Negotiation

Yuma, Ika, Cani, and Boombox returned later that afternoon, their arms full of food from the market and news from the town. They found Moon standing on the dock, his back to them as he stared out at the sea. Yuma approached first, noticing the look in his eyes. 

"Moon?" He turned to face him, his expression serious. 

"The Golden King... she's beyond repair… We'll need a new ship." Yuma's heart sank, though he tried to mask it. 

"I see." Moon looked at him, his gaze softer now. 

"Davin said the shipbuilders here are the best… They'll take care of us, but it's time to let go of the King." There was a long silence between the crew, each of them grappling with the reality of what lay ahead. The Golden King had been more than just a ship—it had been their home, their protector. Letting it go felt like losing a part of themselves. Yuma finally nodded, his voice steady. 

"Alright. We'll build something new, something worthy of what comes next. But the Golden King... she'll always be part of us." Boombox clapped Yuma on the back, trying to lighten the mood. 

"A new ship, a new adventure! We'll make this next one even better." Cani gave a small smile. 

"She's done her job, Yuma. She carried us through some of the toughest battles. But it's time to move forward." Ika, ever the optimist, grinned. 

"And who knows? Maybe the next ship will be even faster! Think of all the upgrades we can add!" Yuma couldn't help but smile, despite the weight in his chest. 

"Yeah. Maybe…" Yuma looked down, his eyes carried no emotion and seemed dead. Together, they walked away from the dock, leaving the Golden King behind for the last time. The ship stood silently in the water, its final journey complete. And though they were moving forward, each of them knew they would carry the Golden King with them—forever.

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The next morning, the sun rose over the island, casting royal purple light on the docks. The air was already thick with the sounds of hammering, shouting, and the creaking of ropes as the island's shipbuilders started their day. Cani stood outside the Shipbuilders' Association, her arms crossed as she stared up at the massive stone building. 

It was imposing. The building was similar to that of a roman pantheon, quart columns lined the front. The stone was intricately carved for large bricks with the names of every artisan who helped construct the behemoth structure. The sign above the door was carved out of a single slab of wood, bearing the association's crest.

Yuma, still silent after yesterday's events, walked up beside her. His hair was ruffled by the sea breeze, and the usual sharpness in his eyes was dulled with lingering thoughts of the Golden King.

"You sure you don't want to handle this?" Cani asked, glancing sideways at him. 

"You know, being the captain and all." Yuma shook his head, his voice quiet but firm. 

"I trust you with this, Cani. Besides, I need some air. Think I'll explore the town for a bit… Plus, you're the finance person… so…" Cani raised an eyebrow but didn't push. She knew Yuma's moods well enough by now. 

"Alright. I'll handle the negotiations. Don't get into too much trouble out there." A small smirk formed on Yuma's lips, the first hint of emotion he'd shown that morning. 

"I'll do my best." With that, Yuma turned and headed into the busy streets, leaving Cani to enter the association alone. The inside was bustling—shipbuilders of all types were gathered around large desks, discussing materials, drawing up blueprints, and arguing over prices. The scent of wood, oil, and sweat filled the air.

"You can do this," Cani took a deep breath and approached the front desk, where a large man sat, scribbling furiously in a ledger. His face was lined with years of experience, and his hands were rough, like he'd spent half his life gripping tools. Without looking up, he grunted, 

"Need something?" Cani cleared her throat.

"We need a ship built… From scratch… And fast." The man finally glanced up, his eyes narrowing as he sized her up. 

"You with the crew from the Golden King?"

"Yeah," Cani replied, straightening her posture. 

"We're looking for something bigger. Faster. More durable than the Golden King" The man nodded, leaning back in his chair. 

"That's no small request. Materials are expensive right now… especially after the manufacturing center of materials provided by Demon Lord Ikati has slowed production… Might cost you a bit more than usual."

"How much are we talking?" Cani asked, crossing her arms and keeping her expression calm, though she could feel the tension creeping in. He pulled out a thick, weathered book from beneath the counter and flipped it open. Its page cover was red with the title 'Mezomorphic's guide to prices', running his finger down the pages. 

"A ship like what you're asking for… we're looking at 50,000 Enni at least. And that's if you want it within the month."

Cani's eyes widened slightly, though she quickly composed herself. 

"50,000? That's almost double what we expected." The man shrugged, not phased by her reaction. 

"Ship building's a delicate art… Takes time, materials, and the best crew. We don't rush things here, and the quality speaks for itself… If what you're asking for… a large ship fit for a large alliance with high ceilings… Was only 25,000, the economy would collapse on itself…" Cani leaned forward, her voice dropping low. 

"We've got some of the best fighters in the world in our crew. If you want protection from Demon Lords, pirates, or the World Government while your workers build ships, I'm sure we could arrange something. That's a fair trade for a discount, don't you think?" The man raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by her offer. He stroked his chin thoughtfully before nodding slowly. 

"Tell you what—I'll knock it down to 45,000 Enni, if you can guarantee protection for two months. No trouble from anyone." Cani smiled, satisfied with the negotiation. 

"You've got a deal."