"What's the news, Garp? Did you corner the target?" Sengoku inquired, his voice transmitting through a Den Den Mushi.
"He sure did!" Ryu chimed in, a playful tone in his voice, causing a brief silence on Sengoku's end.
"I see he made contact. But where, pray tell, is Garp?" Sengoku's voice carried an air of irritation.
"Bwahaha! Right here, Sengoku!" Garp bellowed, clearly amused by Sengoku's mounting frustration.
"I assume you didn't manage to defeat him," Sengoku said wearily, feeling the beginnings of a headache.
"Actually, I didn't even get a chance to fight him. Some random crew member kicked my ass and wrecked my ship in the process. Now, he's giving me a lift to Water 7," Garp chuckled, while Sengoku slammed his head onto his wooden table. He knew a headache was coming, but he hadn't anticipated one quite this severe.
"So you're telling me his entire crew is as strong as you?" Sengoku questioned, massaging his temples.
"Even stronger, I'd say, since I lost in the end," Garp corrected him, still laughing.
"How many crewmembers are in his crew?" Sengoku inquired, his tone shifting to a more grave one.
"Oh, about a hundred or so. You could've just asked me directly, you know?" Ryu teased.
Sengoku groaned. "Garp, I expect a thorough report when you return," he muttered before abruptly hanging up, leaving Garp and Ryu howling with laughter at his annoyed reaction.
---
Ryu leaned against the railing of Iron Whiskers, the gentle sea breeze ruffling his hair as he observed Water 7 come into view. The vibrant city shimmered under the golden rays of the setting sun, casting a warm glow on the network of canals and waterways that snaked through it. From afar, the city's unique layout gave the impression of a giant, multi-tiered fountain. A design meant to efficiently drain the city of water in case of a flood. Due to that, even from afar, Ryu could see every meter of the city clearly.
Sidewalks lined the canals, adorned with lush greenery and flowers in full bloom, creating a picturesque scene. Ryu could see the seahorse-like creatures swimming gracefully in the water, their muscular tails propelling them forward as they effortlessly navigated the canals, carrying passengers and cargo with ease.
The architecture of Water 7 was truly a sight to behold, with its colorful buildings made of peach and tan walls, standing tall and proud against the backdrop of the blue sky. The red, semi-circular roofs cascaded down the layered houses, reflecting the city's efficient use of limited space.
As Iron Whiskers sailed closer, he could see the base of the city's walls, massive and imposing, serving as a barrier between the city and the relentless sea. The walls were dotted with large holes that allowed the water from the city's canals to spill out into the ocean, preventing flooding during high tides. Countless scratches and marks adorned the city's walls, a testament to their ancient history.
Iron Whiskers approached the colossal harbor just outside the city walls, where vessels of all sizes and origins lay anchored. The air was filled with the sounds of industry and trade, as shipwrights and workers scurried about, repairing and maintaining the ships that called Water 7 their temporary home. Ryu could see the workshops just beyond the city walls, where skilled artisans plied their crafts, their hammers and chisels creating a symphony of craftsmanship.
"Oh, they aren't bad at all... A little nudge in the right direction and they could make some really good ship parts," Ryu said as he examined the craftsmen meaning a variety of materials for the ships.
"You're a craftsman?" Garps raised his eyes in surprise as he walked with Ryu and Yoruichi toward a certain building.
"Mainly a blacksmith, but I can also do other stuff," Ryu said proudly.
"What about your girlfriend?" Garp asked as he looked at Yoruichi.
"Nah, I find it boring. I prefer to reward Ryu for a job well done instead of doing it myself," Yoruichi laughed mischievously.
"Ha! I see you're resourceful," Garp chuckled as the group arrived at their destination.
"Well, this certainly stands out," Ryu chuckled.
Water 7 was a sprawling maze of buildings layered on top of one another, creating a dense urban landscape where space was a valuable thing. In such a setting, the colossal proportions of the building that stood before Ryu were even more impressive.
Constructed entirely of cold gray stone bricks, the structure boasted three square towers, reminiscent of a castle, at its edges and center. Ryu's eyes followed the thick stone walls as they stretched high into the sky, seemingly reaching for the clouds above. He couldn't help but admire the skillful craftsmanship of the stone bricks, which lent the structure a formidable and awe-inspiring appearance.
As he gazed upon the impressive building, Ryu's attention was caught by a large green sign at the very top of the center tower. The elegant blue writing on the sign announced the presence of the "Galley-La Company." The vibrant colors of the sign stood out in stark contrast to the cold gray stone bricks, adding an element of grandeur and beauty to the already magnificent structure.
As Ryu entered the buildings, his eyes were immediately drawn to a striking, tall, middle-aged man who stood at the building's center, flipping through documents while deep in thought. The man's short blue hair was styled in a business haircut, and his lips were tinted with a similar shade to his hair.
The man's vibrant, red, and orange striped jacket contrasted boldly against the cool tones of his features, and its open front revealed an unbuttoned orange shirt with a wide collar that exposed his chest just enough to reveal his casual confidence.
