The city of Water 7 was in ruins, its former prosperity replaced by smoke and devastation. A battered Morgans, still disguised, approached Rodin, his face a mask of gratitude. "Mr. Rodin! Thank you so much! If it weren't for you, the Marines would have captured me!"
Rodin smiled, knowing that a good news report from Morgans would boost his fame. "You collected a lot of news material this time?"
"More than enough!" Morgans beamed, giving Rodin a thumbs-up. "It's all thanks to you. Wherever you go, it's big news!" He even planned to create a special news team to follow Rodin, a testament to his respect and the promise of profit.
In the distance, the residents of Water 7 emerged from their shelters, crying out in despair. "My home is gone!" one person shouted. "It's all the pirates' fault!"
A local boatman quickly silenced him. "Are you crazy? Don't get us all killed. It was the Marines who caused the most damage anyway, with their ice, magma, and lasers."
A young man spoke up, "If the Marines are so good, where are they now? Why aren't they helping us rebuild?" The residents grew silent, then their eyes lit up as they saw Iceberg, the mayor, and his foremen approaching.
Iceberg was shocked that Rodin's crew had repelled the Marines, but his heart was heavy. His shipyard was destroyed. A man in a suit came to his side with more bad news: the World Government had canceled their contract with the Carrera Corporation, leaving them without protection. The corporation was on the brink of collapse.
"Their calculations are really good," one of Iceberg's men, Paulie, grumbled. The company had lost everything and was vulnerable to a hostile takeover.
Iceberg, however, had a plan. He walked directly toward Rodin, his face determined. "Captain Rodin, you probably haven't..."
"I've got it," Rodin said with a smile. "You want me to protect the Carrera Company?"
Iceberg was stunned, but he saw an opportunity. Rodin's crew had the power to confront the Four Emperors, and their strength was proven by the Marines' retreat. "Then... do you mean..." he asked cautiously.
Rodin knew about the blueprints for the ancient weapon, Pluton, but he didn't care about them. He was more interested in controlling the shipyard, which would give him influence over all of Water 7. "I will give you an answer before I leave tomorrow," he said. "By the way, Morgans, you mentioned a special news team for me. How about you donate half of the proceeds from this report to help the city rebuild?"
"No problem, Mr. Rodin!" Morgans exclaimed, his excitement outweighing his hesitation.
The next day, newsbirds flew across the seas, carrying explosive headlines:
"The Battle of Water 7! Rodin's Fleet Defeats the Admirals!"
"The Fifth Emperor of the Sea? A New Menace to the World Government!"
"Shocking Secrets Revealed! The Little-Known Relationship Between Admirals!"
The news caused a global uproar. In every pirate haven, Rodin's crew was the talk of the town. "Before entering the New World, they have the strength of an Emperor's crew?" one pirate said in awe. "Have they already surpassed it?"
In Water 7, on Dock No. 1, Rodin's ark had finally been upgraded. Its wooden hull was now several times harder, and it was a formidable Ark Proverbs at level three, capable of withstanding attacks from three-star characters.
As the ship spirit, Tashigi, felt the new power of the ark and was relieved. "Captain, where are we going next?" the crew asked.
"Wait a moment," Rodin said, looking at the time.
Just as he expected, a system notification chimed.
[Ding! Congratulations, you have completed the mission of the Ark. Do you want to conduct a three-in-one mysterious lucky draw?]
"Extract!"
Rodin's three-in-one draw yielded three rewards:
Variety Clothes: A set of clothes that can change into any style, complete with an automatic cleaning function and camouflage.
Physical Strength Pill (Intermediate): A pill that increases the upper limit of physical strength.
Five Elders (Female) Thirty Minute Summoning Card: A mysterious card that can summon a female version of the Five Elders.
Rodin was particularly shocked by the third reward. The Five Elders were the supreme leaders of the World Government, their power and identity shrouded in mystery. Summoning them, even for a short time, was a powerful new ace up his sleeve.
"This is a super-card!" Rodin thought, a mix of surprise and excitement washing over him.
He also received a Female World Channel Card, which could lead him to a parallel world, though it was currently unavailable.
Rodin took out the Variety Clothes first and gave them to Crocodile, who was currently in Tashigi's body. "You're the weakest right now, you take this," he said.
Crocodile, in Tashigi's petite form, pouted. "This body is weak..." she muttered, complaining about her new, frail physique. She put on the clothes, which appeared with black and white mesh stockings on her legs, much to the embarrassment of the real Tashigi, who was now a ship spirit.
"Ms. Crocodile, don't dress like this, change back quickly!" Tashigi pleaded.
Crocodile ignored her and, using her new body, moved closer to Rodin, her lips close to his ear. "I'll let you remember me well."
Rodin simply laughed, and then took out the Physical Strength Pill. He swallowed it, and a warm current spread through his body. His physical strength, a weakness he had noticed in his previous fights with the Admirals, increased dramatically. It was as if he had trained for an entire year.
As the flying boat prepared to take off, Rodin looked down at Iceberg. "It's too early for your vote of confidence," he said, warning him that his support might not be enough to deter the World Government.
But Iceberg was firm. "I will think about it," he said. "If you need anything in the future, you can just ask me!"
Rodin nodded and the flying boat took off. On the deck, Sakazuki looked out at the vast sea, her beautiful eyes gleaming. She glanced at Rodin, who was standing close to her, and felt a strange sense of unease. Usually, she would feel nauseous with any man this close, but with Rodin, she couldn't bring herself to move away.
"Captain Rodin, I hope you don't do anything nonsensical," she said, her voice calm as usual.
"Our next stop is Sabaody Archipelago," Rodin said. He planned to get a ship coating, find Jinbe to complete his mission, and visit the auction house.
"Sabaody Archipelago?" Sakazuki's expression soured. The home of the Celestial Dragons. "I'm afraid I won't be able to help myself and kill them."
"Never mind," Rodin said, patting her on the shoulder. "Before... put on these beautiful high heels." He held out a dazzling, bright-red pair.
Sakazuki's eyes trembled.