Nearly four years have passed since Nami and Carina joined the "Cross Family." Over this time, both have undergone significant changes.
The two girls have been training daily with the Kuja Pirates' warriors. Although they have not yet mastered Armament or Observation Haki, their strength has far surpassed their 20-year-old selves.
Nami, in particular, has grown stronger after eating the Paramecia-type Golden Fruit. She is now the deputy leader of "Grandine New World." With Kahn's help, she also possesses a battle suit similar to Germa's—an alloy armour packed inside a jar.
By simply smashing the jar on the ground, Nami can instantly equip herself with the alloy armour, which was custom-made by Kahn. This set of armour cost Kahn a fortune in berries, mainly due to the challenge of compressing such heavy and large armour into a jar small enough to be held in one hand.
Unlike Germa's lightweight battle suits, Nami's alloy armour is quite heavy. Kahn spent considerable time and money on perfecting it, and after numerous experiments, he succeeded in creating portable alloy armour.
Nami's armour, like Germa's, isn't just for show. It is packed with advanced technology: invisibility like Stealth Black, a floating device in the boots, laser and melee weapon systems in the arms, and an indestructible cloak that can block countless attacks like a barrier.
With this armour, as long as Nami doesn't face someone with advanced Haki capable of internal destruction, she would be nearly unbeatable in the first half of the Grand Line and the Four Seas. Even in the New World, only the strongest would be able to break through the armour's defences.
In the original story, Sanji's cloak could even withstand attacks from top-level officers.
Not only Nami but Carina, Nojiko, Kuina, and even Robin have been equipped with similar alloy armour. Kahn made a set for all the maids in the family. While not always needed, they ensure a chance of survival in dangerous situations, particularly because very few in the family, aside from Hancock and Sonia, can fly. The armour's floating device and invisibility functions provide crucial escape options.
Nojiko, who prefers staying behind, didn't join this trip, and Kahn didn't force her. Similar to what happened with Scarlett and Monet, Kahn took Nami and Carina from the New World to the first half of the Grand Line.
Rather than heading to Water 7 immediately, Kahn chose to retrace his old adventures with them. It's not that he didn't want to explore other routes, but this particular path promises more excitement.
This is the same route that Pirate King Roger and the future Pirate King took. The adventures of the destined ones are always more thrilling than those of others.
Thus, of all the seven routes in the first half of the Grand Line, none compare in excitement to the one leading to Water 7.
In this waterway, you can explore a Prehistoric island inhabited by extinct creatures, pass through enormous islands home to rare superpowers with populations in the tens of millions, and visit Sky Island, floating 10,000 meters in the sky. You'll also see Long Ring Long Land and Water 7, which faces the annual wrath of Aqua Laguna.
Each island has its own unique charm.
Every stop along this route is filled with wonders, which is why Kahn is always eager to retrace his adventures and share the awe-inspiring experiences with his crew. He wants his maids to witness the same beauty and marvel at the incredible islands he's seen.
Nami and Carina were astonished by the journey, and Nami, as a navigator, was particularly captivated. Every time they left an island, she would retreat to her studio, her eyes gleaming, to update her world map with the details of the last ten islands they visited.
As time passed, June of 1516 in the Sea Circle Calendar arrived. After a period of bonding with Nami and Carina, Kahn returned to Water 7 aboard the **Grandigne**.
Water 7 had reached the peak of its fame. The island, resembling a grand fountain, was now famous for its unique sea train, which connected several surrounding islands and dramatically increased the city's population flow. This also greatly mitigated the dangers of Aqua Laguna. Once a fatal disaster, it was now a mere inconvenience, as the sea train allowed residents to evacuate and return as soon as the waters receded.
Because of this, Tom, the legendary shipwright, became immortalized in history as the greatest shipbuilder ever. Even after 800 years, with the Ancient Weapon Pluton fading into myth, Tom's invention of the sea train stood as one of the greatest achievements in shipbuilding.
Tom's apprentice, Iceberg, had now risen to the position of mayor of Water 7. After becoming mayor, Iceberg established the **Galley-La Company** and successfully united all the shipbuilding companies in the city, making it the largest shipbuilding firm in the world.
With this consolidation, Iceberg gained control of all Marine shipbuilding contracts. It's no exaggeration to say that nearly all Marine and World Government warships are built by Galley-La, including the three massive island ships for the Cross Family, which are nearing completion.
Iceburg's power allowed him to move freely in both lawful and unlawful spheres, making him untouchable. Even the CP9 agents tasked with finding the Pluton blueprints couldn't make a move on him until they were certain he possessed them, forcing them to work undercover in Galley-La.
Late one night, the quiet hum of Water 7's taverns was interrupted by the sound of a sharp weapon cutting through flesh.
Blueno, a CP9 agent and user of the Door-Door Fruit, was closing up for the night when, out of nowhere, a sharp blade pierced him from behind. A hand followed, appearing out of thin air to grab his neck and twist it violently.
Blueno, a skilled agent, couldn't even make a sound before his life was taken.
His killer was clad in a battle suit resembling Germa's—a design brought from Wano by Kahn. This individual, who typically resided in the training cabin of the **Grandine**, was an expert in both combat and assassination and Kahn's number one weapon for mastering the art of killing.
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