[OP Marine Officer Luffy] Chapter 541 - 545

Chapter 541: Luffy: Is This... Performance Art?

Staring at the unrepentant Franky, Iceburg's chest rose and fell rapidly as he took several deep breaths, struggling to regain his composure. After a moment, he succeeded in preventing himself from committing violence against his foster brother.

Slapping his forehead in exasperation, Iceburg could only marvel at his own tolerance. Despite years of exposure to Franky's peculiar behavior, there were still moments—like this one—when he genuinely contemplated fratricide.

His teeth practically chattering with suppressed rage, Iceburg glanced around to confirm they were indeed in a secluded corner, safely out of the other guests' view. Immediately, the dignified persona of "Mayor Iceburg" and "President of Galley-La" melted away.

He slammed his wine glass onto a nearby table, seized Franky by his suit collar, and hissed through clenched teeth:

"You idiotic bastard! Do you have any concept of the situation here? The man I'm introducing you to is the new Admiral of the Marines, Monkey D. Luffy—the same man who defeated Emperor Kaido! Could you not, for once in your life, just put on a pair of proper pants?!"

Faced with Iceburg's flushed face and genuine distress, Franky fell momentarily silent. He understood perfectly well why his foster brother had brought him here and recognized the effort Iceburg was making on his behalf.

Just as Iceburg began to hope his words had finally penetrated Franky's thick skull, the blue-haired cyborg casually lifted his jacket as if they were completely alone. Without hesitation, he exposed part of his metallic abdomen and opened a panel in his stomach that resembled a refrigerator door.

To Iceburg's mounting horror, Franky extracted an empty cola bottle from his internal storage compartment. Then, with complete nonchalance, he deposited three fresh bottles from the table into the cavity before closing the panel and readjusting his clothing.

Stretching comfortably, Franky struck his signature pose, flexing his massive forearms together above his head.

"SUPER~~~!!"

Iceburg stood frozen, rendered speechless by this outrageous display. He wasn't shocked by Franky's bizarre physiology—he was well aware of his brother's cybernetic modifications. What stunned him was the utter disregard for the situation.

Did this moron hear a single word I just said?

As Iceburg's internal rage meter approached critical levels, Franky seemed to finally register his brother's state. Taking a swig from a freshly opened cola bottle, he looked at Iceburg with innocent curiosity.

"Eh? What were you saying, ice-brain? I was running low on fuel just now and didn't catch that. Mind repeating yourself?"

That was the final straw.

Iceburg's legendary patience evaporated instantly. Disregarding Franky's cybernetic enhancements, he drew back his fist—which, while human, was hardened by decades of shipbuilding—and launched it directly at his brother's face.

"You absolute imbecile! DIE!!!"

The furious punch connected solidly, causing Franky to spray cola from his mouth in a spectacular arc. Without pausing, Iceburg tackled the larger man, and the two began wrestling ferociously in their corner of the banquet hall.

Despite his initial surprise, Franky quickly recovered and started fighting back, his mechanical strength giving him a significant advantage over his entirely human brother.

Meanwhile, after considerable effort, Luffy had finally extricated himself from the parade of well-wishers and social climbers. Instructing Ain and Nami to remain and maintain diplomatic relations, he seized an opportunity to slip away unnoticed.

Carefully removing his distinctive white Admiral's coat, donning a pair of sunglasses, and subtly altering his appearance, Luffy dared to return to the party incognito. His strategy proved effective—without the iconic Justice coat marking him as an Admiral, far fewer guests recognized him.

Having not managed to consume a single thing since the banquet began, Luffy wasted no time in seeking out the buffet tables to appease his appetite.

Balancing two heaping plates of gourmet delicacies, Luffy noticed a peculiar figure approaching. The man's face was so swollen and discolored that he resembled a prize fighter after losing a championship bout—sporting two black eyes and blood trickling from both his nose and split lip.

When this battered individual spotted Luffy, he attempted what appeared to be a welcoming smile, but the effort caused such obvious pain that his features contorted into a grotesque grimace. Hunching over with one hand covering his face, he struggled to maintain his composure.

Luffy regarded this strange character with unconcealed suspicion, carefully circling around him before claiming a seat at the bar.

"That pig-faced guy looks oddly familiar," Luffy muttered to himself. "I swear I've seen him somewhere before."

His gaze drifted over the man's tattered light brown pinstriped suit, which now resembled a beggar's rags more than formal attire. Something about the distinctive pattern tickled Luffy's memory, but before he could place it, he was interrupted by a boisterous voice beside him.

