Translator: PapaSmurf0700
When Robin announced the sighting of the island, Luffy was the quickest to react, leaping excitedly onto the bow of the Golden Merry. "It looks pretty good!!" he shouted enthusiastically.
Bai Ye, also impressed, remarked thoughtfully, "If Sky Island brings people the feeling of the ultimate dream, then what Water 7 brings to people is the ultimate industrial atmosphere."
As the Golden Merry approached, the silhouette of Water 7 began to take shape before them. The city resembled a hill, crowned by a massive fountain at its peak. The fountain's water burst upwards energetically, cascaded down swiftly, and then split off, meandering slowly towards the city's outer edges.
The crew's eyes were drawn to the charming European-style buildings that adorned the city. It seemed as though the entire city was built upon the water, lending it an air of refined elegance.
For Bai Ye, the city was even more magnificent in person than on screen. "I felt about 10 points of marvel watching it on the screen, but now what I feel has already exceeded 10,000 points," he exclaimed. "Isn't this the essence of travel? Only by seeing and experiencing it firsthand can you truly feel its spirit wash over you."
Merry, seated on the edge of the boat, voiced her thoughts quietly, filled with hope. "Is this the place where the Golden Merry can be upgraded?"
Usopp, his cloak fluttering behind him, couldn't hide his excitement. "Then, right here, let's start promoting Sniper King!"
As they neared the port of Water 7, an elderly man fishing along the dock called out to them. "Hey, are you the Straw Hats? The pirates from the newspaper."
Luffy responded with a friendly tone, "Well, that's right, it's us." And with that, the two struck up a conversation, quickly becoming engrossed in their exchange.
After a while, the fisherman slapped his thigh and burst into hearty laughter, not even noticing that his fishing rod had slipped from his hand. "Hahahaha, you folks are really something else!" he exclaimed.
Usopp, feeling a bit exasperated, remarked, "Seriously? It was just the two of you chatting away!"
Unable to tolerate any more of Luffy's endless banter, Nami finally clamped her hand over his mouth. Turning to the fisherman, she asked politely, "Excuse me, sir, do you know where the docks are, or where we can safely moor our ship?"
The fisherman scratched his head thoughtfully before replying, "Well... Even though people around here aren't hostile toward pirates, we generally don't allow pirate ships to sail openly into the city."
He then added with a friendly grin, "However, since it's you lot, and with Mrs. Kokoro—the stationmaster of Shift Station—here with you, you should be able to enter the harbor directly." Pointing to a large gate behind him, he said, "Just head in through there."
"Thank you so much, sir!" Nami said quickly, giving a courteous nod before urging Merry to steer the ship toward the gate. "Alright, let's get moving!"
Watching this exchange, Robin commented, "It seems Mrs. Kokoro holds quite a bit of influence here."
Reclining comfortably on a deck chair, Granny Kokoro chuckled and took a sip from her wine bottle. "Hahahaha, I'm just an old woman. It's mainly because of you all that we're getting this special treatment."
Soon enough, under Granny Kokoro's guidance, they successfully docked the ship. As they stepped onto solid ground, Luffy pressed down on his straw hat to keep it from blowing away and exclaimed excitedly, "Alright, next up is finding that guy named Farnky!"
"It's Franky, you idiot," Usopp corrected him, shaking his head.
"Whatever! The point is, I just need to invite that robot guy to join our crew!" Luffy declared with enthusiasm sparkling in his eyes.
Usopp sighed and complained again, "You really are more interested in him being a robot than anything else, aren't you?"
At that moment, Granny Kokoro interrupted their back-and-forth. "Hahahaha, don't worry about that fellow right now. We should go find Iceburg first," she suggested.
She continued, "If you're looking to upgrade the Golden Merry, you'll need plenty of materials and skilled hands. That kid Franky won't be able to provide all that. Plus, Franky tends to wander off to who-knows-where, so you might not even find him straightaway. It's better to seek out Iceburg first."
"As the head of the Galley-La Company and the mayor of Water 7, he's the best person to help you with both matters," Granny Kokoro concluded.
Hearing her advice, Luffy nodded decisively and shouted, "Alright then! Let's go find this Iceberg guy!"
Following a brief discussion, the Straw Hats decided to split up again. Luffy, Bai Ye, Usopp, and Merry accompanied Granny Kokoro to the Galley-La Company. Nami, planning a shopping trip, enlisted Sanji to assist her with carrying her purchases. Meanwhile, Robin and Chopper opted for a quieter day and headed to a bookstore. Zoro, having just endured his tribulation and needing rest, chose to stay on board the ship. Additionally, Bai Ye had discreetly assigned him a new task to handle in solitude.
After getting directions, each group set off on their respective missions.
Not too far from where the Merry was docked, two distinctly different groups of characters kept a watchful eye on the Straw Hats. One group consisted of men wearing goggles paired with black overalls, their topless attire lending them a peculiar and perverted look.
As the Straw Hats dispersed, one member of the goggled group remarked, "Praise the captain, this seems to be the Straw Hat gang specifically mentioned by Boss Franky."
Another confirmed, "That's right, the boss made it clear that we shouldn't attack the Straw Hats. He also said to notify him immediately if we spot them."
Zambai, scrutinizing the pirate ship and its departing crew, nodded decisively and issued an order, "Then, let's split up and search for Boss Franky! When you find him, bring him here!"
The group responded in unison, "Yeah!" Ready to follow the plan, they dispersed with the intent of locating their boss to inform him of the Straw Hats' presence.
Simultaneously, another group, smaller and exuding an air of mystery, observed the Straw Hats. This duo, clad in white robes and wearing masks that completely obscured their faces, stood apart from the crowd.
As they watched the Straw Hats depart, one of them confirmed, "Identification confirmed, Straw Hats."
The other added, "Not only that, Nico Robin, the devil child, is also among these people."
"Then shall we take action?" the first one queried.
After a moment of contemplation, his companion replied, "Leave it to Lucci and the others. I recall that some members of CP9 are currently on assignments here."
"That's correct, they are after the blueprint of the ancient weapon, Pluton," the first one noted.
"Remember, their main suspect is Iceburg, right? And Lucci is undercover there?"
"That's correct, though they haven't found it yet."
"There should be no issue then. Considering the direction those people are heading, they're likely going to Galley-La Company. Even if we don't make contact with CP9, they will naturally intersect."
"Understood," the first one acknowledged.
"We need to depart immediately," the second one concluded. "Stussy seems to have really discovered the secret of the Four Emperors this time. Compared to that, the Straw Hats are not our priority."
With that, the two figures in white robes vanished from their spot, blending back into the shadows from which they came.
If Bai Ye had seen these two and overheard their conversation, he would instantly recognize their affiliation—a special, secretive branch of the world government: CP0!
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