Iceberg's eyes trembled slightly; he could feel that this man's ambition was not merely limited to an ordinary pirate crew.
Instead, he wanted to surpass the former Roger Pirates and become a pirate crew that truly conquered the Grand Line.
These people wanted to conquer this world!
Lin Ning's lips curved slightly, and he looked at Iceberg with profound eyes, continuing, "Of course, we won't take your technology for free... In exchange, we can help you solve a problem."
Saying that, Lin Ning's gaze slowly shifted to Luffy:
"Luffy, what do you think?"
Luffy nodded solemnly, his eyes fixed on Iceberg with immense determination, and he grinned:
"Mr. Iceberg, if you are willing to build a ship for us—then you are a friend of our Straw Hat Pirates!"
"As long as you are our friend, we will protect you to the end!"
Iceberg trembled slightly; he had never seen such pirates—
He could feel that the Straw Hat in front of him was speaking the truth.
From the beginning, they wanted to incorporate their small sailboat, the going merry, which had carried them all along, into the new ship, rather than abandoning the old ship once they had a new one.
Iceberg understood then that this was a group of pirates who valued their companions.
Just as he was pondering, Lin Ning suddenly remembered something.
His gaze swept towards Kalifa, who had fainted on the ground, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes, and he slowly said:
"As a token of our sincerity, I can now resolve the trouble around you as a welcoming gift."
"As for all the consequences afterward, we, the Straw Hat Pirates, will bear them!"
Boom—!!
As soon as Lin Ning finished speaking, the surrounding air pressure suddenly dropped again!
Red lightning flickered slightly, and a suffocating Aura permeated the air!
Iceberg immediately gasped, his heart filled with shock!
What kind of monsters were these guys, one by one?!
—Not only were they terrifyingly strong, but they truly dared to kill World Government personnel!
At this moment, Iceberg had already made a decision...—Perhaps, he could trust these guys!
Iceberg stood before the mountain of gold, silent for a long time.
His gaze was profound, and his expression kept changing.
He was making an unprecedented decision in his heart.
"The World Government is pressing closer and closer... CP9 is hiding by my side.
They could take the secret of Pluton at any time, and even my life hangs by a thread."
"But these pirates... they are incredibly strong."
He had never seen such strong people; he felt that these people were even stronger than the great pirates of the Grand Line!
"Perhaps... I should take a gamble."
"Good!"
Iceberg took a deep breath, his tone steady and firm as he said:
"I agree to build a ship for you, but don't touch these people for now!"
Iceberg stopped Lin Ning's plan to give him a welcoming gift.
Lin Ning, hearing this, also withdrew his Aura; in Lin Ning's eyes, these people were just harmless small fry who couldn't stir up any trouble.
And the members of the Straw Hat Pirates, hearing this, all showed a hint of joy in their eyes.
"However—"
Iceberg paused, a complex expression appearing on his face, and he slowly said:
"I have one condition."
He raised his head, looking directly at Luffy and Lin Ning, with an unprecedented seriousness and solemnity in his eyes:
"I want you to—protect my Junior Brother, Franky!"
"He is one of the most excellent Shipwright in this world, and his dream is to one day build a true 'Dream Ship'!
But now, the World Government is watching me, and they will certainly watch him too.
If he falls into the hands of the World Government, his only outcome is death!"
Iceberg's voice was firm and powerful, every word carrying a weighty significance.
"So, I want you to protect him! If you can do that—
Then, Galley-La Company and I are willing to put all our efforts into building the strongest pirate ship in the world for you!"
"How about it?"
—The air suddenly fell silent.
Luffy, after listening, grinned without hesitation, "Hahahaha!"
"What are you kidding about, Mr. Iceberg!"
"You're already willing to help us build the strongest pirate ship in the world; your Junior Brother Franky is, of course, our friend!"
"Protecting friends—that's a matter of course!!"
Boom—!!!
Luffy's smile was bold and confident, instantly dissipating half of the heavy pressure in Iceberg's heart.
Lin Ning stood by, his lips curving slightly, and he said lightly:
"Since Franky also has the wish to build a 'Dream Ship,' then he should personally participate in its construction."
He looked up slightly, his gaze sharp as a blade, and slowly said:
"From today onwards, the Straw Hat Pirates will officially shelter Franky.
No matter who the World Government sends—we will crush them with our own hands."
"This is our promise."
Iceberg, hearing this, clenched his fists slightly, and a glimmer of light finally appeared in the depths of his eyes.
"Perhaps... this is the opportunity to break the deadlock."
—At Dock Number One in Water 7, Luffy and Iceberg solemnly signed a contract!
The contract content is as follows:
Article 1: Iceberg and Franky will personally preside, gathering all top elite Shipwright from Galley-La Company.
They will procure adam wood and other top-tier shipbuilding Materials in the world, dedicating all efforts to build the strongest pirate ship.
Article 2: The Straw Hat Pirates will provide gold, fully funding all resources required for shipbuilding, including Materials, craftsmen, logistics, etc.
Article 3: The Straw Hat Pirates pledge to shelter Franky, ensuring he will not be pursued by the World Government.
Until the pirate ship is completed, and thereafter, Franky will have the right to choose freely.
—The contract was signed, a monumental completion!
Nami smiled, "This deal, if it results in the most formidable pirate ship, then all this gold is worth it!"
Usopp, looking at the gold, excitedly said, "A ship built with so much money must be the strongest battleship in the world!!"
Zoro rubbed his chin, Battle Intent flickering in his eyes:
"I can't wait to sail it and gallop across the Grand Line."
Sanji lit a cigarette and chuckled softly, "Heh... it seems future voyages will become even more interesting."
—The strongest pirate ship in the world had finally taken its first step towards birth!
At this very moment, a strange feeling suddenly arose in Iceberg's heart.
He looked at this group of "pirates" before him, and suddenly understood something—
These guys were not just pirates.
They were beings destined to stir up colossal waves in the future!
"Perhaps, they really might... subvert and even conquer this world!"