Chapter 149"Of course!"Chapter 218: Luffy, You're Quite the Player"Super. Let me show you the genius of my design!"Franky excitedly spread the blueprints on the ground and began to explain with great enthusiasm, spraying spit as he talked:"Look here, I've designed a cola-powered conversion system that can provide explosive power at critical moments. Have you ever seen a ship that can fly?Here are hidden balance wings for dealing with severe sea conditions.And this, a super soldier dock system that can carry small scout boats, perfect for storing your original small boat. However, to realize your idea of sailing with both a large and small ship together, we'd have to weld the two vessels together.There's also a built-in aquarium, a training room, and even a small concert hall."Usopp listened to Franky's endless explanations, his eyes growing wider and wider, occasionally letting out gasps of amazement."Ooh!""So that's how it works!""Amazing!"Pointing at several clever structures on the blueprint, he gave Luffy and the others a thumbs-up and praised loudly, "Luffy, this guy really is a professional shipwright. His ideas are fantastic!"Seems the shipwright's skills are quite high.Watching Usopp's reaction, Luffy's eyes lit up.Weren't they lacking a shipwright on their ship?Although today wasn't a Companion Day, when it comes to companions, you just invite them if you like what you see.So."Hey, Franky.""Huh? What is it, Straw Hat?" Franky was right in the middle of his passionate explanation."Are you part of a pirate crew right now?" Luffyasked."Huh? No, I'm the boss of the Franky Family." Franky answered instinctively."Then do you want to become our companion? Come be our shipwright!""Huh?!"As soon as these words were spoken, the Straw Hat crew fell silent.But upon second thought, they immediately understood Luffy's train of thought.They really were lacking a professional, top-tier shipwright on the ship.Although Usopp was capable, he was self-taught after all. Maintaining the going merry was already a struggle. Facing the more complex new ship in the future and the various damages that might occur, a professional shipwright was crucial.Moreover, although this Franky seemed a bit perverted, his skills appeared genuinely impressive, and he was the disciple of a legendary shipwright.Franky's throat bobbed. "Hey, are you joking?""Why would I joke? I never joke.""We just met for the first time, hey!""Ah, I'm quite experienced with this sort of thing."Zoro waved a hand and said, "It's basically 'first-meet kills' around here.""That may be true..."Franky took a deep breath but still shook his head with difficulty. "Sorry, I have a lot of things to do. The brothers of the Franky Family still need me. I can't just abandon them and set sail like that."His dream was to watch a ship he designed sail the seas, but protecting Water 7 and the Franky Familyhe built with his own hands were also his responsibilities.Just then, a small figure nimbly jumped down from the going merry, pattered over to Luffy's side, tugged on his pant leg, looked up, and reported in a clear voice:"Luffy, I've already parked the ship over there. Very hidden!""Good work, Merry."Franky's gaze was instantly drawn over.He stared fixedly at Merry, his eyes wide as saucers, his mouth agape enough to fit an egg, completely oblivious even to the snot dripping down."Th-this... this..."He pointed at Merry, his finger trembling, his voice sharp and distorted with extreme excitement. "It really exists?! Could this be the Klabautermannthat Granny Kokoro mentioned?!"For any shipwright who regarded shipbuilding as their lifelong dream and art, seeing a Klabautermann with their own eyes, even communicating with one, was simply a dream scenario they pursued their whole life!It represented the soulful resonance between a ship and its shipwright, the highest form of recognition.Franky looked like he was about to faint from excitement. He circled Merry, flustered, wanting to get closer but afraid of being rude. He looked even more fanatical than if he'd seen a peerless beauty.Watching Franky, who looked like he wanted to hold Merry in the palm of his hand, Luffy's eyes shifted craftily.Then he gave Merry a meaningful look.Merry understood."Merry, come here.""Coming, coming!"Merry obediently responded, jumped up, and like a little koala, using all four limbs, skillfully climbed onto Luffy, affectionately wrapping its arms around his neck and rubbing its little face against Luffy's cheek."!!!"Seeing this scene, Franky felt as if his heart had been pierced by an arrow named 'envy'.Nami and Vivi, seeing this, also clenched their fists for a moment.What in the world is this?Franky was so anxious he spun in place, scratching his head and ears, his metal arms clanging. "It's a living Klabautermann! And it's snuggling with Straw Hat!Super! I'm so envious!!!"*Pfft.