Back at the temporary base, Ellie was still buried in her apothecary, tinkering with who-knows-what. Karin and Adrian were out—doing who-knows-where.
"Enel, how's your Armament coming?" Karl asked.
"The flow—Ryuo—I can use it, just not smooth yet."
"Then spar Benson more. No fruit. Grind your Haki and body—your fruit scales with your frame."
"I know. Oh—Captain, there's a scavenger crew in the far forest. They fish shipwrecks. And a man named Mont Blanc Cricket—used to hunt for gold there. Stopped lately."
"Leave them. Cricket's Norland's descendant. The Shandians will be happy to see him—when I bring them down."
That night they "held a meeting"—which really meant Daphne talked and everyone else nodded while Karl tossed in a line or two.
At dawn, Karl grabbed his "tool man" Pica and broke ground. Not that he wanted to micromanage—but Daphne's blueprints made everyone else's eyes spin. So Karl handled translations; Pica handled miracles.
They started with the personal villas. Easy silhouettes, tricky facades. Karl had to explain a few trims three times before Pica got it—Pica worked trembling, terrified Karl might snap and erase him. Twenty villas now; the rest as guest homes later.
Next came the training complex. Around it, into the forest, they planned five hundred compact cottages—the Shandians' new quarter.
Day by day, Jaya molted its old skin.
Brrr… brrr…
Brrr… brrr…
Click.
"Karl-san? It's Iceburg."
"Iceburg? You okay? How's Tom?"
A breath. "Tom-san… sacrificed himself to save Franky. It was a government trap. Spandam lied to us."
Karl closed his eyes. Just like before.
"I told him the government wouldn't spare him. I asked him to leave with me."
"Karl-san… I'm calling for your promise. Men from our shipyard who worked on the Oro Jackson—they'll be taken next. I want to use Tom-san's one wish… to save them."
"You're sure? I only owe one."
"I'm sure."
"Then it's done. I'll be in Water 7 tomorrow. Tell them to be ready."
By now, most of Jaya was set—only the ring harbor and encircling wall remained. Karl no longer needed to hover.
He waved a guard. "Fetch Jerry and Adrian."
"Aye, Boss!"
They arrived at a run. "Mission, Captain?" Jerry asked.
"Tom's gone. The government will round up the shipwrights who touched the Oro Jackson. Iceburg triggered Tom's marker—I agreed."
Jerry's fists knotted. "Those bastards… Tom-san was a hero!"
"His choice," Karl said softly. "I offered. He wouldn't go. We honor that—by saving his people. We three head to Water 7 and extract them."
He turned to Jerry. "I've wanted a shipyard. Never had the hands. This is our chance. Once they're safe, they're yours. Build me a yard on Jaya. Can you do it?"
Jerry's jaw set. "Leave it to me."
"Good. Pack up. We sail by night." Karl exhaled. "I'll tell the girls."
Ellie was elbow-deep in vials when he found her. Daphne was out—predictably still working the island.
"Ellie, I'm going to Water 7…" He laid it all out.
"That's vile! After everything Tom-san did—the Sea Train—how can they?!" Ellie bristled.
Daphne walked in and blinked at Ellie's temper. "Karl, what did you do this time?"
He summarized, and Daphne's face fell. "The government… of course." She studied him. "But why didn't you save Tom? You could."
Karl's gaze went to the window. "It's… complicated. Luffy hasn't sailed yet. We're outsiders to this world's thread. If we twist too much, the end may change. Maybe the government never falls. Right now I can take a single Admiral head-on. Two? I'm done. And above Admirals—Five Elders. God's Knights. Imu. We protect ours, build our haven, and choose our moments. That's how we live—and win."
Daphne's shoulders softened. "I get it. And… thank you, for finding me. Without you, I don't think I'd have lasted."
"Silly. I've got you." He pulled her close.
He checked the sky. "Jerry and Adrian are waiting. I'll be quick."
"Come back soon," she said, and kissed him.
"As you command, Madam CEO." He pecked her forehead and headed out.
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