Ever since that man's final words had echoed across the seas, no more orders had come to Water 7's shipyards.
Now, that expanse of green light seemed to carry heat, searing their retinas.
"From today onward,"
Rossi's voice drew everyone's attention back. "Water 7's shipyards will be employed by our Family.
All of you will work with Mr. Tom."
His gaze swept across every face below.
"One year.
I want to see a train that can run on the sea."
Inside the courtroom, the air congealed like iron.
"Ten billion Beli."
The speaker pushed the metal case forward, its lid open to reveal stacks of notes bearing the World ** emblem. "This is only the beginning."
His gaze swept across every face around the round table.
"Water 7, St. Poplar, Spring Queen-these three hubs are nowhere near enough.
I want Carnival Island's lights, Food Island's cooking smoke, and Beast Fighting Island's roars all connected by the same railway."
His fingers tapped lightly against the tabletop, their rhythm as steady as a heartbeat.
"Remember, this is the Family's will."
The instant his words fell, something invisible spread outward from him.
Everyone around the table stiffened at once. Some clutched their chests; others gripped their armrests with whitening knuckles.
There was no sound, no movement. Even their breathing was compressed into thin threads.
Silence was their answer.
The judicial ship's gangway gave a dull echo beneath their feet.
Tom flexed his freed wrists, shackle marks still pressed into his bronze skin.
He looked up at the young man beside him, the sea breeze tousling his graying beard.
"One year..."
The shipwright's voice mingled with the waves, barely audible. "I want to bring something different to this island, to this sea.
But even I can't guarantee that thing can really go from