Leno stood suspended in mid-air, gazing down at the bustling Water 7 below. The city was alive with activity, its intricate waterways crisscrossing like veins of life. He couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion—life always finds a way to chase miracles.
This lonely island on the sea had miraculously survived thanks to the genius designs and tireless efforts of the great shipwright Tom and his team. They had guarded their homeland with sheer wisdom and sweat.
Come to think of it, every time Leno came here, it was always in a rush. He had never taken the time to stroll around and enjoy himself. But then again, what was the point of wandering alone? Wouldn't it be far better to come back someday with some beautiful ladies to explore with?
He shook off the idle thought. Soon, with directions from a passerby, Leno arrived at the massive building of the Galley-La Company.
The sight amazed him—a colossal shipyard shaped like a gigantic ship cabin. As he stepped through the gates, he was greeted by the intense heat and roar of work inside. Materials and shipwrights bustled about in an overwhelming flurry, leaving Leno momentarily dazed and unsure of where to even start. There wasn't a single idle person around to ask for help.
"Customer, hello there! I'm shipwright Tilestone. Are you here to repair a ship or build a new one? Our Galley-La Company has the finest shipbuilding technology in the world—you've definitely come to the right place!"
A burly, bare-chested man with a full beard and the word "Shipwright" tattooed on his left shoulder strode up and bellowed cheerfully.
"I'm here to build a ship."
"Would you like to design it yourself, or would you like us to design and build it for you?"
"I have my own blueprints," Leno said, holding them up.
"In that case, please follow me. Our vice-president Paulie is away on a job, so I'll take you directly to our president, Iceburg." Tilestone led the way.
"That's perfect."
They soon arrived at Iceburg's office.
"President, this guest wants to build a ship, and he brought his own blueprints," Tilestone explained.
The man before them, wearing a checkered shirt and sporting a short-cropped haircut, was indeed the famed "Iceburg."
"Hello. Let me take a look at the blueprints first."
"Hello," Leno said, handing them over. "These blueprints came into my possession by chance. I just made a few slight modifications."
Iceburg took them and, after studying them for a while, his face lit up with wonder. "What an incredible structural principle… such a whimsical and brilliant design—marvelous, simply marvelous."
"It's just that… the difficulty of building this ship will be immense. May I ask what modifications you intend to make?"
"I'm sure you've noticed, Mr. Iceburg—this is a flying ship. I want it to function as a normal sea vessel most of the time, with the flight system only activating when needed, without altering the propulsion system."
"Also, I want the entire hull made of conductive metal. Here are a few additional small requirements." Leno handed him a note.
Iceburg jotted everything down, while Tilestone's face turned blank with confusion.
A flying ship? A metal hull? Conductive?
Tilestone's mind: Who am I? Where am I?
Iceburg quietly pondered over the calculations as Leno sat by, calmly sipping tea.
At last, Iceburg raised his head and looked at him.
"From revising the blueprints to gathering the materials and completing construction, it will take at least six months."
"That's fine. I'll pay 2 billion Berries—here's 1 billion as a deposit. My only requirement is perfection."
Duang! Duang! Leno placed two chests full of Berries onto the desk.
Tilestone spat out his drink, not even questioning where Leno had pulled those chests from. That was a billion Berries—just like that!
"You can rest assured about the craftsmanship. The Galley-La Company is renowned worldwide for our shipbuilding skills," Iceburg said firmly.
"Then it's settled. I look forward to seeing my ship in half a year." With that, Leno left the office without looking back.
The two men left behind were completely dumbfounded.
"Wait… that's it? That much money and no contract?!" Tilestone was stunned.
Leno's thoughts: A contract? Isn't paying enough?
"Building this miracle of a ship will be a massive challenge for our company," Iceburg muttered. "I may need to bring in outside collaborators for some of its systems."
"President, are you saying you're going to find… him…?"
Iceburg said nothing, only looking out the window with a small nod.
Far away, Leno glanced back at Water 7 from the sky, then pulled out a Den Den Mushi to make a call.
He informed Nami and the others about the time needed to build the ship, coaxed little Aileen with several promises, and finally hung up.
Sigh… always rushing around, what a tiring life…
He vanished in a flash of lightning.
High above Sabaody Archipelago, Leno paused briefly. Looking down at the chaos and disorder below, he slowly shook his head, then disappeared with a soft pop of bursting bubbles.
"Hmm?!" At the Shakky's Rip-off Bar, Rayleigh, who was drinking, suddenly looked up.
"What is it, old man?"
"Nothing… I just sensed a familiar presence. It seemed like that Thunder Kid I haven't seen in ages." Rayleigh swirled the liquor in his glass.
"Oh my, Thunder Kid, huh? It's been quite a while," Shakky said, cigarette dangling from her lips as she propped her chin on her hand at the bar.
"Yeah… ever since Hatchan dropped by and mentioned him, it's been years."
"True. I was shocked when Hatchan mentioned him last time. Who would've thought that Thunder Kid came from some tiny corner of the East Blue… and that little Sleepy Town gave him such an incredible Devil Fruit."
"Thunder Kid… at such a young age, knowing so many things. He's really quite the enigma," Shakky said wistfully.
"Yes… so young, yet powerful, with a mysterious background. I wonder what role you'll play in this vast sea…" Rayleigh murmured.
A bolt of lightning streaked past the Red Line, shooting toward the New World.
At Mary Geoise, within Pangaea Castle, hidden among the Flowers Chamber, a black-robed figure suddenly opened his scarlet eyes, staring toward where the lightning had gone, then slowly closed them again.
"My lord, has something happened?" a kneeling knight beside him asked quietly.
The room was silent. Receiving no answer, the knight silently retreated.
Closer to the Red Line were several islands, relatively peaceful without pirate harassment. Most of their inhabitants were the families of Marines, and Marine forces were stationed around these islands year-round, guarding the approach to the New World like a fortress.
After asking around, Leno bought an Eternal Pose.
His first destination: the Punk Hazard "Forbidden Zone."
There was no way he was letting that artificial Azure Dragon Fruit stay with Kozuki Momonosuke—that annoying, lecherous, cowardly brat who always shirked responsibility.
If they crossed paths, Leno would gladly send him to reunite with his father in the afterlife. That would count as doing a great good deed for the world.
Punk Hazard… The island had two mountains at opposite ends, split by a river through its center. Once a lush paradise of life, it now lay eerily silent and dead.
Sweeping the area with his Observation Haki, Leno landed at the base of the western seaside mountain. Before him lay a massive dock-like platform and, built into the mountain, an enormous metal gate.
"Mm, so this is the entrance." Wearing his "Thuner god" mask, Leno drew Wind Rift, coating it in Armament Haki.
Clang! Clang!
A huge X-shaped gash appeared on the gate.
Leno kicked it open and strode inside…