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"What should we do now?! Was the sea train made in vain? Mr. Tom spent over a decade on it!"
Franky was utterly convinced by Dak's words, becoming instantly flustered.
"Idiot! Calm down! Regardless of the World Government, Mr. Tom would never stop working on the sea train. He had already decided to build it before the World Government even approached us."
Here, the difference in their temperaments was apparent; Iceburg was significantly more composed, even though he was still visibly anxious.
Dak sat back leisurely, watching the two as if observing a drama unfold.
"Mr. Dak, how can we save Mr. Tom?"
Iceburg pondered for three seconds before confronting reality.
They lacked the means to save Mr. Tom themselves and couldn't stand against the World Government. Thus, Iceburg turned to the younger man before him.
This man had come here and disclosed such critical information, and Iceburg was certain he had some plans in mind.
"Why should I tell you?"
Dak didn't mind sharing the information directly, but he posed the question to see if it might lead to some unexpected benefits.
"We'll build the best shop in Water 7 for you! We might not be as skilled as Mr. Tom, but aside from him, there are no better shipwrights on this island."
Before Iceburg could respond, Franky eagerly jumped in.
Shipwrights possess diverse skills, not limited to shipbuilding but also designing various room layouts on ships, so constructing a top-notch shop was well within their capabilities.
"That's fine then, you'll do."
The branch's shop environment didn't need to be too exquisite, as it was merely meant to facilitate access.
However, Sceptile was to be stationed there, so perhaps designing the branch in a forest style would make it more comfortable for him.
Indeed, this was a pleasant surprise.
"So, what are the methods?"
"There are three."
Dak raised three fingers.
"That's great!"
Iceburg and Franky were already delighted before Dak detailed his suggestions, hopeful that at least one would succeed.
"First, Tom could hand over the blueprint of Pluto; second, you all could leave Water 7 and perhaps flee to Fish-Man Island; third, join an organization that isn't afraid of the World Government, preferably an enemy of the government, like the Revolutionary Army or... us."
Although Dak mentioned three methods, in reality, only the last was viable.
Tom would neither hand over Pluto's blueprints nor leave his beloved Water 7.
If Franky and Iceburg truly wished to save Tom, they would ultimately join the Mystery Hatchery House, though it remained uncertain if the master-apprentice trio would all join.
"This..."
Iceburg's face was grave, realizing immediately that the second method was impossible; he knew Mr. Tom too well.
As for the first method, he saw little hope.
"You could try convincing Mr. Tom to hand over Pluto's blueprints. The World Government's only goal is that; they wouldn't mind sparing his life."
Rayleigh, Crocus, Bartolomeo, Buggy, Shanks—all these individuals had survived; surely Tom wasn't doomed to die?
"I'll go and persuade Mr. Tom."
Franky didn't think twice, rushing outside impulsively.
"Discuss it somewhere private."
Iceburg didn't follow but reminded Franky as he disappeared into the cabin. Once alone, Iceburg turned back to Dak.
Thump.
Without wasting words, Iceburg knelt before Dak.
Dak raised an eyebrow, surprised, but then realized that kneeling wasn't such an extraordinary gesture in their world—it was often used in requests or to express gratitude.
"What are your plans?"
Dak could tell Iceburg had probably anticipated the eventual outcome and solution.
"If I join the Mystery Hatchery House and serve you for life, can we save Mr. Tom?"
Iceburg spoke plainly, as if selling his life was an acceptable trade for him.
Indeed, both Franky and Iceburg would lay down their lives for Tom.
Even Franky, who seemed a bit dim-witted, would try to save Tom in his own way, such as recklessly throwing himself in front of the sea train.
Stupid but touching.
"Welcome aboard, Iceburg. There are no hierarchies within the Hatchery House; from now on, we are partners."
Dak stepped forward, pulling Iceburg to his feet without directly addressing his question, "From now on, your family is our family, your dreams are our dreams; together, we'll create our era."
Although Dak initially targeted Tom, Iceburg was a fine addition too, younger and perhaps capable of surpassing his master in the future.
