Chapter 107: Rokushiki!

Chapter 107: Rokushiki!

Night fell, dark clouds obscuring the moon. The city, bustling and lively during the day, grew quiet. Myriad lights twinkled from households, but pedestrians on the streets were few.

The impending Aqua Laguna cast a pall of anxiety over the city.

Dock One was brightly lit. The shipwrights had all gone home, leaving the vast shipyard silent and deserted, only the illumination equipment still shining.

Deep within the shipyard, an entrance led to a typical European-style mansion. Several men dressed in black were currently storming out from inside.

This was the headquarters of the Galley-La Company, and also the residence of Water 7's mayor, Iceburg.

Inside a spacious study, Iceburg was looking over stacks of reports on his desk – some concerning Galley-La's recent business deals, others progress reports on the Aqua Laguna evacuation plan.

Behind him, a bounty poster hung on the wall. If the Straw Hat crew were here, they would surely recognize it.

Because the photo on it... was of Nico Robin!

Knock knock knock!

"Mr. Iceburg, it's me. Would you like something to drink?"

Hearing the knock from outside, Iceburg put down the document in his hand and looked up. "Ah, Kalifa. A cup of black tea, please."

Kalifa gently pushed the door open, carrying a tray with a pot of already brewed black tea and a cup. She walked to the desk and placed the tray down.

"It's already brewed for you." Kalifa poured Iceburg a cup of black tea, then stepped back to stand by a nearby window.

"Oho! As expected of you."

Iceburg offered his usual praise. "Truly capable, Kalifa. Having a secretary like you has certainly made things much easier for me."

"You flatter me, Mr. Iceburg."

Kalifa pushed up her glasses. "I just saw Mr. Goci and his men leaving in a huff. Were they here to trouble you again?"

"Nothing major."

Iceburg lifted his teacup, took a few sips, his expression composed. "They were just interested in purchasing one of my collectibles."

"Is that so? I can't help but be curious."

Kalifa turned to look out the window at the several men in black gradually departing below, a puzzled look on her face.

"What kind of collectible could it be, that World Government officials would come looking for it time and time again? There won't be any trouble, will there? After all, you never give them a pleasant reception."

"You can rest assured about that."

Iceburg walked straight to the window, standing beside Kalifa. "At the very least, I am the Mayor of Water 7. No matter what, they wouldn't dare to make a direct move against me."

"Then I'm relieved."

Kalifa walked to the desk and refilled his teacup. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first. Please rest early."

"Mm. I've finished my work."

Iceburg sat back down in his chair. "You should head back and rest early too, Kalifa."

Kalifa picked up the tray and was about to leave. As she opened the office door, she saw a blond man standing at the entrance, hand raised as if about to knock. A little girl stood behind him.

"Well now~ Miss Secretary is here too."

Reiner retracted his hand, glancing past Kalifa into the room. "I'm here to see Iceburg."

"You're one of the Straw Hat crew from earlier today, aren't you?"

Iceburg, seeing the visitor, stood up from his chair and walked around the desk. "It's so late. What business brings you here to see me?"

"Mr. Iceburg, please step back!"

Kalifa raised her hand, loudly stopping Iceburg from advancing further, her gaze fixed intently and hostilely on Reiner.

"Rude pirate! You are forbidden from approaching Mr. Iceburg! What is your purpose here!? And how did you get in!?"

"Me? I walked in."

Reiner pointed towards the empty corridor behind him. "Don't you guys employ any bodyguards?"

"Kalifa, there's no need for that. Pirates are guests too," Iceburg tried to gently lower Kalifa's hand.

However, Kalifa was not being polite at all. "Silence! Is your work finished!? Let me escort him out! You go back and work hard!"

Iceburg: "."

Another day of being bossed around by my secretary.

"Ah! I'm so sorry, Mr. Iceburg!"

Kalifa suddenly looked guilty again, immediately stepping back and bowing. "I was so rude just now! To actually say such things to you!"

"Ahem. It's alright."

Iceburg looked speechless; he was already used to Kalifa's erratic mood swings. At least I didn't get kicked today. "You head back first. I'll chat with our guest."

"Yes, sir."

Kalifa stood up and replied. Before leaving, she shot a cold glance at Reiner. "Rude pirate. Please ensure you maintain a distance of at least three meters from Mr. Iceburg during your conversation."

"Such a strict secretary."

Reiner walked past Kalifa and teased Iceburg, "How is it that you, the boss, are treated like a workhorse?"

"Mah~ Don't mind Kalifa's ways; she's actually very capable."

