Because they'd struck it rich, the Straw Hat crew threw their usual celebratory banquet.
Nami, now feeling flush with cash, wasn't quite as resistant to Luffy's idea of another party. Besides, with Zoro's master visiting, proper hospitality was in order.
Still, the purse strings were in her hands, and she knew exactly how much these feasts cost.
Definitely no overspending!
But this was tough on Sanji, the busiest member of the Straw Hats. He was the one who shopped for ingredients and cooked up a storm. The real kicker was that while he was buying and preparing everything, his goddesses were often accompanied by other men – pure physical and mental torment!
But what could he do? He was the Straw Hats' chef, after all!
At the banquet, Koshiro watched Luffy and the others singing and dancing, clapping along with genuine pleasure.
The infectious joy seemed to spread to everyone.
However, Koshiro's gaze kept returning to Tashigi, his former student Zoro temporarily forgotten. Seeing the smile on Tashigi's face filled Koshiro with immense satisfaction.
It didn't matter that she wasn't his biological daughter; as long as that familiar face held a smile, it was enough.
Noticing Zoro drinking quietly to the side, Koshiro murmured, "Zoro, you have to protect Tashigi. Just think of me as someone who doesn't want to lose his daughter again."
Zoro paused, then nodded with firm resolve. "While I live, she won't die!"
Koshiro, satisfied with the answer, smiled and poured Zoro a glass of sake himself.
Soon after, Kuina playfully pulled Koshiro into a dance. Even though it was just holding hands and twirling, Koshiro felt it was the happiest moment he'd experienced since Kuina's passing.
"Mr. Koshiro, you look very happy," Robin whispered.
"It's hard not to be," Carl said softly, a hint of melancholy in his voice. "It's like losing my daughter and then getting her back."
It wasn't just Koshiro and Zoro who couldn't accept Kuina's death; many readers of the original tales felt the same way.
Some even theorized that Kuina's death was a faked disappearance.
However, Carl believed Koshiro wouldn't joke about his daughter, and Kuina wouldn't need to stage her death even if she went somewhere else.
Besides, if Kuina were truly alive, wouldn't Zoro's vow to become the world's greatest swordsman be meaningless?
Fortunately, there was Tashigi. While not Kuina herself, she filled a part of that void. Just like Koshiro now, simply seeing Tashigi's smiling face brought a deep sense of peace.
The night gave way to dawn, and the Straw Hats' usual morning exercises began.
Carl decided to leave Tashigi's training in Koshiro's capable hands for the time being, allowing the surrogate father and daughter to bond.
Carl himself skipped the morning routine, flying directly along the coast to locate Dock One of Galley-La Company. To his surprise, Rob Lucci and Kaku were still at the dock, meaning CP9 hadn't made their move on Mayor Iceburg yet!
"Strange, is the timeline off?"
Carl was puzzled.
Because the Straw Hats hadn't followed the original path exactly, their month-long training on the Boin Archipelago had caused a significant delay. After arriving in Water 7 yesterday, Carl had learned that the Aqua Laguna superstorm had already passed.
Yet, the fact that CP9 hadn't targeted Iceburg was a complete mystery to Carl.
"Welcome, esteemed guest! Are you looking to buy or repair a ship?" Kaku, with his distinctive long, square nose, asked enthusiastically.
One had to admit, if Kaku wasn't a member of CP9, he'd definitely be a top-notch shipwright.
Carl replied, "I'm looking for someone to inspect our ship, the Straw Hats' vessel. It's taken damage all the way from the East Blue, and we don't have a professional shipbuilder to fix it. Could you possibly send someone to take a look? Money isn't an issue."
"Ah, the famous Straw Hat Pirates! And you must be Carl, the Lightning Great Swordsman," Kaku exclaimed, showing no hint of fear.
"Yep, same surname as you and Garp," Carl quipped.
"Lightning Swordsman, you're quite the comedian!" Kaku chuckled. "Seeing the ship is no problem, but I'll need to inform the foreman."
With that, Kaku turned to find a busy foreman, quickly explained the situation, and returned with him.
Carl recognized the foreman: Barry, the yellow-haired man with diving goggles perched on his head and a permanent cigar in his mouth, one of Galley-La Company's five foremen.
Barry stated, "Guest, to inspect and repair the ship will cost ten million Berry."
Carl was momentarily speechless. "I told you, you've lost your bet again. While I said money isn't a problem, you can't just inflate the price like that."
He continued, a playful edge to his voice, "They say you shouldn't offend the shipwright and the chef at sea, but our Straw Hat Pirates aren't exactly pushovers. Is your company stronger than the Big Mom Pirates?"
Barry was taken aback and scratched his head sheepishly. "My apologies, that's just a habit of mine. We have standard price lists for ship repairs, so we'll go by that. I'll have Kaku go take a look."
Carl nodded and said to Kaku, "The Straw Hats' ship is at the port. You should recognize our Jolly Roger. Just tell them Carl sent you."
Kaku immediately gathered his tools. "Alright, I'll head over there right away!"
With that, he left the dock, seamlessly transitioning into parkour across the rooftops of Water 7, heading swiftly towards the port.
Mingming wasn't very old, yet he spoke like a grizzled two-hundred-and-fifty-three-year-old.
This Kaku was truly interesting.
In truth, Carl found Kaku more likable than the perverted Franky, but it wasn't his place to interfere in which shipbuilder they hired.
And no matter how skilled Kaku was, he was still a member of CP9, unlike Tashigi's harmless undercover work, making him ultimately unsuitable.
Having settled this, Carl wandered through the city alone until he found a secluded spot. He pulled out his Den Den Mushi and dialed a number.
"Moshi Moshi, Carl? You're back from Sky Island?" Dragon's deep voice echoed through the receiver.
"Uncle Dragon, you know the Straw Hats' whereabouts like the back of your hand. Worried about your precious son?" Carl teased.
"Luffy has a reliable partner like you; there's no need for my concern."
Dragon's tone turned serious. "However, since you defeated two of the Big Mom Pirates' generals, the Straw Hats have attracted even more attention."
He continued, "You've only just arrived in Water 7, and most major powers have already heard the news. Moreover, the tens of billions of Berry worth of gold is a significant draw."
Carl's smile faded. "So, we can expect some big players to arrive?"
Dragon confirmed, "Yes. It has been confirmed that both the Big Mom and Kaido's pirate crews have made moves. In addition, the CP organization, individual Shichibukai, and the Eight Treasures Navy are all heading towards Water 7."
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