The canals of Water Seven shimmered beneath the morning sunlight as Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami led Roger and his crew through the familiar streets, arriving once more at Tom's Shipyard.
The sound of hammering echoed endlessly throughout the workshop. Tom, who had been supervising the workers, turned around—and the moment his eyes landed on Sami, they widened like bronze bells.
"Captain Sami?! Your… your arm?!"
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami casually raised his remaining left hand and waved it dismissively.
"Hahaha, just ran into a little accident. Nothing serious."
Then he stepped aside and introduced the straw-hatted man behind him.
"Tom-san, this time I've brought you a major client."
"This is Captain Roger. He's full of praise for the Flame Fang you built and wants to commission you to create the finest ship possible for his crew—a ship capable of sailing around the entire world."
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami paused before adding,
"A ship… at least as sturdy as the Flame Fang."
Tom rubbed his massive hands awkwardly and shook his head.
"A ship like the Flame Fang…"
"It's not that I'm refusing, but I really don't have any Adam Wood left in stock."
"No more?" Roger stroked his chin. "Then when can you get some?"
"Well…"
Tom looked troubled.
"That kind of top-grade lumber usually only appears during major auctions or through underground channels. Based on the usual schedule… the next batch probably won't show up for another half a year."
"Half a year?!"
Roger raised an eyebrow before laughing freely.
"Hahaha! Looks like we won't make it in time then."
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami looked toward Roger.
"Captain Roger, why not settle the ship's design details with Tom-san first and pay a deposit? Once the wood arrives, construction can begin."
"During the waiting period, you could stay aboard the Flame Fang."
Truthfully, Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami had a selfish motive.
He wanted to use those six months to learn more from the future Pirate King. Even remaining in the first half of the Grand Line for another half-year would be worth it.
"That's not a bad idea!" Roger nodded.
But then his tone shifted.
"As for staying here for six months… that probably won't work."
"There's an annoying guy in the Marines chasing us around, so…"
He patted Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami on the shoulder.
"This is where we part ways, Sami."
"We appreciate the offer, but we can't drag you into our trouble too. We'll just get some temporary ship to make do for now."
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami looked into Roger's eyes and saw the confidence and decisiveness there.
He knew further persuasion would be pointless.
So he simply nodded.
"I understand."
"Then I wish you smooth sailing, Captain Roger."
Afterward, he turned toward Tom and pointed toward the harbor.
"Tom-san, our Flame Fang also suffered some damage, so I'll have to trouble you again."
"The hull needs repairs, and…"
He gave a bitter smile and gestured vaguely.
"That Flame Fang ram at the bow got cut clean off in a single strike. I'll need you to forge another one."
"WHAT?!"
Tom's voice instantly rose several octaves.
"Cut off?! You've only been at sea for how long?! What kind of monster did you run into?! Is the ocean that dangerous now?!"
"Well…"
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami scratched his cheek and laughed awkwardly.
"Hahaha, it's a long story."
Seeing Tom's utterly disbelieving expression, Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami and Roger exchanged glances before bursting into laughter together.
"Yeah, Tom-san," Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami said after laughing, his gaze drifting toward the glittering sea outside the workshop.
"This ocean is far more interesting… and far more terrifying than we imagined."
Because of the shortage of Adam Wood, the Roger Pirates' shipbuilding project had to be postponed.
Still, they moved quickly.
Within a short time, they picked out a secondhand three-masted sailing ship from Water Seven's used ship market as a temporary replacement.
Though inferior to their old vessel, it would be enough to support their travels for the next six months.
While Roger and his crew went to receive their temporary ship, Tom personally boarded the docked Flame Fang alongside his apprentices.
The moment he saw the bow ram that had been sliced cleanly in half—and the massive dents covering the hull—even a veteran shipwright like him couldn't help sucking in a cold breath.
"This kind of slash… this kind of impact…"
He carefully traced the smooth cut with his hand, his eyes filled with astonishment as he looked at Sami.
"Incredible…"
Repairs began immediately.
Tom's workshop reforged a brand-new Flame Fang ram, while the hull's dents were meticulously restored through masterful craftsmanship.
In just a few short days, the Flame Fang looked brand new once again.
During those days, Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami and the Roger Pirates interacted frequently.
In taverns by the docks and atop sunlit decks at sunset, Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami humbly sought guidance while Roger, Rayleigh, and the others shared their knowledge without reservation.
The greatest gain of all was knowledge regarding Haki.
Holding a cup of wine, Rayleigh spoke bluntly to Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami and his officers gathered around him.
"Your physical combat foundations are pretty decent for the Grand Line. But once you reach the New World, that alone won't be enough."
Jabba chewed on a chunk of meat while adding,
"Among ten pirate crews with any real reputation over there, at least seven know how to use Haki to some extent."
"When facing Haki users, if you can't use it yourselves, both your offense and defense become severely limited."
"Yeah," Roger chimed in after draining a huge gulp of alcohol, "I still remember how frustrating it used to be before learning Haki—getting toyed around with by physically weaker opponents."
"And besides!"
He slammed down his mug.
"There are way too many bizarre Devil Fruit abilities in the New World! Without Haki, there are times you can't even touch certain users' real bodies. How are you supposed to fight them?"
"Right now, your biggest weakness is simple."
"There are too few people among you who can use Haki!"
Those words struck Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami like a hammer.
He recalled his brief clash with Garp.
He remembered Roger's slash that seemed capable of cutting through anything.
Then he compared that to his own crew…
In true top-tier battles, lacking Haki really did leave them helpless.
We absolutely have to make up for this weakness before entering the New World.
Several days later, the Roger Pirates' temporary secondhand ship was fully prepared and ready to depart.
At the docks, Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami bid farewell to Roger.
"Sami," Roger said while glancing at Sami's bandaged right shoulder with a grin, "I can tell—you guys are going to go far."
"Next time, let's meet in the New World!"
"Definitely."
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami nodded solemnly.
"See you in the New World, Captain Roger."
"Guhahahaha!"
Roger laughed heartily and waved before boarding the temporary vessel alongside his companions, continuing onward on their grand adventure.
After seeing the legends off, Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami returned to the Flame Fang.
The newly forged Flame Fang ram gleamed coldly beneath the sunlight.
But what occupied Sami's thoughts now was no longer merely the ship itself.
He gathered the entire crew together.
"Brothers!"
"Captain Roger's words woke me up. Our fists still aren't hard enough!"
He raised his left arm.
"In the New World, Haki and powerful Devil Fruit abilities are the true mainstream."
"Our physical abilities are solid, but we lack Haki."
"For the next stage of our journey…"
His gaze swept over every single crewmember.
"I've decided we'll find a suitable uninhabited island and enter closed-door training for several months!"
"We only have one goal—"
"To awaken Haki in more of our people!"
"Only after fixing this weakness will we truly have the qualifications to challenge that sea!"
He clenched his fist tightly.
"Tell me!"
"Do you have that determination?!"
After a brief silence—
The deck erupted with earth-shaking roars.
"YES!!!"
"We'll train with the captain to the end!"
"We'll awaken Haki and conquer the New World!"
Every pair of eyes burned with fiery determination to grow stronger.
Riberra Riberra Riberra Sami nodded in satisfaction.
He knew that this encounter with the Roger Pirates had not only been a legendary experience—
It had become a powerful catalyst.
"Henry! Inspect the entire ship and restock supplies!"
"Hans! Study the sea charts and find a suitable uninhabited island for training!"
"Yes, Captain!"
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