Departure

"Boss! My name is Alfred and I am only a soldier from the reinforcement team. Captain Smith ordered me to guard the guesthouse during your stay." He said with a little hesitation and fear of offending the big boss, Angel of Death himself.

Victor observed Alfred, noting the mix of fear and respect in the soldier's demeanor. "Alfred, you handled the situation well. Your quick response is appreciated," Victor commended, understanding the young man's nerves. "Captain Smith made a wise choice entrusting you."

Alfred's expression shifted from nervousness to a more relaxed stance, relieved by the unexpected praise from someone of Victor's stature. "Thank you, Boss! I was just doing my job."

As Victor regained his strength, he pondered the incident with the briefcase. The risk of using his powers so recklessly lingered in his thoughts. "I should be more cautious," he muttered to himself.

"Tell you what, Alfred," Victor said as he leaned back in his chair, sipping a glass of wine. "You've earned yourself a bonus and a promotion, in return you just have to spread the rumor of what you saw today among the family."

"Huh?"

Meanwhile inside a coastal town:

Twelve-year-old Trafalgar Law and eight-year-old polar bear mink, Bepo were sitting inside a small inn in the town. After traveling for days via land and sea with Flintshot they finally reached the West Blue.

"I can't believe there is a mining rail tunnel in the Red Line that connects all blues," Bepo said to Law in his childish tone.

"And the underground city completely controlled by the 6 mafia overlords in the grand line," Law added. What they saw completely blew their minds.

Flintlock had already reported their current status to Mr Hugh and was leisurely reading the World Economy News Paper. The headline of the article was, 'Star Rookie Gekko Moria suffered a humiliating defeat against Kaido.' After keeping the newspaper aside he looked at the kids.

"This network of tunnels had been built centuries ago, no one knows who built it but the smugglers discovered it first while mining expedition. Over the years it had slowly developed into the heart of the inter-blue trade. The terminal is located at the crossroads of all the tunnels so it became a trade hub for exchanging precious items and smuggling them to other seas. Even though it's safer than traversing the reverse mountains, but due to the treacherous environments the mortality is still more than 50%. You are lucky you survived the trip."

Bepo's eyes suddenly swelled up with tears and complained," Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"I forgot!"

"Why don't more people use it then?" Law asked.

"It's a closely guarded territory fully under the Underground's control, not everyone has the privilege to come near it plus the Underground has the World Government backing it to some degree. We do their dirty work and also keep higher-ups on our payroll, in return they look the other way."

"So, your Boss! This Victor guy must have some influence. We even got a seat and didn't even have to pull the levers like the other passengers."

"You won't have to if you pay enough."

***

Robin and Sofia, both dressed in elegant, yet understated attire, strolled through the cobbled streets of the picturesque coastal town. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow on the colorful storefronts and bustling market stalls. 

Their first stop was a charming boutique that displayed a collection of handmade jewelry and dresses. Sofia was immediately drawn to a display of delicate silver necklaces adorned with intricate seashell pendants. Each piece seemed to capture the essence of the coastal town. As she examined the jewelry, the shopkeeper, a friendly woman with salt-kissed hair, shared stories of the local artisans who crafted these beautiful pieces. After spending an hour both of them bought many beautiful dresses at Sofia's insistence. 

Robin, on the other hand, was captivated by a shelf of old, leather-bound books in a nearby bookstore. She immediately went in to check along with Sofia. She ran her fingers over the worn spines, each one a treasure trove of history and stories. She couldn't resist picking up a few interesting novels and antique maps, envisioning the knowledge she would gain from these relics of the past. 

"I love books huh?" Sofia said with a small smile as they both sat down in a seaside restaurant. They got closer as they had spent the whole day shopping, sharing stories, and gossiping about various girly stuff. 

"I can't help it," Robin replied with a melancholy smile. "Books have always been my companions since childhood, my source of comfort."

"Robin, I brought you out today in order to thank you for everything and also to offer my friendship. If any day you need my help, you just have to call me."

Robin appreciated Sofia's gesture of friendship. It was a rare and precious thing to her, having someone who genuinely cared and offered their support. "Thank you, Sofia," Robin replied, her voice filled with gratitude. 

