A.n I own Nothing

The Bounty Competition is still open, I have had an overwhelming response to it. For those wishing to enter please see Chapter 72(the Previous Chapter) for details.

As always Please Review

As the crew sailed on, they all discussed who should be their new mystery friend. Sanji boldly said he would find a hot babe, while Luffy argued that he wanted a big strong muscle man and showed his artistic skills by drawing his vision of what the carpenter should look like.

It had been a while since Luffy had done any drawings and his art skills had not improved at all since the last time he had shown them off. None of the crew were impressed and Sanji claimed that if Luffy recruited someone who matched his vision he would leave the ship under principle.

It wasn't long before Water 7 came into view; the crew gaped in amazement as they drew closer. None of the Islands they had visited before looked as incredible as the one in front of them. The island looked as if it was floating on the water and in a design of a giant fountain.

As the Merry sailed closer the crew noticed numbered docks around the base, they were numbered from 1-7 but they were all blocked off, there was water pouring out from the top and out of 7 canals that ran through the Island which gave the Islands appearance of a giant fountain.

"Wow," Usopp said in awe at the sight "That looks amazing,"

"Hey who wants to race down those canals like water slides?" Luffy asked.

"Race?" Chopper asked.

"Yeah it'll be fun, we start at the top and the water carries us all the way down to the bottom at high speeds and we land with a big splash at the end," Luffy explained.

"But you two have both eaten Devil Fruits," Connor pointed out "if the water is deep you'd sink before you'd go anywhere,"

"Oh right," Luffy said sadly. He clearly wanted to race down the canals.

"Perhaps the inhabitants of the Island have a sled or some form of boat used to ride down those canals," Robin said "if they do then we can all race you down,"

"Huh…you think they have some way to ride those even with devil fruit powers?" Luffy asked perking up.

"I have never been here so I cannot be sure…but it can't hurt to ask," Robin answered with a smile.

"YAY…Lets do that, you're the best Robin," Luffy cheered.

"Let's get the Merry fixed before we go looking for fun," Nami said.

"Okay but…where do we dock?" Usopp asked.

Nami looked around for a good place to dock and she saw a sign.

"Hey there's a sign pointing to the Sea Train Station…let's start there," Nami pointed out.

They headed towards the train station and this time the crew were vigilant of incoming trains and where the train tracks were. But they could not find a place to dock; however a fisherman was nearby and spotted the crew.

"You there," the fisherman called out.

"Yah?" Luffy responded.

"Pirates can't dock here, go from the back," The fishermen instructed and pointed to the side of the Island.

"Oh Thanks," Luffy waved "what a nice guy,"

The ship sailed on following the directions and they found themselves in a back street. The Straw-hats marvelled at the breathtaking scenery of the city. City had a canal ruing right through it and with building on either side along with a small path for walking around.

"Wow Water Seven is so COOL!" Luffy exclaimed

"Everything is floating on water," Connor said, looking around "Even the buildings…how are they floating?"

"That is not quite right," Robin spoke up correcting him "This city is just built on a sunken island. Look closely at those pillars."

Connor looked at the base of the building and he saw the top designs of another building below it.

The crew continued to sail down and everyone who saw them greeted waved and said hello. However the men called Nami and Robin beautiful women and offered them compliments and blew them a few kisses. On man stuck his head out the window and asked if Nami would like to join him for dinner…only to be pulled back inside by the ear by his wife.

She gave them a wave and apologised for her husband's behaviour as well as informing the crew that men were overly flirtatious to women on this Island. They passed a cafe with the owner cleaning some tables and he looked at the ship.

"Hello there Pirates, nice day today isn't it…What are you in town for? Robbery?" the owner asked.

"No we need ship repairs," Zoro replied.

"That's the second time someone has asked us if we're here to rob them," Nami commented.

"Guess they're just not afraid of pirates here," Sanji reasoned.

"Oh okay. Head that way until you see a small peninsula," the man directed and pointed down an ally way "You can anchor there without any trouble,"

"Ok, Thank you," Luffy said heartedly.

They followed the new directions and the alleyway led back out to the ocean and when they came out the crew saw what the cafe owner had meant. The ship arrived at the peninsula and dropped anchor, as Zoro pulled the rope to get the main sail in, the mast snapped and he caught it.

"HEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Usopp yelled angrily.

"I only tugged on it a little" Zoro said, defending himself "I think the Merry maybe in worse shape than we thought,"

The crew looked at the ships figure head in concern and Zoro repositioned the mast so it was back in place and would not fall again.

"I wonder why people here aren't afraid of pirates" Nami said aloud

"Pirates must come here often to get repairs and nothing else," Sanji guessed "Robin-chawn didn't you say that Crocodile got a few of his ships from here,"

"I did, perhaps they have strong fighters to ward off any trouble making pirates," Robin agreed.

