Chapter 67
Late October, 1499 in the Sea Circle Calendar.
The Water 7.
This giant city, named 'Water City', is a rare example of a city that is also an island on the sea. It has a very complex network of waterways, including not only waterways on flat land but also countless uniform and symmetrical waterways extending down from higher ground.
Its unique and beautiful geography and culture have earned this small island city the reputation of being the most famous "ship city" on the sea.
According to ancient legend, eight hundred years ago, an invincible warship called "Pluton" was built by Shipwright in the city of Water 7.
In the last decade or so, Water 7 also become world-famous because of a shipbuilding company.
[Tom Shipbuilding Company].
It belongs to the legendary Shipwright "Tom," who also built the Pirate King's Shipwright "Oro Jackson" for Pirate King D. Roger!
However, life in Water 7 has not been pleasant for the past six months or so.
Ever since Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, was publicly executed by the Navy and the World Government, his last words ushered in the Great Pirate Era of great heroes rising up, and the rampant piracy along the Grand Line became increasingly serious.
Due to Water 7's unique geographical location, this ocean city is attacked by a massive tsunami called 'Aqua Laguna' almost every year, and it does not possess abundant timber and steel resources.
As a world-renowned shipbuilding city, Water 7 has for most of its history been able to maintain its shipbuilding prosperity by purchasing resources from other islands.
In the past six months, spurred by the Great Pirate Era, news has been coming almost daily of several Pirates raids on merchant ships transporting steel and timber.
The scarcity of external resources has intensified the internal struggles within the Water 7.
Shipbuilding companies of all sizes are resorting to direct violence to win over customers.
Meanwhile, Tom, the most renowned legendary Shipwright in Water 7, is being investigated and held accountable by the World Government Agent agencies for building ships for Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King.
There are even rumors that Tom the Shipwright might be sentenced to death for this!
Beset by internal and external troubles, this renowned shipping city may very well become an isolated island submerged by the Seawater.
"A very dilapidated, desolate city..."
Looking around at this ocean city that was completely different from what he had imagined, Adrian, who had just arrived in the Water 7, couldn't help but sigh deeply.
Beneath a bridge on the North Blue of Water 7 lies a waste treatment plant.
For over a century, the people of Water 7 have piled up the wreckage of abandoned ships here, forming a massive mountain of debris.
At some point, this mountain of shipwrecks became Tom's Workers's main material collection site, and they preferred to call it the "Under-Bridge Warehouse."
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The orderly knocking did not elicit a response.
Adrian knocked on the door three more times, and this time, a weak, young voice finally answered.
"Who's outside? The door's unlocked, just come in..."
Adrian pushed open the door and was immediately hit by an extremely complex odor: strong alcohol, rotting food, fishy smell, and sour sweat...
The mere description is enough to send chills down one's spine.
The intense stimulating smell even triggered the physical immunity of the Ghost Body!
At this moment, lying in the center of the room was a young man with a black headscarf wrapped around his head. He was slumped on the dirty floor, clutching a bottle of liquor in dejection.
This young-looking fellow is none other than Iceburg, the apprentice of the legendary Shipwright, the Tom.
"Stranger?" Iceburg's dazed gaze drifted to Adrian. "Are you here to build or repair ships? But it doesn't matter anymore. Mr. Tom has been captured by the World Government, and Tom's Workers' operations have completely ceased! Cease!"
The last sentence was practically shouted from the Iceburg, clearly revealing the intense dissatisfaction and resentment that had been building up inside him!
"Is this how the legendary Tom's Workers treats its customers?" Adrian shook his head and said, "If I had known this, I should have gone to another shipbuilding company."
The apologetic look on Iceburg's face flashed by, quickly replaced by nonchalance.
At this time, he was not yet the weathered "Iceburg Mayor" he would later become; he was just a young man who was angry because his teacher had been arrested by the World Government.
"It doesn't matter anymore..."
Iceburg raised the bottle in his hand, intending to take a sip, but found that the bottle was already empty, with only a few drops of liquor dripping onto his dry, cracked lips.
"Mr. Tom has been arrested. Is there any point in keeping Tom's Workers going?"
Adrian said, "I don't believe that a legendary Shipwright of unparalleled skill would die at this time. His true mission is not yet fully accomplished!"
What is the true mission of Tom?