"Hey, bro! After loading up on all that food, how about washing it down with something refreshing?"

The speaker thrust a bottle toward him.

"This is my favorite—cola! Help yourself!"

Luffy turned to find himself facing a blue-haired muscular man with an extraordinary physique. The stranger was dressed in the remains of what had once been a formal suit—now hanging in tatters from his upper body—paired incongruously with swim briefs below.

Adding to this bizarre appearance was a prominent lump on the top of his head and a suit jacket that had been completely torn open across the back. Taking in this extraordinary sight, Luffy couldn't help but ask with genuine curiosity:

"Is this... some kind of performance art?"

Chapter 542: Men's Friendship

After Iceberg's awkward explanation, Luffy finally understood what had happened.

The three of them, finding themselves in quite the embarrassing situation, decided to leave the banquet hall early and head to the Galley-La Company headquarters instead.

In Iceberg's office, Luffy sipped some sake alone while waiting for the other two to return after changing their clothes. His admirals' coat hung casually over a nearby chair, the word "JUSTICE" emblazoned on the back.

The two shipwrights soon arrived, playfully shoving one another as they entered.

Iceberg had applied an ice pack to his injuries and changed into a fresh shirt. Franky, who hadn't suffered much damage to begin with, was already recovered—the swelling on the back of his head completely gone.

Perhaps now free from his aversion, Franky had changed into one of his signature outfits: a short-sleeved Hawaiian shirt unbuttoned to show off his massive chest, paired with his usual speedos. He didn't seem to care at all about Luffy's admiral status. Despite Iceberg repeatedly advising him to dress more appropriately on their way over, Franky remained stubbornly himself.

Helpless, Iceberg had no choice but to let him do as he pleased. But based on his understanding of Luffy, he knew the young admiral wasn't someone who cared much about formalities anyway.

This proved to be the case. Seeing his two fellow disciples enter, Luffy raised his glass without hesitation and invited them to sit. He showed off a bit, using his Devil Fruit powers to manipulate the wine.

Iceberg raised an eyebrow at Luffy, who was sprawled across the sofa with his legs crossed as if he owned the place.

Iceberg silently took the offered wine glass and had a sip.

Then he realized something was wrong.

"This is... you bastard! Where did you find this bottle?!" Iceberg snatched the wine bottle from the table. When he clearly saw the label, his face fell.

Luffy shrugged innocently and pointed to a hidden compartment in the office wall. "I just looked around and found it," he said casually, a small spark jumping between his fingers as he gestured. He added shamelessly, "This stuff tastes amazing. Remember to send me a few bottles later to Fleet Admiral."

Iceberg had so many curse words running through his mind he couldn't even begin to articulate them. This was a top-quality wine he'd purchased at an auction years ago. He'd been saving it for a special occasion for six or seven years, never finding the right moment to open it—and now this young admiral had ruined it.

Franky, standing nearby, initially didn't want to accept the red wine being offered to him. He was a loyal cola enthusiast, and alcohol wasn't his thing. Plus, he'd never been one to bow to authority—especially not to the Marines, who had hunted him for years before his connection to the Revolutionary Army provided protection.

However, after seeing how angry Iceberg was, he immediately changed his mind.

"What? Iceberg, you idiot, you've been hiding something this good? Guess I'll have to savor it carefully." He paused before adding, "But first..."

As he spoke, Franky pulled out a bottle of cola from seemingly nowhere, poured it into his glass, and mixed it with the fine red wine—all while Iceberg watched with murderous intent.

"FRANKY, YOU ABSOLUTE MORON!"

Ignoring Iceberg's outburst, Franky picked up the glass and downed the wine-cola mixture in one gulp as if it were water.

"Ahhhh! That's SUPER good! I guess you're not such a useless president after all."

He glanced at Luffy, still somewhat wary of the admiral's presence. Most Marines he'd encountered would have arrested him on sight, given his history with the Pluton blueprints and his cyborg modifications. But this one seemed different—more interested in sharing drinks than enforcing so-called "justice."

Franky grinned and moved to pour himself another glass. Iceberg, now clutching the bottle protectively, gave him such a vicious glare that even Franky backed down.

The cyborg had only wanted to annoy Iceberg; he didn't actually care about drinking more wine. With a peculiar laugh, he didn't push the issue and instead poured himself a glass of pure cola.

After finishing, he shook the cola bottle in Luffy's direction, a silent invitation—a peace offering of sorts.

