Luka rose above the front deck of his ship, the sea wind brushing through his hair as the waves reflected the sunlight across the vast surface of the water. The island of Selvára had now become a tiny dot behind him—just another memory added to the chain of strange stops he'd made in the Grand Line. And even though he had left it only hours ago, he felt a lightness in his chest.
He turned his eyes toward the horizon, where an endless blue line stretched, and somewhere beyond it Water Seven awaited him… the city of ships, water channels…
He pushed the ship to cut through the clouds steadily, accelerating forward.
Luka smiled faintly, murmuring: "Alright… to Water Seven."
The clouds parted before the ship's bow as it climbed higher, and the sky beneath him became the new sea Luka sailed through. He heard nothing but the whistling wind striking the Sky-Piece wood of the ship, while streams of air curled around the sides like transparent waves.
As he continued forward, the outline of Water Seven began to appear from afar… but from an angle no ordinary sailor would ever see. From above, the city looked like a massive circle divided into levels, its water canals shimmering like blue veins surrounding the core of the city.
He came closer, seeing the white steam rising from the tracks of the Sea Train, and the artificial waterfalls crashing from the upper edges, creating a mist that rose up to reach him. The whole city was moving… water flowing, ships shifting, carpenters working, and the sound of hammers echoing like a steady rhythm.
Luka lowered the altitude of the ship gradually, and the large shadows of Galley-La's buildings came into view. The massive blue-roofed headquarters looked like a shining dome, with metallic cranes rising and falling without pause.
He left the ship floating in the air as usual and headed toward the island.
Luka landed near one of the wide docks in the seventh level, the mist rising around him as if the city was welcoming him in its own way.
His feet finally touched the ground of Water Seven, and instantly he felt the difference. The air here was humid, filled with the scent of wet wood and marine oils, and the sound of water flowed from every direction as if it were part of the city's breath.
He looked around the wide dock. Workers dragged massive wooden beams on metal carts, others pushed small ships toward workshops, and a group of carpenters straightened planks under the bright sun. Constant motion… as if the city fed on work.
Luka lifted his gaze slightly toward a large building at the center of the port bearing the Galley-La logo. The cranes moved rhythmically, saws screamed in steady patterns, and the workers operated with precision that made the entire place feel like a crafted masterpiece.
He murmured while studying the scene with sharp eyes: "The city of ships, huh…"
As he walked along the stone pathway, a young woman passed by him wearing worker's clothing—an azure shirt tied at the waist and short pants stained with wood oil. She carried a heavy toolbox, yet she didn't hide the curious admiration in her eyes.
She paused for a second and said in a friendly tone with a hint of confidence: "You look new here… need help finding something?"
Luka returned a small smile: "Maybe… but first, I'd like to explore the city."
She tilted her head toward a water staircase leading to the lower levels: "Going down here will take you to the commercial heart… cafes, workshops, narrow alleys… everything that makes Water Seven unique."
He looked at the path she pointed at. "Perfect. Thanks."
He continued walking as the city's sounds blended around him.
…Luka descended through the water-stair to the lower levels, where Water Seven looked completely different. Here, the noise of workshops mixed with food aromas, as if the city crafted a balance between work and pleasure.
He hadn't walked far when the enticing smells from the alleys caught his attention. He stopped at a vendor frying spiced fish balls over a high blue flame. The man handed him a small skewer, saying: "The most famous quick snack here! Hot… but delicious."
Luka tasted it, feeling the heat of the spices sting his tongue before the flavor of the tender fish burst through.
"Excellent…" he murmured with a smile.
He continued forward and found a woman selling bread stuffed with a blend of sea herbs and tiny shrimp. He bought another snack, then took a cup of cold lemonade from a child working on a small boat anchored beside the stone wall.
Luka sat on a wooden bench facing one of the canals, watching the small boats glide through the waterways as he enjoyed his last bite. The atmosphere was different here… peaceful yet full of life. A city that never stopped working, yet still offered simple moments of pleasure to its visitors.
As he finished his drink, his focus slowly returned to his true purpose.
Water Seven wasn't just another stop. It was the best place in the world to build a ship… the ship that would stay with him for life, the ship he built in Skypiea was strong but far too large and gloomy with no entertainment facilities.
