After seeing the Gatt off at the dock,
Shanu and his group, four people and a dog, headed toward Whale Shipbuilding Company.
The address wasn't far, just a short distance from the dock.
Following the prominent neon sign, it only took a few minutes on foot to arrive.
Since Shanu had called ahead, more than a dozen executives in suits were already lined up in the main hall, waiting.
At the front was an elderly man with a white beard, alert and energetic, wearing a monocle and a gold badge on his chest reading "Chief Shipwright."
As soon as Shanu appeared behind the revolving glass doors, the group bowed in unison, ninety degrees.
"Welcome, Lord Shanu! I am Gandalf Ford, on behalf of all the staff at Whale Shipbuilding, we are honored by your presence!"
"Thank you, Mr. Ford." Shanu stepped forward and shook his hand.
After a brief conversation, the old shipwright solemnly handed over a large parchment scroll, unrolling it to nearly two meters in length.
The center displayed a ship's structural blueprint, while the edges were densely annotated with detailed notes.
"This is the inspection checklist as per your request. Allow me to personally guide you on a tour. The new ship is in Dock One; please follow me."
Gandalf Ford gestured politely, bowing slightly. Once Shanu took the lead, he straightened and began to walk ahead.
The other executives again bowed in unison to their departing backs.
"Hey, Kuina," Nojiko whispered eagerly in the swordswoman's ear, "Do you think one day, even without having my brother around, we could earn this kind of respect from the people too?"
"Childish."
Kuina glanced at her expressionlessly. "I am the world's number one swordswoman. Being respected by the people is only natural."
"You get into character faster than I do!" Nojiko growled with sharp teeth.
…
Following Gandalf Ford, the group entered a corridor.
No one noticed two oddly-dressed figures lurking outside the reception hall, peering through the glass windows.
"Sham! You saw that, right?" The fat one, wearing a bell around his neck and dressed like a striped cat, let out a peculiar laugh.
"Of course, Buchi. No doubt about it."
The green-haired, skinny one hungrily licked his lips. "That pure white long sword, looks ordinary, but using the method the captain taught us, it's definitely a top-tier blade!"
"That sword's value is at least fifty million Berries, and it's almost impossible to find in the underground market."
"Shall we make a move?"
Buchi extended his claws, eager to act.
"Worth it! But just the two of us? Unstable! Too risky!"
Sham patted his companion on the shoulder. "Let's report to Captain Kuro immediately. He'll be thrilled! This is a big catch, he'll want to handle it personally!"
…
Soon, the group followed the corridor to a new section at the rear of the building.
Over a dozen ship docks, each with a glass dome, were lined up. Finished ships awaiting delivery were all here.
Each dock had a waterway leading to the open sea.
Gandalf Ford led them to the most luxurious Dock One, smiling and proudly pressing a button:
"This is it, Lord Shanu. Please behold my proudest work of the past decade!"
The steel gate, dozens of meters high, rumbled open, leaving everyone instinctively holding their breath.
"Wow, such a huge and magnificent ship!"
Nojiko's eyes widened first, unable to hide her amazement.
At dusk, the crimson twilight poured through the dome skylight onto the figurehead: a silver wolf rearing up, wings on its ribs, divine in appearance.
The streamlined hull, bathed in sunset light, was dark brown, sleek, sharp, yet elegant.
Length: 60 meters, Height: 56 meters, widest midsection: 22 meters. Twin-mast structure—foremast with horizontal sails, mainmast with vertical triangular sails.
From below, with white sails furled, the two thick masts stood straight as swords, towering toward the sky.
"Sir, this ship really only costs 300 million Berries? Even accounting for the 20 million waived… that seems too low."
Nojiko looked up at the mast tips, amazed, and asked the old shipwright.
"Material costs are about right. That Adam Tree timber alone costs 200 million."
Gandalf Ford laughed heartily. "As for labor and profit… heh, building a flagship for Lord Shanu is an honor every East Blue shipyard would kill for. Who cares about the rest?"
Shanu smiled quietly, speechless for a moment.
Whether it was exposing the shallow Sakura Island plot or later taking down Arlong and other pirate crews, these were all incidental. Who would have thought the East Blue people would elevate him, treating him as a hero and pride of the region?
"All-steel training rooms are in the lower hold. Your initial request was for two; we added a third. The open-air kendo platform is on the second-floor balcony; training equipment is installed. The kitchen meets the highest standards, with a pantry over 200 square meters."
Gandalf Ford continued enthusiastically, "Also included: an orange orchard, wine lounge, aquarium, library, billiard room, hot spring bath… all daily necessities are covered!"
"Compared to the interior, the exterior is just icing on the cake, you'll be fully satisfied!"
"Wait!" Nojiko suddenly remembered. "Mr. Gandalf, what about cannons? I don't see a single gun port here, are they all on the other side?"
"Well…" Gandalf Ford paused, hesitant. "The original design had twenty cannons, but later…"
"I asked to have them removed," Shanu said with a grin. "Tell me, if a cannonball came at you, what would your first reaction be?"
"Me?" Nojiko pointed at herself. "Uh… probably put on gloves and blast them all back, one by one."
"Kuina?"
"One strike," the black-haired girl replied coldly and succinctly.
"Mr. Zeff?"
"Heh, my feet aren't just decoration. Confident I can kick any cannonballs back."
"Then that settles it."
Shanu spread his hands, smiling. "Everyone has their specialty. Who needs cannons? Why install them?"
After over a thousand manga chapters, serious people don't die to cannon fire!
"Oh, makes sense!" The group suddenly realized.
"Uh…" Gandalf Ford wiped his sweat. "Um, shall we go aboard and take a look?"
"Woof!"
Before he finished, Gin eagerly dashed ahead along the gangplank to inspect the figurehead resembling himself.
"Captain, shall we board too?"
Kuina glanced at Shanu.
"Mm."
Shanu nodded with a smile, then instantly moved across the deck with a moon-step, followed by the others.
Gandalf Ford was left staring, astonished. These are Shanu's companions? They can all fly? No wonder he said cannons weren't needed…