Chapter 588 - 782 – Iceburg Is Feeling a Little Afraid Right Now

Several years ago, Iceburg and Franky's master had been arrested by CP9 agents.

Although the World Government publicly claimed that their master had built the Pirate King's ship, both Iceburg and Franky knew the real reason CP9 had come was because of the Ancient Weapon blueprints their master possessed.

After that incident, the two of them resolved to protect the blueprints their master had left behind.

Iceburg knew the World Government had failed to obtain the Ancient Weapon blueprints from their master.

Naturally, they would turn their attention toward his disciples.

Fortunately, within the World Government, Tom's second disciple, Cutty Flam, was already presumed dead.

In truth, he had merely changed his name to Franky and remained in Water 7.

Iceburg had therefore entrusted Franky with safeguarding the Ancient Weapon blueprints.

At the time, both Iceburg and Franky believed the blueprints were completely secure and that no one would ever discover their whereabouts.

Now, however, what shocked Franky was that Arton actually knew about them.

"I have something extremely serious to tell you, Iceburg."

"Do you know Arton, the captain of the Flameblade Pirates?"

Franky remained alert to his surroundings to prevent anyone from suddenly appearing as he spoke quietly to Iceburg through the Den Den Mushi.

"Of course I know him. He's the most famous rookie pirate on the seas right now."

"What happened? Did you run into him?"

Iceburg asked.

"Hm? You know he's in Water 7?"

Franky was startled.

"So he really has come to Water 7."

Iceburg sighed and told Franky about Zephyr approaching him earlier to ask about Arton's whereabouts.

"I see. So Marine officer Zephyr is searching for him."

"Are you planning to tell Zephyr about Arton?"

Franky asked.

"That depends on what Arton came here to do."

"Under ordinary circumstances, I don't want to become involved in a conflict between the Marines and a pirate."

"Especially since Arton doesn't seem to have done anything truly unforgivable."

Iceburg sounded curious.

"Still, you actually called me because you encountered Arton. Did he do something to you?"

At that moment, Kalifa had already left the mayor's office, leaving Iceburg with a rare stretch of free time. He was quite willing to talk with Franky, his junior disciple, especially since it had been so long since they had last spoken.

"He didn't do anything to me. It's just that he knew the Ancient Weapon blueprints were on me."

Franky replied.

"He didn't do anything to you, so— What?! He knows the Ancient Weapon blueprints are on you?!"

Iceburg shot to his feet so abruptly that the chair behind him crashed to the floor.

"Franky, is he planning to take the blueprints from you?"

Iceburg's voice trembled, and his body began shaking involuntarily.

Could the legacy their master had guarded for so many years truly be on the verge of being taken away?

Worse still, it would not be the World Government taking it, but a pirate.

"No. He only mentioned that he knew the blueprints were on me, then left."

"It felt like he said it casually just to stun me before walking away."

Franky scratched the back of his head as he spoke.

Even now, he still felt confused by what Arton had said earlier.

...

"He didn't try to take the Ancient Weapon blueprints from you?"

After setting the chair upright, Iceburg sat back down.

Hearing Franky indicate that Arton had not tried to seize the blueprints allowed him to breathe a small sigh of relief.

At the same time, it made him even more suspicious.

Those were the blueprints for an Ancient Weapon. As long as someone followed them, they could recreate a weapon powerful enough to destroy an entire island with a single shot.

Logically speaking, no pirate should be able to refuse something like that.

What Iceburg did not know was that Arton possessed the voyage diary system. All Arton needed to do was occasionally write in the diary, and both he and his companions could become stronger.

Under those circumstances, he had no interest whatsoever in building an Ancient Weapon.

Doing so would not merely consume time and effort—it would also interfere with his continued exploration and adventures.

Unless someone placed an Ancient Weapon directly in front of him, Arton truly could not be bothered to claim one.

The only Ancient Weapon he might have been interested in was Shirahoshi, the mermaid princess and Poseidon.

"I just find it strange. That man couldn't have merely mentioned that he knew the blueprints were on me for no reason."

Franky rubbed his chin as he speculated.

"I... don't know."

Iceburg shook his head.

He simply did not understand Arton well enough.

"Why don't you try sounding him out from the side later?"

"He told me earlier that he came here to have a ship built. If my guess is correct, he'll probably come looking for you."

"After all, if I won't help him, you're the only person capable of building a ship good enough for him."

Franky spoke.

"I understand. I'll try sounding him out."

"You should also be careful not to let anyone dismantle Arton's ship."

Iceburg replied.

"You don't need to tell me that. I don't want to provoke someone I can't afford to offend."

"Wait. I need to tell my junior disciple about this. If they find Arton's ship before you do, things could become troublesome."

As he finished speaking, a series of noises came through Iceburg's receiver.

"What a troublesome mess."

Iceburg shook his head and lowered the Den Den Mushi.

For the moment, all he could do was hope Arton truly had no intention of obtaining the Ancient Weapon.

Otherwise, the situation would become disastrous.

...

Water 7, inside a clothing store.

"Customers, you've been in the fitting room for quite some time. Are you ready to come out?"

A female clerk approached the fitting room and asked with some difficulty.

"S-Sorry, miss. We're still having a little trouble in here."

Conis's voice came from inside, reaching the clerk's ears.

"Trouble? Are the clothes difficult to put on?"

"Do you need my help?"

The clerk immediately grew nervous.

The dress Conis had selected was extremely expensive.

If Conis damaged it while changing and then refused to buy it, the clerk would lose a considerable amount of commission.

"No, I'm... helping Conis right now."

Raki's voice came from inside the fitting room and reached the clerk's ears.

That's another woman's voice. Wasn't the other lady already trying on clothes in the fitting room next door?

The clerk looked toward the neighboring room in confusion.

"Come to think of it, where did the gentleman who came in with those two ladies go?"

she murmured.

...

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