He stood slowly, brushed the crumbs from his hands, and gazed toward the towering Galley-La buildings.
"Alright…" he said quietly but decisively. "It's time to get to work."
With a steady step, Luka began making his way toward the heart of the greatest shipbuilding company in the world… ready to start the next phase of his journey.
Luka entered the massive Galley-La building, its tall columns rising toward the ceiling and its polished floors gleaming under the sunlight streaming through the large windows. He approached the reception desk, where an elegant secretary with short black hair and thin glasses sat. She smiled professionally and asked, "Hello, how may I help you?"
Seeing this secretary, he realized that the CP9 mission had not begun yet and they had not arrived on this island.
What a shame—Luka had hoped to see the beautiful Kalifa.
"Hello, I'm Luka. I want to meet Mr. Iceburg," Luka said confidently.
The secretary lifted her eyes from a book, studying him with interest. "Do you have an appointment?"
"No, but I believe he would be interested in meeting me," Luka answered with a confident smile.
She hesitated for a moment before going to inform him. "I'll let him know you're here…"
After a moment, she returned with a faint smile on her face. "Mr. Iceburg will see you now. Please, go ahead."
She pointed to a door.
Luka entered Iceburg's office, where shelves filled with books and documents climbed to the ceiling, and blueprints of various ships covered the walls. Iceburg sat behind his desk, wearing reading glasses as he examined a set of plans. He looked up when Luka entered and smiled warmly.
"Welcome, I'm Iceburg. I heard you wanted to meet me?" Iceburg said in a friendly tone. He was the mayor of Water Seven and head of the Galley-La Company, one of the world's top shipbuilding companies, and one of Tom's former apprentices—the legendary shipwright who built Pirate King Roger's ship, the Oro Jackson.
Luka stepped forward, smiling. "Yes, I'm Luka. Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Iceburg."
Iceburg gestured to a chair opposite his desk. "Please, sit. What can I do for you?"
Luka sat straight-backed, clearly confident, while Iceburg set the blueprints aside, waiting to hear what this unexpected visitor had to say.
Luka took a deep breath, then spoke in a calm voice filled with firm resolve:
"Mr. Iceburg… I want a ship."
Iceburg smiled lightly, as if such a request was routine here. "Everyone wants a ship in Water Seven. The question is: what kind of ship?"
Luka tilted his head slightly forward, eyes serious: "The best that can be built here. Money is not a problem."
Iceburg raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Money isn't a problem? Big words. Most people collapse when they hear half the cost of a ship made here."
"Don't worry—even if the price exceeds a billion, I can pay," Luka said, drawing confidence from the tons of gold he owned.
Luka continued: "And I'm not here for an ordinary ship. The great tree Adam?"
He paused for a moment, then added: "I want a ship made from it."
Iceburg stopped. That wasn't something he heard often.
"Adam wood… very few can obtain it. Rare. Expensive."
He leaned back, studying Luka with expert eyes: "You know what you're asking for? Adam ships aren't built by companies—they're constructed as royal masterpieces. Only a handful make them for actual travel."
Luka smiled lightly: "Still… I want one. And I have enough gold to start immediately. I can bring the rest later if needed."
A sharp glimmer appeared in Iceburg's eyes—interest mixed with curiosity.
"And why do you want a ship of that strength?"
Luka couldn't say the truth: "I'll be traveling in it my whole life, so it's a one-time investment."
In reality, he had so much gold he had no idea what to do with it, so he thought of building a luxurious ship to enjoy during travel.
Iceburg gave a small smile. "Alright, Luka… I'll tell you what I tell anyone asking for this kind of ship: If your intention is genuine… and if your gold is real… then perhaps we can work together."
He leaned forward over the desk. "But before I officially agree… I need to know your design. The type of ship, its size, decks, any special features… If you want something like this, I need to know exactly what you envision."
Luka smiled and sat straighter, ready to describe his goal.
Luka nodded slowly, then said, resting his arm on the chair's armrest:
"I don't want a massive ship… but a medium one. No more than fifty meters long, and no more than fifteen meters in height or width… a comfortable, lightweight ship that moves easily."