Luffy, curious about the taste of premium red wine mixed with cola, immediately brought his glass over. Under Iceberg's fiery glare, he imitated Franky and mixed the two beverages before downing it in one gulp.

"Whoa! It's true—this tastes way better than just drinking alcohol!" Luffy exclaimed, a slight charge in the air making everyone's hair stand slightly on end.

"Right? That's what I'm saying!" Franky grinned and slapped a few more bottles of cola onto the table. "Though I gotta say, I never thought I'd be sharing drinks with a Marine admiral—especially not one with your caliber!"

Luffy reached out without hesitation, grabbed a bottle, clinked it against Franky's, and took several large gulps. "Admiral, Vice Admiral, Captain—those are just titles. Tonight, we're just three men enjoying good drinks!"

Iceberg looked at these two philistines who had absolutely no appreciation for fine wine yet seemed to bond instantly over their shared poor taste. He could only gnash his teeth in frustration.

But there was nothing he could do now. The bottle was already more than half empty, so he resigned himself to drinking what remained with tears in his eyes.

"Mmm... it really is excellent wine..."

As he watched Luffy laugh freely, Iceberg couldn't help but wonder how different things might have been had this young man chosen a different path.

Yet here he was, acting nothing like the Marine youngest Admiral that kill the Emperor Kaido that pirates across the seas feared.

Sometimes, friendship between men is just that simple.

They clinked glasses, drank red wine and cola, and shared a common target to tease. After just a few drinks, the three of them were chatting animatedly like old friends who hadn't seen each other in years.

Chapter 543: Vegapunk's Super Fan

"You're totally different from the stuck-up government type I imagined," Franky said, sitting cross-legged across from Luffy. "I thought you World Government guys all had stern faces and spoke fancy nonsense. You know, with cigars clenched in your teeth, looking like someone who owes you a hundred million berries."

Luffy wasn't offended. Instead, he laughed heartily, small sparks dancing in his eyes. "Hahaha! The Government is the Government, and the Marine is the Marine. Though there is one guy in the Marine who's always chomping on cigars just like you described. But I'm nothing like those guys."

"That's an understatement," Iceberg interjected. "Most admirals would have leveled half of Water 7 by now just for being in the presence of someone with Franky's reputation. You've got the power to do it too—I've heard stories about what happens when Admiral Luffy gets serious."

Perhaps not wanting Luffy and Franky to waste any more of his precious wine, Iceberg had consumed most of the remaining bottle in less than ten minutes. Now slightly drunk, his cheeks flushed red as he slurred:

"Idiot, what are you even talking about? You're barely competent as a traditional Marine officer yourself, secretly working with the Revolutionary Army behind the scenes while pretending to enforce the World Government's version of justice. You're just as much a bastard as the rest of them."

Luffy looked speechlessly at the drunk shipwright who clearly couldn't control his mouth after a few drinks. He turned to Franky, who was staring at him with wide eyes, and shrugged casually.

"I just do what I think is right," Luffy admitted openly, electricity crackling softly around him. "The lightning never strikes where I don't want it to. At least the Revolutionary Army is much better than the rotten World Government, don't you think?"

Franky's hand, holding his cola bottle, froze midair. His face cycled through expressions of confusion, shock, and utter bewilderment as he processed what he'd just heard.

Holy crap! What did he just hear?!

Admiral Luffy—the same man who had killed Kaido of the Beast was secretly supporting the Revolutionary Army?!

No one would believe this if it got out—it was too outrageous! Moreover, wasn't Luffy afraid that Franky might report him? He'd just revealed classified information to someone he'd met barely an hour ago.

Franky couldn't decide if Luffy was incredibly brave or incredibly stupid.

Iceberg, suddenly realizing he'd said too much, looked alarmed. But when he remembered they were alone in the room and he knew Franky's character well enough, he relaxed slightly. He gave Luffy an apologetic look and was about to warn Franky to keep quiet.

Before he could speak, Franky raised his cola bottle with a broad grin. "So, we're on the same side after all! In that case... cheers to the Revolutionary Army!"

Luffy clinked glasses with him. Seeing this, Iceberg sighed with relief and raised his glass as well.

"Cheers to the Revolutionary Army!" they echoed in unison.

Franky had good reason to toast. It was with the Revolutionary Army's help that he'd escaped the CP9's pursuit. Under their protection, he'd hidden offshore for several months. Though he never officially joined them, he'd formed a bond with the revolutionaries.

