Seeing a boat in the distance, Kaku rushed towards it.
"This must be their boat."
Then, making a big jump, he landed on the railing of the Going Merry. Seeing Zoro and Azelma still sleeping, he greeted them.
" Hi ! I'm ... "
But before he could finish his sentence, he dodged a fireball, which targeted his face.
"What...?" He wondered.
Being hidden behind a barrier made of piled up objects, Menma and Shun-day had a pan on their heads, while they stared at the newcomer.
"Usopp?" Menma was surprised.
"No, this guy has a squarer nose."
Looking at Kaku carefully, the two girls concluded that he was not their comrade.
"Soldier Menma, target located." Shun-day affirmed. " At my signal, FIRE!"
" Aye! " Menma assured, creating another fireball in her hands.
"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Kaku shouted, waving his hands in front of him. "Why are you attacking me?"
"You are an enemy." Menma stated.
"I bet he's a Franky Family guy too." Shun-day said.
"Franky Family? Not at all! I work for Iceberg-san! I'm a carpenter."
" Carpenter ? "
"Yes! I came here to repair your boat! Mugiwara sent me here! But I'm surprised to see children here."
"Is it really Luffy who sent you here?"
Startled, Kaku turned around, and saw Velvet right behind him. Staring into his eyes, the demoness stated.
"If you ever dare to lie to attack us, I will kill you."
Kaku remained still, while he seemed completely frozen. He didn't feel any real fear towards Velvet. Yet as his eyes stared into Velvet's, he couldn't help but feel his heart racing, while a light redness appeared on her cheeks. Velvet's gaze seemed irresistible to him.
Finally, the man shook his head, to regain his senses.
"My name is Kaku! I work for Galley-La Company! I came here to see the extent of the damage to your boat! Then I will return to the construction site to report to Iceberg-san."
Still staring at him, Velvet finally said.
"Okay! I'll let you work! But at the slightest suspicious movement, you know what will happen to you."
"Huh? I'll do my best not to look suspicious."
Then, starting to walk, the carpenter carefully examined the boat. But in a few seconds, he was already able to make his first observations.
"This boat is in very poor condition! One look is enough to see that there is a lot of damage."
Seeing boards that were unnailed, he affirmed.
"The floor needs to be redone."
Then he placed his hand on the mast.
"And you need a new mast."
Continuing to walk, while making his observations, Kaku allowed Velvet to relax a little, while she saw him acting professionally. Also appearing less suspicious, Menma began to follow Kaku.
"Are you really a carpenter?"
"Yes! And I want to believe that I'm one of the best."
"And will you join our crew?"
"What?" Kaku was surprised.
"Luffy said he was looking for a carpenter and he wanted to recruit the best carpenter on the island."
Hearing this, Kaku couldn't help but laugh.
"HAHAHAHA! Sorry to tell you this, but I don't think I want to become a pirate! Besides, I know the best carpenter on this island and I think he will also refuse the offer to become a pirate."
" Why ? "
"Iceberg-san has far too many responsibilities to be able to leave this island! Besides, he loves Water-7 far too much to think about going on an adventure! And the other carpenters idolize him so much that I doubt your captain will be able to convince one of them to follow him."
Hearing this, Velvet sighed.
"That was to be expected! At least our boat will be repaired, that's something."
Hearing this, Kaku looked skeptical.
"What's the matter?" Velvet asked, seeing him thinking.
"HEY!" Zoro suddenly roared, who had just woken up. " Who are you ? "
Ignoring him, Kaku walked towards the hold. Then, crouching down, he inspected the parquet floor of the room, before starting to break it.
"What is he doing?" Menma wondered.
"Hey, do you want me to help you?" Menma growled, transforming her arm.
Raising a finger in her direction, as he stuck his face into the hole he had just made, Kaku declared.
"If you want to kill me, wait until I finish inspecting the keel of your boat. However, getting up a few seconds later, he finally said.
"Sorry, but there's no point in repairing your boat."
"Huh?" Velvet was surprised. "What are you talking about? You just said our boat needed a lot of repairs."
"Come here! You'll understand."