After Kalifa closed the door and left, Iceburg gestured towards a blue leather sofa nearby. "Please, have a seat. Coming to see me so late, is there something you need?"

"Mm. I'm here to extort you for a ship and money."

Reiner walked to the sofa and sat down, leaning back into the cushions, sinking right in. "This is clearly a leather sofa, how is it so soft? I'll have to buy a set for myself later."

"It's Water 7's specialty, an Aqua Sofa. Quite nice, isn't it?"

Iceburg sat down opposite Reiner, looking puzzled. "Kaku told me about the ship. But the money issue refers to?"

"The money was stolen," Reiner sat up, a cunning smile playing on his lips.

"During the day at the shipyard, a few hoodlums from Franky House swapped out two hundred million Beri of mine. I came looking for ship repairs with money, and it got stolen on your turf. Are you going to handle this or not?"

(The money was 'allowed' to be stolen by Reiner, but whatever. Otherwise, how could it be called extortion?)

"Franky Family, huh."

Iceburg scratched his head, troubled. "Then you really are unlucky. They are notorious local ruffians. I'm afraid it won't be easy to get your money back."

"But... you surely don't expect us to compensate you? That would put me in a rather difficult position."

"Ah, no problem. I killed them all," Reiner stated coolly, his eyes turning cold.

"What did you say!?" Iceburg was instantly alarmed, jumping up from his seat.

"Why are you so agitated? Didn't you say they were notorious ruffians?"

"Ah, no... I'm just somewhat shocked."

Iceburg's hands unconsciously clenched, but he feigned composure. "Then what business do you have with me? And... are you sure you killed them all?"

"Just kidding. Didn't kill them. Just taught them a lesson," Reiner waved his hand dismissively. His opponent's reaction was even stronger than he expected.

"It's like this: their boss, Franky, took our money and ran off to buy Adam Wood timber."

"I wanted to ask if, using that timber, the ship could be repaired even better. After all, it's hailed as the most precious wood."

"So that's how it is."

Iceburg inwardly sighed with relief. "Regarding the ship, I heard about it from Kaku. If Adam Wood timber is used..."

Iceburg mentally sketched out a plan for a moment, then continued, "There is a way, actually, though it's not exactly a good method."

"First, use thin shavings of Balsa wood, apply three layers to the ship's frame, then wrap it with Adam wood. This makes the exterior hard while the interior has sufficient cushioning."

Iceburg stood up, fetched a pot of black tea from his desk, found a new cup, poured some, and continued:

"It's like wearing armor and then padding the inside with sponge. This can greatly extend the ship's lifespan, but it's a clumsy method. Besides saving the ship, it's good for nothing else."

"Balsa wood is not only extremely tough but also very light. Although not as precious as Adam Wood, its price isn't low either. Putting aside the cost, there's absolutely no value for money..."

Reiner listened quietly. If it were merely high cost, it wouldn't be a major issue, but clearly, his opponent had more to say. Iceburg pushed the black tea towards him and explained coolly:

"More importantly, the keel must be a single, complete piece of wood; it cannot be spliced or extended. Wrapping it this way will cause the ship's main structure to become very bloated, and the cabin space will be significantly compressed."

"Although your crew is small, the ship itself isn't large either. If you do this, even if the ship is repaired, the space on board will be considerably reduced, which in turn means sacrificing many of the ship's functions."

"Although it can greatly extend the ship's lifespan, this act of repairing for the sake of repairing... forgive my bluntness, but as a self-proclaimed first-class shipwright, I would not create such a backward design."

Iceburg finished speaking. His words were easy to understand. Reiner also felt it deeply; the Going Merry was indeed very small.

Currently, it could only guarantee their most basic daily activities. If they were to recruit new crew members in the future, even the dormitories would become extremely cramped.

And Luffy, not to mention, was hyperactive from morning till night.

"I understand what you mean."

Reiner picked up the black tea and took a sip. A clumsy method is still a method. I'll discuss it with my companions first. Ultimately, Luffy still needs to make the final decision on this matter.

"It's truly regrettable. But at least there's one more option."

Reiner put down his teacup and stood up. "Anyway, thank you for now. The tea was very good."

Just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly glimpsed a bounty poster hanging on the wall behind Iceburg's desk.

"Why do you have this hanging here?" Reiner walked up, staring at the bounty poster, and spoke coolly. On it, unmistakably, was Robin's photo.

"Do you know her?" Iceburg stood up, arms crossed, looking at Robin on the bounty poster, an unintentional hint of killing intent leaking from his eyes.

