Water Seven was alive with motion.
The streets bustled with activity as shipwrights hurried back and forth, hauling tools and materials. Water buses glided through the canals, leaving ripples in their wake.
Lively.
Noisy.
Full of energy.
Raifeng walked through the streets with the Marine group, his gaze constantly sweeping over his surroundings.
This city was completely different from Marine Headquarters.
Crowded.
Chaotic.
And filled with people from every walk of life.
"Don't wander off," Bogard reminded calmly.
Raifeng nodded. "I won't."
They continued forward.
Along the way, they drew no small amount of attention.
Marine uniforms weren't rare in Water Seven—but they were never welcome.
Some people looked at them warily.
Some deliberately avoided eye contact.
Others whispered quietly behind cupped hands.
Raifeng noticed everything.
But he didn't react.
Soon, the group stopped in front of a tavern.
Bogard glanced at the signboard.
"This place," he said. "We'll gather some information here."
The Marines entered one by one.
The tavern was dimly lit.
The smell of alcohol hung thick in the air.
Several groups sat around wooden tables, drinking loudly and talking over one another.
The moment the Marines stepped inside—
The noise dropped noticeably.
Conversations stalled.
Eyes turned toward them.
Bogard ignored the tension and walked straight to the counter.
"Boss," he said evenly. "I need to ask something."
The tavern owner froze for a moment, then forced a stiff smile.
"W-What would you like to know?"
Bogard spoke calmly.
"Recently."
"Any unusual pirate activity in Water Seven?"
The tavern owner hesitated.
His eyes flicked around instinctively before he lowered his voice.
"…There are always pirates here."
"But if you mean unusual…"
He paused.
Then nodded slowly.
"There are a few."
Bogard's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Go on."
The tavern owner swallowed.
"There's one group in particular."
"They caused quite a stir not long ago."
Raifeng's eyes shifted faintly.
Bogard asked, "Which group?"
The tavern owner hesitated again.
Then finally said—
"…The Straw Hat Pirates."
Raifeng stopped.
Straw Hat Pirates.
That name—
Was far too familiar.
Bogard noticed his reaction immediately.
"You know them?"
Raifeng didn't answer at once.
Instead, he looked at the tavern owner.
"Tell me about them."
The tavern owner looked uneasy.
"They're… strange people."
"A very small crew."
"But every one of them is dangerous."
"Especially their captain."
"Straw Hat Luffy."
"He caused trouble with the shipwrights."
"And clashed with the Franky Family."
Nearby drinkers leaned in slightly.
Clearly, this was a topic that caught everyone's interest.
Bogard frowned.
"The Franky Family?"
The tavern owner nodded.
"A local underground force."
"They control a lot of Water Seven."
"When the Straw Hat Pirates got into conflict with them…"
"It caused a huge commotion."
Raifeng asked calmly, "Where are they now?"
The tavern owner shook his head.
"No one knows for sure."
"But I heard…"
"They're still in Water Seven."
Raifeng fell silent.
Names surfaced naturally in his mind.
Monkey D. Luffy.
Roronoa Zoro.
Nami.
Usopp.
Sanji.
The central figures of this era.
Bogard glanced at him.
"You seem interested."
Raifeng nodded honestly.
"Yes."
Bogard didn't push further. Instead, he asked,
"Anything else?"
The tavern owner hesitated, then lowered his voice further.
"I also heard…"
"That the World Government might be watching them."
The atmosphere tightened instantly.
Bogard's eyes sharpened.
"The World Government?"
The tavern owner nodded.
"I don't know the details."
"But rumors say…"
"They might be carrying something important."
Raifeng's heart stirred slightly.
He knew exactly what that meant.
Ancient-weapon rumors. Blueprints. Water Seven. The pieces matched too cleanly.
Bogard stopped questioning.
He placed a few coins on the counter.
"Thanks."
The Marines turned and left the tavern.
Outside, sunlight flooded the street.
Yet Raifeng felt a faint heaviness in the air.
Bogard walked beside him.
"You already know who they are."
Raifeng nodded.
"Yes."
Bogard looked ahead.
"This mission…"
"May intersect with them."
Raifeng's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then," he said quietly, "that'll be interesting."
Bogard didn't respond.
But he understood—
Once the Straw Hat Pirates were involved, calm was no longer an option.
Raifeng looked toward the distant canals.
His thoughts drifted.
Meeting the Straw Hat Pirates.
Friends?
Enemies?
Or merely passing paths.
No matter which—
This city was about to grow lively.
Raifeng smiled faintly.
Water Seven…
Really was a place full of surprises.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 60 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/senpaistudios1