Water 7, the world-renowned shipbuilding city. People with even a slight understanding of the world know that the shipwrights here possess the world's finest techniques.
However.
"It's a desolate scene." Roa held a telescope, gazing at the distant island. Dilapidated houses, a port with barely any ships. The walls of the houses on the island's edge were even stained with marks left by seawater, likely from the giant tsunami, Aqua Laguna, that attacked this island year after year, and no one bothered to clean it up.
Completely different from the bustling and prosperous metropolis it would become twenty-eight years later, Water 7 at this time was merely a decaying city. It was no surprise. Although it was recognized worldwide as a shipbuilding mecca, the truth was, Water 7's output of ships wasn't as great as one might imagine. The World Government already promoted a policy of isolating nations, making communication and exchange between countries very difficult. Besides a few merchants, most people who ventured out to sea were either pirates or Marines. Few commoners went to sea.
How many people could even come here to buy ships? They basically relied on orders from the Marines to barely survive. What's more, on top of that, the various shipbuilding companies in Water 7 were at odds with each other, constantly sabotaging each other. Under such circumstances, how could this city possibly develop?
Speaking of which, the reason this city would achieve its future prosperity was entirely thanks to the Fish-Man Tom and his apprentice, Iceberg. Tom created the Sea Train, allowing Water 7 to truly connect with the surrounding islands. And Iceberg was equally remarkable; he single-handedly integrated Water 7's major shipbuilding companies, forming the large shipbuilding company, Galley-La Company, which greatly improved shipbuilding efficiency while also vigorously developing tourism through the convenience of the Sea Train. With these two approaches combined, the city truly began to flourish.
However, all of that was many years in the future. Roa wasn't concerned with it. He was only here for the blueprints of Pluton. Hmm—he might as well pack up the shipwrights and take them with him. Judge's workload was already quite heavy; it was better not to add to his burden.
Thus, the great snail fleet approached Water 7. It must be said that Water 7 instantly erupted into a frenzy. Though desolate, the city was still home to many people. On the coast, fishermen and those fishing noticed the colossal snails rumbling across the sea at the very first moment.
"Snails? A great fleet made of snails?"
"Am I seeing things?"
After a brief moment of shock, someone finally realized what this meant.
"J-it's the Germa Kingdom's snail fleet!!"
The Germa Kingdom? Everyone's faces instantly changed dramatically. In this world, who didn't know what the arrival of this nation signified?
"Roa! Calamity Roa is here!!"
People on the coast and onshore immediately scattered and fled, everyone wishing their parents had given them two more legs. "Why! Why is this monster here! Shouldn't he still be fighting the Marines in the New World!"
"The world's most terrifying pirate! Why would the man with a four-billion-berry bounty grace this island with his presence!"
"Run! This monster is a deranged lunatic; he must be here to destroy Water 7!"
People simply couldn't understand what on this not-so-wealthy island could possibly attract a monster like Roa. Could it be ships? But Roa, who always traveled by snail, didn't need any ships!
"Is this Water 7's way of hospitality? How disappointing. For guests who've traveled so far, shouldn't there at least be some kind of welcome?" Roa sighed, watching the people flee in disarray, and waved his hand.
Suddenly, the great fleet split, moving to both sides of the island. It was still too early, and Roa wasn't sure if the Pluton blueprints had already been passed to Fish-Man Tom. That thing had been passed down through generations of shipwrights in Water 7 for eight hundred years. So, until he actually got his hands on that blueprint, no one was allowed to leave. The great snail fleet began to encircle the entire island.
The panic-stricken people, of course, ran very fast, but unfortunately, they were still a bit slower than the snails. When the news of the Calamity Company's arrival spread throughout Water 7, huge snails had already surrounded the entire island, leaving countless families, dragging their belongings and rushing to the coast to escape by boat, almost in despair.
"What do they want to do!"
"We're doomed! The whole island is surrounded. Roa must want to destroy this island to retaliate against the World Government!"
"Is all of Water 7 going to be destroyed by him? No! Who will save us!"
"Marines! Quickly inform the Marines! Isn't G-8 Base nearby?"
"How could a single Marine branch stop Roa!"
And in a certain corner of the city, a sturdy, yellow-skinned fish-man was quite astonished upon hearing the news. "Roger just left, and now Roa is here again!" And, Roger, you were such a jinx! You told me not to get close to Roa, and now he's come knocking on our door!