*Robin was the first to fail to hold back her laughter.Then, Usopp and Chopper also caught on. Seeing Franky looking like he desperately wanted to take Luffy's place, they burst into hearty laughter.Sanji, cigarette dangling from his mouth, shook his head helplessly. "What an idiot Captain. But, this method is quite effective."Merry Trap!"I didn't expect you to play this kind of trick, Luffy!""The old scoundrel is quite the player."Holding the soft and cuddly Merry, Luffy proudly raised his chin at Franky, who was as agitated as an ant on a hot pan....In Water 7, ravaged by the Aqua Laguna, the air was filled with the salty dampness of seawater and the special scent of damp wood.Although the disaster had just passed, this city famous for its shipbuilding industry was already showing its tenacious vitality. Busy shipwrights and residents could be seen everywhere, cleaning up and rebuilding.Damaged houses, scattered debris, and water that hadn't fully receded yet painted the picture of the aftermath, but they couldn't conceal the vibrant life force.Franky was currently circling Luffy and Merry.Luffy had him hooked.One moment he'd strike his signature Super pose, the next he'd crouch down holding his head, letting out incomprehensible whimpers, his gaze never leaving Merry, who was sitting on Luffy's shoulder curiously looking around.A Klabautermann! A living Klabautermann!And it's snuggling with Straw Hat! Super! I'm so envious!Sanji, who felt somewhat similarly, took a drag of his cigarette and patted Franky's shoulder.Some things just can't be envied.Perhaps because they'd experienced the Aqua Laguna many times, the locals on the streets wore expressions of accustomed familiarity.Just then, a commotion arose from the other end of the dock."Iceberg-san, Straw Hat and the others are over there!"A sharp-eyed shipwright shouted loudly.Bally, leading a large group of Galley-La Companyshipwrights, walked over in a grand procession.The crowd parted, and Iceberg, draped in a black coat, stepped out slowly.Chapter 219: Don't I Know How Much Luffy Can Handle?Attacked by CP9, Iceberg's face was still pale from blood loss, but his eyes had regained their usual steadiness and sharpness.His gaze swept over the Straw Hat crew, and when it finally settled on Merry, who was being held by Luffy, even he couldn't suppress a flicker of amazement."So it really is a Klabautermann."Bally swung his arm forcefully and said in a booming voice:"Alright, men! Time to welcome our city's heroes!"The large crowd immediately cheered and surged like a tide towards where the Straw Hats were.Their faces beamed with sincere smiles, their eyes filled with respect and friendliness as they looked at Luffy and the others.Pirates or not, don't we know whether they're pirates or not?You say the Straw Hats are notorious pirates wanted by the World Government?Ask our hammers if they agree.The truth about CP9's attack on Iceberg and the Straw Hats' heroic deeds at Enies Lobby had already spread throughout Water 7 via the Franky Family and surviving shipwrights. Although the World Government labeled the Straw Hats as vicious criminals, here, they were the grateful benefactors."Gulp gulp gulp... you're all alive." Granny Kokoro laughed heartily after taking a big swig of liquor."It's so wonderful that you've returned safely!"Bally rushed forward, looking at Luffy excitedly.Luffy grinned, somewhat carefree. "It's great that you guys didn't die either!"*Bonk!*Nami angrily punched Luffy on the head, instantly raising a large bump.Luffy covered his head and yelled in pain."Don't say things like that with your mouth! It's so inauspicious!" she scolded, pouting.Vivi also didn't know whether to laugh or cry and quickly apologized to the approaching Iceberg. "Sorry, Iceberg-san, our Captain is just like this."Iceberg waved a hand, a faint smile appearing on his face. "It's fine. Anyway, it's truly wonderful that you've returned safely."His gaze shifted to Franky beside them. "Franky is also safe. Thank you all.""Yeah!"Bally chimed in, still shaken. "If you hadn't attracted most of the Marines' attention, our group might not have made it back. The Marine's Buster Call was terrifying."The shipwrights behind him also nodded, their faces showing lingering fear.Iceberg nodded slightly and said to the Straw Hatcrew, "This isn't a good place to talk. Let me take you back to rest first."After all, in the eyes of the World Government, the Straw Hat crew were now veritable major criminals."Then thank you very much,"Nami, still holding onto Luffy's waist with one hand, immediately switched to a shrewd smile upon hearing this and said to Iceberg, "Could you please prepare some food for us? Especially meat, as much as possible. About enough for a hundred people.""A hundred people's worth?!"Bally looked dumbfounded. "Your appetites are too big! Can you eat that much?"In their eyes, only giants seemed to have such an appetite."Don't worry, their appetites are all huge."Nami tugged on Luffy's extremely elastic cheek and smiled. "He'll finish it no matter how much there is."Didn't she know just how much Luffy could handle?
