The Sea God's waves completely submerged the lower districts, something the residents here had long grown used to.But today was different—this time, a boy had been swept in by the massive wave.
Beneath the towering fountain, a crowd gathered, all staring up at the small boat stranded on its highest point. Everyone wondered what kind of lucky soul had managed to survive such a disaster.
Leo had clearly underestimated the power of nature. He poked his head out from the wreckage in a daze."Who am I? Where is this? No—Will! Will, are you hurt?"He shouted for a while, but there was no sign of the little chubby fish anywhere.
Crap, I messed up! I need to find my brother first!
Leo jumped off the fountain, apologized sincerely to the onlookers, and disappeared into the crowd.
He rented a blue bicycle and began following the direction the wave had thrown him in, hoping Will hadn't been flung into the city center. Otherwise, he would actually have to fish him out from the sea.
The mid-level streets were packed—residents from two districts had gathered here, turning the area into a bustling marketplace. Every shop was full, especially the food stalls.
Suddenly, a strong aroma caught Leo's attention.A crowd had gathered around a food stand, yelling excitedly, though oddly, no one was eating.
After squeezing his way to the front with great effort, Leo saw a dark figure behind the stall—apparently, a competition was underway.The stall owner cheered loudly, "Come on, kid! Eat fifty more plates of water-grilled meat and you'll break the big-stomach record!"
Human bonds are truly mysterious—Leo could recognize Will by smell alone.And sure enough, the little chubby one was one of the finalists, his opponent being a boy wearing a loud floral shirt and nothing but underwear below. Just one glance told Leo he was a weirdo.
The eating battle had reached a fever pitch. The mountain of grilled meat—over a meter high—was being devoured at a visible speed.
"Fatty, don't push yourself so hard, you'll choke to death! Pa-pa-pa!"The strangely dressed boy tried to distract Will even as he stuffed meat into his mouth.
Will didn't even listen. The meat was his entire world."So good! So good! Boss, you're amazing. You're really giving me free food!"
Something must have triggered his opponent, who suddenly sped up.Leo frowned. Those two barely knew each other, yet their battle was strangely intense.
"Will! You're secretly eating here?"
"Oh? You're okay, Brother Leo. Try this water-meat! Boss said if I finish everything, it's free!"
Perhaps Leo's face startled him—Will suddenly sped up and devoured a half-meter skewer like it was a toothpick.The weirdo choked in fear.
The crowd erupted in cheers—a new record had been set.The stall owner rushed to take a photo with Will, smiling widely and even declaring he welcomed the next challenger.(Was he not afraid Will would eat him into bankruptcy?)
Leo bought a soy-glazed skewer for himself, took one bite, and juice dripped down.After finishing, he grabbed Will, ready to leave.
The defeated boy looked miserable and tried to slip away, but the stall owner blocked him.
"Hey brother, you lost. You know the rule—five cups of Bailey Cream as penalty."
"What? You still want money? You said the food was free, you scammer! I'm broke—don't drag me!"
"Don't play dumb! Only the champion eats for free! Pay up!"
Will tugged at Leo's sleeve."Leo, help him… he was a strong opponent."
Trying to act cool, he pushed up his sunglasses.
"Don't be softhearted. If you had lost, I wouldn't have saved you. You would be lying on the ground right now. Let's go—we have things to do."
Just then, the stall owner pinned the boy down and raised a fist.
"You scammer! Even if I starved ten days, I'd still beat you up—!"He covered his head, yelling as the boss prepared to punch again.
A hand suddenly grabbed the boss's arm.
Leo stared expressionlessly."Enough. He didn't pay, sure, but you're going to beat him to death over that?"He slammed five bottles of Bailey Cream on the table and walked away with Will.
…
"Brother Leo, where are we going? And what about our ship?"
"Haha, glad you remembered. It should be at the shipyard. It took massive damage this time. I don't even know if it can be repaired."
Thinking of his ship made Leo's head ache.He had loved that vessel. Even if he bought a new one, the old one could've served as a lifeboat…Now everything was ruined.
As he mourned his ship, someone called from behind:
"Hey! Shorty and fatso up front—wait up!"
Genius.This guy had stepped on two landmines at once.
Will didn't care when Leo called him "little fatty"—that was his captain's privilege.But anyone else saying it?
They'd get punched.
"Will, beat him up! Who are you calling short, you freak?!"
"I thought you were a nice guy… I didn't expect you to be this rude!"
"Ow! Stop hitting me! It's my fault!"
The boy was beaten swollen again.And he almost got another beating when he shouted:
"I won't thank you! Tell me where you live, I'll pay you back when I get money!Also—I'm Cutty Flam, remember that, you jerks!"
Leo nearly laughed."Cutty Flam? Isn't that the cyborg pervert Franky? If I didn't know you were a loyal guy, I'd teach you some manners today."
"Anyway, watch your mouth. Not everyone is as patient as we are."Leo waved dismissively—he had no intention of befriending him.Among Luffy's future crewmates, only three interested Leo, and unfortunately, Franky wasn't one of them.
He and Will walked toward Dock No. 1.Cutty Flam, thinking he'd been ignored, shouted angrily and followed from afar.
When Leo saw his destroyed ship, he sighed heavily."Master Chariman, how long will repairs take?"
The shipwright rubbed his chin."Kid, your ship can't be repaired. The bow is smashed, the keel snapped…I've never seen a ship wrecked by crashing into the Top Fountain.How on earth did you even get up there? Can you show me again?"
After a lengthy discussion, Leo gave up.
"Master Chariman… how much to build a new ship?"
"What style? Size? Materials?"
Leo thought for a moment.He planned to recruit ten crew members, so the ship needed to be as large as the Thousand Sunny.
Finally, he said:
"I want a three-masted ship, 50 meters long, 65 meters high, and the keel made of Adam Wood.Please give me an estimate."
Chariman looked at Leo strangely. Two kids wanting a ship this big?And Adam Wood wasn't cheap. Did they even have the money?
Still, he answered professionally:
"At minimum, 2 million Berries.Half of that is the keel alone—Adam Wood of that size is extremely rare."
Damn… I'll have to borrow from a pirate. I'm missing more than half the money.
Leo said he'd think about it and left Dock No. 1.Outside, he saw Cutty Flam arguing with the guards.
Leo ignored him and continued discussing the ship with Will.
"Will, we don't have enough money. Should we buy a smaller one first, or try to get the full amount?"
"Does the big ship have a swimming pool?" Will asked with sparkling eyes.
"That's good—we'll also need a large laboratory," Leo said, imagining it.
"And a huge kitchen! And a giant fridge for storing food!" Will added.
"The deck needs a barbecue pit too! Imagine grilling over the sea!"The two instantly became excited.
But before they could continue,—
"Ridiculous! Do you know nothing about sailing?A real warship needs a powerful bow cannon!Firepower is king at sea!"Cutty Flam shouted dramatically.
Bam!Leo and Will punched him at the same time.
"Idiot! Can you eat a cannon?" Leo snapped.
"Yeah! Do you know how awful life is without a swimming pool?" Will added.
Then Leo suddenly remembered something important.
"Oh wait—Will! We're broke."
"My swimming pool… gone…"
"I know a place where ships are cheaper! Want me to take you there?" Cutty Flam blurted out.
Bam! Bam!New lumps appeared on his head like cactus spikes.
"Why didn't you say that earlier!?"
"What are you waiting for, idiot?!"
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