Water 7, in a huge factory.
The sea train, once considered an almost impossible feat by the public, was gradually nearing completion.
"Old man, what are you stalling for? Since the sea train project is almost done, it's time for you to face your trial!"
A man in a black suit stared coldly at Tom the Fish-Man, who was bent over, meticulously inspecting the train. His voice was icy.
"The core engine of the sea train still has some minor issues. The power transmission system also has a slight defect that I need to perfect."
Tom continued his careful inspection of the sea train, responding calmly, completely unfazed by the black-suited man's mention of his sentence.
"You better not be playing any tricks."
The black-suited man snorted coldly and then turned to leave.
"Master, they're going too far!"
After the black-suited man left, Iceburg, who had unknowingly come to Tom's side, spoke indignantly. In his view, these people were just bullies. Moreover, being a shipwright, there was nothing wrong with helping clients build ships, even if the clients were the notorious Pirate King Roger and Thunder God Nicholas.
Besides, what the master was doing now was for the benefit of Water 7 and the surrounding islands, yet the World Government still treated him like a criminal.
Tom, carefully manipulating the precise components inside the train engine with his tools, did not answer Iceburg.
After a while,
"Phew! Finally done."
Tom exhaled slowly, shook his head, and put his tools back into the toolbox, a smile appearing on his face.
After constant improvements and research, the sea train was finally on the verge of success.
"Iceburg, don't worry. I am fine."
Tom said confidently, remembering a promise from a high-ranking individual years ago—a favor that was more than enough to save his life from the World Government.
Moreover, he still longed for the colossal iron ships that could carry tens of millions of tons across the sea, the massive flying machines that could carry numerous people through the air, and the spacecraft capable of leaving the planet, as mentioned by that individual.
Even after so many years, he sometimes dreamt of these things. The completion of the sea train proved that these other inventions were also possible!
"But, Master..."
Iceburg hesitated, understanding that his master was merely comforting him.
"By the way, Master, Fire Fist Ace wants to see you. He seems to be looking for information about Roger."
"Fire Fist Ace? Is it about the One Piece?"
Tom muttered to himself.
Iceburg's expression turned odd upon hearing this.
"Apparently not. Fire Fist Ace just seems to want to know what kind of person Roger really was."
Tom was puzzled. In his experience, people sought Roger's information only for the One Piece, but this curiosity about Roger's character was intriguing.
"In that case, bring the kid over tonight."
Honestly, Tom wasn't surprised that his surroundings were filled with the World Government's spies. To them, he was someone who had once interacted with extremely dangerous individuals. Yet, they didn't consider him too significant, compared to those people, he was just a small fry.
As night fell, Tom sat alone in his room, silently drinking. Ever since he had forcibly sent Kokoro back to Fish-Man Island, his workshop had been devoid of laughter for a long time.
His life was likely nearing its end. He had many regrets, but the World Government would not spare him, just as they would erase anyone attempting to study the Void Century. They wouldn't hesitate to eliminate someone closely associated with Roger and Nicholas.
"Not being able to personally create those things is truly a pity!"
Tom sighed, taking another swig of his drink.
As he put down his glass, the door to the room opened. A tall figure bent down and walked into his workshop.
"Are you Tom, the Fish-Man shipwright owed a favor by Captain Nicholas?"
The rough voice from the visitor startled Tom.
"That's me!"
Tom nodded.
Then, with some hesitation, he asked,
"And you are?"
"You don't need to worry about who I am. Just know that I'm here to repay a favor for Captain Nicholas. Let's go; I'll take you out of Water 7."
The visitor spoke calmly.
Swish, swish, swish—
A series of figures surrounded Tom's workshop.
"Who are you?!"
These black-suited figures stared intently at the tall figure in front of Tom, their expressions serious.
...
"Thank you so much, Mr. Iceburg."
Ace and Deuce followed Iceburg sincerely. When Iceburg told Ace that Tom was willing to meet him, Ace was thrilled because he might finally get more information about that man from Tom, piecing together a more complete image of him.
Boom!
Just as Ace finished speaking, the sky in the distance suddenly lit up, and a rapidly expanding sun appeared on the horizon, illuminating all of Water 7 as if it were daylight.
"What is that?!"
Deuce looked at the sun seemingly resting on the ground, stunned.
Seeing the direction of the rising sun, Iceburg's expression changed dramatically. He immediately started running towards the direction of the sun.
Realizing something was wrong, Ace quickly followed Iceburg.
"Mr. Iceburg, what's happening?"
"I don't know, but that direction is where Master's workshop is!"
Iceburg said with a grim expression. He doubted Tom could survive such an attack.
As Iceburg ran, Ace suddenly grabbed him. Before Iceburg could ask, he saw a cold aura spreading from the front, instantly freezing everything on the street.
The sudden abnormality made Iceburg's expression change. He felt a chilling presence ahead. If Ace hadn't pulled him back, he might have become an iceburg.
"Deuce, take Mr. Iceburg and get back!"
Ace said, then looked forward. He exhaled a breath of hot air, and flames ignited on his shoulders. Within seconds, several flames were flickering on Ace's body.
As the flames rose, the cold air that had been advancing suddenly stopped, as if meeting great resistance.
Sensing the flames, the source of the cold air hesitated before exploding again. The cold rushed towards Ace like a storm, freezing the entire street and spreading further.
Seeing this, Ace's eyes narrowed. The opponent was clearly powerful, even terrifying.
Boom!
In the next moment, Ace, now ablaze, launched an attack. He couldn't be held back here; he needed to reach Tom to learn more about that man!
A second later, an even colder breath erupted from the front. The sound of ice cracking filled the air as ice shards flew, freezing even the water molecules. The terrifying low temperature instantly froze Ace in mid-air, with cold air sweeping like a storm.
"Ace!"
Deuce shouted in terror, unable to comprehend the sight of fire being frozen.
Crack!
Before Deuce could finish, the ice trapping Ace shattered, and even hotter flames burst out.
"Whew! That was close!"
Ace panted heavily, undeterred despite being overpowered. He hadn't even seen his opponent yet.
"Lucci, about Tom..."
On a rooftop in Water 7, a few masked figures watched the rising sun-like blaze from Tom's workshop.
"Don't go. That's not an opponent we can handle. Besides..."
Lucci said, looking towards the street where fire and ice clashed, falling silent.
[AN- ooh its getting interesting🔥🔥]