Chapter 123: The World's Number One Shipwright (Please subscribe, recommend, and vote for the monthly ranking)

After thinking for a while, Buffon made his decision: he would have Perona wait at the inn while he went alone to confront Spandam.

Having experienced the ordeal of Moria’s capture in Mock Town, Perona no longer acted with the childish temper she once had. She understood that with her current level of strength, insisting on following Buffon would not only be unhelpful but could also become a burden. Therefore, she did not question his decision in the slightest, offering only a caring reminder to be careful.

Upon leaving the inn, Buffon found a secluded corner and activated the power of his Clear-Clear Fruit. For the now-invisible Buffon, Enies Lobby was essentially an unguarded playground; barring the underground prison cells reinforced with Seastone, he could go anywhere without obstruction.

Following Perona’s directions, Buffon headed straight to the office at the summit of the Spada Island fortress. This was the private office of CP9 Chief Spandam, located at the highest point of Enies Lobby, where the windows offered a panoramic view of the entire island.

At that moment, Spandam was leaning back with his feet up, reviewing a report regarding the whereabouts of the Straw Hat Luffy crew. A man capable of becoming the chief of CP9 was not entirely incompetent; based on the clues in the report, he had formed a bold hypothesis: that the woman known as the "Devil Child," Nico Robin, had likely joined the Straw Hat crew. The report noted that the last recorded battle involving Nico Robin occurred when the Juventus and the Going Merry broke through the naval blockade together. Since later intelligence regarding Buffon’s crew made no mention of her, he deduced she must have boarded the Straw Hat ship. This meant their next destination was likely Water 7, not far from Enies Lobby.

Having failed to obtain the blueprints for Pluton previously, Spandam hoped to capture Nico Robin to solidify his position, fearing that the CP9 agent hailed as the strongest in 800 years might otherwise replace him. Thinking of this, he habitually scratched the leather mask on his face. Ever since that incident, the mask had become his greatest shadow, and he longed for the day he could remove it. At the same time, he harbored deep hatred for the man named Casti Buffon.

"When you were under the Warlords and protected by the upper echelons of the Navy, I couldn't touch you. But now that you’ve actually killed a Celestial Dragon, don't blame me for being ruthless." Spandam’s somewhat manic laughter echoed through the vast office.

"Really? Then I’d like to see what your 'ruthless' looks like." Hearing the voice that seemed to emerge from thin air, Spandam frantically looked around. He searched the room twice but found no one else present. Confident in his hearing, he drew his elephant-sword, Funkfreed, and transformed into his hybrid form, slashing wildly at the air while shouting, "Who’s playing tricks? This is Enies Lobby! With one word from me, immediately—"

Then, a crisp snap of fingers echoed, and the leather mask on his face fell off. Spandam’s expression shifted wildly—from initial shock to fury, and finally, to terror. Buffon had deactivated his invisibility and stood directly behind him. He didn’t knock him out; instead, he bound him tightly with silk threads and stitched his mouth shut.

"I’ll ask you questions. You only need to nod or shake your head!" Looking at Buffon, Spandam, now completely consumed by fear, nodded frantically.

"Is Tom still alive?"

Spandam never expected this question. In the split second before, he had mentally screened through all the questions Buffon might ask, and Tom was not among them. As he hesitated over how to respond, Buffon raised his foot and kicked hard toward his crotch, stopping just inches away. "I believe you’ve read the reports on my combat strength. You should know that if I land this kick, the rest of your life will be..." Before Buffon could finish, Spandam began nodding violently.

Seeing this, Buffon continued: "Is he being held in the prison of Enies Lobby?" Spandam nodded frantically again. Buffon slowly withdrew his foot; he didn't want his shoes soiled by the stench of urine already emanating from Spandam’s trousers.

After a pause, Buffon asked: "Do you know that Doflamingo captured Moria?" Spandam continued to nod...

Buffon interrogated Spandam for nearly ten minutes, but ultimately, he only secured information regarding Tom. As for Moria, he only confirmed that the Warlord was currently in Navy custody, though Spandam claimed to have no idea where exactly he was being held.

