Chapter 56: Meeting Franky!

"After leaving Carrera Company, Nami raised concerns about Merry's renovation.

"But Ace, what about renovating the Merry? Carrera Company has merged seven shipyards in Seven Waters Capital. If we can't find skilled ship repairers here, where else can we go?" Nokigao queried.

"Didn't Grandma Cocoluo say? If we can't find a suitable shipwright in Carrera Company, then even a street thug who knows nothing about ships might surprise us with their skills," Ace suggested with a smile.

Ace had never intended to entrust Merry's modifications to Carrera Company. With the shipbuilding talents of Kaku, Lucci, and others, they were hardly qualified for such a task. Besides, Ace reserved his profound understanding exclusively for one person—his younger brother Luffy's shipwright and innovator, Franky.

Franky's Mentor was renowned as the world's best shipwright, having crafted the 'Oro Jackson' for Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King. Under his mentor, Tom the fishman, Franky's abilities rivaled even his master's. With Ace's enhanced understanding, Franky's shipbuilding prowess was expected to surpass all expectations, including unparalleled weapon modifications.

"This will not only enhance Nami's Clima-Tact but also provide Nokigao with the perfect sniper rifle," Ace elaborated. "Strengthening Franky means boosting Luffy's strength, and in turn, mine—a threefold advantage."

"Ace, are you implying..." Nami's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Find those who attacked Merry, Nami," Ace instructed with a smile.

"Understood!"

Nami closed her eyes, her Observation Haki, amplified by the Thunder Fruit, spreading throughout Seven Waters City.

Moments later, her eyes snapped open, lightning flickering within.

"I've found them."

In a remote corner of Seven Waters City stood a graffiti-covered building—the residence of Franky's family.

Inside, Zanbai winced as his wounds were tended by his younger brother. Their injuries, caused by lightning during their failed attempt to dismantle a pirate ship, were evident.

"Ahh!" a strange cry echoed as the entire Franky family bathed in a sudden flash of light.

"Hey! Look at you, my dear brothers," a blue-haired man, dressed eccentrically and exuding an odd charm, danced and exclaimed amidst the light.

The square-headed sisters on either side mirrored his movements.

"It's just a setback, no big deal," one of the sisters reassured.

"It's dance time, here comes the pervert!" the blue-haired man announced theatrically.

Franky joined in, the square-headed sisters mimicking his moves perfectly.

"Franky! Super!" he proclaimed enthusiastically.

"Brother!" Zanbai and his siblings wept at the sight of Franky.

"Brother, you'll get revenge for us, right?" Zanbai pleaded tearfully.

"Revenge? Absolutely!" Franky's fury flared. "Who dared harm my brothers like this?!"

"Um, it was Nami," Zanbai stammered, pointing hesitantly.

The room fell silent.

"What? Struck by lightning?" Franky exclaimed, surveying his siblings' injuries.

"Well, they were indeed struck," Zanbai confirmed nervously.

"Haha! Struck by lightning? That's just the kind of treatment a super pervert deserves!" Franky laughed heartily.

"No, that's not..." Zanbai attempted to clarify.

"We were planning to salvage a pirate ship at the dock, like we always do," he explained hurriedly. "But as we approached, lightning struck from the sky."

"Huh?" Franky's demeanor shifted, brow furrowing in concern. "If it was natural lightning, there's not much we can do."

"But if someone caused it intentionally, that's a different story."

"Whose pirate ship was it?" Franky demanded.

"It belonged to the Entei Pirates, Ace of Portgas D., with a bounty of 150 million beli," Zanbai replied.

"150 million? Quite the bounty," Franky mused, his expression hardening.

Understanding their elder brother's resolve, Zanbai and the others nodded solemnly.

"However, anyone who harms my brothers must pay!" Franky declared fiercely.

"Dang! Dang!" A polite knock interrupted the tense atmosphere.

"Huh? Someone's actually visiting us?" Sister Cube marveled.