The Pirate King's ship, the "Oro Jackson"?
Of course not!
Blueprints for the invincible battleship "Pluton"?
Vastly different!
Tom's true contribution was the [Sea Train] that connected Water 7 with the other surrounding islands!
Whether from a symbolic or practical perspective, the [Sea Train], capable of bridging ocean barriers and connecting islands, is absolutely no less significant than the Ancient Weapon [Pluton]! In fact, it surpasses it!
In Adrian's opinion, the only thing in the Pirates world that can be compared to the [Sea Train] is the [Ark Maxim], which can send people to the moon!
One connects to the ocean, the other spans outer space!
It's a truly groundbreaking and magnificent product!
"I don't think Mr. Tom will die either; his grand vision hasn't even been realized yet..."
A complex voice came from behind the Iceburg, accompanied by a mermaid who had begun a terrifying transformation.
"Miss Kokoro!" Even without turning around, Iceburg could recognize the speaker. "You haven't given up either?"
Kokoro... Miss?
If I remember correctly, this Kokoro should be almost fifty years old this year, right?!
Even the most beautiful Fish-Man girl in her youth can become incredibly unattractive once she passes a certain age!
More importantly, my Kokkoro doesn't look like that at all!
Adrian nearly donned the mask of pain known as NCY...
[Chapter 126. The Tom]
"Giving up? Don't you think it's too early, Iceburg?" Looking at the dejected figure of Mr. Tom's most prized disciple, Kokoro smiled helplessly. "Didn't Mr. Tom tell us this morning before he left? The judge sent by the World Government is very interested in his plan..."
After offering some comfort to Iceburg, Kokoro turned her attention to the stranger who had suddenly appeared in the studio.
Kokoro asked in a friendly manner, "Lord White Ghost, have you come to Tom's Workers to order a ship?"
Adrian wasn't surprised that Kokoro recognized him, given the sensational things he'd done recently; it was almost certain he'd be crowned this year's "Rookie Pirate King of the Year."
Great Pirate approaching 400 million Beli, even in the New World, the latter half of the Grand Line, he would be a renowned and powerful figure!
Any Pirates who makes a name for himself on the Grand Line is a potential customer of shipbuilding companies; this is common knowledge in Water Seven!
"I do have the idea of ordering a ship," Adrian said, "But my main purpose in coming to Water 7 is to consult with the legendary Shipwright, Fish-Man Mr. Tom, about a matter."
Kokoro looked troubled. "But Mr. Tom was taken away for questioning by World Government Agent again today, and we don't know when he'll be back."
Adrian smiled and said, "It's alright, I'm sure Mr. Tom will get through this unscathed."
Kokoro nodded and said, "That's what I was thinking too... Speaking of which, since Lord White Ghost wants to order ships from Tom's Workers, have you prepared the new ship designs and shipbuilding materials in advance?"
Seeing that Kokoro was already discussing business with the guests, the dejected Iceburg pulled off his black headscarf, revealing a head of loose, medium-length blue hair. He wiped his face haphazardly with the headscarf and silently began to tidy up the messy environment.
"I do have some rough design ideas, but I haven't drawn up any detailed ship designs yet," Adrian said. "After all, Mr. Tom is a legendary Shipwright, and I wouldn't dare show off my knowledge in front of him."
"As for shipbuilding materials... does the Water 7 still require ship buyers to provide their own materials?"
"It wasn't used before," Kokoro explained, "But recently, most of the merchant ships carrying materials to Water 7 have been plundered by pirates..."
She then changed the subject, saying, "Of course, if the guests don't have any specific requirements for shipbuilding materials, Tom's Workers can also scavenge some from the Under-Bridge Warehouse..."
Adrian waved his hand and said, "Then forget it, I still want Red-Legged!"
After a moment's thought, he added, "If I were to use the legendary Treasure Tree Adam Wood as the main building material for my new ship, I wonder if your company has the means to do so?"
Treasure Tree Adam is one of the most resilient ancient trees on the entire sea. The former Pirate King's ship, the "Oro Jackson," and the future Pirate King's ship, the "Thousand Sunny," were both made primarily of Treasure Tree Adam.
Kokoro smiled wryly, "The guests really overestimate the capabilities of our Tom Shipbuilding Company, especially during these special times..."
