The path leading to the edge of Foosha Village was overgrown and rarely traveled. It was a part of the village that few visited, where an old man lived in seclusion, surrounded by remnants of a time when he was known for his inventions and tinkering. Alex Mercer, now inhabiting Luffy's body, had heard about him before, in passing, but in the original timeline, Luffy had never had any reason to seek him out. Now, with Alex's new mindset and plans, he knew that this man could be the key to creating something extraordinary.
Alex approached the old cottage, a small, weathered building tucked away in the trees. The sound of the ocean was faint in the background, mingling with the rustle of leaves. As he reached the door, Alex hesitated for a moment, considering how to approach this conversation. He needed the old man's help, but he also knew that he couldn't just walk in and demand it. This would require tact—something the original Luffy had in short supply.
He knocked on the door, and after a moment, it creaked open to reveal a wiry old man with sharp, intelligent eyes. The old man looked Alex up and down, clearly surprised to see him. "Monkey D. Luffy, right? What brings you to this old man's doorstep?"
Alex smiled, trying to convey the earnestness of his intentions. "I've heard you used to be an inventor. I'm looking to build something, something that could change the world. And I think you might be the only person who can help me."
The old man's eyes narrowed slightly, as if trying to gauge whether Alex was serious or just a kid with a wild idea. "What exactly are you looking to build, boy?"
Alex took a deep breath, stepping inside the cottage as the old man moved aside to let him in. The interior was cluttered with old tools, half-finished projects, and blueprints scattered across every available surface. It was the workshop of a mind that had once been sharp, inventive, and curious. Alex knew this was the right place.
"I want to build a ship," Alex said, his voice steady. "But not just any ship. I want it to be made of a special alloy—something light, durable, and capable of withstanding the Grand Line's harshest conditions. I want it to be a ship that can take me and my crew all the way to Raftel."
The old man raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but also skeptical. "And why do you think a ship made of metal would be any better than the ones made of wood? Wood has always been the material of choice for a reason, you know."
Alex nodded, expecting the question. "Wood is strong, but it's vulnerable to fire, rot, and the powerful creatures of the sea. A ship made from a specially designed alloy would be more resistant to these dangers. It could also be faster, more agile, and better equipped to handle the unpredictable nature of the Grand Line. And with my knowledge, we could incorporate advanced technology—things this world has never seen."
The old man, who Alex learned was named Kob, leaned back, his eyes glinting with curiosity. "You've thought this through, haven't you? But creating an alloy like that isn't simple. It would take time, resources, and a lot of trial and error."
"I'm willing to put in the time," Alex replied firmly. "And I know it won't be easy. But with your help, I think we can do it."
Kob studied Alex for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Alright, boy. I'm not sure how you came to know about these things, but I'm willing to help you. It's been a long time since I worked on something worthwhile, and this sounds like a challenge I can't pass up."
He gestured for Alex to follow him deeper into the workshop, where he began pulling out old blueprints and materials. "If we're going to do this, we'll need to start by experimenting with different metals and alloys. There's an old mine not too far from here where we might be able to find some of the rarer materials we'll need. We'll also need to come up with a design—a blueprint for this ship of yours."
The secluded path leading to Kob's workshop was lined with thick trees, their branches creating a natural canopy that kept prying eyes away. This was exactly what Alex needed—a place away from the village where he could work in secret, a place where he could bring his vision to life without interference or unwanted questions. With Kob as his mentor, Alex was ready to begin the most ambitious project of his life.
As he stood in the cluttered workshop, Kob studied him intently. "You're serious about this ship," Kob said, his voice low but firm. "But you know, building something like this in secret won't be easy. The villagers aren't likely to just look the other way if they see you dragging materials up here."
Alex nodded, understanding the implications. "That's why I need to do this on my own. I don't want anyone to know what I'm working on, not until it's ready. I'll find the materials, build the dry dock, and start the ship without drawing attention. I just need your guidance on the technical aspects—how to forge the alloy, how to design the hull, things like that."
Kob leaned back, considering Alex's words. "You've got guts, kid. Most people wouldn't even know where to start with something like this. But if you're set on doing it in secret, you'll need to be smart about how you gather your materials. And you'll need to be careful. This isn't just about building a ship; it's about building your strength and endurance too."
Alex smiled, the challenge fueling his determination. "That's exactly what I plan to do. Every piece of metal I lift, every plank of wood I carry—it'll be part of my training. Building the dry dock and the ship will be as much about building my body as it is about creating the ship itself."
Kob nodded, his respect for Alex growing. "Alright then. I'll help you with the designs and ideas, but the rest is up to you. You're going to need to learn a lot, and fast. Metallurgy, shipbuilding, engineering—these aren't skills you can just pick up overnight. But with your drive, I think you might just pull it off."
The first step was gathering materials. Alex knew he couldn't just buy everything he needed—too many questions, too much attention. Instead, he began salvaging what he could from the forest and the nearby coast. Driftwood, discarded metal, anything that could be repurposed. He even scoured the old ruins near the village, where he found rusted tools and scraps of metal that could be reforged.
Every night, Alex worked in secret, hauling his findings back to the secluded spot near Kob's workshop. It was grueling work, especially for someone used to Luffy's carefree lifestyle, but Alex embraced the challenge. Each log he dragged, each piece of metal he lifted, was another step toward strengthening Luffy's body. The strain on his muscles, the sweat on his brow—it all contributed to building the endurance he knew he would need for the adventures ahead.
Kob was true to his word, guiding Alex through the process of designing the dry dock and the ship itself. He taught Alex how to smelt the salvaged metal, how to create a forge using simple tools and materials, and how to start experimenting with different alloys. They spent hours discussing the properties of various metals, brainstorming ways to combine them into something light yet strong, resistant to the elements, and capable of withstanding the rigors of the Grand Line.
The dry dock took shape slowly, hidden from view by the thick trees and overgrown brush. Alex built it piece by piece, hammering nails, fitting planks, and reinforcing the structure to ensure it could support the weight of the ship he was planning. It was painstaking work, but each step brought him closer to his goal.
As the days turned into weeks, and then into months, Alex began to notice the changes in himself. Luffy's body was growing stronger, more resilient. The constant physical labor, combined with his training in Haki, was transforming him into a formidable fighter. He practiced his techniques in the quiet hours of the night, testing the limits of his abilities, honing his reflexes, and pushing himself to new heights.
Meanwhile, the ship's design continued to evolve. Alex and Kob spent countless hours sketching out ideas, debating the best materials, and refining the blueprint. They decided to incorporate a unique propulsion system—something that would give Alex an edge in speed and maneuverability. They also designed compartments for storing supplies and weapons, as well as living quarters that could house a crew comfortably for extended voyages.
Kob's role was that of a mentor, offering advice and guidance but leaving the actual work to Alex. He respected Alex's determination to do this on his own, and he knew that the process of building the ship was as important to Alex's growth as the ship itself. Alex learned quickly, mastering the basics of metallurgy, engineering, and shipbuilding, and then pushing beyond them to innovate and create something truly unique.
The dry dock was completed after several months of hard work. It was a modest structure, but sturdy and functional—perfect for the secret construction of Alex's ship. As he stood before it, admiring the result of his labor, Alex felt a deep sense of accomplishment. This was the foundation of his dream, the first tangible step toward becoming the Pirate King.
But the real challenge lay ahead. Building the ship would take even more time, more effort, and more skill. But Alex was ready. With Kob's mentorship and his own determination, Alex was confident that he could create something extraordinary—a ship that would carry him and his crew to the ends of the world, to Raftel and beyond.