Franky's reputation in Seven Waters City was infamous, to say the least—why would anyone visit, let alone knock politely?

Franky swung the door open dramatically.

"Super!" he greeted, only to freeze at the sight of Ace standing before him.

"Hey, you're the super pervert, Franky, right?" Ace greeted casually.

"Huh?" Franky blinked, recognizing Ace's familiar smile. Slowly, a grin spread across his face.

"Haha! You guys really know how to flatter someone!" Franky chuckled, gesturing Ace inside with exaggerated flair.

The girls exchanged amused glances at Franky's antics. Did this eccentric man really know how to repair ships?

"Brother, is it wise to let a stranger into our home?" Sister Cube whispered urgently.

The younger brothers eyed Ace cautiously, sensing familiarity.

"Yeah!" Franky cleared his throat, facing Ace. "So, what brings you, the super pervert of perverts, to Franky's doorstep?"

"I'm Portgas D. Ace. I've come seeking your expertise," Ace explained, his smile widening.

Silence fell like a blanket.

Cold sweat trickled down the Franky family's brows.

"150 million beli, Portgas D. Ace of the Entei Pirates?!" they gasped collectively.

"Huh?!" Franky's eyes widened incredulously. "Portgas D. Ace? I was just about to find you!"

"Did you harm my brothers?" Franky demanded.

"Indeed, my crew doesn't take kindly to those who approach our ship," Ace admitted lightly.

"Haha! So, it was you! You hurt my dear brothers..." Franky began.

"By the way, Grandma Cocoluo recommended you for ship repairs. We need your help modifying our ship," Ace interjected smoothly.

"Huh? That old woman sent you to me?" Franky's surprise was palpable. Why would she direct these people to him instead of Carrera Company?

"No, wait!" Franky shook his head vigorously, eyes gleaming with determination. "First, I must avenge my brothers!"

"Are you underestimating me, thinking mere money can sway my resolve?" Franky challenged.

Ace signaled Kaya, who placed two bulging leather bags before him. The cases opened to reveal a fortune in beli.

Franky's bluster faltered, stunned by the sight of such wealth. Even the Franky family stared in disbelief.

"Is this... 200 million beli just a bribe to make me abandon my brothers' justice?" Franky retorted, defiant.

"Snapped!" Another bag was opened.

"I don't know a thing about ship repairs—only ship dismantling," Franky insisted loudly.

"Snapped!" Two more bags followed.

"Five... five hundred million beli?!" Franky and his family gasped collectively.

"Haha! You really know how to win me over!" Franky admitted, giving a thumbs-up.

"Yes, if you think about it, it's our fault and the lightning's fault," his siblings chimed in.

"Tea, for Brother Ace!" Franky instructed, grinning broadly as Ace entered their home.

"Brother Ace, are you planning a complete overhaul of your pirate ship? Even for the New World?" Franky inquired hesitantly.

"Frankly, it's almost like building a new ship," Franky explained, "unless your ship has a spirit, there's very little chance."

"Ah, about that ship spirit..." Franky began.

"Hello, I'm Merry, the ship spirit of Merry," the vessel greeted, a temporary manifestation beyond its usual confines, courtesy of Ace's enhanced abilities.

"Yes, this is... a ship spirit?!" Franky marveled, astounded by the concept of a free-moving ship spirit.

"With a ship spirit like this, it's no wonder Grandma Cocoluo recommended you. Your dedication to your ship is truly touching!" Franky enthused, strumming a ukulele emotively.

"Just tell me how to start the modifications," Ace urged, smiling at Franky's unique style.

"Truthfully, even with a ship spirit, only my late master could manage this task," Franky admitted solemnly. "I've only mastered part of his skills, with the rest sealed away."

"Enies Lobby?" Ace's query left Franky wide-eyed.

"Why do you know this? Do you know who my master is?" Franky stared at Ace in disbelief.

"Tom, the world's best shipwright who built the Oro Jackson for Pirate King Gol D. Roger, he's your master, right?" Ace's smile widened slightly.

