Chapter 178 — Steam Engine Blueprint Day
S.C. 1512 — Early Morning
Hidden Island — Ren's Engineering Shed
The sun wasn't fully up yet when Ren stood before a wide, cleaned workbench.
Blueprint scrolls.
Soot-stained metal parts.
Water pipes.
Coal fragments.
And an old kettle he had brought from Foosha years ago.
Today wasn't about walls or houses.
Today was about industry.
Steam power.
Machines that could move lumber, grind grain, pump water, and eventually power ships far beyond East Blue's standards.
Ren rolled his shoulders and opened a thick notebook.
"Let's begin."
Zemo yawned loudly from the corner, tail thumping lazily.
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1. The Problem: Labor Limitations
Ren flipped to a page titled:
Industrial Need Analysis
He muttered under his breath:
"We have three hundred people coming. More after that. Construction alone won't be enough. We need machines."
He wrote:
Move lumber faster
Power saws
Grind grain efficiently
Pump water for farming
Operate early factory belts
Assist in shipyard construction
Leo entered the shed quietly.
"You're up early again."
"Steam engine day," Ren said, pushing forward a blueprint. "Help me inventory the parts."
Leo blinked. "We're… actually making one? Like the drawings? With the cylinder and piston?"
"Yes."
"And the boiler?"
"Yes."
"And the rotating flywheel you said even normal people can maintain?"
Ren nodded.
Leo stared at the table.
"…Boss, this is insane."
Ren smirked faintly. "That means it will work."
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2. The First Draft Blueprint
Ren unrolled the main sheet:
STEAM ENGINE TYPE-A
(Small-scale, workshop grade)
Power Output Goal: 1.5 horsepower
Fuel: Coal or wood
Applications: Mill, saw, pulley system
The blueprint was drawn in distinct sections:
1. Boiler Unit
Built from reinforced iron, lined with KEA-alloy rivets.
2. Cylindrical Chamber
Where the steam expands and pushes the piston.
3. Piston & Rod Assembly
KEA-coated rods to prevent wear.
4. Flywheel
Heavy wheel turning a belt system.
5. Water Intake & Pressure Gauge
Handbuilt, calibrated with sand-filled weight valves.
Leo leaned over.
"This… is more complicated than most ships."
Ren nodded.
"It's the heart of the island."
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3. Early Testing — The Miniature Model
Ren filled the kettle with water and placed it over a simple coal burner.
As steam filled the chamber, the pressure valve hissed.
Steam shot through a tiny pipe, spinning a small wheel.
Ren tapped the table.
"That motion—the spinning—is what we scale."
Leo's mouth fell open.
"That tiny wheel could power a grinding stone…"
Ren nodded.
"And a cutting saw."
"And a lift!"
"And a water pump."
Leo's eyes widened.
"This… this will change everything."
Ren nodded once.
"That's the point."
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4. Bram Arrives — And Thinks Big
Bram barged into the shed, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Boss! We finished clearing area for the first three houses—"
He froze.
His eyes widened at the miniature spinning wheel.
"…What in the name of the sea god is that?!"
Ren didn't look up. "Steam power."
Bram crouched, staring as if it were magic.
"You heat water… and it moves on its own?"
"Yes."
"So if we make a bigger one—"
"It can move anything," Leo finished.
Bram grinned.
"A machine that works harder than twenty men… and doesn't get tired."
Ren nodded.
"That's why we're making the full version."
Bram slapped his knee in excitement.
"I knew joining you was the smartest decision I ever made!"
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5. Luffy, Of Course, Causes Chaos
Just when everything was going perfectly—
"RENNN!! WHAT'S THIS THING!? IT'S SPINNING!!"
Luffy charged into the shed like a tornado.
Before Ren could stop him—
"DON'T TOUCH—"
Too late.
Luffy poked the mini-wheel.
Steam hissed violently.
The kettle rattled—
POP!
A tiny steam burst shot upward like a geyser.
Leo yelled.
Bram ducked.
Zemo jumped.
Luffy landed on his back with eyes spinning.
"I think… that thing punched me…"
Ren sighed deeply.
"Luffy, don't touch anything that moves on its own."
"But it looked fun!"
"It explodes."
"Oh."
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6. Assigning Work Crews
After dragging Luffy outside to calm down, Ren gathered everyone in the clearing.
Blueprint in hand, he pointed at the group.
Forge Team — Bram
"Build iron plates, rivets, and piston rods."
Woodworkers — Leo
"Prepare the frame and housing."
Stone Workers — Three Refugees
"Construct a fireproof foundation platform."
Assistants — Luffy, Kiro, Mira
Transport parts, fetch water, carry coal.
Luffy saluted loudly.
"YES, ENGINE BOSS!"
Ren shook his head.
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7. Evening: The Engine Takes Shape
By sunset, piles of materials filled the workshop:
Iron bars cut in precise lengths
Coal stacked for the boiler tests
Wood panels for housing
KEA-enhanced bolts
A half-forged piston
Workers were exhausted but… excited.
Something big was happening.
Mira approached Ren while handing him water.
"You're building something powerful again… aren't you?"
Ren nodded.
"Not a weapon. A tool."
Mira smiled.
"I like this kind more."
Ren smiled faintly back.
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8. Quiet Night — Ren's Final Notes
Inside the shed, with lanterns flickering, Ren scribbled into his notebook.
Steam Engine Type-A: Progress 30%
Piston forging ongoing
Boiler frame ready
Pressure gauge nearly complete
Flywheel design finalized
Belt drive pending
Safety valve requires recalibration
Zemo curled at his feet.
Ren murmured:
"If this works…
We won't just have homes.
We'll have an industry."
His eyes hardened with resolve.
"And this island will become unstoppable."
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End of Chapter 178