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Thanks to Meowth's modifications and enhancements, the Endless Dream now sails much faster than an ordinary sailing ship. By the next morning, they arrived at the water city island surrounded by clear streams and filled with dreamlike scenery.
They had reached Water 7, one of the most unique islands in the Grand Line!
Standing at the bow of the Endless Dream, Zyhark gazed at the distant island, rich with personal memories.
The duel between Luffy and Usopp, the visually striking Rokushiki techniques, the touching past of the pervert Franky and Mr. Tom, Robin's sacrifice, and the emotional farewell to Merry — all deeply connected to Water 7.
It was a perfect blend of passion, comedy, and heartfelt moments, making it his favorite arc in the original story, without a doubt.
Unfortunately, at this time, the sea train seemed not yet operational.
Observing the empty sea around Water 7, Zyhark couldn't help but sigh in regret.
But on the brighter side, the world's best shipwright who built the Pirate King's ship, the bullhead fish-man Tom, had not yet been executed by the World Government.
This was indeed good news.
"Wow! This island is amazing, with clear water everywhere!" Aqua exclaimed with excitement, staring eagerly at Water 7.
For the silly goddess, this bustling city built on water was almost like a dream come true.
"Is this the place where the so-called ancient weapon Pluton was created? Seems worth exploring, meow."
Perched on the bow, Meowth's eyes sparkled with interest in the renowned weapon. If he could obtain some of its technology, it would be fantastic for the second-generation machine, meow!
"An island surrounded by water, how incredible."
Not tall enough, Kanna grabbed the railing with both hands, her small legs in white socks swinging in the air, revealing only her head.
"Is this really Water 7? It looks completely different from what I remember, even though I'm just a skull without a brain, yohohoho~"
Brook's cold joke remained stable as ever.
Speaking of Water 7, he remembered it vividly.
From a certain perspective, it was the final island the Rumbar Pirates visited. They set sail from here, passed through the Devil's Triangle, and met their demise against a formidable enemy!
"…Your memory of Water 7 is from over fifty years ago, right?" Zyhark muttered under his breath.
While everyone aboard the Sea Restaurant eagerly anticipated exploring Water 7, King remained alone in a corner, silently lifting weights.
Through relentless effort, he had once again surpassed his limits, now able to swing an 80-kilogram dumbbell with ease!
Coming from a world where monsters were everywhere, his growth rate was astounding.
Though in the pirate world, even 80 kilograms wasn't enough to lift some heavy swords...
With varied expectations, the Endless Dream sailed forward, gradually docking at Port 1 of Water 7.
After submitting the appropriate management fee to the port administrator, Zyhark and his companions set foot on the dreamy water city.
Although their ship, the Endless Dream, would inevitably reveal their identities eventually, the most wanted individuals still wore masks to cover their faces to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Their "crimes" of killing a Celestial Dragon and challenging the World Government's authority were considered more serious than the typical crimes of burning, killing, and looting.
Once exposed on the island, they would face not only bounty hunters and regular marines but something far more dangerous!
"Huh? What kind of joke is this, Zyhark? I am the Water Goddess, the Water Goddess! How could I possibly do something so sneaky and shameful?"
Meowth and King were fine with it, but the arrogant and self-absorbed Aqua strongly protested against wearing a mask.
"I'll give you 100,000 Beli as pocket money," Zyhark said, raising a finger.
"This isn't about the money. Wearing such a shabby mask, where's my dignity as a goddess!"
Aqua, unusually, showed no interest in the money.
"200,000," Zyhark added another finger to his raised hand.
"Hehe, you must have misunderstood something. I said I wasn't the kind of lowly goddess who values money!"
This time, Aqua's blue eyes blinked for two and a half seconds, showing a clear hesitation.
"500,000."
Zyhark spread out his entire hand, his tone turning cold, "If that's still not enough, then stay on the ship and wait until we find a suitable shipwright."
"Hehe, you see, I'm pretty good at acting."
Aqua, who had planned to squeeze more money out of him, quickly accepted the mask and wore it at lightning speed.
Piece of cake, Zyhark thought, smirking at his successful ploy.
Knowing Aqua's propensity for causing trouble, he wouldn't leave her alone to guard the ship. Who knew what kind of mess she'd create in his absence?
Renting a transport device called "Bull" from the port administrator, the group, pulled by sea bulls, officially entered the bustling and lively Water 7.
After a brief tour, Zyhark learned from local residents about the location of Tom's Shipbuilding Company, the world-renowned shipyard where Tom worked.
It was a large shipyard built on flat ground, with various professional shipbuilding machinery and busy foremen working on them.
Parking the Bull along the city canal, Zyhark led his companions to the famous shipyard entrance.
Before they could step inside, an elderly woman with unique fashion sense, wearing a high hat and sporting light green, fluffy long hair, greeted them.
From her distinctive "flower-like" appearance, Zyhark instantly recognized her.
The future stationmaster of the sea train station, the fish-man Kokoro.
Though once a super-beautiful mermaid, Kokoro at this point looked similar to how she would ten years later — with pink heart-shaped lipstick, an overweight figure, and a face full of wrinkles.