Iceberg himself also owed the Revolutionary Army. In truth, the three of them could indeed be considered allies of a sort.

With their guards down, they chatted more freely. Franky was especially curious about why a legitimate Marine man—would get involved with the Revolutionary Army.

Luffy didn't hide anything further, openly revealing Dragon's true identity as his father.

Both Franky and Iceberg were stunned, their faces registering complete disbelief.

"No wonder you're both a Marine admiral and a Revolutionary spy," Iceberg murmured. "You've inherited your grandfather's Marine blood and your father's revolutionary spirit.”

"The perfect double agent," Franky whispered in awe.

Iceberg asked, surprised: "So, is Vice Admiral Garp also part of the Revolutionary Army? Are you two staging some kind of revolution from within the Marine?"

Luffy quickly waved his hands "No, no! He's not involved at all. Don't ever mention this around him. The old man has no idea what I'm doing. If he found out, he'd probably hunt me down himself!“

While they were talking, Franky seemed to remember something. His voice suddenly trembled with excitement as he asked:

"I saw in the news that the famous scientist Dr. Vegapunk was taken by the Revolutionary Army. Do you have any information about him? Is he okay? The Revolutionary Army didn't hurt him, did they?"

His tone grew increasingly passionate as he continued: "I've seen the blueprints for the Stormbreaker, and I heard the Stormbreaker weapons systems were designed by Dr. Vegapunk himself!"

Franky's eyes were practically sparkling now. "The man's a SUPER genius! His work on cyborg technology is what inspired many of my own modifications." He pounded his metal chest proudly. "It's incredible that such a genius exists in this world! If I ever got the chance, I'd really love to meet him!"

Chapter 544: Franky's Ultimate Fanboy Moment!

Seeing Franky's face light up with a mixture of excitement and concern, Luffy suddenly remembered that the cyborg was an enthusiastic fan of Dr. Vegapunk.

Though he couldn't recall exactly when that admiration had begun. Either way, watching Franky's expression shift from curiosity to awe at the mere mention of the scientist's name was entertaining.

Based on Franky's animated gestures as he spoke about the Stormbreaker's schematics and the laser weapon, it seemed his admiration had blossomed after studying those technical drawings.

A sly grin spread across Luffy's face. This could be interesting. Especially since Vegapunk was now within his territory.

"So you admire Vegapunk, huh?" Luffy leaned back in his chair, casually taking a sip of his cola wine. "Don't worry about it. I've been friends with the old man for many years now."

Franky's jaw dropped slightly, his eyes widening.

"He wasn't kidnapped by the Revolutionary Army like the World Government claims," Luffy continued, enjoying the shipwright's stunned expression. "That whole story was just government propaganda. In truth, he accepted my father's invitation willingly and joined the Revolutionary Army of his own accord."

Luffy paused, taking another slow sip of cola while glancing sideways at Franky, preparing to deliver his knockout blow.

"Besides," he added casually, "he's currently in Wano, which falls under my jurisdiction. He's conducting his research on a Sky Island floating 10,000 meters above Wano, away from prying government eyes."

"WHAT?! He's in WANO?! AND on a LEGENDARY SKY ISLAND?!" Franky's mechanical arms shot up in astonishment, nearly knocking over the table between them. His nose began to leak oil in excitement—a quirk of his cyborg modifications.

The revelation had the exact impact Luffy had hoped for. Not only was Franky completely shocked about his idol's whereabouts, but the existence of Sky Island—a legendary phenomenon many considered mythical—had the shipwright visibly shaking with excitement.

Even Iceberg, who had been quietly nursing his drink, sobered up instantly. His mouth formed a perfect "O" of surprise—the trademark shocked expression common throughout the Grand Line when someone heard truly astonishing news.

Luffy couldn't help but smile smugly behind his glass. There was something deeply satisfying about surprising people like this.

"Yes, the doctor is with me now," Luffy confirmed, setting down his drink. "Even if the World Government searches every corner of the Blues, they won't find him."

Franky took a deep breath, his massive metal hands clenched into fists as he tried to contain the excitement bubbling up inside him. But his heart began whirring loudly, betraying his emotional state.

The urge to meet his scientific idol suddenly overwhelmed him. Once the thought took root, he couldn't suppress it any longer. Driven by pure fanboy determination, Franky shoved Iceberg aside, who had been sitting between them.

Under Luffy's surprised gaze, Franky grabbed both of Luffy's hands, tears welling in his eyes.