Ryu noticed the man's impeccably tailored black suit pants, which seemed to elongate his already commanding stature. The black shoes he wore were polished to a mirror-like shine, reflecting the soft light of the room. Ryu's gaze shifted to the man's left side in which was a small, furry creature peeking out from a pocket of the striking jacket.
"Iceburg!" Garp bellowed, his voice booming like a foghorn, causing Iceburg to jump as if he'd just encountered a ghost.
"Wha- Garp? What on earth are you doing here?" Iceburg stammered, his curiosity piqued.
"My ship got wrecked, and you were nearby, so I came to pay a visit," Garp replied nonchalantly.
"Your ship got wrecked? Did a typhoon pummel it or something? That behemoth's more robust than the walls of this city!" Iceburg exclaimed in a doubtful voice.
"Nope, not a typhoon. Well, it was a wild combination of things, but the main culprit was me getting launched into the ship," Garp laughed as Iceburg's expression morphed into shock.
"What? Who in the world could hurl you like a cannonball into a ship? I haven't heard any news about an attack on one of the Emperors," Iceburg asked, clearly bewildered.
"Please, those small fries wish they could send me flying like that. Nah, I got my ass served to me by one of his crewmates," Garp chuckled, gesturing at Ryu with his thumb.
"…Hold on just a minute. If this guy's crewmate beat you, which is a can of worms I don't even want to think of, that means he's a pirate, right? So why in the blue seas did you two come together?" Iceburg inquired, massaging his temples as he attempted to make sense of the situation.
"Well, my ship was toast, so I needed some help with transporting my men. Plus, we wanted to see the priceless look on your face when you saw his ship," Garp said, grinning ear to ear.
"I... Uh... What?" The situation was so absurd that Iceburg's brain went on strike, leaving him flabbergasted. This triggered a wave of laughter from Garp, Ryu, and Yoruichi.
"Alright, alright. I'll meet you down at the docks with some of the crew, we'll see what's the damage," Iceburg conceded, rolling his eyes as he regained his composure.
---
"Damn, you weren't joking," Iceburg commented in a bewildered tone as he locked at Garp's ship.
"Paulie, go examine the ship and give me a detailed report!" Iceburg said to a man at his side.
Paulie had a thick cigar clenched between his teeth, emitting a faint trail of smoke that curled around his rough features. Draped over his broad shoulders, he wore a weathered denim jacket adorned with an intricate flame detail on its sleeves.
The flickering, fiery design seemed to dance across the fabric as he moved. Also, the jacket had additional cigars strapped securely to it across its left side. A bold "1" was emblazoned across the jacket's back, proclaiming its dominance and prowess.
His hair, a dirty shade of blond, was slicked back on his head in a sloppy look. Perched on top of his head, a pair of orange goggles stood out against his hair, their lenses reflecting the world around him. Beneath the goggles, Paulie's eyes were intense, and his brows were furrowed into a scowl.
His muscles were well-defined, a testament to his physical strength and the requirement of his work. This imposing figure was clad in a vibrant yellow T-shirt, its fabric stretched tight over his broad chest. In the center of the shirt, a series of white concentric circles drew the eye, their pattern mesmerizing and hypnotic.
Cinched around his waist, a sturdy belt held a compact, practical bag that contained his essentials, ready for any situation that might arise. Paulie's attire was completed by a pair of loose, comfortable trousers, their fabric billowing slightly as he moved. The hems of the pants were neatly tucked into a pair of sturdy, well-worn boots.
Paulie began his thorough examination, starting with the ship's bow. The figurehead was chipped and cracked, a shadow of its former self. "We'll have to carve a new figurehead," Paulie noted, jotting down his assessment in a small leather-bound notebook. "Maybe a Sea King would be better this time, it's more fitting of the ship," he mused.
Paulie moved on to inspect the ship's masts and rigging. The once-sturdy masts had splintered under the force of Garp's fight, and the rigging was a tangled mess of frayed ropes and broken pulleys. "We'll have to replace the masts and re-rig the entire ship," he declared in a rough voice, adding this to his growing list of repairs.
Descending into the ship's belly, Paulie was greeted by a dank, musty smell. He wrinkled his nose as he surveyed the damage to her inner framework. The beams supporting the ship's structure were warped and twisted, a testament to the force that the ship endured. "The framework needs to be reinforced, and the damaged beams replaced," he grumbled, making a note of the extent of the structural damage.
Paulie approached the ship's hull, where the most glaring evidence of her brutal ordeal was displayed. The sight of the massive hole in her side.
"Oi, you caused this with your 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲?" Paulie asked in shock as he started at a cackling Garp.
Paulie stepped closer, carefully inspecting the jagged edges of the gaping wound. The surrounding planks were shattered and splintered, and the once-sturdy beams were snapped like twigs.
"It's a damn wonder you managed to reach this place," Paulie muttered.
"We'll need to remove the damaged planks and beams, and rebuild this entire section from scratch," Paulie said. Heaving made the last note in his notebook, Paulie began to mentally calculate the amount of materials and labor that would be required for the repairs.
"Ugh, this will take a while, you're lucky that you're a premium customer," Paulie groaned in annoyance as he came to a finalized result.
"Now that you finished my ship, what do you think about the brat's?" Garp asked with a wide smile, gesturing at Iron Whiskers.