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Chapter 16:
The back hall of the gang's tavern was quite spacious—two rows of thugs stood at attention on either side. In the center, lounging on a sofa with a drink in hand, sat a young man with a prominent knife scar across his left cheek. Clearly the boss.
"Boss! Boss—this gentleman wanted to see you. The dozen or so brothers I brought… he took them all down without even trying."
The little leader hurriedly explained, desperate to avoid punishment.
Victor looked at the setup and shook his head in disappointment. "You're the boss of this gang? Honestly… pretty underwhelming. Way too weak."
Vinnie Colanton raised an eyebrow at the report. He studied Victor's towering frame and immediately believed every word. This man was dangerous.
"You came looking for me?"
Victor didn't waste time. He moved—blurring out of sight.
In the next instant, both rows of thugs collapsed to the floor, unconscious or groaning.
Vinnie hadn't even seen how Victor attacked. The speed was absurd.
Cold sweat poured down his back. He stood up in panic. "Who… who the hell are you?!"
Victor looked down at him calmly. "I just didn't feel like wasting words. Unfortunately, your strength and organization are too pathetic."
He continued: "What's your name? I'll give you one chance. If you can deliver, I'll let you work under me."
Vinnie's eyes widened. He could feel it—this man radiated the kind of overwhelming power he had always craved.
"I'm Vinnie Colanton. You can call me Vinnie. What kind of chance, sir? I want to try."
Victor nodded once. "Gather information on Adam Wood. If I get the news first—you're useless."
"I'm Victor. If you find anything, come to the docks and find me."
Vinnie's face lit up—this was his specialty. "Yes, Victor-san! I'll start investigating immediately!"
Victor gave a curt nod and walked out.
At the bar counter, he ordered an orange juice (paying properly this time) and left.
Vinnie followed respectfully, escorting him all the way to the door. The moment Victor was gone, Vinnie mobilized every contact he had—desperate to prove himself to this monstrous new opportunity.
Back at the docks, the shipwrights had finished their inspection and temporary repairs.
But their verdict was grim: "The keel has cracked. This ship won't hold much longer."
Heracles looked at the hull with a heavy sigh. "So it really came true. After all these years… we're actually replacing her in Water 7."
The crew—Victor included—felt a pang of sadness. This was Victor's first ship. No matter how you looked at it, there were feelings attached.
Heracles spoke softly. "She's been with us through a lot. It's only right to give her a proper send-off."
Victor nodded. "Yeah. The sea is her final home."
Crocus agreed quietly.
That night, they held one last banquet aboard the old ship.
The next day, they sailed her out to open water. The crew transferred to a small ferry boat, while Victor stood at the bow holding a torch.
"As a ship, your best resting place is the sea. Today, we return you to her embrace."
He looked up at the sail. "You never had a name. We never gave you one. Heracles—seriously, this was your ship and you couldn't even name her?"
He smiled faintly. "You've been our companion. How about I give you a name now?"
The sail fluttered gently in the sea breeze—no flag, just quiet dignity.
"You carried botanists across the world. You're tied to plants. So… let's call you the Plant Scholars."
Victor's voice softened. "Our next ship—I'll keep the name too."
He lowered the torch. "Goodbye."
Flames caught the deck. Victor leaped back to the ferry.
No one spoke. They simply watched in silence as the Plant Scholars burned, slowly sinking into the sea.
On shore, many shipwrights had gathered to watch.
"Another ship returning to the sea. A proper farewell."
"Rare these days—most just scrap them."
"She got the respect she deserved. Good crew."
The shipwrights nodded in quiet approval.
Once the Plant Scholars was fully consumed—ashes scattering across the waves—Victor and the crew returned to shore.
One of the crew asked: "So… now what? Buy a new ship?"
Victor shook his head. "I already commissioned Tom to build us a new one. I named the old girl Plant Scholars. The new one will carry the same name."
He looked at the crew. "What do you think?"
Heracles smiled. "I like it. Fits us perfectly."
The others nodded warmly. The name felt right—carrying forward the memory of their first journey.
Back at the inn, Victor gathered everyone for a serious talk.
"My plan is to head next to Sabaody Archipelago, then through Fish-Man Island into the New World."
He paused, looking at each face. "But I want your honest opinions first."
Heracles and Crocus were fine—they could handle the dangers. The rest… were ordinary scholars.
Victor continued solemnly: "The New World's climate and environment are unpredictable and deadly. Heracles, Crocus, and I can protect ourselves. But you don't have the strength to survive there long-term."
He met their eyes. "I can take you into the New World… but I can't guarantee I can bring you back alive. I'm worried about your safety. Think carefully—then give me your decision."