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Chapter 70, Chapter 71, Chapter 72, Chapter 73, Chapter 74, Chapter 75, Chapter 76, Chapter 77, and Chapter 78 are already available for Patrons.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across Going Merry's deck as Zoro reclined against the railing, his swords propped against his shoulder. Though his eyes were closed, his mind wandered to the ship beneath him. Every creak and groan of the wooden planks spoke of Going Merry's struggles, her battle scars from their adventures together.
"You've carried us far," he muttered under his breath, feeling the gentle sway of the ship. "Through storms and battles, never once giving up."
The wood beneath him creaked again, but this time it wasn't from the natural movement of the ship. His heightened senses picked up the subtle vibrations of approaching footsteps – light and trying to be stealthy, but not skilled enough to fool him. Six distinct patterns, moving in what they probably thought was perfect coordination.
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but he maintained his appearance of sleep. Years of training had taught him the value of letting enemies reveal themselves first. The footsteps grew closer, accompanied by the slight rustling of clothing and the barely audible clink of weapons.
'Amateurs,' he thought, sensing their positioning around him. 'They're telegraphing every move.'
The attackers paused, likely exchanging silent signals. Zoro could picture them nodding to each other, preparing for what they assumed would be a surprise attack. The slight shift in their weight and the whisper of metal being raised told him all he needed to know.
They struck as one – or tried to. Before their weapons could descend, Zoro's eyes snapped open, his hands already moving. One sword flashed in the sunlight.
"WHAT?!" The collective gasp of surprise from his would-be ambushers almost made him laugh.
Taking in their appearances, Zoro had to fight even harder to maintain his serious expression. The six attackers wore what appeared to be modified swimming trunks with steel plates haphazardly attached, complemented by masks that looked like they'd been cobbled together from scrap metal and cloth. The overall effect was less intimidating and more ridiculous.
With minimal effort, he held all six of them at bay with one sword. "Did you guys get lost?" he asked casually, as if he were asking about the weather. "The costume party's probably somewhere else in Water 7."
One of the attackers, wearing what looked like a pot lid as a mask, growled, "Shut up! We're the Franky Family's elite squad!"
"Elite?" Zoro raised an eyebrow. "Who's the moron who told you those outfits looked intimidating? You look like you raided a kitchen and a junkyard at the same time."
Their response was to press harder with their weapons, which included everything from modified pipe wrenches to what appeared to be sharpened ship parts. Zoro simply adjusted his stance slightly, maintaining his defense without showing any strain.
"Stand still!" another attacker shouted, this one wearing what appeared to be a colander as a helmet.
"I am standing still," Zoro pointed out. "You're the ones who are too weak."
Growing frustrated, they began to attack with less coordination and more desperation. Their movements became wild and predictable, making it even easier for Zoro to read them. He could have ended this immediately, but something about their determination, however misguided, made him curious to see how long they'd keep trying.
After letting them tire themselves out for a few more moments, he decided it was time to end the farce. "Well, this has been entertaining, but I've got a nap to get back to."
In one move, he shifted his stance and executed a perfect circular slash. The movement was so fast that his attackers didn't realize what had happened until they felt the sting of his blade across their shoulders – deep enough to hurt and leave a mark, but not enough to cause serious injury.
"GYAAAAH!" They screamed in unison, stumbling backward and clutching their shoulders. Their masks had been cut as well, falling away to reveal young faces twisted in shock and pain.
They scrambled backward, nearly tripping over each other in their haste to put distance between themselves and the swordsman. As they reached the edge of the dock, one of them pointed a shaking finger at Zoro.
"You... you'll regret this! Big Bro Franky will make you pay!"
"Yeah!" another chimed in, trying to sound brave despite his trembling voice. "The Franky Family never forgets an insult!"
Zoro raised an eyebrow, resting his main sword on his shoulder. "Is that so? Well, tell this Franky person that if he wants to try something, I'll be right here. Though he might want to invest in better training for his 'elite squad' first."
Their faces reddened with embarrassment and anger, but self-preservation won out over pride. As one, they turned and fled down the dock.
"AND LOSE THE RIDICULOUS OUTFITS!" Zoro called after them, allowing himself a small chuckle as their retreating forms disappeared around a corner.
Returning to his spot against the railing, Zoro resumed his relaxed posture but remained alert. If these clowns were any indication of what Water 7 had in store for them, things might get interesting. He glanced down at the deck of Going Merry, patting it gently.
"Looks like we might have to deal with some annoyances before we can find you a successor," he muttered to the ship. "Don't worry though, we won't let anyone disrespect you while you're still our home."
