Chapter 111: Leaving Water 7
Chapter 111: Leaving Water 7
The next afternoon, the weather was cool and overcast. The sea breeze carried a chilling coldness. Large swathes of clouds obscured the sun, making it difficult for light to penetrate.
The sea waves grew more turbulent, heralding the brewing of a storm.
After negotiating with Iceburg, the Going Merry was passing through Water 7's main port into the back streets, then transported via the Water Gate Elevator to the upper shipbuilding island.
It was then towed along the main waterway by Dock One's massive facilities and settled in the dock.
Today, all construction at Dock One had ceased, and it was fully open to the public. The grounds inside and out were teeming with residents from the back streets seeking refuge, clearly already overcrowded.
And the figure most revered by the common people of this island, Mayor and Galley-La Company President Iceburg, currently stood on the deck of the Going Merry with the Straw Hat crew.
"It's truly unbelievable."
Iceburg smoothed back his meticulously styled purple hair. "That you actually sailed such a dilapidated ship all the way from the East Blue, crossing Reverse Mountain to get here. It seems your navigator is very skilled."
"What are you saying, bastard!?"
Usopp strode forward, pointing at Iceburg's nose. "How dare you call the Going Merry a dilapidated ship! And you call yourself a shipwright! So unprofessional!"
"Don't get so worked up, Long Nose."
Iceburg fanned himself with one hand, unconcerned. "I respect any ship that has been built. From many details, I can also see that the person who designed this ship put a lot of heart into it."
"But the objective fact is, whether it's the materials used or the craftsmanship, this ship is very ordinary."
"So what!? Even if it can't compare to what your shipyard produces, the Going Merry is still our favorite ship!" Usopp retorted righteously.
"Ai~~ So stubborn."
Iceburg sighed. "Reminds me inexplicably of a certain idiot. Forget it. Anyway, just leave your ship placed here; Aqua Laguna won't affect this area."
"Heeheehee! Thank you so much, Mister!"
Luffy grinned widely. "And please take care of the repairs and modifications! Can you also design a bronze statue for me?"
"Please, absolutely ignore him."
Nami raised her hand to stop Luffy, then turned and said, "More importantly, please decorate the Going Merry nicely."
"And! And! Add more cannons!" Usopp immediately suggested.
"The kitchen needs to be expanded a bit too."
"An infirmary! Can we have an infirmary!?"
"Don't rush, don't rush. One at a time."
Iceburg crossed his arms, a smile appearing as he hadn't experienced the joy of personally taking on a ship design project in a long time.
"Rest assured, the ship will be expanded somewhat. You'll get everything you mentioned... except the bronze statue."
"That's great!"
The group returned to their usual cheerful atmosphere.
"Speaking of which, why are there so many people seeking refuge here?"
Reiner looked down at the crowded area below, where hundreds, even thousands, of small tents had already been set up. "When we came up earlier, the other docks didn't seem this crowded."
"Because the five foremen of Dock One are idols to everyone in Water 7."
Paulie, with his slicked-back blond hair, jumped up from below. "For example, this great me! It was you guys who saved Mr. Iceburg last night..."
Paulie turned his head to look at them, then suddenly caught sight of Nami in the crowd wearing a short skirt. He instantly grimaced, pointed at her, and yelled,
"You! You! You shameless woman! How can you wear an outfit that exposes your legs like that!"
Nami: "."
"None of your business. It's not like I'm wearing it for you to see," Nami rolled her eyes at him and sidled closer to Reiner.
"Alright, Paulie. Doesn't your fiancée dress like that too?"
Iceburg placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to placate him. "If you can't stand it, just don't look. How are the arrangements for the residents' refuge coming along?"
"Honestly! Two-thirds of the people have already completed their evacuation."
Paulie gritted his teeth. "Shouldn't Kalifa be doing this kind of thing? And that pigeon-keeping bastard and the long-nosed bastard! To disappear at a time like this!"
"Hey! Who are you calling long-nosed!?" Usopp yelled, looking displeased.
Iceburg looked at Paulie with a troubled expression. Reiner had told him about CP9's identities last night, but he hadn't yet informed Paulie.
