Brother Tom, it's been a long time!
As soon as Fang Yi arrived at Water 7, he went straight to the back streets to find the master shipwright, Tom.
"It's you guys… the brats from Roger's ship!"
Tom instantly recognized Fang Yi and the others.
"So what brings you here? And… the newspaper said the Navy caught Roger—is that true? Just a year ago, when word came that you'd reached the Final Island, we were all so happy for Roger. Why has it suddenly turned into this?"
After a few polite words, Tom got straight to the point.
"The captain wasn't captured by the Navy… he turned himself in." Fang Yi shook his head and explained everything that had happened.
"I see… Who would've thought… someone as strong as Roger… Sigh…"
Tom let out a long sigh, his face tinged with sadness.
"This was the captain's own choice. Everyone respects his decision." Fang Yi shook his head again before adding, "But I came here today for something else—I have a request."
"You want a ship built, don't you?" Tom grinned.
Fang Yi nodded. "That's right! I'm planning to form my pirate crew, so I need a pirate ship! When it comes to shipbuilding, I don't think anyone in this world can compare to you—that's why I came all this way."
"Well…" Tom hesitated. "The Oro Jackson was built with a keel made from Adam Wood. I don't have that material right now, so—"
"No problem! I already ordered some. It should arrive in the next couple of days!" Fang Yi grinned. "I spent 200 million beli on Adam Wood. I hope that's enough?"
"Two hundred million? That's no small sum!" Tom burst out laughing. "You didn't go rob someone, did you?"
"We haven't exactly been idle this past year—we've been hunting down pirates and collecting bounty rewards from the Navy!" Fang Yi chuckled.
"Hahahaha… interesting! The Navy might end up regretting it one day!" Tom laughed again. "Alright, stay in Water 7 for a few days. I'll start designing right away. Once the Adam Wood arrives, we can begin construction!"
"Then I'll leave it to you, Brother Tom! I also have a few design ideas for the ship—could you take a look and see if they're workable?"
Fang Yi pulled out a rough blueprint from his coat.
Though shipwright was one of his life skills, he was only at the beginner level, so his drawing was crude, but it conveyed what he wanted.
Tom, being the world-class master he was, quickly understood Fang Yi's intent. He took the blueprint, made modifications, and in no time produced a brand-new design.
"Congratulations, Host—your Beginner Skill: Shipwright has been upgraded to Intermediate!"
The moment the drawing was complete, Fang Yi heard the system notification in his mind.
"How's this?" Tom held up the new design for Fang Yi's opinion.
"Perfect!" Fang Yi gave a thumbs-up. "As expected of you, Brother Tom. Compared to you, I'm not even a beginner!"
"Hahaha! Your blueprint might be crude, but being able to design this much on your own is already impressive, especially since you're not a shipwright."
With Tom's approval, Fang Yi and his companions stayed in Water 7. Brook, though eager to reach Twin Cape, understood that shipbuilding took time.
That afternoon, Adam Wood arrived, and Tom immediately began construction with his apprentices—Fang Yi helping every step of the way.
Five days later, a brand-new pirate ship stood completed before them.
"Wahahaha! I didn't think your wild ideas would work! This might be the finest ship I've ever built!" Tom laughed proudly.
Fang Yi smiled in satisfaction.
The ship incorporated many ideas from Earth, like a bath at the stern, complete with a circulation and heating system, essentially a small hot spring. After daily training, soaking there would be pure bliss.
The figurehead was a fierce dragon's head—not a Western dragon, but a true Eastern-style dragon, a tribute to Fang Yi's previous life.
The main cannon in the dragon's mouth was inspired by the air cannon Franky would one day build for the Thousand Sunny—hidden from view until the dragon's jaws opened, revealing its firepower.
Below deck, instead of the usual two large gender-separated rooms, Fang Yi had the space divided into individual cabins so each crew member could have a private room.
On deck, level with the main floor, was a dining hall with an open kitchen. Around it was a cylindrical tank, modeled after the Sunnys, for keeping live food supplies.
Above the dining hall were the meeting and recreation rooms. Behind was an open area left unused—Fang Yi hadn't decided its purpose yet.
The ship was around 50–60 meters long and 35 meters wide—slightly smaller than a Navy battleship, about the same size as the USS Jackson.
Fang Yi planned for a small, elite crew—no more than twenty people—so the size was perfect.
The pirate flag flew proudly from the mast: two crossed arrows instead of bones, symbolizing Fang Yi's skill as an archer. The skull was shaped like a wolf's head—a nod to Wangzai—giving the design extra menace.
Fang Yi had considered adding Shanks, Buggy, and Barrett's features to the emblem, but Shanks vetoed it—this was Fang Yi's crew, and he was the captain. Still, Fang Yi secretly wrapped a small red dragon above the wolf skull—a subtle tribute to Shanks' red hair.
The crew name and ship name had already been decided: The Dragon Wolf Pirates and their ship, The Dragon Wolf.
The "dragon" came from Fang Yi's strongest move, Flame Dragon Burst, and the ship's dragon figurehead. Shanks didn't know that "dragon" also honored Fang Yi's homeland from his previous life.
The "wolf" was for Wangzai, though Buggy mocked the dog for days over it, and paid dearly for the teasing.
On the day the Dragon Wolf was launched, they held a banquet to celebrate. Fang Yi once again thanked Tom for his help.
"Hey… Iceberg!"
In the middle of the festivities, Fang Yi quietly pulled aside Tom's apprentice, Iceburg.
"Hm? Fang Yi? What is it?" Iceburg asked, puzzled.
"How about it—interested in sailing with me?" Fang Yi offered him a tankard of barley ale with a smile.
At this time, Tom had yet to be targeted by the World Government, and Iceburg was still a simple, ship-obsessed young man.
But he shook his head immediately—he was a peace-loving sort and had no affinity for pirates.
"Come on! The sea is vast! As they say, 'Reading ten thousand books is no match for traveling ten thousand miles.' I need a shipwright aboard—you'd be perfect! Seeing the work of shipwrights from across the seas could only help your future!" Fang Yi coaxed.
Thunk!
Before Iceburg could answer, a huge fist came down on Fang Yi's head.
"Wahahaha! Boy, a man should live with dignity—don't go luring my Iceberg away!" Tom laughed. "He's not suited to being a pirate. If you've got the guts, take Franky instead!"
"Eh?" Fang Yi and Franky both made equally displeased faces.
It wasn't that Fang Yi looked down on Franky—he had solid skills—but without his future modifications, Franky's current strength was lacking. If Fang Yi took him now, he might never grow into the man he would become, and could even end up less capable than Iceburg.
As for Franky himself, having been abandoned by pirates as a child, he had no fondness for them, especially not for joining a young pirate like Fang Yi.
With Tom refusing to let Iceburg leave, Fang Yi's plan to recruit him was dashed, and now he'd have to look elsewhere for a shipwright.
There were many talented unknowns out there, but Fang Yi had no idea where to find them.