Sitting in a café in a town on an island they stopped by for resupply, he sips on coffee while reading the newspaper.
There, it was written that Douglas Bullet had been captured. Considering the time when the Buster Call was initiated against Bullet, it must be around 23 years before the start of the original story.
That would mean around the time I entered Cipher Pol, the incident at Ohara would occur. Well, to be honest, it's not like I have no connection to it, but I have no intention of getting involved in this matter.
Or rather, to be more precise, I have no intention of rescuing Nico Robin.
I believe that there is nothing that I cannot do. If I pay enough attention to my father's movements during a certain period, I should be able to figure out whether it's Robin or Olvia. In fact, if I want to, I can rescue them both.
However, there's no reason for me to do that. In fact, I am seeking "something in return" for helping others. It's not that I deny helping people without expecting anything in return. There are those like Luffy and his crew in the original story who are willing to risk their lives to help others even without expecting anything in return.
I think that's admirable, and I respect that... But I have no intention of doing the same.
I seek something in return for helping people. It could be the feeling of superiority from receiving gratitude or favor from the person I helped, or even more directly, I may want some tangible reward.
It's like a balance scale. If the value of the risk involved in helping someone and the expected return balance out or if the return outweighs the risk, I will help. But if the risk is greater, I won't lend a hand.
The Ohara incident is a prime example of when the risk and return are completely imbalanced. The possibility of antagonizing the World Government, encountering the future Admirals on the scene, and even the chance of my identity being exposed and getting a bounty on my head.
What can I gain from taking such risks? Gratitude and goodwill from Robin? She may be beautiful, but unfortunately, the risk of my future plans being ruined is far greater.
The World Government is undoubtedly mighty... needless to say, the largest and most powerful organization in the world. Unless there is a very compelling reason, opposing them is absurd.
In that sense, I truly think Luffy and the others in the original story have tremendous courage. One could argue that since they were originally criminals as pirates, it worked out for them... but anyway, because of that, I have no intention of getting involved in the Ohara incident.
While pondering about these things, he takes out a considerably diminished stack of wanted posters. In the year and a half of training, he has hunted down quite a few pirates who were not under the command of the Four Emperors or anything. Pirates who were relatively easy to handle and had a certain level of strength.
In the end, he didn't cash them in; they were all made to sink to the bottom of the sea... However, for the sake of concealing information, it wasn't much of a concern as pirate battles were happening all over the place, and many pirates were reported missing.
But after a year and a half, with the latter half of the sea... the New World's power balance consolidating, and the Marine's security system improving, the risk of being exposed had increased.
He has thoroughly sharpened his Haki, and almost mastered its application. Speaking of Haki, it's not like Luffy, a versatile type with one aspect being exceptional, but rather, it seems I have a balanced aptitude for all types of Haki.
Well, I can't hear the voice of all things or see into the future, but I would say I've reached a sufficient level.
... So honestly, do I need any more battles? If not, what should I do for the remaining period? It might be more efficient to return to my family's home for training, but were there any other good places?
Speaking of which, there was supposed to be an island called Guanhao where CP9 members trained when they were young in the Grand Line... or was it somewhere else?
Elbaf, the country of the reputed strongest giants, might be a good place as well. Wano Country... well, there's probably already the Beast Pirates there, so it's difficult.
Hmm, I can't really find a place that clicks with me... well, there's no helping it. For now, I'll just sail through harsh sea areas and train against nature.
***
After completing my warrior training, I returned home a month before my seventeenth birthday. Without much preamble, my father informed me that I would be assigned to CP5.
Apparently, the current head of CP5 is elderly and is expected to vacate the post soon, so I am being lined up to take that position.
Come to think of it, in the original story, Spandam seemed to be part of CP5 when he visited Water 7.
"Oh, by the way, about the Rokushiki you mentioned before, once you become an official member of the government, we can arrange for an instructor. What do you think?"
"It's not necessary... well, I don't really need formal instruction, but I do want to see the authentic Rokushiki at least once. If it's possible, I don't mind having it arranged for a day."
