunged at the group of armed CP agents.
"Fishman Karate..."