Chương 144: Chapter 144: Water 7 – Enel’s Shattered Hopes
Sometimes, being in the right place at the right time brings unexpected encounters... Just like now.
Takumi had initially thought CP9 wouldn't show up for a few more months, but apparently, the Navy ship that had entered Water 7 yesterday had something to do with their arrival.
As he walked through the streets, conversations floated around him:
"Did you hear? Dock One is hiring workers. I'm going to check it out later."
"Iceburg's still negotiating that merger with the shipbuilding company in the west, right? I guess they really are short-handed."
"Getting a job with Iceburg's company would be a big deal. If I didn't have my own store to look after, I'd apply myself."
While these conversations had little to do with Takumi, there were just too many coincidences. It didn't feel like chance anymore.
He was now sure the two men he saw last night were Kaku and Lucci. He had spotted them again today, and with so many people talking about Dock One hiring... Was this some kind of sign for him to check it out?
Takumi sighed.
Whatever. Breakfast first.
Without thinking too much about it, he entered a small breakfast shop and ordered some food. As he ate, a calm voice suddenly came from outside.
"Hmm? Isn't this Marco's friend? Why are you having breakfast alone?"
Iceburg walked into the shop.
The people inside were quick to greet him enthusiastically.
"Iceburg, sir! What can we get you? We've got all kinds of breakfast items!"
"Iceburg, how have you been? Still as busy as ever?"
"I heard Dock One is hiring shipwrights. Are you personally overseeing it?"
Iceburg waved them off with a smile. "Hiring shipwrights is important business, so of course, I'll be there. But I've already had breakfast. No need to worry about me, just keep doing your thing."
With that, Iceburg sat down in front of Takumi.
Takumi didn't bother looking up. He kept eating his breakfast in silence.
Iceburg, however, kept his gaze fixed on Takumi, not saying a word until Takumi had almost finished eating. "What's your name?" he finally asked.
"Takumi," came the flat reply.
Iceburg looked him over. "You're not even an adult yet, are you?"
Takumi gave a slight nod.
Iceburg chuckled. "It's not every day you see someone drinking wine with breakfast, especially someone as young as you."
Takumi: "..."
So? You came all this way just to say that?
Seeing Takumi's blank expression, Iceburg smiled and continued, "Well, since we've bumped into each other, maybe it's fate. I'm headed over to Dock One right now. You seem to have nothing else to do. Why not come along and see what's going on?"
Takumi: "..."
Takumi was about to refuse. Stirring up trouble wasn't his style.
Before he could speak, Enel suddenly appeared, eyes alight with excitement. "Yes, of course, we'll go!"
Takumi shot Enel an unimpressed look. What was this idiot so excited about?
Grinning from ear to ear, Enel added, "We're supposed to be hiring a shipwright for the crew, right? Might as well check if there's anyone suitable!"
In Enel's mind: If we hire another crew member, then I won't be the lowest rank anymore! Ahahahaha! Finally, someone else to do the grunt work!
Takumi: "..."
When did I ever agree to that?
"If you don't want to go, that's fine," Enel said casually. "I can scout someone out myself."
"No," Takumi interrupted immediately. "I never said we were hiring anyone."
Enel looked confused. "Wait, didn't you agree back on Thriller Bark? You said we'd find a shipwright when the time came—"
The more Enel spoke, the less confident he sounded. It was true that Takumi had said "when the time comes," but he hadn't explicitly promised to hire anyone...
Iceburg, observing the exchange, chuckled. "Haha, well, Water 7 has plenty of talented shipwrights. If you really want to hire someone for your crew, just talk to them. I won't stop you if they want to join."
Enel muttered, "See? Even the boss of Dock One says it's okay... Having a shipwright onboard would make things easier whenever the ship needs repairs, right?"
Looking at Enel now, with his hopeful and eager expression, Takumi almost couldn't believe this was the same arrogant, cocky Thunder God. If it weren't for the fact that the face was the same, Takumi might've thought he was talking to someone else entirely...
But no matter how much Enel pleaded or how pitiful he looked, Takumi wasn't swayed.
"No," Takumi said firmly.
He took a long drink from his wine gourd, leaving Enel visibly deflated.
Iceburg, smiling at their banter, stood up. "Well, whether you hire a shipwright or not, today is Dock One's hiring day. Are you sure you don't want to at least check it out? You might find something unexpected."
Enel, now too dejected to care, muttered, "Whatever. I don't care anymore."
For some reason, Iceburg's mention of "something unexpected" piqued Takumi's interest. After thinking it over for a moment, he finally spoke up.
"Alright, let's go."
Enel blinked in surprise. "Huh?"
Iceburg smiled again. "Great. Follow me, then."
Iceburg left the breakfast shop, with Takumi following behind.
Although Enel was confused by Takumi's sudden change of heart, he had no choice but to tag along. After all, Takumi was the captain, and whatever the captain decided, the crew had to follow without question.
In these times, finding a captain as reliable as Takumi was no small feat.
The three of them soon arrived at Dock One.
It took the combined effort of several dozen workers, straining with all their might, to push open the massive gate marked with a large "1." Iceburg led Takumi and Enel into the factory beyond.
Enel, unimpressed, muttered, "Why go through all that trouble? The fence on the side is so short, we could've just hopped over it."
Iceburg chuckled. "Guests aren't allowed to enter through the side. Only staff can go that way. Entering through the main gate is a sign of respect for our guests."
Enel snorted. "What a waste of effort."
The gate was heavy—normally it took a team of people to open it. But soon, when Lucci and Kaku officially joined the crew, they'd be able to open it with ease.
"Iceburg, sir!" The workers inside greeted him warmly.
"Iceburg, good morning!"
"We've already selected a few candidates for the shipwright positions. Would you like to review them yourself?"
Iceburg waved them off. "No need, I trust your judgment." He glanced at the ten workers who had been selected, giving a nod of approval. "Since you've been chosen by the foremen, work hard. Shipbuilding is an art that takes time to master, but one day, you'll all become top-notch craftsmen."
"Yes, sir!" The selected workers responded with excitement.
Takumi, however, immediately zeroed in on two familiar faces—Kaku and Lucci. Just as he had suspected, they were here.
Iceburg also noticed them. He walked straight over to Lucci, his eyes drawn to the pigeon perched on the man's shoulder.
"Is that... your pet?" Iceburg asked, looking at the bird.
Lucci remained silent, but the pigeon suddenly spoke up. "I'm Rob Lucc—No, no, I'm Hattori the pigeon!"
The pigeon waved a wing toward Lucci. "This is Rob Lucci. Nice to meet you!"
"What the—!" Iceburg jumped in surprise. "The pigeon talks?!"
Flapping its wings, the pigeon replied, "I'm just a regular pigeon, no need to be so shocked."
"Oh, I get it," Iceburg said, suddenly understanding. "It's ventriloquism! Very impressive!"
Hattori and Lucci both shook their heads, while Hattori continued, "No, no, it's really nothing special..."
************
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