"You're from Navy Headquarters, huh..."
Tom sighed. He had a good impression of the Navy, but his current status was somewhat sensitive. After building the ship for Roger, he had been ostracized by both the Navy and the people of Water 7.
But he was just an ordinary shipwright with no grand ambitions. All he wanted was to build ships that would give their passengers peace of mind.
"We strictly protect our clients' information. You might be disappointed if you came here looking for answers," Tom said honestly.
"But they're ruthless pirates who commit all kinds of atrocities..." Toki said earnestly.
"No need to say more. We shipwrights have our own code to follow. However, I can tell you that the person you're looking for did commission a ship from me," Tom said after some thought, offering a small clue.
Renji's eyes lit up. Any lead was a good lead. "Thank you for telling us this."
Tom shook his head, not accepting Renji's gratitude. "That pirate crew has come to Water 7 many times. You could ask almost anyone here, and they'd give you the same answer."
"If you're not in a hurry, I suggest you leave the island as soon as possible," Tom advised, noticing that the three of them seemed to be visiting Water 7 for the first time.
"We want to stay and look for more clues about that person," Toki said, puzzled. They had just arrived on the island today, so leaving so soon didn't seem realistic.
Kuzan also found it strange and asked, "Do you have any concerns?"
Instead of answering directly, Tom asked an unexpected question: "Did you see many ships leaving when you arrived?"
Renji thought back to their arrival and nodded. "Yes, there were quite a few ships leaving when we got here."
"Is there some kind of unrest on the island?" Toki's eyes narrowed dangerously.
If that were the case, they couldn't leave—at least not until they had resolved the chaos.
Tom chuckled, realizing they had misunderstood. "Have you heard of the Aqua Laguna?"
"The Aqua Laguna?" Renji felt like he had heard the term before but couldn't quite recall.
"Judging by your expressions, you really haven't heard of it..." Tom said, understanding dawning on him. "The Aqua Laguna is an annual giant tsunami."
"During this time, outsiders usually leave Water 7, while the locals take shelter in higher ground."
"You've arrived just as the Aqua Laguna is about to hit..."
Tom patiently explained, not wanting these newcomers to be swept away by the tsunami.
"..."
Tom led the three of them outside.
He stood in front of Renji, Toki, and Kuzan, his toes digging into the fine sand. The sea breeze tousled his hair, and his brows furrowed as his eyes filled with a strange heaviness.
He turned and pointed toward the horizon, where the waves seemed to hint at nature's impending fury.
"Look at those waves," Tom said slowly and clearly. "Those aren't ordinary waves. They're... the prelude to a tsunami."
The three of them fell silent, the air seeming to freeze. Their expressions shifted slightly at the mention of a tsunami, but no one spoke. Their heartbeats grew tense, as if synchronizing with the approaching disaster.
Their eyes followed his gesture toward the coastline, where the water level had receded slightly, revealing the marks left by years of seawater erosion.
"When you see the sea retreat rapidly, it's as if the ocean is taking a deep breath. The next moment, it will return with unimaginable force and speed," Tom said, his hands trembling not from fear but from the urgency of his message.
Toki swallowed hard, her throat dry. Could such a natural disaster really exist? And yet, why did the people here seem so accustomed to it?
They exchanged silent glances, knowing that everything Tom said was true.
Tom continued to explain, every detail like a map guiding them to safety. He wanted them to understand that every second of hesitation reduced their chances of escaping. The effects of the tsunami wouldn't subside quickly.
"The sea's fury can destroy everything, but Water 7 has always stood strong," Renji said calmly. He was actually quite interested in witnessing the massive tsunami firsthand.
Tom's tension didn't affect them. On the contrary, their excitement seemed to grow at the thought of facing such a force of nature.
They looked toward the distant horizon, where the waves still lapped gently against the shore, as if the world had paused for a moment.
"Hahaha, I'm also very interested in this 'Aqua Laguna,'" Kuzan said, taking a step forward, his voice filled with excitement.
He clenched his fist, imagining a day when even the mightiest waves wouldn't be able to stop him. He could freeze even a towering tsunami with ease.
Though their thoughts might differ, they were in complete agreement about one thing: they weren't leaving Water 7.
"In a day or two, the Aqua Laguna will come roaring in from the distance," Tom's steady voice carried through the quiet air.
He was used to the tsunami. It happened every year, and he had long since grown accustomed to it.
However, he couldn't help but feel intrigued by these three Navy officers from Headquarters. It had been a long time since he'd seen such spirited individuals.
"The tsunami is coming, but it seems you have no intention of leaving," Renji said, observing the bustling shipyard.
The workers were still focused on their tasks, showing no signs of panic despite the impending disaster.
If these ordinary people weren't afraid, then neither were they.
"Uncle Tom, we'll stick with you for now."
Tom looked at them, first puzzled, then impressed.
"I'm an outcast in Water 7. The tsunami will take some time to arrive, so we'll head to higher ground last," Tom said, sighing as he looked toward the main city.
On the rocky shore, the three of them stood side by side, facing the turbulent sea. They all believed that even the most violent waves would eventually calm.
"..."
The sea breeze at dusk seemed more urgent than usual, carrying a sense of urgency and moisture, as if the ocean itself were breathing heavily.
The clouds on the horizon gathered, turning a deep gray that blended with the sea, making it hard to tell where the sky ended and the sea began.
Renji gazed at the gathering clouds, his heart gripped by an invisible hand. In the face of nature, no matter how strong one was, they couldn't help but feel small.
In silence, they knew that this calm was merely the prelude to the storm—a sign of the natural forces gathering strength.
....
.....
(TL/N): If you are intressted you can read up to 30 chapter on patreon.com/Yanet96 search with this link.