Even though Paulie recognized Gojo, he did not show any kind of disgust toward Gojo's identity as a criminal with a bounty from the World Government. After all, the Galley-La company worked with both the World Government and pirates alike. Pirates often came here to commission ships as well, and Galley-La built them without discrimination.
Their company's only work was building and repairing ships. They did not concern themselves with the identity of the people who came to their docks—whether they were pirates, merchants, or government officials. What mattered to them was the business itself. As long as the payment was proper, they would build the ship.
Still, since Gojo was a known criminal and Paulie was the Vice President of the company, he decided it would be better to be present personally.
"Very well," Paulie said calmly. "If he is here to commission a new ship, then I will go with you as well. After all, I am the Vice President and need to fulfil my duty."
Kaku nodded after hearing this.
Without wasting any more time, the three of them walked toward the office and entered together.
As soon as they stepped inside Iceberg's office, the room felt much quieter compared to the bustling shipyard outside. The faint sound of waves and distant hammering still reached the room through the windows, but inside it was mostly calm.
Iceberg was sitting behind his large desk, working through a few papers spread across its surface. His pen moved steadily across the documents, his expression focused as he reviewed them. Standing beside him was Kalifa, acting as his secretary, holding a folder and watching attentively.
Iceberg looked up when he heard the door open.
He saw Paulie returning—but he wasn't alone this time. Behind him were Kaku and an unfamiliar young man with striking white hair and bright sky-blue eyes.
For a brief moment, Iceberg studied the man carefully. He did not immediately recognize him.
Iceberg looked toward Paulie and said, "You returned immediately after leaving. Is there something you need?"
Paulie replied calmly, "This young man is Gojo Satoru. You might remember him from the newspapers. He is here to commission the construction of a new ship."
As soon as Iceberg heard Paulie's words, he looked at Gojo more carefully. His sharp eyes studied the tall white-haired man sitting before him, and a moment later recognition appeared on his face. He remembered now—the recently circulated bounty poster showing Gojo Satoru with a bounty of 150 million berries.
Iceberg gave a small nod.
"Have your seat."
Gojo walked forward and sat down in the chair opposite Iceberg's desk. Meanwhile, Paulie and Kaku moved toward the sofa placed along the left side of the office and sat down there.
Kalifa remained standing beside Iceberg, her posture straight and composed as she quietly observed the meeting.
Once everyone had settled into their seats, Iceberg folded his hands on the desk and looked directly at Gojo.
"So," Iceberg said, "what are your requirements for the new ship you want to commission for construction?"
Gojo leaned back slightly in his chair, speaking in a calm and straightforward tone.
"My priorities are quite simple. I want a very strong and sturdy ship—one capable of surviving the harsh weather of the second part of the Grand Line, the New World."
The faint sound of waves crashing against the canals of Water 7 drifted in through the window as he continued.
"The weather in this part of the Grand Line, Paradise, is already quite harsh," Gojo said. "And from what I've heard, the second half of the Grand Line has an environment that is even more extreme than this."
His sky-blue eyes remained steady as he spoke.
"So I want a ship that can survive that. Use the best wood material that you can get—the strongest wood material available." He paused briefly before adding, "If my memory serves me right, then the wood of the Adam Tree… I guess—correct me if I'm wrong—that is the strongest wood, right?"
Iceberg nodded slowly.
"Yes," he said. "The wood of the Adam Tree is indeed the strongest. But it is also very expensive and extremely rare to find."
Gojo casually moved his hand and said, "The price is not an issue. I want my ship to be the best."
He leaned slightly forward as he continued, his tone calm but firm.
"So first of all, my ship should be made with the strongest wood available. Adam Tree wood would be the best if you can acquire it. Secondly, I want a very strong vault inside my ship. And I also want quite a lot of luxury features—good quality furniture, a high-quality swimming pool, and everything that would make the ship comfortable to live in."
