The presiding judge stood with his hands at his sides, recounting the sequence of events in a calm and detailed manner. Seated in the chair, Kaguya nodded slightly, her fingers gently tapping on the table. She cast a glance at the anxious group of Franky and his companions. This was not too different from how things had transpired in the original story.
Over twenty years ago, Tom was the world's greatest shipwright. At that time, Pirate King Roger had asked him to build a pirate ship, and so Tom used the legendary treasure tree, "Adam," to construct the "Oro Jackson."
After Roger was executed more than ten years ago, the World Government arrested Tom for the crime of building a ship for the Pirate King and transported him to Enies Lobby for trial. However, Tom proposed the design and concept of a sea train to the presiding judge, who then altered the judgment, granting him time to construct the sea train instead.
A few years later, the sea train was officially operational, and Tom had fulfilled his promise.
This time, the presiding judge came to witness the tremendous changes the sea train had brought to Water 7, feeling a deep sense of relief. Originally, he intended to use Tom's contributions in building the sea train to absolve him of the crime of constructing Roger's ship. However, to his shock, these people had audaciously attacked a judicial ship.
A judicial ship was a symbol of the World Government's justice. Attacking it outright was undoubtedly a grave crime. This was the reason Tom and his companions had been captured and brought here.
"Are you saying," Kaguya mused, "that they openly attacked a judicial ship?"
The presiding judge confirmed, "Exactly. After a thorough investigation, it was confirmed that the attacking vessel was indeed built by Tom's workshop."
"I see," Kaguya nodded. "Attacking a judicial ship is an open challenge to the authority of the World Government and a blatant disregard for law and order. It is undoubtedly an unforgivable crime. According to the criminal code—"
She paused, glancing at Tom and his companions, before continuing, "This is an offense punishable by death, isn't it?"
"Yes," the presiding judge immediately nodded and responded, "Attacking a judicial ship is an unpardonable crime. According to the law, they will be transferred to Impel Down and sentenced to death."
Hearing this, Franky and Iceburg trembled violently. Instinctively, they stepped in front of Tom, clenching their fists tightly as they glared at Kaguya. However, their hearts sank.
The silver-haired girl before them was simply too famous. She was known as the most beautiful woman in the world, making her instantly recognizable in Water 7.
Despite her delicate appearance, she was actually an inspector for the World Government, wielding immense power and possessing unfathomable strength. Even the most formidable great pirates feared her. It was said that she had recently defeated Kaido, known as the "Beast."
This was bad.
Sweat beaded on Franky's forehead as he gritted his teeth and tightened his fists.
If it were only naval soldiers, they might have had a chance to rescue Tom. But with her here, saving Tom was an impossible task.
Damn it. Why was she here?
Noticing Franky's expression, Kaguya turned her head, the corners of her lips curling upward as she said, "You guys aren't thinking of storming the execution, are you?"
Franky trembled at her words. He bit his lip and tried to charge forward, but Iceburg immediately grabbed him and pulled him back, speaking in a low voice, "What are you doing? Have you forgotten what Tom told you?"
"But... but Tom..." Franky's eyes turned red with emotion.
Iceburg was equally heartbroken, but he remained rational. He knew that even if they acted now, there was absolutely no way they could rescue Tom from the hands of the Navy.
At that moment, Kaguya suddenly turned her head and asked, "However, do you have irrefutable evidence proving that they were indeed the culprits who attacked the judicial ship?"
The presiding judge was momentarily stunned by the question and instinctively replied, "The ship that attacked the judicial vessel was indeed built by Tom's workshop. Everyone in the city knows this, and it even bears Tom's workshop emblem."
"And based on that alone, you've concluded that they are the culprits?" Kaguya said with an amused expression.
"This..." The presiding judge hesitated.
He was confused. He wasn't sure what Kaguya meant. Could it be that she intended to absolve these people?
Seeing that things were taking a bad turn, Spandam hurriedly interjected, "Hey, hey! These guys are the ones who attacked the judicial ship! The evidence is irrefutable, and they've already confessed!"
As the mastermind behind the scheme, Spandam knew the truth all too well. Framing Tom for the attack on the judicial ship had been his ploy, a fabrication that wouldn't hold up under scrutiny. Now that Kaguya seemed intent on investigating, he started to panic.
