"Wow! It's so lively here!"
The four of them rode along the waterways of Water 7 on their Yagara Bulls, surrounded by bustling crowds and countless other small boats drifting across the canal.
"We need to go through the Water Gate Elevator to reach the Shipyard Island," Nami said, holding up the map she had taken from the thugs earlier. She looked up, smiling, and pointed toward a towering structure ahead. "That's the Water Gate Elevator. We'll take that up!"
"The way these people dress is strange," Usopp muttered, wide-eyed as he stared at passersby adorned in elaborate and colorful masks.
Shirogai smiled lightly, observing the crowds around them. "It's the Mask Carnival. During this time, everyone in Water 7 wears masks to celebrate. If you're interested, you can head over there and pick one out for yourself."
Usopp's eyes gleamed. "A Mask Carnival? That sounds awesome! Once we find a shipwright to fix the Going Merry, I'll make a God Usopp mask!"
"Me too! Me too!" Luffy cheered, bouncing excitedly on his Yagara Bull.
"Luffy, stop shaking so much," Nami warned sharply, her eyes darting to the large bag of gold behind him. "If that falls in the water, I'll toss you in after it."
"Mm! Don't worry!"
"With you saying that," Nami sighed, "I have to worry."
The massive gate of the Water Gate Elevator rumbled open, and the line of Yagara Bulls began to move forward.
"This elevator will take you up to the Shipyard and the main street of Water 7," said the cheerful attendant at the entrance.
"Let's go!" Nami waved like a big sister leading the group. "We're heading up!"
"Mm!" the others replied in unison.
They guided their Yagara Bulls into the vast lift as the heavy stone gates sealed shut. The water level began to rise, carrying them upward through the massive canal system.
"How amazing!" Usopp exclaimed. "It looks simple, but the engineering behind this must be so complicated!"
"Hehe," Luffy chuckled, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Water 7 is awesome!"
"The best part is still ahead," Shirogai murmured softly with a knowing smile.
---
At Galley-La Company's Dock One
"Hmph! Your ship repair is decent, but your prices are too high!"
The pirate captain, wearing a ridiculous oversized helmet, sneered at the group of shipwrights before him. "So, thank you for repairing our ship… for free."
"Hey, move it. You're blocking the path," said a voice from behind him.
The pirate turned to see a shipwright with an unamused expression, puffing calmly on a cigar. "Free? Don't be stupid."
"Who are you calling stupid, brat!" the pirate snapped, unsheathing his saber. "Do you know who I am?"
"I know," replied Barry, one of the five foremen of Dock One, adjusting his orange goggles. His tone was cool, almost mocking. "You're an idiot who doesn't pay his bills."
"Bastard! I'm a great pirate with a Marine bounty of 36 million Berries!" roared the man. "Remember this name — Captain Crescent of the Big Helmet Pirates! You'll regret—"
Before he could finish, Barry's rope mechanism shot out, coiling tightly around the pirate's weapon arm.
All around, the other shipwrights set down their tools, their expressions hardening as they slowly surrounded the pirate crew.
"Huh?" Crescent grunted, trying to swing his sword, but it wouldn't budge — it was completely restrained.
"Captain Crescent," a calm voice said behind him.
He turned, scowling — and froze.
"Don't you think it's a bad idea to cause trouble in someone else's territory?" the newcomer asked pleasantly, a faint smile on his lips. "If shipwrights here could be bullied by anyone, this city would have fallen to pirates long ago."
Crescent's face drained of color as he recognized the man standing before him. His scimitar trembled in his grip.
"T-That face... You're...!"
The pirate's defiance evaporated instantly. He forced a shaky smile and bowed so deeply his helmet nearly fell off. "Ahaha! You're absolutely right, sir! What a foolish mistake I've made! Please forgive me!"
He turned to Barry and barked at his crew, "Double the repair fee! Now! Pay up!"
The pirates scrambled, dumping every last Berry they had until a small pile formed at Barry's feet.
"Apologies, shipwrights! We'll take our leave now!" Crescent said hastily, bowing again and again before bolting out of the dock with his men in tow.
Barry blinked, staring after them. "What's wrong with that guy?"
His gaze shifted to Shirogai, still smiling quietly beside him. "You... you're not a Marine, are you?"
Barry's confusion was understandable. Only a Marine could scare a pirate like that.
But he was wrong.
Shirogai Yamikuro — the pirate known across the seas as "The Plunderer."
A man with a bounty of 200 million Berries, whispered in the same breath as the Four Emperors.
Among the watching shipwrights, a man with a pigeon perched on his shoulder — Rob Lucci — murmured coldly to himself, "Plunderer Shirogai... 200 million Berries."
Shirogai turned his gaze toward the group, smiling. "I'm just a passing pirate. Shipwright masters, it's a pleasure to meet you. Please take care of us."
Lucci didn't respond. His expression didn't waver, nor did he avert his gaze. Calm, unreadable — the mask of a man used to hiding his true nature.
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Milestone
100 Power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter.
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