Translator: PapaSmurf0700
On board the Golden Merry, Franky was overwhelmed with emotion, shedding tears as he exclaimed loudly.
"Aww! I'm so touched! Ahhh!!" he cried out. "Bai Ye's selflessness, the strong bond between Luffy and the crew... It's just super! It's incredibly touching!"
Despite his enthusiasm, his attire—a notably tight pair of shorts—might have taken away from the gravity of the moment, if one were paying too much attention.
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Meanwhile, back at Iceburg's office, after a deep conversation, Bai Ye, Luffy, and the others were preparing to return to the Golden Merry. Unbeknownst to them, Franky had wrapped up his own matters and made his way over to the ship alone.
Zoro and the others found Franky's eccentric behavior a bit baffling, yet oddly fitting for someone Luffy would take a liking to. In their minds, if Franky had been entirely ordinary, that would have been the real surprise. Thus, even in the absence of Bai Ye and Luffy, they were ready to welcome Franky as the newest member of their crew.
However, they soon realized that they lacked Luffy's knack for recruiting. Nami and Sanji spent a great deal of time trying to persuade Franky, but he firmly declined their offer to join as a shipwright. Franky's interest in the Straw Hats had been piqued by the notoriety of the Straw Hats Special, yet his admiration didn't extend to a desire to join them.
Franky's current profession, dismantling ships, was deeply rooted in his past, particularly the tragic death of Master Tom. He believed that constructing the battleship that Spandam exploited was what led to Tom's death. Despite Tom's assurances that the shipbuilders and the ships themselves were blameless, Franky remained haunted by guilt.
Just as the conversation seemed to be at an impasse, Robin decided to step in, hoping to shift the deadlock.
Robin understood how to reach Franky's heart because they shared similar burdens from their pasts. Rather than employing strategies or tactics, she simply shared her own story with him—the traumatic downfall of O'Hara and her tumultuous life thereafter.
As she spoke, Robin's words flowed effortlessly, painting a vivid picture of her homeland's destruction, her years of fleeing from place to place, and the despair that clouded her every step. This wasn't just a recount of events; it was a glimpse into the profound pain and isolation she endured.
Her tale visibly affected everyone present, especially Zoro and the others who, until now, had only seen glimpses of her past hardships. This was the first time Robin had chosen to openly share her complete story with them, giving them a deeper understanding of her struggles.
Even Nami, who had her own dark past under Arlong's tyranny, found herself deeply moved by Robin's story, seeing it in a new light. Chopper was so touched that he nestled into Robin's arms, tears streaming down his face, overwhelmed by the injustice she had faced.
Franky, overwhelmed by the emotional weight of Robin's story, was visibly shaken. He cried unabashedly, rolling on the ground in his distress, completely unconcerned with how he appeared.
But Robin's intent wasn't to seek sympathy. She shifted the narrative to her life since joining the Straw Hats. Despite the brief time she had been with them, she expressed that these months aboard the ship had brought her more happiness than the previous twenty years of solitude and fear.
As Franky listened to Robin describe the Straw Hats' adventures and the camaraderie she found with them—from the challenges in Alabasta to the daily interactions that filled her with joy—his spirits lifted dramatically. It was as if he had been revitalized by several barrels of Coke, energized into a supercharged state of enthusiasm.
This transformation in Franky led to the emotional outpour he displayed earlier, a moment of pure catharsis that underscored the profound impact of Robin's words.
Franky was deeply touched by the close-knit relationships within the Straw Hats crew, especially after hearing Robin's heart-wrenching story, which resonated with his own difficult experiences. Her courage in sharing her past and her transformation since joining the crew stirred a sense of kinship in Franky.
This connection sparked a notion in Franky that perhaps joining this unique group could be something extraordinary, even "SU.PER," as he might say. Yet, despite feeling a pull towards them, Franky needed a compelling reason to truly consider becoming a part of their journey.
Amidst his internal conflict, Franky's passion for shipbuilding surged to the forefront. With a hearty laugh, he exclaimed, "Wahhahaha, if that's the case, then let me, Franky, build a new ship for you!!" Building ships was not just his profession; it was his dream, his life's work.
Historically, Franky had always been preparing for the next big shipbuilding project. In the past, after the Franky Family obtained 200 million from Usopp, he immediately invested in the finest keel material, Adam wood, signifying his dedication to crafting exceptional vessels.
When Franky earlier noticed Kaku assessing the ship, he initially thought the Straw Hats needed simple repairs. However, as a top-tier shipbuilder, he quickly recognized that what the Straw Hats truly required was a new ship capable of braving the challenges of the Grand Line's latter half.
Franky was confident in his abilities, even believing them to surpass those of Iceburg, and was eager to take on the task of constructing a superior vessel for the Straw Hats—one that might even rival the ship built by his mentor, Tom, for the legendary Roger!
Filled with enthusiasm, Franky struck his classic pose, ready to discuss his grand plans. However, as he held his pose, waiting for an enthusiastic response, he noticed the lack of reaction from the crew. The silence caught him off guard, making him realize perhaps he had misread the room's mood or jumped ahead of the conversation.
Robin's words were measured and clear, "We're not looking to replace the Golden Merry entirely; instead, we aim to upgrade her comprehensively, including replacing the keel."
At this, Franky's reaction was instantaneous and intense. He leapt up, his voice a mix of incredulity and urgency, "Are you serious? Do you understand the gravity of what you're suggesting?" His thoughts then raced ahead, "Is this why you want me on board?" He paused, a realization dawning on him, "Granny Kokoro really went ahead and spilled the beans, huh?"
Nami watched the scene unfold with a sly grin, amused by the unfolding drama. She pondered whether to reveal the simpler truth behind their invitation—that Luffy just really wanted a cyborg in the crew.
Franky, settling back down, regained his composure and admitted, "Yes, I'm familiar with the technology you mentioned. In fact, I incorporated elements of that very concept into the blueprints for a new ship design I've been dreaming up. I call it the Soldier Dock System." He couldn't help but chuckle with pride, "It's quite a SU,PER~ innovation, if I do say so myself."
However, his laughter soon faded as he continued, "But to achieve what you're asking for, my current knowledge falls short." He sighed, adding, "Even Granny Kokoro isn't aware of the full extent of this tech."