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Without a second thought, Coby leaped from where he was sitting. In mid-air, he took a deep breath and quickly activated Ms. Valentine's powers. His body became incredibly light, floating just above the deck as he prepared his next move.
The train was getting closer, the roar of its engine drowning out the crew's shouts. Coby focused, using his power to create a powerful gust of wind. He aimed it directly at the sails of the Going Merry, filling them with a sudden burst of air. The ship lurched forward, propelled by the wind Coby had created.
The Going Merry surged ahead, narrowly avoiding the train as it thundered past. The crew held on tight as the ship sped out of harm's way, the massive train just inches from scraping the hull.
"That was close!" Usopp exclaimed, his voice shaky as he clung to the railing, trying to steady himself.
But the danger wasn't over yet. On the other side of the ship, the frog that had originally caught Luffy's attention was still in the path. It stood defiantly in front of the train, raising its massive palms as if to stop it.
"That frog's gonna get itself killed!" Nami shouted, eyes wide as she watched the scene unfold.
The train didn't slow down. It smashed into the frog, sending the massive creature flying through the air. The frog tumbled across the water, eventually crashing into the sea with a huge splash. Despite the impact, the frog was unharmed, though thoroughly dazed as it floated on the surface.
The train, now past the ship, continued on its way as if nothing had happened. Its whistle blared loudly, fading into the distance as it sped off into the horizon.
The crew finally took a breath, the tension easing as they realized they had narrowly avoided disaster. Luffy, still standing near the edge of the deck, turned to Coby with a huge grin on his face. "That was awesome, Coby! You saved the ship!"
Coby floated down to the deck, his body returning to normal weight as he landed lightly on his feet. "Glad we made it out of that one," he said simply.
As the crew watched the train disappear into the horizon, a voice suddenly rang out from the direction of the lighthouse. "It's terrible! Granny! Granny! Pirates!"
The crew turned, surprised by the sudden shout. A small girl with bright green hair came running out of the lighthouse, waving her arms frantically. "Granny! Pirates are here!" she yelled, clearly panicking.
From inside the lighthouse, another voice answered, slurred and groggy. "What? Really? Hold on, Chimney!" The sound of shuffling footsteps followed, and an older woman appeared at the doorway, her movements slow and unsteady.
The woman, Granny Kokoro, had a round face and wore a patched-up outfit that looked like it had seen better days. She squinted at the crew, her expression confused, and fumbled with a Den Den Mushi in her hand. "I'll call for reinforcements!" she muttered, but as she raised the receiver to her mouth, she hiccuped loudly and slurred, "What were you saying? Burp!" It was obvious she was dead drunk.
The crew descended from the Going Merry to meet the odd pair standing before the lighthouse. Granny Kokoro, the Station Master of Shift Station, swayed slightly on her feet, clearly still under the influence of whatever she'd been drinking. Beside her, her granddaughter Chimney, a lively girl with bright green hair, bounced on her toes, excited to see the strangers. At her side, a small rabbit was seated. According to Chimney, it was a cat, so crew accepted at it was—Gonbe the cat—eyeing the crew curiously.
After some quick introductions, the crew settled down with Kokoro, Chimney, and Gonbe. They offered some food and desserts, which they eagerly accepted. As they ate, Chimney chattered away, explaining that the massive train they'd just seen was called the Puffing Tom, a sea train that connected several islands, including Water 7, their next destination.
Luffy, still curious about the frog, asked about it. Chimney told them that the frog's name was Yokozuna, and that it competed with the train nearly every day, trying to stop it. Yokozuna had been doing this for years, and despite the frequent collisions with the train, it was strong and resilient. Luffy, who had initially thought about eating the frog, decided against it, declaring that any creature that worked that hard deserved respect.
As the conversation shifted, Kokoro learned that the crew was heading south, specifically toward Water 7. Her eyes lit up as she began to explain a bit about the city, mentioning that it was famous for its shipwrights and shipbuilding industry.
Coby, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "We're looking for shipwrights. Any recommendations?"
The rest of the crew exchanged confused glances. They weren't really searching for shipwrights, at least not in the usual sense. Normally, by this point in the anime, the Going Merry would have been in terrible condition, and they would have been desperate to find someone to repair it or build them a new ship. But because Coby had always been careful not to let anyone damage the Merry, the ship was still in perfect shape. The only problem was that the ship was getting smaller and smaller, no longer suitable for the growing crew.
Coby hated the idea of letting the Merry get hurt just so they could justify getting a new ship. But he also knew that they couldn't keep sailing on the Merry forever. They needed a ship that could handle the New World and whatever dangers lay ahead. He was conflicted, torn between his love for the Merry and the reality that they would eventually need something bigger.
Kokoro, oblivious to Coby's inner conflict, nodded sagely. "Water 7 has some of the best shipwrights in the world. You'll find what you need there. Just ask around for Galley-La Company. They're the top shipwrights in the city."
As the crew prepared to set sail once more, Kokoro handed over a folded piece of paper. "Here, take this. It's a simple map and a letter of recommendation," she explained, a lazy grin on her face.
Coby accepted the paper, tucking it into his pocket with a nod of thanks. "Appreciate it."
With that, the Straw Hat crew bid farewell to Kokoro, Chimney, and Gonbe. The Going Merry departed from the station. Their destination was now clear—Water 7, the city of shipwrights.
As the Going Merry glided over the calm seas, Nami opened the map Kokoro had given them. She expected something useful, maybe a detailed layout of Water 7, but instead, she was met with a crude drawing. The map was nothing more than three lines representing an island, a dot marked with the word "Here," and a name below it: Iceburg.
Nami stared at the map in disbelief. "This is it? This is supposed to help us?" she muttered, clearly unimpressed.
Coby, noticing her frustration, chuckled. He moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder as he peered at the map. "It's going to be useful," he assured her, a playful grin on his face.
The crew gathered around the table, enjoying a meal as the Going Merry continued its journey. The atmosphere was light, their earlier worries temporarily forgotten.
As the sun stood at its peak, a faint silhouette appeared in the distance. The land of Water 7 came into view, its towering structures gradually becoming visible against the darkening sky. The excitement on the ship grew palpable as they approached their next adventure.
"Land ho!" Usopp shouted, pointing ahead.
Nami quickly took the helm, guiding the Going Merry towards the bustling port. "Everyone, get ready! We're almost there!" she called out, her voice filled with anticipation.
Luffy, unable to contain his excitement, leaped onto the railing. "Water 7, here we come!" he cheered, his enthusiasm infectious.
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