章 101: Gold!
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As the crew neared Water 7, they searched for a suitable place to dock. A man fishing from his small boat waved them down, catching their attention.
"You there!" the fisherman called out. "Pirates can't enter from there. Go around!"
The crew looked at each other, surprised by the casual tone of the man. Nami adjusted the helm, following his directions. As they turned, the ship began to sail deeper into the city, the view of Water 7's unique architecture coming into full view.
"Wow! Everything floats!" Luffy exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder.
Robin chuckled softly, correcting him. "Fufufu, the island is built on a sunken city. Look at their base."
The crew leaned over the railing, peering down into the water. They saw massive pillars extending deep beneath the surface, supporting the floating structures above.
As they continued to sail through the city, another man, this one dining leisurely at a waterside café, called out to them. "Hey, you planning to rob the city or something?" His voice was so nonchalant that it caught the crew off guard. It was hardly the reaction of someone who had just spotted a pirate ship.
Luffy waved back, grinning. "Nope! We're just here to see the sights!"
The man raised an eyebrow but didn't seem concerned. "If you're just sightseeing, you should dock at the back of the island. There's a small peninsula there where you can tie up your ship."
The crew nodded in thanks and continued on their way, following the man's directions. As they made their way around the island, Nami, steering the ship, glanced back at Coby and Robin, curiosity evident in her expression. "Why are they all so calm? It's like they don't care that we're pirates."
Coby chuckled, explaining the situation to Nami. "Galley-La deals with pirates every day—pirates who come here to build or repair ships. But most of them are rotten, causing trouble or trying to rob the company. The folks at Galley-La are strong enough to handle them, so the citizens don't worry. If any pirates make a scene, they'll get punished."
The crew nodded in understanding, impressed by the reputation of Galley-La. As they sailed to the back of the island, they found a small peninsula perfect for docking the Going Merry. The ship was securely tied up, and the crew prepared to explore the city.
Luffy, as eager as ever, grabbed one of the bags of gold they had taken from Skypiea. "Let's go! City of Water, so excited!" he shouted, already hopping off the ship with his usual energy. Coby, Nami, and Usopp followed, with Coby carrying the other bag of gold.
Robin and Chopper decided to go shopping, with Sanji immediately offering to accompany them—though it was obvious he just wanted to stick close to Robin. Coby watched them leave, knowing this would start the events leading to Enies Lobby. He chose not to interfere, understanding the importance of what was to come.
As Luffy, Coby, Nami, and Usopp made their way into the city, they were immediately struck by the sight of the canals running through the streets. Gondolas and water buses zipped by, carrying people and goods across the waterways. The city was alive with activity, its unique architecture and vibrant atmosphere making it unlike any place they visited before.
"Wow! It's like a maze!" Usopp exclaimed, his eyes wide as he took in the sight. "I bet I could build something like this!"
Nami smiled, more focused on finding their way to the bank. "Let's not get lost before we even start. We need to exchange the gold and find this Iceburg guy."
As they walked, Luffy spotted a vendor selling water meat, specialty of Water 7 and immediately rushed over. "Hey, these look good!" he said, his mouth watering.
Coby joined him, grabbing a portion for himself. "Not bad," he commented after taking a bite.
Nami rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling at their enthusiasm. "You two and your food…"
With their stomachs satisfied, Luffy, Coby, Nami, and Usopp made their way through Water 7. After asking for directions from a few locals, the group finally arrived at a grand building that stood out even among the impressive architecture of Water 7. The bank's massive doors loomed before them, ornate and imposing, clearly a place where large sums of money changed hands.
They stepped inside confidently. The interior was just as grand, with polished marble floors and high ceilings. Clerks bustled about, tending to various customers, while a few guards kept a watchful eye on the proceedings.
A well-dressed man at the front desk noticed them immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in their pirate aura. He approached with a practiced exaggerated fawning smile, bordering devotion. "Welcome to the Water 7 Central Bank, the esteemed customers. How may I assist you today?" He lowered himself, almost prostrating.
Nami stepped forward, her hand resting on the bag of gold Coby was carrying. "We'd like to exchange some gold."
The man's smile widened, and he motioned for them to follow him to a more private area. "Right this way, please. We'll take care of that for you."
They were led to a small, elegantly furnished room where the man gestured for them to sit at a table. Coby and Luffy placed the bags of gold on the table with a satisfying thud, and the man's eyes flickered with interest as he eyed the contents.
He carefully opened the bags, revealing the glittering gold inside. His expression remained fawning, but there was a subtle shift as he began to inspect the gold pieces, weighing them in his hands and examining the markings. Luffy and Nami sat at the table, watching him closely, while Coby and Usopp stood behind them, arms crossed and their expressions far from friendly. The banker finally looked up, his smile now clearly forced.
"Well, I must say, this is quite an impressive haul," the banker began, his tone dripping with false sincerity. "However, I must inform you that the market value of gold fluctuates, and—"
Nami didn't let him finish. She kicked her feet up onto the table, leaning back in her chair with a confident smirk. "Who do you think you're trying to trick?" she asked, her voice sharp. "Not only is this gold pure, but it's also ancient and has historical value. You're not getting away with lowballing us."
The banker's smile faltered, but he quickly regained his composure. "Of course, of course," he said, waving his hands in a placating gesture. "I wouldn't dream of it! But you see, there are certain fees and—"
"Spare us the bullshit," Nami interrupted again, her eyes narrowing. "We know exactly what this gold is worth. We're not leaving here with less than 350 million berries."
Coby and Usopp took a step forward, their presence looming over the banker. The man swallowed hard, his eyes darting nervously between the two of them. He could feel the weight of their stares and knew he was cornered.
"Y-Yes, of course," the banker stammered, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "350 million berries, no less."
The banker's hands trembled slightly as he hurried to finalize the exchange, handing over three money briefcases filled with 350 million berries. Nami nodded in satisfaction as the crew stood up to leave. This wasn't all the gold they had taken from Skypiea, but it was more than enough for now.
Luffy, Coby, and Usopp each grabbed one of the bags as they made their way out of the bank. Nami, her eyes gleaming with excitement over their haul, clung to Coby's arm.
As they walked through the bustling streets of Water 7, Luffy, ever the carefree one, started spinning his bag of money around, completely oblivious to how close he was to dropping it into the canal. Nami's eye twitched as she watched him, and before he could tempt fate any further, she snatched the bag from him, carrying it herself.
"Honestly, Luffy," she muttered, clutching the bag protectively, "you'd lose your head if it wasn't attached."
Luffy just laughed, not bothered in the slightest. "I wasn't gonna drop it!"
Coby grinned, shaking his head as they continued on their way to Galley-La Company, the city's top shipwrights.
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