Looking at each other first, Velvet and Menma eventually joined him in the hold. Once downstairs, the duo approached the hole in the floor and saw a piece of wood resembling a beam.
"Do you see this wooden beam?" Kaku asked them. "It's the keel of your boat! We can compare it to a spine."
Then he pointed to an area of the keel that was damaged.
"It's damaged."
"So what?" Velvet asked. "Just fix it."
"It's far too damaged for it to be repairable." Kaku retorted.
Tapping the damaged part, he produces noises identical to those he would make when tapping rotten wood.
"Water seeped through the cracks inside the keel, causing major damage to the wood! It's not possible to repair this."
"In that case, just remove the keel and make another one." Menma suggested.
"That's impossible too." Kaku said. "Listen, the keel is the essential part of a boat! It is around it that the other parts of the boat are assembled! In short, as soon as the first wooden plank is laid, it is impossible to replace the keel ."
Trying to understand what he was saying, Velvet retorted.
"What you're saying makes no sense! If we can't replace or repair the keel of our boat, how can we completely repair our boat?"
"This is why I say that repairing your boat is useless! Because of this damaged keel, your boat is beyond repair."
"Are you really Iceberg-san?" Nami asked.
Seeming to ignore her, Iceberg focused his attention on a woman walking behind him.
"Kalifa... regarding this mouse I just found..." He said, stroking the animal's head. "I'm going to name it Tyrannosaurus."
"Okay, Iceberg-san! I'll take care of finding a cage and some food for your new companion."
"Thank you Kalifa! Efficient as always."
Eventually his attention was directed back to the pirates.
"And who are these people?"
"This is Monkey D. Luffy's crew, often nicknamed Mugiwara." Kalifa declared, as she took out several papers. " Monkey D. Luffy - 100 million - ... Roronoa Zoro - 60 million - ... Bruno - 52 million - ... Raynare - 39 million - ... Nefertari Vivi - 25 million - ... and Nico Robin - 79 million - !Here are the known members of this crew."
"Wow! She really knows us well." Luffy remarked.
"I wouldn't want to offend her but she forgot Gin." Usopp remarked.
For her part, Raynare had no trouble seeing Iceberg display a slightly more serious face when Robin's name was mentioned.
Putting away her papers, Kalifa then declared.
"Iceberg-san, before you forget! I remind you that you have a very busy schedule today."
Picking up a diary, she declared.
"Today, you have to have lunch in ten minutes with the managers of the glass factory at the Chiza hotel! Then, follow up with a speech at the Ligura palace! Then, you have an appointment with Vimine-san, the Mayor of Pucchi! And at the end of the evening, you have an interview with the media! If we have time, we can then devote ourselves to the documents that await you at your office."
Hearing this, Usopp declared.
"Life as mayor doesn't seem to be as fun as I thought."
"I'm tired just from listening to his schedule." Lucy admitted.
"I'd rather die than live that kind of life." Wiper said.
Seeming to be the same as them, Iceberg grimaced, before declaring.
" I don't want. "
"A child…" The pirates thought when they saw him do it.
"Understood." Kalifa assured, crossing out the entire schedule for the day. "I'm canceling the whole thing and rescheduling it until next month."
"SERIOUSLY?" The pirates shouted.
"I am powerful enough to do what I want." Iceberg said.
"That's called being irresponsible." Usopp retorted.
"He's even worse than Luffy." Raynare agreed.
"Is that true?" Luffy questioned.
"You don't need to be proud of that either." Nami retorted.
Suddenly, powerful kicks aimed at the pirates, who immediately had to step back to avoid being hit.
"You idiots." Kalifa roared. "You have no idea who Iceberg-san is."
Having been hit in the face, Usopp collapsed to the ground.
"It's… It's a fury."
"Hey! Do you want to fight?" Luffy roared, getting into position, just like Wiper.
Simply putting her glasses back on her nose correctly, Kalifa stated.
"Perhaps the world's greatest shipbuilding expert cannot be called irresponsible."
Then, suddenly regaining her composure, she declared.
"My apologies! I lost my temper."