"PLEASE!" he begged, his voice cracking with emotion. "PLEASE let me meet Dr. Vegapunk! I have so many questions I want to ask him in person! Please give me this opportunity!"

Luffy was momentarily taken aback by Franky's passionate outburst, but his surprise quickly gave way to delight. This was perfect! He had originally planned to find some way to recruit one of the world's finest shipbuilders after their meeting. Now Franky was practically volunteering to come to Wano—it couldn't have worked out better if he'd planned it.

"Of course," Luffy replied, hiding his satisfaction behind a thoughtful expression. "But I still have a mission assigned, so I can't return to Wano anytime soon."

Before he could continue, Franky cut in eagerly:

"No need to worry about me! I can go by myself!" The shipwright's eyes were practically sparkling. "If it means meeting the doctor, I'd be willing to go to Mariejois itself—Wano is nothing in comparison!"

Looking at Franky's determined expression—the face of a man ready to risk life and limb for a chance to meet his idol—Luffy angrily shook off the cyborg's grip.

"Idiot!" Luffy scolded, though there was no real heat in his voice. "Don't talk like you're marching to your death. It's just Wano. It's perfectly safe there now."

He leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head.

"The New World has become much quieter since Kaido's defeat. It's not nearly as dangerous as it used to be. With the relationship between the Galley-La Company and the Marine, you can easily take the Marine-protected route and reach Wano safely."

Luffy grinned confidently. "I'll make arrangements for you in advance. Just tell them you're my friend, and they'll take you to see the doctor."

With Luffy's reassurance, Franky's excitement reached new heights. Tears of joy streamed down his face as he began sobbing dramatically.

"SUUUPEEERRR!" he cried, striking his signature pose despite his emotional state. "This is... this is what it feels like when dreams come true! I can't wait to meet the doctor and share my cola technology with him!"

As Franky continued his emotional display, Iceberg, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke up with confusion evident in his voice.

"Franky, didn't you say you wanted to start a company? Are you really ready to leave Water 7 just like that?"

Wiping tears from his eyes, Franky turned to face his foster brother, his expression suddenly conflicted. If Iceberg hadn't mentioned it, he might have completely forgotten why they'd come to see Luffy in the first place.

But now that the chance to meet Vegapunk was within reach, he couldn't possibly give it up.

Luffy, pleased with having essentially recruited another valuable ally, perked up with interest at Iceberg's words.

"Company? Franky? What's this about?" He leaned forward, genuinely curious. "Tell me more."

Chapter 545: The Billion-Berry Order

"It's nothing major," Franky replied with a dismissive wave of his massive hand. "I was just planning to open an arms company specializing in producing weapons for the Marines. But now that I have the opportunity to meet Dr. Vegapunk, the company can wait."

Though Franky spoke casually about it, Luffy nodded thoughtfully, mentally noting this information. Franky's weapons expertise would be invaluable, even if his skills didn't yet match Vegapunk's revolutionary genius.

Vegapunk, despite his brilliance, no longer worked under government mandate and had redirected his focus toward his own eccentric research projects, rarely involving himself in military developments anymore. Franky could potentially fill that void.

Plus, Luffy mused, Franky's cola-powered technology was genuinely innovative—a form of "black technology" that might even impress Vegapunk himself. There was absolutely no way Luffy would let such talent slip through his fingers.

"You know what," Luffy said, leaning forward with an encouraging grin, "that's actually perfect! After you meet with the doctor, why not establish your arms company in Wano?"

Franky's eyebrows raised in surprise as Luffy continued.

"While we can't offer the same full-service infrastructure as Water 7 and Galley-La, Wano's blacksmiths are already world-renowned for their exceptional blades and armaments." Luffy gestured animatedly as he spoke. "Weapons dealers flock there monthly to purchase Wano steel. I guarantee many of your potential customers are already among those merchants."

Luffy watched as the wheels turned in Franky's head.

After carefully considering Luffy's suggestion, Franky nodded slowly, then with increasing enthusiasm. It made perfect sense. Relocating to Wano would not only give him regular access to Vegapunk, but would also position his business at the heart of an established weapons market.

It was the definition of killing two Sea Kings with one cannon. The more Franky thought about it, the more excited he became—to the point where he looked ready to swim to Wano that very moment.

In the end, it was Iceberg who restrained him with a firm hand on his metal shoulder, bringing the agitated shipwright back to reality. Though Franky calmed his body, his mouth continued running at full steam.