He paused for a moment before asking directly, "How much do you think all of that would cost?"
Iceberg listened carefully to every requirement. After a brief moment of thought, he responded, "Although acquiring the wood of the Adam Tree would be very difficult, with my connections it can be arranged. So that part is not an issue. However, the price for that wood is extremely high."
Iceberg then leaned back slightly in his chair and continued, "If we are talking about a standard-sized ship… I mean, how many people would you like your ship to accommodate?"
Gojo answered immediately.
"It's just for me."
For a moment, the room went slightly quiet.
"I would like a ship that can be navigated by just one person and handled easily. Keep that in mind while designing it. Of course, having a few more rooms won't be an issue."
Iceberg nodded slowly, already thinking through the logistics in his mind.
"Well, that can also be done," he said. "However, it would require some more sophisticated equipment and certain automated mechanisms to make it manageable for a single person."
He tapped his fingers lightly on the desk while calculating the rough cost.
"So, considering everything—your demands and all—just the construction cost of your ship would be around 500 to 600 million berries. And the cost for the Adam Tree wood would be separate. That alone would be around 200 million berries."
Iceberg then looked directly at Gojo.
"So what do you think? Will that be acceptable to you?"
Gojo didn't hesitate even for a second.
"As long as you can make my ship according to my demands, I have no issues with it," he said calmly.
Then he gave a small nod.
"Very well. I am willing to pay that much."
Iceberg nodded after hearing Gojo's words. A professional smile appeared on his face as he said, "Very well. Then we would require 100 million berries in advance. And to acquire the Adam Tree wood, you will also have to pay around 200 million berries in advance. This is just the estimated price—maybe even more, since Adam wood is usually only available on the black market."
He folded his hands on the desk and continued, "So that is around 300 million berries you would have to pay upfront. Once that is done, we can begin working on your ship."
Gojo nodded calmly.
"Very well," he said. "I can pay you 250 million berries right now. As for the remaining cash, I don't have that much extra money with me at the moment. I would have to cash in some treasures."
He paused for a moment before asking, "Do you know of any place where I can sell those treasures? Or perhaps you might be interested in buying those treasures or taking them in place of money?"
Iceberg shook his head.
"No," he replied firmly. "We prefer our payment in cash. We don't take treasures, since dealing with them can become quite a hassle."
Gojo nodded slightly after hearing this.
"Then tell me a good place where I can sell them."
Iceberg replied, "There are many places around here where you can sell treasures for a good amount of money. There are a few banks and also several merchants who deal in gold and valuables. They can trade with you and convert those treasures into cash."
Gojo nodded again.
"Alright. I will give you all the cash that I have right now and will return with the rest after selling the treasures."
Iceberg nodded in agreement and stood up from his chair. The meeting had clearly reached its conclusion.
Soon, Gojo and Iceberg left the office together. Paulie, Kalifa and Kaku followed behind them as they walked through the busy corridors of the Galley-La company. Outside, the sounds of shipbuilding echoed everywhere—workers shouting instructions, hammers striking wood, ropes creaking as ships were lifted along the docks.
Before long, they reached the place where Gojo's ship was docked inside the Galley-La shipyard.
Gojo stepped onto his ship and went inside for a moment. After a short while, he returned carrying a heavy bag filled with cash. He handed it over to Iceberg.
"In this bag, there are around 250 million berries," Gojo said. "That's all the cash I have right now. For the remaining amount, after I cash out my treasures, I will give it to you."
Iceberg gestured slightly toward Paulie.
Paulie stepped forward and took the heavy cash bag from Gojo's hand, weighing it slightly before holding it firmly.
Gojo then said, "I will return again after some time."
After saying that, Gojo and Iceberg shook hands, finalizing the deal between them.
With that done, Gojo turned around and calmly left the shipyard of the Galley-La Company. Behind him, the bustling sounds of Water 7's great shipyard continued as usual, while the preparations for building his new ship had already begun.
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