After all, they had lived together for five years; Iceburg really couldn't bear to deal him such a blow.
"Speaking of which, there's one more thing."
Reiner's gaze fell on Iceburg. "Regarding the train to Enies Lobby... let's talk inside."
The matter of the Buster Call... Robin had mentioned it last night when the three of them were in the study. Iceburg roughly knew what Reiner was referring to. He jumped off the ship and headed towards the mansion deeper within the dock.
"I understand. Follow me."
Meanwhile, on the northeast coast of the Back Streets, in a warehouse beneath a large bridge near the scrap shipyard – this was once the base of Tom's Workers.
After Tom's death, the workshop disbanded, and the warehouse under the bridge fell into disuse. Until four years ago, when Franky, who had been missing for four years, returned as a cyborg and reopened this place as his secret base.
At this moment, on a dilapidated sofa in the dim warehouse, sat a man in a black suit and fedora, his face cold and stern.
"Franky has returned. He's heading towards the dismantling yard."
Lucci hung up the Den Den Mushi in his hand, simultaneously picking up two bounty posters from the table, his eyes cold, his face filled with dissatisfaction.
"Blue Ogre, Red Ogre... only 120 million each? What on earth is HQ doing with their intel?"
Beside him, Blueno, completely wrapped in bandages, gritted his teeth even harder.
"Although we're all part of the World Government, the various agencies have long been like a heap of loose sand. Not to mention that unreliable commander, Spandam."
"It's not good to speak of your superior like that."
Kalifa gently adjusted her glasses with a抬手 (lifted hand). "No matter how idiotic he is, he is still our commander, after all."
"One can hardly hear any respect in your words, Kalifa," Kaku stated coolly. Even though he had changed out of his shipwright's attire, he still wore a duckbill cap.
As agents trained by the World Government since childhood, they would unconditionally execute orders from above. But that didn't stop them from privately disdaining their direct superior in various ways.
Cursing the boss while following orders – a perfect portrayal of a workhorse.
Late last night, relying on Blueno's Door-Door Fruit, they had once again infiltrated Iceburg's mansion. However, the moment they appeared, the Blue and Red Ogres were upon them.
After exchanging several blows, all of them suffered losses. Knowing it was now impossible to get what they wanted from Iceburg, they shifted their target to Franky.
"We'll have to give up on Iceburg's side. However..."
Lucci stood up, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Given his level of caution, I highly suspect he has already passed the Pluton blueprints to someone else."
"Go to the dismantling yard, capture Franky, and interrogate him. Even if we don't get any results, bring him back with us. I refuse to believe Iceburg will remain indifferent then."
"Is this the way CP9 operates?"
Robin said sarcastically, "Condemning someone based solely on speculation? Truly worthy of agents trained by the World Government."
"Sarcasm won't change the facts, Nico Robin."
Lucci's tone was icy. "You should be well aware of the kind of 'judgment' you'll receive at Enies Lobby."
"Heheh. How ridiculous."
Robin scoffed. "It's merely going through the motions in an empty courtroom. Don't use such a noble word as 'judgment'."
Enies Lobby, supposedly a court of law, was in reality just a place for the World Government to grandiosely condemn people. In the eight hundred years since the World Government's establishment, there had never been a verdict of 'not guilty'.
"This is your own choice. Just resign yourself to fate."
Leaving behind these cold words, Lucci and the other CP9 members walked out of the warehouse under the bridge.
Robin followed with a dejected expression, worrisome thoughts uncontrollably surging within her. She was naturally already mentally prepared; her only concern now was for her companions on the ship.
The gray sky grew increasingly gloomy. Gusts of chillingly cold wind continuously battered the city on the sea.
The nearby waters had become turbulent, blue waves crashing wildly against the coast. At the edge of the now-empty Back Streets, the water level had already risen high enough to submerge one's calves.
Large numbers of residents, carrying big and small bags, leading their families, gathered around the giant Water Gate Elevators.
"Everyone, please queue in an orderly manner! Do not crowd!"
Above a platform beside one of the Water Gate Elevators, a beautiful blonde administrator held a megaphone, directing the crowd below.
"Dock One is already full! After going up, please head to the left and proceed to Docks Seven and Six for refuge!"