"How do you know that? My true identity..." Franky's expression turned serious.

"Not only do I know, but I suspect CP9, infiltrating your senior brother Iceberg, is also onto your identity. You've underestimated the World Government and followed a dark path. The reason your master Tom was killed and the Pluton blueprints are in your hands, right?" Ace's words made Franky's emotions fluctuate.

Robin's eyes narrowed. The World Government had deployed CP9 to infiltrate Carrera Company for the Ancient Weapon Pluton's blueprints.

"You're here for the Pluton blueprints?!" Franky's tone shifted.

"Pluton's blueprints? Hahaha," Ace chuckled, his Haki-infused eyes flashing ominously.

At the sight of Ace's surging aura, Franky's expression drastically changed.

"You... You!" Franky gasped in disbelief.

He'd witnessed this power before, thirty years ago, when a group of pirates had visited his master Tom to commission a ship. That group was none other than the Roger Pirates, led by the future Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, and his right-hand man, Silver Rayleigh, who possessed the same power as Ace.

"Do you possess the same power as them, Portgas D. Ace?" Franky's expression shifted continuously.

"I don't need Pluton's blueprints. However, I have a suggestion regarding them," Ace's gaze sharpened.

"What?" Franky looked at Ace, bewildered.

"How about you accompany me to Enies Lobby? Burn them there as an homage to your master, Tom, the world's best shipwright," Ace proposed.

"To Enies Lobby?!" Franky was shocked. Enies Lobby housed the World Government's major institutions, including the Naval Headquarters and an Undersea Prison. Even for Franky, this was too audacious.

"If CP9 dares to harm my crew, I'll wipe out their base at Enies Lobby," Ace declared confidently.

"Your decision," Ace continued, "Decide if you'll join me."

Ace's Haki flared, underscoring his determination.

"You're suggesting we take on Enies Lobby under the World Government's nose?!" Franky's astonishment was palpable.

"That's insane!" Tashigi gripped her sword, her eyes ablaze with anger. The corrupt World Government claiming justice, while pursuing Pluton's blueprints at any cost, was an affront to true justice.

Enraged, the girls in Ace's crew echoed Tashigi's sentiments.

"Don't try to dissuade me, my dear brothers. I've awaited this opportunity for too long," Franky's voice trembled with anger and determination.

As Franky recounted the tragedies inflicted by the World Government in Seven Waters City to secure the Pluton blueprints, tears streamed down his face.

"World Government!" Tashigi tightened her grip on her sword, her beautiful eyes flashing with resolve.

"Don't cry, my dear brothers," Franky wiped his tears, offering a reassuring smile to his family.

"Okay! I, Franky, will join you! The Pluton blueprints must not exist in this world. Too many lives have been lost for that cursed thing!" Franky declared vehemently.

"Brother!" Franky's family, moved by his resolve, pledged their support.

"You're more 'Super' than me, a pervert!" Franky chuckled through his tears.

"Brother Ace, it won't cost much to renovate your ship. The most crucial part, Treasure Tree Adam, will be about 200 million beli. You can have the remaining 300 million," Franky stated seriously.

"No, our agreement was for 500 million. Use it all for your ship's renovation. You can buy another batch of Adam wood with the rest," Ace insisted firmly.

"My idiot brother admires you, you know. Maybe someday he'll come asking you to be his shipwright," Ace chuckled.

"Your younger brother, Brother Ace?" Franky looked surprised.

"Yeah, my brother who's aiming to be the Pirate King, Monkey D. Luffy," Ace replied with a slight grin.

"Monkey D. Luffy?" Franky murmured, feeling a rush of excitement at the mention of the future Pirate King.

"By the way, Ace, you mentioned CP9 infiltrating Carrera Company under Iceberg?" Franky's expression shifted.

"Don't worry, they won't be lingering around Seven Waters' capital anymore," Ace assured him, a hint of red flashing in his eyes, indicating his keen Observation Haki.

