Chapter 95: Master Shipwrights of Galley La
As the Galley-La Company building came into view the straw hat ship shipwright hiring group spotted a large group of people outside gathered around and watching a brawl between shipwrights and pirates who'd refused to pay. And as was deserved, the pirates were thoroughly beaten before being dragged away to the local marine outpost. "This is amazing!" Usopp exclaimed joyfully, "the shipwrights are as strong as marines, and can take out seasoned Grand Line pirates". Dismounting their Yagara' the group walked forwards trying to get through the rowdy brawl onlookers, "Excuse me," Nami said, tapping one man on the shoulder, "could you maybe let us past. We have business to do with Galley-La". The man sucked his teeth and muttered under his breath, something along the lines of "audacious tourists!"
Upon pushing open the twin doors of the Galley-La building, the pirate repair group were met by a stoically expressed tall blonde haired bespectacled woman, apprised in a black and white suit. "And what do you think you're doing?" The woman spoke, disdainfully, looking down at the people before her. Both Nami ad Vivi scowled in response, and left the talking to Usopp. "We're here to do business," the sniper stated formerly, trying to set up an image of respectability. "We aren't from around here, and our ship is damaged. We received a reference letter from an old woman called Granny Kokoro, telling us to 'go see Iceberg'". The suited woman frowned as she took ahold of the letter, opened and read it. "Very well, in that case, follow me and I'll take you to see Iceberg. He's down in the dry docks at the moment overseeing the other shipwrights". It was then that the sound of footsteps was heard approaching then out of an adjacent room; a ginger haired man in an orange jump suit appeared. "Kaku..." the woman stated gaining his attention, "these people are here to hire us for a repair job. Whilst I take them to Iceberg, you go and inspect their ship".
The man, now known as Kaku, turned towards the woman and the pirates with her, and quickly giving the group quick once over with his eyes he headed off. "By the way, we docked in the pirate docks..." Usopp called out after the man. As if reading their minds, the woman adjusted her glasses and then spoke, "the people of Water Seven call him Kaku of the Spring Wind. Because he likes to run around the city, all carefree and wild". Vivi pounced at the chance to voice her growing uneasiness, "and who are you? How do we even know you really work here, you could be trying to scam us". Luffy placed a hand on Vivi's shoulder calming her, "still he added. What is your name? Just so we don't have to call you 'suited woman'". "Don't be sexist! My name is Khalifa, and I'm Iceberg's personal secretary. You could say the second in command of Galley-La".
As they entered the lower hangers, Vivi and Suki both became more and more fascinated by the dry docks and the shipwrights working on the hulls of two big galleon class ships. "Whoa!" Suki opined, "those are massive, who own them?" Khalifa scowled back, "all customer records are private. We do not share out clients details with anyone. All I'll say is you better keep out of their way". "Mister Iceberg. These people request our services for their ship, I have dispatched Kaku to go investigate its status". The boss of Galley-La didn't look like much; tall black haired and dressed in an orange shirt, striped blazer and dark trousers, Iceberg, looked more like he'd never done manual labour in his life.
"I've already done a thorough background check," Khalifa spike, handing a file to her boss. "The one at the front is 'Straw Hat' Luffy and to his left is 'Cat Burglar' Nami. The others with him are 'renegade princess' Vivi Nefetari, 'Painted Lady' Suki and 'Sniper King' Usopp. The other crew members are spread with the city; 'Pirate Hunter' Zoro, 'Devil Child' Nico Robin, 'Tony-Tony' Chopper and 'Black Leg' Sanji". Iceberg perused the notes in the notes in his hands, before looking also at the assembled pirates. "Impressive. A crew with a collective bounty of three hundred and seventy nine million beris. And two logia devil fruit users amongst you, even rarer". Vivi held back a scowl, the fact that the woman had compiled information on them so quickly was deeply suspect and alarming to say the least but in the presence of Galley-LA's Chief Shipwright; she tried to remain neutral yet some uneasiness and fight crept into her voice as she spoke. "You've got a lot of information on us. How'd you manage that in such a short time?"
"Of course, you have every reason to be suspicious of our background checks on potential clients..." Iceberg responded, "but Khalifa always knows when to dig the right amount out of any checks. That's why she's the best secretary I've ever had". "That's sexual harassment," khalifa interrupted, glaringly, "I'm not your concubine". The mood instantly became awkward, and all but Luffy and Khalifa recognised it as such. "—well..." Iceberg began, "as we are waiting Kaku's return. How would you like a tour of the Company and to meet some of the shipwrights that will no doubt be working on your ship". Luffy and Usopp both jumped at the chance to see the company, practically bouncing on the balls of their feet. "Yeah, that sounds like a great idea! Thanks Ice-Pops" luffy cried out. Then without any warning, Khalifa lashed out with a kick, sending Usopp sprawled out in the ground behind, and the two briefcase of money at his feet. "I won't allow you to address one of the world's leading shipwrights and engineers of the world, in such a manner!" Khalifa yelled.
Nami and Vivi, both looked at each other then at Usopp on the ground and finally back at Khalifa, and Iceberg. "I'm sorry, but please try not to provoke her," Iceberg sighed, "Khalifa is very protective of the Companies reputation, and when she gets angry the aim of her kicks sucks." Vivi moved forwards and bowed to Khalifa, "I'm sorry about our captain's lack of respect, but he really does mean well". Nami nodded, taking her boyfriends hand and making him bow his head in apology, "by the way". Vivi continued, "we have a reference letter for you from this old woman at the boat dock. We have it to Khalifa". Iceberg turned back to his secretary, who handed him the letter.
"I see granny Kokoro has taken a liking to you pirates. She has asked me to waive the costs of ship repair and allow her to pay on your behalf", Iceberg enunciated before he began tearing up the letter. "Now, all that remains is for me to say; welcome to Water Seven".