Chapter 327.partial

The story resumes in Water 7. Paulie, a man with goggles and a cigar, is angrily yelling at Rob Lucci, a tall man wearing a top hat and a tank top. Lucci has a pigeon perched on his shoulder. Paulie shouts, "I said I won't run anymore! Let go of my ear!" He continues to complain, "It wasn't easy getting all this money, too...!! I'll remember this Luchi!!" Surprisingly, the pigeon on Lucci's shoulder speaks up, "Hey! Hey! Stop that!! What do you think you're doing!? You tried to steal other people's money to pay your debt?! You are shameless!" Paulie argues back, "I found this money!!" A caption introduces the two: "Gareera Company Chief of Sawing and Bolting Rob Luchi" and "Luchi's pigeon Hattori".

A wide view shows the bustling canal of Water 7. Nami spots the approaching figures and says, "They're coming back." Luffy and Usopp are visibly relieved. Usopp sighs, "Yeah... What a relief! Right, Usopp?" Luffy, stretching his face in exasperation, yells, "What kind of attitude is that!? That was our 2 million Beri!!" Nami scolds him, "Why didn't you go and get the money back!?" Luffy defends himself, "But... that pigeon said, 'Leave it to me...'" Nearby, Kalifa and Iceburg are standing. Iceburg explains, "Nma... It was a domestic problem so we had to take care of it ourselves. If you had took it into your own hands, we would lose face." Kalifa adds, "I was thinking that it was lucky the Frankies didn't succeed in stealing it, but then... Yeah... my feelings exactly..." Iceburg's pet mouse, Tyrannosaurus, peeks out of his pocket.

Nami asks Kalifa, "But who were those strangely dressed people...?" Kalifa explains, "They are the Frankies Family, professional ship scavengers." Nami is puzzled, "Ship scavengers? No wonder they didn't look like serious mechanics." Kalifa elaborates, "Yes. They also work as bounty hunters and attack the pirates who come here. They are a troublesome bunch." A panel shows silhouettes of the Franky Family members. Kalifa continues describing their methods: "After they take down a group of pirates, they take the pirates' ship... Then they sell the wood on the ship for scraps. That's how the Frankies do business. Dog eat dog. They are like pirate terminators." Iceburg chimes in, "Yes, and they don't leave behind any remains of the pirates."

Iceburg warns the crew, "You should never underestimate Frankie himself. Those were just the small fries. Their boss hasn't done anything lately, but..." Nami remarks, "But they didn't look so tough..." Just then, Paulie and Rob Lucci arrive. Paulie says, "He's here, Iceberg-san. Stop pulling my ear! Thanks, Luchi." Nami hears the name and asks, "Frankie?" Hattori the pigeon speaks up again, addressing the Straw Hats: "Our group's scumbag cost you some problems. For that we apologize." Luffy is completely shocked, his jaw dropping as he yells, "It talked again...!!"

Usopp observes the strange dynamic, "He's practically the hat guy's spokesman... But at least we got our money back." Nami wonders, "Why is that pigeon so strong..." Hattori turns to Paulie and demands, "Hurry up and beg for forgiveness, Paulii!!" Paulie fumes with anger. Hattori then addresses Luffy, "Yo. Are you the owner? I got your money back." Luffy takes the briefcases full of cash and says, "Ah. Thanks a lot. I won't ask for much. Just 10%." Hattori explains Paulie's actions, "Sorry, customer. This punk owes a lot of money and is really desperate for money." Paulie finally snaps, yelling, "But how come you can talk!!? Damn it... Luchi, you asked for it!!"

Enraged, Paulie launches an attack at Rob Lucci. He shoots ropes from his sleeves, shouting, "Rope Action!! Bow-line Knot!!" The ropes fly towards Lucci, but Lucci effortlessly dodges them. Paulie yells in frustration, "Man!!" Lucci quickly counters, grabbing the ropes and pulling Paulie towards him. With a swift motion, Lucci strikes Paulie with a powerful technique called "Death Lift"!!! The impact sends Paulie flying backward through the air.