"No doubt," Chopper agreed "They must have strong guys everywhere in this city,"

"FOR REAL THEN ISN'T IT DANGEROUS HERE!" Usopp shouted in fear.

"Relax Usopp, we're customers. I'm pretty sure nothing will happen to us," Connor claimed calmly.

Usopp calmed down at this and stared at Connor, he wondered how he could be so calm in a new and unknown place. Connor however noticed Usopp's stares.

"What….did I say something wrong?" Connor asked.

"Ah….no I was just processing what you said…and your probably right. We are here to shop after all," Usopp claimed.

"And if that's the case…LETS GO EXPLORING!" Usopp cheered as he and Luffy jumped off the ship and took off running. However Nami stopped the two before they got too far away.

"Hold on you guys, you're going to follow me,"

"Huh why?" Luffy asked.

"First we'll follow KoKoro's letter and find the man named iceberg and get the repairs on the Merry started," Nami explained "Then we'll need to find a place to exchange our gold for money,"

"But I want to see the sights," Luffy whined.

"Kokoro said the Log takes a week to set, we don't know how long it will take to repair the Merry so we should get the repairs started as soon as possible that way we can do whatever we want afterwards," Nami said logically "and so you idiots don't blow all our money away before hand,"

"I guess that makes sense," Usopp agreed.

"Good now come back and help me carry the gold," Nami instructed.

Usopp and Luffy walked back to the ship and what Nami meant by help was making Luffy carry the big bag of gold as she did not want to carry it and Usopp did not have the strength. Nami also changed her outfit to a neat blue collared top with a white tie. She wanted to appear professional for the negotiates.

As they were about to leave the ship Connor approached them.

"Can I come along too," he asked "I really want to see this place,"

"I don't see the harm, just don't wander off or get lost okay," Nami said.

Connor nodded and joined the group.

"Nami, make sure you explain how exchanging, trading and exchange rates works," Robin called out.

"I will," Nami called back and gave the arcioligst a wave.

"Alright let's got exploring" Luffy stated, leading the small party away from the ship.

"First we'll head to the exchange," Nami said.

"Why? Can't we just head straight to the shipyard?" Luffy asked

"Idiot it would be too dangerous and too much of a hassle carrying the gold all over the city," Usopp scolded.

"What if someone sees the gold and we run into robbers," he shivered

"But…aren't we robbers ourselves?" Connor pointed out. Luffy laughed at that.

"I agree with Usopp, we'll exchange the gold and carry the money for you Luffy," Nami said

"What are you implying," Luffy sounding insulted "Are you saying I can't be trusted to carry money?"

"Yes," Both Usopp and Nami said at the same time.

"Why not?"

"Because you'll lose it or spend it all on meat and useless things," Nami said, knowing it to be true.

Connor could not help but let out a small laugh, he knew Luffy's habits and Nami and Usopps caution was well founded. Luffy pretended that he was hurt by the comments.

They walked along the Peninsula until they came to a building and seeing no other entrance to the city they looked up at it.

"Bull rental," Nami read the sign aloud "What's a Bull rental?"

"Do we rent actual Bulls or something?" Usopp asked, hoping to get an answer.

Luffy on the other hand walked right in.

"Excuse me I would like a Bull," Luffy called out.

"WAIT A SECOND!" Usopp and Nami flared and ran after him.

"Welcome, are you here for a Bull?" A kind looking man with a goatee and glasses welcomed

"Yep," Luffy responded.

"How many people?"

"Four,"

"What kind do you want?" The man asked, pulling out two boats "There are three types: Yagara, Rabuka and King,"

The man glanced at the four once they were all inside.

"Since you're a small group I suggest two of the Yagara," the man advised "there 2,000 beli each,"

"Ok just make sure they're extra crispy," Luffy said.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" Usopp shouted.

"Uh….what?" the man asked confused.

"I think he wants to eat them," Connor said.

"Eat...?" the old man was a bit taken aback by this.

"I'm sorry about him," Nami apologised "we just got in today and we're not sure how things work,"

"Oh that makes sense…but didn't they give you a pamphlet on how to get around Water 7 on the sea train?" the old man asked.

"We didn't come on the sea train. We came by our ship following the Log Pose," Usopp clarified.

"Ah so that means you don't know what Bulls are," the man said in understanding "Come over here,"

The man pointed out into the water roads, people riding on what looked like over grown sea horses except much more bulkier.

"Those are Bulls, we put a boat on their backs and you use them to get around the city. They're like horses but for water and there incredibly strong too," the man claimed "we attach these boats to them like saddles,"

"Wow…that looks like fun," Luffy claimed.

"They are…but you need to pick your own Yaggara before we can put the boat on them," the man said.