"It's nothing, Kalifa." Iceberg assured, despite the fact that one of the kicks hit him in the face. "Just control your impulses better."
"These are my first observations of the blue sea." Said Wiper. "You're all crazy."
"I don't want to hear that from a man who is part of a people who fight a duel to acquire an item." Nami retorted.
Then, turning to Iceberg, she declared.
"Iceberg-san, the reason we came all this way is so we can meet you."
" Really ? "
Showing her envelope, Nami stated.
"Here is a letter from Kokoro-san for you and a letter of recommendation so that you can repair our ship."
"Kokoro-san?" Iceberg repeated, grabbing two letters.
However, barely reading a few lines, he ended up tearing the papers into several pieces.
"What...?" Lucy was surprised. "Why did you do that?"
"Refusing you to repair our boat?" Usopp feared.
"If it's a question of money, we have enough to pay you." Nami assured, pointing to the suitcase she had in her hand.
"Have no fear! I will see to it that your ship is repaired."
Looking down at the pieces of paper at his feet, he declared.
"Kokoro had no need to send me this insignificant letter asking for my news! I have no need for her to worry about me."
Looking at his watch, he declared.
"Normally, Kaku should have finished his estimate! We just have to wait for him in the shipyard."
"I thought we couldn't get there." Lucy stated.
"I am the mayor and you are my guests." Iceberg assured. "No one will tell you anything and I don't have much to do today."
"It's really hard to take this guy seriously." Usopp stated.
"In any case, I want to see the shipyard." Luffy affirmed.
And while the pirates decided to enter the shipyard, Wiper remained motionless, as he looked behind him.
"Who does he have?" Usopp asked.
"Our yagaras have disappeared along with the money that was on them."
" WHAT? "
Looking towards the water, Usopp only saw a single yagara, while the others were swimming, carrying several members of the Franky Family on their backs.
"Hihihi! It was a pleasure." Kiev affirmed, while his comrades held the two suitcases containing money. "
" THIEVES! " Usopp shouted. "Give us our money back."
" OUR MONEY! " Nami yelled. "THEY STOLE OUR 200 MILLION BERRIES!"
"Usopp, why did you give them our money?" Luffy asked.
"Do you really believe I gave them our money?"
"Franky Family." Kalifa said, recognizing the men. "They're local thugs."
Having no importance of this kind of detail, Raynare spread her wings.
"These men seem very brave for stealing our money."
Then creating spears of light around herself, she stated.
"Because only death awaits those who dare to steal my money."
However, before flying away, she saw a man jump from a bridge. Appearing to have targeted the two yagaras, who swam just below the bridge, the man aimed his hands towards the members of the Franky Family.
"Sorry but I'll have to borrow your yagaras."
"Who is this man?" Iceberg asked.
"It's Paulie." Kalifa affirmed, while staring at the bridge Paulie had just jumped from. "And according to the people who were chasing him, he still has gambling debts."
" ROPE ACTION ! "
Sprouting ropes from his sleeves, Paulie used them to tie up the members of the Franky Family, before throwing them out of the boat.
" ROUND TURN ! "
And the next second, Paulie placed his feet on the yagara who no longer had anyone on its back.
"Phew! I must admit that you came at the right time."
"This guy...who is he?" Nami asked.
"He's one of our carpenters." Kalifa said.
"Good news." Usopp rejoiced, waving to Paulie. "He will be able to give us our money back."
Meanwhile, looking thoughtful, Paulie wondered where he could go to hide.
"Tsss! These creditors are becoming more and more stubborn! If this continues, they will eventually catch me."
"Hey! These are our yagaras."
"Huh?" Paulie was surprised, turning towards the bank to see Usopp and the others.
"These guys stole our yagaras and our money."
"Money?" Paulie repeated, looking down at the suitcases. "Wait… THERE'S MONEY IN THERE?"
" HEY! " Usopp shouted, continuing to wave.
However, he saw the yagara continue to move away.
"But what is he doing?"
Having already opened a suitcase, Paulie held several wads of bills in his hands.
