Chapter 164: The Guard Forces of Enies Lobby

As for why everyone was keeping an eye on Franky and the others, the reason was quite simple: everyone believed that Tom had told Iceberg where the Pluton design was hidden.

So, by following him, they figured they'd eventually find the Pluton design.

Unfortunately, what no one realized was that Tom, likely considering how the exposed Pluton design would bring endless disaster to his two disciples, had decided to take the secret to his grave.

To avoid his disciples repeating history, or perhaps fearing the resurgence of such a terrifying weapon, Tom was determined to bury the secret with himself.

If Iceberg had gone to retrieve the Pluton design, Wood and Gion, hidden in the shadows, would have knocked everyone out at lightning speed and had Gion take the design away. That would have completed their mission perfectly.

Tom might not have been saved, but that was his own choice—Wood had already warned him before.

Gion would have taken the design, and Wood would have helped Franky and Iceberg escape. The Marines would have secured the design, and no one would have known who ended up with it.

Even the World Government and Spandam would only think that Tom didn't tell Iceberg where the design was hidden, or that Iceberg had taken it with him.

But reality rarely aligns with expectations.

Tom didn't reveal the location of the Pluton design to Iceberg.

Since that was the case, Tom was now the only person in the world who knew where the design was hidden. Gion worried that Spandam, in a fit of anger, might kill Tom, causing them to fail their mission.

So, continuing to watch from the sidelines wasn't an option anymore. This was why Wood, who had been hiding with Gion, got a kick in the rear and was pushed out into the open by her.

To be honest, while Wood and Tom had developed a decent relationship over the past few days, risking his life for Tom would be a bit much.

Besides, Wood had already bent his principles by secretly suggesting that Tom go into hiding, which was, technically, an act of betrayal against the Marines. But Tom didn't take his advice seriously.

From Wood's perspective, the best outcome was for the matter to end here. Tom might die, but at least Pluton would remain dormant.

But Gion wasn't willing to give up so easily. She hinted to Wood that he should try a bit harder and help Iceberg and the others rescue Tom from Enies Lobby.

This way, Spandam wouldn't kill Tom out of humiliation, the method for creating Pluton wouldn't be lost, and they'd gain Tom and his followers' trust.

Maybe, after being rescued, Tom would feel that Wood was trustworthy and entrust the design to him for safekeeping.

In any case, if Iceberg and Franky ran, Tom would surely die. Even if Spandam didn't kill him, Tom might end his own life to bury the secret.

Rescuing someone from Enies Lobby sounded far-fetched, but it wasn't impossible.

The stationed forces at Enies Lobby weren't particularly strong, considering it was in the first half of the Grand Line.

As for the Marine reinforcements, well, they were pretty much all on Wood's side.

If it were anyone else trying to save someone from under the noses of Marine Hero Garp and Rear Admiral Momousagi, it would be as challenging as going up against one of the New World's pirate crews.

But if the one doing the rescuing was Wood, and if Garp and Gion conveniently "slipped up" and let Wood get away, Tom might just be saved.

"Mr. Wood, are you saying that you plan to help us rescue Tom, even if it means risking your life and going to Enies Lobby, possibly making an enemy of the World Government?"

Iceberg was not Franky. When he heard Wood offer to help, he was moved to tears.

Although he hadn't interacted with Wood much, Iceberg felt that if he asked Wood to help the rest of Tom's Workshop escape, Wood probably wouldn't refuse.

But to say Wood was willing to risk his life to save Tom at Enies Lobby—Iceberg found that hard to believe.

There was no other reason: their relationship simply wasn't close enough for that, especially since Wood had chosen to break through the Marine encirclement earlier.

"It's not entirely for Tom's sake. After all, they've also taken our pirate ship, so getting it back is a must.

As for why I chose to escape earlier, it was simply because I couldn't let Robin fall into the hands of Enies Lobby.

In some ways, Nico Robin is as important to the World Government as Pluton. If they had taken her, the defenses at Enies Lobby would likely be even stronger now."

Most people might not realize Robin's importance, only thinking of her as someone who could read Poneglyphs. But Wood knew that the World Government would never allow her to run around freely if they wanted to completely cover up the Void Century.

Currently, the only outside reinforcements at Enies Lobby were Garp and Gion—both of whom were on Wood's side. But if the World Government knew that the "Demon Child" Nico Robin was also there, Wood would be facing more than just those two.

"I've already hidden Robin in a safe place. Now, I just want to get our pirate ship back and repay Tom for saving my crew.

As for what to do next, that's up to you. If you're willing to provide a ship, I can help you leave Water 7 as well."

Wood left the final decision to Iceberg and Franky. After all, if he insisted on saving Tom, it would seem too strange.

"Big Bro Wood, don't mind Iceberg. I'm going with you to save the old man. Just tell me what to do!"

Seeing Iceberg's hesitation, Franky became visibly frustrated. Before, they were too weak to save anyone.

But now, with someone as powerful as Wood offering to help, Franky couldn't understand why Iceberg was still hesitating.

"Mr. Wood, what do we need to do to save Tom?"

After a moment of thought, Iceberg made his decision. He still couldn't quite understand why Wood was willing to help them so much, but he also realized that they didn't have anything worth Wood scheming for.

While disobeying Tom's orders made Iceberg uneasy, he knew, as Franky had pointed out, that this was their only chance to save Tom.

"The forces stationed at Enies Lobby consist of about ten thousand regular Marines.

Besides these regular Marines, Enies Lobby also has the 'Judicial Guardians,' roughly ten members whose strength is comparable to Marine Headquarters' Lieutenant Commanders.

There's also the Law Dog Squad, Enies Lobby's elite guard, whose strength is comparable to Marine Sergeants, numbering around a hundred.

Additionally, there are the two giants who guard the second gate, whose strength rivals that of Marine Headquarters' Captains."

This information naturally came from Gion, but Wood presented it as something he knew from his time working at Enies Lobby when he was in the Marines.

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