Water 7 was a beautiful city. Like Venice, the entire island was one giant floating city, and in the One Piece worldview, it was famous for shipbuilding, with the best shipbuilding technology in the world. Seen from afar, the entire city was in the shape of a fountain, with water flowing down from a tall tower in the center.
After asking several people, Iceburg was not the mayor yet.
"Hmm... At this time, Iceburg must have the blueprint for the Ancient Weapon Pluton..."
Ancient Weapons are powerful weapons, each one powerful enough to threaten the world. Among them, Pluton is a powerful ship made by ancient shipwrights. But I didn't really desire it. Since I already have the Hyperion from StarCraft, no matter how powerful a ship in One Piece is, one Yamato cannon shot would be goodbye sayonara. How could they block an attack from space?
I decided to find Iceburg and moved to the area where shipyards were gathered. There were several shipyards now, probably because it was before Iceburg merged the shipyard companies. So, after asking around, I arrived at a company called 'Tom's Workers'. Entering the company, unlike other busy shipyards, it was quiet.
"Is anyone here?"
Shouting loudly, the young Iceburg, with his distinct deep blue hair and a bandana, came out yawning as if he had been sleeping somewhere.
"Yaaawn... Who are you?"
"I've come to order a ship. I'm Taejin from the Merchant's Island."
Hearing my name, Iceburg said in surprise.
"Gasp! You're 'Merchant King' Taejin?"
"Yes, I've been called by that title lately."
"It's been a while since we had a big customer. What kind of ship would you like?"
"I'd like to order large, sturdy merchant ships. Make them somewhat capable of being armed and comfortable for the crew. Three of them."
"Ordering three ships, you truly are the Merchant King. How much budget are you thinking of using?"
"One of our merchant ships was sunk by pirates recently, you see. Since these are ships for our employees to use, I have no intention of saving money. Make them the best, no matter the cost."
Money was overflowing. It was natural since all material costs for goods were free.
"You're a good boss."
Iceburg's expression darkened. It seemed to be because of Tom's affair. Tom is the master of Iceburg and Franky, and the company president. But because he possessed the blueprint for the Ancient Weapon Pluton, passed down through generations, Spandam, who coveted it, framed him with all sorts of despicable schemes, leading to him being taken to 'Enies Lobby' and executed. Tom, foreseeing this, handed the blueprint to Iceburg and Franky before being captured, so Spandam ended up getting nothing.
"But I don't see any employees."
"That's because we went through a big incident recently, so they're on temporary leave. Honestly, because of that incident, we have no customers."
Iceburg told the truth, seemingly with no intention of hiding it. Franky wasn't around either, so it seemed not long after he was hit by the train.
"I see."
"But don't worry. We'll build the ships for you without any problems."
Iceburg's expression improved again as he spoke confidently.
"Good. Understood. If made as ordered, how much would it cost?"
"If we think of making it using 'Adam' and 'Seastone', I think you can consider about 1 billion Beri per ship."
When making the Thousand Sunny, just the price of 'Adam' was said to be 200 million Beri, so I already expected a larger merchant ship would cost more. Here, 'Adam' refers to the 'Treasure Tree Adam,' a rare tree with only a few in the One Piece world, larger and the sturdiest of trees, considered the best among trees for shipbuilding.
"I can procure the Seastone for you."
"Then, it could go down to 700 million. And we also need to procure the wood, so it might take time. Since it's not a tree easily found on the market."
"Is that so? Could I see a piece of Adam?"
"We have a little left over from building a ship before. This way, please."
I followed Iceburg into the workshop. In one corner of the workshop, there was a log.
"This is it."
Analyzing it with the naked eye, the particles were indeed denser than other wood, and touching it felt tough.
"Hmm... I can probably procure this for you too."
Iceburg answered in surprise at my words.
"Really? Then we can build them for 200 million Beri per ship."
"Let's make it 500 million. I'll give you 600 million Beri as an advance."
I took out 600 million Beri from my inventory and handed it directly to Iceburg.
"Gasp! Where did all this money suddenly come from..."
"I'm a Devil Fruit ability user."
If I roughly said Devil Fruit, they just accepted it.
"I, I see. Anyway, we'll be preparing."
"Understood. I'll come again when the materials are ready. It won't take long."