"FINALLY! Finally my bad luck is gone! With this money, I will be able to repay all my debts and spend my evenings at the casino! HAHAHAHA! I'm really lucky."
But while the man laughed, he didn't see a figure staring at him.
" Hatte ! "
" AHHHHHHHHHH! " Paulie shouted, surprised at her appearance.
Being staring at it, the pokemon was floating above the water, right next to the yagara where the carpenter was.
"What are you? A ghost?"
Hatterene's eyes turned blue in response.
While still on the bank, the pirates saw the yagaya begin to float above the water. Then, without the anima being able to do anything, its body was ejected into the air. Knowing the same fate, Paulie let out a huge cry of terror, before falling back not far from the enormous door located in front of the shipyard.
Hitting the ground violently, he cried out in agony.
"He...Help me!" He begged, starting to crawl on the ground. "A…A ghost."
But before he could flee, the yagara's body fell before crushing him.
"ARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!" The carpenter screamed, as the ground cracked around him.
"Paulie...are you okay?" Iceberg asked.
"Money...this money is cursed." The man whispered.
It was at this moment that Hatterene returned, while floating the two suitcases above the water. Finally, she brought the money back to the pirate.
"Hatte!" She said, putting the money on the ground.
"MONEY!" Usopp rejoiced, clutching the suitcases to him. "I really thought we were going to lose our millions."
For her part, Nami patted Hatterene's head affectionately.
"Hatterene-san...I apologize for hitting you earlier! You are the most useful pokemon in our entire crew."
"Tsss! Why are you so desperate when we still had a lot of money with us?" Wiper asked.
"No question of leaving the slightest berry to his bandits." Usopp and Nami roared.
Managing to extricate himself from under the yagara's body, Paulie was grunting. Then, turning his face to the side, he uttered a cry of panic, seeing Hatterene.
"AHHHHHHHH! The ghost is here."
"Hey! Don't insult my partner." Luffy retorted, pointing an accusing finger at him. "Besides, you're the one who stole our money."
" Hatte ! "
"Stole? Hey, asshole! If I hadn't intervened, those bandits would have made off with your money! I deserve at least a quarter of the contents of those suitcases for helping you."
Suddenly his head was hit by a hammer.
" OUCH ! "
"Forgive him! When he talks about money, Paulie gets really stupid and annoying! But he's not a bad boy."
surprised, the pirates turned to a man who had just appeared behind Paulie. However, what surprised them the most was to realize that the person who had just spoken was not the stranger. It was a pigeon that was on his shoulder.
"On behalf of Galley-La, please accept our apologies for our friend's outrageous behavior! I hope you can forgive him."
"The pigeon... He spoke." Luffy declared.
"A devil fruit." Lucy understood.
"Please also accept our apologies." Iceberg said. "I have to admit that my company has a certain amount of idiots! And Paulie is certainly the most impulsive among them."
"More importantly, who were those guys in weird costumes?" Raynare asked. "I saw them in front of the bank! They seem to be following us."
"They are part of the Franky Family." Kalifa replied. "They belong to a boat-breaking company."
"They didn't really look like honest workers."
"The members of this organization use unorthodox, but legal, methods." Kalifa affirmed. "Aside from their job, they are also bounty hunters! They often track down pirates who come to town while causing havoc in town."
"After eliminating the pirates who come to this city, they take over and dismantle their ships." Iceberg continued. "Then they sell the pieces of wood that are still usable! This is how business works within the Franky Family."
"They are barbarians." Usopp declared. "No one has the right to dismantle the smallest boat! Within a crew, he is a companion like any other."
"It doesn't matter how hard these men work." Wiper said. "These guys weren't impressive anyway."
"They were just minions." Iceberg stated. "If I were seen, I wouldn't underestimate their leader! Believe me, Franky is surely the most powerful man in Water-7."
"Grrrr! For my part, I always hated these guys." Paulie affirmed. "Iceberg-san! If I were in your place, I would summon all the carpenters and then we can attack the Franky Family and force them to leave the island."
He received another hammer blow from the man with the pigeon.
