After dealing with Spandam once and for all, Eli Winters turned back and called out loudly, "Lucci!"
His voice rang out like a tolling bell, carrying far into the distance. Before long, Rob Lucci arrived at a brisk pace with the rest of his companions.
Eli's gaze swept over the group beside Lucci, and he nodded with quiet satisfaction. Every one of them was highly capable, especially Blueno, the user of the Doa Doa Fruit. With him around, their mobility and operational flexibility would increase dramatically.
"Do you have any instructions for us, sir?" Lucci asked, bowing slightly.
He adapted quickly to his new role. At this moment, he already regarded himself as Eli's subordinate.
"From now on, just call me Boss," Eli said with a smile, patting Lucci on the shoulder. "I'm easygoing. No need to be so stiff."
"Yes, Boss," the six of them answered in unison.
Lucci, Kaku, Kalifa, Blueno, Fukurou, and Kumadori.
Eli was pleased with their attitude. He went over their assignments in detail, then handed Lucci a storage token containing operating funds and several healing pills.
Lucci accepted it with a solemn expression. "We will complete everything you've entrusted to us."
Eli waved his hand. "Go."
The group clasped their fists in farewell, then turned and left Water Seven, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance.
Watching them go, Eli murmured to himself, "Let's hope you don't disappoint me."
After that, he rented a well-appointed villa in Water Seven. It would serve as their temporary residence until the new ship was completed and they set sail again.
Night fell, lanterns lit the streets, and the city's bustle slowly gave way to calm. That evening, Eli led everyone back to the Silver Dragon, which was anchored at the harbor. They planned to hold a special banquet there.
The Silver Dragon had witnessed every step of their journey so far. More importantly, it was about to retire from active duty and would no longer accompany them on future voyages. This banquet was both a celebration and a farewell.
The atmosphere was lively. Everyone gathered together, enjoying good food and laughter.
During the feast, Big Pan curiously asked Felina about what had happened earlier that day in Water Seven.
Felina took a sip of wine and calmly recounted their encounter at the library.
As they listened, the others' expressions grew darker, anger flickering in their eyes. The World Government's constant harassment was infuriating beyond words.
But then Felina's tone shifted, and she began to talk about Robin.
Robin had never known her parents as a child. When she finally reunited with her mother, the tragedy of Ohara struck. Her homeland was annihilated, leaving her alone. Branded a criminal for her ability to read the Poneglyphs, she spent her life hunted by the World Government, struggling to survive in the shadows. Again and again, she was betrayed and persecuted, yet she never gave up her pursuit of freedom and truth.
When the story ended, silence fell over the table. Sympathy and tenderness filled everyone's hearts.
After a moment, Big Pan broke the silence, pounding his chest. "Don't worry, Robin. We'll help you catch those responsible one day, and you can deal with them yourself. From now on, we're your family."
The others echoed his words, vowing to stand by her no matter what.
Robin looked at the companions before her, deeply moved. She remembered Saul's final words.
"Robin, as long as you live, you'll meet people who are willing to protect you."
It seemed she finally had.
The next day, Eli stored the Silver Dragon away in his spatial storage. Aside from essential supplies, he took nothing else. The ship was preserved intact, resting alone in a separate space, waiting to be summoned again someday.
He told Felina and the others to head to the rented villa first, then went alone to Iceburg's territory at the Galley-La Company.
When Eli arrived, he saw Iceburg seated at his desk, enduring pain as he worked through a mountain of documents.
Eli sighed inwardly. "Poor guy. People who work themselves to death like this don't even have time to live."
He silently swore that if he ever became a leader, he would recruit enough capable subordinates to avoid ending up like Iceburg, too busy to rest or enjoy life. That kind of existence was worse than death.
Getting straight to the point, Eli explained the purpose of his visit. He had come to deliver the equipment required for the new ship, so Iceburg could familiarize himself with it in advance and integrate everything more effectively into the design.
