One Piece: Elden Lord

Chapter 62: Finding a Shipwright



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The sea breeze swept over the ship as it continued its journey, the faint creak of the sails punctuating the otherwise quiet expanse of ocean. Kai sat cross-legged on the deck, his eyes closed, focusing intently on his inner senses. His efforts to manifest even the faintest spark of Haki were proving fruitless, his frustration growing with each failed attempt. The elusive power danced just beyond his reach, teasing him with its potential.

Suddenly, a loud, piercing noise jolted him out of his focus. His eyes snapped open, his head tilting slightly toward the commotion. Rising to his feet, he strode across the deck and called out, "What's going on, Mikita? Another sea beast?"

Mikita didn't respond. Instead, she stood frozen, staring in awe at the scene unfolding before her. Her gaze was fixed on an enormous piece of machinery cutting through the water, its form moving with an almost unnatural grace. 

Kai followed her line of sight, his own eyes widening at the sight. "Is that...?" He paused, blinking as he took in the marvel before them. "Wow. It really is something else when you see it in person."

Before them was the Puffing Tom, the legendary sea train that glided effortlessly across the waves, a feat of engineering that defied logic and yet existed. Its rhythmic chugging and the hiss of steam filled the air, the sight equal parts bizarre and mesmerizing.

Luca approached from behind, his expression one of mild amusement as he observed the pair. "You're not seeing things, Captain. That's the Puffing Tom, alright—the last functioning sea train. If I'm not mistaken, it connects three islands, including Water 7."

He turned to Kai with a knowing grin. "In short, Captain, we've arrived at our destination."

Kai smirked, his hands resting on his hips as he took one last glance at the sea train. "Looks like our little detour is finally over." Turning to Mikita, he gave her a light slap on the back. "Nice work, Mikita. Now, find us a safe spot to dock."

Mikita startled slightly at his touch, her cheeks coloring faintly at the praise. "Yeah, yeah," she muttered, quickly heading toward the helm. "I'll get us there."

Her movements were brisk, her focus unwavering as she steered the ship toward the bustling island of Water 7, her quiet pride bolstered by Kai's acknowledgment. The anticipation among the crew was palpable; after all, this wasn't just another stop—it was the beginning of their next chapter.

...

The ship arrived safely at the grand island of Water 7, its distinctive fountain-like structure mesmerizing the crew. The cascading waterways and intricate architecture made it look as though the city itself was afloat. The bustling docks stretched along the edges, providing ample spaces for ships to anchor. Fortunately for Kai and his crew, the locals were unexpectedly accommodating. Recognizing their wanted status, several dock workers discreetly directed them to well-hidden spots where they could safely moor their vessel.

As the crew secured their ship, Kai turned to the others. "Alright, follow me. We need to find someone named Iceburg. Mikita, grab the gold! Hurry."

Mikita's eyes narrowed in irritation as she retorted, "Two strong men on this ship, and I'm the one lugging the gold? Seriously?"

Kai's expression remained unfazed as he gave her a quick nod. "Yes," he replied simply, striding forward without breaking his pace.

Luca, walking beside him, chuckled. "You've got gravity powers, Mikita. Come on, this should be a breeze for you."

She groaned loudly, throwing up her hands. "I can make myself weightless! Not the gold, you idiots! Ugh!" Begrudgingly, she stomped toward the gold, muttering under her breath.

However, before she could even start, a group of burly men boarded the ship and began loading the treasure onto carts. Confused, Mikita stopped one of them. "Hey! Who the hell are you?"

One of the workers gave her a polite nod. "We're the ones the captain hired to carry this stuff."

Her jaw dropped in disbelief. "What?! That bastard! He made me carry it for nothing!"

Meanwhile, Kai and Luca wandered through the vibrant streets of Water 7, marveling at its unique charm. The aroma of freshly baked pastries and sizzling street food filled the air as they indulged in local delicacies. The canals and watercraft gave the city a dynamic, lively atmosphere, unlike anything Kai had experienced before.

After some exploration, they finally arrived at their destination: the Galley-La Company, the most renowned shipyard in the Grand Line. Its grand building stood tall, radiating professionalism and craftsmanship. Kai walked in confidently and approached the receptionist. 

