Chapter 71: Main Ship Transaction! Facing the Tsunami Head-On
As the words fell,
Tom immediately stopped working. He set down the ship, turned, and looked at Lotte.
"Where did you hear about something like that?"
"Anyway, in all my years as a shipwright, I've never heard of anything called Pluton."
"Kid, you're not overthinking things, are you?"
Tom snorted coldly, pretending to be calm—clearly refusing to admit Pluton's existence.
Lotte smiled playfully and continued.
"I didn't just hear about it."
"I also know that the legendary ancient weapon Pluton from eight hundred years ago…"
"…its blueprints are right in your hands."
As soon as the words left his mouth,
Tom's expression changed drastically. He dropped the ship and charged straight toward Lotte.
But before he could grab him, he only caught empty air.
All that remained in the spot was a wooden log.
Lotte had somehow appeared beside Kokoro. Branches suddenly surged from the ground, easily binding the fish-woman's body.
"Enough, Tom."
"I didn't come here to fight."
He said somewhat helplessly.
Tom immediately stopped moving, not daring to act rashly. He sneered coldly and said in a deep voice.
"I never expected someone as famous as me to hide it so well, yet you World Government dogs still found out. Yes, the Pluton blueprints are indeed with me."
"But I will absolutely never hand them over to people like you!"
Kokoro remained calm.
Lotte shook his head slightly upon seeing this.
"I'm not from the World Government, and I'm not here to take the Pluton blueprints from you, Tom."
"I just want to make a deal."
The ancient weapon Pluton.
A super battleship designed and built by the shipwrights of Water 7,
Said to be capable of destroying an entire island with a single shot.
Though Pluton's power was impressive, Lotte had never intended to follow someone else's path. His interest in Pluton was minimal.
What he truly wanted was to build a pirate ship that belonged solely to him.
Tom's expression grew serious.
"Even so, how can I trust that what you're saying is true?"
Lotte returned to his original appearance and looked calmly at Tom in front of him.
"Don't worry. I, the Azure Emperor, don't go back on my word. That's something the Marines are best at."
"And since it's a transaction, it means you won't lose out either."
Tom and Kokoro finally saw Lotte's true face clearly. For a moment, they stood frozen as if struck by lightning.
The Azure Emperor?!
That terrifying pirate who had killed Celestial Dragons twice in recent times?!
The one said to have nearly destroyed all of Sabaody Archipelago single-handedly!
The youngest genius cadre of the Rocks Pirates…
Now he had come to Water 7?!
When Tom finally snapped out of it, he gave a bitter smile and looked at Lotte.
"If I'd known it was someone as big as you, I wouldn't have bothered fighting."
"Speak. What do you want to trade?"
Tom was very clear about his own strength. Perhaps his monstrous power was terrifying to ordinary people, but in front of the Azure Emperor, it meant nothing.
This was the monster who had wreaked havoc on Sabaody!
Since the other side wasn't here to steal Pluton, Tom was actually quite willing to trade.
After all, his intuition told him
That Lotte's future achievements would definitely not be limited to being just a cadre of Rocks!
"Hm. If possible, I'd like to commission you to build a pirate ship."
"Money is no issue."
"But I have only one requirement: I hope it will be worthy of serving as the main ship of a pirate crew."
Lotte spoke calmly.
Tom's expression grew slightly grave.
"Is this a commission from the Rocks Pirates, or is it personal from you, the Azure Emperor?"
A commission from the Rocks Pirates
Was completely different from one from the Azure Emperor.
As far as he knew, the Rocks Pirates' main ship was still intact. There was no need for a new one.
The corners of Lotte's mouth curled into a smile.
"Of course it's personal. I'll come to receive the ship in two years."
"Feel free to name your price for funds—I'll pay it all at once. I have great trust in Mr. Tom's shipwright spirit."
Hearing this,
Tom proudly raised his head.
"Of course! I'm the world's greatest shipwright—I'll become number one!"
"Since this is a personal commission from the Azure Emperor, I accept."
"What an interesting challenge!"
A look of excitement appeared on his face. For him, a commission without budget or blueprint restrictions allowed him to create his most proud work according to his own preferences!
Kokoro frowned.
At this moment, Lotte had already released her. But she still felt uneasy.
After all, building a pirate ship for a cadre of the Rocks Pirates—if word got out, both Tom and she would be in mortal danger.
The Marines weren't joking around.
Seeing that Tom had agreed, Lotte nodded slightly.
"In that case, Mr. Tom and Ms. Kokoro, please evacuate first. This ship won't be damaged."
"Don't worry."
"This time, I owe you a favor. I'll repay it when the opportunity arises."
Knowing Tom's tragic fate in the original story,
He naturally had ways to help Tom avoid that miserable end.
Rather than being taken to Enies Lobby and executed by the Marines, it would be better for him to join Lotte's future crew.
Kokoro and Tom exchanged glances, finally nodded, got up, and left, heading straight for the upper shelters.
Lotte didn't follow them.
Instead, he headed directly toward the harbor.
Seeing this, Kokoro and Tom were shocked. Was he not planning to evacuate?!
That was undoubtedly a natural disaster!
Just as they were about to persuade him,
Lotte had already walked away, gradually disappearing from their sight.
For him, he didn't necessarily need to reveal his abilities to protect this place. Though the waves of Aqua Laguna looked terrifying,
Protecting just one ship was not difficult for him.
Outside, howling winds had already begun.
The sky gradually darkened completely. Far out at sea, waves surged like the wrath of the sea god, gathering power relentlessly.
On the surface of the shipyard, fresh new branches suddenly covered everything.
Like walls formed from living wood.
Lotte calmly watched the surging tide and abruptly drew the dual swords at his waist.
"Time to witness true skill."
After reading Golden Lion Shiki's booklet, he had gained many insights into swordsmanship. This was the perfect chance to fully integrate them.
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