As for her granddaughter Chimney and the pet rabbit, they probably hadn't been born yet.
"Visitors from the outer seas, what business do you have with Tom's Shipbuilding Company?"
Kokoro took a swig of red wine, her eyes scrutinizing the masked Zyhark and his companions, her speech slightly slurred.
Zyhark was about to inquire about Mr. Tom when Brook stepped forward, striding towards Kokoro with determination.
"No way?" King, expressionless as always, was taken aback.
Though he could guess what was about to happen, he still found it hard to believe.
"No way, that's too..." Even the unprincipled Aqua was stunned.
Yet, what was inevitable still happened.
Brook stopped before Kokoro, made a very gentlemanly bow, then raised his head, his hollow eye sockets fixed on her, "May I see your pan—"
"See what, you pervert!" Meowth, unable to stand it, appeared behind Brook, his mouth full of jagged teeth, and slapped Brook's skull.
A red bump instantly grew on Brook's head.
"Ahaha, you funny little guy. Were you trying to see my panties? That skull mask must have given you some courage."
Ignoring Brook's words, Kokoro laughed heartily.
"No, I really am a skeleton," Brook corrected, pressing down the bump on his head, "And I'm over eighty years old, yohohoho~"
Seemingly a bit tipsy, Kokoro ignored Brook's words, reminiscing, "Your words remind me of good times. Despite how I look now, I was very popular in my youth. My suitors nearly lined up to Fishman Street."
"But none were as bold as you. For example, the first suitor..."
Isn't this going too far, lady...
Zyhark thought, rubbing his forehead, surprised at how things had unfolded at the shipyard.
Kanna, beside him, imitated his gesture, placing her small hand on her forehead.
As Kokoro began talking about her third suitor, Zyhark interrupted, "Actually, we're here to ask Mr. Tom for help with our ship. Do you know where he is now?"
Hearing Mr. Tom's name, Kokoro finally snapped out of her nostalgic daydream.
"Mr. Tom? Sorry, I'm just an old lady with nothing to do. I don't know where he is."
Due to Mr. Tom's reputation as the world's best shipwright, people from the outer seas frequently came seeking his services. But he was busy building the sea train and couldn't be disturbed by trivial matters.
Preventing such disturbances was why Kokoro often hung around the shipyard entrance.
'You were once Mr. Tom's secretary. How could you not know where he is?' Zyhark thought, though he kept his expression neutral. He raised two fingers, "Our budget is 2 billion."
"How much?" Kokoro quietly put away her wine bottle.
"200 billion Beli."
"Right this way. Mr. Tom has been waiting for you in his workshop."
Kokoro's attitude instantly changed, now enthusiastically leading the way.
Building the sea train was a long and costly endeavor. Small projects were a waste of time, but 2 billion was a different matter!
"A money-grubbing woman, meow," Meowth muttered.
Hearing this, Aqua turned her head, pretending not to hear as she whistled nonchalantly.
Seconds later, finding herself without a part to play, she pointed at Kokoro ahead, correcting Meowth, "She's not human, you know."
"Meow?" Meowth studied Kokoro, confused.
"Though I'm not sure of the specifics, she's definitely not human," Aqua asserted.
Even King and Brook turned their curious gazes toward Kokoro.
"Did I forget to mention? The little girl is right. I'm not human but a fish-man." Kokoro, having overheard, turned to explain.
Despite addressing Meowth's query, her tired eyes focused on Aqua.
Though Aqua wore a mask and they were meeting for the first time, Kokoro felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity and comfort from the blue-haired girl, reminiscent of her free days swimming in the sea with an unseparated tail.
This heartfelt connection was part of why Kokoro decided to help. Money was essential, but she wouldn't let strangers meet Mr. Tom so casually.
Like the mermaid sold as a slave in Sabaody, Kokoro wouldn't imagine that the girl behind her was the genuine Water Goddess, the symbol of the sea.
Both mermaids and fish-men had an innate affection for Aqua.
"Say what?!"
Brook and Meowth were stunned by Kokoro's revelation.
Having already seen a mermaid in Sabaody, Meowth and King were less affected. But Brook, who hadn't reached Fishman Island, felt his ideal image of mermaids shattered.
"Hey, hey, are all mermaids like this?" Even Kanna couldn't help but ask.
Kokoro's being a mermaid left a significant impression.
"No, you see, she has legs now, so she doesn't count as a mermaid anymore," Zyhark said, patting Kanna's head.
"Hey! That's quite rude, young man. I'm still here, listening!" Kokoro protested, her face darkening.
One shouldn't teach kids this way. What if they picked up bad habits?
Kokoro couldn't have guessed that the "child" before her was over 14,000 years old.
Despite the interruptions, Zyhark's group and Kokoro struck up a conversation.
Along the way, they met Barry, a ship foreman who used ropes as weapons, being chased by debt collectors to the shipyard.
Soon, in a workshop filled with design drafts, Zyhark met the world's best shipwright of the era.
The bullhead fish-man, Mr. Tom!
(End of Chapter)