Michael casually arranged with Garp about Sandasonia and Marigold, making everything crystal clear.
The two girls racked their brains but still couldn't figure out why their father was always able to reach an agreement with an old rascal like Garp so quickly.
After thinking for a while, they suddenly realized.
"Father… are you also an old rascal?"
"Pfft!"
Michael spat out the drink he'd just taken, looking speechlessly at Marigold.
"Tell me, how on earth did you come to that conclusion?"
"Ahahaha! Michael, you'd better just accept your fate!"
Garp laughed without an ounce of decorum, even to the point of tears.
"Actually, looking at it this way, whether it's your social circle or the way you handle things… you really do seem like one of us old guys!"
"…Shut up."
Michael rolled his eyes.
"Just wait—once I finish things here, I'll go back and become your grandkids' teacher… and don't expect them to turn out anything like you!"
"Teach them however you like."
Garp dug at his nose with a finger as thick as a rolling pin, looking infuriatingly unconcerned.
"Like those three brats respect me now anyway."
Garp knew his own personality all too well—"highly respected"? That didn't exist.
"Fine, fine. You just wait."
Michael threw out his threat and didn't speak again.
...
Like that, after walking several streets, the group arrived at Tom's Workers.
As the largest shipbuilding company in all of Water Seven, the entrance to Tom's Workers was packed with people.
Besides those looking for jobs, even more people were holding stacks of Belly to invest.
Everyone knew that one Sea Train track had already been successfully built, connecting Water Seven with Enies Lobby.
Three more Sea Train routes were planned. Anyone who didn't invest now would be a true fool.
"This Sea Train is really that profitable?"
Garp scratched his head in doubt.
"Come to think of it, back when Tom was on trial, we Marines had a lot of people present… and no one saw the potential of this thing?"
"Even if the Marines had seen it back then, would they have dared to go against the World Government's will?"
Michael said with a smile.
"And besides, this is already under Enies Lobby's influence. Otherwise, there would be even more people here to work and invest."
Saying this, Michael headed toward the gates of Tom's Workers.
Though there were many job seekers and investors, they had already formed two streams outside the gate, leaving a path in the middle for entry.
It was obvious this large-scale hiring and investment had been going on for quite a while, to the point of forming an unspoken queuing rule.
"Hello… are you here to apply for a job or to invest? Job applicants queue on the left to register, investors on the right."
A woman in business attire stopped in front of Michael.
"Please follow the rules…"
"Marine. Here to see Tom."
Michael nodded to the secretary.
"My name is Michael… I should be fairly well known these days, right?"
"Michael… Marine Chief Inspector!"
The secretary jolted, then raised her head to study Michael's face carefully, and then looked at Garp.
"M-M-Marine Hero!"
"Ahahaha, Michael, so what if you're handsome? Looks like this old face of mine is still more famous!"
Garp's massive hands clapped on Michael's shoulder with a loud "pa pa."
"Alright, alright, we know your 'Marine Hero' title is world-famous."
Michael rolled his eyes at Garp, then smiled at the secretary.
"Then please lead the way."
"Ah… yes! Please follow me!"
The secretary finally snapped out of it, hurrying a few steps ahead to guide Michael and the others.
...
Once at the top floor, Michael couldn't help but marvel at the ridiculous scale of architecture in this world.
Who in their right mind would design a company floor this high?
Even Jack could walk right in.
"Tom-san's office is at the end of the hall… you can go straight in."
The secretary stood at the stairwell, bowed slightly to Michael and the others, and left.
Michael didn't say anything more. He walked to the end of the hall and pushed open the massive office door.
Inside was a gigantic model of the Sea Train and a three-dimensional track design.
"Yohohoho, Marine Chief Inspector Michael and Marine Hero Garp—what distinguished guests."
A fat, horned fishman walked out from the depths of the office.
He still wore his simple open-front cardigan.
"Tom-san, I've heard of you for a long time."
Michael stepped forward with a genuine smile and shook Tom's hand.
"Back when you were just sentenced, you were driven to live in the scrapyard… but how many years since the Sea Train was built? Tom's Workers has risen from the dead."
"It's all thanks to Enies Lobby. The Rear Admiral and Commodore have been protecting Water Seven all this time (T/N: This is about T Bone and Shu). Only then could the Sea Train be completed and Tom's Workers revived."
Tom sighed.
"Those two told me they're your subordinates."
"That's true."
Michael admitted without hesitation.
"I specifically told them when I stationed them at Enies Lobby to look after Water Seven as well."
"Come, everyone, have a seat first."
Tom nodded and led them to a round table beside the huge Sea Train model, with oversized chairs around it.
"This young man… he's a fishman too, isn't he?"
"That's right! I'm a saddle-grouper fishman!"
Jack answered proudly.
"I'm now directly under Vice Admiral Michael!"
"A fishman joining the Marines… in our era, that was completely unimaginable."
Tom said with a smile.
"Vice Admiral Michael has truly set a remarkable precedent."
"Remarkable? I think it's just a natural progression."
Michael nodded.
"Just like how you, Tom-san, are about to be fully cleared of all charges—a natural progression as well."
"CP has been meddling for over two years now, trying to use this to force my hand… all for Pluton's blueprints."
Tom gave a bitter smile.
"Vice Admiral Michael, your purpose in coming here is probably for that too, isn't it?"
"Huh? Pluton's blueprints? That has nothing to do with me."
Michael waved his hand casually, smiling as he spoke.
"CP's obsession with Pluton only shows how short-sighted they are."
"In my eyes, the Sea Train you've developed is worth a hundred times more than Pluton."
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