"A new era?"
No matter how hard Enel looked, he couldn't see what this patch of grass had to do with any so-called new era.
"With your intelligence, understanding this is hard," Doflamingo said with a sigh, patting Enel sympathetically on the shoulder.
Still doesn't get it? This kid's hopeless.
Enel's expression twisted. He couldn't shake the feeling that Young Master was mocking him.
Doflamingo continued.
"All you need to know is—this thing will let you pound Moria into the dirt."
Now that got his attention. Enel's eyes lit up and he exclaimed excitedly,
"When do we start, Young Master?!"
"Relax. Soon."
Doflamingo turned his gaze toward the IQ cultivation site.
He could already picture the Tontatta dwarves tending the plants. One by one, powered-up fighters stepping out from the lab's doors.
A scene...
So beautiful...
So glorious!
...
Now, in the City of Water—Water 7.
Ever since the sea train reconnected the four islands, the shipbuilding business, once in decline, had begun to recover.
The port was teeming with people again, and smiles returned to faces.
But that was just a moment ago.
Now, the port was in ruins, the aftermath of a bombing still fresh and uncleaned.
Tom, already a twice-convicted felon, had been taken away by CP5.
Aboard the high-speed sea train—
Spandam was practically buzzing with excitement. This time for sure, he thought, a promotion is in the bag!
BOOM!
A sudden shockwave from an explosion sent him flying off the couch and crashing to the floor.
He scrambled to his feet and shouted at the agents nearby,
"Dammit! What the hell was that?!"
"Lord Spandam! It's Tom's disciple—he's blocking the tracks and attacking the train!"
"He's interfering with the World Government?! Kill him! I want that brat dead!"
Spandam's face twisted with rage.
No one's getting in the way of my promotion. No one!
This time... no one's going to save that little bastard.
The sea train roared down the tracks.
Franky, resolved to die, abandoned his assault and dropped to his knees before the approaching locomotive. He would follow Tom to the end.
A small stone flew from a nearby boat.
BOOMBOOM!
The explosion blasted Franky away, sending his body tumbling violently across the dock.
The sea train tore through the smoke and thundered toward Enies Lobby.
Pfft!
Blood sprayed from Franky's mouth, dyeing the surrounding waters crimson.
His vision blurred, and his body drifted instinctively across the surface of the sea.
The little boat from earlier drew close.
Thud. Several sailors quickly hauled him aboard.
The last thing Franky remembered was the figure standing at the bow, cloaked and hooded.
...
By the time the moon rose high in the sky—
On a deserted island near Water 7,
Franky, wrapped head to toe in bandages, finally stirred.
Gladius, who had been keeping watch, rushed over immediately.
"Franky! You're awake! The surgery was a success!"
"Ugh... ahhh..."
A groan escaped his lips as his eyes slowly focused.
The first thing he saw was a sky-blue broom-like haircut.
In a raspy voice, he croaked,
"Gladius...?"
"That's me!" Gladius grinned with relief. Franky still remembered him.
After everything that had happened, something inside Franky suddenly clicked. A moment of clarity struck him, and he asked:
"You took the blueprints for Pluton, didn't you?"
"I did," Gladius replied, lowering his head in guilt.
Franky's fist clenched—then relaxed.
With or without the Pluton blueprints, Tom-sensei would've faced this fate either way. Gladius wasn't to blame.
Suppressing his fury, Franky asked quietly,
"You're not with the Government, are you?"
"I'm with the Young Master. Without him... there wouldn't be a Gladius today."
"I get it now."
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