Chapter 160: The Wanted Spandam (Part 2)
"Eric-, what should I do to get stronger?" Franky asked, following Eric.
"Have you heard of cyborgs?"
"Cyborgs?"
"That's right," Eric nodded. "This is the most fitting path for you to become stronger. Plus, with the mechanical skills you've learned, you can enhance your own strength and improve your attacks."
"But first, we'll need Da Vinci to measure your physical data."
The group walked to Ship Graveyard Island, not far from Tom's workshop. Da Vinci and Deidara had been waiting there for some time, and a large white bird was standing nearby.
"You're so slow. Hmph."
"Franky, from now on, you need to keep better track of the ships you build."
"I... I don't plan on building any more warships," Franky replied in a low voice. "If it weren't for those ships, so many people wouldn't have gotten hurt."
"Is that so?" Da Vinci said, looking Franky up and down. "It's a shame. Your shipbuilding skills are pretty good. Is it really wise to give up on your dream just because of this?"
Her words stung Franky. He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and lowered his head, silently enduring the pain of giving up on his dream.
Clap Eric slapped Franky's shoulder firmly.
"Eric-…"
"A man who strives for his dreams is truly admirable. Franky, even though you're a bit of a weirdo, you'll definitely find comrades who share your vision and will invite you to set sail with them one day."
"No, the weirdo part was totally unnecessary…"
Eric looked toward Da Vinci. "This is still your area of expertise, Da Vinci. Please help Franky with the modification surgery."
Da Vinci paused. "You want me to do it?"
"Yes, didn't you spend all that time researching Vegapunk's bioengineering? You can help Franky get stronger so he can protect Tom, Iceburg, and Water 7."
"I can do it, but I've never experimented with a person before…"
"Well, it's settled then." Eric picked up a brush and started sketching. "We'll base the modifications on this design…"
The group looked at the drawing and instantly showed looks of disdain.
Only Franky looked horrified. "I—am I going to look like this?!"
"Don't listen to him. I'm the chief engineer for the modifications," Da Vinci said, pulling Franky's arm and leading him away from Eric's directing hands. "Now, tell me what you need. I'll take your measurements and design the modification plan."
"Eric, your drawing has been rejected," Kurumi giggled, covering her mouth. "Would you like me to teach you how to draw?"
"Of course, I'd love for you to teach me..." Eric replied casually.
Deidara , uninterested in the conversation, asked, "Boss, what about this guy? What should we do with him?"
'Did you not see that Rant is silently walking away?!'
Eric could only respond with, "He's in your bird's mouth; he's not going to suffocate, right?"
"Let me out! I am..." Spandam's voice echoed from the Tsuru 's beak, but as soon as it opened, the beak closed again, cutting off his words.
"This guy is still alive and kicking."
"Keep him locked up. I'll think of a fun way to deal with him."
...
After Da Vinci and Franky finalized the modification plan, they returned.
"By the way, Eric-, did you capture all those government intel agents? And that Spandam guy...?"
"Yes, Spandam is in the Tsuru 's beak."
"This is a Tsuru ?" Franky asked, confused. "I thought it was some weird bird?"
"Hey, what's your sense of aesthetics?" Deidara shouted angrily. "Didn't you see how amazing my clay looks? Watch out, or I'll blow you up!"
"Deidara , let that guy out."
The Tsuru 's long beak opened wide and spit Spandam out.
Franky couldn't hold back anymore. He stormed forward and punched Spandam, knocking him to the ground.
"It's all your fault! Tom and Iceburg almost got caught!"
Cough cough...
Spandam, who had been punched, got up from the ground. As soon as he saw Franky and Da Vinci standing together, he shouted, "Ha! You two are together! I'll report this to the World Government and have you all arrested!"
Eric scoffed. "Heh, can you even contact the World Government right now?"
"Huh?" Spandam turned and looked at Eric, his eyes widening in shock. "You... you are...!"
"Right now, the World Government doesn't believe what you've said. They're going to issue a warrant and capture you, criminal."
"Don't talk nonsense! I'm the CP5 commander! I…"
"Even now, you still don't think you're guilty?" Eric laughed. "You really think your subordinates attacked the judicial ship to save you?"
"...!" Spandam's mouth hung open, but no words came out.
"You sent CP5 agents to frame Tom and his disciples, and I captured them all. It was also me disguised as one of your agents."
"The deaths of so many citizens in Water 7, the casualties of the marines—those are all on me. But I'm pinning the blame on you, 'former commander' Spandam!"
