Another purpose

Water 7

Water 7 sounded exactly what the Going Merry needed and the Straw Hats were excited to finally be able to fix their ship.

Itachi, sitting in the crow's nest, knew better. Listening to her Voice, Merry didn't have much time left. After Water 7, she wouldn't make it to the next island. Even now, she sounded labored and exhausted. Hearing someone suffer and not being able to do anything about it was painful, especially with someone so loyal and loving as the ship he rode.

The information from the station master, Kokoro, was very useful regarding the Sea Train system as well as the city of Water 7. As a place with the best shipwrights in the world, it wouldn't be that hard for them to find a suitable replacement for the Going Merry, especially when Kokoro had mentioned for them to talk to an individual named Iceburg. Itachi had recognized the name instantly as the CEO of the Galley-La Company, the best ship-making company in the world.

He spotted the island.

"Land ho!"

Everyone stood up and looked ahead.

In front of them was an incredibly beautiful sight. A massive fountain rose at the very top of the island, water flowing from its apex and down into the massive canals that connected the bottom of the fountain to the sea. The city spanned from the top of the island, right under that fountain to the bottom, disappearing behind the massive numbered gates that surrounded the base. Sprawled further from there extending from the massive gates were even more buildings. It was simply magnificent.

"Amazing! Look at that giant fountain!" Luffy pointed out.

As they got closer to a building (Itachi could faintly make out the letters "Blue Station") right next to the sea, a man called out from a small fishing boat.

"You guys over there! You're pirates, right? You can't enter through the front, you'll have to go to the back."

"Thank you!" Nami waved back in thanks.

Sailing through some of the buildings that extended out from the main city, they all looked in wonder at the city on water. As they passed through, another man called out to them.

"If you guys are looking for somewhere to anchor, there's a small peninsula further that way where you can drop anchor!" He pointed to the right of a split in the canal ahead of them.

Sanji commented, "That's pretty weird. The citizens here don't seem to be scared of pirates."

Thanking the kind man they went on their way, and before too long, they came upon the peninsula.

Nami ordered them to drop anchor and furl the sails when they had hidden the Going Merry behind a rocky outcrop. When Zoro had attempted to furl the sail, the mast snapped in the middle. A small whimper could be heard in her Voice.

'Don't worry Merry, your journey ends here. You've been a wonderful friend to me and to this crew. Rest now. You've done well.' Thought Itachi.

He could sense a grateful smile from her. Luffy and Usopp began to run off, excited to explore the City of Water, but Nami called them back.

"I'm going to exchange our gold for money, and you two are coming with me. I don't want any grumbling! You two are the only ones free."