Shh

This was the largest and most prosperous shipbuilding island in the world.

The entire island resembled a water park, its houses rising in tiers.

At its center stood an enormous fountain. Its waters split into countless channels that flowed through the town and out to sea.

High walls surrounded the island, built to hold back the annual tsunami known as Aqua Laguna.

Below those walls lay the ruins of a town.

This area had once been part of the island, but the water level had risen for reasons no one knew. The residents had abandoned their homes and moved to higher ground, leaving the place a desolate ruin.

Abandoned ships were also dumped along this edge of the island.

Franky's home and shipbreaking base, Franky House, stood on a beach facing the sea behind the island.

After climbing a long flight of steps, the group stood on the streets of Water 7.

"It's so lively!"

"Yeah!"

"It's been ages since we saw a place this lively. The last time was on Clock Island."

"Heh."

Robin brushed the hair from her face and looked down the street with a gentle smile. "This is the latter half of Paradise. There are plenty of tourist islands nearby, and Enies Lobby, the World Government's special judicial facility, isn't far away."

"So ordinary pirates don't dare cause trouble around here. And since the Sea Train opened, even more people have come, making the city more prosperous."

"Oh..."

Everyone nodded. With Robin around, they could get answers to many of their questions.

She really was the most widely read and knowledgeable person on the ship.

Even Indigo, who was older than Robin, had to admit defeat on that front.

He might have followed Golden Lion, a pirate at the top of the world, from early on,