Rocky Cape, Outskirts of Water 7
Minato Namikaze faced the sparkling sea. His long blonde hair swayed from the relaxing breeze. A Den Den Mushi with a red tattoo snored comfortably at his side.
"Purururu. Purururu. Pu– gacha." The snail snapped awake and he removed the receiver, moving it to his lips.
"Status?" Minato asked.
"Gin. Purple Wink. Cat Paw. Black Claw." The voice went silent for ten seconds. "We received confirmation of Straw Hat leaving Alabasta along with The Child. They shall be arriving shortly. Operative?"
"It's green. orders?"
"Contact The Child and proceed normally."
"Affirmative," Minato answered. "Tension is rising, this may be our opportunity to pull that off."
"I trust your judgement. Permission granted."
Minato shut the receiver, ending the transmission. He picked up the snail transponder and held it by his stomach. The Den Den Mushi distorted as Minato began warping it inside of his body. A unique ability granted by the Space-Space fruit, an inner pocket dimension.
Pulling his hand out, he took out a Gallery-La t-shirt and jeans. After changing out of his standard clothing; a buttoned green vest with a long sleeved blue under shirt and shin length blue pants, he replaced it with the shirt and jeans.
'Robin...'
Minato concentrated, making a hand sign and teleported.
Nearby Dock 1, Iceberg Mansion.
Minato reappeared in one of his marked closets inside of Iceberg's mansion. Stepping out into the hallway, he walked to the Mayor's office.
After two minutes of walking, Minato stopped at the mayor's door, listening to the conversation being held on the other side between Iceberg and his personal assistant, Kalifa.
They discussed mundane matters of Iceberg's busy schedule, then he knocked on the mayor's door. Minato sighed as he collected himself.
"Come in," said Iceberg.
Minato entered, scratching the back of his head with a goofy grin. "I'm sorry, I am late once again."
"Naruto," Iceberg waved him in. He wore a striped red and orange buttoned shirt. A pet mouse named Tyrannosaurus slept in his shirt pocket. "My favorite assistant is here to save me from her persistent nagging. She is trying to overwork me to death. Save me, please."
Minato laughed, picking up documents from Iceberg's desk. "I'm the one she bosses around, so help me first. I guess it's good for the city, if we ran it together, this city would crumple before the Aqua Laguna could devour Water 7."
Iceberg leaned back in his chair, laughing and disrupting the mouse's sleep. "It would be the worse."
"I concur." Kalifa replied, adjusting her oval framed glasses. She opened and read her notebook. "Naruto, have you confirmed today's schedule?"
"Yes," Minto replied, walking over to pet, Tyrannosaurus. The white fluffy rodent crawled up his arm to lay on Minato's shoulder.
"Good." Kalifa analyzed his appearance. "Why are you dressed so casually in front of the mayor?"
Minato studied his clothing. "Mr. Iceberg doesn't mind."
"Bwa, Kalifa. Stop being so uptight." He whined while picking his nose. "It's fine."
An explosion shook the compound but the three remained calm as if nothing happened. Well, except for Tyrannosaurus, he jumped onto Minato's hands.
Iceberg rose from his seat. "Shall we check it out?"
The three of them left the office and made their way out of Iceberg's mansion.
Minato trailed Kalifa as he analyzed her behavior, searching for any subtle shifts. The sudden arrival of Nico Robin may disturb her usual calm behavior. But, as always, her appearance was impeccable and flawless. Not a blemish or wrinkle on her yellow button coat and black skirt. Nothing out of the ordinary as Minato had much time to familiarize with her behavior. He had been working undercover as Kalifa's assistant under the false name, Naruto for the last year to gain Iceberg's trust, to discover the whereabouts of Pluton's blueprints.
'The one closest to Iceberg, I suspect she may be working for the world government. Although I have small proof, I need to be diligent. The overruling government has deep ties in this city.'
They approached a common but chaotic scene occurring in Dock 1, a group of swindling pirates were bound by Paulie's rope. As the commotion died, the crowd stepped aside for their president.
"Iceberg-san!" Paulie, with a lit cigar, ran up to his president and mayor. He inhaled and blew out a fume of toxic smoke. "These silly pirates never learn, Galley-La foreman are not to be messed with."
Kalifa snatched the lit cigar and snuffed it underneath her heel. "No smoking in front of the Mayor." Paulie hung his head and left.
