"Sea Train?"
After Leno finished explaining, Nojiko and the others looked utterly astonished.
They couldn't help but marvel inwardly—how vast the sea truly was. Saying that the world was full of wonders was honestly an understatement.
However, faced with something so unbelievable, Nami frowned slightly, her eyes filled with doubt.
"That's not right. That's a steam engine, isn't it? How can something shaped like that travel on the sea?"
Impressed by Nami's breadth of knowledge, Leno silently gave her a thumbs-up in his heart and explained:
"It's normal that you haven't seen it before. After all, the entire world only has a Sea Train in this place."
"It uses steam power to pull itself along tracks laid across the sea."
Pausing for a moment, he lifted his finger and pointed toward the ocean.
"Oh right—the tracks are laid directly on the surface of the sea."
"So that's how it works. What an incredible invention!"
As someone well-versed in navigation, Nami knew exactly how extraordinary the concept of the Sea Train was.
As she thought about it, her gaze naturally shifted to the aquatic city before them, and the admiration in her heart deepened even further.
"Alright, since we've arrived at Water 7, everyone go enjoy yourselves."
Leno clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention and began making arrangements.
"Everyone else is free to move about—but Robin is not allowed to act alone!"
"There are World Government CP agents here. Even though we've reached an agreement with them, there's always the chance some idiot might suddenly decide to cause trouble."
As he spoke, Leno turned his gaze toward Robin and continued with a smile:
"Of course, Robin, you don't need to take it too seriously. I've got everything covered."
Looking at Leno's calm demeanor and confident eyes, Robin felt an overwhelming sense of security.
This man standing before her was the reason she feared nothing.
Just as everyone was about to split up and head their separate ways, Nami suddenly spoke up and stopped them.
Facing the group's puzzled looks, she instead turned her head toward Yamato and Chopper in the crowd and said sternly:
"You two are also forbidden from acting alone. Even together won't do—you must be accompanied by others."
"No need—"
"If you don't agree, I'll confiscate your allowance!"
Yamato had just waved her hand to refuse when Nami's icy words immediately shut her down.
Yamato and Chopper exchanged a glance, both feeling a little guilty, and obediently closed their mouths.
"Leno, aren't you coming with us?"
Nojiko looked at Leno with some confusion. Everyone else had been arranged, yet he hadn't made any plans for himself.
Could it be that he'd been here before and wasn't interested anymore?
"Hm? Oh, I need to pick something up first. I'll come find you all later."
Pulled back to reality by the question, Leno gave a casual explanation.
After all, he couldn't exactly say that he was thinking about killing someone—because yes, he planned to take Blueno out.
The Door-Door Fruit absolutely could not be left out in the open. Only when it was in his own hands would he feel at ease.
Once everyone had dispersed, Leno turned into a streak of lightning and vanished.
Not long after, in a corner of Water 7's commercial district.
With a flash of electricity, Leno's figure appeared.
Looking at the bar ahead with a bull-head sign, he confirmed that this was indeed the place.
He had thought finding it would take some effort—who would have expected the bar to be called "Blueno's Bar"? So blatantly obvious!
After entering the bar, he found it wasn't very large—only around a dozen tables.
Even though it was daytime, there were quite a few customers, chatting and laughing in small groups.
Looking at the bull-headed bartender behind the counter wearing a checkered shirt, Leno's eyes flickered slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting.
He walked up to the bar and plopped down on a stool.
Blueno, who had been wiping a glass, raised his head upon hearing the movement. The moment he saw Leno, his pupils contracted sharply.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he continued his motions and politely slid a drink in front of Leno.
"Sir, your drink."
"Alright, thanks."
Looking at the honest-looking bull-headed bartender before him, anyone unaware of the truth would really think he was just a straightforward barkeep.
It had to be said—the World Government's agents were truly professionals. There wasn't the slightest sense of dissonance.
This guy had been hiding here for years, yet with so many skilled shipwrights around, no one had noticed anything amiss.
Those shipwrights were honestly pretty unlucky—several of their most capable helpers had all been undercover agents.
In the end, even when the agents revealed their identities themselves, the shipwrights still didn't believe it.
Pulling his thoughts back, Leno finished his juice and prepared to leave. Now that he'd finished scouting the area, there was no need to linger.
At that moment, a loud voice rang out behind him, filled with surprise.
"Hey, Leno! That is Leno, right?"
"Hm?"
Turning around, he saw Franky swaggering in with the two "Square Sisters" in tow.
This guy could recognize him just from his back? That was impressive. Just how deep of an impression had he left?
"Yo, Franky. Long time no see!"
"Whoa! Long time no see! You come to Water 7 and don't even give a heads-up?"
Franky stepped forward and slapped Leno on the shoulder, flashing a wide grin with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"Iceburg used to talk about you all the time. Your 'Miracle Ship' became famous across the world! Galley-La Company benefited a ton from it too."
"You bastard, I only arrived today."
"Then doesn't that mean Iceburg should thank me properly?"
Leno didn't dislike Franky's overly familiar attitude—in fact, he felt that the guy had plenty of ideas.
He began wondering whether he should ask Franky to modify the Gale, adding two jet nozzles to the rear.
Although he really coveted Vegapunk's jet technology, he hadn't even entered the New World yet—modifications like that were still out of reach.
"That's for sure. But that guy's the mayor now, so it probably won't be easy to see him."
Stepping up to the bar, Franky ordered his favorite ice-cold cola.
After chugging a mouthful, he turned to Leno, his expression tinged with emotion.
"But you, kid—you've really become a big shot."
Looking at the Leno before him, Franky couldn't help but feel sentimental.
It had only been a few years, yet the name Thunder God had already shaken the seas.
If he'd had that kind of strength back then, maybe Tom wouldn't have—
Ordering another glass of juice, Leno thought for a moment before continuing:
"Franky, I've got some new ideas about the Gale. I was wondering if you've got time lately to take a look?"
That ship had always been one of Franky's proudest works, and he'd kept it close to his heart.
Besides, he was more than happy to work for Leno—after all, this guy paid way too generously!