Tom

(MC: POV)

Rain drops and water are pounding me from all directions.

Wind is blowing violently.

I am soaked to the bone, and holding onto the Oro Jackson for dear life.

And yet despite all these things I can't help but have a smile on my face.

Just like everyone else on the crew at the moment.

"Agh!!"

Well except Buggy that is, but that's normal for him since his cowardly personality is starting to show.

The point I'm trying to make is even though I am in this life or death situation I am having fun. Probably because I am doing it with people I cherish, and living my life the way I want to.

Either way I will certainly never forget this as long as I live.

A wave came from the left and slammed into the Oro Jackson. Flooding the deck with water. But that only lasted for a moment before it was over.

Just this happened one of the waterspouts started moving closer to the ship.

'Ok. Now I think we might be in a little trouble.' I thought.

Sure, sailing into these rough seas got admiral Gitsune and her marine fleet off our backs but with the way these waterspouts are getting deadlier at the minutes pass by I can only think we left one shitstorm and ran right into another.

Then there's the fact that the mast was damaged earlier during our battle with the navy. So if we stay in these rough waters too long and the mast takes even more of a beating then we really will be up shits creak without a paddle.

Which is why I hope Roger has a plan.

"Full speed ahead Gaban." Roger said. A smile on his face.

"Yes." Gaban said.

He then sailed the Oro Jackson full speed ahead, ignoring the waterspout getting closer to us as he did so.

As we moved on ahead and the waterspout moved ever so closer suddenly another one appeared and clashed with the one heading towards us.

The two waterspouts canceling each other out.

Seeing this I let out a low whistle.

We Roger pirates really do have some grade A luck.

"Don't worry boys, we're not dying here today!" Roger shouted. So we could hear him over the storm.

"Yeah!" We all shouted.

Even Buggy this time.

All of us believing in Rogers words we stayed strong, and eventually we made it out of the rough seas.

Seeing the sun high in the sky the moment we did so.

"Finally." I mused.

"Yeah. I'm glad that's over." Shanks said.

"We made it!" Buggy happily cried.

"Ah, well that was certainly exciting." Roger said. "But we're not out of the woods yet boys." He said. Turning to face us. "Getting working on repairs."

"Yes, captain!" We all said.

We then moved and started tending to the Oro Jackson as best we could.

Since I have devil fruit powers I worked with Gaban and some others on the mast. Since if we lost that we would literally be dead in the water.

As we worked on it we heard a creaking sound.

"That's not a good sound for the mast to make right?" I asked.

"No Sieg, it isn't." Gaban said. "Captain!" He shouted to Roger.

"Mhm, what's wrong Gaban?" Roger asked him.

"The mast is more damaged than we thought." He explained. "Our repair work should hold it for now, but it needs some major work done or else it'll fail."

"Well then break out the eternal pose for Water Seven. It's time to go visit Tom." Roger said.

A smile on his face as he did so.

Gaban nodded at his words.

Meanwhile I started wondering just what Tom, the most skill shipwright currently in the world, was like as a real person.

I guess I'll just have to find out when we meet in person.

Should be very interesting.

---------------------------------

We sailed for two weeks straight, basically not stopping at all.

Eventually we reached our destination.

Water Seven.

As we approached the island I gazed at it. Marveling at just how different it looks now than what it will look like when Iceburg takes over and becomes mayor of it in the future.

The Oro Jackson pulled into one of the water channels of the island.

We sailed up it and eventually came to a stop, weighing anchor.

That's when we disembarked.

As soon as we did so a giant and familiar fish-man came up to greet us.

Tom.

"Roger, hahaha it's been to long. Tom happily said.

"The same Tom." Roger said. A smile on his face as he did so.

The two of them then shared a brief hug.

"So my friends what brings you to me today?" Tom asked Roger.

"Ah, you see our mast took a beating recently and we need you to repair it." Roger explained.

"Well then let me take a look and see what the problem is." Tom said.

"Thanks as always Tom." Roger said. "Say, I know you say no every time I ask this but how about you finally join my crew and become my permanent shipwright?"

"Sorry my friend but just like every other time you've asked me I'll have to decline." Tom retorted. "While I love working on your ship I also love working on the other ships I build as well."

"Well so long as your happy." Roger said.

"I am." Tom said.

He then walked with Roger to the Oro Jackson.

As they did I found myself liking Tom even though we haven't spoken yet.

He's just that type of guy you can't help but like.

So it pisses me off just thinking how that worthless piece of shit Spandam screws him over the in the future.

The same with the World Government.

Who only follows the rules when it suits them.

They clearly say all the time those who build ships for pirates cannot be held accountable for their crimes. But with Tom things were different, all because he happened to be the one who built the pirate king's ship.

For that he was put on trial and then eventually killed.

Well that's not going to happen this time.

Tom isn't dying on my watch.

Not by a long shot.