"Alright then, let's do that."
At first, I was about to say that it's not needed reflexively, but since my Rokushiki is self-taught, I thought it wouldn't hurt to see the real deal and adjust if there are any differences.
"By the way, have you heard about the project using the techniques of a certain scientist to allow inanimate objects to eat Devil Fruits?"
"Oh, you mean the lineage factor? What about it?"
The fact that this project is being mentioned means that Vegapunk is already affiliated with the government, right?
"There's a high-ranking person involved in that project. Once the finished product is ready, they offered to assign it to me. Do you know anything about it?"
Ah, I see, it's about Funkfreed, the elephant sword... considering the time when Spandam had Funkfreed in the original story, it will probably take some time before it's completed, but the research seems to have already begun.
"No, I don't need it. I'm fine with my bare hands. If anyone is going to use it, let you or dad use it. Even if your subordinates have high combat abilities, it's good to have a means of self-defense."
Honestly, I can't think of any advantages of giving a Devil Fruit to a weapon. Even if the weapon gains consciousness, it'll just become harder to handle, and as a pet... elephants are cumbersome.
Besides, what happens if the weapon breaks? Does it die? It just seems too inconvenient.
After quickly finishing the conversation with my father and confirming the schedule for my assignment, I was about to leave the room when I suddenly thought of something and opened my mouth.
"Oh, by the way, Dad."
"What is it?"
"Aren't you lacking exercise lately? At least do some basic exercises so you can run away if the need arises."
"Huh?"
Since there will be a desperate need to run on a certain island in the West Blue soon, I didn't explicitly say the reason, and just waved lightly as I left the room.
***
While watching his son leave the room, Spandine pondered about the future developments.
(He's my son, but I can't quite understand him. Well, he does seem mature for his age, and he claims to have learned Rokushiki through self-study...)
Spandine didn't have particularly deep interest in his son, Spandam. He felt that their personalities were quite different. Spandam had a stoic nature, spending most of his time training in the underground training ground without demanding any luxury or extravagance. While it saved money, it also felt somewhat eerie.
Although it didn't cost much, Spandine found him difficult to handle. In fact, Spandine had given up trying to control Spandam. He had once visited the underground training ground where Spandam begged to be allowed to train, and what he saw there made him feel like he was witnessing madness.
At that time, Spandam was only seven years old, yet he persistently continued training that even an adult would find unbearable, except for sleep and meals. Spandine felt a chill down his spine.
Spandine had an exceptional sense of self-preservation. As a result, he had a conviction when he saw his seven-year-old son at that time – "This existence is a monstrous being beyond my control."
He instinctively felt that if he recklessly tried to control him, he would be devoured. So from then on, he tried not to interfere and let Spandam do as he pleased.
(...He is undoubtedly exceptionally talented. Considering that I plan to hand over the post to him eventually, I can safely say that my old age will be secure. However, there's no doubt that he's a monster... but even so, he's undoubtedly my son.)
There was some bond between them as father and son, albeit not the typical parent-child relationship. Spandam sometimes called Spandine "father" and made statements that showed some concern for him.
On Spandine's part, he also worried about Spandam and even contacted him when he embarked on a journey during the time of the Great Pirate Era to make sure he was safe.
Yes, there was some level of bond between them... but both Spandine and Spandam simply prioritized themselves over each other.
A mutually beneficial relationship seemed to be the most fitting description for their connection, which was slightly different from the ordinary parent-child relationship.
(Well then, shall I arrange for an instructor for Rokushiki?)
Spandam getting stronger would be advantageous for Spandine as well. He wanted to maintain a good enough relationship so that Spandam would be willing to help when asked.
Spandam wasn't particularly interested in money or power, so controlling him in that way would be difficult. However, he did have a sense of repaying favors, so it seemed most effective to accumulate small favors like they were doing now.
As a father, or perhaps for other reasons, Spandine understood his son Spandam very well, including the hidden madness within him.