Kaguya frowned, casting a cold glance at him before speaking in a sharp tone, "Did I give you permission to speak?"
Spandam froze. Weren't the World Government officials supposed to be on his side? Something about this felt very wrong.
With a wave of her hand, Kaguya ordered, "Arrest him. Take him away."
At her command, the nearby Marine soldiers sprang into action like tigers pouncing on their prey. Ignoring Spandam's frantic resistance, they swiftly bound him with thick ropes.
Spandam was utterly shocked. He screamed, his voice filled with false bravado, "What are you doing?! Let me go! Do you have any idea who I am?! How dare you treat me like this! Do you have a death wish?!"
Kaguya stood up, her expression cold and emotionless. She walked toward him and, without hesitation, raised her leg and delivered a powerful kick straight to Spandam's stomach.
Thud!
A mouthful of bright red blood spewed from Spandam's mouth as he was sent flying like a cannonball. With a loud boom, he crashed heavily into the wall.
Everyone was stunned. Franky and his companions were utterly dumbfounded.
Spandam lay on the ground, blood trickling from his nose and mouth. The sheer force of the impact had left him writhing in pain, unable to speak. He gasped helplessly, like a half-dead fish struggling for air.
Kaguya let out a cold snort as she approached him. Grabbing a fistful of his hair, she lifted his head and said icily, "Who do you think you are to dare speak to me that way?"
Spandam's face turned deathly pale with terror. He pleaded, "Please... stop! We're on the same side! We're on the same side!"
He had always been arrogant, never showing respect to anyone. But now, he finally realized that the person before him was someone he could not afford to offend.
"The same side?" Kaguya repeated, amusement flickering in her eyes.
"Y-Yes! We're allies!" Spandam wailed in desperation.
Kaguya leaned down, bringing her lips close to his ear. In a low voice, she whispered, "I think you still don't understand the situation. Your father, Spandine..."
A pause. Then, with a chilling finality, she continued, "It was me who killed him."
Spandam's face twisted in horror, his expression completely changing.
Spandam struggled violently, but before he could utter another word, Kaguya suddenly delivered a vicious punch to his stomach. His eyes rolled back, and whatever he was about to say was swallowed as his head slumped to the side, unconscious.
"I think there was some misunderstanding," Kaguya turned around with a gentle smile. "But now that the misunderstanding is resolved, everyone can rest assured."
Everyone broke into a cold sweat.
Wait a minute, you were the one who knocked him out!
"Now, regarding another matter," Kaguya's expression turned serious. "After a thorough investigation and analysis, it has been determined that the attack on the judicial ship was not carried out by Tom's workshop. Instead, it was a deliberate scheme by Spandam to frame them. He just confessed to his crimes."
But… he's unconscious!
Seeing the bewildered expressions around her, Kaguya flashed a warm smile. "What's wrong? Are you dissatisfied with my judgment?"
The crowd quickly shook their heads.
"Ah, no, not at all," the presiding judge hurriedly waved his hands, his face filled with regret. "I initially thought Tom was responsible for this, but to think it was actually Spandam, a member of the World Government… This is truly heartbreaking."
The elderly judge then launched into a deep self-reflection, lamenting how he had been deceived by Spandam, how he had wrongly accused Tom and his companions, and how he was truly sorry for his mistake. He also expressed his indignation at Spandam's crimes and thanked Kaguya for her assistance. If not for the wisdom and decisiveness of the great admiral—no, the great inspector—he and everyone else would still be in the dark.
Franky and Iceburg exchanged glances, their eyes shining with elation. If this was the truth, then their charges would be nullified, and that meant Tom wouldn't have to be taken away!
This was fantastic!
At that moment, a group of Marine soldiers approached and pointed at Franky's group. "Inspector, what should we do with these three?"
Franky and the others were taken aback. The crowd also turned their attention toward them. The truth had turned out to be very different from what they had expected, and they realized they had wronged them. After all, how could people who had contributed so much to the city possibly be criminals?
Yet they conveniently forgot that just ten minutes ago, they had been cursing Franky and his group as accomplices of the Pirate King.
