CHAPTER 255 PLUTON
Wapol was indeed a pragmatic man. In the original timeline, after being defeated and losing everything, he'd managed to build a modest fortune through his ability alone—hardly the mark of a complete fool. He understood perfectly that resistance against Brett was impossible. Since he couldn't resist, compliance was his only option.
Brett's assessment was that while Wapol was an idiot, he was at least an idiot intelligent enough to read a situation.
After sending Tesoro back to oversee his new base, Brett brought Wapol to the armory hidden within the Forest of the Sea.
Master Tom's presence on Fish-Man Island was already known to the World Government, so there was no point maintaining secrecy any longer. Brett intended to relocate the shipyard to another hidden location eventually. The government would almost certainly attempt to assassinate Tom—after all, Pluton was involved, and those bureaucrats would stop at nothing.
"Brett, my boy—who is this fellow?" Tom asked with mild surprise, observing the simpering, grinning Wapol that Brett had brought along.
"Someone I've brought to help you, Tom," Brett replied. "He's a Paramecia Devil Fruit user with the Munch-Munch Fruit. He can consume anything he swallows and recombine it however he wishes."
Tom blinked, not immediately grasping the implications.
Brett glanced at Wapol. "Demonstrate your ability."
"Yes, sir!" Wapol stiffened as though electrocuted, standing rigidly at attention and responding loudly, terrified that any wrong tone might anger Brett and bring calamity upon him.
He immediately began showcasing his power. Moving around the armory, he found a pile of iron blocks. Opening his mouth impossibly wide, he swallowed them all in several gulps.
"Whoa! This guy's got quite an appetite!" Franky couldn't help but exclaim.
Just watching made his teeth ache. Devil Fruit powers were absolute—even steel posed no problem for Wapol. A pile of iron blocks taller than his own body vanished into his gullet without even causing his stomach to distend noticeably.
Then Wapol's mouth expanded again. He opened wide and expelled a massive metal ingot.
"This is—!" Iceburg's eyes widened as he rushed forward to examine it closely. "It's been refined into steel ingots!"
"What?! That's possible?!" Franky also hurried over, tapping the enormous steel block. "The iron really did transform into refined steel!"
Tom stared at Wapol with wonder, as though gazing upon an incomparable treasure.
"With an ability like yours," Brett said with a smile, "you could produce virtually any alloy imaginable. Given blueprints, you could even transform raw materials directly into finished products."
"Right?" he asked Wapol.
I can't do that! Wapol panicked internally. Simple things maybe, but complex creations? He'd never studied anything so advanced!
But he feared disappointing Brett even more than admitting his limitations.
So he nodded frantically. "Y-Yes, that's right."
"Oh! Is that so!" Tom's eyes practically glowed with excitement. "This is an enormous help! Bringing this gentleman here is truly an enormous help, Brett!"
He spoke with utmost sincerity.
"I'm glad it's useful," Brett smiled.
Then he paused thoughtfully before lowering his voice. " Tom, I'd like to speak with you privately."
Tom hesitated momentarily, then nodded. "Of course."
The two of them moved to a secluded area of the armory. Observing Brett's serious expression, Tom understood this concerned something important.
"Given our current circumstances, I'll speak plainly," Brett said gravely. " Tom, Fish-Man Island faces an extremely precarious situation."
Brett had always assumed that since Tom was already on Fish-Man Island, he would eventually produce the Pluton blueprints. But events had accelerated beyond his control. He could no longer afford to wait. It was time to be honest with the old craftsman.
"A precarious situation?" Master Tom blinked.
So Brett recounted everything that had occurred at the World Reverie.
"So Fish-Man Island and the World Government have broken openly?" Tom asked, astonished.
"Superficially, we'll maintain our previous relationship," Brett explained with a slight smile. "But in reality, if I appear anywhere on the seas and the government seizes the opportunity, they'll immediately launch a full-scale assault."
"I see..." Tom nodded, beginning to understand Brett's meaning. This was a straightforward man, but not a foolish one. "So what are you saying, Brett?"
"I need Pluton."
Brett met Tom's eyes directly.
Tom fell silent.
"Brett, you understand what kind of weapon Pluton is, don't you?" he asked quietly.
"Of course," Brett nodded. "One of the three legendary Ancient Weapons, possessing the power to devastate the world."
"'Devastate the world' may be something of an exaggeration, but reducing an island to rubble wouldn't be difficult," Tom said seriously. "Is it truly wise to resurrect such a weapon?"
"If it serves transformation—if it means overthrowing a corrupt World Government, ushering in a new era, allowing Fish-Man Island to exist openly beneath the sun—" Brett spoke with conviction. "Then yes, I believe it is a good thing."
Tom remained silent.
Brett understood the old man feared what Pluton's resurrection might unleash upon the world.
"Can I trust you, Brett?" Tom finally looked up, his gaze searching.
"Words mean nothing, Tom. What have you witnessed?" Brett asked gently. "What have you seen in these two years since returning to Fish-Man Island?"
Tom's expression softened slightly, then a smile spread across his weathered face. "You're right. What doubt remains now?"
He studied Brett carefully. This man had devoted himself entirely to improving Fish-Man Island, and had demonstrably succeeded. What was there not to trust?
"I understand," Tom said with solemn finality. "If Pluton is truly essential to this transformation, then I shall resurrect it."
"Thank you!" Brett's face lit up with genuine gratitude.
Though the original Pluton still slumbered beneath Wano Country, having a second one wasn't a disadvantage. Quite the opposite.
"Creating Pluton will require an enormous quantity of rare materials," Master Tom explained.
"Leave that to me. I'll acquire whatever materials you need."
"Then we proceed. Wapol's arrival may significantly accelerate our timeline, but even so, this will take considerable time."
"That's fine. The government won't accomplish anything in the short term."
And so, the countdown to Pluton's resurrection began.