Jotaro had already confirmed that Iceburg was inside the building. After leaving Kalifa's line of sight, he immediately stopped time and slipped in.
According to the plan, Shinobu and the others would come over one after another to stall Kalifa, buying Jotaro time.
With Observation Haki's sensing ability, Jotaro quickly locked onto the location of Iceburg's office.
"Come in!" Hearing the knock on the door, Iceburg stood up and said.
Looking at the masked stranger at the doorway, he furrowed his brows, slightly surprised.
"You are?"
"I'm Joseph Joestar. I had an appointment earlier, I'm here to discuss business."
Jotaro calmly replied, as if it were true.
As the heir of Joestar Real Estate, Jotaro knew clearly that someone like Iceburg wouldn't have the time or energy to remember every visitor.
Except for major matters, all appointments were arranged by the secretary.
Sure enough, the next second, Iceburg invited Jotaro inside.
"Please, come in. By the way, where's Kalifa?"
"She's receiving other guests."
"I see."
After Jotaro sat down, he got straight to the point and handed over the documents he had prepared in advance.
Iceburg picked up the documents and carefully read through them. The further he read, the more shocked he became.
It was the first time he had ever seen such a professional negotiation file.
The documents were divided into four sections,
Cooperation model, costs and profits, construction period, and some regulations both sides would have to abide by.
What caught Iceburg's interest were the first two.
For the cooperation model, Jotaro proposed joint development, he would provide the site and materials, Iceburg would provide excellent shipwrights.
As for the technology, it would be joint research and development.
'Such bold words'
When he saw those four characters, Iceburg's first reaction was displeasure, thinking Jotaro lacked sincerity.
After all, the Galley-La Company was the greatest shipbuilding company in the world. Joint research and development of technology, wasn't that just taking advantage of him?
Yet, as he looked at the blueprints that followed, he fell completely silent.
"These blueprints, where did you get them? To design such a precise vessel… your technicians are truly impressive."
"May I ask, what is this ship called?"
Jotaro, "Aircraft carrier."
"Aircraft carrier?" Iceburg nodded. "A very massive ship. Even for the Galley-La Company, it's quite a challenge."
"It's just… isn't the exterior design a little flawed? With such a flat deck, if it encounters bad weather, won't people fall right off?"
Jotaro, "..."
"This design has other purposes. I can't tell you yet."
Iceburg said, "Alright then, for the sake of these blueprints, I'll agree to work with you."
"I'd very much like to see this peculiar ship come into existence."
Jotaro, "Then let's sign the agreement."
Before signing, Iceburg fixed his eyes on Jotaro. "Joseph Joestar, I hope you'll agree to one thing."
"Oh?" Jotaro gestured for him to continue.
"Our cooperation, please don't spread word of it, and especially don't let the government find out."
That was exactly what Jotaro wanted. Without even thinking, he nodded in agreement.
"Don't worry. There's no way the government has spies in the shipbuilding yard. I can guarantee you that."
After signing, Iceburg let Jotaro head to the shipyard to pick workers.
Though he agreed to build ships with Jotaro, the workers chosen had to be willing to follow him.
Jotaro hadn't expected everything to go so smoothly.
Iceburg, surprisingly, was easy to talk to.
What Jotaro didn't know was that Iceburg was a ship enthusiast. Seeing a set of blueprints unlike any he'd ever seen, he assumed Jotaro was a very imaginative shipbuilder, and not wanting to crush his confidence, he agreed.
Besides, even Iceburg couldn't discern the purpose of an aircraft carrier.
"What a fine sightseeing ship! This is the first time I've seen someone design one like this."
Iceburg looked over the blueprints again, shaking his head with a smile.
"With such a grand design, I'm sure the nobles will like it."
———
[Shipyard]
Paulie spoke irritably, "Strange! Haven't seen Rob Lucci or Kaku since earlier. Where'd those two run off to!"
"Hey! Alice, get down from there! It's dangerous!"
Alice was an eight-year-old black-haired girl, wearing black-framed glasses. Hearing Paulie shout, she cheekily stuck her tongue out and made a face.
"No, I want to watch you build ships from here! If I don't understand these things, how can I be Mr. Iceburg's secretary in the future!"
"You brat!" Paulie cursed and was about to climb up to chase her down.
The arriving Jotaro stopped him in his tracks.
"You are… uh… uh…" Paulie's cheeks flushed red as he roared at Nami, "You shameless woman! Can't you cover your belly?!"
Nami looked at him blankly.
Jotaro handed over the letter of introduction Iceburg had given him.
After reading it, Paulie said, "You're here to recruit shipwrights?"
Recognizing Iceburg's handwriting and seeing his agreement, he didn't make things difficult for Jotaro, and directly gathered all the shipwrights.
He asked if the shipwrights were willing to follow Jotaro to build ships at sea.
The shipwrights looked at each other, but no one stepped forward.
"I've lived in Water 7 since I was a child. I've never been to any other place."
"Me too. The Galley-La Company is already great. I don't want to leave here."
Jotaro was about to tell them about his offered benefits, but just then, several unfinished ships in the yard suddenly shook and then collapsed with a crash.
"Ah!" Alice, who was sitting up high, let out a sharp scream as she fell together with the collapsing keel beams.
"Alice!" Paulie shouted in alarm, but the giant hull blocking his way prevented him from reaching her.
"Ora!"
Jotaro smashed apart the debris, dashed forward in an instant, and just as Alice was about to hit the ground, he caught her in his arms.
"You okay?" Jotaro asked in his deep, magnetic voice.
"Mhm…"
His face hidden behind the mask only added to the sense of mystery.
Jotaro set her down, his gaze landing on the broken keel beside them. The strange cracks on it gave him a sense of familiarity.
Tilestone immediately rushed forward and hugged his daughter.
"Alice, you're safe. That's such a relief!"
Looking at Jotaro, he sincerely said, "Sir, thank you for saving her."
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