Claudius took a good look around the small, rundown dock. The place was practically falling apart, showing none of the prestige one would expect from a "master shipwright." It looked like the kind of place barely able to produce a fishing boat, let alone a vessel worthy of royalty. "Tom, the so-called 'best shipwright,' living in conditions like this?" Claudius thought.
Turning to Spandine with a sly smile, Claudius said, "By the way, aren't you supposed to be tracking down those scholars researching taboo history alongside the Marines? What brings you here to Water 7? Don't tell me you're here to commission a ship as well?"
Spandine's face twitched, visibly uncomfortable with the question. He struggled to respond, shifting uneasily. Just as he opened his mouth to explain, a young voice cut through the tension.
"They're not here to order a ship! They're here to drag Master Tom to Enies Lobby and convict him!" The young man, known as Cutty Flam, but later famous as Franky, blurted out angrily.
"Flam!" Tom shouted, trying to silence his apprentice. He glanced at Claudius, the realization dawning that this young man was someone important, someone who could make a World Government official like Spandine grovel. He didn't want to escalate matters without fully understanding Claudius's intentions.
Feigning ignorance, Claudius frowned at Spandine, who now looked like he wanted to melt into the ground. "Convict him? On what grounds?" Claudius asked, feigning genuine curiosity. "What did Tom do?"
Spandine stammered, unable to come up with a smooth response, but ultimately surrendered to the situation. "Well, Your Highness, it's... complicated. Tom here... he built a ship for the Roger Pirates. The Oro Jackson. Given the recent... uhm... scrutiny around anything related to Roger, we were instructed to investigate anyone associated with him. Shipwright or not, building a ship for the Pirate King could make one an accomplice."
"He's just a shipwright!" Cutty Flam interjected angrily. "He didn't team up with Roger. He just made him a ship!"
Claudius chuckled and clapped Spandine on the shoulder. "So, you're just looking to climb the ranks by bringing in someone like Master Tom, huh? Trying to show off to the higher-ups?"
Spandine laughed awkwardly, not daring to deny it. "Uh… well, Your Highness, it's... it's not exactly like that..."
"Relax, Spandine. Don't make such a big deal out of this," Claudius said smoothly. "The man's a shipwright. Shipwrights build ships, don't they? Do you expect him to open a newsstand instead?"
"Yes, yes! Exactly, Your Highness! I was overthinking things," Spandine quickly agreed, nodding vigorously.
Indeed, Claudius was right. The situation with Tom was hardly worth all this fuss. If you branded every person who provided Roger with services as an accomplice, you'd have to start arresting cooks who fed him, tailors who clothed him, and shopkeepers who sold him supplies. The Five Elders wouldn't want to waste their time on such trivial matters.
The truth was, Spandine had just wanted to make himself look good. His efforts in finding the elusive scholars were going nowhere, and he needed something to show the Five Elders he was still working hard. So, he'd thought targeting Tom would make for a nice bit of "progress."
"Well, if Tom is talented enough to build a ship for the Pirate King, he must be skilled indeed. And I just happen to need someone with his expertise," Claudius said with a pleased nod. He then turned to Tom, who was watching with both confusion and hope in his eyes. "Tom, would you consider building a ship for me? Of course, you'll be well-compensated."
Tom hesitated, taken aback by the sudden shift. Wasn't this man here to arrest him? How had this turned into a business proposition? "Well… I..."
Sensing an opportunity to ingratiate himself, Spandine jumped in before Tom could finish his thought. "Tom! You should consider it an honor to build a ship for His Highness! You built one for Roger, but building one for His Highness Claudius? That's a blessing in itself! Your Highness is one of the most esteemed Celestial Dragons, far more important than any pirate! If you do a good job, he might even put in a good word for you. No one would dare trouble you after that!"
For all his faults, Spandine was a master of flattery, and Claudius couldn't help but smirk in amusement. Spandine's words, while exaggerated, were well-timed. Claudius wasn't above enjoying a bit of well-delivered praise.
"Alright, alright, Spandine, enough," Claudius said with a laugh. "Let's not bully the man. I'm here to do business, not coerce him. If Tom isn't happy, he won't put his best work into the ship. And I don't want a second-rate vessel."
Spandine bobbed his head vigorously. "Yes, Your Highness. Such wisdom! Your insight and patience are truly unmatched. I could never hope to compare."
Tom finally understood the situation. This was an opportunity, one that might just save him from the trouble looming over his head. If he could win the favor of a Celestial Dragon, particularly one as influential as Claudius, he could finish his sea train project without fear of the World Government's interference.
"Your Highness," Tom said, finally making up his mind. "I'd be honored to build a ship for you. I promise it'll be one of my finest works."
Claudius's face broke into a satisfied grin. "Excellent! That's what I wanted to hear."
He turned back to Spandine and said, "Now, Spandine, since I've found a talented shipwright here, there's no need to cause trouble, is there? After all, the World Government should be nurturing talent, not stifling it. This way, Tom can put his skills to good use, benefiting us all."
"Yes, yes, Your Highness! You're absolutely correct. How could I have been so shortsighted?" Spandine agreed eagerly, eager to stay in Claudius's good graces.
"Good. Then go focus on your actual assignment, those scholars, was it?" Claudius continued, waving a dismissive hand. "When I report to the Five Elders, I'll let them know you were the one who helped me find such an excellent shipwright. They'll be pleased to hear you're fostering talent for the government."
Spandine's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Highness! Your generosity knows no bounds. Assisting you is the greatest honor of my life."
Claudius chuckled, amused by Spandine's endless flattery. "Alright, enough. Go on now."
Spandine quickly took his leave, bowing and scraping as he departed with his agents, clearly relieved to escape the situation without any repercussions. Once the government agents were gone, Claudius turned back to Tom with a relaxed smile.