Lucci follows up his attack by throwing Paulie with a move called "One-Hand Cast!!". Paulie is launched high into the air, heading towards the edge of the canal. Nami watches in alarm, yelling, "Wait a minute... Isn't that going over the edge...?" Iceburg remains completely unfazed, stating calmly, "Nma--- That's normal." Usopp and Luffy are shocked as they watch Paulie catch himself. They yell, "Hey hey hey look! He broke the fall... With just one hand!!!" Paulie is shown hanging onto the edge of the stone path, his fingers dug deep into the ground to stop his fall.

Paulie hangs from the edge, sweating and thinking, "His fingers went into the ground... What are his fingers made of...?" Usopp yells at Luffy, trying to make him understand the situation, "What the hell is with these carpenters here... Hey, goggle guy! Think about it. The one who has been ordering you around and talking smack is..." Luffy suddenly has a revelation and points directly at Hattori, yelling, "The pigeon!!" Usopp angrily corrects him, "That thing doesn't matter! Luchi is the one who hit me!!" Luffy argues back, "But that's because the pigeon can't hit you so it made the guy hit you!!"

Paulie climbs back up onto the path, panting heavily. Hattori the pigeon says, "Listen up, pigeon! Fight your own fight!!" Luffy yells at the pigeon, "Why aren't you talking now?" Hattori replies, "How embarrassing, we made a fool of ourselves. I'm Rob Luchi's pigeon, Hattori. This is Rob Luchi. Nice to meet you." Nami and Luffy are confused by the sudden change in tone. Nami says, "Eh? Now it's talking like a person..." Usopp finally figures it out and exclaims, "I get it now! He's a ventriloquist!!" Nami is amazed, "Eh!? That's so cool! So you were the one who said those things?" Usopp praises Lucci, "That was great! I didn't even suspect it!!" Luffy bursts into laughter, "Wahahaha! This guy never talks directly! He's a freak!"

Paulie suddenly turns his attention to Nami and yells, "What's wrong with you!!? Showing your legs like that!!!" Nami is taken aback, "Eh?" Paulie continues his rant, "You are so shameless!!" Usopp points at Paulie and says, "What the hell is he talking about? He's the real freak!!" Paulie then turns to Kalifa, yelling, "This is a all-men factory, what are you trying to do? Taunt us? Calm down, Paulii!! Shit! Even Karifa is wearing such a shameless sexy outfit!!" Iceburg calmly explains to the Straw Hats, "Nma... These people may be slightly crazy, but... In carpentry, they're part of the 5 chief mechanics in this dock. Kaku is one, too. It doesn't matter how strange his personality is. The only thing that matters is one's carpentry skills." They all stand before a massive set of doors marked with a giant number "1".

Hattori the pigeon speaks for Lucci, inviting them inside: "Okay. Come on in. I'll give you a tour. Don't let the money off of your hands even though there shouldn't be thieves in here." Luffy tells Nami, "It was my fault for not paying attention. Luffy, you have to protect me this time." Nami confidently replies, "Okay! Don't worry!!" The massive doors to Dock 1 slowly open, revealing the interior. A caption reads, "In Dock 1, the best carpenters of Gareera Company... gathers here to tackle the most difficult of jobs that come in our way." As the doors open, Luffy, Nami, and Usopp look inside with wide eyes and dropped jaws, shouting in awe, "OOOO!! WOW!!"

A massive double-page spread reveals the breathtaking interior of Dock 1. It is a colossal, bustling shipyard filled with enormous cranes, intricate scaffolding, and massive ships under construction. Countless workers are busy at their stations. As Iceburg enters, the workers notice him and call out greetings, "The president came to visit us!! Good morning, Iceberg-san! 'Morning! 'Morning!" One worker approaches and says, "President, I finished the plating, come take a look." Iceburg replies simply, "Later." Another worker asks, "Nma! Is everything going well?" Usopp is completely overwhelmed by the scale, exclaiming, "It's so~~~~ big!! The shipyard looks so great up close, too!!!" Luffy points at a massive vessel and asks, "Who's that big galleon you're building for?"

