Chapter 87: Acquired

Tom and his apprentices didn't dare respond too freely; they simply stood quietly, watching Claudius with cautious expressions.

Claudius chuckled, then brushed off some debris from an old chair nearby and took a seat. "So, in your current situation," he asked, "are you even able to build a ship right now?"

Tom hesitated. "Well... that depends on the type of ship Your Highness wants. If it's just a regular ship, we can start anytime. But if you're looking for something truly remarkable, we may need more resources. Perhaps an advance payment would help us get started."

Claudius raised an eyebrow. "If I wanted an ordinary ship, why would I come to you, Tom?" he replied with a smirk. "No, I want the best ship in the world. Can you handle that?"

Tom straightened up with a confident gleam in his eye. "Your Highness, I've built some of the finest ships to ever sail the seas. If you give us the right resources and freedom, I assure you, I can build the best."

Claudius laughed, clearly pleased with the man's spirit. "That's what I like to hear. Alright, let me lay out my expectations: First, the ship must be big and impressive, something that commands attention. Second, it should be comfortable and luxurious, fit for a royal. Third, I want it fully functional with no major flaws or weak points. And finally, it should be strong in combat. Understand?"

Tom pondered for a moment, then scratched his head. "Your Highness, building a ship with all those qualities is fine... but when it comes to luxurious interiors, I might need some assistance. I'm a shipbuilder, not an interior designer."

Claudius nodded thoughtfully. "Fair enough. I can arrange for someone to handle the finer details of the interiors. But still, this environment you're working in... it doesn't quite feel right for building a ship worthy of Celestial Dragons."

Tom's face turned a bit red as he looked around the rundown dock. Before he could respond, Claudius casually mentioned, "Oh, I should probably introduce myself properly. My name is Donquixote Claudius, and yes, I'm one of the Celestial Dragons. No need to be nervous, though—I'm not big on formalities. As long as you do the job well, we'll get along just fine."

Tom's eyes widened in shock as the name sank in. Donquixote Claudius, the Celestial Dragon responsible for capturing both Golden Lion Shiki and Pirate King Roger. The mysterious power within the World Government everyone whispered about. Realizing he was in the presence of such a high-ranking figure, Tom quickly pulled his apprentices to their knees out of respect.

"Alright, that's enough," Claudius waved his hand, signaling for them to stand. "Now, I hear your company has been struggling lately. How about this, I'll buy Tom's Workers outright and invest heavily to restore it. In exchange, you'll be responsible for building my ship. After that, once you've proven yourself, CP-X will be a steady source of work for you. Marine also needs more suppliers for their warships, so you could have plenty of business coming your way. Sound good?"

Tom seemed taken aback. This was an incredible opportunity. But he hesitated, not because of any dislike for the proposal, but because of his longstanding dream of building the sea train. Would he be able to pursue that if he agreed to Claudius' offer?

Seeing Tom's hesitation, Claudius narrowed his eyes slightly. "Something wrong with my offer, Tom?"

Quickly, Tom shook his head. "No, Your Highness, it's just... well, I have a project I've been dreaming of for years, a sea train that could connect the islands of this region. I'd hoped to dedicate my life to making it a reality."

Claudius's interest was piqued, though he kept his expression neutral. Of course, he was already aware of Tom's sea train project from his own knowledge. It was a revolutionary technology that would not only benefit the people but could also become a strategic asset for the World Government, allowing faster troop deployment across the islands. And it was sure to be profitable as well.

With a supportive smile, Claudius replied, "The sea train, huh? That's an ambitious project. But I'm a fair man, Tom. If you build me a ship that meets my expectations, I'll support your research on the sea train. With the resources of the World Government backing you, think how much faster you'll be able to bring your dream to life."

Tom was stunned. This deal was far better than he could have ever imagined. With the backing of a Celestial Dragon, not only would he be able to achieve his dream, but he'd also gain protection and resources beyond anything he'd hoped for.

Claudius continued, "And once Tom's Workers is up and running with my investment, you'll be free from financial concerns. No more worrying about who will pay the bills or buy materials. All I ask is that you build me a ship that truly stands out."

Tom couldn't believe his luck. Bowing deeply, he said, "Thank you, Your Highness! I'll make sure we craft a ship that lives up to your expectations."