Shipbuilding Island is one of the few world-renowned Shipbuilding Island in the New World. Almost all of its residents have some skill in shipbuilding, and at the heart of the island is the Newport Family, a shipbuilding family that is also famous throughout the New World.
"Hey, Monbuma, is it reliable to entrust Isel to the people here for maintenance?" As they walked towards the center of the island, George couldn't help but provoke Monbuma again, asking the question.
"You can rest assured. The Newport Family here has a deep relationship with the guild we founded. Entrusting the Isel to them is the safest option..." Monbuma led the way, and upon hearing George's provocative words, he spoke calmly without turning around.
"Friendship?! What friendship can compare to the allure of our immense fame and the hefty bounty?! Aren't you afraid they'll secretly inform the Navy to ambush us here?" George scoffed upon hearing this.
Their concern for him was not unfounded. Indeed, more than a year ago, after news of their group challenging the Four Emperors Big Mom and attacking Totto Land spread, Luo Chen was directly removed from the Shichibukai under the secret intervention and manipulation of the Celestial Dragons. Afterwards, the World Government instructed the Navy to set a high bounty for them to attract the attention of other pirates or hunters, hoping to use them to eliminate the group.
Although they ultimately failed, it is a fact that their bounties have increased dramatically. For example, Luo Chen's bounty alone reached 500 million, and together with the others, the total exceeded one billion. No one could resist the temptation of such high bounties.
"Don't worry, our relationship is better than you can imagine. As for who's targeting us, I don't believe it's him!" Monbuma had great confidence in the Newport Family's reputation and connections.
Six months prior, not long after the Shura Guild was founded, he personally accepted a job from the Underworld: the kidnapping of the Newport Family heir, who was being threatened into building an unimaginable behemoth. The family had requested permission to rescue their heir.
He personally killed the kidnappers and rescued their heir Newport Trian. His family was very grateful and promised to provide them with free, permanent repairs and maintenance of their ships, handled by professional craftsmen.
This gave him great confidence, and he believed that they wouldn't go against them for such a small benefit.
"Heh, I hope it's really as you say!" George remained noncommittal about his words.
Finally, after walking for some time, the group arrived at the Newport Family's shipbuilding and repair factory.
"We've arrived, gentlemen. This is the renowned shipyard of the New World... Newport Shipyard. Follow me, I'll take you to meet the heir of the Newport Family, and my acquaintance, Trian!"
"Well, let's go. Let me see what kind of person this Trian you're so close to is. I hope he won't disappoint me!" George said, giving Monbuma a meaningful look.
"I've already said that we have a very deep friendship. They must already know we're here, and they'll be here to greet us soon. Just wait here..." Monbuma, still not understanding the meaning behind the other party's words, patted her chest and assured everyone.
Meanwhile, Phil, Singh, Luo Chen, and George, who knew the truth, remained silent and did not reveal the matter. Clearly, apart from Luo Chen, who had mastered all Three Types of Haki beforehand, they all...
After more than a year of training, they had all mastered both types of Haki. Even George had learned it. Only Monbuma was too old and his physical condition couldn't keep up. He and the other two women, including Lulith, were also not in good Haki and didn't know the specifics of the situation. They thought that the other party would really come to receive them as Monbuma had said.
According to the four people's Observation Haki, a large group of people with strong auras and orderly breathing walked out together with what should be the Trian mentioned by Monbuma. The fact that such a large and aggressive group of people came was obviously not to receive the guests as he claimed. Most likely, they came for the high bounty.
Meanwhile, just as Luo Chen and his group stepped onto the island, detected by surveillance cameras, in a room of the Newport Family mansion in the center of the island, a middle-aged man looked at them with some hesitation. After a while, he finally made up his mind, stubbed out his cigarette, dialed an unknown Den Den Mushi on the table, and said to the person on the other end, "I've made up my mind. They've also landed on the island and are coming here. Send someone over as soon as possible. Don't blame me if they escape!!"
"Hehe, it's good that you've made up your mind. Don't worry, we'll lay a trap here and wait for them to come. You don't need to worry about anything else. Your task is just to lure them into the hall, and we'll handle the rest!" The Den Den Mushi suddenly transformed into a man with a somewhat sinister face and an extremely cold tone, instructing him.
"I see!!"
Click...
Wow...
The man seemed to have made a difficult decision. After finishing the call, he slumped into his chair. Seeing this, the butler standing before him cautiously probed, "Master, are you really sure you want to do this?"
The middle-aged man looked up at him upon hearing his words and replied, "What else can we do?! If we don't do as they say, our family will be finished. This is the best way to save the Newport Family. Although it feels a bit unfair to them, it's for the sake of the family's interests..."
"But what about the young master...?"
"Ha, you think I'm unprepared? After this, Trian will be on their ship, and I'll take the opportunity to announce his removal from the family's list. This way, I can both protect the Newport Family and maintain our ties with them!"
"But are you really sure they'll proceed as planned?" The butler was still somewhat uneasy. He had prepared for those people for a long time, and how could a flawless trap be easily escaped? Moreover, his master had decided to bet on those pirates, placing his bets on them and sending his young master to join them.
"Hahaha, Trian is a shipwright of unprecedented genius in the Newport family for hundreds of years. With him volunteering to join, how could they possibly refuse?"
As for the situation you're worried about, Lawrence, I understand it better than you do. Don't underestimate this group of pirates. They managed to escape unscathed from the Four Emperors and even founded the Shura Guild, a major force in the Underworld. How could such people be easily outmaneuvered? Just wait and see the show!!" The middle-aged man was Kurd, the father of the genius shipbuilder Trian he mentioned, and the then-head of the Newport Family.
And so, before Luo Chen and his group set foot on Shipbuilding Island to retrieve Isel, a Heaven Shaker plan began to unfold around them, and the group unknowingly stepped into a trap prepared for them by someone in the shadows.
Turning back, they saw that they hadn't waited long when, with a click, a handsome young man in his early twenties with blond hair came out with a dozen guards. Upon seeing Monbuma and his group, he greeted them warmly with a smile.
"You've arrived, Monbuma. It's been a long time! Have you come here to catch up with me?" Trian greeted Monbuma warmly.
Then he turned to Luo Chen and the others, extending his hand to introduce them, "Are these your friends? Hello, my name is Trian, the future heir of Newport. Welcome here!"
Seeing the other party's enthusiasm, and seeing no sign of any ambush or hostility, Luo Chen didn't retaliate. Instead, he extended his hand to shake the other's, saying warmly and politely, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Luo Chen, a companion of Monbuma, and also the captain. We've come with them to retrieve the Isel!"
Luo Chen didn't hide anything from him, and even explained the purpose of his visit.