At the highest level of the City of Water 7, the City Hall served as the official residence of Tom. However, as a shipwright and engiom was more focused on his research. Administrative duties had long since been handed over to his apprentice, Iceburg, who had been trained for this role.

  Now ag as the de faayor, Iceburg handled all routiters. Fortunately, the city's political system wasn't too plex, so he managed just fine.

  Since he no longer worked at City Hall, Tom spent most of his time in his personal research facility. With the substantial funding he received annually, his b boasted state-of-the-art equipment and was among the most advanced in the world.

  Currently, he was w with stists from Marine's research division, studying ways to incorporate Seastoeology into sea trains. If successful, it would allow for the stru of a sea train in the Calm Belt.

  Though Tom had no idea why Saint Cudius was so ied in the projeor why Marine and CP-X were colborating on developing the Calm Belt, he didn't himself with such matters. He was a shipwright, a researcher, a builder—not a politi. It wasn't his pce to pry.

  For Tom, the driving force behind this project was his own ideals.

  Just as he had inally desighe sea train to save Water 7, he now pursued this new project with a simir noble purpose: to open a passage through the Calm Belt.

  The Calm Belt was a natural barrier that separated the Four Seas from the Grand Line.

  Due to teological limitations, travel across the Calm Belt was nearly impossible. As a result, the Grand Line remained isoted—an uncharted mystery for most people of the world, an unreachable sea for all but the stro sailors.

  But if a sea train could traverse the Calm Belt, opening a stable, accessible route between the Four Seas and the Grand Li would be nothing short of revolutionary.

  The potential impact?

  Beyond trade and logistics, even just a tourism industry could gee incredible wealth ht. The eid political implications were staggering.

  Thus, regardless of Saint Cudius's true motives, Master Tom fully supported the projed was determio see it succeed.

  Ihe Research Facility

  "The best way is to use Seastoo y the tracks," Tom muttered as he stroked his . "That would minimize both the teical challenges and the risks involved."

  A Marine stist standing nearby immediately shook his head.

  "Impossible," he objected. "Do you have any idea how expensive Seastone is? Not to mention how plicated its refi process is! Using it to y aire railway? That's a fantasy."

  "In terms of cost, it's pletely impractical," another Marine stist chimed in. "The only feasible use of Seastone would be irain itself. Our real challenge is iing the train and tracks in a way that allows the train to follow the Seastoh while keeping costs manageable."

  "That's certainly a major problem," a voice suddenly interrupted.

  The researchers, focused on their discussion, instinctively nodded in agreement.

  "Yes, it's incredibly difficult," one of them sighed. "If only we could get Dr. Vegapunk to assist us, we might make progress faster."

  "This is a joint project between Marine and CP-X—wouldn't it be possible to request his help?" another stist suggested.

  "Not likely," the first stist responded with a shake of his head. "The Five Elders personally assigned Dr. Vegapunk to aop-priority project. Eve Admiral Sengoku doesn't have the authority to interfere."

  As soon as he finished speaking, the stist suddenly froze.

  Somethi… off.

  That voice from earlier… it wasn't one of theirs.

  Turning around, he saw a man in a bck suit standing among them. He was young, serious, and exuded an aura of discipline.

  Everyone else in the room was wearing white b coats, making this straand out even more.

  "Who are you!?" the stist asked in arm, reag for the security arm.

  Before he could press it, Tom intervened.

  "Lucci?" Tom said in reition. Theuro the others and reassured them, "Don't worry, everyohis is Rob Lucci—His Highness's personal agent."

  The researchers exhaled in relief.

  A CP-X agent? No wohey hadn't noticed him ehe guy ractically a ghost—his presence barely perceptible.

  Lucci gave Tom a respectful nod. "Mr. Tom, I o speak with you privately. Do you have a moment?"

  As one of Saint Cudius's most trusted operatives, Lucci's words carried signifit weight.

  Tom immediately set aside his work and nodded. "Of course. Follow me."

  He led Lucto a separate referen, filled with blueprints, ship models, and desigches.

  Onside, Lucci closed the door behind him.

  "Is this room secure?" Lucci asked.

  "Absolutely," Tom firmed. "There's no surveilnce equipment in here."

  Despite the reassurance, Lucci activated his Observation Haki, sing the room for any hidden devices or potential eavesdroppers.

  Only after firming that they were truly alone did he proceed.

  Tom, sensing the gravity of the situatioated before speaking.

  "Did His Highness send you with new orders?"

  Lucci shook his head.

  "No, this isn't a direct order. sider this my own initiative."

  Tom furrowed his brow. "Then… what do you need from me?"

  Instead of answering right away, Lucci studied the Fish-Man shipwright carefully.

  After a long pause, Lucci finally said, "Mr. Tom… do you realize how close you've e to death?"

  Tom stiffened. "What do you mean?"

  "The Wover ordered CP agents to iigate any leads regarding the A ons," Lucci expined calmly.

  At the mention of A ons, Master Tom's expression darkened.

  Still, he quickly forced himself tain posure. "And what does that have to do with me?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

  Lucci's golden eyes narrowed.

  "There's o py dumb. CP-X already uncovered the truth—you possess the blueprints for Pluton."

  Tom instinctively opened his mouth to deny it but stopped himself when he saw Lucci's expression.

  There was no point in lying. They already knew everything.

  "Rex," Lucci reassured him. "His Highness already knows."

  Tom's eyes widened.

  "Saint Cudius has known for a long time," Lucci tinued. "But because of your tributions to CP-X, because of your loyalty, he chose not to take the blueprints from you by force.

  You are under His Highness's prote."

  Tom fell silent, overwhelmed with emotion.

  For years, he had debated whether to entrust Cudius with the truth. Now, he realized, Cudius had known all along… and had protected him anyway.

  Seeing Tom's flicted expression, Lucci smirked.

  "Never fet His Highness's kindness, Mr. Tom."

  With that, Lucci turned ahe room.

  ***

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