Kokoro had chosen to do this because she sensed that the man standing before her wasn't nearly as vicious as the newspapers made him out to be.
Besides, he had just shown genuine kindness toward her granddaughter Chimney. So once she learned his reason for heading to Water 7, she decided to write him a letter of introduction to Iceberg. After all, judging by the bounty on his head, the new ship he wanted built was bound to be worth a fortune.
Seeing the letter, Nami quickly stepped out of the adjacent carriage door and politely accepted it. She didn't head back inside right away. Instead, she stayed on the platform, chatting with Kokoro and trying to learn everything she could about Water 7.
Soon the sea train's whistle blew again. The moment Nami boarded, the train chugged forward in a puff of smoke, pulling away from the station and racing toward its final destination—Water 7.
As she watched the train disappear into the distance, Station Master Kokoro took another long swig from her bottle, wiped her mouth, and muttered to herself, "Looks like Water 7 is about to welcome another extraordinary visitor."
"Huh? You mean that big brother from earlier?" Chimney tilted her head cutely beside her.
Kokoro only smiled, saying nothing. She turned and headed into the station building. "Come on, let's go inside. I'll bake some more cookies."
At those words, Chimney's and the little blue rabbit's eyes sparkled. They spun around and chased after her at once.
Grand Line, Paradise. Somewhere on the vast, calm ocean.
A tall figure pedaled a bicycle across the sea as easily as if it were solid ground. He wore a white suit vest over a dark-blue shirt, a yellow tie knotted loosely at his collar, and a green sleep mask pushed up on his forehead. The outfit somehow looked both formal and completely relaxed.
"Buruburu—Buruburu—Buruburu—"
Hearing the sound from inside his clothes, he lazily braked, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
"Buruburu—Gacha—"
"Hello, is this Admiral Kuzan?"
Admiral Kuzan—also known as Aokiji—answered in his usual slow drawl, "Yeah, it's me. You got the info?"
"Affirmative. Everything's confirmed. She's on a sea train bound for Water 7 right now… and she's traveling with Madman Will. So it's definite—she really has joined his crew."
Kuzan's eyes flickered. In that same lazy tone he replied, "Ara la… Is that so? Got it. Thanks for the hard work."
He hung up without another word. A thoughtful look crossed his face as he muttered to himself, "Madman Will… the guy who attacked a Celestial Dragon, killed CP9 agents and a Navy Rear Admiral, and took down Crocodile. So this is where you've decided to settle down?"
He gave a small, amused huff. "It's gotten a little more troublesome than before. So what'll you do this time? Still planning to betray everyone and run off on your own? Guess I'll just have to wait and see."
After a brief pause, Kuzan activated his Devil Fruit power. The ice beneath his bicycle wheels shifted direction in an instant. He pushed off again, pedaling along the new frozen path.
At the same time he pulled out a second Den Den Mushi and dialed.
The call connected almost immediately. Kuzan didn't bother with pleasantries. "Ara… Spandam? It's Kuzan."
"Admiral Kuzan! Sir! What can I do for you?!"
"Nothing complicated. Nico Robin is on her way to Water 7."
"Nico Robin?!"
The moment the name left Kuzan's lips, Spandam's oily flattery vanished, replaced by pure shock. Kuzan paid no attention to the reaction and continued in the same bored voice while pedaling, "That's right—the woman herself. She and her group should arrive soon. You're closer to Water 7, so I'm leaving it to you. Send some extra hands and try to capture her. If things get out of hand, you can use the Golden Den Den Mushi I gave you. Just make sure she doesn't slip away easily. But try not to use the Golden one unless you absolutely have to."
A cold glint flashed in Kuzan's eyes as he added silently, It's time to settle everything there.
Spandam snapped to attention under the confused stares of everyone around him and answered with reverent enthusiasm, "Understood, Admiral Kuzan!"
Click.
The line went dead. Kuzan had barely ridden a short distance when he suddenly remembered something. "Ara… I forgot to mention her companion is Madman Will. Can the CP9 guys he's got handle someone like that?" He shrugged. "Eh, shouldn't be a big problem. I just need them to stall for a bit. I'll be there soon enough."
With that, he pedaled a little faster.
Meanwhile, on Enies Lobby…
The instant the call ended, Spandam set the Den Den Mushi down. A wicked grin spread across his face. He glanced up at the three figures lounging on the sofa and said with a sinister smile, "Hey, you three. You're coming with me to Water 7 later."
