Chapter 74: Chapter 74 Chips
"Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about."
Despite being shocked internally, Mr. Tom managed to maintain a neutral expression.
If Gnar weren't a time traveler, his honest demeanor might have been convincing.
Unfortunately...
Gnar gently raised a finger and placed it in front of Mr. Tom.
"I need you to understand something, Mr. Tom. Since I've come to see you, I'm confident that Pluton's design is in your possession. Moreover, I'm not here just to ask you. Even if you refuse, I have my own methods."
As Gnar spoke, his fingers turned as sharp as fangs, and bright red blood began to flow from them.
"I possess a Devil Fruit power. My ability allows me to inject my own blood into a living being to control their thoughts and actions, but I prefer not to use it that way... After all, you are someone I admire."
Seeing the blood flowing from Gnar's fingertips, Mr. Tom realized the pirate was not lying, but he remained calm.
"You claim to seek justice, but your methods are hardly those of someone who believes in justice. How is controlling and enslaving people any different from the methods of dictators?"
Gnar did not deny it but instead posed another question.
"Mr. Tom, why do you think Roger, the Pirate King, wanted to start an era of great pirates?"
Mr. Tom might know the answer but was reluctant to speak. He just looked thoughtful.
Gnar provided the answer.
"Because this world is already terminally ill. As a fish-man, you should understand how desperate the world is. In this situation, it doesn't matter if pirates are evil. What matters is finding the answer and changing the world. Justice and evil are irrelevant, or..."
Gnar paused for a moment, then continued in a low but ambitious tone.
"The so-called justice must prevail because only the victor can define justice!"
The living room fell silent again, and Mr. Tom looked at Gnar in shock.
Although Mr. Tom thought Gnar's ideas were extreme, his past experiences suggested that Gnar was not entirely wrong.
At this moment, when the atmosphere in the room was tense, there was a knock on the door.
Kokoro entered with hot tea and snacks.
"Sorry, I thought your conversation might be a bit dull. Here are some snacks I made myself. Please, help yourselves!"
"Thank you very much!"
Gnar picked up a piece of cake and ate it with little regard. Taking this opportunity, Kokoro glanced at Tom with concern, noticing his solemn expression and his disregard for her. Just before she was about to leave, Tom sighed.
"Don't worry, I'm fine!"
Kokoro nodded in relief and left.
When there were only two people left in the room, Mr. Tom was still hesitant, but Gnar interrupted.
"Don't refuse just yet, Mr. Tom. Listen to my offer first..."
Mr. Tom was stubborn and reluctant to listen further, but Gnar pressed on.
"First, if you, Mr. Tom, give me the design of Pluton, I promise that in the future, any weapons manufactured using this design will require your consent. You will have a veto right."
This stunned Mr. Tom. His main concern was that the design of Pluton could be used to create world-destroying weapons. Regardless of whether Gnar's promise could be fulfilled, it showed respect for him.
"Second, I can promise to protect you and your family in the future."
Before Mr. Tom could fully grasp the potential danger, Gnar said something that shocked him deeply.
"Mr. Tom, don't think that the World Government won't find out about the Pluton design eventually. Even if they don't know now, when they do, they won't let it go."
"Even if you're not concerned for yourself, don't you worry about your family?"
Mr. Tom was deep in thought, realizing that Gnar was right. Some technologies used in his sea train were derived from Pluton.
"Third, I can help you realize your dream."
"My dream!?"
Tom was taken aback.
"Yes, starting today, I can fund the manufacturing of your sea train. With my financial and logistical support, your dream of connecting the world can be realized much faster."
At this point, Mr. Tom was truly tempted, as this was his lifelong ambition. Just as he thought these promises were substantial, Gnar made another offer he couldn't refuse.
"Fourth, I can offer protection to Fisher Tiger."
"Fisher Tiger!"
The mention of this name made Tom's pupils widen.
"That's right. Two years ago, after Fisher Tiger climbed the Red Line and rescued the slaves, he and his Sun Pirates have been hunted by the Marines and World Government. Although he's managed to evade capture in the New World, you know as well as I do that the Marines and World Government won't let him go easily."
"But as long as you give me Pluton's design, I can offer protection to the Sun Pirates. If you've read the news, you'll know that I now have over a thousand prisoners who escaped from Impel Down. Each of them is extremely powerful, including two monsters, Bullet and Gugao Red. I'm not worried about confronting the Marines. Additionally, I have a major plan underway. You'll find out in due time. When my plan succeeds and I have my protection, even the Marines and World Government won't dare to attack the Sun Pirates easily."
Hearing this, Tom was deeply shaken.
Although Tom and Fisher Tiger weren't very familiar—Tiger had just been born when Tom left Fish-Man Island—their shared identity as fish-men and Tiger's heroic act of rescuing slaves earned Tom's deep respect and admiration.
If Gnar could genuinely protect Fisher Tiger, then handing over the design of Pluton seemed like a worthwhile trade.
The Pluton design was merely a set of blueprints. Despite the powerful technologies it contained, their true impact depended on how they were used. Tom cared more about protecting those who had fought bravely in the dark world than about the destructive potential of Pluton.
And at that moment, Gnar's next words cemented Tom's decision.
"Finally, even if you don't give me Pluton's design, it's not a problem because I already know where the real Pluton is. In addition to Pluton, I also know where Poseidon, another of the Ancient Weapons, is located..."
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