Chaos, despair, wailing. When Roa's foot touched the dirty streets of Water 7, the shipbuilding city was wailing continuously because of his arrival.
Roa subtly twitched his nose. "So the welcoming ceremony was saved for now? Not bad."
Perhaps, this is the benefit of reputation? Just letting the citizens know of his arrival has caused the city's dark aura to surge dramatically.
However. There weren't no bold people either. Roa watched with interest the middle-aged man who was nervously approaching him. His attire was quite luxurious, and he looked rather proper. Although his face was filled with reluctance, he still tremblingly approached.
"L-Roa-sama, I am, I am the Mayor of Water 7. I-I don't know if there's anything I can help you with?"
Mayor Hudson's back was completely drenched in cold sweat. Damn these troublesome citizens! After realizing that the entire Water 7 was surrounded and escaping was utterly impossible, he, the Mayor, was pushed forward by everyone, forced to meet this monster! Although he looked like a handsome, cheerful young man, who in the world didn't know that beneath that beautiful exterior lay a terrifying demon!
"Mayor, you say? Perfect timing!" Roa nodded with satisfaction. "I was just wondering how to find people. I was even thinking of directly flattening the entire island and gathering everyone together."
"…!" The Mayor's forehead instantly broke out in large beads of sweat. Flatten the entire island? For this man, it probably wouldn't be difficult, would it?
"Roa-sama, who are you looking for? I'll immediately arrange for people to help you find them!" The Mayor was already cursing the person who attracted Roa here to hell! Which idiot, not knowing the limits of his own life, offended this monster! Now all of Water 7 is implicated!
"Shipwrights." Roa held up a finger. "I'll give you one hour to gather all the shipwrights on this island. If even one person is missing, I'll destroy this island."
"…!" The Mayor was stunned once again. Shipwrights? Was he really here to build ships? However, destroying this island...
"Daydreaming also counts as time, you know." Roa kindly reminded him.
"Eeek!!" The Mayor's face instantly flushed crimson, letting out a shriek. "Yes! Yes! I understand, Roa-sama!"
Without any hesitation, the well-dressed Mayor turned and ran, even stumbling and rolling twice on the ground because he ran too fast. But he paid no mind to his disheveled state, quickly scrambling up and rushing away.
Soon, the Mayor ran into an alley, and a group of anxious people immediately gathered around him. "Mayor Hudson, what does he want?"
"Shipwrights! He wants all the shipwrights on the island!" The Mayor panted heavily. "He said that within an hour, he wants to see all the shipwrights, otherwise, otherwise!" He cried, his eyes bloodshot, "Otherwise, he'll destroy all of Water 7!"
The crowd was silent for a moment. Then, the next instant, it exploded into chaos.
"What! Destroy Water 7?"
"He can do it! That monster can certainly do it!"
"Quick! Quickly contact the presidents of the shipyards! Tell them to gather all the shipwrights!"
"The shipwrights might try to escape! Mobilize the citizens! We must send everyone over in the shortest possible time!!"
Thus, Water 7 instantly became even more chaotic.
As for Roa's side, the executives were somewhat puzzled by their Boss's actions. Shipwrights? They didn't need those guys. Hadn't Judge taken care of all the logistics for the great snail fleet? Where would these so-called shipwrights be needed? However, despite their lack of understanding, it was everyone's consensus that Boss's actions always had a deeper meaning; he never acted without purpose. They only needed to follow behind their Boss.
At the same time, in a sea area not too far from Water 7, a huge Marine base was located here, one of the Marine G-series branch bases, G-8 Base. At this moment, in the base commander's office, the Vice Admiral base commander was hastily reporting to his superior.
"Admiral Sengoku! Roa, Calamity Roa has suddenly appeared in Water 7!"
"What? Water 7? Has he not returned to the New World?" The voice on the other end of the phone was extremely astonished. "No wonder, no wonder only he remained inactive!"
"What should we do now?" The Vice Admiral base commander was quite apprehensive. "S-should we... go to support Water 7?" Every word he spoke was incredibly difficult, and when he finished the sentence, the muscles on his face trembled. For him to lead soldiers to confront Roa, that would be more than just seeking death.
"...That would only be a pointless sacrifice," Admiral Sengoku on the other end was silent for a moment, then sighed, "Remain inactive for now. First, observe the situation in Water 7. If the Calamity Company shows any tendency to move towards your side, do not hesitate, immediately abandon the base and retreat."