A long time ago, the Ancient Weapon Pluton – a giant warship – was built right here.

Fearing that such a powerful weapon might one day fall out of control, the shipwrights of Water 7 had passed down Pluton's blueprints for generations, precisely so that if that day came, they would have a means to counter it.

And in this generation, the blueprints were secretly entrusted to him by Tom. This was also why World Government officials constantly came to probe him.

Iceburg had thought many times of completely destroying the blueprints. But then there was Nico Robin!

The only person left in this world who could potentially reawaken the Ancient Weapon was still alive!

If he could kill her... then destroy the blueprints... the world would no longer have to worry about falling into disaster because of the Ancient Weapon!

"Your killing intent is quite unconcealable."

Seeing Iceburg's somber expression, Reiner couldn't help but speak. "What? You want to kill her very much?"

"What about it?"

Iceburg showed no reservation, merely replying perfunctorily, "This matter has nothing to do with you."

Reiner: "."

I can't just pretend I didn't hear that.

"Actually... that might not be true."

Reiner directly took down the bounty poster, spread it out, and pointed at the photo on it.

"Nico Robin... is a member of our pirate crew. If you kill her, it will make things very difficult for me."

The room suddenly fell silent. Iceburg stared at Reiner in utter astonishment. The atmosphere became somewhat awkward, until—

"No need to make things difficult for yourself. Soon, we will no longer be companions." A cold female voice sounded from the doorway.

—Creak!

The main door was pushed open from the outside. Robin and a tall, cloaked figure wearing a bear's head mask walked in.

"Robin?"

"Nico Robin!"

Both men in the room fixed their gazes on Robin, clad in black leather.

Iceburg rushed directly behind his desk, quickly opened a drawer, and pulled out a flintlock pistol.

"What are you doing here!?"

Iceburg's gaze was firm, the muzzle of his gun pointed straight at Robin as he roared, "Nico Robin! Tell me! What are you doing here!?"

"Hey, hey, hey."

Reiner directly reached out and pressed down Iceburg's pistol, saying discontentedly, "If you point a gun at my nakama again, I'll bury you alive first later."

"I told you, I am no longer your nakama," Robin's expression was cold.

"I am grateful for everyone's care during my time on the ship. But starting today, I have no further connection with you all. And you should not come looking for me again."

"Stop with the insincere words."

Reiner knew Robin had made contact with CP9 people. His gaze shifted to the person beside her wearing the brown bear head mask. "This big oaf threatened you, didn't he? What about the others? Do they know you left?"

"They are all on the ship."

Robin's voice remained calm. Seeing Reiner glaring hostilely at Blueno, she immediately added,

"Don't fight them, Reiner. I haven't had a chance to say goodbye to everyone yet. Since you're here, you can tell them after you go back."

"What on earth are you all talking about!?"

Iceburg was completely confused by the scene before him. He had just discovered Nico Robin was a member of the Straw Hat crew, and then she immediately appeared, along with this strangely dressed man.

Iceburg shifted his gun towards the bear-masked man. "And who are you!? What is your purpose here!?"

"Two more people who shouldn't be here."

Blueno, from under his mask, glanced at Reiner and Frieren behind the sofa, then turned and spoke to Robin in a low voice:

"Although I promised not to attack them, if they obstruct our plan, don't blame us for being too rough."

As he spoke, Blueno's expression hardened, and he walked directly towards Iceburg!

"Do as you please," Robin said coolly. She had agreed to their conditions because she feared the Buster Call, Aokiji, and the Marine Hero Garp.

As for CP9 members trying to attack Reiner... they're just asking for trouble.

Thinking this, Robin couldn't help but glance at Frieren.

She knew Reiner's abilities; in Skypiea, he had even acquired Enel's power to control lightning. Although she didn't know the full details of CP9, she knew Reiner's strength was ridiculously overwhelming.

Bang—!

The moment the man in the brown bear mask drew his gun, Iceburg also decisively pulled the trigger!

Muzzle flash erupted, a black bullet shooting out. However, the opponent stood rooted to the spot, motionless.

"Tekkai!" (Iron Mass!)

Ding!

The bullet struck his body as if hitting steel, actually ricocheting off and spattering against the wall.

"How is that possible!?" Iceburg, astonished, stumbled backward fearfully, pressing against the wall.

"Soru!" (Shave!)

Swish!

Blueno's figure instantly vanished. When he reappeared, he was already before Iceburg, raising his hand and extending his index finger.

"Shigan!" (Finger Pistol!)

(End of this chapter)

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