"Teacher, we're almost at Water Seven!"
Kuina knocked lightly before entering the cabin. After receiving permission, she stepped inside and reported with a hint of anticipation in her voice.
Saint Roselith Seraphina gave a small nod, her hands still occupied as she organized several documents spread across the desk. Among them was a carefully preserved letter one written by the legendary shipwright, Tom, addressed to his apprentice.
"Teacher… is this Mr. Tom really as remarkable as you say?"
Kuina couldn't help but ask. The seriousness with which Seraphina treated the letter made her curious. After all, in her eyes, Tom was merely a shipwright albeit a famous one.
Seraphina let out a soft chuckle, her expression calm yet meaningful.
"In time, his name will carry far more weight than you imagine. His work… will shape the very tides of this era."
Kuina blinked, still not fully understanding.
"A shipwright?"
Seraphina shook her head slightly.
"A shipbuilder who changed the course of history."
Water Seven"Iceburg! This is bad! Marines have landed on Water Seven!"
Franky burst into Iceburg's office without knocking, his voice loud and urgent.
Since Tom's arrest years ago after being framed by Spandam of Cipher Pol the two had lived cautiously, guarding the secret entrusted to them. Even now, that shadow lingered.
Iceburg barely looked up from his desk.
"What's there to panic about? Marines dock here every month."
His tone was calm, almost indifferent. As the largest shipbuilding hub in the world, Water Seven frequently hosted Marine vessels. It was nothing unusual.
"But this time is different!" Franky insisted, stepping forward. "They're asking specifically for Tom's Workers!"
That made Iceburg pause.
Franky continued, his voice lowering.
"They're asking around the city… openly. They know the name. That means they know something."
The room fell silent.
Iceburg understood exactly what that "something" was.
The blueprints.
The countermeasure against the Ancient Weapon Pluton.
A secret that could never fall into the hands of the World Government.
"They'll be here soon," Franky added. "What do we do?"
Iceburg set his pen down slowly, his mind racing.
"No… if they were sent by the World Government, they wouldn't be this obvious."
Franky frowned. "What do you mean?"
"They wouldn't ask around," Iceburg explained. "They already know where we are. They would come directly and quietly."
His gaze sharpened.
"This means they're not here under direct orders from the World Government."
Franky crossed his arms, processing that.
"So… we meet them?"
"Yes," Iceburg replied decisively. "But stay cautious. Make sure your people don't give them any leverage."
Franky nodded.
"I understand."
Meanwhile Streets of Water Seven"…Are you taking us in circles on purpose?"
Kuina's patience had clearly worn thin. Her brows furrowed as she glared at the group of shipwrights guiding them through the maze-like waterways of Water Seven.
They had been walking for over half an hour.
And yet, there was no sign of any shipyard.
Seraphina walked calmly at the rear, her expression unreadable. From the very beginning, she had sensed something off about these "guides," but she allowed it to continue.
After all, she wanted to see what they were trying to achieve.
"Miss Marine, there's no need to rush," one of the shipwrights replied with a casual smile. "Water Seven's layout is complicated. Without us, you'd be lost."
"Patience is important."
Kuina's temper flared instantly.
"Who are you calling impatient ?!"
"That's enough, Kuina."
Seraphina's voice was soft, yet it immediately calmed the situation.
She stepped forward slightly.
"I believe this gentleman has no intention of taking us to Tom's Workers."
Her tone remained polite, but her words carried weight.
"Would you mind explaining why?"
The leading shipwright stiffened.
Only then did he truly look at her.
He had initially assumed she was merely an adjutant her beauty making her stand out more than her authority.
But now…
"Rear Admiral…?"
Before he could respond, another man hurried over and whispered into his ear.
"The boss says stop stalling. Take them where they need to go."
The messenger left as quickly as he came.
The shipwright exhaled, his attitude shifting instantly.
"…My apologies, Rear Admiral. We'll take you to Tom's Workers now."
Kuina blinked in surprise.
"That was… fast."
But Seraphina was not surprised in the slightest.
Her Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) had already picked up the whispered exchange.
So that was it.
Tom's apprentices had been testing them.
Or perhaps… delaying them.
They thought we came for Pluton.
A faint, almost amused smile touched Seraphina's lips.
A misunderstanding… but not an unreasonable one.
She stepped forward.
"Lead the way."
This time
There were no more detours.
Only the truth waiting ahead.
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