A traditional wooden ship usually required hundreds of steps to build.

From selecting the timber to erecting the keel…

The longest part of the early process was treating the wood for rot-resistance, then cutting the ribs, keel, and planks.

Adam Tree wood was the finest shipbuilding material in the world — and just the initial treatment could take years.

Fortunately, the giants of Elbaf had prepared treated wood long ago. Even so, just cutting it into shape still took nearly a year.

Then came half a year of war.

The giants hid the cut wood away, then after the war resumed building the ship while rebuilding their homeland, never forgetting to help their benefactor.

Frame, hull, sealing, deck planks…

By the time Magnus returned, what he saw was a colossal vessel — 200 meters long and 60 meters wide.

It was built to giant standards from the start.

Because Magnus had considered Ripley's size at the time — an ordinary ship was far too cramped for her, so he chose to have a much bigger one built.

But then Ripley ate the Mini Mini no Mi and could freely adjust her size… so the ship now seemed a little excessive.

Not that it was a problem.

"Ripley, you can shrink the whole ship down a little, can't you?"

"Of course!"

After a year, Ripley's control over her fruit was masterful. Shrinking a 200-meter ship to a tenth of its original size was easy for her.

But Magnus wasn't in any rush to shrink it yet.

Because they were about to welcome a "little" newcomer on board — and before addressing her size problem, a big ship was much more convenient.

"Linlin, it's been a while. Do you remember me?"

"You're…"

For Magnus, it had only been six months. But for Charlotte Linlin, it had been a full year and a half.

That was more than enough time for a five- or six-year-old to forget someone completely.

Luckily, she hadn't forgotten him.

It was just… the way she remembered him made Magnus sigh and laugh all at once.

"You're the ice cream uncle!"

The moment she thought of something delicious, Linlin's eyes sparkled and she drooled.

Compared to a year and a half ago, she still looked chubby and soft. According to Carmel, during the Marine occupation of Elbaf she'd actually slimmed down from food shortages and frequent fighting — but once the Marines left and life became easy again, her weight bounced back.

Magnus thought of her future.

When she roamed the seas and lived from day to day, she stayed slim and even beautiful — enough to earn the title of Pirate Empress.

But later, as she grew older and no longer feared anyone — not even the Marines — she became lazy and quickly turned into the Big Mom of legend.

If only she kept training…

Magnus looked at Linlin thoughtfully, while she only thought about ice cream, completely unaware of the future hardships awaiting her.

After a year and a half, the favor he'd built up with her had long since faded.

So Magnus decided to start by satisfying her demand.

[You give Charlotte Linlin unlimited ice cream.]

[Charlotte Linlin favorability +30.]

[Current favorability: 50 (Close)]

[Charlotte Linlin: The ice cream uncle is the best!]

For a glutton…

Feeding her was the fastest way to build rapport.

Of course, in moderation — spoiling a child was no good.

"You're really going back out to sea already?"

"What, you can't bear to see me go?"

"Tch… you're even more shameless now than before, for someone your age."

Carmel didn't want to give Magnus any kind of warm smile. But after a moment, she lit a cigarette and calmly said, "Linlin is your responsibility now. You were right — leaving her here is bad for everyone."

Over the past year, Linlin's food-obsession episodes had flared up more than once. The harsher the conditions, the more frequent they became.

As long as someone strong was there to stop her, it was manageable — but left unchecked, she'd eventually cause a disaster in Elbaf.

So even though she was only seven years old, Carmel had no choice but to entrust her to Magnus.

"Don't worry. I already have a few ideas about her condition. When we return to Sphinx, I might even be able to resolve it."

With Kureha's medical expertise, the Horm Horm no Mi, and his own understanding of Haki… Magnus was confident he'd figure her out.

"As for that wind you sent my way a year ago… thanks for that too."

He hadn't forgotten the sudden gust that bought him just enough time to escape three top fighters.

"Don't bother thanking me."

Carmel blew a puff of smoke. "You wouldn't have been in that mess if you hadn't come to save Elbaf."

Just like years ago… if not for her, Magnus would never have become an outlaw, never turned from adventurer to pirate.

Of course, she still wouldn't show him a soft expression.

"Captain, we're ready to depart!"

"Magnus-san, everything's ready!"

Two striking figures called out from the new ship's deck. Seeing them, Magnus grinned brightly.

"Alright, I'm coming!"

"Tch."

"Carmel… did you just click your tongue?"

"I was just thinking… you'd better treat them well."

Time was cruel. Sometimes, by the time you regretted a quarrel, it was already too late to make amends.

Magnus only grew younger.

And she was already old.

"Heh."

Magnus chuckled, his eyes flicking to the Pure Gold's coordinates.

"Carmel."

"…Hm?"

"Don't go dying on me too soon."

"I'm already plenty old."

"Want me to ask Kureha to teach you a little anti-aging secret?"

"Get lost."

"Ha ha ha!"

Magnus boarded the ship. Ripley was smiling cheerfully, not sad at all about leaving her family behind. Rocks wore his usual cool expression, but like Newgate, he clearly looked forward to a new adventure.

Linlin sniffled hard, waving goodbye to Carmel and the other kids of the Lamb's House. Carmel had told her she was sick and needed to see a doctor, and Linlin believed her completely.

In her eyes, Magnus and his crew were familiar people — of course they wouldn't hurt her.

Though in reality… with her on board, who hurt whom was another question entirely.

Tengetsu's eyes also glimmered with anticipation.

She no longer fretted about hurrying to Wano. No matter where they went, it was sure to be an exciting adventure.

But before that —

"Tengetsu, Linlin — get ready to train!"

Good times were short-lived.

On just the second day, Tengetsu and Linlin stepped into hell.

(End of Chapter)

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