"Yes!" The base commander breathed a sincere sigh of relief, his voice becoming much louder. But after hanging up the phone, he suddenly froze again. Then, he let out a bitter laugh.
"Am I actually celebrating that I don't have to face that great criminal?"
Moreover, it wasn't just himself; the Marines were also compromising with those monsters.
Water 7. The city had descended into complete chaos. News that Roa was looking for shipwrights had spread throughout the island, and the declaration that he would destroy the entire island if the shipwrights weren't gathered had become common knowledge. Thus, regardless of gender or age, the terrified citizens sprang into action. On one hand, they contacted the various shipbuilding companies to gather all the shipwrights, and on the other hand, people also began actively searching for those shipwrights who were equally terrified by the Calamity Company's arrival.
Many of the shipwrights were very cooperative. Although they didn't know what Roa wanted with them, Water 7 was their hometown, and there was no way to escape. If the entire island were destroyed, hiding anywhere would be useless. However, some shipwrights were truly scared out of their wits, desperately trying to bury their heads in the sand and hide somewhere. For these individuals who wouldn't cooperate gracefully, the citizens naturally had to force them. Unfortunately, the entire city's populace was already mobilized at this point; there was nowhere for them to run.
Thus, screams and wails echoed throughout Water 7.
"No! Don't! I don't want to see that guy! He must want to kill us!"
"Let go of me! You bastards who aid evil!"
"Help! Someone save me! I don't want to die!"
The yellow-skinned fish-man looked at the several shipwrights being dragged away by the citizens, crying and wailing, and shook his head helplessly. "How pathetic. Is there still a chance to escape now? If not, as a man, one can only face all of this head-on, can't he!"
Regardless, soon, whether voluntarily or by force, all the shipwrights were brought before Roa.
"Quite a lot of people, aren't there?" Roa scanned the dense crowd of heads before him with interest. Conservatively, there were over a thousand people. Almost everyone's face showed expressions of fear and apprehension. And among these people, that large, burly yellow-skinned fish-man was truly conspicuous.
"Roa-sama, all, all the shipwrights are here." At the very front of the shipwright line, the Mayor bowed and scraped to Roa, while pointing at several equally fawning men beside him. "These few are all the shipyard owners. They can testify!"
"Yes, yes, Roa-sama, all the shipwrights are here!" The several owners said hastily.
Roa glanced at them. Hmm, no lie. That's fine.
Then, looking at these apprehensive shipwrights, who didn't know what fate awaited them, Roa slowly spoke.
"The blueprints, the blueprints that have been passed down for eight hundred years, where are they? That thing is too much for you to handle; hand it over to me."
Blueprints? The Mayor was bewildered. The shipyard owners were bewildered. Most of the shipwrights were also bewildered. What blueprints? Where are these blueprints that have been passed down for eight hundred years?
But in the crowd, a very old-looking shipwright's face changed. He almost instinctively looked at the yellow-skinned fish-man, Tom, who was also in the crowd.
Roa continued, "I'll count to five. If the blueprints aren't handed over by then, then I'm afraid..."
"One." He began to count.
"What blueprints! I've never even heard of them!"
"Me neither!"
Roa counted the second number. "Two."
Above Water 7, dark clouds suddenly gathered.
"Roa-sama, you must be mistaken! I've been a shipwright on this island for decades, and I've never heard of any blueprints!"
Roa completely ignored him, just continuing to count on his own.
"Three."
Boom!
Dazzling lightning exploded within the clouds, and wild bolts of lightning gathered, seemingly ready to raze the island below at any moment.
"If there really are blueprints, no matter whose hands they're in, hurry up and bring them out!" Someone shrieked, almost at the point of collapse. "Otherwise, everyone will die!"
"Anyone! Please save us!"
Fear and despair had already made everyone wail hysterically.
"Four—" Roa's voice lengthened.
Because from the crowd, a tall figure pushed his way out.
"They're here." The yellow-skinned fish-man panted heavily, staring intently at Roa, while pulling out a stack of papers from his pocket and handing them to him.
"Roa, what you want, it's here with me!"
"Oh?" Roa's eyes narrowed. "Very good."
So it was in your hands after all. That works too.
In short, the Pluton blueprints were now in his possession.