As dusk gradually fell, the sun had already sunk halfway below the distant horizon, its lingering glow setting the entire sky ablaze in red.
Birds circled low overhead, and the temperature began to drop. Compared to the pleasant weather during the day, the fiery clouds filling the sky now seemed to foretell an approaching storm.
Aside from the massive fountain at its highest point, Water 7's inhabited areas were divided into inner and outer sections.
The inner section was Central Street, where the seven shipyards were located, connected to the outer district below by the Water Gate Elevator.
The outer district was also known as Backstreet, and there was an enormous difference in elevation between it and Central Street.
Franky House, the scrapyard, and the place where the Going Merry was docked all lay in the outer district, which was likewise packed with residential homes.
At this moment, despite it being sunset, Backstreet was unusually bustling. However, everyone wore anxious expressions.
"Wife! Are you sure everything's packed?"
"It's all packed. Make sure the doors and windows are nailed shut."
"With my skills, don't you worry." A blond middle-aged man wearing round glasses patted his chest.
He continuously hammered away with the tool in his hand, sealing the doors and windows tightly as he muttered,
"I heard this year's Aqua Laguna will be fierce. It'll be a real problem if the house gets flooded."
"Isn't that the truth?"
Behind the man stood an orange-haired woman, his wife. A heap of miscellaneous belongings lay at her feet, and worry covered her face.
"Luckily, every time Aqua Laguna arrives, the mayor opens the shipyards for residents to take shelter in. Otherwise, with so many people in Backstreet, who knows what we'd do tomorrow."
The wind had already begun to rise before the mountain