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Early the next morning, before the evacuated residents had completely returned to the coastal area, the harbor was already crowded with people.
Tom, Kokoro, Iceburg, Yokozuna the frog, and the shipwrights from the shipyard were all present, their faces brimming with excited anticipation.
In the front of the crowd stood Zyhark, Aqua, and their companions. The newly refurbished Infinite Dream lay quietly on the water, covered in a tight red cloth that concealed its full appearance.
However, even from the visible outline, it was clear that the ship's scale and form had far surpassed its former state as a sea restaurant.
"Everyone, open your eyes wide and take a good look. This miracle ship, full of endless possibilities, will now reveal its perfect form!"
Tom's enthusiastic words elevated the crowd's excitement to its peak. The shipwrights who had participated in the transformation work raised their arms in joy, cheering loudly.
Under the eager gazes of Zyhark and his companions, Meowth and Flam exchanged glances and then, with a coordinated effort, pulled down the red cloth covering the ship.
Shoo! Bathed in the morning sunlight, the newly revealed Endless Dream presented a visually stunning spectacle.
The ship's body, made entirely of the sturdy Treasure Tree Adam, was clearly defined with fresh, vibrant colors, showcasing its perfect streamlined design.
On both sides of the ship were golden gun ports housing various high-tech weapons. The figurehead still featured a special statue of the Water Goddess.
The former open restaurant and side doors had been replaced with a fully enclosed single-level space, designated for storing the second-generation machinery, Dial-based weaponry, wine cellar, and multifunctional areas such as a training room.
The clean, spacious deck had been expanded, and the two-story cabin at the back included the dining hall, bathhouse, bar, and living quarters.
Following Meowth's suggestion, the new Endless Dream completely abandoned the traditional reliance on wind power and switched to a more advanced electric power core. With Zyhark and Kanna around, they essentially had unlimited energy and no longer had to worry about the unpredictable weather of the Grand Line.
However, the original mast and sails were retained—enhanced with various high-tech features, the mast and sails could transform into a lookout tower and propulsion wings, enabling the ship to fly and dive underwater!
If the name "Endless Dream" was once a spiritual expression, the transformed Endless Dream now truly possessed endless potential.
As Tom had said, this was undoubtedly the most advanced miracle ship in the world today!
The shipwrights were overwhelmed with awe, expressing their excitement and gratitude by enthusiastically helping to load the pre-prepared supplies onto the Endless Dream.
Even the usually lazy Aqua showed remarkable enthusiasm, carrying boxes of various sizes alongside Kanna, Brook, and King.
The preparations for departure proceeded in an orderly manner.
By the waves at the harbor, Zyhark, Tom, and Iceburg stood side by side, gazing at the vast ocean.
"Tom-san, thank you so much. The transformed Endless Dream is flawless, even exceeding my expectations," Zyhark said, expressing his gratitude without reservation.
"Hahaha! On the contrary, being part of the transformation of this ship, I feel incredibly honored!" Tom laughed heartily, recalling the various advanced technologies he had learned from Meowth.
His eyes sparkled with uncontrollable excitement. "Meowth is an excellent scientist. Thanks to his inspiration, the Sea Train project can now progress at least twice as fast, maybe even more!"
Achieving the completion of the Sea Train was his lifelong dream, and now that many of the project's challenges had been resolved, his excitement was indescribable.
From this perspective, the value of the reward given by the Sea Restaurant far exceeded one or two billion berries, even tens of billions.
"Deciding to transform your ship is the best decision I've ever made!" Tom said proudly and gratefully.
"Meowth has also learned a lot of useful knowledge from you," Zyhark chuckled.
After a brief silence, Zyhark looked at the dancing Flam on the deck of the Endless Dream and spoke to Tom and Iceburg, "There's one more thing I need to discuss with you, about the Flam Battle Ships that Flam has been building."
"I don't want you to stifle his talent in weaponry, but those battle machines are too dangerous for someone as impulsive as he is."
When the Sea Train was nearing completion, Flam's impulsive actions led to Tom being framed for attacking a World Government judicial ship and ultimately sentenced to death.