A boy wearing a straw hat appeared in front of them. He pointed at Iceberg. "Old Man! Merry needs your help."
"This is…" Iceberg's voice trails off, looking toward his assistants.
Minato stepped forward. "The Straw Hats, a pirate gang originating from the East Blue composed of seven members. The most notable ones are Straw Hat Luffy, Pirate-Hunter Zoro, and Nico Robin, all with bounties combined to two hundred and thirty nine million berries."
"Gah, they know so much," said the pirate with a long nose. He was struggling to carry two brown briefcases, shifting from side to side.
"It is customary for a Mayor to know who enters his city," replied Iceberg.
While pointing at Iceberg, Luffy twisted his head to look at the orange haired lady next to him."Nami! Usopp! Is he the guy that the Old Lady was telling us about? He is supposed to fix our ship."
"Mr. Iceberg doesn't have the time as we must continue with our tight schedule," Kalifa interrupted, opening her blue notebook. "A lunch meeting in Chiza with a glass factory executive, an appearance in Riguira Square, then another meeting in–"
"I don't wanna!" Iceberg shouted. The grown man fell to his knees.
"Then I'll cancel," Minato replied, immediately. Iceberg cheered.
Kalifa kicked Minato in the back of the head. "You will not."
"Please, Kalifa." Iceberg begged at her heels. "I'm tired of these boring meetings and showing up to places."
She scoffed. "Fine."
'Then, why did you kick me.' Minato thought, rubbing his head.
"You're a terrible mayor," said Luffy.
"A total failure," agreed Usopp.
Iceberg yawned, returning to full height. "So, what do you guys want?"
"Our ship is damaged and needs immediate repairs," said the orange haired lady.
Luffy nodded. He swung around the stuffed briefcase. "We have cash, three hundred million berries. We are carrying it, right now."
A group of bystanders and even the unconscious pirates were alerted from the abnormal amount of cash.
Nami and Usopp punched the back of their captain's head.
Khalifa slammed her notebook shut. "I can arrange for Kaku to check their ship."
"No, he is already busy with another matter," replied Minato.
"Naruto, go and assess their ship," ordered Iceberg. Minato ushered the mouse back into Iceberg's shirt pocket. He rubbed Tyrannosaurus's head, departing with the tiny creature.
Minato gave an exaggerated salute. "Where is your ship docked?"
"Rocky Cape," said Nami.
"Shall we go together?" Minato asked.
She looked at Luffy and Usopp. "Okay."
Minato's hands gripped the reins of the Yagara Bull as he and Nami traveled down the steep water canal. The beautiful scenery of the City of Water marveled below them. Not many views on the Grand Line could compete, sadly, the city was drowning. Every year, inches of sea water rise, swallowing the land.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Minato asked to his right where Nami's eyes sparkled.
"Yes!" She smiled as her hair blew in the wind.
"I envy you pirates, chasing your dreams and traveling the world," Minato said, steering the bull. "You are even on an infamous ship with a high bounty. How is that?"
She shuddered. "Don't remind me. And, it's never a dull moment, my captain can be reckless at times."
"Straw Hat? From what I've heard, he is very capable."
She exploded in a fit of laughter.
'Did I truly say something that funny?'
"Yes. He is very capable, the type of person who would do anything to help out his friends," she replied.
"What about your other crew mates? You recently had six mates and now you have seven. What's that like?" Minato asked as the bull pulled them out of the Aqua elevator, now at the lowest level of the city.
"The same really, nothing much has changed." Nami relaxed, thinking of an answer. "Maybe an extra set of hands."
'Extra hands? Has she suspected me of trying to inquire sensitive information about Nico Robin? But, there is no time to be reserved.'
"I couldn't imagine sailing on the sea for weeks constantly surrounded by the same people."
"It's not too bad, we all get used to each other."
"And what about Nico Robin?" Minato shifted in his seat to establish eye contact. Her expression didn't change.
'I'm worried about her presence. The world government will not remain silent. Although, this could work out for my bigger plans.'
"She reads and sticks to herself," Nami replied. "But, we all recognize her as a friend."
"How long has this ship been sailing?" Minato asked, switching the topic.
Her mouth opened, not expecting this question. "Oh, the Going Merry? About three months."
"Then, we should be able to fix her right up and send you guys back on your adventures," Minato smiled, parking the bull by a wooden dock.