The wood creaked beneath his hand, almost as if in response. Zoro smiled, closing his eyes but keeping his senses sharp. The name "Franky" stuck in his mind – whoever this person was, sending such poorly trained subordinates suggested either arrogance or incompetence. Either way, Zoro had a feeling they hadn't seen the last of the Franky Family.
The afternoon sun continued its descent, casting longer shadows across the deck. The gentle lapping of waves against Going Merry's hull created a soothing rhythm, but Zoro remained vigilant. His thoughts drifted to his captain and the others, wondering what kind of trouble they might be finding in this strange city of water.
He found himself hoping they'd wrap up their business in Water 7 quickly. Something about this place set him on edge, and it wasn't just the amateur attackers. There was tension in the air, feeling like strong people were watching them. His hand unconsciously tightened on his sword's hilt as he considered the possibilities.
The weight of Going Merry's condition hung heavy in his mind. As a swordsman, he understood the importance of knowing when to retire a blade – when continuing to use it would be more disrespectful than letting it rest. The same principle applied to ships, he supposed, but that didn't make the decision any easier.
"We've got some rough seas ahead," he murmured, both to himself and to the ship. "But whatever comes, we'll face it head-on. That's the way of the Straw Hat Pirates."
Luffy
Dock 1 of Galley-La Company sprawled before them like a testament to human engineering and craftsmanship. Massive wooden scaffolding reached toward the sky, supporting ships in various stages of construction and repair. The air was filled with the sound of shipbuilding: hammers striking nails, saws cutting through timber, and the shouts of workers coordinating their efforts.
Elaborate pulley systems crisscrossed overhead, moving massive beams and ship parts with precision. Workers scaled the scaffolding with the agility of acrobats, their tools secured in well-worn belts. The dock itself was a marvel of architecture, with multiple levels allowing shipwrights to work on different parts of vessels simultaneously.
Usopp's eyes sparkled as he took in the scene. "This is incredible! Look at how they're using those pulleys to distribute the weight of that keel! And those support structures – they must have calculated the exact angle needed to..."
"It is impressive," Nami agreed, watching a group of workers coordinate to lift a massive sheet of treated wood.
Luffy walked slightly ahead of them, his usual energetic demeanor subdued. His eyes scanned their surroundings, not in wonder like Usopp, but with careful attention to every shadow and movement. The memory of that mysterious figure easily evading his lightning attack troubled him more than he wanted to admit.
Nami noticed his unusual quietness and placed a hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong, Luffy? You've barely said a word since we arrived."
"Just thinking about our shadow from earlier," he replied, his voice low. "Nobody should have been able to dodge that lightning so easily. And now we're in this new place, with our crew split up..."
"Hey," Nami squeezed his shoulder gently. "Sanji won't let anything happen to Vivi – you know how he gets when it comes to protecting women. Zoro's probably napping on the ship, but we both know he's always alert. As for Nojiko and Robin, they're more than capable of handling themselves, and Chopper's medical knowledge makes him very good with poison."
Luffy nodded, but his eyes continued to scan their surroundings. The dock's layout provided plenty of hiding spots – behind the stacked lumber, among the scaffolding, or in the shadows of the half-built ships looming above them.
They walked deeper into Dock 1, passing under an enormous arch made of polished wood and steel. The craftsmanship was evident in every detail, from the perfectly fitted joints to the carefully maintained tools arranged on nearby workbenches. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the high ceiling, mixing with the constant background noise of construction.
"Look at these wood samples!" Usopp exclaimed, darting over to a display of different timber types. "They've got Adam Wood! That's supposed to be the strongest wood in the world! And is that..."
His excited commentary was interrupted by approaching footsteps. Through the organized chaos of the dock, a figure walked toward them with confident strides. As he drew closer, both Nami and Luffy noticed Usopp doing a double-take – the approaching man had a nose remarkably similar to their sniper's, though his was distinctly square, looking like a long square was placed on his face.
The man is tall and lean, notable for his distinct long, rectangular nose, which resembles a block of wood, giving him a carpenter-like appearance. He is wearing a blue-and-orange jacket with a high collar, which is zipped up to the top. On his head, he wears a white cap emblazoned with the word "Galley."
"Welcome to Galley-La Company's Dock 1," he said, offering a friendly smile. "I'm Kaku, one of the foremen here. How can I assist you today?"
Luffy studied the man carefully, his Observation Haki detecting no immediate threat, though there was something... different about this shipwright's presence that he couldn't quite place.