Adrian said he could understand.
Pirates are rampant, and the environment in Water 7 is already bad.
Meanwhile, Tom in charge of the company, is under strict trial by the World Government for colluding with the Pirate King.
To be honest, the fact that Tom's Workers hasn't completely collapsed shows how incredibly resilient they are!
Adrian chatted with Kokoro for a few more minutes about his ideas for the new ship, exchanged Den Den Mushi contact information, and then took his leave.
That afternoon.
Mr. Tom was finally freed from yet another trial by the World Government and returned to the Under-Bridge Warehouse.
Adrian, having received the Den Den Mushi, rushed to Tom's Workers once again.
"Welcome to Tom's Workers! May I ask who our guests are...? Oh? Mr. Tom, is that the White Ghost who came this morning?!"
The person in charge of opening the door was still Iceburg, but the blue-haired young man's demeanor had undergone a complete transformation compared to the morning, giving people a completely different feeling.
Beside the Iceburg stood a young man with light blue spiky hair, wearing an open floral shirt casually draped over his shoulders and only black swim trunks on his lower body.
"Hey! Iceburg! I've never seen this guy before!" The spiky-haired guy nudged Iceburg's arm.
"Are you an idiot, Flam? Didn't you go to the Court of Justice with Mr. Tom this morning?" Iceburg raised his elbow and nudged Flam.
Flam —who later became Franky —slammed his left hand on his right palm, Satori, "Oh! Super, that's right!"
"What are you two little devils shouting about here? Don't you know we have guests?"
A tall, fat, Whitebeard Fish-Man emerged from the inner room. He had brownish-yellow skin and two pointed horns on his forehead. He tapped his two disciples on the head with a hint of displeasure.
At this moment Kokoro also came out, looking somewhat apologetically at Adrian, and said, "Mr. Tom, what you did wasn't quite right either. Who leaves guests waiting outside like that!"
She quickly added, "Excuse me, White Ghost, please come in!"
Adrian entered the house and asked the Tom, "Mr. Tom, seeing how happy you are, it seems the World Government's trial has passed safely?"
Flam smugly rubbed his nose with his thumb and said arrogantly, "Of course! The SUPER stupid World Government has finally done something SUPER right!"
Iceburg quickly grabbed Flam's neck and whispered, "Flam! You little pervert, shut up! Don't disturb Mr. Tom's business!"
At this moment, Mr. Tom finally found an opportunity to say, "Yes, sir, the presiding judge has approved the concept of the [Sea Train] and announced a temporary suspension of the trial, giving me time to design and build the Sea Train!"
Adrian complimented, "That's really good news."
After exchanging pleasantries and discussing the topic of the Sea Train for a few more minutes...
Adrian finally revealed the purpose of his visit to Water 7: "Mr. Tom, besides wanting to order a ship, I have another question I'd like to ask you."
"Speak."
"I'd like to know, as the Shipwright designed the 'Oro Jackson,' do you know where that Pirate King's ship is now?"
Upon hearing this, Tom's expression immediately changed. "White Ghost, why do you want to know the whereabouts of the Oro Jackson?"
The other three people in the living room also looked at Adrian with strange expressions.
It can be said that the root cause of Mr. Tom's constant trials by the World Government is this Pirate King's ship!
At this point, Adrian deliberately brought it up; how could it not touch a nerve?
[Chapter 127. Ship Spirit! Ship Spirit!]
Seeing the sudden change in the four men's expressions, Adrian waved his hand.
"Please rest assured, I meant no harm..."
Simple words could not quell the skeptical gaze.
Adrian continued, "I asked Mr. Crocus about the same thing several months ago when we crossed the Twin Capes of Reverse Mountain. He told me then that the Oro Jackson was currently under the control of the Roger Pirates' vice-captain—Silvaz Rayleigh, the Pluton..."
Tom's expression immediately relaxed. "So, White Ghost knows Crocus?"
Adrian said, "I wouldn't say we know each other; we just chatted briefly and exchanged a few insignificant pieces of information."
Tom glanced at Adrian; though he was older, his heart was not clouded.
Crocus, Roger's companion on his final and greatest adventure, was no ordinary man.
If the "bargaining chips" offered by White Ghost aren't enough, this Pirate King 'Ship Doctor will never reveal any information about the Oro Jackson."