The sun was beginning to set over the sea horizon, deep orange mixed with blue glistened off the backs of distant waves. The desert was a beautiful place when you were in the right mood. The nights were cold though, and it didn't look like today was going to be an exception. Rokuju hugged her thick overcoat to her body as she neared the docks, looking for Mr Zanji Ryotoji's ship.

'A jolly roger that has a skull and crossbones made aflame' as he had said. Quite the dramatic symbol of piracy. Mr Ryotoji definitely didn't fit the stereotypical pirate, with the lack of all the yo ho ho and whatnot. Ro was interested to find out more about the man and what he wanted.

She stumbled down the pier, perking her ears up as the soft music became perceivable. Following the noise, she made her way around ships of various sizes. There were one or two pirate ships at the wharf, the little desert town providing a nice secluded stopover for those not inclined with the law. It also provided those with an easy escape as it would be easy to spot any approaching marine convoys from land or by sea. Hitting the outgoing channel would provide pirates with an easy escape into the open seas.

Slowly she neared the ship where the music was coming from. Peering up into the half light, she looked for her host who had hopefully not forgotten about their meeting. She was not sure quite what to anticipate.

Zanji sat alone in his cabin. the door ajar the locket held open in his palm. the melody was soothing to him yet was also a source of sadness. He gritted his teeth as he bowed his head. His black hair trailing down covering his face. A single tear dripped down the left side of his face as he looked into the picture of his parents. The sadness was soon replaced with a hot boiling anger as his eyes wandered over to the picture of his father. He waked over to t he far side wall where there were numerous throwing darts at a picture of the celestial dragon insignia.

Oh how he could hardly wait to fill a celestial dragon with holes. though that would be reserved for the celestial dragon who had murdered his father. He grabbed a dart from the dart board and threw it hard dead center into the picture. He let out a sigh of relieve as he looked about his white marbled room and looked out to the sea. The quiet sound of the oceans waves crashing gently on his ship helped him relax somewhat. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a tone dial and walked back towards the table and gently set it down.

He looked over towards his right and straightened out his hair and shirt and proceeded out from his room. Light would shine through his door as he walked from the hard smooth marble flooring to the wooden deck of his ship. he looked around and then down towards the docks. He smiled happily at the good doctor as he had spotted her. "Ah so glad you found my ship please come aboard make yourself at home." he chuckled as he walked towards the gangplank and lowered it onto the docks allowing her access to the ship.

Ro trotted over the gangplank, taking a little care not to fall into the seas below. The ship certainly was impressive. A menacing figurehead representing a horned skull protruding from the bow looked like it came from some underworld demon. The black flag atop the mast gave a similar vibe, what with it's red flames printed in familiar pirate imagery. It certainly gave off a scary vibe, one that seemed to contrast with the young man she had met a few hours earlier. Maybe this was just his sort of taste. A gentlemen such as Zanji surely didn't own such a demonic craft, it looked like something a warlord would sail on. Not that she wanted to take away from the pirate that she was here to meet.

Nevertheless, it seemed as though this was the place, as she had been invited on board by the familiar voice. She stepped on board the red and brown craft, walking up to Zanji to greet him. Ro smiled. "Thank you for inviting me, I do wish that we can do business together" It was a simple greeting, nothing too formal nor personal. Their meeting didn't seem to require mannerisms of either approach, instead the man made her feel a little at ease, even if he was a complete stranger. Ro's eyes briefly focused on the tear drying on Zanji's cheek. Sensing that something may be wrong, she spoke "I'm sorry, If you are in the middle of something, we could always do this tomorrow". The blonde scientist didn't want to intrude.

Zanji smiled happily forgetting all about his tear stained left cheek. He watched as miss veil came aboard his ship. It had been so very long since he had a proper guest aboard his vessel. He was rather glad as she spoke as she to wished that they could do business together. "Oh I hope so to I rather enjoy your company." He chuckled lightly as he slowly pulled the gangplank back up his ship. After all he did not wish to be disturbed with his new guest. After all having a one point three million berri bounty on his head did tend to get him a excessive amount of unwanted visitors.