"You are really stupid." The pigeon affirmed. "You didn't hear what Iceberg-san just said! If we attack Franky he risks having many injured among our carpenters, not to mention that this fight could destroy part of the city! He is out question of declaring war on them."
"Stop talking." Luffy suddenly roared. "How come a pigeon talks so much?"
"He's right." Paulie said, getting up. "You talk too much, Lucci."
Again, several ropes came out of his sleeves and were thrown towards Lucci.
" ROPE ACTION ! "
Staying still, Lucci let one of the ropes wrap around his wrist before tying a knot.
" BOWLINE KNOT ! "
Leaving its owner's shoulder, the pigeon flew away the moment Lucci's feet left the ground. Using prodigious strength, Paulie lifted Lucci's body into the air, before bringing him down towards the ground.
" OSHIOKI! "
A huge crash took place as the man's body hit the ground.
"He... He killed him?" Lucy wondered.
"Wait... Wasn't that guy supposed to be his classmate?" Nami asked.
"Have no fear." Iceberg retorted. "This kind of fight happens a lot here! It takes more to kill Lucci."
Indeed, being in the process of doing a handstand, Lucci had his head down, while he had simply placed one hand on the ground to stop his fall. However, the impact was powerful enough to force his fingers into the ground.
"Su...Sugoi!" Usopp said. "This guy is amazing."
For his part, walking towards Paulie, Luffy called out to him.
"Hey, Rope-guy! Why did you attack him?"
" Huh ? "
"The one who provoked and insulted you is the pigeon! It's him you should attack."
"Tssss! Do you really think I'm going to waste my time attacking that stupid bird! Besides, it was Lucci who hit me."
"Perhaps, but it was surely the pigeon that forced him to do it since he is incapable of fighting on his own."
Letting out a weary sigh, Raynare groaned.
" Luffy, please ! Shut-up ! "
"Huh? What did I say? The pigeon is at fault."
"You don't understand that the pigeon speaks instead of the carpenter."
Pointing her thumb at Lucci, she declared.
"This guy can't speak! So he uses his pigeon to do it for him."
"His pigeon?" Nami wondered.
"I see that you are perceptive." Affirmed the pigeon, returning to Lucci's shoulder. "My name is Hattori! But I only have the gift of speech thanks to my sidekick: Rob Lucci."
"The gift of speech?"
Suddenly, Nami understood.
"You're a ventriloquist, aren't you? You're the one who makes the pigeon talk."
"Seriously?" Usopp asked, clapping. "I didn't even see your lips move."
"Amazing." Luffy said, imitating him.
"Tssss! This is ridiculous." Wiper retorted.
"I agree." Paulie agreed. "You're just applauding a guy who's too shy to talk! When it comes to pissing people off, though, he's always the first one there."
Suddenly, he let out a scream, looking at Lucy and Nami, who were wearing skirts.
"Hey, where do you think you are?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Lucy questioned.
"Vis skirts are much too short! Because of that, we can see your legs! It's indecent."
"Huh? What's your problem?" Raynare asked.
Screaming again, as blood flowed from his nose, Paulie looked away from the fallen angel and her very revealing outfit.
"Back off, witch! There's no way I'm going to let you pervert me."
"Oh?" Raynare said with a playful smile.
Purposely walking towards Paulie, while positioning her chest forward, she questioned him.
"Wouldn't you be weak against the seductive power of women?"
"Don't come near me, satan."
Then, lowering his gaze to see Eevee, he couldn't help but crouch down in front of her.
"Hey! You're really cute."
"Eevee?" The pokemon was surprised.
"Are you lost?" Paulie asked.
Feeling herself being lifted, Eevee found herself trapped between Raynare's breasts, who retorted.
"She's my partner."
Immediately, Paulie's nose began to bleed again.
"Don't do this in front of me."
"When are you going to stop your nonsense?" Iceberg wanted to know. "Paulie! Lucci! Please open the doors for me so we can access the construction site."
Hurrying away from Raynare, Paulie approached the huge doors and, with Lucci's help, he managed to open them with one hand.
"Despite their appearances, they are skilled workers." Iceberg assured. "Besides, they are part of the five people continuing the Galley-La team leaders."
