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Around the same time, Luffy also arrived at Water Seven.
However, something that slightly surprised Auguro was that Brook was actually on Luffy's ship!
The convergence of the timeline truly couldn't be underestimated.
Originally, due to Auguro's intervention, Luffy's journey should have been much smoother.
Yet, according to the investigations by the Shadow Dragon Guards, Luffy's crew had faced just as many tribulations as before!
Because there were no other distractions, Luffy's lifelong "beloved rival," Smoker, had been relentlessly chasing them.
Facing a Logia Devil Fruit user, Luffy and his crew, who hadn't yet learned Armament Haki, could only take a beating.
As a result, Luffy's strength was actually slightly stronger than in the original timeline!
However, with the Summit War preparations beginning, Smoker had been recalled to Marineford by the Marine Headquarters.
Luffy and his crew could finally breathe a sigh of relief and arrive at Water Seven for a much-needed rest.
"Luffy still doesn't know about Ace's capture, but the news should spread quickly!"
Auguro watched Luffy, who was currently arguing with a shipwright, and mentally calculated the timeline for the Summit War.
Elite Marines were being assembled; the next step would be to call upon the Warlords of the Sea.
At this point, there was no longer a need—or an ability—to keep things secret. Those pirates certainly wouldn't be kind enough to help the Marines hide the information.
"I wonder how Luffy will manage to get into Impel Down this time?"
Auguro was quite curious.
In the original timeline, he had punched a World Noble at the Sabaody Archipelago and was subsequently sent flying by Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit ability. He then used the identity of the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, to reach Impel Down.
Now that Auguro had thoroughly cleared out the Sabaody Archipelago, the World Nobles were directly forbidden from leaving Marijoa.
It was highly unlikely Luffy would be smacked all the way to Amazon Lily again.
"If worst comes to worst, should I give him a hand?" Auguro mused, stroking his chin.
After all, how could such a monumental event proceed without the Protagonist participating?
Getting him into Impel Down might be tricky, but helping him reach Whitebeard's forces was something that could be arranged.
At the dockyard, Luffy was currently yelling at Iceburg's apprentice, Paulie.
"What do you mean, 'it's not worth repairing?' The Going Merry is an important crewmate!"
Paulie scratched his head in frustration, "It can be repaired! But this ship has taken severe damage; even if fixed, it would be a flawed vessel!"
"You said yourselves you're heading to the New World, right? In Merry's condition, she won't last a month in the New World before falling apart!"
"When that happens, you'll be the ones who suffer!"
Hearing Paulie's explanation, the entire Straw Hat Pirates crew fell silent.
Only Usopp continued to stubbornly insist on saving the Going Merry. The ship held too much significance for him.
Luffy's new navigator interjected, trying to persuade him, "Usopp, the shipwright, is right! If we're going to the New World, this ship truly won't hold up!"
"The best course of action right now is to replace the ship!"
This new navigator was also a familiar face: purple, wavy, long hair, and a black dress.
It was the master thief Carina, who was often considered on par with Nami!
Sure enough, Protagonist—miss one top-tier companion, and another immediately takes their place.
Usopp cried out in near-collapse, "What about Merry then? Are we just going to abandon our companion?"
Just then, a voice came from behind.
"If you can't bear to part with her, why not rent a warehouse here and store the ship?"
Everyone turned to look, seeing Auguro walk toward them unhurriedly.
"Lord Spirit King!"
Paulie and the other shipwrights immediately bowed in respect.
Brook happily exclaimed, "Yohoho! Lord Auguro, we meet again!"
Auguro smiled at him, "Brook, have you seen Laboon yet?"
Brook nodded repeatedly, "I have! Laboon was surprised at first! But he was so happy once he recognized me. Thank you so much for helping me escape from Moria's control!"
"It was no trouble at all; there's no need to be so formal!"
Auguro waved his hand and turned his attention to Luffy.
Observing this world's Protagonist up close for the first time, Auguro didn't have any particularly strong feeling.
"So, what do you think of my suggestion?"
In truth, Water Seven rarely offered a ship storage service.
Auguro was making this offer because he was extremely curious about the Going Merry. It was the only ship to ever naturally give birth to a ship spirit (Klabautermann), and Auguro was eager to see what kind of being a ship spirit truly was.
"Please give us a moment to discuss!"
Luffy didn't make a decision on his own but gathered his crewmates to discuss for a long time.
As expected, a conflict erupted between Luffy and Usopp.
But ultimately, they decided to get a new ship. No matter how much they hated to let her go, the reality that the Going Merry couldn't take them into the New World was something they couldn't avoid.
Luffy asked Paulie, "How much does a new ship cost?"
"It depends on your needs. If you want a ship built with the Treasure Tree Adam like Roger's, that wood alone would cost at least 200 million Berries!" Paulie shrugged.
"That expensive?!"
Before Luffy could speak, Carina's mouth dropped open. She managed the Straw Hat Pirates' finances, and their total treasure, even combined, was probably a little over 300 million Berries—certainly not enough to build a top-tier pirate ship.
"Aw! Can't we get it a little cheaper?" Luffy asked with a goofy grin.
Paulie couldn't help but twitch his lips. How much cheaper could he make something like that? The cost was fixed!
"No problem, I can give you a discount!"
To Paulie's surprise, Auguro actually nodded and agreed.
"Really? You're not from the dockyard. Can your word count?" Luffy looked at Auguro suspiciously.
"Hey! You brat! Show some respect!"
Paulie's eyes bulged, and he yelled at Luffy.
"This is His Majesty, the Spirit King of the Holy Spiritual Empire! The entire Galley-La Company belongs to His Majesty, so how could his word not count!"
"Whoa! A King? That's amazing!" Luffy's eyes sparkled.
"So, how big of a discount can you give us?"
Carina was even more direct, hugging Auguro's arm and cooing sweetly, "Your Majesty, the Spirit King! We really don't have much money left! Please, you must give us a good discount!"
Auguro chuckled, "Other things are negotiable! But you'll have to pay for the Treasure Tree Adam yourselves! After all, we don't keep that kind of top-tier material in stock."
"Ah, that's fine!"
Though Luffy was simple-minded, he wasn't unreasonable and agreed without hesitation.
Auguro nodded, "For the rest, we can deduct a portion of the cost for you."
"But in exchange, the ship will be entirely designed and built by our people, and it will incorporate some experimental structures!"
"While I believe this will make the ship even better, there are still risks. If you agree, we can build your new ship."