The City of Water is famous throughout the whole One Piece world.
The chief reason, of course, is its ship‑building industry.
Legend even has it that the Pirate King Gol D. Roger's ship first set sail from here.
More astonishing still—
It is said to be the very place where the ancient weapon Pluton was built.
Naturally, any discussion of that subject is absolutely forbidden.
After an intense battle with Admiral Aokiji, Chiyu and his party headed straight for the City of Water.
Rear Admiral Hina and Nami could both see that since that fight Chiyu-sama had been deep in thought, clearly mulling something over.
Neither dared disturb him and kept their distance in silence.
In their eyes, perhaps it was because …
—for the first time Chiyu-sama had admitted defeat and had to watch, powerless, as the pirate he had sworn to kill was taken away before his very eyes. He must be feeling vexed.
In truth, though…
Chiyu cared nothing about winning or losing.
To him victory and defeat were meaningless.
As for those pirates—their deaths at his hand were merely a matter of time.
What he truly cared about was the stance of the Navy and the World Government.
Right now his name shook the entire world; he was hailed as the "God of Slaughter within the Navy."
Yet the only reason he had joined the Navy was to kill pirates with greater legitimacy—it did not mean he accepted everything the Navy or the World Government stood for.
In fact, he had killed plenty of marines himself: from Captain Nezumi to Captain Morgan and every corrupt, degenerate officer he met on his travels— whenever he saw their ilk he never hesitated to strike them down.
What occupied his mind now was the course the entire Navy was taking.
The Navy, of course, is subordinate to the World Government.
And the World Government is in essence ruled by the Celestial Dragons.
Needless to say, the Celestial Dragons are also on Chiyu's kill list.
So, even as a marine, one day he will inevitably break with the World Government; it is only a question of when.
His fight with Aokiji Kuzan made him see the Navy's inner flaw:
No matter how many pirates he killed, men like Kuzan kept letting new problems arise. Their so‑called mercy—refusing to kill—merely allowed evil to go on living.
And when those villains kill, they show no mercy at all.
Chiyu finally understood one principle:
If you wish to wipe out every pirate,
you must first cleanse the entire Navy.
Lost in thought, he at last arrived at the City of Water.
A dazzling centre of world civilisation, it rose like a vast aerial garden: magnificent buildings, fountains and streams flowing everywhere, turning the whole city into a fairy‑land.
Yet because it is built entirely on water it also faces risk: each year it is struck by a massive high tide called the Aqua Laguna.
The townsfolk, long accustomed to it, have thorough defences and know exactly where to take shelter.
After every Aqua Laguna the receding sea even leaves a tasty layer of salt on every roof— a favourite seasoning of the citizens.
"Wow, what a gorgeous city!" Nami's eyes sparkled.
Rear Admiral Hina nodded. "This is the world‑famous ship‑building city, the City on the Water. Ship‑building here is highly advanced, transport routes criss‑cross everywhere, and there's even a so‑called Sea Train—quite marvelous…
"Hina has always wanted to visit."
Nami asked, "So … there aren't any pirates here?"
Hina smiled. "Enies Lobby—one of the Navy's key bases—is very close, so normally no pirate dares cause trouble…
"Of course a few still come to have ships built or repaired. Water 7 doesn't care who you are: if you have the money and need the work, they'll find a way to serve you."
Nami sighed with relief and laughed. "Perfect! After fighting pirates all this time, it's about time we enjoyed ourselves…
"Don't you think so, Chiyu-sama?"
Chiyu said nothing; Nami took silence for consent.
Once the Uchiha had docked, everyone wandered off to sightsee.
Residents ride strange fish called Bull that skim over the water at high speed and can haul heavy loads—an indispensable tool for all.
The Uchiha needed no major repairs, but after such long voyages basic maintenance was essential.
Chiyu therefore led his entourage to the city's largest shipyard—Galley‑La Company—to negotiate, while Nami and several marines took Bulls to tour the city.
The president of Galley‑La, Iceburg—also the mayor—personally hurried out on hearing Chiyu's name.
"Vice Admiral, welcome to Water 7."