He led them to a pen were the Yaggara Bulls were swimming around happily one came up to Nami and liked her face much to her disgust. Meanwhile Luffy got into a staring contest with another; one also came up to Connor and let the boy pat it.

Once the group had received and paid for their Yaggara Bulls the man offered them a map of the city but Nami declined and produced the map that Kokoro had given her. However it proved to be on par with Luffy's drawing skills; it was completely useless and unreadable.

She threw it away in annoyance and took a real map from the kind old man. He also gave them directions to where they could exchange there gold for money and advised them to do it near the shipyard as that was had the more wealthier banks.

With the map and information provided by the old man the small group got in there Yaggars and headed out to explore Water 7.

Nami and Usopp shared a Yaggara while Luffy put the big bag of gold in the back of his and sat in the front, Connor was small enough to sit in the front with Luffy however he could not see over the Yaggars head so Luffy put him on top of the large bag of gold giving the boy a better view of the city.

"Oi Luffy, don't you think that's dangerous for him to sit up there," Usopp pointed out.

"It's fine, he can swim," Luffy said waving the snipers concerns away.

Usopp didn't press the matter and looked around the city. Nami was looking at the map she had been given trying to find the best route to the shipyard.

"Let's see….it looks like the quickest way to get to the shipyard is through an Aquatic Elevator," Nami said.

"What's that?" Connor asked.

"I don't know…but it's just past the back markets," Nami answered.

"So how do we get there?" Usopp asked.

"There should be a junction up ahead and we take a right. It's a bit of a detour but it'll take straight to the markets," Nami said.

They continued on their way while taking in the incredible scenery and sights that Water 7 had to offer. The junction came up they were surprised to see that there were two currents, one on the left and one on the right; however both currents were leading into the canal that the crew was already in.

"Wait…the currents against us…how are we supposed to..." Nami didn't get to finish as her Yaggara suddenly sped forward and took the left current and much to her surprise the Bulls had no issues swimming against the strong current.

"Wait no…we want to go right….RIGHT!" Nami screamed.

Luffys Bull followed Nami's and they swam straight up at a high speed. Connor held on tight to the bag of gold and even though they had gone the wrong way the Straw Hat's got a stunning view of the city.

They came to a slow stop at as the current they were on seemed to calm down on a straight path.

"IDIOT WE WANTED TO GO TO THE MARKET NOT UP HERE!" Nami shouted angrily and punched her Yaggara on the head leaving a large bump.

"Uhh….Nami….look ahead," Connor said a in a worried tone.

Nami looked past her Bulls head and her face paled when she saw that they were approaching a large drop in front of them.

"Oh no…no no no NOOOOOOO!" Nami said and she and Usopp screamed as the current took them straight down.

Luffy grabbed hold of Connors jacket and they too went over the edge. The Bulls went down the straight drop at an incredible speed that was way faster than the ride up. They zigzagged through the canals and around sharp bends.

If Luffy had not been holding onto him Connor would have fallen off long ago. Nami and Usopp screamed loudly begging the Bulls to slow down. Luffy laughed the whole way down with Connor trailing behind in them dangling air and holding on to Luffy's stretched out arm for dear life.

After a few minutes the canal they were whizzing down suddenly stopped as the water dropped into another area of the city and the Yaggara flew off into the air for a bit before falling.

"OH GODDD WE'RE GOING TO DIIEEEEEE!" Usopp screamed in fear.

They bounced of a few rooftops before rooftops and then landed with a large splash in the water of a new area of the city. The whole crew got wet and the Yaggaras just neighed happily.

"Again!" Luffy cheered "Let's do that again,"

"NO!" Nami and Usopp screamed.

Luffy's arm rescinded bring Connor back down to and Luffy caught him.

"Hey Connor have fun?" Luffy asked with a smile.

Connor however was too dizzy and disoriented to answer and merely moaned in response. His eyes were replaced with spirals going round and round.

"Great, your fine," Luffy said and put the boy back on the bag of gold. Though he had to lay him on his stomach as Connor was in no condition to keep his balance on his own.

"HE IS NOT!" Usopp yelled.

"Great now we're lost," Nami sighed and looked at her map.

She turned looked around looking for any kind of land mark or identifying building that was on her map to see where they were and she was very surprised to find that that they had landed just in front of the back street markets….exactly were they wanted to go.

"Wait…is this the markets?" Nami asked.

Her Yaggara nodded.

"Then…that was a short cut," Nami realised.

Her Yaggara smiled and nodded in confirmation.

"That was the scariest short cut I've ever seen," Usopp claimed.

The markets of Water 7 were a sight to see, the canals were far wider here and most if not all the venders Bulls or gondolier boats set as the stalls. There was even some street food vendors set up on the water that were cooking away.

On the side streets were mainly cafes and restaurants along with a few sweet shops and one or two other shops. As the crew made their way through the markets Luffy's Bull darted off to a nearby street food vendor.