After finishing the order like that, I left the shipyard. But since I came all this way, I decided to go sightseeing at the nearby Enies Lobby. Enies Lobby is a World Government judicial facility, an island of perpetual day where the sun never sets. Since it's a judicial institution, there was a courthouse; the funny thing is, they say in 800 years, not a single person has been found not guilty at the Enies Lobby courthouse.
I boarded the Talaria vehicle and moved to Enies Lobby following the sea train tracks from Water 7. When the gate building of Enies Lobby became visible from a distance, I got off the Talaria vehicle, used stealth, and teleported to the top of the gate tower. Looking down at the main island, several buildings were visible.
I took out Jack Sparrow's Compass, wondering if there was anything useful to find, and when I checked, the compass needle pointed to one place, so I moved there. When I went up on top of a certain building, the needle started spinning round and round. That building had no windows, only a metal door, with two guards guarding in front of it.
It seemed like a warehouse guarding something important. I immediately used Matter Manipulation to convert a hole large enough for one person on the ceiling into water, removed it with Telekinesis, and put it in my inventory. I slowly entered while looking below, in case there were traps in the warehouse. There didn't seem to be any traps.
Looking around the warehouse, there were various weapons, and inside were Devil Fruits.
'Lucky!'
I immediately used [Appraisal] to see what Devil Fruits they were.
[Devil Fruit: Zoo-Zoo Fruit, Model: Giraffe]
Can gain the power of a giraffe.
[Devil Fruit: Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Leopard]
Can gain the power of a leopard.
[Devil Fruit: Door-Door Fruit]
Can turn everything touched into doors.
[Devil Fruit: Soap-Soap Fruit]
Soap comes out of the body.
'Oh~ Door-Door Fruit!'
The Door-Door Fruit is also a cheat-level fruit. Especially by utilizing Air Doors, one can avoid any attack by entering a subspace, and unlike my inventory, it can store people too. I immediately ate the Door-Door Fruit without hesitation. As expected, it tasted awful. I considered taking the others too but left them, came out to the roof, filled the hole with water using Telekinesis, and sealed it by changing it back to the same material as the ceiling with Matter Manipulation. If I took too many, Luffy might not be able to grow properly.
I teleported a bit more to look around Enies Lobby. Then I saw a tall, brown hexagonal building; this seemed to be the Guantanamo-like place where CP9 is trained. There, I could see many young boys and girls receiving training. Watching, the training was quite harsh; if someone fell behind even a little, the instructor mercilessly beat them.
I wanted to save them, but it was hard to impulsively rescue children who might have undergone some brainwashing since childhood. In Rob Lucci's case, he had been killing people since he was ten, so that says it all.
'Let's be satisfied with just the Door-Door Fruit.'
I immediately teleported back to the Merchant's Island and started creating materials for the ship.
The next day, I went back to Water 7 and delivered the materials to Iceburg. Iceburg was surprised that I procured the materials in one day and asked, but I vaguely lied that I used merchant connections.
This time, I needed to find someone to teach swordsmanship. I could teach swordsmanship myself, but I had a lot to do. So I decided to go find 'Shimotsuki Koshiro,' Zoro's master.
"It was Shimotsuki Village, right? Kuina must have died long ago?"
I took out [Jack Sparrow's Compass] again, set the direction, and moved on the Talaria vehicle. Since it was the same East Blue, it didn't take too long. I immediately teleported to the village, asked people, and found the Isshin Dojo run by Shimotsuki Koshiro. Since it was a small village, it didn't take long.
Knock knock knock
"Is anyone here?"
Knocking on the dojo's door and calling out, a kid who looked about 9 years old with green hair and wearing Japanese hakama came out. It was definitely Zoro.
"Who are you? Here to challenge the dojo?"
Hearing that, I was speechless but held back and spoke.
"Kid. Is the master here?"
"So you are here to challenge the dojo. Bring it on!"
"This kid!"
Since he kept talking nonsense, I gave Zoro a knuckle sandwich on the head.
Thwack!
"Ow! I clearly tried to dodge..."
Zoro said while touching his head. There's no way a guy who hasn't even learned [Observation Haki] could dodge my punch. Then the dojo door opened wide, and a middle-aged man with long hair tied back and wearing glasses, who looked good-natured, came out. This person was 'Shimotsuki Koshiro'.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Taejin from the Merchant's Island. I've come looking for a swordsmanship instructor."
"I see. Please come in first."
Following Koshiro's guidance, I entered the Isshin Dojo. Passing through the dojo where children were training, I arrived at a Japanese-style room and sat down. Koshiro immediately served tea and sat opposite me.