Buffon tentatively believed him, then used his Clear-Clear Fruit to take him out of the office. Rather than going straight to the prison, he met up with Perona and returned to the Juventus. Due to Spandam’s notoriety in Water 7, the three of them—traveling openly on the Sea Train—were avoided by everyone along the way. Occasionally, when someone came to greet them, the muzzled Spandam could only nod in response.

Back on the Juventus, Buffon called for Bon Clay, had him replicate Spandam’s appearance, and the two returned to Water 7 with the real Spandam in tow. Out of sheer disgust for the man, Buffon had Bon Clay maintain the disguise, while he and the real Spandam were disguised as two Navy soldiers. The three then walked straight into the Enies Lobby prison.

With this camouflage, they easily opened the door to the mysterious cell. As Buffon expected, Tom, covered in wounds, was indeed chained inside. However, he was not alone; a bird with Seastone shackles on its feet was also kept there. Judging by its appearance, Buffon guessed it was a woodpecker.

"Buffon-boy, is this the world's greatest shipwright, Tom, you're looking for? And what's up with this bird?" Bon Clay asked curiously.

Buffon nodded silently and stepped forward, using keys taken from a guard to unlock Tom’s chains. Tom roared, "Spandam, you scum! You’ll never get the Pluton blueprints out of me!"

Hearing the roar, Buffon realized their current appearance had caused a misunderstanding. He had Bon Clay revert to his original form and shed his own Navy disguise before speaking to Tom: "My name is Casti Buffon, a pirate. I killed a Celestial Dragon a few days ago..." He briefly explained his situation and purpose, then handed over the Vivre Card that Crocus had given him.

Seeing the name on the card, Tom let his guard down. "Since you have his Vivre Card, I’ll go with you. I’m a dead man walking here anyway. But you have to promise me one condition."

"Speak," Buffon said directly.

"Don't seek Pluton!" Tom said seriously.

Buffon gave a brutally honest reply: "I can't afford to build that thing!"

Tom was left speechless by Buffon’s flippant remark. Buffon smiled and asked, "What about this bird?"

"It’s a bird that ate a Devil Fruit. I don’t know what its ability is; it was already here before I was locked up."

Buffon looked at Spandam, who was disguised as a regular marine. Under Buffon's gaze, Spandam shook his head frantically. Buffon understood that he didn't know either, but that didn't diminish his interest in the bird. Being able to be kept here without being chained by Seastone meant it had definitely eaten a Devil Fruit.

Out of caution, Buffon didn't remove the Seastone shackles from the bird's feet. Instead, he quickly wove a bag to contain it, then shackled Spandam and had Bon Clay transform into the chief's likeness. The three walked out of the prison with swagger.

On the return Sea Train, Tom, still looking like a marine, asked, "Are my two apprentices doing well?"

Buffon answered truthfully: "Cutty Flam has changed his name to Franky. He’s still on the island, but he’s a cyborg now, working as a ship dismantler. Iceburg has become the Mayor of Water 7 and the president of the Galley-La Company; he’s annexed all the shipyards in the city."

Tom said with relief, "It seems both boys are doing well. What about my pet frog, Yokozuna?"

"Back then, Flam was severely injured trying to stop the Puffing Tom from taking you away. The whole world thought he was dead. Later, Yokozuna learned from him and started ramming the Puffing Tom every day. I happened to save him this morning, and he should still be on my ship."

Tears welled in Tom’s eyes. "They are both upright, true men!"

"Do you want to see them before you leave?" Buffon asked, confident he could arrange a meeting without alerting CP9.

Tom thought for a moment and shook his head. "No need to see them. It wouldn't be good for them to know I’m still alive. As for Yokozuna, I’ll take him with me!"

Buffon nodded. Back on the Juventus, the moment Tom saw the ship, he began to scold them: "What are the shipwrights on this ship eating? It’s in such a state of disrepair!"

The crew looked at each other and then collectively focused their gaze on Buffon!

Buffon stated righteously, "I am the captain, not the shipwright!"