Chapter 92: Bringing the Money
"We'll make sure our ship surpasses even Pluton. We'll stay here for a while and try to build it."
Although that sounded almost impossible, he believed in Bawang—and in the stats the system had given him.
Pluton's ship was also made of wood, but this kind of wood was as strong as iron. It was incredibly hard and resistant to rot, so even now, aside from a few damaged spots, there wasn't a single part of Pluton that had decayed.
At that moment, Crocodile was still wandering around inside, touching everything with visible excitement.
It was hard to blame him. This was Pluton, after all—the kind of weapon that could destroy an island with a single shot, one of the ancient weapons even the World Government feared.
After Bawang's examination, it was confirmed that the ship was still operational. That thrilled Crocodile so much that he stopped caring about his Baroque Works altogether.
Over the next two days, Bawang practically lived inside Pluton—eating, sleeping, and constantly taking notes, studying every inch of the vessel.
The others went about their usual routines, with Crocodile occasionally dropping by to take another look.
Two days passed quickly.
"How's it going now?" Jiang Qize stepped onto Pluton and asked Bawang.
"Sir, the design for our ship is almost complete—only the emblem for the hull is left."
A smile appeared on Bawang's face.
"A golden dragon!"
Jiang Qize declared with certainty.
"Got it."
Gulu gulu…
Just then, the Den Den Mushi started ringing.
Jiang Qize took it out and answered. The snail's face shifted into the image of a man wearing a helmet with a golden cross visor.
"Mr. Ze, this is Pica of the Donquixote Family. I'm here on behalf of the young master to deliver your money."
A deep, gravelly voice came from the Den Den Mushi.
"Where are you now?" Jiang Qize asked softly.
The corners of his mouth were already curling upward. Finally—more money. And this time, it sounded like it would be a big sum.
"I'm at the Rapeseed Port in Alabasta," Pica replied.
"Good. I'll send someone over."
Jiang Qize ended the call, left the cave, and hurried back to Rainbase.
…
"Robin, take these ten Dinosaur Fruits to Rapeseed Port and meet a man wearing a golden cross-visor helmet. Make the exchange, and collect the previous 300 million Berries. The price for each Dinosaur Fruit is 100 million."
Jiang Qize packed the Devil Fruits into a crate and handed it to little Robin.
"Got it, Captain!" Robin nodded firmly, gripping the box tightly with both hands.
"Go, and come back soon." He ruffled her hair with a smile.
"Mm."
Robin turned, and her small body transformed into a massive Pterosaur with wings spanning more than ten meters. With a powerful flap, she rose into the sky amid a gust of wind and vanished into the clouds.
…
Rapeseed Port.
On a huge merchant ship, Pica stood at the bow with his arms crossed, a towering figure of muscle and steel, motionless as a statue.
At his feet were two enormous crates—much larger than ordinary ones.
Around him, the sailors were silent, barely daring to breathe.
Time crept by, and the sun gradually sank toward the horizon.
"Lord Pica… you don't think that guy's standing us up, do you? It's already so late…"
One sailor finally worked up the nerve to speak, his voice trembling as he approached.
They had been standing there the entire day without so much as a sip of water.
"Hmm?"
Pica's tiger-like eyes swept over him, and the sheer pressure rolling off his body made the air quiver.
The sailor instantly froze, his neck shrinking back in terror, not daring to utter another word.
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