As night deepened, the moonlight bathed Water Seven in a bright, clear glow.
High above the submarine, suspended by some unseen force, floated Carl's massive door-panel sword. He sat atop it, silhouetted against the luminous moon, lost in contemplation.
The night sky in the Pirate World, he mused, possessed a pristine beauty. The lack of widespread industrialization had spared it from the heavy pollution that plagued his previous world. Simply gazing at the moon was a profound pleasure.
Of course, Carl wasn't merely relaxing. His Observation Haki blanketed the entirety of Water Seven.
Any unusual activity, no matter how subtle, would instantly register in his awareness. He had refined this technique by observing Enel's abilities, and it had proven remarkably effective.
He sensed a few rats scurrying about in the city, engaged in their clandestine schemes.
Carl paid them little mind, treating it as a spectator sport, as long as they didn't interfere with the Straw Hats.
A soft sound drifted up from the submarine deck. A slender hand emerged from Carl's side, followed by another from its palm, which snaked out like a vine and gently pulled Robin onto the massive sword beside him.
Carl shifted to make room, sitting comfortably next to her.
"Trouble sleeping, Robin?" he inquired softly.
"Well," Robin replied, her gaze fixed on the distant cityscape, "after hearing the interrogation results today, something came back to me." She offered Carl no pretense.
"It's Spandam," Carl stated matter-of-factly. "The name rings a bell, doesn't it? I also know a bit about him.
Twenty years ago, the one who led the CP organization that murdered your mother and pressed the golden Den Den Mushi to initiate the Buster Call was a man named... Spandine.
And this Spandine is Spandam's father!"
"So that's it..."
A chilling frost edged Robin's voice.
She could never forget Spandine's maniacal laughter from two decades past, the deaths of her mother and the scholars, the utter annihilation of Ohara. These memories were etched into the very fabric of her being.
Carl gently patted Robin's head. "Do whatever you need to do, and I'll be right there with you."
A soft smile bloomed on Robin's face, her beauty amplified by the silver moonlight. But Carl's attention remained fixed on the moon, seemingly oblivious to her radiant expression.
The following three days passed with an air of deceptive normalcy.
Kaku diligently continued his repairs on the Going Merry, occasionally bringing over a few other Galley-La shipwrights to assist.
The Merry underwent a remarkable transformation, its restoration progressing at a speed that was visible even to the untrained eyes of the Straw Hats. Though their knowledge of shipbuilding was limited, they could clearly see the ship becoming revitalized.
Usopp breathed a sigh of relief.
For the past three days, he had been subtly monitoring Kaku with his Observation Haki.
He hadn't detected any suspicious activity, and seeing the Merry being repaired so expertly had softened his initial distrust of the long-nosed shipwright.
Unbeknownst to Usopp, Kaku's keen instincts as an agent had made the past three days feel like a constant prickling sensation on his back. This awareness had compelled him to be even more meticulous in his repairs and to maintain an overtly positive demeanor.
When the Going Merry was finally complete, a genuine sense of relief washed over Kaku.
"As expected of the Fifth Emperor," he thought to himself, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. "Just repairing a ship nearby feels like being watched by monsters.
Especially Carl's gaze – every time it lingers, it feels so meaningful, so unsettling.
Finally, it's fixed. It's best to get away from the Fifth Emperor as soon as possible, otherwise, it might hinder the mission to find the Pluton blueprints!"
"As for Jabra and Blueno," he continued mentally, a hint of detached pity in his thoughts, "they can only hope for luck. I can't afford to save them!"
Muttering these thoughts to himself, Kaku meticulously inspected the ship one last time, ensuring every detail was perfect. Then, he called the Straw Hats over to take a look.
Luffy and the others were immediately excited to explore the newly refurbished Merry. Despite their familiarity with every nook and cranny of the hull, the sense of novelty and improvement filled them with joy. From the outside alone, the Merry looked completely revitalized!
Kaku also offered the "fake shipwright" Usopp some crucial advice on regular ship maintenance, key areas needing protection, periodic inspections, and even some basic repair techniques.
Usopp found himself surprisingly absorbing the information.
He couldn't help but concede internally that if this guy wasn't some secret agent, he was undoubtedly an exceptional shipwright.
"Alright everyone," Kaku announced, clapping his hands together. "The repair work on this ship is completely finished. I still need to pack up some remaining materials. Please send someone to Dock One to settle the remaining fees."
"Alright! Thank you, Long-nosed Shipwright!"
Luffy grinned his signature wide smile and left the task of payment to Usopp and Nami.
With a collective sigh, Usopp and Nami headed towards Dock One with the money.
Kaku, likely relieved, packed his belongings with unusual speed. He bid a hasty farewell to Luffy and the others immediately after finishing and left without any lingering.
However, before Kaku could get too far from the port, the Den Den Mushi on his person began to ring.
This time, a dark cloud instantly settled over Kaku's face.
Based on his understanding of his idiotic boss, this untimely call in broad daylight could only mean another ill-conceived plan.
But he had no choice. As an agent trained by the World Government, he was bound to obey the orders of his superiors, lest he face the grim consequences of being labeled a traitor.
...asking for flowers...
It was precisely his knowledge of the World Government's ruthlessness that prevented him from even contemplating betrayal.
Kaku quickly ducked into a secluded alley to answer the call.
When the call ended, Kaku's expression was one of profound displeasure. He turned sharply and headed back towards the port.
Meanwhile, Luffy and Chopper had explored the Merry several times over, their enthusiasm showing no signs of waning. Fortunately, a simultaneous burst of energy from Zoro and Sanji compelled them to help move the items temporarily stored on the submarine back onto the Merry, which finally calmed them down a bit.
However, Luffy soon brought up the topic of a celebratory banquet once more.
....0
Indeed, the Merry's restoration warranted a grand celebration.
Yet, just after the move was completed, Luffy paused abruptly, his head snapping towards a distant point.
"Mr. Carl!"
Luffy yelled, launching himself onto the nearest rooftop with a burst of Moonwalk, his gaze fixed on the distant sky.
"What's wrong with Luffy?" the others wondered aloud, their curiosity piqued.
"Get ready for battle, now!"
Carl's voice boomed down, leaving no room for doubt. He stepped onto his flying sword, ascending rapidly into the sky. There, he saw a fiery cloud hurtling towards their location.
Closer inspection revealed a massive, plump woman with vibrant pink hair riding atop the cloud. She wielded a huge blade, and an enormous flame danced menacingly beside her.
Carl's expression turned grim. "Luffy! It's Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors! She's come here herself!"
Luffy was momentarily stunned, then a wide, excited grin split his face. He clenched his fist, the knuckles cracking audibly, his anticipation palpable.
The rest of the crew was taken aback, their expressions shifting to serious concern.
The sudden appearance of a Four Emperor was far beyond their expectations. How could this formidable figure be so mobile, unlike Kaido who largely stayed within Wano? The New World was so distant, yet she had arrived personally, leaving them utterly speechless.
Luffy roared with laughter. "Hahahaha! Mr. Carl, I'll handle this Big Mom! This time, I'll defeat a Four Emperor all by myself! I'll leave the rest to you, Mr. Carl!"
Carl simply shrugged. "Go ahead, just remember to find an area where there are no innocent bystanders."
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