Chapter 32: Shipbuilding Anywhere
Chapter 32: Shipbuilding Anywhere
Reneetia, a ten-year-old girl, had been taken in by her master at a young age and taught the art of shipbuilding.
Like her master, she shared the dream of ensuring safe voyages for people across the globe, and to that end, she strived to build ships that could navigate the vast oceans with ease.
Following the king's death, it was only natural that she wouldn't remain in the Kingdom of Natiya any longer, and she voluntarily set sail.
Under the cover of night, on the deck of a ship, Reneetia turned to Sage and said, "I helped you escape, repaying the debt I owed for your assistance in defeating Murdoch. Consider this ship a gift as well. Let me off at the next town."
"Once you're on a pirate ship, there's no getting off!"
Sage chuckled and replied, "Don't even think about it. The Navy is after us, and their surveillance techniques are top-notch. They will find you eventually. Why not join my pirate crew instead?"
"No way!"
Reneetia shook her head. "Being a pirate won't help me build ships. I need to continue my craft."
"Without the right materials, you can't build anything," Sage argued. "How long will it take you to find the necessary resources in the East Blue? And even if you do find them, how many years will you have to wait?"
"Instead of waiting for years, or even decades, to gather materials and find someone to support your shipbuilding endeavors, why not join me?" Sage continued. "By the time you've waited, I'll already be in the New World."
"Since you steal materials for your ships anyway, being a pirate shouldn't be an issue for you," he added. "Once we gain fame and have all the materials we need, there's no reason to fear that your ships won't make a name for themselves."
"Hmm, that does make some sense," Reneetia conceded, stroking her chin in contemplation like a wise adult.
"Have you ever been to the Grand Line?" Sage asked further.
"No, I haven't," she admitted.
"Neither have I," Sage said. "But you must have heard about it. The Grand Line is notorious for its unpredictable climate and sea conditions, far beyond what you'd find in ordinary seas. Your ship might sail smoothly in the East Blue, but could it handle the Grand Line? What if it gets destroyed? You wouldn't even be able to repair it. As a shipbuilder, you should consider after-sales service. Or do you lack confidence in your skills?"
"Nonsense! My shipbuilding skills are second to none!" Reneetia retorted, rolling her eyes. "I don't need your twisted logic. I intended to establish a reputation first and then venture into the Grand Line to compete with shipwrights worldwide. Fine! Let's do this! From now on, I'm your employee, Boss!"
She might have been a little girl, but her vision and intelligence were far from ordinary, and she wasn't about to limit herself to the East Blue.
"Hahahaha! Call me Captain!"
Sage called out to the others, "You lot, bring out the good rum! We're celebrating the addition of our new shipwright!"
"Aye!!!" The pirates cheered.
Why wouldn't they want a shipwright, especially one with advanced technological knowledge? Ships required maintenance and repairs, and no vessel was everlasting.
If Reneetia could build such a massive ship, Sage knew he had to have her on his crew. He wasn't about to settle for mediocre talents.
Her young age was not an issue; she could be groomed over time.
Even if Reneetia lacked any combat abilities, her shipbuilding skills alone were enough for Sage to consider her an officer. Moreover, she was a capable individual with substantial power.
"Um..."
In the midst of the celebration, Palu raised his hand, his eyes gleaming with desire. "So, can you make another Iron Man? I really want one!"
"Get lost, Turtle Shell!" Reneetia snapped, her eyebrows furrowed. "Can't you tell just by looking? Iron Man is controlled by my Devil Fruit ability.
"Without any abilities, it's just a pile of scrap metal barely capable of movement. Have you been a turtle for so long that you now want to be a snail and live in its shell? If that's the case, you might as well go into the sea and be devoured by a sea beast. At least then you can take shelter within its massive body!"
"I have a question!"
Ajin stepped forward, his gaze resolute. "I am Ajin, not a monkey!"
"A monkey can also be named Ajin. If you're not happy, then kill all the monkeys, but if you do that, you'll be the only monkey left in the world, and you won't even be able to find your own kind. You black-skinned monkey!" Reneetia shouted.
Alright.
She's still quite irritable.
"Sage, we need to recruit more people," Lily said, looking at the spacious deck. "This handful of people is not enough."
She realized that the smooth sailing of this ship currently relied on Reneetia's abilities, as thirty-odd people were not enough to operate such a large vessel.
"Indeed, it's not enough," Reneetia agreed. "This ship is even larger than the Navy's grand warships in the Grand Line. The standard capacity is one thousand people, with a maximum capacity of one thousand five hundred. It has three hundred and eighty cannons, with three hundred on the sides, eighty at the bow and stern, and a main cannon at the bow. It requires over a hundred people to manage the masts alone. With just thirty-odd people, we wouldn't even have time to adjust the sails in the face of a storm."
"No rush. I don't plan on entering the Grand Line just yet," Sage waved his hand. "We'll keep an eye out for suitable pirates along the way and invite them to join us. But for now..."
He glanced at the pirates who were already drinking, narrowed his eyes, and said, "Tomorrow, we begin training."
Recruiting pirates was one thing, but it was also important to improve the abilities of his current crew.
With this small crew, venturing into the Grand Line would be impossible.
Being a lord meant exploiting his subordinates, not being exploited by them. If his subordinates could handle it, why should he get involved?
For now, he would train a few of the more qualified ones...
...
The next day.
"Captain, do we really have to do this? I can't stand pain, I'll go crazy, I really will!"
At that moment, Palu was being held by several pirates, and the remaining few were holding iron rods, waiting for Sage's order.
The dazzling throne had been carried onto the deck, and Sage sat on it expressionlessly. "Beat him."
Bang, bang, bang!
The iron rods mercilessly struck Palu's body.
The intense pain caused Palu's eyes to roll back, and he screamed miserably.
This 'Iron Wall' Palu was not weak. With just an iron shield, he could block the bombardment of cannons. His physique and strength were considerable, but he had one weakness—he couldn't stand pain.
"How can you train your 'Iron Block' if you're afraid of pain? First, get rid of this fear of pain. Instead of relying on external objects like a shield, why not harden your own body and use it as a shield? It will hurt now, but it won't hurt later."
Sage was currently teaching Palu one of the Six Styles, 'Iron Block.'
By manipulating the acceleration of blood flow, one could harden their body. It was a principle that all men understood.
"But Lily does it so easily!" Palu cried out in panic.
On the other side of the deck, Lily was pacing back and forth. Each time she took a step, her feet seemed to stamp on the deck several times.
"She's not practicing 'Iron Block.' She's practicing 'Shave.' Once you've mastered 'Iron Block,' then you can look into other techniques." Sage waved his hand and said, "Hit him faster. This is too slow."
Bang, bang, bang!
On the deck, only the sound of the iron rods striking and Palu's pitiful screams could be heard.
(End of Chapter)
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