Chiyu nodded impassively, his gaze seeming casually to sweep over several figures behind Iceburg.
One was a tall, voluptuous secretary in fish‑net stockings who pushed up her glasses while examining him from head to toe. She looked every inch an elegant office beauty—
—but Chiyu knew her true identity: a member of CP9, the covert agency of the Navy and World Government.
Elsewhere stood five foremen from Dock No. 1. Chiyu's eyes paused on two of them: a stern man in a sharp suit with a pigeon on his shoulder staring at him askance, and a relaxed fellow in a sports coat with a long, square nose and a Galley‑La cap.
They were the other CP9 agents:
Rob Lucci, the leader, and Kaku.
CP9 is so secret that even most marines never learn their faces. Their duties are entirely separate: eliminating threats to the world more dangerous than pirates, such as the Revolutionary Army.
Their base is Enies Lobby, not far from Water 7.
Their present undercover mission: locate the missing blueprints of Pluton, left by the legendary shipwright Tom, who built Roger's ship and was executed for it. CP9 are certain the plans remain somewhere in Water 7—but exactly where is unknown. Their prime suspect is Iceburg himself.
Hence Lucci, Kalifa and Kaku are all undercover here.
When Chiyu's eyes met theirs, Lucci's face tightened.
No marine outside Government circles should know of CP9, let alone an undercover job of this sensitivity.
Yet Chiyu had unerringly focused on the three of them—surely no coincidence!
Could he have already seen through their identities?
Incredulous though he was, the ever‑cautious Lucci was instantly on guard.
Iceburg, oblivious to the silent probing, smiled: "Shall we take a look at the Vice Admiral's ship?"
Chiyu inclined his head. "Very well."
They reached Dock No. 1. Iceburg took one look and could not help exclaiming:
"What a magnificent Navy vessel! Specially built, no doubt, for the Grand Line—
Huge, exotic materials, seastone mechanisms unique to the Navy and Government, the most advanced paddle‑wheels for crossing the perilous Calm Belt…
Thirty‑six heavy guns—enough to sink any pirate ship…
A terrifying craft indeed."
After a thorough hands‑on inspection he smiled.
"The Uchiha is still in excellent health—only needs proper servicing.
"Though the materials are immensely tough, it seems you've taken her to the skies and back—wear and tear is quite serious…"
Rear Admiral Hina sighed. "To the skies and back indeed…"
Iceburg laughed. "Leave it to us. The five foremen of Dock One are world‑class at building, repairing and maintaining ships.
"You won't find better shipwrights anywhere else…
"All right, Galley‑La! Get to work!"
"Yes, Boss!"
Besides the undercover CP9 duo Lucci and Kaku, the five foremen included the rope‑expert Paulie, the perpetually wild‑haired Peepley Lulu, and the enormous but simple‑minded Tilestone.
Lucci cast Chiyu a meaningful glance, then silently joined the others in servicing the Navy ship.
Meanwhile Nami and several marines rode Bulls around the city, ate delicious fruit ice, and slid for ages down canal "water‑slides."
Suddenly another Bull went out of control and slammed into theirs, sending everyone flying; Nami splashed into the ceaseless waters of the City of Water.
Having eaten the Slip‑Slip Fruit, she was now a Devil Fruit user: the moment she touched the sea she lost all strength and could not even struggle. Fortunately the marines hauled her out and berated the reckless culprit.
Nami saw a pair of twin sisters with odd, box‑shaped hairstyles— quite eye‑catching.
Furious, she snapped, "What's the matter with you? You rammed us, tipped us over, and don't even apologise or try to help?!"
The twins—Kiwi and Mozu—worked at the city's ship‑scrapping yard.
Arms crossed arrogantly, they replied, "Bulls bumping is nothing new."
"You, just a little girl, piloting a Bull alone—that's the real danger."
Nami seethed and was about to explode when a huge, bizarre figure dropped from the sky with a crash.
"Who dares bully my girls?!"
He was tall and burly, with loose blue hair, a nose that looked metal, a flamboyant open shirt—and only underpants below.
At his appearance the onlookers scattered in panic.
"Run!"
"It's that pervert Franky!"
~~~
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