Iceburg readily agreed, setting aside his work and leading Eli toward a massive warehouse. The two chatted as they walked, the atmosphere relaxed and productive.
Inside, the warehouse was spotless and empty, exactly as Iceburg had ordered. The vast space was more than enough.
Without hesitation, Eli waved his hands lightly. Before Iceburg's stunned eyes, piles of equipment appeared out of thin air in the center of the warehouse.
Although Iceburg had already researched Eli extensively, witnessing it firsthand was still overwhelmingly shocking. The practicality and sheer scale of it left him speechless.
Eli immediately began explaining everything in detail.
First were two enormous cannons, their silver-gray metal surfaces radiating a cold, intimidating presence.
"These are Annihilation Cannons," Eli said proudly. "Their destructive power is terrifying. My idea is to conceal them within the hull. Normally, no one will know they're there, but when needed, they can be deployed instantly."
Iceburg nodded, rapidly jotting notes in a small notebook.
Next came the solar panels.
"These panels can efficiently convert sunlight into energy for the entire ship. And this high-capacity virtual battery ensures stable operation even without sunlight. Then there's this multifunctional power system…"
Eli continued at length. Iceburg's pen never stopped moving.
Eli also introduced modern furniture, a highly intelligent control console, and various advanced systems.
Finally, they stopped before a strangely shaped mechanical device that emitted a faint, mysterious glow.
"This is the real treasure," Eli said excitedly. "A flight module for ships. With it, our vessel won't be limited to the sea. It'll be able to fly."
Iceburg's eyes lit up. For a shipwright, building a ship that could sail the seas and soar through the sky was a dream beyond measure.
They exchanged ideas and suggestions until noon. After lunch at Galley-La, Eli departed.
For the next few days, Eli relaxed and explored Water Seven with the others. But starting on the third day, he devoted himself entirely to understanding his Spatial Fruit.
Its mastery had been stuck at forty-nine percent for a long time. No matter how hard he tried, progress eluded him. But during these days of deep contemplation, he finally grasped a new insight.
In a silent room, Eli sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. He remained like that for two full days.
Suddenly, a flash of clarity struck his mind.
Eli's eyes snapped open. A terrifying aura erupted from his body like a volcanic explosion.
Cracks spread across the walls, then the entire villa began to crumble. With a thunderous roar, it collapsed.
Felina and the others rushed out in panic, scanning their surroundings with hostility, searching for the culprit.
But there was no one else around.
"Could this be the captain's doing?" Robin asked calmly.
They searched for Eli, but he was nowhere to be found.
"Did he get buried inside?" Reiju frowned.
Felina panicked. "Then we have to save him!"
Just as she was about to run forward, Robin grabbed her hand. "Wait. With the captain's strength, even if he were buried, he'd be fine. He'll come out on his own."
At that moment, a figure burst out of the rubble.
It was Eli.
Felina rushed over. "Eli, are you okay?"
"Haha, of course," Eli laughed. "Not only am I fine, I've had a breakthrough."
Then he noticed the ruined villa and scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry, everyone. Looks like we'll need a new place to stay."
Big Pan laughed loudly. "That's nothing. Come on, tell us. How far did you break through?"
Everyone stared at him with curiosity.
Eli smiled confidently. "Let me show you."
He pointed forward.
The space ahead split apart as if cut open. Eli spoke softly.
"Fire Prison."
Flames erupted within the isolated space, forming a raging inferno.
"You can control fire now?" Big Pan shouted excitedly.
"It doesn't stop there," Eli said.
"Lightning Prison."
Bolts of lightning tore through the fire, shattering it apart.
Then came Water Prison. Sand Prison.
The space became a storm of elements.
Robin's eyes widened. "Captain, can you freely manipulate elements within the space you control?"
"Exactly," Eli replied. "From now on, my spatial confinement isn't just a cage. It's a killing field."
Deep down, he sensed something more. After this breakthrough, he felt he might even be able to manipulate time within his space.
But that was a power he had yet to truly master, and for now, he kept it to himself.