Even without this incident, the World Government wouldn't have let Tom, who possessed the blueprints for the ancient weapon Pluton, off the hook. But it was an incident that Flam could never forgive himself for.
Apart from the relationship between the Sea Restaurant and Tom's workshop, this was another reason why Zyhark decided to destroy Flam's factory.
Without experiencing hardship and setbacks, a man cannot grow.
"I see, you also noticed Flam's flaws," Tom sighed softly. Having raised both Flam and Iceburg as his own sons, he was well aware of their personalities and temperaments.
"I will definitely keep your advice in mind and not let that guy be too reckless!" Tom promised solemnly.
"Thank you for understanding. If you ever encounter any difficulties, just let us know. After all, we are world-class criminals who even dared to kill a Celestial Dragon," Zyhark said with a smile.
He was referring to the trouble that might come from the World Government after the Sea Train was officially completed. The new Endless Dream was equipped with an encrypted Den Den Mushi, allowing constant contact with Water 7.
There was also one thing he didn't mention: Aqua had left a magic array on the highest fountain of Water 7, capable of limiting tsunamis.
Like the magic array inscribed deep within the castle to dispel the undead, it would exist permanently at the cost of Aqua's divine power.
While Water 7 might still be affected by Aqua Laguna in the future, the chances of significant damage were greatly reduced. The progress of the Sea Train and the daily travel of the town's residents would be greatly facilitated.
This was the real reward Zyhark had in mind when he requested the transformation of the Infinite Dream.
As they spoke, the supplies on the Infinite Dream were nearly loaded. Despite the many reluctances, it was finally time to bid farewell to Water 7 and set sail.
"Well then, Tom-san, about the 2 billion berries for the fee..."
Just as Zyhark was about to "renegotiate," a flash of lightning flickered in his deep eyes.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! The next moment, before anyone noticed, several heavy black cannonballs broke through the sky from the horizon, targeting the Endless Dream at the shore!
Streaks of blue lightning burst forth, precisely striking the airborne cannonballs.
Boom, boom, boom! Explosions erupted, tongues of fire spouting, and thick smoke filled the air.
"What happened?!"
"Who is the idiot daring to attack the ship I modified?!"
The joyful shipwrights instantly turned hostile, pulling out gleaming weapons and glaring at the direction the cannonballs came from with murderous intent.
Those familiar with Tom's workshop knew the temperament of this rough crew. Those who didn't might mistake them for a vicious pirate gang.
However, when the smoke cleared and they saw the ship launching the attack, everyone froze, dumbfounded.
On the dark warship lined with black cannon ports, the large sail bore the emblem of the Marine Headquarters, and the mast displayed the fluttering Marine flag.
It was the...
The warship that had come to Water 7 for inspection?
Didn't they leave before dawn? Why did they return?!
Without giving the shipwrights time to react, the warship's cannon rotated, firing more heavy shells.
This time, the target wasn't the Infinite Dream but the nearby empty coastal plaza.
Noticing this detail, Zyhark didn't stop it.
At that moment, standing on the rapidly flying cannonball was a tall man in a yellow-striped shirt.
The justice cloak with yellow sleeves fluttered violently—Marine Admiral candidate, Borsalino!
Boom!
The shell exploded on the plaza, and from the depths of the rising smoke, a yellow light shone, forming the lazy figure strolling casually.
"Moshi Moshi, Kong-san, I've returned to Water 7. Yes, the Sea Restaurant crew is still here."
After reporting the situation to Marine Fleet Admiral Kong, Kizaru hung up the Den Den Mushi on his wrist and sighed in frustration.
Reluctant to engage with the Sea Restaurant crew, he had already set sail for the headquarters. However, Fleet Admiral Kong's urgent call had dragged him back to Water 7.
The reason was that, under the severe torture of Impel Down's warden Magellan, the captured Supernova Black Mamba had revealed highly valuable information: the skeleton and the little girl who had claimed the bounty were indeed new members of the Sea Restaurant crew!