"I'm here to see Iceburg," he said.

The receptionist raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Do you have an appointment?"

Kai smirked and slid a gold coin across the counter. The receptionist's demeanor instantly shifted, her skepticism replaced with a professional smile. She gestured toward a side door.

Moments later, a tall man with blue hair and lips entered the room. His presence was calm yet commanding. "Welcome, Mr. Kai Silver. I'm Iceburg. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Kai recognized him instantly, a flicker of familiarity flashing in his eyes. He extended his hand. "Nice to meet you, Iceburg. As you've probably heard, I'm here to restore a very old and battered ship. I'm willing to pay handsomely."

Iceburg nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I'm well aware, Mr. Silver. Ordinarily, I'd suggest you exchange your gold first, but word of your generosity has spread throughout the city. As a courtesy, your gold has already been sent to an exchange station for appraisal. Once they're done, I'll have the funds ready for your use."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Efficient."

"We aim to please," Iceburg continued. "I'll gather the best shipwrights for you to meet and prepare for your ship's evaluation. In the meantime, why don't you enjoy the city? I'll send for you when everything is ready."

Kai smiled faintly. "Fair enough." As he turned to leave, his tone grew serious. "Oh, and Mr. Iceburg…"

Without warning, Kai released a potent magical aura that filled the room, pressing down like an invisible weight. Iceburg froze, his composure slipping as sweat formed on his brow.

"I don't think you're the kind of man to steal," Kai said, his voice calm yet menacing. "But if you're entertaining the idea..." The aura intensified. "Well, let's just say you wouldn't enjoy the consequences. Adios."

With that, Kai turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving Iceburg slumped in his chair, struggling to catch his breath.

Kai, followed by Luca and Mikita, strolled leisurely through the bustling streets of Water 7. The city's charm captivated them with its flowing canals, gondolas, and vibrant architecture. After some time spent admiring the scenery, they decided to take a break at a nearby coffee shop tucked into a corner of the lively marketplace.

As they entered and settled into their seats, Luca leaned back and asked, "So, have you decided who's going to fix the ship? I remember this old guy from the Revolutionary Army days who was incredible at ship repairs."

Mikita nodded in agreement. "We need the absolute best for this job. That ship's hanging on by a thread. Good thing we've got plenty of cash."

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the waitress. She was a slender woman with short green hair and pale skin, her nervous demeanor contrasting with her otherwise sharp appearance. As she took out her notepad to jot down their orders, she hesitated before speaking.

"Um, excuse me, sir," she said timidly, addressing Kai. "I couldn't help but overhear. My sister is aspiring to be a shipwright. She's really talented! Would you consider giving her a chance?"

Kai raised an eyebrow at the suggestion, but before he could respond, Mikita waved dismissively. "Taking ship advice from a waitress now? Just take our orders and go."

The waitress shrank back, but Kai interjected with a calm voice. "Thanks for the recommendation. I'll think about it."

The woman's face lit up briefly before another voice shouted from the back. "YUKA! Stop pestering the customers!"

She flinched and scurried away, clearly embarrassed. Kai turned to Mikita, his tone sharper. "Stop being rude to people. She was just trying to help."

Mikita shrugged nonchalantly. "Whatever," she muttered, leaning back and sipping her coffee.

After finishing their drinks, the group got up to leave. On his way out, Kai approached the reception counter. "Hey, you. Yuka, right?"

The waitress turned around hurriedly, her expression anxious. "Yes, sir! I'm so sorry about earlier. I promise I won't bother you again! Please come back to our shop!"

Kai shook his head, dismissing her concerns. "Not at all. Thanks for the recommendation earlier. But you didn't tell me your sister's name."

Yuka blinked in surprise before quickly replying. "Niina! Her name is Niina. She's still new to this, but she has so much talent. Please, help her achieve her dream!"

Kai gave a small nod of acknowledgment. "I'll see what I can do." He reached into his pocket and tossed her a gold coin. "This is for you. Keep up the good work."

Yuka stared at the coin in disbelief, her hands trembling as she clutched it. "Thank you, sir! Thank you so much!"

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