Nami shot the Duke a suspicious look.
“You’d better explain yourself.”
“Otherwise, there’s no way we’re believing you.”
If the ship his daughter had built was really that valuable…
Why was the Duke so eager to give it away?
The Duke patted his chest confidently.
“Mr.
Norton, I guarantee it’s an outstanding ship!”
“When it comes to shipbuilding, my daughter, Furning, is the finest shipwright in this entire kingdom!”
Norton quietly met the Duke’s gaze.
“I swear it on my family’s honor.”
The Duke raised a hand as he made the oath.
Norton remained unconvinced.
“You’re being awfully generous.”
“The nobles I’ve met only care about their own interests.”
The Duke took a deep breath.
“Mr.
Norton…”
“You won’t find a better ship anywhere in the East Blue.”
“The reason I want you to take it…”
“…is because my daughter’s luck…”
“…is rather similar to Mr.
Sanosuke’s.”
Norton and Nami exchanged glances.
Having luck similar to Sanosuke’s…
Was hardly reassuring.
The Duke wasn’t surprised by their reaction.
To be honest…
If he hadn’t witnessed Norton subdue a Sea King through sheer force of will…
He never would have placed his hopes on him.
“Looks like my fist is stronger than your bad luck!”
Norton’s bold declaration echoed once more in the Duke’s mind.
His eyes gradually filled with determination.
Over the next while, the Duke slowly explained everything.
The Duke had many sons.
But only one daughter.
As a result, he had always doted on her.
Whatever Furning wanted…
He did his best to grant it.
There was, however, one matter that caused him endless headaches.
Ever since she was a little girl…
Furning had adored ships.
She collected miniature ship models from all over the world.
That much was harmless.
The Duke happily indulged her.
The problem came later.
As she grew older…
Her love for ships became an obsession.
Her dream…
Was to build the greatest ship in the world.
For a noblewoman…
Shipbuilding was considered disgraceful.
It was work reserved for commoners.
Deep down, the Duke disliked the idea of his daughter becoming a shipwright.
Other aristocrats mocked him relentlessly over it.
Yet…
Because he loved her so much…
He never stopped her.
Instead…
He quietly supported her dream.
Unfortunately…
Her journey as a shipwright had been filled with disaster.
Furning was seventeen years old.
She had begun building ships at the age of twelve.
She had completed three vessels.
The first was destroyed in a fire immediately after completion.
The second was struck by lightning and burned to ashes.
The third survived those disasters…
Only to be requisitioned by the king for war…
Where it was promptly destroyed in battle.
One catastrophe after another.
Nothing but endless misfortune.
The nobles all claimed it was fate.
Heaven itself was trying to stop her from wasting her life on a commoner’s profession.
But Furning refused to give up.
Every setback only strengthened her resolve.
At the beginning of this year…
She began building her fourth ship.
Learning from her previous failures…
She decided to create the strongest ship in the world.
Unlike the elegant first vessel…
The exquisitely crafted second…
Or the ornate third…
This one pursued only practicality.
A ship that feared neither fire nor lightning.
One that no cannon could destroy.
And now…
It was almost finished.
“I don’t want Furning’s ship to be destroyed again.”
The Duke’s expression grew solemn.
“It’s the culmination of all her hard work.”
“I want to find someone capable of protecting it.”
“Someone who can stand against fate itself.”
Nami frowned.
“You actually believe something like that?”
“You really think every ship your daughter builds is destined to be destroyed?”
“You think it’s fate?”
The Duke sighed.
“What other explanation is there?”
“This goes beyond coincidence.”
“Bad luck…”
“No.”
“Fate truly exists.”
Norton quietly listened until the end.
Just then…
The sound of horses outside came to a stop.
The butler’s voice came from beyond the carriage curtain.
“Your Grace.”
“We’ve arrived.”
“I know.”
The Duke turned toward Norton, clearly intending to say more.
Norton simply raised a hand.
“Since we’re here…”
“Let me meet Miss Furning.”
“And see her ship first.”
The Duke paused.
A moment later…
He nodded.
Everyone climbed down from the carriages.
The pirates gathered together, waiting for Norton’s orders.
The Duke instructed the butler,
“See that our guests are properly entertained.”
“At once.”
The butler bowed before beckoning the pirates to follow him.
“This way, please.”
The pirates eagerly shuffled forward but still looked toward Norton for confirmation.
Norton stepped down from the carriage.
“Go.” Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
“Don’t cause trouble.”
“And don’t steal anything.”
Then he looked toward Sanosuke.
“Keep an eye on them.”
“Understood.”
Sanosuke leapt gracefully from the carriage roof and silently followed behind the pirates.
His sharp eyes never left them.
The pirates felt a chill run down their backs.
Come on…
We all used to serve Captain Redbeard together.
You’ve switched sides that fast?
Not even a little loyalty?
Nami jumped down while holding onto Norton’s shoulder.
She pouted and shot him a sideways glare.
For some reason…
She felt like that warning about stealing had been directed specifically at her.
The butler led the main group toward the banquet hall.
Meanwhile…
The Duke guided Norton and Nami through the castle grounds until they reached a quiet shipyard beside the moat.
A young girl was working there alone.
She was carefully applying the final protective coating to a ship.
She possessed naturally snow-white hair.
A single prominent ahoge stood proudly atop her head.
She was so completely absorbed in her work…
That she never noticed Norton, Nami, or even the Duke approaching.
“She’s focused.”
Norton spoke softly.
The Duke smiled with fatherly pride.
“She always is whenever she’s building ships.”
Nami looked around.
“Why is she working alone?”
“This is a huge ship.”
“Wouldn’t it be faster with helpers?”
The Duke quickly explained.
“Furning doesn’t like anyone interfering with her work.”
“So I never assigned anyone to assist her.”
Norton’s gaze shifted away from the girl.
It settled upon the ship itself.
It was a white, three-masted sailing ship nearly one hundred meters long.
Its sleek hull was elegant and streamlined.
At the bow stood the figurehead of a young maiden holding a bird aloft, giving the vessel an air of quiet mystery.
It lacked both bow and stern cannons, making it appear somewhat incomplete.
Yet…
Lining each side of the hull…
Were thirty-two heavy cannons.
Their silent presence spoke of terrifying broadside firepower.
“What an incredible ship…”
Norton’s eyes lit up.
The instant he saw it…
An unwavering conviction filled his heart.
This ship…
Was meant for me.
He already couldn’t wait to make it his own.
“What is her name?”
Norton walked over to the young shipwright.
Without looking up, she answered cheerfully,
“She’s called the White Pearl!”
“My fourth child!”
A moment later…
She suddenly realized something.
She turned around.
Seeing Norton standing beside her, she blinked blankly.
“…Who are you?”
“And why are you here?”