"What's this? Do you really think I'm afraid of the World Government coming after me?"
Hearing Spandam's bravado-filled threats, Tiger only gave him a dismissive look.
What a joke! Maybe others would hesitate because of Spandam's status, but to Fisher Tiger, one of the main culprits behind the burning of the Holy Land Mariejois, this was nothing.
They had already set the World Government's headquarters ablaze. Why would they care about killing a small fry like Spandam, even if it angered the World Government?
"Traitor of the Marines… no, Major Wood! It's understandable that Fisher Tiger, a notorious criminal wanted by the World Government, wouldn't care about making enemies. But you're different, aren't you? If you kill me, you'll be provoking the World Government!"
Tiger was already beyond caring—like someone with too many lice who no longer feels the bites. He had burned Mariejois to the ground and was already a notorious criminal in the eyes of the World Government. Another offense wouldn't make a difference to him.
But Wood was different. As a pirate, he was still a newcomer. Although he had angered the Marines, he had yet to cross the World Government.
Seeing Wood remain silent instead of immediately taking action, Spandam thought he had a chance. He began to push his agenda more aggressively, even trying to sow discord.
"Major Wood, you were once a Marine, right? I don't know why you betrayed them, but it must have been out of desperation.
But that's not a problem now. Before us, we have Fisher Tiger, one of the most wanted criminals by the World Government, and Tom, the Fish-Man who possesses the design for the Pluton.
If we capture them and hand them over to the World Government, not only will your bounty be lifted, but you could also rise to great heights."
"I work for the World Government. If you help me capture Fisher Tiger and Tom, I can guarantee you'll at least get a rank of Rear Admiral if you want to return to the Marines.
If you don't want to return, with your skills and abilities, I can recommend you join the highest intelligence agency of the World Government."
Seeing Wood's continued silence, Spandam thought his plan was working and grew even more excited.
The fact that Enies Lobby was breached? No problem. The fact that CP9, his protectors, were killed? An even smaller issue.
In Spandam's mind, as long as they could capture Fisher Tiger and Tom, those would be two massive achievements.
Compared to those achievements, everything else was minor.
And Spandam wasn't just making empty promises. If he could secure those accomplishments, he genuinely had the power to fulfill those promises.
Spandam had connections, and Wood hadn't yet made any enemies within the World Government. Washing away his sins and returning to the fold would be easy.
As for what the Marines might think, Spandam didn't care at all.
The Marines were just the lapdogs of the World Government. Even if they had objections, they would have to shut up and follow orders from the World Government.
At that moment, Spandam was filled with anticipation, impressed with his own cleverness. He couldn't believe he had come up with such a brilliant plan to turn the tables in this dire situation.
If Wood accepted his offer, Spandam could instantly reverse his fortunes.
Wood's strength was undeniable. Although Spandam was a weakling himself and couldn't accurately judge strength, he felt that based on CP9's previous performance, Wood likely had a good chance of defeating Tiger.
Even if Wood couldn't defeat Tiger, he only needed to stall him long enough. Once the World Government's reinforcements arrived, victory would be assured.
As Spandam continued to try to manipulate Wood, Tiger stood nearby with his arms crossed, watching the scene with a mocking smile. He didn't seem the least bit concerned that Wood might be swayed.
To be honest, the offer Spandam made was quite tempting. If Wood had been an ordinary Marine deserter, he might have accepted the offer and immediately gone back to being a law-abiding officer.
However, Tiger knew something else about Wood—his other identity as the Sword Saint of the Fish-Men, Yasuo.
Wood hadn't made any enemies within the World Government? When Spandam said that, Tiger, usually serious, almost couldn't help but laugh.
Honestly, if anyone in the world had truly enraged the World Government, the first would be the revolutionary, Dragon, but the second wouldn't be Tiger—it would be the former Marine Major standing before Spandam.
Working for the World Government? If that day ever came, Tiger would bet it would be because Wood was there to kill someone.
Tiger wasn't worried at all about Spandam's attempts to recruit Wood because he knew Wood had already killed two Celestial Dragons.
How could someone who had committed such a crime ever serve the World Government?
Moreover, Tiger believed that Wood was a person of integrity. If he had deserted the Marines, it was likely because of his moral principles.
If he couldn't stand working for the Marine Headquarters, then working for the more corrupt World Government would be out of the question.
However, what Tiger didn't know was that Wood had actually considered Spandam's offer, seriously weighing its feasibility.
The World Government held too many secrets—the lost century of history, and the enigmatic figure of Im. Wood had crossed over before One Piece was completed, leaving many mysteries unanswered by Oda-sensei. If he could infiltrate the World Government and rise through its ranks, who knew what secrets he might uncover?
Of course, Wood might try to infiltrate the World Government one day, but that day was not today.
Setting aside the fact that he was still an undercover agent within Marine Headquarters, the price Spandam was offering wasn't worth it to Wood.
Tom, maybe. But betraying Tiger, who had risked his life to earn Wood's trust, just for a chance to join the World Government and antagonize the entire Fish-Man race and Fish-Man Island? Only an idiot would do that.
As Spandam noticed Wood's prolonged silence, he hesitated, just about to sweeten the deal when he felt a sharp pain in his neck and then blacked out.
"Brother Wood, why didn't you just kill this guy? He doesn't seem like a good person at all.
If you let him live, who knows what trouble he might cause later on."
Tiger was puzzled as to why Wood had only knocked Spandam unconscious with a chop to the neck instead of killing him outright.
Tiger had no sympathy for Spandam, especially after he had used Ruth and the others to threaten him.
The Fish-Men had little love for humans to begin with, and Tiger, in particular, despised scum like Spandam.
*******
P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 300+ at pat_reon.com/Betek