Two days remained until Gol D. Roger's execution.
Uncle Tom had finally finished the refit of the Oro Jackson.
He led Ritter deep into the dockyard, pulling back a massive waterproof tarp with a dramatic flourish.
"This is…?"
"My latest propulsion system. I was originally planning to use it for a sea train," Tom said, his eyes gleaming with pride that he couldn't even begin to hide.
Ritter immediately grasped what he meant. "You installed it on the ship!"
"Smart boy!" Tom slapped the side of the massive engine casing. "With this, and a few Jet Dials, this baby can cruise through the Calm Belt at three times a Marine battleship's speed! You get what that means, right?"
Franky was so excited he flailed his arms above his head, striking his signature pose. "SUPER! This'll be the fastest ship in the world!"
Iceburg, however, looked worried. "Master… but this hasn't gone through any safety tests yet…"
"Tests?" Tom threw an arm around his apprentice's shoulders. "Tell me, what's my level?"
"Top-class shipwright!!!"
"That's my boy!"
Tom released his hand after giving Iceburg's head a hearty pat. Truly, a master with a devoted disciple.
Ritter: "..."
Another minute, and Ritter was pretty sure Tom would've crushed Iceburg's skull from affection alone.
This legendary pirate ship was no longer just a wooden sailing vessel. It had transformed into a colossal steel beast. Its hull, forged from dark red mithril alloy, gleamed with a cold, metallic luster beneath the sunlight.
At its bow was a roaring dragon-head figurehead, mouth agape to reveal a cannon hidden within. Ritter fell in love at first sight. A large-caliber, long-range weapon what man could resist something bigger, louder, and farther?
"It can store energy from lightning, wind any energy source, really. And in emergencies…"
A bolt of artificial lightning crashed down, striking a receptor and being absorbed with precision. The entire ship lit up in electric blue, a storm of power swirling around the figurehead as it charged a shot.
With a thunderous boom, a blast shook the earth and sky.
Tom stroked his beard proudly. "I call that baby the Wrath of the Dragon God. Pretty decent, eh?"
Ritter stared at the still-smoking barrel, practically drooling. "...It's so cool…"
As the energy gathered, the entire ship had shimmered in lightning. It was too dazzling. Ritter was utterly entranced. No young man under a red flag could possibly resist the roar of a dragon.
The day of departure finally arrived.
The fully reborn Oro Jackson was docked at the harbor.
"I can't believe it…" Iceburg gently ran his hand along the hull. "It's like a completely different ship."
Franky was busy running final diagnostics. "SUUUUUPER! Check this out thanks to my genius design, even the toilets are fully automated!"
Iceburg bared his shark-like teeth. "Franky! Don't go installing weird stuff on our guest's ship!!!"
Up in the newly added pink lookout tower, Perona twirled with glee. "Lord Ritter~ This place has a vanity table! And shelves for my dolls! I love it here!"
Tom stood at the bow, eyes glinting with nostalgia. "Roger… your old crewmate can now carry this kid anywhere in the world."
Ritter gripped the helm. "Thanks, old man."
"Don't get sappy with me!" Tom's face turned stern in a flash. He grabbed Ritter by the collar. "You better take damn good care of her! If you so much as scratch this ship again, you're dead, you hear me, brat?!"
"Yes, yes…" Ritter raised his hands in surrender.
But Tom didn't let go. "Let me tell you something. The Oro Jackson was my greatest creation. It carried Roger to become the Pirate King. And this this is my perfect masterpiece. Don't you dare let it rot. Got it, kid?"
Ritter's expression sobered. His voice lowered with reverence. "Old man… this ship isn't the Oro Jackson anymore."
It deserved a new name. And as its builder, Tom had the right to give it one.
Tom was silent for a moment. He slowly walked up to the dragon-head figurehead, his calloused hand resting on the roaring steel maw.
His eyes seemed to look beyond time itself, back to those long-gone days when he set sail with Roger.
"Uncle Tom, just wait. I'll make the Oro Jackson famous across the seas."
"Roger's ship was the Oro Jackson," Tom murmured. "A vessel of dreams and freedom."
He raised his head, meeting Ritter's gaze. His voice was firm, filled with purpose. "This ship may be a refit of the Oro Jackson but it's something new."
Tom took a deep breath. The smoke from his cigar swirled in the amber light of dusk.
"Let it be called—"
"The Blumarine Jackson."
(Translator's Note: "Blumarine" is adapted from the Chinese transliteration of "布鲁马," meant to evoke imagery of blue storms, steel, and roaring tides. It symbolizes rebirth, evolution, and the storm that heralds a new era.)
Tom pulled out a long-hidden bottle of fine aged rum and smashed it against the ship's bow. The amber liquid flowed down the dragon's mouth like burning blood, catching the sunset's fire.
"As Tom the shipwright, I hereby name you Blumarine Jackson! May you race through blood and storm, and carve a new legend in this era!"
As his words echoed over the harbor, the dragon-head's eyes suddenly blazed scarlet. The ship thrummed with life, letting out a deep, resonant hum.
Ritter raised his voice to the crew. "All hands! Prepare to set sail! Are you ready?!"
"Ready, Captain!"
"Good! Then I hereby declare the Blumarine Jackson sets off!"
Perona cheered as she floated up to the lookout. Moria's zombie sailors rushed into position.
Franky and Iceburg stood on the dock, waving as the warship destined to shake the world pulled away a vessel both of them had helped create.
Just as the ship was leaving the harbor, Tom suddenly shouted, "Kid!"
Ritter turned back. The old Fishman stood silhouetted in the setting sun.
"This ship… It's both the continuation of the Oro Jackson and a new beginning," Tom's voice rang clear in the sea breeze. "Don't let it down. Don't let Roger down. If he could do it, you can too."
Ritter turned forward again and gave a wide, radiant smile. "I swear on my name, Ritter I'll make sure the whole world remembers the name Blumarine Jackson! Hahaha! And when that day comes, you'll be known as the greatest shipwright who ever lived!"
Tom laughed heartily, waving him off. "Go! Let the world hear what a real dragon's roar sounds like!"
With the engine roaring to life, the Blumarine Jackson slowly pulled away from the harbor.
Azure flames erupted from its stern, and the entire ship surged forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, cleaving through the sea.
"Lord Ritter!" Perona called down from the tower. "Wanna try the main cannon?!"
Ritter grinned, his teeth gleaming. "Couldn't have said it better myself."
He slammed his hand on the red button on the control panel. Blood mist poured into the core, and the ship crackled with crimson lightning.
The dragon-head let out a thunderous roar. A beam of blood-red light tore across the sea, detonating into a colossal crimson mushroom cloud on the horizon.
The people of Water 7 stood frozen in shock, watching the spectacle unfold.
"Sugoiiiii——!!!"
Tom stood quietly, murmuring to himself, "Roger… you saw that, didn't you? A new legend… has begun."
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