Minato climbed the Going Merry, spilling over the hull, a sword hovered below his chin. Innocently, his hands went up. "What's going on?"
"Are you from the Franky Family?" The pirate hunter, Roronora Zoro questioned.
"Do I look like it?" Minato asked, hesitantly.
Zoro scratched his head with the back of his hand, thinking. "You know—"
Nami's fist clobbered the side of Zoro's head. "You dumbass, this is Naruto, a shipwright! He is here to check the condition of Merry Go."
A growing lump formed on his head, placing a tender hand on it. "How am I supposed to know that?! I was just attacked!"
Minato didn't stick around. "Don't mind me, I will begin."
Minato analyzed the damaged ship, a bit shocked by its harsh condition. No wonder they are desperate for a shipwright. He advanced inside of the ship, taking mental note of the minor details that needed attention but nothing too major.
Then, he reached the bottom of the ship, Minato's eyes widened.
'This isn't good. The keel is too damaged. This boat is on its last legs.'
He exited out to the deck to see more gathered members of the Straw Hats, they were talking with serious expressions.
A small reindeer creature was crying.
"I'm sorry, Sanji. I got distracted and then she disappeared," he cried, talking to a man in a jet black suit and yellow undershirt.
'They already got to her!'
"Relax, Chopper. What's wrong?" Nami crouched in front of him.
He sniffled. "Robin is gone."
"Everyone, I'm done assessing the ship," Minato interjected. The crew switched their focus, moving to huddle around him. He looked each member in the eyes. "And, I have bad news."
"Yeah, but you guys are the best carpenters so it will be alright," said Luffy.
Minato nodded. "Usually, yes. However, the Going Merry can not be fixed."
"What do you mean!" Luffy shouted.
"What's wrong with the Going Merry?" Nami asked.
Sanji lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply. Zoro rested a hand against the damaged mast. Chopper's eyes streamed with tears.
"Do you know what the keel is?" Minato asked.
"Yes, of course I know."
"Then, you must know how important it is, especially if the keel is severely damaged. The keel is the core of every ship, without it there is no ship. I'm surprised the Going Merry made it safely to this island," Minato replied. "Once damaged, there's no way to replace it."
Luffy marched toward him and grabbed onto Minato's shirt. "Then build me the ship, the very same ship again. Build me the Merry Go!"
'I'm surprised by their love of this ship, considering the ship's condition.' Minato thought.
He stared down at Luffy, who was saddened by the news of his ship. Minato didn't know how to help or ease his pain, but he knew there was nothing to be done. The possibility of building the exact ship, even with the blueprints was impossible.
"I can't." Minato's attention fell to the wooden floor. He heard Nami gasp and utter the long nose's name. "Not even the legendary Iceberg. You will need to purchase another ship."
Chopper collapsed to the floor, hugging the ship. "I'm sorry, Merry."
"No. I don't believe you," grumbled Luffy.
Minato placed a hand on his heart. "I'm fairly confident in my skills as a shipwright and in my assessment, however, if you are displeased, I can arrange someone else to take a look."
With a tender hand, Sanji comforted Luffy. "That will not be necessary. Right, Luffy?"
Painfully, Luffy shook his head.
"I must go and alert Iceberg of my findings, Galley-La has many promising ships that will satisfy your liking," Minato respectfully bowed, understanding the crew's loyalty and love for their ship.
"Thank you, Naruto."
He left the Going Merry and Rocky Cape, turning into a dark and secluded alley. He stopped as a black vortex spawned from Minato's stomach, swallowing himself and vanishing.
Appearing in one of five rooms, an expansive illusionary sea and a bright orb of yellow light hovered from above. Sounds of the sea breeze and the crashing of waves soothed his ears.
Minato stood in front of a man tied to a chair. A three pointed kunai appeared in his hand. He ripped off the blind fold. The man was known as Schollzo, a member of Franky's Family.
A CP9 agent.
His face harbored bruises and a broken nose. He wore that hideous Franky Family outfit but a dark crimson soaked the black leather.
His eyes widened from Minato's sudden appearance, wearing a white mask with red lines shaping the face of a rabbit. He removed the gag.
"Please, let–"
Minato cut beneath the man's right eye and quickly silenced the man's screams with a hand. "I will talk, nod if you understand."
Schollzo nodded aggressively.
Minato flashed the dagger to the man's neck, drawing a thin line of blood. "Who are the undercover CP9 agents?"