"You're looking for a swordsmanship instructor?"
"Yes, you may or may not know, but I run an orphanage on the Merchant's Island. They are all war orphans or survivors from villages burned by pirates. Among them are also women who were kidnapped and about to be sold as slaves. I want them to be able to protect themselves, so I'm looking for someone to teach them swordsmanship."
"I see. I've heard rumors."
As I became more famous, fewer people didn't know about it.
"I don't know why you're making such a proposal to me. As you can see, I'm just a person running a small dojo in a small village."
"Because I'm in business, I travel to many places. Among them, I've been to Wano Country. There, swordsmanship is taught quite systematically. That's how I found out about you."
It's a lie. I haven't actually been to Wano Country. But there was a reason I chose Shimotsuki Koshiro. It was because he raised Zoro. I thought that even learning the basics would be enough to deal with weak pirates. Shimotsuki Koshiro stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and spoke.
"Hmm... I see. I understand the situation. But I have to run the dojo, so it's difficult. However, a fellow student who learned under my father, who was also my master, is currently teaching children. I'll talk to that friend. His skill is in no way inferior to mine."
"I see. Understood. Then I'll leave it to you."
"Please wait a moment."
I waited in the room, drinking tea. Then Shimotsuki Koshiro and an instructor who seemed to be his friend came in. I stood up first and greeted.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Taejin."
"Hello. I'm Takeda Kendo. I heard the story. If I'm acceptable, I'd like to help."
"Thank you."
In the end, I couldn't get Shimotsuki Koshiro as a swordsmanship instructor, but this might be even better. Actually, since Zoro also needs to learn, I was thinking of having someone come teach once or twice a week, but I found an instructor who would stay permanently.
"Then we also need to prepare on our side, so I'll ask you to start from next week."
"Understood."
I was about to leave the dojo escorted by the instructors, but suddenly the kid Zoro, holding three bamboo swords, appeared in front of me and blocked the way.
"I can't just let you go. Have a match with me."
Seeing that, Shimotsuki Koshiro scolded Zoro.
"Zoro, you brat, what are you doing to a guest?"
"That person is weird. It was clearly a slow punch, but I couldn't dodge it. I need to figure that out."
As expected, Zoro had a strong competitive spirit.
"Alright. Let's have one match."
"Great! Follow me."
Shimotsuki Koshiro said worriedly.
"Are you sure? Despite his appearance, Zoro is a child skilled enough in swordsmanship to handle adults."
"Hahaha, it'll be fine."
We went back to the dojo where students were learning swordsmanship. The students, hearing there was a match, sat down by the wall without getting in the way and watched. Shimotsuki Koshiro acted as referee.
"Then we'll begin. Bow to each other!"
Zoro and I faced each other and bowed.
"Begin!"
"Bring it on!"
Zoro took a stance, but I just stood there smiling.
"If you're not coming, I'll go! Hiyah!"
As Zoro swung his bamboo sword and charged, I timed his swing, ducked in, and hugged him.
"What are you doing!"
Zoro struggled, trying to break free from my embrace, but I started tickling him with both hands.
Tickle tickle~
"Wahahahaha, stop! Ahahaha!"
"Will you surrender?"
"Hahaha, okay surrender! I surrender! Ahahahaha!"
Seeing that, the students also laughed, finding it funny. I let Zoro go. Then Zoro, with his face red from laughing too much, glared at me and said.
"Ugh~! That was cowardly."
I smiled sinisterly, showed both hands to Zoro, and wiggled my fingers.
"Ehehehe~ Want to do it again?"
Zoro was flustered by that hand gesture.
"Ugh... damn! No!"
Shimotsuki Koshiro raised his hand toward me and said.
"Hahaha, Taejin wins!"
Seeing Shimotsuki Koshiro also laughing, he must have found it amusing too. I gifted snacks and milk to the children.
"Wow~ snacks! We'll enjoy them."
"Good, I'll give you more next time I come."
I left the dojo again, escorted by the instructors.
"Thank you for today."
"Not at all. I enjoyed it too. Then I'll see you again in a week."
"Understood. See you then."
After saying goodbye, I returned to the island and told them I found a swordsmanship instructor. The children were happy to hear they could learn swordsmanship. I made several spare wooden swords and bamboo swords of the same size as those I saw at the dojo.
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