The merchant ship docked at Water 7. Following the directions given by Culott, Jack—towering at a height of three meters—found himself at a junkyard filled with scrap metal and broken wooden planks.
The stench of rotting garbage nearby forced Jack to pinch his nose.
"This is the place Culott mentioned? Does it really have to be this… unpleasant?"
He stared in disbelief at the ramshackle wooden hut that looked like it could collapse with a strong breeze. In a world dominated by the seas, even third-rate shipwrights lived comfortably. How could Tom, the world's greatest shipwright, live in such a dump?
Though skeptical, Jack adjusted his white suit, straightened his white fedora, and fixed the mask covering his face. With a composed demeanor, he knocked three times.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Creak...
The cracked wooden door swung open, revealing an old woman with light green hair. Her sharp eyes radiated wariness mixed with a hint of fear, which tugged at Jack's heartstrings.
"Who are you?" the woman asked curtly.
Jack thought bitterly, Come on! Do I really look that scary? I'm rocking a white suit, a stylish fedora, and a heroic mask! Can't you appreciate the effort?
Before Jack could respond, the woman sniffed the air a few times, her expression changing to one of surprise and certainty.
"You're a Fish-Man!" she exclaimed.
What the hell? Is she part bloodhound? Jack's jaw nearly dropped.
"Kokoro! Who's there?" a man's voice called from inside.
A bandaged man stepped out, and Jack immediately felt a sense of relief—this was the person he was looking for. But the man's expression was no less wary as he looked at Jack with undisguised hostility.
"Why are you here? Hasn't it all been settled?" he snapped.
"Settled?" Jack scratched his head, puzzled. "What's been settled? Didn't you ask me to come here?"
"I got your letter, Franky. I came as fast as I could!" Jack said, his voice earnest. "Come with me. Bring Master Tom!"
"What?! You're—"
Before Jack could finish, the man reached out to grab him but nearly fell over from the effort. Jack frowned, watching as the man stumbled back. With no answers, Jack stepped into the room uninvited, while the man hurriedly glanced outside before slamming the door shut.
"Listen," the man said grimly, "I'm Iceburg, not that idiot."
Iceburg's eyes filled with hope as he continued, "Did Franky mention you in his letters? Are you the people he said could help Master Tom?"
Jack stared blankly. "You mean we're late?"
Iceburg nodded solemnly. "The government agents just took him. Master Tom has been sent off to Enies Lobby aboard the Sea Train!"
Iceburg grabbed Jack's hands tightly, his voice trembling with desperation. "Please, I know this is asking a lot, but Franky told me about your group. He said you're powerful enough to defy the World Government. Is there any way you can save Master Tom?"
Jack pried Iceburg's death grip off his hands and asked quietly, "Franky—where is he?"
"I don't know," Iceburg admitted, shaking his head. "He's been missing ever since he escaped. I'm worried… with his temper, he might try something reckless."
"Reckless?" Jack muttered, a bad feeling stirring in his gut. "What does he usually wear?"
"Floral shirts and black swim trunks," Iceburg replied without hesitation.
Jack closed his eyes and sighed deeply.
"Hey, you're definitely a Fish-Man, aren't you?" the green-haired old woman interjected. "A powerful group defying the World Government… and a Fish-Man… You must be—"
"Quiet!" Jack cut her off sharply. He opened the door and turned back, glaring. "For the last time, I'm not a Fish-Man! If you keep saying that, I might sue you for slander. And trust me, when the World Government comes knocking, you won't want to be on their radar!"
Without waiting for a reply, Jack launched himself into the air using Geppo and disappeared.
Back aboard his ship, Jack issued orders for the merchant vessel to leave the port immediately. Knowing the ship's speed was no match for the Sea Train, Jack jumped into the sky, determined to push his physical limits. His legs blurred as he stepped rapidly on the air, chasing after Enies Lobby.
Jack had studied the World Government's strongholds along the Grand Line. Enies Lobby—"the Island That Never Sleeps"—was a place of no return. Anyone brought there for trial would never leave alive.
If he couldn't catch the Sea Train in time, even destroying Enies Lobby wouldn't bring back Master Tom.
Tom can't fall into their hands! Jack thought grimly. His shipwright skills alone would elevate the Beasts Pirates' naval strength to new heights. And that Sea Train… it could revolutionize their logistics. With money, manpower, and resources already secured, what the Beasts Pirates lacked most were talented craftsmen like Master Tom.
As he ran, Jack suddenly recalled the green-haired old woman's keen sense of smell. How had she so confidently identified him as a Fish-Man?
Could she be… a Fish-Man herself? The thought made Jack falter mid-step, nearly sending him plummeting.
Meanwhile, aboard the Sea Train, Spandam sneered, adjusting the leather mask on his face.
"Tom, you'd better hand over that blueprint, or I'll make sure you never see the light of day on Enies Lobby!"
Master Tom sat silently, ignoring the man's threats. Frustrated, Spandam kicked him twice before storming off to another carriage.
Once alone, Tom opened his eyes and murmured to himself, 'Franky, my foolish boy… live on. That's all I ask.'
The Sea Train sped toward its destination, but just as Jack was about to give up, he caught sight of Enies Lobby's iron gates in the distance. On the platform, government officials were escorting Tom off the train.
Jack's heart soared.
"Release him!"
Jack landed on the platform with a blur of movement, his voice sharp. Soldiers immediately aimed their weapons at him.
Before anyone could fire, Spandam's shrill voice rang out.
"Stand down! Lower your weapons!"
The sudden order froze everyone in place, including Jack.
"What the hell is going on?" Jack muttered under his breath, bewildered.
Spandam stepped forward, smiling nervously. "Greetings, sir! I'm Spandam, the current leader of CP5. Is there anything I can assist you with?"
Jack stared blankly for a moment before realization dawned.
Kaido… You've even planted spies this deep in the government?
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg