A Towering Tree Grown Overnight!

The Water Seven.

Directly opposite Dock One was what used to be Scrap Island.

The Construction Division has now transformed it into a clean, tidy, orderly building, and wide, flat Sea Train R&D Base, which will also be the future main station for the Sea Train.

Looking down from above the Water 7, you can see a shell-like white roof.

It's visually stunning, and recently many local residents and tourists who have booked boats have made special trips to high-rise buildings in the city just to admire it.

Gradually, people began to call this Sea Train base 'Snow Shell'.

At this time.

The port has been temporarily blockaded by the navy, and many staff and researchers who heard the news stood outside the blockade line and looked out to sea.

Inside the blockade line.

Deputy Director Jerome of the Maritime Affairs Department of the Administrative Department, who also serves as the base director, was standing with Mr. Tom and the current Mayor Manan, chatting and laughing.

Behind them were Kokoro, Iceburg, Flam, four division-level officials from the Maritime Affairs Department, and officials from the Water Seven City government.

"Are we almost there?"

"Didn't you say we'd be there by 1:00? It's already 1:25."

"Hey, you know how the weather is on this Grand Line, how can it be truly on time?"

"But they must have come down from the sea. Ah, they're here!"

Just as the surrounding crowd was discussing this, the sea in the harbor suddenly surged up, bulging up at a speed visible to the naked eye.

[Boom----]

As the massive underwater creature shed its 'sea coat,' huge waves surged in all directions, instantly creating a rainbow overhead under the sunlight, forming a magnificent spectacle.

"Wow!"

Immediately, gasps of surprise erupted from the crowd.

A giant green-shelled sea turtle appeared in the harbor, accompanied by two equally enormous flounders on either side. Both were covered by a layer of transparent bubbles, and their backs were covered with various houses made of seashells or Sango.

"So many Fish-Man!"

"Where are the mermaids? Didn't they say lots of beautiful mermaids would be coming?"

These introverted men and women, who had long worked and lived at the base, craned their necks and stared intently at the three giant beasts, searching for what they desired.

After looking for a while, all I saw were either Fish-Man soldiers in armor and wielding steel forks, or middle-aged and elderly Fish-Man with obvious wrinkles.

There aren't even any female mermaids, let alone female Fish-Man.

On the other side, Rom and the others ignored the noise outside and greeted the Fish-Man Island visitors who were walking down the wooden planks from the back of the giant sea turtle with smiles on their faces.

First, the Fish-Man soldiers of the Neptune Army ran down and lined up in straight rows on both sides with their chests out and heads held high.

Then came the Minister of the Left of the Ryugu Palace, whose fish species was catfish, accompanied by Fisher Tiger, who was now a general in the Neptune Army, and an unfamiliar old Fish-Man.

"Welcome to Water Seven! I am Rom, the base commander here!"

Deputy Director Jerome took the initiative to greet them first.

Although the host was Mayor Manan, he didn't dare to argue with a division-level official from the World Government over these matters. He could only wait for Rom to finish speaking before solemnly stepping forward and shaking hands with the Minister of the Left.

"I am Mayor Manan, and on behalf of all the citizens of Water Seven, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the assistance provided to Fish-Man Island!"

The Minister of the Left smiled and said, "You're too kind. Water Seven has paid us enough; it's a fair trade between us, there's no need for such formalities."

"No, no, no, if money alone can protect our island from the 'Aqua Laguna' attacks, then that would be an immense favor!"

Mayor Manan said in a deep voice.

For this world-famous shipbuilding island, while its wealth may not be so abundant as to be negligible, it is still quite substantial.

"Hehe, this must be Mr. Tom. I've heard so much about you, it's great to finally meet you!"

After exchanging a few words with the mayor, the Minister of the Left turned his attention to Tom, who was standing to the side.

"His Majesty Neptune asked me to convey to you that once the Sea Train is developed, you must return to Fish-Man Island when you have time. He will host a celebratory banquet for you in the Ryugu Palace!"

"The Ryugu Palace, huh? I'd really like to visit it if I had the chance," Mr. Tom remarked, then asked with a smile, "Could I bring a few people with me then?"

Upon hearing this, Iceburg and Flam behind him immediately showed expectant expressions.

"Of course, but not too much!"

The Minister of the Left joked about it and then introduced the elderly Fish-Man behind him, whose fish species was skipjack tuna and whose skin was silvery white.

"This is Engineer Boyle, the highest-ranking person in charge of managing and maintaining the Gas Storage!"

"By the way, he can also be called Dr. Boyle, because he has been awarded a doctorate and title by the World Government's Academy of Sciences."

Hearing these words, everyone, including Deputy Director Jerome, was deeply moved.

One of them is a division-level official of the World Government, and the other is the mayor of an island directly under the World Government.

The other was the world's first shipwright, who had already stepped into the Academy of Sciences and was promised that if he could develop Sea Train, he would be able to wash away his sins and be awarded a doctorate. So he was well aware of what a doctorate from the Academy of Sciences represented.

Such individuals receive high attention and protection from the World Government. According to the latest regulations, the consequences of harming them are second only to those of the Celestial Dragons.

"Hello everyone, I will be in full charge of the Gas Storage construction project in Water Seven. I hope you will all cooperate fully!"

Dr. Boyle said with a serious expression.

"Of course, you can tell us whatever you need!"

Mayor Manan readily agreed, then asked expectantly, "How long will it take to complete this Gas Storage?"

"It will take at least four years!"

"Ha?"

Everyone was stunned. Deputy Director Jerome looked at Dr. Boyle with a puzzled expression.

Why does it take so long?

"Because we need to plant trees first, Yarukiman Mangrove, and they need to reach a height of at least twenty meters. This growth process will take about three years."

Seeing that they still didn't understand, Dr. Boyle continued to explain.

"For bubbles to last a long time, in addition to air, there must be enough mangroves, and the larger the bubble, the more mangroves are needed."

"But I don't remember there being any mangroves on Fish-Man Island."

Mr. Tom scratched the back of his head and asked with a puzzled look.

"That's because next to our Fish-Man Island is the Sun Tree Eve, which is itself the world's largest Yarukiman Mangrove!"

Speaking of this, Dr. Boyle's eyes shone with reverence. He had always felt that the existence of the Sun Tree was the greatest blessing to the Fish-Man Race.

"But if it's just about planting trees, it doesn't seem like you need to come in person, does it?" Mayor Manan asked.

"I've come here to observe the island firsthand, and to determine the planting location for each mangrove tree and the future location for the Gas Storage."

At this moment, the Minister of the Left interjected, laughing, "So this time we not only brought enough mangrove saplings, but also plenty of soil suitable for their growth."

"Yes, I'll go back after I've seen it all. I'll bring people and equipment back in three years!"

"I see."

Mayor Manan nodded somewhat disappointedly. He had thought it would be completed within a year, and that he wouldn't have to worry about the 'Aqua Laguna' next year.

But he immediately perked up. Three or four years it is, at least there's something to look forward to, isn't there?

"Do you need manpower for planting trees? We, the Water 7, can gather many able-bodied men to help!"

"No need, we have already invited professionals from the Sabaody Archipelago who are responsible for protecting the mangroves." Dr. Boyle shook his head.

"The Water 7 side only needs to provide enough guides to take them to the planting sites, and then keep an eye on the saplings afterwards."

Two weeks later, the forty mangrove saplings brought by the Minister of the Left and his team were successfully planted in the corresponding locations in Water Seven. During this time, Dr. Boyle also completed his investigation.

But on the morning of the day after they were preparing to return to Fish-Man Island, cries of alarm rang out Water Seven.

"What! What's going on?!"

Because the 'Snow Shell' is located outside Water Seven, the overall changes in Water Seven can be easily observed from here.

Dr. Boyle, Mr. Tom, the Minister of the Left, Tiger, and the others stared in disbelief at the towering Yarukiman Mangrove on the island.

Water Seven now looks like a giant blue cake with dozens of green candles stuck on it.

"Hehehe, now I have a reason to recommend myself. Although it's troublesome, I've helped them so much, they shouldn't treat me unfairly, right?"

A tall figure with curly black hair stood on the high platform of the gate of Dock No. 5 on the other side of Water Seven, gazing at his masterpiece and laughing loudly.

"I must rise to the top of this world's food chain and meet the Celestial Dragons at the very top. I'll start by joining the Navy."

Here's a Hokage fanfiction recommendation: <I, the New Hokage of Konoha!> Nine-Tails, you've finally appeared! Take this Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands - Top Transformed Buddha!