Chapter 147: Token from Mermaid Island

Most of those who come to the Seven Water Islands to build ships are pirates from the sea. Pirates are usually arrogant and unruly, often relying on their large numbers and intimidating appearance. It's not uncommon for them to attempt to default on their debts.

However, the Seven Water Islands have managed to thrive until today because the shipbuilders on the islands are not only united but also not to be trifled with. The powerful and courageous pirate groups typically don't bother to default on their debts, but those who do are not destined to become big shots.

As evening approached, Wood and Robin went to Tom's studio and met the legendary Master Tom. Tom is a merman with a round body resembling a large wine barrel, greenish-yellow skin, red tattoos on his arms, small horns on his head, white hair and beard, and a face reminiscent of a fat civet cat.

Next to Tom were two young boys—one with blue hair, wearing goggles and swimming trunks, and the other with purple hair, wearing a white headscarf. When Wood and Robin arrived, the two boys were still bickering with each other.

"Kokoro said you know Tiger and that he introduced you as a friend. But I've seen your bounty posters. You're Wood, the Navy traitor with a 120-million-berry bounty, and Nico Robin, the so-called Devil's Child, with an 80-million-berry bounty. How could a former Navy lieutenant and a wanted criminal by the World Government have any connection with us fishmen?"

Old Tom held a beer glass in his hand and scrutinized Wood and Robin. It wasn't surprising that he knew their identities; after all, when the shipwrights on the island accept orders, they investigate the pirates who employ them. There are many pirates who try to default on their debts, so the shipbuilders must ensure the reliability of their clients. If the pirates seem too troublesome, most shipbuilders will refuse their business.

Ever since the incident with Pirate King Roger, Tom had stopped building ships for pirates. After all, he was still under trial. Although the merits of building the sea train were enough to offset the crime of building a ship for Roger, Tom did not want to make any mistakes at this critical juncture and risk being caught by Judicial Island.

"Actually, we..."

Robin was about to explain, but Wood interrupted her.

"In fact, we really do know Fisher Tiger. Or, to be more precise, we were introduced by someone who calls himself the Fishman Swordmaster Yasuo."

Robin was stunned by Wood's sudden change in their story. They had agreed to back out gracefully due to a lack of funds, so why was Wood complicating things now? Did he seriously think that changing their story to knowing another prominent figure from the Fishman tribe would make Tom believe them?

"Ever since I built the Oro Jackson for Roger, I haven't built any ships for other pirates. Modifications are an exception, especially if they were introduced by one of my kin. But how can you prove that you know my kin, Tiger or Yasuo?"

Tom had been busy with the sea train, but his studio still needed to bring in income. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't mind accepting other work in his spare time. But Wood's identity was too sensitive—he was a former major in the Navy Headquarters.

Tom, still considered a criminal, was only safe because of his work on the sea train. But recently, a man named Spandam from the World Government had pressured him to hand over the design plans for the ancient weapon "Pluton." Tom suspected that Wood might be an agent sent by Spandam to trap him.

Instead of getting angry, Wood calmly took out a piece of white paper and a golden fish scale from his pocket.

"This piece of paper is Fisher Tiger's life paper. As for this scale, I believe Master Tom and Granny Kokoro should recognize who it belongs to."

When Wood parted ways with Fisher Tiger, Tiger had recognized Wood as a friend and left him these tokens as proof of their connection. The life paper indeed belonged to Tiger, though Wood wasn't entirely sure about the significance of the golden fish scale. However, Tiger had assured him that if he ever visited Mermaid Island, presenting the golden scale would earn him respect from the residents.

Seeing the life paper and golden fish scale, the suspicion in Tom and Granny Kokoro's eyes dissipated. Life paper is a rare and personal item, typically only given to someone important. While Tom and Kokoro couldn't verify if the life paper truly belonged to Tiger, they instantly recognized the golden fish scale.

Different species have unique ways of identifying objects. For mermen and mermaids, skin, smell, and scales serve as identifiers, much like facial recognition for humans. The golden fish scale in Wood's possession unmistakably belonged to Princess Otohime of Mermaid Island.

Princess Otohime, a goldfish mermaid, was known for the bright golden scales on her tail. Occasionally, she would give these scales as lucky charms to distinguished Fishman warriors. Given that Princess Otohime was the beloved queen of Ryugu Kingdom, anyone carrying one of her scales would indeed be regarded as a friend of Mermaid Island.

Convinced of Wood's authenticity, Old Tom's demeanor warmed considerably. He invited Wood for a drink and began discussing the modifications for their pirate ship.