"We need a ship," Nami stepped forward, taking the lead in the conversation. "We've heard Galley-La is the best, and we want to commission a new vessel."
"Ah, looking to upgrade from your current ship?" Kaku asked, his eyes showing genuine interest. "Or is this your first vessel?"
"We have a ship," Luffy said, his voice carrying a hint of sadness that surprised even Nami. "Going Merry. She's served us well, but..."
"But she's reached her limit," Kaku finished softly, noting the pain in Luffy's expression. "It's never easy to say goodbye to a faithful ship. Would you like me to take a look at your current vessel first? Sometimes ships can be saved with the right repairs, though it depends on the extent of the damage."
Usopp's eyes lit up at this suggestion. "You could do that? Really?"
"Of course," Kaku nodded. "It's part of our standard procedure. We need to understand what kind of sailing you do and what problems you've encountered with your current ship. It helps us better advise you on what you need in a new vessel – or if your current one can be saved."
As they talked, more workers moved around them, carrying materials and calling out measurements.
"When could you come look at Merry?" Nami asked, already reaching for their newly acquired funds.
"If you'll allow me, I'll head over to inspect your ship now. You can wait here while I conduct the assessment."
"Oh! my captain could give you a quick lift—" Usopp started enthusiastically, but stopped mid-sentence when he felt Luffy's sharp glare. The sniper immediately recognized his captain's expression – it was the same one he wore when sensing potential trouble.
Kaku tilted his head slightly, confusion evident on his features. "A lift?"
"What my friend meant to say," Luffy spoke, his voice carrying a serious undertone that made even Nami glance at him, "is that I could take you there in less than a minute. My Devil Fruit powers allow me to transform into lightning."
"Ah, the Arashi Arashi no Mi," Kaku remarked casually, then seemed to catch himself. "At least, I assume that's what it must be, given your mention of lightning transformation."
Luffy's eyes narrowed imperceptibly. The shipwright's knowledge of Devil Fruits seemed unusually specific for someone who should be focused on building ships. He'd learned from Shanks years ago that sometimes the smallest details could reveal the biggest secrets.
"That's quite impressive," Kaku continued smoothly. "However, that won't be necessary. I have my own method of getting around quickly."
"What do you mean by—" Nami began, but her words turned into a surprised gasp as Kaku suddenly dashed forward with incredible speed.
The square-nosed shipwright reached the edge of Dock 1's highest point and, without hesitation, launched himself into the air. Instead of falling, he seemed to glide through the air with precise control, his arms spread wide as he shot toward the direction of Going Merry's location.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Usopp's jaw dropped, his eyes bulging behind his goggles. "Since when do shipwrights fly?!"
Luffy watched Kaku's rapidly disappearing form, his expression thoughtful. The movement pattern was familiar – similar to some of the techniques his grandpa Garp had shown him during their training years ago. "He's not flying," Luffy murmured. "That's more like..."
"Geppo," a feminine voice completed his thought from behind them.
The trio spun around to find themselves facing a tall, beautiful woman with glasses and long, wavy blonde hair. She wore a short black dress with long sleeves and carried herself with professional confidence. Despite her secretary-like appearance, Luffy immediately noticed she moved with the same subtle grace as Kaku.
"Kaku is one of our best foremen," she continued, pushing her glasses up with one finger. "My name is Kalifa, secretary to Iceburg-san, the president of Galley-La Company."
"Geppo?" Nami questioned, sounding a little wary. After their recent encounters with Akainu and Aokiji, she'd learned to be more cautious. "That sounds like a martial arts technique."
"Many of our skilled workers develop unique methods for navigating the shipyard efficiently," Kalifa explained smoothly. "Dock 1 is quite extensive, after all."
Luffy maintained a friendly smile, but his mind was racing. First the mysterious stalker who could dodge his lightning, and now shipwrights using what appeared to be advanced martial arts techniques. Something wasn't adding up.
"You must be the Straw Hat crew," Kalifa continued, consulting a small notebook she produced from somewhere. "Your reputation precedes you. Particularly you, Monkey D. Luffy, with your impressive bounty of 356 million berries."
"You seem well-informed," Luffy replied casually, though his tone carried a subtle edge that made Usopp nervously finger one of his revolvers.
Kalifa's lips curved into a professional smile. "It's my job to know about important clients. Speaking of which, I understand you're interested in commissioning a new ship?"
"We're waiting for Kaku's assessment first," Nami interjected, stepping slightly closer to Luffy. After a year of sailing together and sharing his bed, she could read his subtle cues perfectly. Something about this situation had him on edge.