The trio looked startled, then openly surprised. One of them—arms crossed, sunglasses resting on his forehead, two long fangs at the corners of his mouth, and a long braid hanging down his back—asked in a mocking drawl, "What, you planning to move on the target directly now?"
Until now, the "mission target's" special status had kept them from acting openly. Spandam had been forced to use a slower, more annoying method: planting undercover agents near her for a long time, waiting for the right moment. He clearly hadn't expected the sudden change of plans. After a moment's thought, he figured the phone call had everything to do with it.
Spandam offered no explanation, only grinned wider. "Don't worry, Jabra. I've got a brand-new plan."
He pulled out another Den Den Mushi—this one linked to the undercover agents already in Water 7—and quickly dialed.
An hour later.
Near Water 7.
A sea train raced forward. On the distant horizon, an enormous city floating on the sea gradually came into view. From afar it looked like one giant fountain: water surged from the top, cascading down in waterfalls on every side before channeling into the city's countless waterways and finally pouring back into the ocean through huge outlets at the edge. Between the canals stood rows of prosperous red-roofed houses.
"Wow~! So this is Water 7?!" Nami, Chopper, and the rest pressed against the windows, eyes wide with amazement.
Even Enel couldn't hide a flicker of surprise. He had never seen anything like this back on Skypiea.
As the train curved, everyone caught glimpses of the city's districts. Then the sea train slowed and came to a smooth stop inside Water 7 Station.
They stepped off loaded with luggage and heavy cases stuffed with Beli. The moment they left the station, Will and the others spotted a rental shop advertising a local mode of transport called "Blue."
Nami and Carina walked in together to ask about prices. When they came back out, Nami held up the quote sheet and explained, "This city mainly uses its waterways for transportation. To get around quickly you have to rent one of these water mounts called a 'Blue.' There are three sizes: Blue, Big Blue, and Emperor Blue. With our group size and all the luggage, I think renting two Big Blues will be enough. The Emperor Blues are way too expensive anyway, and the shop doesn't have any left."
No one objected.
Carina held up a map she had just bought and added with a smile, "Here's a city map. With this we can find a hotel faster—and locate that guy Iceberg."
Will nodded, pleased. "Then let's do this. Rent the two Big Blues first, then split into two teams. Issho, Chopper, Carina, and Robin—you four take all the luggage and find a good hotel to check into. Shipbuilding is going to take several days, so we'll need a place to stay. Nami, Enel, and I will take the money and go see Iceberg about commissioning the new ship. Sound good?"
It was clearly the most efficient plan, so everyone agreed without argument.
"Alright, let's head in and pick out two good Big Blues," Will said with a smile, leading the way into the rental shop.
At the same time, another sea train eased into a special station in Water 7.
"Perfect. We're finally here."
Spandam, draped in a dark-brown cloak, stared out the window at the city, a cruel light in his eyes. He stood slowly, turned with a vicious smirk, and ordered, "You three, go find Blueno at the tavern first. He'll tell you what to do next."
"Hmph." Jabra scoffed, rose, and walked out without another word—his attitude dripping with open contempt.
The tall, stout man with the zipper across his mouth—Fukurou—couldn't resist opening it to say, "You really are annoying, chabababa." Then he clapped a hand over his mouth. "Ah, I let it slip again."
He ignored Spandam's now-purple face completely and left the carriage. Like Jabra, he didn't spare the so-called superior a second glance.
The last to react was Kumadori, with his wild pink hair and pale, theatrical makeup. Only after the other two had already stepped off did he finally stand, swaying dramatically as he followed—his disdain for Spandam just as obvious.
"Damn it…" Spandam's face twisted with rage. He hissed under his breath, "These bastards always look down on me just because they've got a little strength! Just you wait. The second I capture Nico Robin and get promoted, I'll make sure every last one of you gets stuck with the most suicidal missions imaginable!"
"Jie jie jie jie jie jie~"
He threw his head back and cackled like the perfect villain he was. The other government agents in the carriage exchanged glances behind their sunglasses, eyes full of disdain.
After renting the two Big Blues, Will's group split up. One team carried the luggage and Beli-laden cases while the other carried nothing but money. They mounted the large aquatic mounts and glided smoothly along the upward-flowing waterways into the heart of the city.
The lively crowds, crystal-clear canals, and spotless streets and houses filled everyone with a sense of delight. Even Enel, eyes usually closed, kept glancing around curiously at the unfamiliar sights.
From nearby windows and along the canal paths, friendly locals waved and called out cheerful greetings. Will and Nami, riding together on their Big Blue, smiled and waved back as naturally as any ordinary travelers—showing not the slightest hint that they were pirates.
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