Fifteen minutes earlier — Water 7.
Ace sat astride Buro, along with several of his crewmates, looking around with great interest as they took in the unique sights and culture of the city.
"Ace, look at that!" Skall exclaimed excitedly.
"That meat looks like a water balloon filled with water! It looks amazing—let's buy some and try it!"
Skall wasn't originally a pirate. He called himself a "collector"—a hardcore pirate enthusiast and skeleton-themed memorabilia collector.
Because of his obsession with pirates, he often sneaked aboard pirate ships. Once discovered, he'd usually be forced to work as a deckhand until the ship reached the next port. Eventually, he sneaked onto Ace's ship.
Having traveled all over the world by hitching rides on various vessels, Skall possessed extensive experience and knowledge of ports and sea routes. Ace greatly valued this and believed Skall had the potential to become an intelligence specialist—so he invited him to join the Spade Pirates.
Ace grinned and motioned for Buro to stop by the stall.
"Auntie, give me a few of those water-water meats."
"No problem!" the vendor replied cheerfully.
"You're pirates, right?"
Ace stiffened for a moment, then scratched his head awkwardly.
"Ah—was it that obvious? Don't worry, Auntie, we're just here to repair our ship."
The woman laughed.
"What am I afraid of? No pirate would dare cause trouble in Water 7.
If you did, you'd never be allowed to repair or buy ships here again."
"Hahaha, is that so?" Ace chuckled, then suddenly thought of something.
"By the way, Auntie, where's the best shipyard around here?"
She pointed toward a tall wall marked with the number ①.
"Over there—Dock No. 1. The finest dock of the Galley-La Company."
"The best dock?" Ace's eyes lit up.
"Perfect! Skall, we're going there!"
Dock No. 1
"Mayor Iceburg, those two are here to see you."
Iceburg looked at the two shipwrights standing before him and rubbed his temples.
"Lucci. Kaku. What is it you want?"
The pigeon perched on Lucci's shoulder spoke calmly:
"Mr. Iceburg, I believe my current abilities are sufficient to serve as a foreman."
Kaku, with his square nose, nodded vigorously.
"That's right, Mr. Iceburg. We've been here for two years already.
Aside from the existing foremen, is there anyone in Dock One better than us?"
Iceburg smiled.
"Oh, so that's what this is about. I thought it was something else."
He chuckled lightly.
"As fellow shipwrights, I know your skills well. Becoming foremen is well deserved.
Kalifa, take them to update their contracts. From now on—no, from this moment on—they are Dock One foremen."
Kalifa, wearing black fishnet stockings and glasses, adjusted her frames calmly.
"No problem, Mayor Iceburg."
Just then, a worker rushed in, flustered.
"M-Mayor Iceburg, bad news! A group that looks like pirates has arrived!
Should we send people to deal with them?"
Iceburg waved his hand dismissively.
"No need. Remember—no pirate dares cause trouble in Water 7."
He turned to Lucci and Kaku.
"You two go see what's going on."
"Yes."
After they left, Iceburg spoke to Kalifa.
"Once Lucci and Kaku are done, help them finalize their contracts.
I have a meeting later—I'll be heading out."
"Understood, Mayor Iceburg."
As Iceburg left, a glint flashed through Kalifa's eyes.
This is my chance.
With Iceburg gone, she could search his office and see if she could find the Pluton blueprints.
Elsewhere — Dock Area
"Sir, are you looking to buy a ship, or repair one?" a worker asked politely.
"Repair! Definitely repair!" Ace replied immediately.
The worker relaxed.
"No problem. Where's your ship?"
Ace hesitated.
"Uh… it's near the Scrap Island. We just came to check things out first."
"Oh, I see. In that case, I'll arrange for two shipwrights to come with you to Scrap Island and bring your ship back here. Is that alright?"
Ace nodded.
"Of course!"
A few minutes later, Lucci and Kaku arrived, their eyes scrutinizing Ace and his companions.
"You came at the right time," the worker said.
"Their ship is at Scrap Island and they don't know how to bring it over.
Could you two go take a look?"
Lucci glanced deeply at Ace.
A pirate… he looks familiar. Probably has a bounty—and not a low one.
Still, that wasn't his concern.
Capturing pirates was the Navy's job. CP9 had its own mission.
He was undercover. All he needed to do was his job.
"Please lead the way," Lucci said calmly.
Ace stared at the pigeon on his shoulder in amazement.
"Whoa! Is that bird talking? That's awesome!"
Skall sighed.
"That's ventriloquism. He's the one talking—the pigeon's just acting.
Still, it's impressive how perfectly they coordinate."
"Ohhh~ I see! Skall, you really know a lot."
"Hehe. You learn these things when you've seen enough."
Hattori spoke again.
"Sir, may we proceed?"
"Oh! Right—follow me!"
About ten minutes after leaving the shipyard, the group reached the street.
"Ace! Ace!!!
Thank goodness—I finally found you!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Ace turned sharply.
"Deuce? Why are you here? Did something happen to the ship?"
Deuce sprinted up, panting briefly before speaking rapidly.
"The Navy's here! It's that guy from the news—White Crow Vice Admiral!
No—he's already an Admiral Candidate now!"
Ace's pupils shrank.
"White Crow… Karl?!"
"Yes! Not long after you left, he showed up.
He wants to invite you to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—said he wants to talk to you face to face!"
Ace frowned deeply.
"He didn't do anything to Mihal, did he?"
Deuce shook his head quickly.
"No! His attitude was actually… pretty calm.
And there was another Warlord with him."
"Who?"
"…The Pirate Empress. Boa Hancock."
Everyone inhaled sharply.
The world's most beautiful woman?
Wait—does that mean the world's most beautiful woman is with the world's most handsome man?
—No, that wasn't the important part right now.
Ace clenched his fist.
"We're going."
The Spade Pirates immediately followed Ace.
Lucci and Kaku exchanged glances—and followed as well.
After all, watching drama is human nature.
Even CP9 wasn't immune.
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