"I wonder if the Straw Hat Boy and his crew will like the ship I made for them..." Franky muttered as he lay on the deck chair. "It's my best work yet."
Truth be told, he really wanted to set sail with those guys. But the City of Seven Waters needed him—it was his responsibility, so he couldn't leave.
"Boss, why are you here?"
"Huh?"
"This is Franky House, my home. Why wouldn't I be back?"
Zambai and the others exchanged glances, clearly not expecting him to return at this moment. They were at a loss for what to do.
"What's with those faces?"
"Boss, I'll just say it straight." Zambai pulled out Franky's Wanted Poster. "You're a wanted man now. There's no way you can live a peaceful life here."
"A Wanted Poster..." Franky's expression darkened. "So they finally issued one, huh."
"Boss, I already asked the Straw Hat crew to take you with them," Zambai said. "I understand how you feel. I know you want to go with them—"
"Bullshit!" Franky cut him off. "Who gave you the right to make decisions for me? What do you even know?"
"Besides, if I leave, with your lousy skills, you'd all starve to death!"
Franky glanced back at Franky House—if it could even be called a house anymore.
"But Boss, if you stay here, we'll just drag you down!"
"Yeah, Boss."
"If the enemy captures you again, there's no way we could storm Enies Lobby a second time, let alone rescue you."
"Enough. Don't spout this nonsense anymore, you—"
BOOM!
A massive Water Dragon crashed into the ground, forcibly cutting off Franky's words.
Everyone turned toward the source of the noise and immediately recognized the familiar figure.
"Ninja Bro?!"
"Yo, what's up?"
"What are you doing here?" Franky stood up. "Came to thank me?"
"Something like that."
"Hahahaha! So? My ship's amazing, right?"
Franky proudly lifted his chin, brimming with confidence in his craftsmanship. In his mind, the ship he built was no less than the Oro Jackson!
"It really is incredible. We all love it."
"Good! Then take my ship and set sail on your adventures!" Franky waved his hand with feigned nonchalance. "It'll take you anywhere!"
"And what about you?"
"Me? I... I'm staying here, of course." Suddenly, Franky put on a fierce expression. "Alright, enough chit-chat. Get going already!"
Meiser merely smiled faintly in response, saying nothing.
"Ninja Bro, you came at the perfect time," Zambai said. "Our deal still stands, right?"
"Of course."
"Then please, go ahead!"
They were well aware of Meiser's strength—this was the man who single-handedly held off a Buster Call. Forcing their boss to leave would be child's play for him.
"Wait... what do you mean by 'go ahead'?" Franky asked warily. "You're not planning to—"
"Earth Release: Rock Flow Technique!"
Boom!
As Meiser activated his ninjutsu, a massive stone hand suddenly burst from the ground, grabbing Franky by the lower body before swiftly retracting underground!
The scene left Zambai and the others utterly dumbfounded.
"Everyone, I'll be taking Franky with me," Meiser said with a smile. "We'll meet again someday."
"Goodbye, Ninja bro! Please take care of Franky for us!"
Meiser nodded, then glanced at the distant sea, immediately spotting a Navy warship.
"The Navy... What terrible timing."
"Meiser, why hasn't your clone returned yet?" Luffy asked.
"It's already here."
Boom!
As soon as Meiser finished speaking, another stone hand emerged from the ground—with Franky on top.
"You bastard! What's the big idea?!" Franky roared. "I built you a ship, and this is how you—"
Before he could finish, Franky realized he'd been returned to the shipbuilding site, leaving him momentarily stunned.
"Yo, Franky."
"Oh, it's you guys," Franky said. "So, Straw Hat Boy, how do you like the ship I built?"
"I love it!"
"Glad to hear it..."
"Then join my crew as our shipwright!" Luffy grinned widely.
"Bastard, who said anything about that?!" Franky snapped. "And you, Ninja kid—mind letting me go?"
"Not a chance," Meiser smirked. "Not until you agree to join the crew."
"That's right. Pirates never give up treasure," Robin added.
"Treasure...?"
Franky hadn't expected the Straw Hat Boy to describe him that way. Treasure... Were his comrades his treasure?
Recalling the Straw Hat Pirates' actions, it did align with what Luffy said.
Shaking his head, Franky muttered, "No matter what, I'm not leaving this place."
"Why's he being as stubborn as you were back then?" Meiser glanced at Robin behind him.
Robin merely smiled in response, saying nothing.
"Big bro, you should go with them," Kiwi urged.
"Yeah, chase your dreams!" Mozu chimed in.
"Cut the nonsense!" Franky glared at them. "Why are you two joining in on this?!"
"Big bro, we've known each other a long time. Do you know when you laughed the happiest?" Mozu asked, tears welling in her eyes. "It was when we built the ship for the Straw Hats! Can't you face your true feelings?"
"We genuinely want you to fulfill your dreams and do what you love."
Franky fell silent, his eyes growing moist.
Damn these guys... Why did they have to say such touching things?!
"Franky, you don't have to suppress yourself anymore," Iceberg said. "Protecting this city isn't your burden to bear alone. You don't need to chain yourself here."
"Idiot Iceberg, I never—"
"Then what have you been doing all these years?" Iceberg interrupted Franky, saying, "Do you really think I don't understand anything?"
"It's time for you to forgive yourself, Franky."
Franky opened his mouth, feeling as if his thoughts had been exposed with no room for rebuttal.
"Franky, do you still remember what the Dream Ship you always talked about was like?"
"I remember."
Iceberg's words awakened the memories buried deep in Franky's heart.
A true Dream Ship was one that could cross countless seas, endure endless battles and hardships, and still reach the end of the ocean.
Only such a ship could be called the Dream Ship!
And his dream was to board that ship himself and witness the birth of a legend!
"Iceberg, you bastard really—"
"BOOM!!"
At that moment, a terrifying explosion suddenly echoed from the distant sea. From a high vantage point, they could faintly see a Water Dragon being shattered in the sky far away.
The sound immediately drew everyone's attention.
"What happened?"
"Not sure." Meiser had just spoken when he froze, then said with a grim expression, "It's Luffy's grandfather—he's back."
"Incredible strength. He destroyed my clone with just one punch."
This was the message relayed back from his destroyed Shadow Clone. Fortunately, there was more than one clone over there, so they could still buy some time.
As he spoke, Meiser quickly rushed to the other side of the ship, staring intently at the distant sea. Nico Robin followed, frowning as she looked into the distance. "The Navy hero who once cornered the Pirate King Roger... is he finally making his move?"
This was anything but good news for them.
"Franky, what's your decision?" Meiser returned to his previous spot, glaring down at Franky below. "If you haven't made up your mind yet, I'll take matters into my own hands."
"Luffy's grandfather will be here soon. We're running out of time."
No sooner had he spoken than another one of Meiser's clones was destroyed!
"BOOM!!"
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