Water 7, Dock No. 1 — VIP Reception Room.
A massive floor-to-ceiling window stretched across the entire wall, revealing a sky as clear as glass and the roaring white cascades of the city's central fountain.
Sunlight streamed through the pristine air, casting shifting patterns across the expensive mahogany table.
Kalifa adjusted her gold-rimmed glasses. The lenses reflected a cold, rational gleam.
The documents in her hand trembled slightly—not from fear, but from the sheer weight of the numbers they represented.
"Mr. Iceburg, the verification is complete."
Her tone was calm, emotionless, professional.
"Straw Hat Monkey D. Luffy, 'Thunder Goddess' Nami, 'Tyrant Spear' Ronan, 'Pirate Hunter' Zoro, 'Flame Leg' Sanji, 'Sniper King' Usopp… and 'Devil Child' Nico Robin."
She paused, took a breath, and spoke the number that shook even the World Government:
"The Straw Hat crew's total bounty—3.129 billion Berries."
Outside, the towering fountain seemed to echo that declaration.
Iceburg sat in his wide chair, his gaze shifting from the bustling city outside to the young pirates before him.
"3.1 billion…"
His voice was low, slightly hoarse.
"Eight people from the East Blue… causing this level of upheaval in such a short time. You're far from ordinary pirates."
"Welcome to Water 7."
He smiled faintly, gesturing toward the small white mouse peeking out of his shirt pocket.
"I'm Iceburg, mayor of this city. And this little one…"
He gently stroked the mouse's tiny head.
"His name is Tyrannosaurus. I just picked him up—he needs a cage."
"It's already prepared, Mr. Iceburg."
"Ah, as expected of Kalifa!" Iceburg said with satisfaction.
"You flatter me." She bowed slightly, though her eyes concealed a deep, unfathomable darkness.
"We need a shipwright!" Luffy declared bluntly as he sat down.
"A shipwright?"
Iceburg blinked, then chuckled.
"We have no shortage of shipwrights here. But I doubt any of them would want to sail with pirates—especially ones worth over three billion."
"This is our recommendation letter!"
Nami pulled out a letter, faintly smelling of alcohol.
Iceburg took it—and the moment his eyes landed on the bold lipstick mark stamped on the front, his face twitched violently.
"…Granny Kokoro."
After reading it, he tore the letter into pieces without hesitation.
"Hey! Why'd you tear it up?!" Usopp cried. "That wasn't easy to get!"
"That lipstick mark annoyed me."
Iceburg brushed his hands off casually.
"Kokoro is an old drinking buddy. If she asked, I'll help."
"If any shipwright is willing to go with you, I won't stop them. However…"
"However, it seems you have troubles of your own, Mr. Iceburg."
Ronan finally spoke.
His long spear stood silently beside him, its tip faintly radiating a dark, blood-tinged aura.
As he breathed, the air in the room subtly shifted.
The sunlight grew heavy. Threads of dark-gold lightning flickered faintly in the air.
Ronan's gaze moved like a scalpel dissecting the soul—until it locked onto Kalifa.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Mr. Iceburg, how about a deal?"
Ronan's voice was deep and steady.
"Help us find the best shipwright. Provide the finest materials—something on the level of Adam Wood."
"We can pay. Gold is something we're not lacking."
A dangerous, playful smile curved at his lips.
"In return, we'll take care of the 'little problems' lurking around you."
"And any trouble that follows—even the World Government's pursuit—we'll handle it."
"What… are you saying?"
Iceburg frowned deeply, shock flashing in his eyes.
"You've seen our strength."
Ronan stepped forward.
"We're a crew worth over 3.1 billion. Not long ago, we walked away unharmed from an encounter with a Marine Admiral."
"So dealing with a few hidden government spies… is nothing to us."
Silence filled the room.
Iceburg sat there, fingers tapping lightly on the desk—the only sign of his inner turmoil.
His gaze lingered briefly on Luffy's face—simple, yet overwhelmingly resolute.
Then it shifted to Ronan's piercing eyes.
As the leader of Water 7, he knew exactly what situation he was in.
The World Government's shadows had already coiled around his throat like a serpent.
"I have one condition."
Iceburg took a deep breath, his voice heavy with resolve.
"You must protect my junior—Franky."
At the mention of that name, a flicker of warmth and sorrow passed through his eyes.
"He's one of the finest shipwrights in the world. And the inheritor of our master's dream."
"His dream… is to build a ship that can cross any sea—a true dream ship."
If Iceburg fell, Franky would be next.
Since the end was inevitable, he might as well place his bet on these monsters.
"If you take him with you, make him your shipwright, and ensure his safety…"
Iceburg stood abruptly, slamming both hands on the table.
"Then the deal is done!"
"The Galley-La Company will mobilize all its resources to acquire Adam Wood and the finest materials with your funding."
"I, Iceburg, will personally convince him to join your crew!"
"Deal!" Luffy grinned widely, extending his hand without hesitation.
Their hands clasped firmly under the sunlight.
At that very moment—
Kalifa, standing in the corner, felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss.
She stared blankly at Iceburg making a deal with pirates, her mind in chaos.
As a CP9 elite, she realized something terrifying—
Not only had Iceburg long since discovered her identity…
Even these pirates, who had just arrived, had already seen right through her.
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