"Them, huh…?"
Kaguya turned her gaze toward Franky and his companions. They looked much the same as they would in the future, only younger—especially Iceburg, who appeared far more handsome than he would in seven or eight years.
Under Kaguya's deep, water-like eyes, both Franky and Iceburg felt a bit embarrassed, a rare flush creeping onto their faces.
"Since they were framed, that makes them victims of this incident as well," Kaguya said, her eyebrows arching mischievously. Then, with a dazzling smile, she added, "So we should just kill them all."
Nani?!
The entire room fell into stunned silence. Jaws dropped in shock, and some people looked like their chins were about to hit the floor.
"Just kidding," Kaguya burst into laughter. "You didn't actually believe me, did you? You really have no sense of humor."
Hey, don't joke about something like that!
Everyone couldn't help but mentally grumble. Especially Franky—he had been so scared that his heart had skipped a beat.
At that moment, several Marine soldiers hurried in and saluted respectfully. "Report, Inspector! After a thorough investigation, we found concrete evidence of the judicial ship attack in Spandam's residence. Additionally, the CP5 agents have confessed that Spandam ordered them to pilot the ship and attack the judicial vessel."
The soldiers looked at Kaguya with admiration, secretly thinking that she truly lived up to her reputation. Despite having only just arrived, she had immediately sensed that something was amiss and was certain that there was a deeper conspiracy at play. At first, they had been skeptical—no matter how capable the Inspector was, how could she have solved the case so quickly?
But now, they were completely convinced.
Kaguya nodded and said coldly, "Spandam, as a government official, openly attacked a judicial ship and framed innocent people. This severely tarnishes the government's reputation and undermines its credibility. I believe that such a serious crime must be dealt with harshly. What do you think, presiding judge?"
The presiding judge quickly put on a flattering smile and said, "With you here, Inspector, we will of course follow your decision."
"That won't do," Kaguya chuckled. "Judicial matters are not my primary duty. If I were to pass judgment myself, wouldn't that be overstepping my role? Besides, you have been in this position for many years and have vast experience. It was only because Spandam was so insidious and cunning that you were deceived. I believe that handling this case should still be your responsibility."
The presiding judge felt utterly delighted by the praise. His face beamed with pride, and he even felt a bit lighter on his feet.
He thumped his chest and assured her, "Since the Inspector has entrusted this case to me, it is my honor. I will handle it with the utmost diligence and ensure justice is served, meeting your expectations." Meanwhile, he secretly resolved to deal with Spandam harshly—having been thoroughly fooled, he was fuming inside.
With matters now settled, it was time for Kaguya to leave. Just as she was about to depart, a voice called out behind her.
She turned around to see none other than Franky, drenched in sweat and panting heavily as if he had run quite a distance.
Kaguya gestured for the guards standing on alert to step back, then stepped forward and asked, "What is it? Do you need something from me?"
Franky bit his lip, took a deep bow, and shouted, "Thank you, Inspector!"
Kaguya waved it off with a lighthearted smile. "That's unnecessary."
Franky then called out from behind her, "May I ask… if, and I mean if, you ever need it in the future, can I build a ship for you?"
"Build a ship?" Kaguya was momentarily taken aback.
Franky's face turned slightly red, and he awkwardly admitted, "I… I only know how to build ships."
Kaguya smiled gently. "Then, if I ever need one in the future, I'll come to you. But of course, if your work isn't up to standard, I won't be paying for it."
"No problem!" Franky thumped his chest confidently.
"By the way," Kaguya hesitated for a moment before asking, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course! Ask me anything," Franky replied.
Kaguya pointed at his ridiculously large swim trunks and asked, "Why don't you wear proper pants?"
She had been wondering about this for a while now.
"Oh, that? There's actually a really deep reason behind it," Franky said as he scratched his head.
"A deep reason?" Kaguya asked, puzzled.
"Because…" Franky grinned proudly and declared, "This is a man's romance!"
Kaguya's mouth twitched.
What the hell kind of logic is that?
A man's romance is… not wearing pants?
Isn't this just plain indecent?
Was there seriously no one around to stop this kid before he became a complete weirdo?
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