Meanwhile, deep in the shadows of Seven Waters' capital, anxiety gripped the CP9 operatives.

"What should we do? Blueno's dead, Iceberg suspects us, and our cover's almost blown. And Ace is still out there," Kaku trembled at the thought.

Kalifa's eyes widened with concern, while Lucci, usually expressionless, began to look unsettled.

"We suspect Franky's true identity as another of Tom's disciples, Cutty Flam, but we lack conclusive evidence," Kalifa hesitated, looking to Lucci for guidance.

"Our agents report that Ace visited Franky's family after leaving Carrera Company," Lucci's tone was grim.

"Is there no chance left?" Kaku lamented, feeling overwhelmed.

"Kalifa, prepare for the worst," Lucci commanded with cold resolve.

"Understood," Kalifa replied, her voice tinged with apprehension.

In the Holy Land, Mariejois, a vast and opulent office symbolizing the pinnacle of world power, the Five Elders discussed the escalating threat posed by Portgas D. Ace.

"I never expected Portgas D. Ace to match Aokiji in combat prowess," Saint Peter, with short blond hair, remarked, his voice deep and concerned, holding Ace's bounty poster.

"What's more troubling is his suspected ability to amass a Devil Fruit army," Saint Mars, with a long beard and hair, added gravely. "He currently holds powerful fruits like the Mera-Mera Fruit, Sand-Sand Fruit, Thunder Fruit, and the Bird Fruit - Phoenix Model."

"Each of these abilities is problematic. Together, they pose a greater threat than even some of the Four Emperors," Saint Warcury, marked with a circular birthmark, interjected with irritation.

"With his formidable Devil Fruit powers, mastery of Conqueror's Haki, and rising influence, Portgas D. Ace is effectively the fifth Emperor of the sea," Saint Saturn's voice was cold and calculating.

"Unfortunately, we lack sufficient strength to confront Ace at this time," Saint Nushjuro, gripping a sword, declared with resolve.

Suddenly, urgent footsteps interrupted them.

"Report!" a Marine Commodore burst in, visibly shaken. "From Seven Waters Capital, CP9 reports that Portgas D. Ace has appeared, killed Blueno of CP9, and used Conqueror's Haki to challenge the World Government."

The Commodore served as a guard during the previous Shichibukai meeting, No stranger to the impact of Ace's Haki.

The Five Elders reacted with alarm, realizing Ace's threat level had surged, akin to the Four Emperors.

"What? Portgas D. Ace, the audacity!" Saint Warcury fumed.

"Stay calm. Bring the full report," Saint Mars instructed calmly.

"Yes," Saint Mars received and reviewed the report, his expression turning grim. "According to CP9, Ace not only killed Blueno publicly but also extracted a Devil Fruit from him."

"Sengoku and Tsuru's suspicions were correct. Ace has the ability to take Paramecia and Logia Devil Fruits," Saint Mars concluded with distaste.

"This method of acquiring Devil Fruits... what is he planning?" Saint Peter's face contorted in displeasure.

"With Ace amassing such formidable Devil Fruit powers, our options are limited," Saint Saturn remarked somberly.

"Given recent interactions with Aokiji and CP9, Ace is asserting his dominance," Saint Peter observed gloomily.

"How should we proceed?" Saint Mars asked, his voice low and serious.

"We cannot afford to engage Ace directly; our military power is already stretched thin. Let Ace and Kaido of the Four Emperors clash," Saint Peter suggested calmly.

"He's already eyeing Kaido as a target. Perhaps their clash will eliminate one of them," Saint Warcury agreed, his anger tempered by strategic thinking.

"In the meantime, CP9 should halt their pursuit of Pluton's blueprints and withdraw to Enies Lobby. We cannot afford further provocation," Saint Peter concluded decisively.

"Seconded!" the other Elders chimed in, signaling their agreement.

Thus, an order swiftly bypassed Enies Lobby and was dispatched directly from the highest echelons of the World Government to Rob Lucci's hands.