Thirteen Hundred Million Beli

Chiu Chiu suddenly spoke, greatly startling the three people present. They had not expected this golden bird to be able to talk.

But then came an angry roar. "Dead bird, you're the one with hemorrhoids on your mouth! Is that any way to speak to my master? Believe it or not, I'll beat you to death!"

Housen rolled up his sleeves, exposing his solid muscles and fully displaying his fierce, imposing aura as he stepped forward to hit Chiu Chiu.

But Mark took a step forward and stood in front of Chiu Chiu.

"Sorry, brother... my companion meant no offense. I apologize to Master Jerry on his behalf," Mark said calmly.

Only after hearing Mark's words did Housen's expression improve somewhat. He snorted coldly and said nothing more.

However, just as he was about to return to Jerry's side, Mark spoke again, his voice somewhat chilling this time.

"But my companion is not some dead bird, either. I hope you'll watch your mouth. I don't want there to be a next time."

The air around them grew heavier.

Housen felt uncomfortable all over under Mark's gaze.

Since coming aboard the ship, Chiu Chiu had not engaged in a verbal spat for a long time, but Jerry's one hundred million Beli labor fee had truly shocked it today.

Mark knew its temper. He was also somewhat displeased by the exorbitant price of one hundred million, but there was nothing he could do. He had been the one to seek this man out.

Baroen hurried forward to smooth things over. "Housen speaks without thinking. Please don't take it to heart. I apologize to this golden bird gentleman on his behalf."

After saying that, he gave Mark and the others an apologetic look before quickly pulling Housen away.

Only then did the atmosphere ease somewhat.

Jerry chuckled. "You're all young people. There's no need to make things so awkward."

Then he beckoned Mark and the others. "Come inside and talk."

After saying that, he glanced at Housen and Baroen before turning and walking into the house.

Housen and Baroen followed, while Mark and the other two exchanged glances before following close behind.

The furnishings inside the house were all old and worn, clearly having been there for many years.

After following Jerry into the room, Mark and the others took their seats.

The hostile atmosphere from before vanished completely.

Jerry said with a smile, "One hundred million for labor isn't much. If you want a top-tier ship built, I'll need to bring in many shipwrights from the island, and it will take around three months."

"They alone will cost a great deal of money. Besides, didn't you come to me because of my shipbuilding skills? You get what you pay for. The price of one hundred million... is already a favor for Crocus's sake."

As he spoke, Jerry opened a drawer, took out a sailboat model, and placed it on the table.

Mark and the other two were immediately drawn to the model.

It was a three-masted sailing ship, with one main mast and two auxiliary masts. Its overall structure resembled Whitebeard's pirate ship, and the model was likely based on the Moby Dick.

The bow used a streamlined design, while the hull differed from ordinary ocean-going sailing ships. Parts of it were shaped to reduce drag, making it better suited for straight-line acceleration.

The ship was not designed to be lavish or magnificent. It was extremely simple.

But Mark liked it the moment he laid eyes on its design.

"Thirteen hundred million. Deal!" Mark examined the sailboat model from top to bottom. "But you have to reproduce the design exactly according to this ship."

Seeing how reluctant Mark was to put the model down, Jerry smiled.

"I came up with this ship's design myself over the years. Its water resistance, wind resistance, and natural disaster protection are, in my opinion, the best there is."

He took the model back and continued.

"The exterior design is first-rate, and the interior design is even better."

Jerry said to Housen beside him, "Go bring over our test course!"

Housen gave a grunt, got up, and entered through the wooden door beside them. Before long, he carried out a huge oval-shaped object.

Housen placed the object on the table, instantly filling the entire tabletop.

Mark then saw that the oval object was filled with water, with indistinct mechanisms and gears faintly visible beneath the surface.

"Watch closely!" Jerry placed the model into the water, then fiddled with the oval object. Immediately, the mechanisms in the water began to turn, and the current started rushing.

The current was simulating natural disasters!

A whirlpool vortex!

Within the whirlpool vortex, the three-masted sailing ship model was like a lamb awaiting slaughter, drifting wherever the current took it.

Just as Mark wondered what Jerry intended to do,

the three-masted sailing ship suddenly seemed to activate some kind of switch. Three air blasts erupted from its stern, and with a whoosh, the ship was propelled out of the whirlpool vortex before landing steadily on the water farther away.

Daisy and Chiu Chiu widened their eyes.

The moment Mark saw this, it felt strangely familiar.

Wasn't this the Gale Cannon the Sunny used when escaping? The only difference was that the Sunny had one nozzle, while this ship had three.

Jerry was very satisfied with their reactions.

He then tested it against tsunami conditions, thunderstorms, and ice and snow.

After all that, the ship remained completely intact.

Once the emergency defense layer was deployed, it could protect against thunderstorms and ice and snow. When encountering tsunamis or whirlpool vortices, it could use the Gale Cannon for an emergency escape.

According to him, the ship was also equipped with a main cannon that fired using compressed air. As long as it was loaded with suitable ammunition, it could instantly launch a projectile at 500 meters per second.

The force added by that kind of speed was enough to sink a Navy headquarters warship—the kind used by vice admirals during a Buster Call.

Mark was extremely satisfied with this ship.

"We want this ship now. You can find the materials yourselves. I'll only be responsible for paying," Mark said decisively.

Jerry adjusted his glasses.

"Don't worry about the materials. For the main structure, we'll use Adam Wood, the hardest wood in the world. The hull will also be made from premium ironwood. With one billion for materials, I'll make sure every Beli is well spent."

"When can construction begin?" Mark asked.

"Any time!" Jerry answered readily.

"Good, but I only have five hundred million right now. My pirate ship is worth something too. Other than the thirty-two-pound cannon, leave me four twenty-four-pound cannons. You can handle the rest and see how much they're worth. As for the remainder... I'll make up the difference later."

Mark kept those cannons for the sake of the new ship.

Once he had crew members in the future, cannons would be essential. Thirty-two-pound cannons were rare even on the black market, and twenty-four-pound cannons were not cheap either. After thinking it over, Mark decided to keep them.

"Five hundred million... and a pirate ship..." Jerry looked troubled.

He had long suspected that the people before him were pirates, but Solomon Shipyard did not care about anyone's background. As long as they paid, the shipyard would build or repair their ships.

"Setting aside the pirate ship you mentioned, if you only have five hundred million right now, the material costs for building the ship may be a little higher."

"Why?" Mark asked.

At that moment, Baroen explained, "If Adam Wood is used to build the ship, you'll definitely need to buy an entire section for the main beam. A single main beam alone costs more than seven hundred million. Master Jerry has a good relationship with the material suppliers. If we buy one main beam along with some premium ironwood all at once, they'll definitely throw in additional materials. That would be just enough to build the ship you want."