Chapter 16: The Administration Department in the City of Water!

In the first half of the Grand Line, even though this sea area contains tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of various islands, the presence of this single island is enough to rank among the top five.

It is a place where almost no natural wilderness can be seen; everywhere displays human greatness and magnificence. However, it lacks advanced technology, and the stone houses on the streets exude an ancient atmosphere.

Canals, bridges, and shipyards define the primary aesthetic of this maritime metropolis. The gray of the marble, the blue of the waterways, and the yellow of the town combine to form an exquisitely beautiful oil painting.

Dense networks of waterways flow between the city buildings, and creatures known as "Blues"—beings that resemble steeds with fins—leisurely shuttle people and cargo through the streets and alleys.

Because there are seven large shipyards on the island, it is also known to the world as the "City of Seven Waters."

It is the island globally recognized as the gathering place for the largest and most excellent shipwrights!

Originally, the atmosphere on the island was harmonious, bustling, and filled with laughter. Although the shipwrights broke into a sweat every day, everyone wore a smile.

But ever since January 1st, when the Pirate King Roger was publicly executed, the number of pirates coming to the island has gradually increased, accompanied by that strange rumor of a great treasure.

These pirates, who never held laws or rules in regard, often used their weapons and personal strength to refuse payment after receiving new ships, triggering conflict after conflict with the shipwrights.

Shipyards that could not collect payment gradually became unable to pay the shipwrights' wages or purchase shipbuilding materials from outside the island. Coupled with the increasing number of pirates, maritime trade—already perilous due to complex and volatile weather—suffered even more.

In an instant, clouds of gloom began to spread over Water 7 at a visible rate.

*Splash!*

A large flock of seagulls playing by the seaside was suddenly startled, flying erratically toward the blue sky like a mass of white clouds.

A resident fishing nearby heard the commotion and looked up, their eyes widening in shock.

They saw a ship—a massive vessel estimated to be forty meters high and about one hundred and fifty meters wide, its bow encased in blue armor with gold patterns.

Some older citizens immediately associated it with the warships of the Marine Headquarters, as those "war beasts" were born from this very City of Seven Waters.

"Look! That's the symbol of the World Government!"

"It's a Judicial Vessel of the Government!"

The appearance of this giant ship caused an immediate uproar throughout Water 7, especially when a squad of Marines armed with muskets marched through the public streets escorting the bound Fishman, Tom.

This towering Fishman, nearly three meters tall, was a highly renowned master shipwright on this island.

However, when the onlookers heard that Tom had been arrested for building a ship for the Pirate King Roger, a significant portion of the crowd felt it wasn't surprising.

After all, Roger's crew had caused a great deal of trouble for the entire world over the past decade or so; their destruction of a kingdom for the sake of a comrade, in particular, was common knowledge.

To build ships for such a heinous criminal—calling him guilty seemed not entirely wrong.

However, the development of events exceeded everyone's expectations. Tom, who was originally to be taken to Judicial Island for execution, was granted a ten-year suspended sentence by the judge after proposing to build the "Sea Train" to connect various islands, including Judicial Island and Water 7.

At the same time, he gained the support and cheers of the residents, with everyone hoping that Tom could save the City of Seven Waters.

"Ahahaha! I'm alive! I'm actually alive!"

Upon returning home, Mr. Tom burst into laughter, even crying from joy, showing just how happy he was.

But perhaps only he knew that this joy stemmed from being able to continue his research on the "Sea Train," rather than just for the sake of his life.

"What's so funny? Just thinking about that day gives me a cold sweat," said Kokoro, a mermaid who currently served as the secretary for the Tom Workshop, looking at him helplessly with her hands on her slender waist.

"But then again, if all of this goes smoothly, perhaps they will eventually forget about Roger..."

*Knock, knock, knock.*

Just then, there was a soft knock on the workshop door. Sitting at the dining table, Iceburg, Franky, and the young boy were exchanging glances with a sumo frog named "Yokozuna."

Kokoro walked over and opened the door, finding five men standing outside dressed in black suits and leather boots. One stood at the front while the others guarded the sides.

Kokoro recognized their origin at a glance.

"People from the World Government?!" Kokoro asked with a worried frown. "Hasn't Mr. Tom's sentence already been decided? What more do you want?"

Inside the room, Franky, Iceburg, and Yokozuna had already stood up. Franky, in particular, looked furious, but he was immediately held back by Tom, who stepped forward.

"Pardon the intrusion. We are not personnel from Judicial Island, but representatives of the Administration Department. My name is Colson, and I am a Senior Councilor," the leader in black said with a very polite smile.

"The Administration Department?"

Tom and the others were all confused; to be honest, they had never heard of it.

"The lords of the World Government are very concerned with and place great importance on the research regarding the 'Sea Train.' Therefore, our Administration Department will do our best to assist your work moving forward."

"And how can you assist me?" Tom asked with a cheerful smile, appearing not to mind at all.

However, Iceburg, standing behind him, suspected this was actually surveillance, but being the rational one, he did not speak out, while simultaneously preventing the impulsive Franky from acting recklessly.

"We will not interfere with your research, but we will improve your research environment."

"For example, the various materials required by the major shipyards in Water 7 will be provided by our Administration Department at normal market prices, and the Marines will be responsible for escorting them to ensure the island's shipbuilding business is not overly affected."

"Furthermore, a Marine force of one thousand men will be temporarily stationed here to ensure Water 7 is no longer harassed by pirates and to provide security for your research work."

Hearing this, everyone was shocked. Was the World Government really this kind?

Tom was stunned for a moment, but once he reacted, he laughed heartily.

"Ahahaha! That is truly a massive help! This way, the residents of the island won't have to worry about their livelihoods. On behalf of everyone here, I thank you! Thank you, World Government!"

At this moment, his favorability toward the World Government increased greatly, even though he had just been sentenced to ten years of suspended death by the judge of Judicial Island.

"At the same time, we will fully provide all the materials you need during your research of the 'Sea Train,' including labor and scientific personnel."

"We will even transform the terrible environment of this Ship Graveyard Island into a dedicated manufacturing plant for the 'Sea Train,' providing a workshop equipped with the world's most cutting-edge technology, along with three meals a day provided by professional chefs."

Mr. Tom and the others fell silent, as they didn't know what to say. The other party had thought of everything so thoroughly; it was as if they were being treated like nobility!

"I assume there must be a price for this, or perhaps some restrictions?" the young Iceburg asked softly.

Colson nodded.

"In the first year, the supply of materials to the major shipyards will be at full capacity. However, starting from the second year, the supply will decrease by ten percent each year. In other words, if the 'Sea Train' project is not completed within ten years, the supply will drop to only ten percent of the island's shipbuilding materials."

"So, please complete the Sea Train as soon as possible. When that time comes, the World Government will have a surprise for you!"