A fine, silvery rain began to fall from the sky. Whipped by the fierce wind, it splattered against people's faces, making the already crowded populace even more restless and uneasy.
Compared to the Back Streets, where residents had to relocate for refuge every year, those in the upper Central Street appeared calm and orderly. Some even sat directly on their upstairs balconies, leisurely drinking tea and watching the crowd from below coming up to seek shelter.
And at this moment, in Iceburg's study within the mansion deep in Dock One, the wall that had a hole blasted in it last night had already been restored to its original state by highly skilled craftsmen.
"Aha! We meet again, big sisters and big brothers!" Chimney, hugging her blue-furred rabbit, ran out from behind Granny Kokoro.
"Oho! It's Chimney!"
Nami walked up, ruffled her golden hair, then looked towards Granny Kokoro, who was lying on the sofa, already starting to booze before evening. Nami's anger instantly flared!
"What the heck was that map you gave us!?"
Nami pointed at her nose and yelled, "And that letter of introduction! The moment they heard you introduced us, they immediately raised the price! You vicious old woman! Were you trying to scam our money!?"
"Ahahahaha!"
Granny Kokoro shook her head, laughing heartily. "So that's how it is! That Iceburg kid is truly heartless!"
"Don't act like it has nothing to do with you, damn it!!" Nami grimaced.
"Alright, old woman."
Iceburg sat down directly beside Kokoro. "That matter I spoke to you about this morning... using that vehicle to take them to Enies Lobby... Are you even sober enough to drive like this?"
"Oh oh! Right! There's that too!"
Granny Kokoro, looking thoroughly drunk, swayed as she stood up. "Of course, no problem! Don't underestimate this old lady..."
Thump!
Before she could finish her sentence, Granny Kokoro pitched forward and fell flat on her face, legs in the air!
"Isn't this a huge problem!!?"
Nami's eyeballs nearly popped out. "Who would dare ride with you driving like that!?"
Then, clutching her forehead and gritting her teeth, she said, "Honestly! Is it really that hard to find a normal person in this world!? We might as well just fly over on Reiner's hawk!"
"Regrettably, the hawk doesn't have enough strength."
Reiner sat down on the sofa opposite Granny Kokoro, glancing at the glass windows rattling from the wind.
"The weather is too bad right now. With such strong winds, it can't carry so many people out of this sea region."
"Hahahaha! Leave it to me!"
Granny Kokoro pushed herself up using the table, shook her head, and grinned.
"If there's anything that can traverse the sea during Aqua Laguna's tsunami, it has to be the Sea Train."
"However, that particular one was a toy discarded twelve years ago when the Sea Train was first built."
"A toy?" Question marks appeared above everyone's heads.
"Mah~ You'll see in a bit."
Iceburg put down his cup and stood up. "It's been sitting for twelve years, after all. It definitely won't start without some tinkering. And the fuel needs to be replenished too."
"You all sit and have some tea first. I'll go sort things out. You can take them over later, old woman."
"Got it, brat."
Granny Kokoro tilted her head back and took a swig of liquor. "Little brats sure talk tough when they grow up."
Northeast coast of Water 7, Franky House. A tall man with blue hair, wearing only underpants, sat leaning against a wall.
"Blueno! And those bastard shipwrights from Galley-La!"
Franky, battered and bruised, looked gravely at the few familiar figures before him. "What exactly do you mean by this!? My boys were beaten up like this... was that your doing too!?"
Yesterday, he had taken the money to trade for the long-dreamed-of Adam Wood timber. He had just returned from St. Poplar this afternoon, only to find his subordinates one by one buried in sand.
Before he could even ask, these men in black suddenly attacked him. Aside from Blueno, who ran the bar and whom he was relatively familiar with from frequently going there to restock on cola...
The others he had only met a few times. Franky knew they were Galley-La people, but...
"Answer my question, damn it! Stop acting so cool!" Franky struggled to his feet, roaring.
"Regrettably, your subordinates were not injured by us."
Kaku spoke coldly. "We came here with only one target: you, Franky."
"Heheh!"
Franky smirked mockingly. "What would shipyard people want with a hoodlum like me? Surely you haven't been captivated by my charm?"
