Chapter 192 — Building the First Merchant Fleet
S.C. 1512 — Early Spring
Hidden Island — Shipyard Zone
The morning after the Meridian Oath ceremony, the shipyard was louder than ever.
Hammers struck metal.
Saws tore through wood.
Steam hissed from the crane valve.
Workers shouted instructions across the yard.
Three incomplete hulls stood like giants on the sand.
These would become:
The Meridian Fleet — Flagships of New Dawn and Silver Moon.
Ren walked across the shipyard with Zemo trotting beside him, his tail swaying confidently.
Kiro, Mira, Bram, and Leo were already inspecting the wood piles.
Mira looked up first.
"Boss! You're late!"
"I was organizing division documents," Ren said calmly. "And planning the ship layouts."
Bram flexed proudly.
"That's our job today!"
Ren shook his head gently.
"No. Today is everyone's job."
He stepped onto the wide platform facing the workers.
"All right! Listen carefully!
Each division needs a different type of ship. We will build three ships at once—but not the same kind."
The workers straightened.
Even Luffy—who had snuck in—raised his hand dramatically.
"I'll help too!"
Ren sighed.
"Fine, Luffy. Just don't saw your own hand."
Luffy saluted.
"No promises!"
1. New Dawn Vessel — The Dawn Star
Ren pointed to Hull One.
"This ship will be for New Dawn's elite merchants.
Fast. Sleek. Stylish.
Designed to enter wealthy ports."
Kiro nodded with satisfaction.
"We want something that looks like it belongs in Goa's royal harbor."
Ren unfolded the blueprint.
Sleek bow
Lightweight titan wood frame
KEA-alloy spine
Smooth white-and-gold paint stripes
Spacious cargo room for luxury goods
Kiro whistled.
"This is a high-class ship."
Ren nodded.
"It must be. You will face nobles, merchants, and royal inspectors. Presentation matters."
Kiro's eyes sharpened with excitement.
"I'll make it shine."
2. Silver Moon Vessel — The Moon Hauler
Ren walked to Hull Two.
"This will be Silver Moon's working ship.
Strong. Reliable.
Large cargo capacity."
Mira inspected the reinforced titan wood already stacked nearby.
"Boss… this is enough to build two houses."
"This ship needs to survive storms," Ren replied.
Blueprint features:
Heavy titan wood hull
KEA-alloy support plates
Large deck layout
Steam-assisted anchor
Reinforced bottom for beach loading
Mira nodded.
"With this… we can take fruit, salt, and tools across East Blue."
"Exactly," Ren said.
This ship wasn't meant to impress—it was meant to endure.
Mira's eyes softened with pride.
"This one's ours."
3. Multi-Purpose Scout Vessel — The Red Fang
Hull Three stood closest to the ocean.
Unlike the others, this one was slim.
"This one," Ren continued, "will serve as our fast scout and protection ship."
Bram grinned.
"Finally something for fighting!"
Leo raised a brow.
"Boss, is this for… Crimson Hand?"
Ren didn't answer directly.
But his eyes said enough.
Blueprint features:
Long and narrow hull
High-speed steam assist
Titan-wood outer layer
Triple lookout posts
Hidden compartments
Silent oars for night movement
Bram slapped the hull.
"This one's gonna fly on water!"
Dividing the Work
Ren clapped once, sharply.
"Teams!"
He pointed.
"Silver Moon workers—on Hull Two!
New Dawn artisans—Hull One!
Strongest laborers—Hull Three frame assembly!"
Everyone moved at once.
Hammers rose.
Saws sliced.
The crane lifted titan beams high above.
Zemo barked orders at confused workers, acting like a furry foreman.
Luffy climbed onto the crane rope and swung dangerously.
"Luffy! Get down!" Ren snapped.
"It's fun!"
"The last time you did that, Kiro fell into the water."
Kiro muttered, "Still have nightmares…"
Luffy jumped off and landed beside Ren with a grin.
"Okay! What now?"
Ren smacked a plank lightly into Luffy's arms.
"Carry these to Mira."
"Aye aye!"
And Luffy sprinted off, tripping twice, dropping the planks once, but somehow still delivering them intact.
A Day of Heavy Progress
As the sun reached its peak…
Hull One began taking shape.
Hull Two rose three meters from the ground.
Hull Three's spine was aligned perfectly.
Ren's telekinesis helped for micro-adjustments—tilting beams by millimeters, steadying ropes, stabilizing heavy lifts.
Kiro wiped sweat from his brow.
"Boss… you really make everything easier."
Leo added, "Without you, this would take months."
Mira smirked.
"With Ren, it'll be done in weeks."
Ren shook his head.
"You're the reason progress is fast. I only guide."
Bram grinned.
"We like your guiding. Makes us feel like we're building something legendary."
Ren didn't deny that.
They were.
Evening — Three Ships, Three Futures
By sunset, all three hulls stood tall, shadows long against the glowing ocean.
Kiro stepped beside Ren.
"When these set sail… East Blue will know the name Meridian."
Mira folded her arms proudly.
"And they'll know it's honest work."
Leo stretched.
"I can't wait to sail."
Bram thumped his chest.
"I wanna fight pirates!"
Ren gave a small smile.
"Then we build faster."
Makino walked up with food baskets.
She looked at the three ships in awe.
"Ren… these are beautiful."
Ren stood quietly for a moment.
These weren't just ships.
They were a beginning—
A path for his people.
A shield for his island.
A message to the world.
Meridian was rising.
And the sea had no idea what was coming.
End of Chapter 192