Chapter 157: The Assault on the Judicial Ship (Part 2)
The CP5 intelligence agents returned to Ship Graveyard Island aboard warships built by Franky, just in time to see Tom and Iceburg running toward them.
"Alright, let's disembark."
The agents jumped off the back of the ships into the sea, ready to let others do the dirty work.
"W-what is this? Ahhh!"
"Cough, cough…"
But as soon as they hit the water, the agents screamed in panic, inhaling seawater.
Dozens of white water snakes had already been waiting, wrapping around the agents as soon as they jumped. Lant, hiding beneath the surface, grabbed them one by one and dragged them away underwater.
Shortly after, Tom and Iceburg swam aboard one of the ships, dripping wet, searching the decks.
"Nothing—no one's here."
"Same here, not a soul aboard any of them."
Suddenly, two more Franky-built ships appeared.
"Iceburg, look out!"
A barrage of cannonballs rained down toward the docked warships.
Explosions erupted, flames engulfing Tom and Iceburg as they stood on the ships.
"Aaah!"
…
Franky arrived at Ship Graveyard Island too late. He found Tom and Iceburg lying injured on the ground, Tom impaled by a sharp harpoon.
"Iceburg! Mr. Tom!"
"Are you okay? Hey, Ice—"
Before he could finish, Franky was punched to the ground by an enraged Iceburg.
"You idiot!" Iceburg fell to his knees, unable to accept what had happened. "Those agents… they used your warships!"
"They were injured… by my ships?"
"I warned you. I told you countless times…"
Only now did Franky remember what Iceburg had said:
"You leave dozens of weapons like that lying around the island—I don't understand what you're thinking!"
"You're responsible for their existence, Franky!"
But he never listened.
"The government set us up. They want the blueprints, so they're making Tom the scapegoat. We're now labeled as the ones who attacked the judicial ship. And after all this, you still say you're not to blame?!"
Tears streamed down Iceburg's face. "If Mr. Tom is taken away because of this, I'll never forgive you, Franky!"
"Aaaaah!" Franky broke down, bawling uncontrollably.
…
Tom and his two disciples were brought to the port where the attack had occurred.
Spandam, shameless as ever, declared loudly, "These are the attackers! But don't worry—CP5 has already apprehended them."
"They were supposed to be released today…"
"Why would Tom do something like this?"
"So he really was a partner of the Pirate King?"
The people present were just mindless followers, readily believing Spandam's lies.
Eric was barely able to contain his rage. His face twitched, and he clenched his jaw to stop himself from firing a lightning strike that would wipe them all out.
"Nice to meet you," Spandam said, reaching out his hand. "I'm Spandam from CP5."
"Perfect timing. You're a great help," said the presiding judge, shaking his hand.
"Please hand them over. I want to conduct the interrogation personally."
The senile judge nodded in agreement.
With his panda eyes and sinister smile, Spandam was clearly scheming—though the blind fools around him couldn't see it.
'No matter what they say, trust decides everything. The blueprints for the ancient weapon are mine now.'
The judge banged his little gavel. "First of all, the sea train is a wonderful invention. It will greatly contribute to Water 7's future. So your past crime of building ships for the Pirate King will be pardoned. But why commit another crime after that?"
Huh. Looks like this judge isn't completely brain-dead.
"Stop joking! We didn't attack the judicial ship!" Franky roared, standing up. "It was Spandam—right there next to you!"
Spandam put on a laughably fake performance.
Everyone nearby burst into laughter.
"That apprentice of Tom is talking nonsense."
"Why would CP5 sink a judicial ship?"
"Completely impossible."
"Ha ha ha! You're Cutty Flam, right? We caught you red-handed on one of the ships. Aren't those ships made by your company?"
Franky lowered his head and paused. "Those ships… those things…"
Tom raised an eyebrow.
"…aren't my ships anymore!"
Tom, furious, broke his iron cuffs and punched Franky.
"You said they aren't your ships? Don't you ever say that!"
"So what if I did! I regret it… If those ships didn't exist, no one would've gotten hurt!"
"A ship has no good or evil—it's just a vessel." Tom, despite the pain, pulled the harpoon from his chest.
"No matter what ship you build in the future, it doesn't matter. But no matter who gets hurt, even if it destroys the world, the one who built it must still cherish it."
"The creator must never deny their own ship. A real man should proudly stand behind the ships he builds!"
Tom's words rang out loud and clear, stirring everyone present—even the old judge was deeply moved.
Clap clap clap
Sudden applause broke the silence that followed Tom's speech.
Tom and his disciples turned toward the source, eyes widening. They recognized the person at once.
"Da Vinci-…" Iceburg murmured. Eric's crewmate had arrived. That meant Tom could still be saved! They couldn't let the government take him.
"Ah, what a perfect speech," Da Vinci said as she walked forward. "I was truly moved."
"Stop right there!" Several marines raised their rifles and pointed them at her.
Da Vinci didn't move forward. Instead, she asked loudly, "This CP5 officer claims that Tom and his two disciples used ships from Tom's workshop to attack the judicial ship. Is that correct?"
"Huh? Yes! I saw it with my own eyes and caught them on the spot!" Spandam stammered, then steadied himself and lied without shame.
"And were there only three attackers?"
"Yes, just the three of them."
"Judge, you were on the judicial ship. You should clearly remember—how many ships attacked?"
"More than a dozen, at least. It was chaotic, I didn't count."
"Then how could just three people sail over a dozen ships and launch a synchronized bombardment?"
"Eh…" Spandam's heart skipped a beat.
"Hmm… now that you mention it," the judge rubbed his chin, "that girl's right."
'Good. At least this guy can think,' Da Vinci sighed with relief. No need to argue with idiots today.
"Exactly—there were over ten ships in the attack. How could Tom and two people pilot that many at once?"
"That's true."
"Maybe Tom's workshop wasn't responsible for the attack after all."
Look at them—earlier they insisted Tom was the main culprit. Now they were agreeing he was innocent, flip-flopping like sheep.
Iceburg began to smile. There was hope.
"So, if Tom and his two disciples weren't responsible, then CP5 officer Spandam must have lied!"
"W-wait a second!" Spandam scrambled. "I caught them on Ship Graveyard Island! Maybe they hired others or used Devil Fruit powers!"
"But earlier, you said you caught just three people and no one else was there. That completely contradicts your testimony!"
"And if you think they're Devil Fruit users, just throw them into the sea—they're right next to it! If they sink, then fine. If not, then you're lying again!"
"Damn it…"
Spandam came up with another plan and shouted, "She's Tom's accomplice! Capture her! Don't let her get away!"
Da Vinci chuckled. "You sure are good at flipping the blame."
But the marines didn't care. They aimed their rifles at her and shouted, "Don't move!"
"So she's one of Tom's allies. No wonder she's defending him."
"She must've been part of the attack too."
The crowd started changing their tune again—flipping sides yet again!
Eric and his group were seething with frustration.
Even someone as blunt as Deidara scoffed, "What a bunch of idiots."
"Deidara , take this video snail to Da Vinci—and protect her."
"Boss, why don't you do it?"
"I'm a wanted man. You're not."
"Fine, fine~" Deidara jumped off the rooftop, clearly reluctant.
(END CHAPTER)
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