"Stop playing word games, Franky."
Lucci, hands in his pockets, his face grim. "Tom, who died eight years ago, had two apprentices. One of them was smashed to pieces shortly after, trying to stop the Sea Train."
"Everyone thought you were dead! But!"
"Four years ago, you reappeared at Galley-La, completely changed. Although it was just a brief encounter, I still remembered you."
"Well, you certainly have an impressive memory then. Still say you weren't captivated by me?"
Franky vaguely guessed why these few shipwrights were dredging up such old history.
Although the events back then had indeed caused a huge stir, if there was anyone who would bring it up again... besides World Government officials, he couldn't think of anyone else.
The ominous premonition in his heart grew stronger, but his face showed no change, still grinning cheekily.
"So what? Your Galley-La Company isn't some secret organization. Or perhaps... you have a rule against entering in underpants?"
"No need to probe further, Franky."
Kalifa drew a thorny whip. "We are CP9, an intelligence agency directly under the World Government. Just cooperate with our work."
"Yo! Isn't this Iceburg's beautiful secretary?"
Franky lifted his modified arm, opening it to reveal the gun muzzle within. "Looking very sexy today. How would you like me to 'cooperate' with you?"
"Geppo!" (Moon Step!)
Kalifa burst forward rapidly, her figure vanishing from before his gun muzzle in the blink of an eye, then lashing out fiercely with her thorn whip from above.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Franky quickly raised his hand, bullets pouring out, but her ghostly figure flitted through the air, making it difficult to aim.
"Flying through the air!?"
"Soru!" (Shave!)
The next moment, Blueno arrived before him in an instant.
Franky subconsciously threw an iron fist, smashing it into his opponent's chest, only to hear a dull thud as if hitting steel.
"These guys' techniques... what the hell is going on!?"
Franky gritted his teeth, reaching out to grab his opponent's neck. But the thorny whip from above lashed out, continuously coiling around his body.
As Kalifa pulled hard, the whip instantly tightened. The thorns scraped across the front of his body, creating sparks, while his back was pierced deeply, blood continuously seeping out.
"Ahhh!! That hurts, damn it!"
Bang!
Franky, bound, crashed to the ground. The more he struggled, the deeper the thorns dug in. Gritting his teeth, he glared fiercely at Lucci and Kaku slowly walking up.
"So you're the World Government's lapdogs! What do you want with a hoodlum like me!? My ship-dismantling business isn't illegal, is it!?"
"It's come to this. What's the point of playing dumb or innocent anymore?"
Lucci looked down coldly at Franky on the ground. "I don't expect you to talk. Just listen quietly to what I have to say. Take his pulse."
Kaku nodded, stepped forward, crouched down, and placed his hand on Franky's pulse, then looked up at Lucci puzzledly.
"Hahaha! This is killing me!"
Franky suddenly burst out laughing. "I've heard of this technique! Regrettably, it's useless against me! Because I've long been SU——PER modified, made entirely of steel..."
BANG!!
"Oof!" Before Franky could finish, he was kicked viciously in the face, his skin and flesh caving in.
Lucci's expression grew even grimmer. He gritted his teeth, looking at Franky, now with a broken and bleeding head. "Bastard tin can!"
This long-term mission had kept him undercover on this island for five whole years!
And then the Straw Hat Pirates arrived, and everything fell into chaos!
He couldn't make a move on Iceburg and even suffered a loss!
And this tin can... just opening his mouth made him want to kill someone!
Lucci leaned down, grabbed Franky's hair, and as if venting his anger, smashed his fist into Franky's face again and again.
Blood splattered!
Lucci's extremely rare display of anger made Blueno and Kalifa somewhat apprehensive.
"Calm down, Lucci!"
Kaku barked, grabbing his hand. "Our mission isn't to bring back a dead body."
Lucci stopped his hand, calmness returning to his eyes. He released the bruised and swollen Franky and asked, "How much longer until the train?"
"One hour."
Kaku looked up at the gradually darkening sky. "The rendezvous team will arrive on the Puffing Tom. As soon as the Sea Train arrives, we depart."
