126 The Silver Gale #126

Cedric and Duval made their way through the vibrant streets of Fishman Island, heading towards the dry dock where Den awaited them. As they approached the building, the rhythmic sounds of hammers striking metal and the aroma of sawdust filled the air, serving as a testament to the industry and craftsmanship within.

Cedric's gaze fell upon the scene before him as they reached their destination. Kieran, Baby Five, and Chuchun stood near the edge of the dry dock, eagerly awaiting their arrival.

Kieran was stoic as usual, while Baby Five bounced on her feet with unrestrained enthusiasm, barraging the assassin with an endless torrent of questions. Chuchun seemed to enjoy the racket as he chirped pleasantly from the side.

With an ever-present smile, Den stepped forward to greet Cedric and Duval. "Welcome, Cedric, Duval," he said, his voice warm and inviting. "I'm glad you could make it."

Cedric returned the greeting with a nod and a friendly smile. "Den, good to see you," he replied. "What's the urgency? Is the ship complete?"

Den nodded, his eyes twinkling with pride. "That it is," he answered. "The ship is complete and ready for its maiden voyage."

With curiosity piqued, Cedric motioned for Den to lead the way. The group followed him to a dry dock some distance from the entrance to the docks. As they approached, Cedric's gaze fell upon a remarkable sight—a ship suspended on a sturdy wooden frame.

The ship appeared inconspicuous at first glance, with its simple two-mast design and unassuming exterior. Cedric's briefly turned to the docking area at the lower end of the ship's hull but ignored it for now.

Cedric's gaze traveled along the ship's hull, taking in the expert craftsmanship that had gone into its construction. The wood was smooth and polished, revealing the hours of meticulous work put into its creation. Despite its unassuming appearance, the ship exuded an air of reliability and sturdiness.

Den stepped forward, standing beside the ship with a sense of pride. "This is the ship I built for you, Cedric," he announced, his voice filled with modesty and satisfaction. "It might not be my best work, but it'll carry us to Water Seven without trouble."

Cedric studied the ship, appreciating the functional design and the attention to detail. He knew that Den was renowned for his shipbuilding skills, and though Den's humility shone through in his words, Cedric could sense the craftsmanship and dedication that had gone into the vessel.

"It'll do, Den," Cedric said, his voice brimming with gratitude. "Thank you for your hard work. This ship will serve us well on our journey."

Den's eyes sparkled with appreciation as he listened to Cedric's words. The shipwright had poured his heart and soul into the vessel despite lacking the proper resources and tools, and seeing Cedric's satisfaction was plenty rewarding.

"You're more than welcome, Cedric," Den replied, his voice tinged with humility and pride. "This ship may not be the grandest or the largest, but I built it with care and the knowledge that it will carry you through the unpredictable seas."

As Cedric continued inspecting the ship, his gaze was drawn again to the docking area at the lower end of the hull. Remembering his curiosity, he turned to Den and pointed towards the enclosure. "Den, what's the purpose of this particular section?" he asked, his tone filled with genuine curiosity.

Den's smile widened, appreciating Cedric's attention to detail. "Ah, that," he began, his voice laced with a hint of pride. "I knew that some of your companions utilize flying fish in their travels, so I built this docking area as an enclosure for the flying fish."

Cedric's eyebrows raised in surprise. Including a dedicated docking area for the flying fish showcased Den's thoughtfulness and understanding of their unique needs.

"I'm impressed, Den," Cedric said, a touch of admiration in his voice. "I thought we'd have to leave the flying fish behind, but we can safely take them along... I'm sure Duval and the others are super thankful..."

"Thank you for your kind words..." Den replied with a nod, his pleasant smile faltering, replaced by a bitter one as he looked at the ship. "But it's quite the shame... she won't even get a name and won't see much action since she will only temporarily serve as your ship."

Cedric tilted his head, a perplexed expression crossing his face. "What are you talking about, Den? Why won't she get a name or see much action?" he asked, his confusion evident.

Den let out a sigh, his gaze fixed on the ship. "Well, you see, Cedric," he began, his voice tinged with regret, "it's custom that a pirate crew sinks their old ships once they acquire new ones. Since we'll be sinking this ship after its maiden voyage, there would be no sense in naming it or getting too attached to it."

Cedric's eyes widened in surprise as he processed Den's explanation. Sinking a ship after just one voyage seemed wasteful to him. He couldn't help but shake his head with a befuddled expression.

"That's quite a custom," Cedric chuckled, his voice laced with amusement. "But I must admit, Den, that would be too much of a waste. I'm still new to the pirate business, so such customs don't mean much to me..."

Den blinked, surprised by Cedric's response. He hadn't expected Cedric to challenge the age-old tradition. "You... you don't mind?" Den asked, a mix of astonishment and curiosity in his voice.

Cedric shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Not at all," he replied. "In fact, I have a different plan for this ship. After you build us a new one, Den, I intend to leave this ship at Water Seven for someone else to take."

Den's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his eyes widening. "You mean... you want to give away the ship?" he asked, his voice filled with relief and curiosity.

Cedric nodded, his smile growing wider. "Exactly," he affirmed. "By leaving it behind, someone else will have the chance to embark on their own grand adventure. She might not be your best work, but she's still the work of a skilled shipwright. It'll be a shame to end her journey before it even started..."

Den's initial confusion turned into gratitude and understanding at Cedric's words, prompting him to sigh in relief. "I'm very thankful..." He remarked. "I'm sure she will carry the aspirations and dreams of a pirate crew sooner or later...."

...

With Den's apprehensions put to rest, the group turned their attention to another important matter—the ship's name. As they stood near the magnificent vessel, the group gathered around, each offering their own suggestions as they devolved into an hour-long debate before reaching a conclusion.

Kieran was the first to make a suggestion, surprising everyone. "How about 'Shadow's Embrace'?" he proposed, his voice low and mysterious. "It reflects the stealth and precision required in our line of work."

Baby Five, who always exuded an exuberant and cheerful personality, chimed in next. "Oh, that's too gloomy!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with delight. "Let's name it 'Sunshine Dreamboat'! It sounds so cute and happy!"

Duval, the flamboyant leader of the Rosy Life Riders, raised an eyebrow and cleared his throat dramatically. "Hey, that's my nickname. You can't steal it!

"Why not go with 'The Duval Delight'?" he suggested, a confident grin spreading across his face. "It perfectly captures the essence of beauty and elegance, just like me!"

Cedric listened to their suggestions, taking a moment to consider each one. He wanted a name that reflected the ship's appearance and carried a sense of adventure, suitable for a pirate ship.

"I have an idea," Cedric interjected, having had enogh of his crew's bickering. "Let's call her 'Silver Gale'."

The group fell silent for a moment, contemplating Cedric's suggestion. The name carried a sense of speed and grace, mirroring the ship's sleek design and promising thrilling adventures on the open sea.

Kieran nodded approvingly, acknowledging the name's resonance with the ship's endeavor. Baby Five clapped her hands together in glee, finding the name to be the perfect balance between edginess and cuteness.

Duval, ever the showman, flashed a charismatic smile and expressed his admiration for the name.

With unanimous agreement, Cedric turned to Den and announced, "Den, we've decided! The ship shall be called 'Silver Gale'."

Den's eyes lit up with a mixture of surprise and satisfaction. He couldn't have asked for a better name for his creation, a name that captured the spirit and potential of the ship.

"Silver Gale," Den repeated, a smile spreading across his face. "I think it's a great choice. May she bring great fortune and carry the dreams of her companions across the seas...."

...

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