He launched into an enthusiastic monologue about how his admiration for Vegapunk had developed over the years, detailing the scientist's groundbreaking achievements that had revolutionized the world since Franky was just a child.

He was the very image of a devoted fan, complete with starry eyes and exaggerated gestures.

Luffy and Iceberg listened to his impassioned speech with vastly different mindsets, each lost in their own thoughts.

Luffy was primarily strategizing about how to best integrate Franky into Wano and ensure he remained there permanently. Another skilled ally in his territory would only strengthen his position.

Iceberg, meanwhile, couldn't help but feel a pang of melancholy. Since their master Tom's death, he and Franky had spent precious little time together. Despite living in the same city, the shadow of Pluton's blueprints had forced them to maintain distance, pretending not to know each other to protect the ancient weapon's secrets.

It was only after the blueprints were destroyed and Franky had spent months in hiding that the foster brothers finally reconnected. Iceberg had harbored hopes that they might build something meaningful together in Water 7, continuing Tom's legacy.

But now, after a brief conversation with Luffy, Franky was already preparing to leave Water 7 behind to chase his idol across the Grand Line. How could Iceberg not feel a twinge of disappointment?

Still, they were grown men with their own dreams to follow. Iceberg quickly pushed aside his disappointment and, with a light-hearted chuckle, interrupted Franky's endless chatter to boast about his own considerable achievements.

Franky, predictably, couldn't let such boasting stand unchallenged and immediately launched into a counter-argument about his own superior skills. Before long, they had pulled Luffy into their friendly rivalry, and the three grown men devolved into good-natured trash-talking and self-deprecating jokes, filling the room with raucous laughter.

The evening stretched on comfortably, fueled by booze, banter, and brotherhood.

By the end of the night, Iceberg was completely drunk, slurring his words and struggling to stay upright. Luffy, with his monstrous constitution, remained relatively coherent despite matching Iceberg drink for drink. Only Franky, who had stuck exclusively to his beloved cola, remained entirely sober.

Luffy asked him to help the thoroughly intoxicated Iceberg back to his quarters, while he himself staggered off to find Ain and Nami.

In the days that followed, Luffy didn't lose sight of his primary objective and dedicated considerable time to learning about the new battleship designs. Using the Stormbreaker as a reference point, the plans for the new vessels were progressing smoothly with no major issues.

Iceberg had even made several clever optimizations to the design, effectively reducing the production costs for Luffy's fleet. Appreciating these efforts, Luffy responded with characteristic generosity, placing an order that left even the veteran shipwright stunned:

Large aircraft: Capacity of 700 people, priced at 1 billion berries each—3 ordered.
Medium aircraft: Capacity of 320 people, priced at 450 million berries each—15 ordered.
Small aircraft: Capacity of 100 people, priced at 100 million berries each—50 ordered.

The total order came to 78 vessels with a staggering value of 15.75 billion berries.

When Iceberg first received this unprecedented order, he was elated—though not primarily because of the 15.75 billion berry contract. For a businessman of his caliber, who regularly secured massive government and Marine contracts, the amount itself wasn't extraordinary.

What excited him was Luffy's assurance that this was merely the first batch, with many more orders to follow. Furthermore, this order wasn't placed by the Marines but by Luffy himself under the name of the Olive Company.

Most significantly, Luffy had indicated that if this initial fleet performed well, he would use his influence to convince the Marines to retrofit their entire fleet, replacing all their conventional warships with these new spacecraft designs.

That was what had Iceberg so ecstatic he nearly dropped to his knees to call Luffy "Father." The Marines maintained a global presence across all the Blues and the Grand Line. Their fleet numbered in the thousands—possibly tens of thousands of vessels.

If Galley-La secured a contract to refit the entire Marine fleet, Iceberg would happily call Luffy whatever he wanted—father, grandfather, or even Sea King Emperor!

Of course, these advantages came with specific conditions. Most importantly, Luffy required Iceberg to maintain absolute secrecy regarding the spacecraft blueprints and strictly prohibited any technology leaks to other organizations, private or otherwise.

Iceberg readily agreed without hesitation. The consistent orders from the World Government and Marines alone would sustain his company for decades to come. There was no reason to risk such a lucrative partnership for short-term gains from other clients—especially if it meant disappointing a powerful ally like Luffy.

The deal was struck, and both men were satisfied with the arrangement.

Iceberg returned to his workshop with renewed energy, while Luffy smiled to himself, another piece of his grand strategy falling neatly into place.