Water 7.
Ryan led Mikita and Porche as they jumped off the train carriage first, greeted by the salty sea breeze mixed with the rhythmic clanging from distant shipyards.
Five days had passed since the Enies Lobby Incident. From the flickering lanterns of Saint White Poplar Island's masquerade to the steaming food stalls of Puki Island, their journey had circled back here. After all, the new ship slowly taking shape in the docks was still here—they needed to personally take delivery before truly setting sail for the next leg of their voyage.
Behind them came the crisp sound of synchronized footsteps as Rob Lucci and his group stepped off the train. All seven wore identical black suits, sharply pressed, with Windsor-knotted ties and shoes polished to a mirror shine—the very picture of elite, well-trained bodyguards.
"Back to familiar ground. No feelings about that?" Ryan glanced back, his gaze lingering on Lucci. The splint on Lucci's left arm was long gone, his sleeves rolled up to reveal well-defined muscles—clearly, he had recovered well.
Lucci didn't respond, his expression as unreadable as if they were passing through some unfamiliar island.
Unfazed by Lucci's silence, Ryan strode toward the station exit. The moment they stepped outside, three familiar figures approached. Daz Bones remained as stoic as ever, BABE carried "Rasu" over his shoulder, and Zala stood slightly apart, her calm gaze sweeping over the CP9 members without a hint of surprise—they had already been informed via Den Den Mushi.
"How's the ship coming along?" Ryan cut straight to the point as Daz Bones stepped forward.
"Progress has stalled," Daz Bones replied flatly. "Five days ago, the Sea Gods passed through. Half the city's water houses were destroyed. The shipwrights are busy repairing the town." He paused before adding, "And... Galley-La is prioritizing the Straw Hat Pirates' new ship. They don't have the manpower to spare."
"Straw Hat Kid!!!" Before Ryan could respond, Rob Lucci's eyes flickered with a faint, sharp glint—though he said nothing.
"Where's Iceberg?" Ryan arched a brow. "Take me to him."
Of course, he knew Iceberg and Franky were leading Galley-La's elite in building Luffy's "Thousand Sunny." But having his own project delayed over it? That didn't sit right with him.
Was the Straw Hat Kid's ship more important than his? Did they really think they could cut in line so blatantly?
Not to mention, he had paid the full deposit upfront.
Without wasting words, Daz Bones turned and led the way, his movements brisk and efficient.
......
At the Scrap Island, the skeletal remains of hundreds of wrecked ships formed rolling hills. Deep within the clearing, the half-built frame of a ship lay on the dry dock—the Thousand Sunny.
"Franky, adjust the curve of this deck by half an inch!" Iceberg was bent over, inspecting the ship's keel, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Got it," Franky grunted, shirtless and gleaming under the sun as he swung his wrench with practiced ease. "You've said that eight times already!"
"Boss, we've got company!" Barry's voice suddenly tensed.
Everyone turned to see Ryan leading his group through the ship graveyard. Mikita and Porche curiously eyed the wreckage around them, while Daz Bones, BABE, and Zala followed closely behind. But when Iceberg spotted the seven figures in black suits trailing Ryan, his measuring tape slipped from his fingers with a clatter. Franky's wrench froze mid-swing.
Rob Lucci, Kaku, Kalifa, Blueno... Wasn't that CP9?!
"What are you doing here?!" Franky straightened abruptly, his expression guarded. "Here to arrest us?!"
The Galley-La foremen quickly grabbed whatever tools were at hand, forming a defensive line in front of the dry dock, their expressions a mix of wariness and unease.
"Relax. I'm not here to fight." Ryan's tone was lazy as his gaze swept over the half-built ship before settling on Iceberg. His voice carried a hint of accusation. "I'm here to ask when my ship will finally get some attention."
Iceberg's expression shifted, his eyes darting briefly to Kalifa and the others. Kalifa adjusted her glasses calmly, as if the bloodshed at Enies Lobby had never happened.
Steadying himself, Iceberg picked up the measuring tape. "After the Sea Gods passed through, half the city's buildings were destroyed. The shipwrights are all working on emergency repairs for civilian infrastructure. We just don't have the manpower—"
"Oh? Then what's this?" Ryan tilted his chin toward the dry dock, his tone laced with sarcasm. "I get natural disasters, but letting someone cut in line and delaying my project? That deserves an explanation, don't you think?"
"That... was an oversight on our part." Iceberg hesitated before continuing, "We promise—once we finish up here, we'll work overnight shifts on your ship. And we'll give you a 30% discount upon completion."
"30% off?"
"Fine. Deal." Ryan arched a brow—the discount wasn't ungenerous. His gaze flicked to the Thousand Sunny, then back to CP9 behind him. A smirk tugged at his lips as he turned to Iceberg. "Where's my ship now?"
"Dock No. 3. All the materials are ready, we just lack the manpower—" Iceberg started, pointing toward the northwestern shipyard, but before he could finish, Ryan glanced at Rob Lucci.
"Handle the ship. Finish it quickly—don't delay our voyage."
After hopping between islands these past few days, he was growing restless. Only with the ship completed could they truly set sail for the next chapter.
Rob Lucci said nothing, merely exchanging a glance with his team. The seven turned in unison and marched toward Dock No. 3, their steps perfectly synchronized.
This had been part of their agreement—CP9 would provide labor and miscellaneous tasks in exchange for protection. Now was the time to fulfill that promise.
Watching their retreating figures, Iceberg suddenly realized: after five years undercover in Water 7, CP9's shipbuilding skills might even surpass Galley-La's foremen.
Ryan's gaze drifted to the skeletal frame of the ship on the dry dock. The Adam Wood gleamed a warm red under the sunlight, its keel elegantly curved and powerful—already hinting at the vessel's future as a wave-cutting marvel.
This was the Straw Hat Pirates' new ship, the "Thousand Sunny."
It reminded him of his own half-finished vessel still waiting in the docks. Once completed, it too would need a proper name.
What should he call it?
Ryan stroked his chin, his eyes skimming over the ship graveyard before settling on the churning sea beyond. Should it be something youthful and spirited, like the Straw Hat Kid's "Thousand Sunny"? Or should it carry the imposing weight befitting a Warlord of the Sea?
The wind whistled through the wreckage, as if pondering the question for him. Ryan chuckled, letting the thought go—when the ship was finally ready, the answer would come to him naturally.
"Let's go." He jerked his chin at Mikita and Porche.
"We'll wander around town for a bit."