Changes in the World

"No problem."

Rune made an OK gesture. He had gone to Wano Country to collect the money. With Kuma's abilities, Rune had little difficulty dealing with anyone in Wano Country aside from Kaido.

Kaido might not even know that Rune had taken those people. Although many had seen Rune make his move, he had used the Dark-Dark Fruit's power at the time. With a mass of black mist shrouding everything, they might not have seen clearly.

Even if they had, it did not matter. Kaido would not possibly fight Rune to the death over one spy, two slaves, one grunt, and two minor officers. And even if Kaido wanted to, he could not find Rune now.

After all, Rune had already returned to Water 7, and Wano Country was...

Quite far away.

Through Luffy's introduction, Rune met Water 7's mayor, who was also the president of the Galley-La Company. For Luffy and Franky's sake, this disciple of a legendary shipwright was willing to design a ship that belonged solely to Rune.

Rune thought that since he had just gained one billion Beli, and this ship would likely accompany him for a long time, he might as well use the best materials possible.

Of course, that was within reasonable limits. If the entire ship were made from Treasure Tree Adam, never mind whether Rune could afford it—there was not that much Treasure Tree Adam available to squander in the first place.

While discussing the ship's design with Iceburg, Rune noticed a little girl with a ponytail and glasses standing beside him.

Rune vaguely remembered this little girl. She should have become Iceburg's secretary after the Enies Lobby incident.

What was her name again...

Rune had forgotten a little.

After glancing at the little girl a few times, Rune continued discussing the ship with Iceburg. Based on the budget Rune had provided, Iceburg planned to design a four-deck, three-masted sailing ship for him.

Rune's requirements for the ship were fairly simple: it needed to be sturdy and durable, with good speed and resistance to pressure. It also needed a level with a space directly connected to the seawater so Shirahoshi could move freely inside the ship.

Putting that area at the bottom of the ship would not be too difficult. However, before it could be officially used, a coating craftsman would need to coat it. That way, the level could connect with the other sections without seawater flooding in.

After a brief discussion, Iceburg drew the initial draft. The lowest level of the ship was an area connected to the seawater for Shirahoshi to move around in. Above that were spaces such as the ship's storeroom and armory.

Since Shirahoshi was a mermaid and could swim directly from the sea onto the ship, there was no need to worry about seawater soaking the armory.

The next level contained the engine room and some of the crew's quarters. It was also where the dining hall, kitchen, and food storage were located.

Above that was the ship's deck and part of the upper level. This area was mainly for crew quarters, exercise, and recreation.

The topmost level contained the captain's quarters. It was smaller, but it offered the broadest view.

Once the rough draft had been completed, it was time to settle the finer details. Rune gave Iceburg full authority over that, since Iceburg was the professional shipwright.

He would not presume to instruct an expert when he was an amateur. As long as it met his needs, it would be a good ship.

Finalizing the ship's details and building it would both take time. Iceburg estimated it would be finished in around fifteen days, and during that time, Rune could take his companions around Water 7 to enjoy themselves.

Of course, they could not break the laws here.

But with Luffy around, that was not much of a concern. The people aboard Rune's ship were all relatively law-abiding and would not pick fights for no reason.

During the time Rune waited for the ship to be built, a piece of news in the newspaper came as something of a surprise.

[Sakazuki demoted to vice admiral; Fujitora Issho appointed as the Navy's new admiral.]

Rune was somewhat stunned when he saw the news. Although Akainu had lost the Magma-Magma Fruit's power to him, Akainu's physical skills and Haki should not have been so poor that he would be demoted, right?

And Fujitora...

It seemed that changing some of the world's timelines had caused Fujitora to join the Navy ahead of time.

That was good news for the ordinary people of this world. Rune rather admired Fujitora.

Meanwhile.

The Navy Hero Garp also received a visitor.

Smoker knelt before Garp, his fists clenched tightly. Behind him, Aokiji spread his hands helplessly.

"This guy insisted on coming. I couldn't stop him."

Aokiji and Smoker were friends, and after Rune had wiped out Smoker's entire group last time, Smoker had deeply realized how lacking his own strength was.

But after training on his own, Smoker only felt that his strength was improving too slowly. If he wanted to avenge himself, that pace of improvement was nowhere near enough.

So Smoker put aside his pride and sought out Garp, hoping Garp could teach him how to become stronger.

"A confused man cannot become stronger."

Garp smiled as he walked over to Smoker. He helped Smoker up from the ground and patted him on the shoulder.

"Come find me again once you have made up your mind about the justice you wish to uphold."

Garp was about to leave, but Smoker turned around.

"Vice Admiral Garp, the justice I wish to uphold has never wavered."

Smoker's gaze was firm. "I want to protect my subordinates, protect the civilians who need protection, and become stronger so they will not suffer harm from those pirates..."

"If the people who harmed your subordinates and those civilians were not pirates, what would you do?"

Garp looked at Smoker and saw him freeze for a moment. Garp smiled and waved his hand.

"Come find me again once you have figured out the answer to that question."

The current Garp was no longer the hot-blooded Garp of his youth, but the justice in his heart had never wavered.

He felt that Smoker was a promising talent, but Smoker still needed to strengthen his convictions.

Garp believed it would not take long.

Fifteen days passed, and Rune's group had spent their time in Water 7 as leisurely as if they were on vacation. Of course, Rune had never slackened in training his body and Haki.

His strength was also steadily growing.

"Rune, the ship is finished."

Iceburg found Rune, with the ponytailed little girl whose name Rune had forgotten at his side. At the news, delight immediately appeared in Rune's eyes.

"Let's go! Take me to see it!"