Barraba's return caused quite a stir in Tortuga.
His return this time was ten times grander than before.
The sea serpent's hull sides were fitted with brand new brass plates, gleaming in the sun.
A huge skull flag, embroidered with gold thread, hung from the mast, incredibly arrogant.
He himself was dressed in a luxurious captain's uniform custom-made from velvet and silk.
His ten fingers were covered with gold rings picked from the santa trinidad's treasure.
A scimitar and a flintlock pistol hung at his waist.
The hilt of the sword and the stock of the gun were both studded with gems!
As soon as he landed, he booked the entire Mermaid's Song tavern and announced an open feast for three days.
All pirates could eat and drink as they pleased, all charged to his account!
The entire Tortuga was abuzz.
Everyone knew that Barraba had truly struck it rich this time, becoming one of the wealthiest captains in the Caribbean Sea.
However, when Barraba, accompanied by a few confidantes, strutted to the abandoned shipyard, the smugness and display on his face instantly froze.
He saw the sea nymph.
Or rather, what was now the explorer.
He could hardly believe his eyes.
A month ago, this was just a pile of junk rotting in the mud.
But now, a brand new hull, full of streamlined beauty, had already taken initial shape.
The left half of the ship had been completely repaired, its smooth, flat planks glistening with an oily sheen in the sun, forming an incredibly stark contrast with the decayed, ragged old planks on the right.
A straight, towering new mainmast, made from a single giant tree, had been firmly secured in the center of the hull.
A dozen or so pirates, like worker ants, were busily working in an orderly fashion under Brother Roger's command.
Some were sanding the deck, others were installing ropes; everyone was focused, their movements skilled, completely devoid of their previous lazy demeanor.
Is this... are these the subordinates he left behind?
Is this still that broken ship he thought wasn't even worth burning for firewood?
"What... what's going on?"
Barraba pointed at the ship and asked Gibbs, who was beside him.
Gibbs had already come forward to greet him.
He straightened his back, his face filled with immense pride, and answered loudly:
"Captain! We are repairing the ship! Under the leadership of Brother Roger!"
"Repairing the ship?"
Barraba stepped forward, reaching out to caress the smooth new plank, feeling its solid texture, his shock beyond measure.
He understood ships himself.
He could tell that this ship, though a bit small, had craftsmanship better than any ship he had ever seen!
The joints of those planks were absolutely seamless!
The way the mast was secured was something he had never heard of, yet it looked exceptionally stable.
One month... it only took one month!
A dozen people turned a Derek ship into this state?
This was no longer just repairing a ship; this was creating a miracle!
Barraba suddenly turned his head, looking at the young man who stood calmly on the deck, directing everything.
Roger also saw him, merely nodding calmly as a greeting, then continued with his work.
There was no intention of coming down to welcome him at all.
A very complex emotion suddenly rose in Barraba's heart.
There was shock, there was jealousy, but more than that, there was a kind of fear.
He found that he seemed to understand this young man less and less.
He had originally thought that Roger was merely a genius with extraordinary navigation skills.
But now, it seemed he was wrong, terribly wrong.
This person's abilities had exceeded his comprehension.
He had returned this time, intending to show off his wealth and status to Roger.
He wanted Roger to see what a wise choice it was to follow him, Barraba.
But now, he felt like a clown in a comical costume.
His vanity, built up with money, seemed so ridiculous and pale in the face of the creative power Roger displayed.
"Captain? Captain, what's wrong?"
Gibbs saw his expression was off and asked in a low voice.
"Nothing."
Barraba recovered, forcing a smile to hide his lapse.
He jumped onto the explorer's deck and walked over to Roger.
"Brother Roger, well done."
He patted Roger's shoulder, his tone sounding like praise, but his eyes were somewhat evasive.
"I didn't expect you actually had the ability to turn this pile of rotten wood into something valuable."
"Just a little bit of superficial knowledge," Roger replied indifferently.
He glanced at Barraba.
Although this fellow looked outwardly splendid.
Roger keenly sensed that his mental state was very off.
In his eyes, there was an undisguised anxiety and excitement.
Below his eyes, there were also heavy dark circles, as if he hadn't slept well in a long time.
Moreover, his hand always unconsciously reached for his chest.
As if some treasure was hidden there, he would touch it every now and then.
Roger's heart stirred.
It seemed that the cursed aztec gold coin had begun to exert its magic.
"Captain, is there something you've returned for this time?" Roger asked.
"Nothing, nothing."
Barraba quickly waved his hand.
"I just... I just came back to see everyone."
"And... and there's something I wanted to discuss with you."
As he spoke, he pulled Roger aside, lowered his voice, and his expression became mysterious and strange.
"Roger, I ask you, do you believe... that gold can speak?"