"Welcome" A clerk welcomed "How can I help you"

"NI," The Yaggara Bull inhaled the delicious scent of the food in the stand

"What? Are you hungry?" Luffy asked when the Bull stopped in front of the stall.

"Hello young man, your Bull was must have been attracted by my Mizu Mizu meat. It's for people but the Bulls love them too," The clerk told him.

"They smell so good," Luffy said with his mouth watering.

"They are, would you like a simple?" the vendor offered.

Luffy eagerly took a small sample and his face instantly lit up from the taste.

"Give us ten," Luffy demdned. The vendor was happy to do so and once they were paid for Luffy gave his Bull one to eat while he took a bite of his.

"So soft," Luffy swooned over the amazingly delightful Mizu Mizu meat.

"Hey let me try some," Usopp said eagerly, eyeing the meat with hunger.

"No get your own," Luffy shot back.

As they continued through the market an Ice cream vendor called Luffy over and asked if Connor was alright, Luffy explained what happened and the vendor understood. He gave Luffy a Water 7 Ice cream special to give to Connor when he finally stopped being disoriented. It was three scoops of Ice cream in a takeaway bowl with some fruit and cream on top.

They continued on their way and a few minutes late a peculiar sight came before them. A large King Bull swam by them, its occupants wearing odd, creepy, fancy masks.

"That must be a King Bull," Usopp claimed.

Unfortunately Connor chose that moment to come out of his distortedness and the first thing he saw was the king Bull.

"GHAAAA!" he panicked and he fell off the bag of gold into the water.

Connors head popped up a second later and he looked around worriedly. Luffy looked down at him.

"Hey Connor, did you have a fun ride?" Luffy asked.

"Ride….that was terrifying! You try being dragged behind everyone else at high speeds and being waved around in the wind like a flag," Connor claimed.

"That sounds awesome," Luffy said happily.

"And what is that?" Connor asked and pointed at the large Bull.

"That's the king Bull," Luffy answered and he pulled the boy out of the water and back on the bag of gold.

Connor sat up and watched the enormous Bull swim past in awe.

"Why are those people wearing masks?" Connor asked.

"Maybe they're high class" Usopp shrugged.

"Here you need to try this meat and a nice man told me to give you this," Luffy said and handed Connor his ice cream and a piece of Mizu Mizu meat.

Connor took both food products and like Luffy he loved the meat and the Ice Cream and fruit was delicious too…although luffy did take a few mouthfuls for himself.

'Why are there so many of them?' Connor wondered, noticing lots of people wearing masks as they continued on.

He saw one child wearing an odd heart shaped purple mask with creepy orange eyes and spicks coming out the side; Connor shuddered upon seeing it as it gave him a very bad vibe.

"Ok we should be coming up on the to the ship yards," Nami announced reading the map a little more "But first we have to go through the Aquatic Elevator,"

"Aquatic elevator…where?" Connor asked, he was keen to know what that was.

"It's probably that long tower structure," Usopp answered looking at a large wall that a few Bulls were heading towards.

Standing on one of the sidewalks, a lady was directing people into the elevator, announcing that it will lead to the exchange bank and the docks where shipyards are. The group entered and found themselves in a silo, the entrance closed and the silo began to fill with water.

"What's going on….this place is filling up with water?" Usopp panicked.

"Oh I get it, they close they close the silo so it fills with water and open it at the top. Once everyone's out they close the top and open the bottom letting the water drain out," Nami surmised.

"So with the Yaggara floating on the water they go up and down with it. Allowing us to go to different levels of the city," Luffy finished.

"Exactly. Everything they do here they do with water," Nami agreed.

"How did you understand what was happing?" Usopp muttered.

They came out of the Aquatic elevator and about ten minutes later the canal opened up to a large area. Unlike the rest of the city this area was mostly dry land and the canal stooped in a large pool where people could leave there Bulls.

There was an enormous area blocked off by a thin safety line and a large door. A sign was above the door and it read Galey- La Compony. A large crowd was gathered in front of the safety rail.

"Oi Nami is this it…is this the best ship yard in the world?" Luffy asked excitedly.

"Yes, according to the map we're here," Nami confirmed with a smile.

As they swam in, they noticed. Getting off, Luffy walked over to nearby citizen and asked what the big deal was

"Oh some hooligan pirates being taken care of by the carpenters again" The man chuckled fondly "They never learn, do they?"

"Do pirates cause trouble often?" Nami asked.

"Yeah, it's always fun to watch the Galley-La shipwrights teach them there place," the man answered.

"Excuse me sir, but is there a money exchange place around here?" Nami asked.

"Sure there is one the next block over, go down the street and turn left then right onto the next street and it's a the big building," the man answered.

"Thanks," Nami said gratefully.