Upon learning this, the Five Elders issued a direct order to eliminate those who dared to challenge their supreme authority at Water 7!
An order that even Fleet Admiral Kong couldn't refuse. Naturally, Kizaru had no choice but to follow, appearing in Water 7 in an imposing manner.
Under the bewildered gazes of the shipwrights, the lazy Kizaru walked up to Zyhark and his companions and slowly stopped.
"Though it might be abrupt, could you please surrender peacefully, Evil Thunder, Zyhark?"
The intense pressure swept over them, causing the companions who had already boarded the Infinite Dream to adopt a serious stance.
After the encounter with Kizaru at the shipyard, Zyhark had mentioned this monster with admiral-level strength to his crew. While not exactly fearful, they couldn't afford to be careless now.
It was inevitable...
Zyhark's eyes narrowed as he gazed at Kizaru, whose casual demeanor belied the rising aura and haki.
"Sorry, Marine Admiral candidate Kizaru, I'm not the type to sit around waiting to be captured."
If avoiding it was impossible, then he would go with the worst-case scenario he had prepared for—a grand and spectacular showdown!
"Oh, you know me? Then I can skip the introductions."
Kizaru glanced at Tom and the shipwrights behind Zyhark, not in a hurry to strike.
"I advise you to abandon your futile resistance. Your strength may be decent, but Admiral Zephyr and Sakazuki are already on their way here. Are you confident you can face such a lineup?"
On the surface, it seemed like Kizaru was trying to intimidate the Sea Restaurant crew into surrendering. But to Zyhark, it carried a deeper meaning—a subtle reminder: your time to escape is running out.
"We're just an ordinary sea restaurant. Is it necessary to send even admirals after us?" Zyhark said, sounding exasperated.
"Killing a Celestial Dragon isn't something ordinary people can do. Even the most notorious pirates wouldn't dare to have such dangerous thoughts."
Kizaru tilted his head slightly, his glasses reflecting a deep yellow light.
As his words ended, the overwhelming aura of pressure he exuded reached its peak.
Realizing the urgency, Zyhark stepped forward, electric arcs coursing through him, facing the gradually glowing figure head-on.
"Evil Thunder, Zyhark, have you ever been struck by light speed..."
"Borsalino, have you ever been struck by lightning?"
Before Kizaru could finish his signature line, Zyhark interrupted him.
As Kizaru's face turned awkward, a massive bolt of lightning struck down from the clear sky.
Boom!
The terrifying energy of the lightning exploded, shattering the ground beneath Kizaru.
The sudden commotion left everyone in shock, and some of the new marines on the warship called out for Kizaru in worry.
"Aqua, Meowth, everyone! The situation is urgent. You guys sail the Endless Dream away. I'll catch up after dealing with things here!"
Knowing the impact of fighting Kizaru head-on, Zyhark turned and shouted to his companions who had successfully boarded.
Though engaging Kizaru with the entire crew might give them an advantage, fighting someone as swift as Kizaru would be a difficult battle for Aqua, who could summon tsunamis, and Kanna, with her destructive power.
Even if Kizaru showed no apparent malice, it was clear he wouldn't let them go easily, unlike in the original Sabaody Archipelago.
With Zephyr and Sakazuki on the way, stalling Kizaru was crucial.
So, to minimize the risk, Zyhark decided to face Kizaru alone.
It wasn't just about his personal resolve; it was his duty as a captain!
"You really are as arrogant as the rumors say, daring to be so distracted while facing me."
Light sparkled as Kizaru appeared in front of Zyhark, his right leg glowing, already raised.
Zyhark's eyes glowed red, swinging his electrified fist to meet Kizaru's light-speed kick.
Boom! The powerful clash of lightning and light shattered the ground around them.
Taking Kizaru's light-speed kick with his lightning power, Zyhark's lips curled into a wild smile.
"On the contrary, my focus has never been so sharp!"
The fated showdown between the invincible Logia fruits, the Goro Goro no Mi and the Pika Pika no Mi, had officially begun!
(End of Chapter)