Iceburg raised an eyebrow, even more intrigued now. "That's different from what I imagined from someone carrying gold. I thought you wanted a giant battleship."
Luka smiled faintly: "I'm not looking for a floating weapon… nor a sea fortress. I want a home. A ship I can live in, enjoy, move around with ease… without bothering with cannons or a crew."
Iceburg straightened, picking up a pen. "Then… what exactly do you want?"
Luka took a deep breath, as if describing something he had pictured many times:
"First thing… I want no cannons or weapons at all. I don't need them."
Iceburg looked at him with curiosity: "A ship without cannons? Rare… but doable."
Luka continued firmly: "Second, I want many luxuries. A spacious bedroom. A bathroom with hot water even in open sea. A good lounge area. Fish tanks… a small library. And even a decent dining room."
Iceburg lifted his gaze from the paper. "You're looking for comfort, not war."
"Exactly," Luka said. "I want a place where I can rest during my travels. A place suitable for living… not fighting."
Iceburg began writing notes:
Below-average size
Streamlined design
No cannons
Wide interior rooms
Multiple luxuries
Then he asked: "What about materials?"
Luka replied confidently: "I need wood from the Adam tree. I want the ship to be strong, light, and durable enough for long journeys."
Iceburg folded his arms: "That certainly makes things easier. If you only want a ship for comfort and mobility… we can build something beautiful and excellent."
Luka smiled: "I want it to be unique… different from any ship in the docks."
Iceburg gave him a final evaluating look, then said:
"Alright, Luka… we can do that. A medium ship, elegant, filled with luxuries, without weapons. Something that reflects your style."
He added with a slight smile: "It may not be the strongest ship in the sea… but it will definitely be one of the most comfortable."
Luka extended his hand across the desk. "That's all I want."
Iceburg shook it firmly. "Deal. I'll start the design immediately… you'll see the result soon."
And with that… the first step in building Luka's new ship—the ship that would become his traveling home—had begun.
---
Luka returned the next day to the Galley-La building, the city still vibrating with the noise of saws and cranes.
As soon as he entered the main hall, the secretary led him directly to Iceburg's office.
Luka opened the door to find Iceburg standing before a massive blue blueprint covering half the table.
Iceburg said with a calm smile: "Good thing you came early. I finished the initial design of your ship."
Luka approached and looked… and he was visibly pleased.
A medium-sized ship—about the size of Luffy's— but with a design Water Seven had never crafted:
A large master cabin with panoramic windows.
Spacious internal corridors unusual for a ship of this size.
A big dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, a luxurious bathroom.
A small library, and several rooms that could be adjusted.
A space that could become a music room or a comfortable lounge.
As for the interior… Iceburg explained it was designed to be decorated with high precision.
And no cannons or combat stations anywhere. The ship was built for comfort, for living, and for refined taste… not for war.
Luka asked: "How long will it take?"
Iceburg answered steadily: "The current blueprint requires three full months."
Luka fell silent for a moment… then raised his eyes and said clearly: "Is it possible to finish it within two months?"
Iceburg looked at him, as if measuring how serious he was. "Only two months? That means doubling shifts, running all four teams nonstop."
Luka answered confidently: "Do whatever it takes."
Iceburg sighed, then said: "It's possible… but the cost will rise. We're talking at least 850 million beri."
Luka smiled as if hearing a perfectly reasonable number. Even if Iceburg had doubled it, he wouldn't have cared.
Luka said: "I'll pay the entire amount today."
Iceburg paused for a second, then nodded with serious approval: "Alright… we'll begin construction this morning."
Before Luka turned to leave, he added: "And I want something else… I want the interior decorated with your best work. Fine wood, simple but elegant carvings, comfortable lighting—prepare it with clothes, cutlery, everything needed. I want a place that feels like a home, not just a ship."
Iceburg wrote it down immediately: "It will be done. Water Seven won't disappoint you."
And within moments, the workshop sirens echoed across the city…
A siren signaling the start of a high-class ship project—one of the fastest Galley-La had undertaken in years.
Luka watched from the balcony overlooking the workshop, seeing dozens of carpenters running, shouting, preparing.
He smiled faintly… His ship, his home, a luxurious piece of his dream… was being built at last.
And for the first time, he felt that the journey ahead would be completely different.