The streets of Water 7, post-tsunami, were a chaotic mess. The once-sturdy ship hulls were now scattered debris across the island. Broken bridges, shattered walls, and scattered tools lay everywhere, painting a picture of utter disarray.
Renji and his group made their way through the streets, now unrecognizable after the tsunami's devastation.
Residents stood by the roadside, their eyes filled with a mix of relief and anxiety as they inspected their homes and assessed the damage.
Thanks to the frequent tsunamis, the buildings here were constructed to be incredibly sturdy. And because the tsunami had been halted midway, the locals found that their losses were minimal compared to previous years. In fact, the tsunami had brought with it more resources than usual.
Tsunamis didn't just bring destruction; they also carried resources that were otherwise hard to come by, such as the salt used by the people of Water 7.
Walking cheerfully across the damp ground, the footsteps of the people grew lighter, enjoying the calm after the storm.
The waves that had crashed against the shore slowly receded, but they couldn't wash away the mud and chaos left behind.
The wooden planks, once the sturdy hulls of ships, now lay broken and scattered on the beach, silently recounting the events that had unfolded.
It would take some time for the people to restore their lives to what they were before the tsunami.
"..."
Renji and his companions returned to the location of Tom's Workshop, only to find a scene of utter devastation.
The wreckage of ships lay tangled together, and the once-bustling production line was now in ruins, covered in mud.
When they had first arrived, the workers' laughter and shouts had filled the air. Though the place had been messy, it had been alive with energy.
Now, all that remained was the drying mud and the occasional sound of the sea breeze hitting the metal debris.
"Hahahaha, it's back to this state again," Tom said, scratching his head and laughing heartily. He was used to this scene.
The other workshop members also shrugged and laughed, clearly unfazed by the situation.
"We owe you a lot this time. Without your help, it would've taken us much longer to return home," Tom said, putting an arm around Renji's shoulders with a smile.
Renji pointed to himself and replied, "I'm a Marine. It's my duty to help when people are in danger."
"But you'll still need to find a way to overcome these challenges. Situations like this will likely continue in the future."
Renji didn't want his presence to slow down Tom's progress on the sea train.
Hearing Renji's words, not just Tom but everyone present laughed.
Tom patted his chest and declared, "I already have a plan to deal with the effects of the tsunami. Water 7 will definitely become a better place in the future."
He wasn't deterred by today's events. He would achieve his dreams on his own.
Just as their conversation began to wind down, Kuzan rushed over, holding a Den Den Mushi.
His arrival was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, disrupting the peace.
"News... from the Navy..." Kuzan panted, his words coming out in fragments.
Renji had asked Kuzan to contact his friends in the Navy to keep an eye on the waters around Water 7. Today, they had finally received a message, but...
Renji's brow furrowed. From Kuzan's fragmented words, he sensed something ominous. A dark premonition began to rise in his chest.
He stepped closer to Kuzan and asked in a low voice, "What's going on?"
Kuzan looked up, his eyes filled with sorrow. Though he knew such things were common in this world, he still couldn't accept it.
"A town... a town not far from here... was massacred by pirates!"
The sudden news hit everyone like a hammer.
The air seemed to freeze, followed by a heavy silence.
Renji's face turned pale, and a mix of emotions surged within him—anger, sorrow, and sympathy for the innocent victims.
He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. Though his body remained still, his heart churned like turbulent waves.
Tom also felt the tension in the air. Worry lines appeared on his face as he muttered, "Sigh... this world."
Renji suddenly looked up, his eyes shining with determination. "Pack up. We're heading out!"
"Understood!" Kuzan responded immediately and went to find Toki.
...
In the sky, Renji looked down at the sea, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Because of the tsunami, there are fewer ships around."
Only some floating debris could be seen on the sea, with no ships in sight.
Not far ahead was one of the three major institutions under the World Government—Enies Lobby.
A government ship cut through the waves, the World Government's emblem glinting in the morning light.
The ship was steady and imposing, much like the authority and order it represented—unquestionable and unchallengeable.
The interplay of light and shadow highlighted the disciplined soldiers on board.
At the bow of the ship stood a tall, imposing figure—Spandam, the leader of CP9.
His expression was cold, and he wore a well-fitted black suit. His slightly wavy hair fluttered in the wind, and his sharp, hawk-like eyes scanned the sea ahead.
Spandam's face was calm, almost emotionless, making it hard to discern his thoughts.
He stood still, but beneath the surface, his mind was like a whirlpool, filled with deep, unfathomable plans and intentions.
Renji and his group hovered above the clouds, silently observing Spandam's every move.
With their Observation Haki, they could easily monitor everything within a certain range. Given Spandam's level of strength, he had no chance of detecting their presence.
"Where are the pirates we're supposed to meet?" Spandam asked, his gaze fixed ahead.
A CP9 agent holding a Den Den Mushi replied, "According to the latest message, they're about three days away from Water 7."
"Those useless fools didn't keep their promise!" Spandam said irritably. "Pirates are nothing but untrustworthy scum."
"They said they're delayed because they haven't finished gathering the goods we requested," the CP9 agent relayed.
"Excuses. If I'm not mistaken, those bastards will try to extort us when they arrive," Spandam said coldly.
They needed a batch of high-quality slaves. If trained from a young age, these slaves would be completely obedient to him.
The CP organization was riddled with factions, and the people around him were leftovers from the previous administration.
He couldn't trust them with important matters...
In the sky.
"Do we really need to follow that disgusting man below?" Toki said, her voice filled with disdain. She had no sympathy for human traffickers and found such people revolting.
"Why don't we just kill him?" Toki suggested. "People like him are nothing but a blight on the world."
"Not yet," Renji said, his eyes narrowing as he watched the man below.
.....
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