Riberra Sami and his group stepped into the area where Tom's shipyard was located.
Contrary to Riberra Sami's expectations, this was not some abandoned dock. Instead, it was a sizable shipbuilding workshop situated in a relatively bustling part of the canal district.
At thirty-one years old, Tom was already a tall and burly fish-man. His round, stout figure did nothing to conceal the solid strength that radiated from his every movement.
At this point in time, he had not yet been convicted for building a ship for the Pirate King, nor had he been forced to relocate to Scrap Island. He was in the golden period of his life—brimming with talent and on the rise in his career.
The workshop was orderly, with several craftsmen busy at work.
But the most eye-catching figure was undoubtedly Tom himself, standing in the center, working on a section of keel.
The way he handled his tools flowed like water—hammering, shaving, aligning—each step carried a rhythm. It was less like labor and more like a performance of craftsmanship, captivating anyone who watched.
A middle-aged man, who appeared to be a manager, noticed Riberra Sami's group and quickly approached with a wide smile.
"Ah, honored guests! Welcome, welcome! I'm Cole, the manager here. You're here to discuss a shipbuilding commission, I presume?"
His gaze quickly swept over the heavy crates carried by Aldo and Marcus, and especially lingered on the crew member who had come earlier to inquire about prices. His smile widened even further.
"Ah, it's you! It seems you've made up your minds? Our Tom Workshop offers absolutely fair prices—every Beli worth its value, no deception!"
Riberra Sami glanced at the busy workers in the workshop, a hint of surprise crossing his face.
"There seem to be quite a few people here. I thought Mr. Tom ran this place alone."
The manager chuckled.
"You must be joking, sir. Shipbuilding is a massive undertaking—from design and material selection to laying the keel, shaping the hull, and installing the interior. There are dozens, even hundreds, of processes involved. How could one person handle it all? Master Tom is the chief designer and backbone—we're all his apprentices and assistants."
"Mm."
Riberra Sami responded, though a trace of regret surfaced in his heart.
What a pity.
Tom already had a team and a stable business.
This was likely the life Tom was meant to have.
If not for later taking on the crime of building a ship for Roger, with his talent, he might have become one of Water 7's most influential shipyard owners.
With such a foundation, it would be difficult to sway him into a life of sailing the seas.
Suppressing his thoughts, Riberra Sami smiled.
"That's right. We've made our decision. Money is not an issue."
As he spoke, he patted the heavy crates behind Aldo and Marcus.
"We've brought the deposit as well. However, regarding the design of a three-mast ship, I have some ideas I'd like to discuss directly with Mr. Tom."
"A big client! A five hundred million Beli client!"
The manager's eyes lit up, his attitude becoming even more attentive.
"Please wait a moment, honored guests! I'll fetch Mr. Tom right away! Please, come to the meeting room and rest!"
Soon, Riberra Sami and his group were led into a clean meeting room.
Not long after, the door was pushed open, and a tall figure walked in.
Tom wiped the sweat from his face and neck with a towel as he laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! Hello there! I'm Tom. I heard from the lads that some honored guests have come with a deposit—and even have ideas they want to discuss in detail? I love hearing customers' imaginative concepts for ships! Come, come, have a seat—let's talk!"
Riberra Sami laid out their requirements in detail.
A large vessel capable of accommodating 150 to 200 people, with an extremely sturdy structure, powerful firepower, and exceptional speed.
After listening, Tom stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Durability is guaranteed. My preferred approach is to use Adam Wood as the primary material. As for firepower…"
"We'll need to design multiple gun decks along both sides, as well as the bow and stern, leaving enough space for artillery placements and structural reinforcement. As for speed… with a ship of this size, achieving extraordinary velocity means completely reworking the conventional sail layout—and adding an auxiliary propulsion system."
He paused, then looked at Riberra Sami.
"All of that means a more complex structure, more materials, and longer construction time. The original five hundred million quote won't be enough. With your specifications… it'll be an additional one hundred million Beli."
Riberra Sami didn't immediately bargain. Instead, he took out a strangely shaped shell from his pack.
"As for the propulsion system, I want to incorporate this."
He lightly triggered the shell.
Whoosh—!
A powerful gust of air burst out instantly, forming a small whirlwind in the meeting room. Papers on the table rustled loudly.
Tom's eyes widened.
"What is this?"
"A Jet Dial—from Sky Island."
Riberra Sami explained, taking out over a dozen similar shells.
"They can store and release strong gusts of wind. I want to integrate them into the ship's propulsion system as a burst acceleration mechanism for critical moments. The quantity I have should be enough to support a full auxiliary propulsion setup."
Tom stared at the Jet Dials, the astonishment on his face slowly turning into excitement.
"Hahaha! This is fascinating! Technology from the sky islands? I never thought I'd see it with my own eyes! Incredible—absolutely incredible!"
He slammed his palm onto the table, making the teacups jump.
"Alright! I accept this challenge! Combining a product of the sky with the strongest wood on the seas to build an unprecedented high-speed vessel… just thinking about it gets my blood pumping!"
Watching Tom completely immersed in the thrill of innovation, Riberra Sami fell silent for a moment before suddenly asking:
"Aren't you worried… about what I plan to use a ship like this for?"
Tom's laughter gradually subsided.
"I'm just a shipwright. My job is to create the best ships capable of conquering the seas. As for what happens after the ship is built—what its owner chooses to do with it…"
He shrugged.
"That's not my concern. That's the owner's choice, not mine. A ship is just a ship. The story it lives after its birth belongs to the one who sails it."
Riberra Sami looked at Tom, then smiled faintly, speaking in a tone that was half-joking, half-serious.
"Then… would you be interested in sailing with this ship as well? Come with us, see a broader ocean, test its limits. There's always a place on my ship for talented companions."
Tom was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter, waving his hand.
"I appreciate the offer. But what I love most is this shipyard—watching pieces of wood turn into masterpieces that can cleave through waves. Leave this place and become a crew member on someone else's ship? That's not for me. There are many kinds of romance on the sea—mine is right here."
Riberra Sami nodded, unsurprised by the answer.
The talented shipwright before him was at the peak of his rising career—he had his own workshop, reputation, and boundless expectations for the future.
A life of adventure at sea simply wasn't part of his plans yet.
"I understand."
Riberra Sami said no more, steering the conversation back to the ship's design.
The two sides spent a long time discussing and refining various details.
In the end, Riberra Sami readily paid the initial deposit.
By the time they left Tom's workshop, the setting sun had cast a golden-red glow across the canals of Water 7.
On the way back, Riberra Sami glanced over his shoulder at the still-busy workshop, where the sound of hammering continued to echo.
Failing to recruit Tom was a bit of a regret.
But having him personally build their future companion—
—that was already more than enough.
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