Eric laughed loudly. "Enjoy the feeling of taking the fall for others!"
"Keep him locked up for a while. Just make sure he doesn't starve to death."
Rant knocked the stunned Spandam unconscious with a punch and tightly bound him with rope.
Franky stood by, unable to stop himself from asking, "Eric-... was that you..."
"Franky!" Eric interrupted loudly, "My comrades were loudly mocked and cursed by those ignorant idiots! I didn't send them all to hell out of respect for Tom and you! I spared them!"
Eric grabbed Franky's shoulder and looked at him intently. "A captain must be willing to face the world for the sake of his comrades! One day, you'll meet a captain you can entrust your life to, and together with your like-minded comrades, you'll set sail on great adventures."
Franky asked uncertainly, "Do you really think I can meet comrades like that?"
"Of course!" Eric nodded. "Although you're a weirdo."
"That part about 'weirdo' is unnecessary!"
...
After a day of modifications, Franky walked out of the laboratory.
"Well, you look much better now, kid."
"Of course, today's me is super powerful!"
'Great, now he's got that catchphrase…'
Eric suggested, "So, how about a spar? Let's test your current level."
"Of course, don't be surprised by my strength."
"Here it comes! Painful finger!" Franky fired a shot from the hidden pistol in his left index finger.
Eric tilted his head slightly and easily dodged.
"That attack's name is a bit…"
"Hey, my attack name is super~cool!" Franky grumbled, a bit embarrassed. "Strong right hand!"
...
A few minutes later, Franky was lying on the ground, covered in smoke.
Eric assessed, "Your strength is decent; pirates with bounties of around 70-80 million shouldn't be a problem for you. As for stronger pirates with bounties over a hundred million, that's a different story."
Da Vinci chimed in, "I replaced most of his bones with high-strength metal that I synthesized. This is the best defense I can give him for now."
She shook her head. "Franky's physique is smaller than most, so many of the offensive devices we wanted to install couldn't fit. He also wanted to maintain his human form, so this was the best we could do."
Franky stood up, then gave a deep bow to Da Vinci and Eric. "Thank you so much, Da Vinci- and Eric-. I'm really grateful!"
"A man doesn't bow easily. Get up."
Eric picked up a newspaper and a wanted poster, saying, "Now I can leave with peace of mind."
"Wait, Eric-!" Franky quickly said. "Let me show my gratitude properly, let me treat you all to a big meal…"
"You don't have much money, do you?" Eric said, not so kindly. "When you've saved up, we'll come back."
"By the way, say goodbye to Tom and Iceburg for me. We're leaving!" Eric waved his sleeve as he left with Da Vinci.
"Wuuuuu!" Franky, holding a handkerchief, wiped his tear-streaked face. "Eric-, Da Vinci-, you must come back to find me!"
As they walked down the road, Eric asked Da Vinci, "By the way, what's the fuel you're using inside him?"
"Cola. He insisted on using cola as fuel," Da Vinci said, looking frustrated. "I can't believe he thought of that."
"...I figured." Eric was speechless.
They walked into a secret small house where Spandam had been locked up for two days and nights. As for the other CP5 agents captured, besides the two taken to Judicial Island for trial, the rest were taken care of by Eric.
"Let me out, my father is…"
"I know. Your father is Li Gang," Eric interrupted, tossing a newspaper in Spandam's face.
Spandam, confused, asked, "Who is Li Gang?" He picked up the fallen newspaper.
His eyes bulged out, and his mouth opened wide as his tongue curled like a snake. "What?! I'm a wanted man?!"
The newspaper read:
"Spandam attacked the judicial ship, intending to frame shipwright Tom. The plan was exposed, and after his capture, Spandam's subordinates tried to rescue him, causing a terror explosion in Water 7, resulting in numerous civilian casualties!"
He threw Spandam another wanted poster:
"Former CP5 Officer Spandam, alive or dead, bounty 50 million Berries."
Coughed
Seeing the wanted poster, Spandam was too shocked to speak, choking on his saliva and coughing violently.
"50 million for a first bounty, quite impressive!"
Spandam screamed, "This is slander! This is defamation! This is a setup! I'll never accept this!"
"Does the truth even matter?" Eric laughed. "Right now, the citizens of Water 7 are out there hunting you for revenge. If they catch you, you'll be beaten to death."
Eric's words made Spandam tremble.
"Good luck, walking 50 million~" Eric laughed as he left with the others.
(END CHAPTER)
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