The Sea Train

The town is in an uproar. People are shouting, "TOM'S GOING TO BE EXECUTED!!!" and "'CAUSE HE BUILT A PIRATE SHIP!!!" A crowd gathers in front of a large, ornate building. In a separate panel, a man with a long, white beard and a black cap, holding a gavel, speaks: "Normally, carpenters are not charged for the ships they construct, but this is in regards to the Pirate King. This is special case. All those who supported his piracy, even a little, will be seen as dangerous."

Inside the courtroom, the judge continues: "Thus, this execution. Please escort the criminal." Tom, a large, fish-man shipwright, sits before the court. He speaks, his voice booming: "I am developing plans for a steam engined paddle ship... that will run on tracks on the surface of the sea with a don!" The crowd reacts with shock. Someone in the audience shouts, "Hey, what're you doing?!" while another person notes, "Let's say that the reason this island is so disused... is because of the bad trade. And the feelings of the towns people whose hearts have grown wild... are the concern for this sinking island..."

Tom continues his explanation: "...the opening of the Sea Train... will someday be the saviour... of Water Seven!!!" He describes the train: "The train...!! It will puff out smoke, and run on the sea tracks from island to island!" A man in the crowd asks, "'Sea Train'...?". Another person shouts, "Excuse us!! We'll take him right away!!!" Tom persists, "It will carry people, things, even ships... unaffected by the weather... anyone will be able to cross the sea at will." A man in the crowd yells, "What about the Sea Kings, and Aqua Laguna!!? What're you blabbering this nonsense about... I'm ashamed as a carpenter."

Tom explains the mechanics: "The tracks will just be destroyed and that'll be the end!!" He continues, "And it won't go against the waves. It will sway a little below the surface of the water. The 'Sea Train' will only use the tracks as a guide, like drawing in a rope. There will be no use for logs. I've also thought up a device between the tracks and the paddles that will make a dissonance that the fish won't like. So then, the Sea Kings will hate the tracks, and they won't go near it. It's enough so that the trade between the islands will stabilize and grow. There are three islands that will be connected. 'Saint Popla', 'Pucchi', and 'San Faldo'." A woman in the crowd exclaims, "It sounds wonderful!"

Tom says, "But it's not so simple that a normal shipwright can do it. The blueprint will be done soon." The judge asks, "Can you connect to Enies Lobby?" Tom replies, "It's possible." The judge continues, "If this technique is completed with a don, and it goes over the ocean, the 'Sea Train'... interaction between all the islands of the world will change....is Water Seven's hope!!!"

The judge asks, "How long will it take?" Tom replies, "Ten years." The judge declares, "Then make it!!! With the condition of developing the 'Sea Train'... I declare a stay of execution of ten years for shipwright Tom!!!" The crowd cheers, "Good luck Tom!!"

Tom shouts, "I'm still alive." Later, at a meal, his companions celebrate. One says, "Nma!! As expected of Tom-san! I never knew you were thinking of such a great thing!! Everyone was overwhelmed. The 'Sea Train'!!!" Another adds, "It's not a laughing matter, Tom-san. It sent shivers down my spine, thinking it was your time... but if this goes well, they might even forget about the Roger thing." A young Franky is sulking. Someone asks, "Hey Franky!! What's wrong with you? Why're you sulking!!" Franky replies, "I'll teach you the crawl stroke!! Thanks for the meal!! Come, Yokozuna!!"

Franky is furious, shouting, "Shut up!! I'm angry at everything!!! The ship that Gold Roger was on is the only ship... that went the whole way around the Grandline!!! Why should Tom-san, who built such a great ship, have to be executed for it?!" He continues, "I know!! The reason why the company's under some bridge... is because the people in the town chased us here 'cause of the Roger thing!!! Everybody's saying it like it's normal!!! Even the idiots who can't make a simple raft!!!" He grabs a small, horned creature (Chopper) and yells, "What's so funny?! You horned raccoon!!! Who do you think you're hitting!! Bakanky, I won't let you!!! I can't forgive the fact that the person in question's like this!!!"

Franky is working on a scrap ship. Someone says, "We should just toss that moron. I hate that guy!!" Another replies, "Don't say that. He's part of our group. He's just fairly straight... though the stuff he makes is really dangerous. His ship building skills are very close to the island's workers." Franky shouts, "I was surprised by this kid who arrived at the Scrap Island. He built a cannon out of scrap. Ossan!! Take me in!! I got tossed!!!"

Tom and his workers discuss Franky. Tom says, "When I asked, he said he was 'a brat who just can't be bothered with', and that his parents tossed him off the ship. I think they were likely pirates. A piece of work." He adds, "He's sturdy... yet still not shaped. You two... will someday... become ship builders who will go out into the world. So be nice....Franky can't do it! He's crazy to the core." Someone replies, "Yeah!! I don't think he'll help, though. Ta ha!!!!!!....!!... he can do whatever he likes. Taha... when the blueprint for the sea train is finished... we'll start building it."

Tom and his workers are busy building the Sea Train. They are seen reviewing blueprints, carrying heavy logs, and working on the massive structure. The work is intense and collaborative.

The construction of the Sea Train continues. A sign reads "BATTLE FRANKY 9". Franky is seen working on various components, while Tom and the others observe and assist. The atmosphere is one of focused effort.

The construction of the Sea Train progresses. Tom and his workers are seen working on the engine and the tracks. The scale of the project is immense, and they are working in various conditions, including rain.

The construction of the Sea Train reaches a critical stage. There are explosions and intense activity as they assemble the massive machine. Tom is seen holding his hammer, overseeing the work.

Ten years have passed since the manufacturing of the Sea Train began. The island is isolated, and the people are struggling. A man shouts, "Let me die!!" while others discuss the situation: "The trade problems and the rising sea level was... I think it's due to the accident last month... It's the president of the 4th shipbuilding company. Suicide...? So they sent their own ship to get wood and so died at sea. Their dock is closed, too." People in the streets are panicked: "Hey!! Did you hear about the Sea Train!!? You can't go outside, the pirates are in the streets. Store after store is closing down... the land's sinking, too. This is horrible... this island's finished. I can't even support myself... what weak creatures we humans are."

The Sea Train is finished. People are amazed: "Tom, come out! Aren't you going to explain!? Me too!! I'm getting on!! But it's made by a criminal, it's dangerous!! Does it really run!? This weird ship!! Tom's workers.....!! Finished building the Sea Train!?" A man shouts, "Get on!!! We're departing!!!" The train moves, and the crowd watches in awe. A caption notes, "This story happened 12 years ago... This was the first time..."

The Sea Train, named "Puffing Tom," departs, carrying the troubled people away from the disused and closed-off town. It crosses the sea, leaving a trail of smoke behind it.

This is a question corner page for Chapter 354, featuring various character illustrations and the text "BY [NULL]".

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