Kalifa explains the history of the shipyard to the Straw Hats: "Since long ago... this island has been specialized in carpentry and there were 7 competing shipyards. Then Iceberg-san came and amazed everyone with his genius carpentry techniques. Five years ago, he united the 7 shipyards into one company. His love for carpentry and his techniques are still the same after he became the leader. So the workers respect him even more. Of course!! In this town, one's skill is everything." Luffy listens and remarks, "Wow. Iceberg-san is really popular here."

Kalifa continues her explanation, "The only thing the carpenters respect is skill. They won't bow to any pirates or political powers. That is the way in the carpenter's world." Luffy walks up to Iceburg, casually patting his arm, and asks, "Hey, mister. Everyone says you're a really good ship repairman. Want to become a pirate with us?" Iceburg replies, "Nma-- You don't have a carpenter on your ship? Nope. We came here to repair our ship and find a carpenter to be our crew." Paulie overhears this and gets furious, yelling, "Wh... Wh... What did you say!? Ill-mannered brat!!" Iceburg calmly tells Luffy, "There are plenty of carpenters here. But I don't know if one is willing to become a pirate. But if you do find one who is willing, I don't care if you take him with you." Luffy smiles brightly, "Really?"

Paulie notices someone approaching and asks, "Hm? Kaku? Where did you go?" Kaku replies, "I went to check out our customers' ship. Are they here?" Meanwhile, Luffy continues talking to Iceburg, "Really? You're so nice!! But can't you come, mister?" Iceburg declines, "Nma-- I'm the mayor so of course not. Oh well then. By the way, there is a girl named Nico Robin on your ship right?" Luffy confirms, "Yeah. She's smart!!" Suddenly, Kaku jumps down from a high ledge, soaring through the air. Usopp and Nami are shocked by his incredible leap. Usopp exclaims, "Wow! A demi cannon!! It's so long! Is it made of bronze? Looks expensive..." Kaku lands gracefully and says, "Ah! The person from before! Have you seen our ship?" Iceburg asks Kaku, "Yes, I did. Iceberg-san is here, too? I already spoke to them, tell me what you found." Nami yells at Luffy, "Luffy! Get down here!"

A brief flashback shows Kaku inspecting the Going Merry. Zoro is sitting on the ship. Kaku tells him, "I'm a carpenter. I don't lie." Zoro looks at him seriously and asks, "Are you serious?" Back in the present at Dock 1, Luffy excitedly asks Kaku, "How much will it cost? I have tons of money to pay! If possible, please make it super strong and then add some cannons and make it go faster. Please also do some decorative remodeling on the exterior and some remodeling for the rooms, too." Nami looks around and asks, "Where's Usopp?" Luffy replies, "Don't know. Oh. He left the money here. So never mind."

Kaku addresses Luffy and Nami with a serious expression, "Allow me to speak frankly, but your ship suffered significant damage. Your trip here must've been very eventful." Luffy grins and says, "Sure was! We climbed a mountain and went into the sky!! So please repair it good. Will it take a long time?" Kaku's face remains grim as he delivers the bad news, "...No, the truth is... Even we... aren't able to fix your ship." Nami and Luffy are stunned into silence. Iceburg and Paulie listen quietly. Kaku continues, "Even if we patch it as much as we can, the probability of you making it to the next island is..."

Kaku finishes his grim assessment, stating the probability is "0%." Paulie asks for clarification, "Is something wrong with the keel?" Kaku confirms, "Yes. It is severely damaged." Nami protests in disbelief, "What? But we had been sailing perfectly all this time!!" A panel shows Zoro back on the ship, thinking to himself, "You really... can't go any farther...?" The final large panel shows the iconic sheep figurehead of the Going Merry, looking worn and damaged. The chapter concludes on this somber note.

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