In the days that followed, Eli Winters spent most of his time in Seven Rivers City indulging in food, leisure, and entertainment. He only occasionally checked on the progress of his ship. Life was carefree and easy.
A month later, however, Eli received word from Iceberg that shipbuilding would have to pause temporarily.
This puzzled Eli. Although Iceberg was the mayor of Seven Rivers City and often busy with official matters, he always ensured other shipbuilders were briefed in advance. Construction had never stopped before. Could something have gone wrong?
Since Eli had no pressing matters at hand, he decided to go check for himself.
When he arrived at Carrera Shipworks, the gates were tightly shut, and not a single person was in sight. Eli's curiosity deepened. Could it be that the company had gone bankrupt? If that were the case, he would be furious.
After a moment of thought, he turned and made his way to the mayor's office building.
As expected, he found Iceberg in the middle of a meeting. Eli didn't interrupt immediately. Instead, he was guided to a nearby office, where he waited quietly.
Iceberg did not keep him waiting long. About ten minutes later, he entered the office.
The mayor looked exhausted, his face pale and drawn. Eli felt a twinge of sympathy, though he reminded himself that shipbuilding could not be delayed, no matter what.
"What happened? Why do you look like this?" Eli asked with concern, caring for his chief shipbuilder.
"I haven't slept for two days," Iceberg replied weakly.
"Why? You need to take care of yourself. If you collapse, what will happen to my ship?" Eli said seriously.
The first part of Eli's comment moved Iceberg slightly, but the second half left him speechless. Apparently, Eli saw him as nothing more than a tool.
Iceberg sighed heavily. "There's no choice. The annual Water Gods Festival in Seven Rivers City is approaching, and I must arrange personnel to ensure everything is properly prepared."
Although Seven Rivers City had developed advanced facilities over the years to handle the Water Gods' arrival, the city still inevitably suffered damage whenever the torrent of these mythical sea deities descended upon it.
"So you paused shipbuilding because of this?" Eli asked.
"Yes. Many crucial operations to handle the Water Gods require the direct involvement of my staff. I simply cannot split my attention, so I'm afraid your ship will have to be delayed for a few days," Iceberg explained, spreading his hands helplessly.
Eli frowned slightly. He wasn't criticizing Iceberg for prioritizing the city's safety over the ship. In fact, he thought it unnecessary to pause construction. With his own abilities, he could handle any so-called "Water Gods" disaster easily.
He suggested, "Iceberg, I can take care of these Water Gods for you. That way, you can continue building my ship. I promise the city will be completely safe. What do you say?"
Iceberg's brow furrowed tightly. It wasn't a matter of doubting Eli's strength; he understood the gravity of his responsibility as mayor. With thousands of citizens depending on him, he could not risk betting their lives, no matter how capable Eli might be.
After a moment of inner struggle, Iceberg finally responded, conflicted. "It's not that I distrust your abilities. But I am responsible for the lives of tens of thousands of people. I cannot take that risk, so I must decline your offer."
Eli nodded, understanding Iceberg's concerns. Since the mayor was resolute, he didn't press further. A few days of construction delay were acceptable.
Recognizing Iceberg's busy schedule, Eli left after a brief conversation.
Walking through the city streets, he saw residents hurrying by, faces etched with worry. He sighed inwardly. Iceberg truly lacked vision. Someone as powerful as him offered to help, and he refused. No wonder the mayor looked so frail.
Eli knew he wasn't exaggerating. Even Whitebeard could stir the seas with a tsunami. Compared to Whitebeard, Eli's strength was immense. Stopping a mere tsunami would be effortless.
Three days later, the city was shrouded in an oppressive shadow. Every resident felt a heavy, foreboding presence spreading through the streets. Even the normally lively animals were restless, barking and squawking as though sensing an imminent threat.
Suddenly, a piercing alarm blared across Seven Rivers City. The shrill sirens cut through the air like sharp blades, shattering the city's calm. Residents' faces turned pale, and relying on years of experience, they rushed home, barricading doors and windows as best they could. These were routine drills for them.
Unlike the panicked citizens, Eli and his companions did not seek shelter. Instead, they leapt into the air, eyes fixed on the horizon. Their curiosity and anticipation grew they wanted to see the legendary Water Gods in action and observe how the city would respond.
Eli looked toward the city's harbor. All ships had been moved in advance. He also noticed that the city had been elevated by seven or eight meters over the years, a testament to the people's long-term preparations.
Before Eli could examine further, the tsunami arrived.
From the distant horizon, a black wall of water, tens of meters high, slowly advanced. Seabirds scattered in fright. The massive wave thundered toward Seven Rivers City, unstoppable in its fury.
The city's defenses activated. Drainage channels opened in the streets. Despite the preparations, there was little else the city could do to resist.
The tsunami struck, submerging large sections of the city. While the core structures remained intact, many buildings were damaged, and unlucky residents were swept away by the waters.
Uniformed rescue teams rode on sea beasts called Bru, saving those caught in the flood.
Although terrifying, the city remained organized under Iceberg's command. The rescue operations proceeded efficiently, and Eli and his friends assisted in saving stranded citizens.
Just when it seemed the worst of the tsunami was over, the ocean churned, producing even larger waves and a violent storm.
From the rooftop of City Hall, Iceberg's exhausted face turned pale at the sight. He had not expected the rare Twin Water Gods to appear again, and this time, Seven Rivers City might suffer serious damage.
At that moment, Eli took action.
With a single flash, he arrived at the massive waves. Ignoring the storm, he extended his arm and tapped the front. The space before him seemed to freeze. The once-unstoppable tsunami halted, the storm's fury ceased, and the waters gradually receded. The sea returned to calm.
Citizens peered through windows, astonished. Iceberg, atop City Hall, gaped in disbelief. Eli turned and grinned at him, a look that seemed to say, "See? You should have trusted me."