The uprising in Water Seven ultimately never turned into any real action.
After all, with the promises of two Marine officers and the calming words of Iceburg, the shipwrights eventually gave up on launching a collective strike to besiege Enies Lobby.
But… to just hand over Tom-sensei like this, none of them felt at ease.
So, in the end, they decided to select a group of highly respected shipwrights and influential figures of Water Seven to accompany Iceburg and Franky to Enies Lobby…
Of course, Franky insisted on coming along himself.
"I already told you to go back and hide the things that need hiding… Why didn't you listen?"
"The things you're talking about—I already burned them."
Franky shrugged under Iceburg's shocked gaze.
"But trust me, I've long since engraved those blueprints deep into my mind."
"You…"
Iceburg originally wanted to scold this reckless brat of a junior, but when he saw the determination in Franky's eyes, he could only sigh.
"Fine, if you want to come, then come. But remember this well… we have no blueprints in our hands."
"I understand."
Franky grinned, then boarded Iceburg's ship without hesitation.
"Once we bring Tom-sensei back, even if you make me kneel and apologize, I'll do it willingly."
...
"So you're saying, not only are the Five Elders heading to Water Seven, but the local nobles led by Iceburg and the highly respected shipwrights are also coming back?"
"That's right."
"Hurry! Guard the Sea Train's entrance to Enies Lobby!"
"We must ensure everyone's safety… even if they have blood feuds, we have to make them set it aside… at least within Enies Lobby, we have to maintain peace!"
The acting commander at the Enies Lobby base wiped the sweat from his forehead.
It had only been an hour, but he was already starting to miss Commodore Shu and Rear Admiral T Bone.
Shaking his head, he turned to the soldiers behind him.
"Is the trial venue ready?"
"Ready. It's inside the Judicial Tower."
"No, we have to change the venue. With this many people coming, there's no way that place will fit them all."
The acting commander looked worried.
"There are some very important people coming this time… Wait, that outdoor trial plaza that's been treated like a relic and tourist spot… Clear it out immediately!"
"Uh… are we really doing this?"
"You can doubt me on other things, but when it comes to political sensitivity, you'd better stay in step with me… Otherwise, you might not even have a place to die."
...
"Vice Admiral Michael went to Enies Lobby to personally interfere in the case of the world's greatest shipwright and Pirate King accomplice?"
"If Shu and Rear Admiral T Bone weren't mistaken… then yes, that's exactly what's happening."
Hearing Bell-mère confirm it, Rosinante's gaze grew even deeper.
"Bell-mère… We're going too."
"Huh? Why would we go?"
Bell-mère raised her eyebrows.
"We're not related to this shipwright Tom in any way."
"But this is something Michael is doing… I have to witness it with my own eyes."
Bell-mère looked at Rosinante's resolute expression and sighed.
"Fine, fine… I give up. We'll head out right now, alright?"
Just as Bell-mère finished speaking, the door was suddenly thrown open.
"Bell-mère! Where are you going? We're coming too!"
"Yeah, that's right! We're coming too! We're big kids now—we can't stay in the Marine branch all day!"
The ones barging in were Nojiko and Nami, both charging in full of energy.
"We want to see what this legendary Enies Lobby looks like!"
"Hey! You two kids! Don't just barge into the Alabasta branch office!"
Two voices shouted in unison from outside, and then two hands grabbed the scruffs of Nojiko and Nami's necks.
"Hina, Smoker, perfect timing."
Rosinante smiled.
"You two haven't been to Enies Lobby either, have you?"
"...Wait, Rosinante, all we did was learn to smoke… Is that really worth sending us to Enies Lobby?"
...
"All forces, move out!"
"Have the Perfume Yuda ready to sail!"
Ever since becoming part of the Marines, the Perfume Yuda had changed from a pirate ship into the signature warship of the branch.
It only took orders directly from Hancock herself.
And now, she was urging her Marines to prepare for departure.
"Do we really need to be this worked up?"
Gloriosa muttered, puzzled.
"Even if it involves the legendary Pirate King… in the end, it's only barely connected to us."
"Hancock doesn't care about the Pirate King."
Shakky laughed.
"It's because of Michael. With his personality, the moment he starts swaggering across the seas, pulling all the spotlight onto himself… it means he's about to make some huge news. So forget our Empress—even I'm curious to see it."
...
Egghead Island.
"You two… Where are you going?"
Vegapunk looked puzzled at Crocodile and Stella preparing to leave.
"Did something happen to Michael?"
"No. More accurately, Michael is about to make something happen."
"Oh, I see."
Vegapunk nodded his giant, still-attached head.
"I've long admired Michael… though we've never met in person, every conversation we've had was very pleasant."
"Please tell him, after this is over, I want him to come to Egghead. There are some questions I wish to ask him."
"I'll do my best."
Stella finished speaking, then turned into a cloud and floated into the sky along with the yellow sand…
"Don't just 'do your best'… I've been waiting for this for too long."
In Vegapunk's mind flashed his recently failing research on bloodline factors.
...
"Have Momousagi, and Chaton returned?"
"After receiving your orders, they all rushed back at full speed."
As the messenger finished speaking, the three entered through the door.
Sengoku, as Fleet Admiral, didn't stop them.
He simply nodded to everyone present.
"All of you, come with me to Enies Lobby."
"Let's see how Michael handles this matter."
"And while we're at it, I want you to understand why Tom must not die!"
"Under… what pretense are we going?"
"The Five Elders are going for an inspection. We're going… for a high-level military judicial re-education course."
"You're something else, you know that?"
Momousagi gave a thumbs up.
"Truly worthy of being Michael's adoptive father."
"In one family, you can't raise two different kinds of people."
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