Besides Takumi, the other two guys couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Seriously? Just because it's got a few gears and propellers, you think it can fly? If it were that easy, we'd be seeing flying ships everywhere by now!"
"Exactly! Making a ship fly isn't child's play. No way I'm buying that this thing can get off the ground."
Kaku scratched his nose, grinning as he joined in the banter. "Hahaha, well, that's just my opinion. Whether it can fly or not, we'll see once it's repaired."
"Alright, enough talk." The older shipwright waved them off, tired of the conversation. "There's still a ton you both need to learn. The sooner you pick it up, the sooner we can lighten the load here."
With a nod to Takumi, he added, "We'll be on our way now."
Takumi gave a brief nod.
The shipwright led Kaku and the other newbie away, leaving Takumi to wander around Dock One a little longer, watching the shipwrights at work.
Some of them even joked about whether he wanted to learn how to repair ships himself, to which he politely declined.
Honestly, he'd rather be at the tavern enjoying a cold drink.
And so, he left Dock One and made his way to a tavern owned by Blueno, one of CP9's undercover agents, where he settled in with a bottle of liquor.
Takumi had barely gotten through his first bottle when the door swung open.
In walked a man with short purple hair, half his face covered by a leather mask, dressed in black with an elephant sword strapped to his waist. Two Navy officers in white uniforms followed him in.
The man plopped down at the bar without even sparing Takumi a glance. "Blueno, a drink," he ordered.
Blueno, always stone-faced, silently poured him a drink and slid it across the counter.
The two Navy officers took up position behind the man, standing guard like they were protecting someone important.
Takumi casually uncorked his second bottle and took a sip, glancing over at the newcomer from the corner of his eye.
Yep, just like I remembered.
This was Spandam, CP9's so-called top dog.
I say "so-called" because the only reason he's in charge is because his dad's reputation carried him there. In reality, the guy's as weak as they come—any random soldier could take him out.
Sure, CP9 members acted like they listened to him, but none of them really respected him. They all knew the true leader, the one they really followed, was Rob Lucci, the strongest of the bunch.
Oh, and Spandam was also the guy responsible for framing Tom—the shipwright who proposed and built the Sea Train, and the mentor to both Franky (a future member of Luffy's crew) and Iceburg, the current head of the Galley-La Company.
That's right, Iceburg, Tom's second apprentice, was the one in possession of the Pluton blueprints. Pluton being one of the three ancient weapons—a warship so powerful it could destroy an island with a single blast.
Takumi had no interest in the Pluton blueprints. As long as CP9 didn't get in his way, they could do whatever they wanted.
And as for Spandam... well, no matter how despicable he was, as long as he didn't try anything stupid, Takumi was content to pretend the guy didn't exist.
But some folks just can't help digging their own graves.
After taking a sip of his drink, Spandam's gaze landed on Takumi.
Thinking Takumi was just some local from Water 7, he smirked and asked, "Hey, kid, you know who I am?"
Takumi: "..."
Yeah, I know. I just don't care.
Spandam grinned wider. "Hahaha, I'm a high-ranking Navy officer! You're probably shaking in your boots right now, huh? Don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt you. Hahaha!"
Takumi, not even bothering to acknowledge him, stood up, grabbed his half-full bottle, and headed for the door.
Seeing Takumi just walk out like that, Spandam's face twisted in anger. He slammed his hand down on the bar, causing everyone in the tavern to jump.
"Hey, punk! I'm talking to you! You deaf or something?" Spandam shouted.
Takumi ignored him and kept walking.
Spandam, never one to let his ego take a hit, especially with a few patrons hiding their smirks, couldn't hold back anymore. He drew his elephant sword and stormed after Takumi.
"Hold it right there!" Spandam barked, pressing the blade against Takumi's neck.
Takumi stopped, but only for a moment.
Spandam thought he'd won and grinned. "I'm Spandam, a Navy officer! You'd better remember that. Now, if you apologize, I might just let this slide."
Takumi's voice was cold as ice. "Move your sword."
Spandam's grin faltered. "You little brat, do you even know who I am?"
"Yeah, I do," Takumi replied, turning to look him dead in the eye. "I just don't care."
Spandam froze.
It was the first time anyone had looked at him like that—especially a kid.
But with everyone watching, there was no way he could back down. He had to show this punk who was in charge.
Taking a deep breath, Spandam snapped, "You'd better watch yourself, kid. This is Water 7, and I'm the one keeping this place safe."
Keeping it safe? Takumi nearly laughed out loud.
You? That's rich.
Takumi turned to leave again, ignoring Spandam entirely.
But the man wasn't done. With a growl, he swung his sword at Takumi's back.
Takumi sidestepped the attack easily, leaving Spandam to stumble forward as the blade hit nothing but air.
"You little…" Spandam snarled, swinging again.
Takumi moved in a blur, grabbing Spandam by the head and slamming him face-first into the ground.
With a loud crack, Spandam hit the floor, a big bump forming on his forehead. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed, unconscious.
"Sir! Are you alright?" The two Navy officers rushed over to check on him.
Seeing that Spandam was only knocked out cold, they both sighed in relief.
Then, they turned to look at Takumi, who was casually walking away.
"This kid… he's gonna be trouble."
"Yeah. Spandam's not gonna let this slide…"
************
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