Chapter 142: Bubble Ship

{I am mixing up branch and trunk, bcoz I don't know what realistically in fiction is possible!!}

After a period of calm and uneventful sailing, Adrian once again returned to Water 7.

The route between the Sabaody Archipelago and Water 7, led by the seasoned helmsman Rumi—who had been at sea for decades—was smoothly navigated without much time spent.

Originally, Adrian was supposed to submerge directly from the Sabaody Archipelago to Fish-Man Island, located ten thousand meters deep in the sea, and then proceed to the latter half of the Grand Line through Fish-Man Island. This was the common practice for the majority of pirates.

Adrian didn't think much before deciding to return to Water 7 first and deliver the branch of the Yarukiman Mangrove's Tree to Tom. He wanted this legendary shipwright to craft the one-of-a-kind Bubble Ship.

After all, the climate changes in the latter half of the Grand Line—the New World— couldn't be compared with those in the first half, known as Paradise. While the weather variations in the Paradise stage were already complex and unpredictable, the frequent changes in climate in the New World were several times more intense.

In that vast and treacherous ocean, with its erratic magnetic fields, rolling waves, and ever-changing weather, a ship of insufficient quality would be unable to make any headway. The two-masted sailing ship that Adrian ordered from the shipyard on Drum Island was suitable for sailing in the Paradise, but its hull strength would still be insufficient to withstand the storms of the New World.

Of course, Adrian could also simply cross the Red Line into the New World. Both his ghost body and Rumi's ghost castle would be able to do so. However, even if he took that route, he would still lack a ship sturdy enough to withstand the New World's powerful waves. Relying solely on flying for all his travels in the New World would be impractical, wouldn't it?

…

Water 7, as always, was in a state of disrepair and desolation.

Before the successful construction of the "Puffing Tom," Water 7 had always been in this state of disrepair.

It wasn't until the sea train connected the islands in the surrounding waters into a single landmass that this world-famous shipwright town would once again experience its heyday.

Upon setting foot on Water 7's soil, Adrian made a beeline for Tom's Workshop.

"Welcome to Tom's Workshop!"

This time, it was Franky who swung open the door. He stood there, clad only in a black triangular swimsuit. (from now on referred to as Franky, as we won't use his current name, Cutty Fram)

"Huh—so it's you! The SUPER powerful Pirate White Ghost! I read about your exploits in the Sabaody Archipelago in the newspaper! Totally SUPER amazing!" Franky's rough, hoarse voice echoed through the workshop, drawing the attention of everyone present.

Mr. Tom, having hurried over upon hearing the news, promptly delivered a heavy knock to Franky's head.

"You brat! Such a loud voice—do you want to get yourself killed?!" Mr. Tom scolded. "While it's an unspoken rule for Water 7 shipwrights to build ships for pirates, no one has ever done it in open before. But now, with the White Ghost causing such a major stir, it's become a thorn in the side of the World Government and the Marine Headquarters!"

His eyes looked at Adrian and sighed. "Maybe they are already looking out on you!"

The blue-haired Iceberg chimed in from the sidelines, teasingly adding, "Exactly! Franky, you big idiot!"

In the end, it was the mermaid Kokoro who intervened, persuading the two apprentices who were on the verge of a brawl to step aside. This cleared the way for Adrian and Mr. Tom.

"White Ghost," Mr. Tom regarded Adrian with a complex expression. "Although I anticipated some trouble from you before you left Water 7, I never imagined you'd go to such lengths… That is a Celestial Dragon!"

"So what if it's a Celestial Dragon?" Adrian shrugged. "Even though they're said to be the descendants of gods, they still cry and fuss when beaten, and they scream and yell when burned. Mr. Tom, in my opinion, you're much greater than that Saint Rosward."

Hearing this, Mr. Tom smiled bitterly and remained silent. White Ghost's words had profoundly shaken his long-held beliefs. How could Celestial Dragons be no different from others?

This was even more significant for fish-men, who had always faced discrimination from humans.

Shaking his head, Mr. Tom addressed the matter at hand. "By the way, White Ghost, did you retrieve the branch of the Yarukiman mangrove tree? The World Economic Journal only mentioned your destruction of the thirteenth island in the Sabaody Archipelago."

Adrian smiled slightly and replied, "Of course, I brought it back. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here to see you now, would I?"

Mr. Tom was too busy to think about the Celestial Dragons' dirty deeds. He rubbed his hands together with excitement, his face filled with anticipation.

That branch was from the Yarukiman Mangrove's Red Tree!

Even in Water 7, a city steeped in shipbuilding history, this unique material was unheard of.

Guided by Mr. Tom, the two of them returned to the hidden semi-open pit where the Pirate King's ship, Oro Jackson, had once rested.

Using Yarukiman Mangrove to construct a ship must remain hidden from the World Government.

Otherwise, Mr. Tom—already on trial for building a ship for the Roger Pirates—would now be entangled with the White Ghost, the Celestial Dragons' current nemesis.

Even the judge who appreciated the Sea Train Project would probably not give Mr. Tom another chance to live.

"Rumi, you can now retrieve the half-length branch of the Yarukiman Mangrove tree."

Adrian gently tapped the lead-gray pocket watch's outer shell. It had now become Rumi's new home.

"Oh yeah! No problem!"

Suddenly, huge ripples emanated from Adrian's body. Over time, a section of Yarukiman Mangrove's Red Tree trunk—thick as dozens of people hugging together—emerged in the semi-open pit. The trunk bore the number "13," signifying its origin from Island 13 of the Sabaody Archipelago.

"It's truly… a top-notch shipbuilding material! Tahaha!" Tom exclaimed, gazing at the Yarukiman Mangrove's Red Tree trunk before him.

After thorough discussion and planning, they successfully completed the blueprint for the new ship. Pirate-world shipbuilding technology was indeed a remarkable feat.

In just under half a month, the new ship, primarily constructed from Yarukiman Mangrove's Red Tree, took shape in the pit.

"Adrian, what name do you intend to give this unique bubble ship?"

"A name?" Adrian pondered. "The Abyss. The Ghost Captain deserves a ship with such a name."

"The Abyss of the Underworld?"

"冥界的深渊吗?"

{If anyone wants to suggest a name, please comment—the majority wins. Ofc, it must be related.}

Tom scratched his head. While the name sounded great, but it carried an air of ominous foreboding.

Yet, considering the person before him—the White Ghost—Mr. Tom immediately grasped the significance.

"By the way, White Ghost, there's something I need to remind you," Mr. Tom said. "Because the ship is primarily made from Yarukiman Mangrove's Red Tree materials, the Abyss can continuously release bubbles similar to those on the Sabaody Archipelago."

"So, you mean…"

Mr. Tom's excitement bubbled over. "Exactly! Thanks to the Yarukiman Mangrove's Red Tree as the main material, this is the only surface-submersible bubble sailboat in the vast sea!"