#87 - Chapter 87 After the Tsunami
On the streets of Water 7 after the tsunami, the once incredibly sturdy ship hulls were scattered across the island as wreckage.
Broken bridges and scattered tools, seemingly drifting from nowhere, lay strewn about, painting a picture of utter chaos.
Jin An and his group advanced through the streets, their appearance completely changed by the tsunami.
Many residents stood by the roadside, their eyes filled with joy as they scrutinized their homes, assessing the extent of their losses.
Due to the frequent tsunamis, the houses here were built extremely sturdily, and because the tsunami was neutralized midway.
Therefore, the locals found that their losses this time were infinitely smaller compared to previous years, and the resources brought by the tsunami were even more abundant than in previous years.
Tsunamis not only bring disaster and destruction but also carry some materials that are usually difficult to obtain, such as the salt used by the people of Water 7.
Happily stepping over the damp ground, the sound of people's footsteps became increasingly light, enjoying the tranquility after the tsunami.
The waves crashing against the shore slowly receded but could not wash away the mud and chaos on the ground.
Those planks eroded by the red tide, once the hard shell of the ship's hull, were now broken and lying quietly on the beach, telling the story of what had happened here.
It would still take some effort for people to restore their lives to what they were before the tsunami.
"......"
Jin An and the others returned to the location of Tom's Workers, only to see a scene of utter devastation.
The wreckage of broken ship hulls was intertwined, the once-busy production line was now a scene of devastation, and mud was piled up everywhere.
When they first arrived here, the laughter and shouts of the workers intertwined; although it was a bit messy, it was full of life.
Now, only the gradually drying mud and the sound of the sea breeze hitting the metal wreckage remained.
"Hahahaha, it's back to this again." Tom was used to this scene, scratching his head and laughing loudly at the sky.
The others in the Workers also shrugged with a smile, obviously accustomed to this scene.
"This time, thanks to your help, otherwise, we would have to wait a while before we could go home," Tom said happily, putting his arm around Jin An's shoulder.
Jin An pointed at himself and continued, "I am a Marine; naturally, I need to take action when I see someone in danger."
"However, you still need to find a way to overcome the difficulties; situations like this will likely continue in the future."
Jin An didn't want his presence to slow down Tom's plan to build the Sea Train.
Hearing Jin An's words, not only Tom but everyone else present laughed.
Tom patted his chest and said, "I already have a way to solve the impact of the tsunami; Water 7 will definitely become better in the future."
He was not affected by what happened today at all; he would realize his dream himself.
Just as the sound of their conversation had not completely faded, Kuzan hurried over with a Den Den Mushi.
His appearance was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, breaking the previous tranquility.
"Message… Navy…" Kuzan gasped urgently, words squeezed out of his throat in fits and starts.
Jin An had asked him to ask his friends in the Navy to pay attention to the situation in the waters around Water 7; today, he finally received a message from there, but unfortunately...
Jin An's brow furrowed; he smelled an ominous aura from Kuzan's intermittent words, and a bad feeling quietly rose in his chest.
He took a few steps closer to Kuzan, lowered his voice, and asked, "What's the situation?"
Kuzan raised his head, his eyes full of sadness; although he knew that what happened was the norm in this world, he still couldn't accept such things happening.
"A town… a town not far from here… was massacred by pirates!"
The sudden news was like a heavy hammer hitting everyone's hearts.
The air seemed to freeze instantly, followed by silence and a depressing atmosphere.
Jin An's face turned ashen in an instant, and complex emotions welled up in his heart: anger, sorrow, and sympathy for the innocent victims.
He clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging into his palms; although his body did not move, his heart was surging like a turbulent sea.
Tom also sensed the tense atmosphere at this moment; a worried frown appeared on his face, and he muttered, "Alas… this world."
Jin An suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with a decisive light: "Pack your things and prepare to set off!"
"Roger!" Kuzan responded and hurried to find Toki.
......
In the sky, Jin An looked down at the sea, his eyes quickly scanning his surroundings.
"Affected by the tsunami, there are far fewer ships nearby."
Only some driftwood floated on the sea, and no ships were found.
Not far ahead was Enies Lobby, one of the three major organizations under the World Government.
A distinct government ship sailed through the waves, the World Government's emblem flashing dazzlingly in the morning light.
The ship's hull was steady and majestic, just like the power and order it represented, beyond doubt and beyond challenge.
Light and shadow intertwined to depict the disciplined soldiers on the ship.
At the bow of the ship, a tall and straight figure stood; he was Spandam, the chief of the special department CP9.
His face was cold and stern, wearing a well-fitting black suit, his slightly curly long hair gently blown by the wind, and his whole person exuded an aura of undeniable majesty; his black and blue coat fluttered gently in the wind, and a pair of eyes as sharp as an eagle stared at the sea ahead.
The expression on Spandam's face was almost indifferent, making it difficult to see what he was thinking from his expressionless appearance.
He was as still as water, but his heart was like an underwater vortex, hiding unfathomable plans and intentions.
Jin An and the others hovered above the clouds, quietly watching Spandam's every move.
Kenbunshoku Haki allowed them to easily observe everything within a certain range; with Spandam's strength, he couldn't detect their existence at all.
"Where are the pirates who are supposed to meet us?" Spandam asked, staring ahead.
The CP9 member holding the Den Den Mushi replied, "According to the message from the other side, they are still 3 days away from Water 7."
"Those wastes haven't kept their promise with us again!" Spandam said unhappily, "Pirates are indeed a bunch of untrustworthy trash."
"They said it was because they haven't collected all the goods we asked for, so there was some delay in the time," the CP9 member repeated the words from the pirates.
"It's all excuses; if I'm not mistaken, those guys will ask us for a hefty price then," Spandam said indifferently.
They needed a batch of qualified slaves; if they started training them from a young age, they could make those slaves completely obey him, the chief.
Factions within CP were rampant, and the people around him were all the old guard left by the previous chief.
He was not comfortable entrusting important matters to these people...
In the sky.
"We don't need to follow that disgusting guy below, do we?" Toki had no good feelings for people who trafficked in people; seeing this kind of person made her sick.
"Why don't we go and kill him?" Toki suggested, "This kind of person is a scourge to the world."
"It's not the time yet," Jin An said, squinting at the man below.
...