"Team leaders?"
"These five people are my most talented carpenters! Besides, Kaku is one too."
Eventually, the huge doors opened, allowing the pirates inside the shipyard.
Who will join Luffy's crew?
Before Shells Town: Raynare - 38 million - (Highschool DxD) / Lucy Heartfilia (Fairy Tail)
Arc Shells Town: Roronoa Zoro - 60 million -
Kuro Arc: Usopp
Arc Baratie: Sanji / Gin -32 million-
Arlong Arc: Nami / Johnny / Yosaku
Drum Arc: Chopper
Alabasta Arc: Nico Robin / Eevee (Pokemon) / Bruno -52 million- (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure) / Nefertari Vivi -25 million- / Menma (Anohana)
Skypiea Arc: Velvet / Heracross / Hatterene / Wiper
Arc Enies Lobby: Franky
Arc Post Enies-Lobby:?
Thriller Bark Arc: Brook
Punk Hazard Arc:?
Treasure Arc:?
Dressrosa Arc: ? /?
Wano Kuni Arc: Jinbei /?
Post Wano Kuni Arc: ? /?
Arc Battle Teach:?
With other characters:
Buggy: Alvida - 21 million-, Magi - 29 million (OC), Bull (OC), Kuro - 37 million -, Morgan - 17 million -, Megumim - 105 million - (Konosuba), Zala (Miss Doublefinger) -35 million, Babe (Mr 4) - 3.2 million -, Drophy (Miss Merry Christmas) - 14 million -, Willy - 20 million, Needless - 57 million
Arlong: Syra (OC)
Milhawk: Alice (OC)
Wapol: Musshuru
Coby : Sakura (Zombieland Saga); Jin (My Hero Academy); Nakata ( OC )
Garp : Emma (The Promised Neverland)
Ym: Light Yagami (Death Note)
Cobra: Neni (M.9)
Shandian: Ayoho (OC), Bouffalant ( pokemon )
Ace : Isuka
Foxy : Dumdo ( OC ), Susumo ( OC )
Aokiji : Shizuo Heiwajima ( Duararara )
Moria : Elsa Granhiert ( Re:zero ), Caruma ( Yu-gi-oh Gx ), Momana ( OC ), Camado ( OC ), Skroa ( OC )
Sengoku: Shinichi Kudo (Detective Conan)
Kaido: Doctor Frank (OC)
Shanks: Nana Shimura -840 million- (My hero academia), Utsuro -970 million- (Gintama)
Widos: Norland Cricket, Kalgara, Kuina, Quatro (Marco (SNK)), Cinca (Mina Carolina (SNK)), Suzuka (Akame Ga Kill)
Individual: Reiner ( Shingeki no kyojin ), Garou (One Punch Man), Babidi (DBZ), Orochimaru (Naruto); Mirko (My hero Academia), Samus (metroid), Team Rocket (Pokemon), Akoya Seishu ( Kengan Ashura), Hiyama Shunka ( Kengan Ashura), Black Knights (Code Geass), Suzaku Kururugi (Code Geass), Mosquito girl (One punch man), Pokemon ( 44 ), Ottis Toole ( Real World ), Henry Lee Lucas ( Real World ), Pit ( Kid Icarus ), Ladydevimon ( Digimon ), Hunter J ( Pokemon ), Zancrow ( Fairy Tail ), Ai Hoshino ( Oshi no Ko )
Gold D. Roger (formerly): Igneel -1.380 billion- (Fairy Tail), Acacia (Toriko), Bardock (Dragon ball Z), Hiruzen Sarutobi (Naruto), Utsuro -970 million (Gintama), Nana Shimura - 840 million ( My Hero Academia), Magi (OC), Zarax (?)
Xerec (formerly): Aizen (bleach), Sejus ( OC )
Crocodile ( formely ): Noscula (OC), Mr 6 (OC), Miss Halloween (OC)
Enel ( formely ): Hunter J. (Pokemon), Zancrow (Fairy tail), Ladydevimon ( Digimon ), pokemon ( 54 )