Sofia's eyes sparkled with sincerity. "No need to thank me. We women need to stick together and support one another."

***

The sun hung low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the bustling harbor. Seagulls cawed and swooped gracefully, riding the salty breeze that carried the scent of the sea. The dock was a hive of activity, as crew members rushed to and fro, loading supplies, securing lines, and making last-minute preparations for their voyage.

At the heart of the bustling harbor stood "The Uriel," a magnificent ship that seemed to command attention from all who gazed upon her. Victor and Robin said their goodbyes to Sofia who had come to see them off before boarding the ship. 

"Set sail!" Captain Smith ordered his men, they worked in trained motion as the sails were unfurled and the anchor was lifted. Slowly, the island grew smaller and smaller as they sailed away towards BlackRock, a five-day-long trip.

Victor sat in his office with Robin and Zala, he was busy scribbling something something on his table while Robin opened the books she had bought while shopping. A journey at sea takes too long as the ships are slow and rely heavily on wind and weather. 

"What are you drawing, Victor?" Zala asked after she was bored laying idle on the sofa for too long. Her words also drew the attention of Robin who also looked at him curiously.

"A way to earn more money!" Victor said as he paused his work and looked at the ladies.

"You only knew how to draw stick figures. Don't act smart. " Zala said with a mischievous smile. 'Today I'll expose your true face, Victor, trying to pretend in front of your wife but only I know how much you sucked at everything during childhood except acting like a villain. How our homeschool tutor Mrs Dunhill almost wept when you couldn't solve basic maths at the age of 14, Grandfather Afolf was present there to check your progress. What happened to Mrs Dunhill.... better not think about it.'

"I also want to know!" Robin was curious, what was he planning again? 

"Okey! Strap in for the first idea. This ladies is a basic diagram of an 'Internal Combustion Engine',"

Victor explained, pushing a piece of parchment across the table. The sketch indeed consisted of a rudimentary engine, complete with labeled components. "Now, bear with me, it's a rough concept, but I believe we must invest in developing such technology for our ships and industries. It could increase their speed and efficiency, potentially revolutionizing the way we navigate the seas. Ships are relying too much on the wind, imagine if we can create something that allows the ship to move fast even when the winds aren't favorable. Our ships will outrun any pirates and marines swiftly if need be." Victor explained trying to keep it simple for Zala and Robin to understand.

Robin and Zala exchanged glances, both captivated by Victor's ambitious idea. It was a concept that could not only enhance the speed and safety of their ships but also revolutionize maritime travel, making their family's fleet unparalleled in the West Blue.

"What's the next drawing?" Zala pointed at the next one and looked curiously.

"This one is is a 'The mechanical reaper.' It'll replace scythes and harvest grains 5 times faster plus requires less labor. The next one is called 'Battery'..."

With that, he explained a few more ideas like hot air balloons, light bulbs, rubber wheels, and automotive. They were just the basic ideas and sketches that he remembered from his past life. I'll take some research and experiments but he knows these creations will bring about a technological revolution and print money.

At the end of the explanation, Zala was stunned speechless while Robin thought more deeply about the theories.

"When did you draw all these?" Zala looked at him suspiciously.

*Sigh* "It took my whole day! I didn't even sleep properly." He said as he stretched his arms and legs.

***

AN: Oda didn't mention how the smugglers traveled to other blues so I am making this lore on my own for the plot's convenience (This is not a part of Cannon). 'The Terminal' is a small trading and resupply hub for the smugglers and black market traders inside the Red Line. They follow a strict code of conduct in the town and it is controlled by the six emperors of the underworld. The narrow and dark tunnels have rail tracks and mine carts but it requires manual labor to operate. The five hidden entrances are heavily guarded but the only downside is ships can't be transported through it as well as the high mortality rate due to natural causes. E.g. Poisonous gases in some parts of the dark tunnels, protruding rocky spikes, dangerous animals living in the tunnels, etc. Smugglers and mafias use pieces of equipment like gas masks, lanterns, protective gear, and experienced guides to make this journey.

*Hope this fits the narrative*