Plus, it wasn't certain whether Tom would join.
Dak planned to construct many special and mobile structures across the sea, such as gyms, Pokémon Centers, and other branches.
Without skilled shipwrights like Tom and Iceburg, those future plans would be challenging to realize.
"Ah, okay."
Iceburg seemed unaccustomed and awkwardly scratched his head.
"You'll see, I'm not just all talk."
Dak noticed Iceburg's reservation, which was normal since they had only just met.
Over time, Iceburg would see that Dak wasn't just a smooth talker.
Having gifted eggs of Smoochum and the Feather of New Moon—items worth billions of Belly—as welcome gifts, he had nothing else to be stingy about.
"What do I need to do?"
Suddenly being part of an organization left Iceburg feeling strange and somewhat lost.
"First, finish building the branch with Franky. I'll have Bon Clay bring people to help you. We might have two big deals in a week; then continue helping Tom with the sea train."
Dak nodded, recalling the plot details for this period, "The branch should have a forest-like style. Get some fresh, lush trees; Sceptile will guard the branch."
"Sceptile is?"
"That green big guy from last week."
Dak grinned and gestured.
"!"
Iceburg immediately remembered the powerful Pokémon that had scattered the Aqua Laguna with a flick of its tail.
No one understood the destructiveness of the Aqua Laguna better than these shipwrights, especially Iceburg, who had seen countless shipwrecks on Shipwreck Island.
Knowing Sceptile would be arriving soon eased Iceburg's mind considerably.
"When is the sea train expected to be completed?"
"If all goes well, by early next year."
Iceburg estimated before responding.
"That soon?"
It was now October of the year 1511 in the Sea Circle Calendar, just two months before the chaotic year 1512.
Dak hadn't expected the sea train to be completed so quickly, recalling it was supposed to finish in the latter half of the following year.
"Yes, because the Aqua Laguna didn't come to destroy this time, our progress wasn't severely disrupted like before."
Iceburg revealed a reason Dak hadn't considered.
This was not mentioned in the original story, and Dak had overlooked this detail.
"No problem, the difference isn't significant. On the day Tom goes to court, take Sceptile with you. Though he doesn't obey others, he won't allow harm to come to his companions."
Dak waved his hand, now that they were involved, Tom's death was out of the question, "Then bring Tom and Franky back to the main store."
Dak handed Iceburg a pocket token, demonstrating its use in person.
This deeply impressed Iceburg, who had never left Water 7. The wonders shown by the Mystery Hatchery House seemed like another world to him.
Iceburg clutched the pocket token tightly, understanding its life-saving importance—more crucial than any Pluto blueprint.
He resolved to keep it close even while sleeping.
"For now, just focus on that. Once you've dealt with the sea train, come help manage the branch. We're really short on hands."
Dak stretched and prepared to leave.
This visit had been very fruitful; Iceburg's joining meant that the Mystery Hatchery House had a solid technical foundation for its future endeavors in opening eight gyms and Pokémon Centers across the sea.
The Mystery Hatchery House needed such talents.
As for whether the World Government would agree—
That's a huge joke!
From the moment the Mystery Hatchery House decided to usher in the 'Pokémon Era,' the World Government had been a major obstacle, a bigger thorn than even the pirates, an organization that must be dealt with.
Whether or not Robin, Tom, or the Revolutionary Army was involved, the World Government would stand in their way.
Not acting now was partly because Dak had crossed too early and the original hadn't finished, so the full extent of the World Government's power was unclear.
If the Sky King Uranus was in their hands, the Mystery Hatchery House couldn't act recklessly, not knowing what it entailed.
The strength of Imu, the Five Elders, and the Knights of God was also unknown.
On the other hand—
The sea couldn't withstand the chaos of losing the World Government yet.
A supreme force needed to dominate the sea, more precisely, to suppress those ambitious figures.
Without the World Government, and before the Mystery Hatchery House could grow, the world would turn into a hellish place.
(End of Chapter)