## One Piece Chapter 355, pages 8-9: Spandam - Chapter: 355 - Pages: 8-9 - Characters: Spandam, Tom, Gol D. Roger, Gorousei ### Summary Page 8: Spandam learns that Tom's situation is not the simple weakness he imagined. A report says, "YEAH... TOM'S ALREADY KEPT HIS PROMISE WITH THE SHIHOUSEN... I THINK HIS CHARGES WILL BE DROPPED IN THE TRIAL THREE DAYS FROM NOW... HE'S A GREAT GUY, THAT TOM IS...!!" Spandam cannot accept it. "WHAT!? A GREAT CRIMINAL WHO ONCE ASSOCIATED WITH ROGER WILL BE PARDONED!? YOU'RE KIDDING ME..." The conversation rises to the highest level of the World Government. The page names the speakers as GOROUSEI. One asks, "SO, THERE REALLY IS SUCH A THING?" Spandam answers, "YES." The danger is explained in strategic terms: "OF COURSE, THERE ARE PIRATES WHO WILL PROTECT THIS "BLUE-PRINT". WHEN IT HAPPENS TO BE IN THE HANDS OF SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THE GOVERNMENT, THERE'S NO REALISTIC WAY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTEND WITH THEM." The era itself is the threat. "IT'S BEEN 10 YEARS SINCE "THE GREAT PIRATE ERA" BEGAN... THE PIRATES WILL ONLY GET STRONGER AND INCREASE IN NUMBER!!" Spandam argues for ruthless possession: "THIS ISN'T THE TIME TO PEACE-FULLY SAY WE MUST PREVENT THE RETURN OF THE ANCIENT WEAPONS!! WE, THE GOVERNMENT, WHO MUST REINFORCE JUSTICE, NEED TO BARE OUR FANGS!!!" Page 9: Spandam's ambition hardens into a government mission. He declares, "THE "ANCIENT WEAPON" WILL BE ACQUIRED BY US... AND WE WILL PUT AN END TO THIS PIRATE ERA!!!!" The elders do not dismiss the danger. "THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THE DIRECTION THE ERA IS MOVING IN..." one says. Another gives the order that Spandam wanted to hear: "THEN GET THIS SAID BLUEPRINT... WE'LL TALK THEN." The authority of the Gorousei settles on him. "WE WILL... LEAVE THIS MATTER IN YOUR HANDS, SPANDAM." Spandam answers at once, "YES!!!" For him, the order is not only a mission but the opening of a door. A small "....!" and "TIP!" mark the shift from audience chamber to action. Spandam thinks of the chance he has finally been handed: "I'VE WORKED HARD FOR THIS CHANCE! I WON'T LET IT GO THIS EASY!!" His desire for promotion and power now aims directly at Tom, the blueprint, and the apprentices who stand closest to both.