The construction of a boat

—Usopp, do you know where I could buy a ship? —asked Ethel.

The young man with the prominent nose paused, considering the question.

—There are several shipwrights scattered across the island. If you want, I can take you to one —he finally replied.

—If it's not too much trouble. I want to get the ship as soon as possible so I can start my journey —Ethel explained.

—So, you're heading out to sea? —Usopp asked, intrigued.

—Wherever the winds take me —Ethel replied, finishing his drink. —Shall we go see the shipwrights?

—Sure, let's go!

The two left the tavern and headed toward the harbor. Along the way, several of Usopp's young friends joined the group, all of them eyeing the newcomer with curiosity.

When they arrived at the harbor, Ethel couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. He had expected a small town, but what he saw were just five modest wooden houses.

—Grandpa! I've brought you a customer! —Usopp shouted as he approached one of the cabins.

An elderly man emerged from the workshop, wiping his hands on a dirty cloth. His back was slightly hunched, and his hands were weathered from years of hard work, but his eyes shone with a mix of wisdom and warmth.

—What can I do for you, young man? —the shipwright asked, looking at Ethel with interest.

—I need a ship, something small but sturdy. I'm planning to set sail soon —Ethel responded firmly.

The old man looked him up and down, as if assessing whether the young man was ready for such an adventure.

—I have a few models that might interest you. Come, I'll show you —he said, gesturing for Ethel to follow him into the workshop.

Inside, the old man laid out several ship blueprints, ranging from small to medium-sized, each with its own features and advantages.

—How many people do you need it to accommodate? —the master shipwright asked, studying Ethel carefully.

—For now, enough space for six people should be fine —Ethel replied after a moment of thought.

—I see. In that case, I'd recommend this one —said the shipwright, selecting one of the plans and spreading it out on a workbench.

The old man began explaining the details:

—This ship is about twenty meters long, making it perfect for six people to travel comfortably. The hold has ample space for storing goods and provisions, and with three main sails, it offers great speed and maneuverability. It also has several cabins and a small kitchen. It's equipped with two cannons, which should be enough to fend off minor threats. It's an elegant and sturdy vessel, designed to be managed by a small crew like the one you plan to have.

Ethel nodded, impressed by what he was hearing. The ship seemed ideal for his needs.

—How much would this ship cost? —he asked with interest.

—Though it's relatively small, it's built with high-quality materials. Considering the cost of materials and labor, I could let it go for four million Berrys —the shipwright responded after a brief pause to calculate.

—Agreed. How long would it take to build? —Ethel asked, eager to begin his journey as soon as possible.

—About a week. We already have the base ready; we just need to finish the cabins, install the sails, and finalize a few details —the old man explained confidently.

—Perfect. I'll be back in a week, then —said Ethel, shaking the shipwright's hand to seal the deal before taking his leave.

Ethel, along with Usopp and the kids, returned to the village. During that week, Ethel would be staying at the young long-nosed man's home.

Later, Ethel lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling of the small room that Usopp had offered him. He pulled out the remaining money from his pouch and quickly counted it: of the seven million Berrys he had received, only three remained. Although it was still a considerable sum, he knew he would need more funds before venturing into the Grand Line, where the challenges—and likely the expenses—would be much greater.

As he rested, his mind began to wander, thinking about the next steps.

—Now that I'm about to get a ship, I should start considering who to recruit for my crew —he mused quietly, almost whispering to the walls of the room—. For a long voyage, the most urgent need is a navigator.

His first thought was Nami, the skilled navigator of the Straw Hat crew, but he quickly dismissed the idea.

—Nami is out of the question —he said firmly—. I don't want to interfere with Luffy's crew. Their story is too important for me to meddle in.

He was silent for a moment, trying to recall any other renowned navigator who might join him. However, no names came to mind.

—I suppose I'll find someone along the way, someone who wants to join my adventure —he concluded, trying not to worry too much.

In the afternoon, Ethel decided to go for a run around the island. Although he was waiting for his ship to be built, he knew he couldn't afford to neglect his training. The sea breeze and the lush landscape provided the perfect setting to strengthen both his physical endurance and his mind. After a long run, he stopped to perform a series of intense exercises, stretching his muscles to the limit and perfecting some combat moves.

When he finished his routine, the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange. On his way back to the village, Ethel passed near the hill where Kaya's mansion stood, an imposing structure that dominated the landscape. As he looked up, he noticed a familiar figure perched in a tree near the mansion.

—Oh, there's Mr. Long Nose —Ethel murmured to himself, recognizing Usopp, who, as usual, was entertaining Kaya with one of his fantastic stories. This time, the young man was animatedly recounting how he had defeated a fearsome pirate, gesturing enthusiastically from the tree branch.

Ethel got close enough to hear the end of the story, and when Usopp was about to describe the final blow of his imaginary victory, Ethel decided to intervene with a smile.

—Wow, I didn't know you were so brave, Usopp —Ethel said in a friendly tone.

Usopp was so startled that he almost lost his balance on the branch. Kaya couldn't help but burst into laughter at the situation, and Ethel also chuckled softly.

—Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt —Ethel continued, raising his hands in a gesture of apology—. I just thought it was a funny scene.

Kaya smiled, amused by Usopp's reaction. Then she turned her gaze to Ethel, her expression kind.

—You must be Ethel. It's a pleasure to meet you; Usopp has told me about you —Kaya said in a soft voice full of curiosity.

—The pleasure is mine, Miss —Ethel replied with a slight nod of respect—. May I know your name?

—I'm Kaya —she replied with a smile—. I live here in the mansion. Usopp often comes to visit me and tell me his stories.

Ethel nodded, noticing the genuine friendship that seemed to exist between them. Kaya was younger than he had imagined, but she had an air of nobility mixed with a kindness that made it hard not to like her. However, the fatigue from his training was starting to catch up with him, and although he would have liked to stay and chat a bit longer, he decided it was better to leave.

—It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Kaya. I apologize for the interruption. I think I'd better go now and let Usopp continue with his exciting tale —said Ethel, flashing a smile.