Chapter 180 — The Rise of the First Crane
S.C. 1512 — The Next Morning
Hidden Island — Shipyard Zone
The sun had barely risen when Ren arrived at the shipyard.
The workers were slower today, muscles sore from yesterday's work.
But the air still carried a quiet determination.
Because today was not about clearing ground or hammering planks.
Today was about building something no East Blue island had ever possessed—
A mechanical crane.
A lifting giant that would allow them to build ships larger, stronger, and faster than anything around.
Zemo trotted at Ren's side, sniffing the fresh timber stacked near the work site.
Ren cracked his knuckles.
"Let's begin."
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1. Foundation First
Leo and Bram arrived soon after, carrying tools.
"Morning," Leo said, yawning.
"Morning," Bram added, less sleepy, more ready to lift something big.
Ren pointed at the pit they dug yesterday.
"We'll fill this with reinforced stone. That will anchor the main support beam."
The refugee workers began mixing sand, gravel, and water. Ren distributed the reinforced rods into the pit.
Bram hammered them down with slow, heavy blows.
Leo watched alignment.
"Kiro! Keep it straight from that side."
Kiro adjusted the rods perfectly vertical.
Ren checked alignment using telekinesis—detecting even tiny vibrations.
"Good. It's stable."
The groundwork for the crane was solid.
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2. The Support Beam — Heart of the Crane
The main support was a massive log of Aegis Timber, dense and unbelievably strong.
Ren ran his hand along it.
"Lift it."
Bram grinned. "Finally."
Six men dragged the huge beam to the foundation.
"One… two… lift."
With ropes, pulleys, and raw strength, they raised the beam upright.
THUNK.
Everyone froze.
Leo exhaled. "It's seated."
Ren fine-adjusted it with telekinesis.
Bram stared. "Boss… I'll never get used to that."
Ren stayed silent. He didn't explain his abilities.
They secured the beam with stone packing and braces.
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3. The Arm and Pulley System
Next came the crane's arm—built from Skyframe Wood reinforced with metal bands.
Workers brought the pieces.
Ren assembled:
joint bracket
swivel plate
pulley frame
counterweight holder
Leo examined the gears Ren had forged earlier.
"These don't look like East Blue metal."
"They aren't," Ren replied.
Then came the hardest part:
lifting the entire arm to attach it to the support pillar.
Dozens pulled ropes.
Sweat dripped.
The arm shook—
Ren placed a hand on the rope and stabilized it with subtle telekinesis.
Perfect alignment.
CLANG.
The arm locked into place.
Workers stared in awe.
"That's… huge."
"It looks like something from a kingdom port."
"This could lift a whole house!"
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4. The Counterweight & Steam Lift
Ren took his subordinates to the steam chamber.
This was the breakthrough:
A steam-assisted crank powering a reinforced pulley system.
Leo checked the boiler.
"Enough coal for a few hours."
Bram secured the valve.
Kiro loaded the water.
Ren attached the crankshaft to the pulley drum.
"Test low pressure."
Steam hissed.
Crank rotated.
Hook lifted a few inches.
The workers gasped.
"It moves!"
"That's impossible!"
"Steam did that?!"
Ren shut the valve.
"Good. Mount it."
They attached the steam engine to the crane base, added the counterweight, connected the ropes…
The crane stood complete.
A towering structure overlooking the sea.
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5. First Test — Lifting a Massive Keel Beam
Ren pointed at the large ship-keel beam.
"Hook it."
Leo and Kiro secured the ropes.
Bram grabbed the steam lever.
"You sure?"
"Yes."
He pulled.
Steam hissed.
Ropes tightened.
The massive beam—over a ton—rose steadily.
People held their breath.
Up…
Up…
Up…
Rio whispered, "It works."
Ren nodded.
"Set it down."
The beam lowered gently.
Workers cheered wildly.
"Boss!! We have a real crane!!"
"This changes everything!"
"We can build huge ships now!"
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6. Evening — A Symbol of Progress
By sunset, the crane cast a long shadow.
Makino arrived with baskets.
She froze when she saw the crane.
"…Ren. How…?"
"It's just engineering."
Makino touched the wood base—Aegis Timber—feeling its strength.
"No… this is more than engineering."
Ren looked toward the sea.
Tomorrow they would start the dry dock walls.
Soon—their first massive ship.
Makino smiled softly.
"You're building hope."
Ren didn't reply.
Zemo pressed against his leg.
The crane stood tall behind them—ready to build a new future.
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End of Chapter 180