"Cuff him and take him back," Lucci said, turning to leave without looking back.
The sun gradually set, peeking out from behind the thick clouds to cast its final rays upon the City of Water.
Golden light danced on the water's surface. On the streets, pedestrians holding umbrellas hurried along, their shadows elongated by the dim yellow light, cast obliquely onto the walls.
At this moment, the evacuation operation was nearing its end. The seven great docks were crammed with residents from the Back Streets. Dock One, in particular, was a sea of people, incredibly crowded.
When room in the warehouses ran out, people simply set up large tents directly in the open spaces.
"The wind's getting stronger!"
"Quickly! Secure the tents properly!"
The refugees bustled about. Local shipwrights also pitched in, carrying hammers and dragging ropes.
Inside the mansion, in Iceburg's spacious study, Reiner stood by the window, hands in his pockets, gazing out at the distant sea through the last rays of the setting sun.
He saw a long, thin, snake-like black shadow riding the waves, rapidly approaching Water 7.
"The Sea Train is here."
Reiner spoke coolly without turning. "If they want to leave before the tsunami hits, they should depart directly without stopping."
The crew came to the window, looking towards the train smoking in the distance.
"Sorry, little Robin. Please wait a little longer for us."
"As soon as they make a move to leave, Granny Kokoro will take us on the other train."
"Luffy! Chopper! Look at me!"
Nearby, Usopp, wearing a red cape and a yellow mask, showed off to Luffy, deliberately lowering his voice:
"I was born on Sniper Island! I'm the one who hits a hundred out of a hundred shots! Aiming at a rat's eye while simultaneously aiming at your heart!"
"A true man from Sniper Island! It is I, Sniper King!!"
"Oooh-wah-wah!!"
Luffy and Chopper's eyes sparkled, mouths agape with excitement!
"Where is Sniper Island!?"
"Can you take us there!? Sniper King!"
"Hmph hmph hmph~"
Usopp took off his mask and yelled boastfully, "Well? Well!? Wasn't that cool!?"
"So cool!"
Chopper even had a slight blush on his face. "Sooo cool, Usopp!!"
"I think you all have 'that big sickness'!!" Nami yelled, raising her fist.
"We're going to Enies Lobby, you know! The central institution of the World Government! And they have Buster Call support! Get serious, all of you, damn it!"
Nami's words, meant to be a reminder, actually had the opposite effect. The mention of the dangers of this trip immediately deflated Usopp.
"Oh no! I've contracted the disease where, as soon as I board the Sea Train, I'll—"
Duang!
"Shut up! Get ready to depart!" Nami punched him flat with one blow.
"Ah!!"
Chopper's face turned ashen with fright, continuously shaking the collapsed Usopp. "Sniper King! Are you okay!? Doctor! Doctor, quick!"
Between Docks Two and Three lay Water 7's Sea Train station, named [Blue Station].
Not long after the Puffing Tom returned to Blue Station, Lucci and the others boarded the train with Robin and Franky.
Excluding the locomotive, there were a total of seven carriages.
The first two were empty; the other five were currently filled with Marines in uniform and agents in black suits.
One short agent stepped out, walked up to Lucci, extended his hand, and smiled:
"My name is Goci. I'm in charge of meeting you and escorting the prisoner this time."
However, he received no response. Lucci walked straight past him towards carriage number one.
"Sorry for the trouble."
It was Kaku who stayed behind, bowing his head, his long nose pointing towards Goci. "We'll be in carriages one and two. Just do your job. Don't come bother us unless it's necessary."
"Okay, okay. We understand," Goci smiled awkwardly and nodded in agreement.
Woo— Woo— Woo!
With everyone boarded, black smoke billowed continuously from the Puffing Tom's chimney. Steam power set the wheels rolling.
The Sea Train gradually accelerated, speeding away along the tracks.
And not long after they left...
In an abandoned warehouse in the Back Streets, a few torches barely illuminated the brick walls of the room.
"This is what we're riding!"
Granny Kokoro stood before a crudely built locomotive, shaped like a shark's head with pointed teeth painted on.
"Vacant for twelve years, cannot be used for passenger service—the Runaway Sea Train, Rocketman!"
(End of this chapter)
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