"Of course," Kalifa nodded. "While we wait, would you like a tour of our facilities? We can discuss potential designs and specifications for your new vessel."
"That would be great!" Usopp exclaimed, his earlier wariness temporarily forgotten in his excitement about shipbuilding. "I'd love to see your workshops and—"
A distant rumble of thunder interrupted him, making several workers look up at the previously clear sky. Luffy's expression remained unchanged, but Nami recognized the sound – it wasn't natural thunder, but rather a subtle warning from her captain's powers.
"Perhaps we should wait for Kaku's return first," Luffy suggested, his tone pleasant but firm. "Going Merry is special to us, and we'd like to hear his professional opinion before making any decisions."
Kalifa adjusted her glasses again, the lenses briefly reflecting the sunlight in a way that obscured her eyes. "As you wish. Would you like some refreshments while you wait? Our break room is just over there."
Before anyone could respond, a worker came running up to Kalifa, whispering something in her ear. Her expression remained neutral, but Luffy caught a slight tensing in her shoulders.
"If you'll excuse me," she said smoothly, "it seems there's a matter that requires my attention. Please make yourselves comfortable, and I'll return shortly."
As Kalifa walked away with practiced grace, Nami moved closer to Luffy. "What's wrong?" she whispered, low enough that only he could hear.
"Something's off about this place," he murmured back. "Did you notice how both Kaku and Kalifa seemed to know more about us than they should?"
"Should we leave?" Usopp asked nervously, having edged closer to hear their conversation.
Luffy shook his head slightly. "No, but stay alert. And Usopp..." he glanced at his sniper, "keep those special bullets of yours ready, just in case."
As they waited for Kaku's return, Luffy couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched from multiple directions.
Zoro
Zoro's Observation Haki flickered to life. His good eyes snapped open just as a figure descended from above, landing near the ship's bow. The swordsman's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of one of the swords, studying the newcomer.
"That's close enough," Zoro called out, his voice carrying the edge of a drawn blade. "Who are you, and what business do you have with our ship?"
The man adjusted gave him a smile, revealing a peculiar square-shaped nose that almost made Zoro double-take. "I'm Kaku, a foreman from Galley-La's Dock One. You must be Roronoa Zoro of the Straw Hat crew?"
Zoro's response was to simply point upward at the jolly roger fluttering above them, their crew's mark proudly displayed against the blue sky. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly. "What gave it away?"
"Your captain asked me to inspect the ship," Kaku explained, though Zoro noticed how the foreman's eyes had already cataloged every visible part of Going Merry with an expert's precision. "He's concerned about her condition."
"Fine," Zoro stood up, his movements deliberately casual despite maintaining perfect positioning for quick action if needed. "Check what you need to check. But remember – this ship carried us through hell and back. Treat her with respect."
"Ship inspection is my profession, Roronoa-san," Kaku replied with a slight bow. "I assure you, I understand the bond between a crew and their vessel."
For the next hour, Zoro watched as Kaku methodically examined every inch of Going Merry. The foreman's movements were too fluid, too precise for a simple shipwright. Having fought countless opponents, Zoro recognized the unconscious moves of a trained fighter.
Kaku tested the mast's integrity, examined the keel, and inspected the hull with meticulous care. With each passing minute, his expression grew more grave. Finally, he returned to where Zoro waited.
"Can she be upgraded?" Zoro asked, though something in his gut already knew the answer.
Kaku shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry, but this ship... she's done for. The keel is severely damaged – it's the backbone of any ship, and once it's compromised, there's no coming back. The fact that you're not already at the bottom of the ocean is nothing short of miraculous."
Zoro's jaw tightened. He thought about all the battles Going Merry had weathered, all the storms she'd carried them through. The way she'd somehow held together during their escape from Akainu, even when the heat of the admiral's attacks had warped her deck planks.
"I'll report this to your captain," Kaku said, preparing to leave. "He'll need to make some difficult decisions."
"Wait," Zoro called out. "Your movements... you're not just a shipwright, are you?"
Kaku paused briefly, his back to Zoro. "In Water 7, Roronoa-san, we all wear many hats. Some of us more literally than others." With that cryptic response, he leaped away with that same impossible moves, leaving Zoro alone with Going Merry.
The swordsman walked to the ship's railing, placing his hand against the worn wood. He could feel the tremors running through the vessel now, the way she struggled with each small wave. How had they missed it becoming this bad?
"So this is where your story ends," he murmured to the ship. "You carried us far, Going Merry. Further than anyone could have expected."
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