He looked at her curiously as she asked him "I'm sorry, If you are in the middle of something, we could always do this tomorrow". He shook his head at her and wiped his left side of his cheek on his coat. "Oh your quite alright Miss veil was just lost in a memory about my father he is no longer of this world." He cleared his throat as his right fist tightened in anger. He was unjustly taken from this world in the prime of his life by a self righteous pompous narcissistic celestial dragon. He let out a calming breath and looked over towards his cabin. "Where would you like to hold the meeting my dear your choice we can have it in my quarters or perhaps you would like it to take place in the lab?" He looked about his ship and then back towards the women "Oh i almost forgot welcome aboard the dawn bringer miss veil what do you think of her?" he looked proudly over at his ship and gently caressed the side of the ship with love and respect.

Zanji did seem a little emotional, but he had quickly recovered his composure. Ro dismissed any further notions about the state of her new acquaintance, it wasn’t her place to pry, even if she was a little intrigued by the mysterious man. She would respond to his questions one by one with efficient brevity while employing polite and probing questions. “Your ship is most impressive, Mr Ryotoji. I was quite surprised that I ended up here. Say, do you run this ship yourself?” She wouldn’t be surprised to hear that the man in front of him had a captain above him that fitted the whole demonic aesthetic a bit better. But who knew? All she could go on at the moment was what she saw with her own eyes.

“Let’s go to talk more in the lab, I want to check out your facilities.” Shamelessly declaring her curiosity to explore the ship’s technologies. She didn’t know what she expected from it, probably something quite modest. But the fact that it had any room at all dedicated to people of her craft was promising. On most pirate vessels she was sure that the extra space would be put to good use as a storage closet for rum stock. Ro would remove her trenchcoat as it looked like they were going inside, folding it up and placing it in her gear bag that stored all her bits and bobs. Even if all she had was a flat surface to draw on, she was confident she could produce some plans that would be of use.

With his composure regained his confidence also returned. He smiled warmly at veil as she complemented his ship. "Thank you very much for the compliment about my ship, she is more than just a ship to me though the dawnbringer is to me a crew member and dearest friend." He gently patted the railing once again affectionately. He chuckled at her question asking him if he was the only one who ran the ship. "Well yes and no I am the captain of this ship but I have about forty men under my command currently there whereabouts are most likely in town having a drink."

He chuckled once again and could clearly imagine his men sitting in a bar with beers singing and laughing. they may not be the strongest of men but they were his and he treated his crew like they were his own flesh and blood. He broke his smile and his face turned more business like and nodded his head "the lab it is please follow me." He slowly began walking down to the right side of the ship and proceeded through a door. It is a brick room that is 10 meters in length and width, but 20 meters in height, He had not been in here for quite some time besides to clean it.

He looked around the room nostalgically and ten spotted the hatch that led down to the lab. he pulled up the hatch and p[laced his hands on the ladder and looked at miss veil " This is the foundry i hope you will find it acceptable and down this way is the lab." He descended the ladder slowly and steadily and flicked on a switch and the lab light up to life. the room was five meters in length and width more than enough ample space for a person. Stacked with various objects and components from beakers and test tubes and chemicals placed upon shelves to mechanical parts and other machinery. The walls are a ocean blue coloring and a single bed in case the scientist doesn't wish to come trudge all the way up to the ship to head towards the quarters of the crew. Over in the far left corner was a little table and some empty blue print schematics as well as a pen. He would lean against the wall and would wait for the good scientist to come and join him.

Zanji spoke about the ship like it was his dear friend. Ro could understand having sentiment stored within inanimate objects, as her only friends were the ones that she had made for herself. Things could be worthwhile companions to their crafter. After all, you did invest many hours into the well being of the craft while making it, why wouldn’t you care for it?

So he was the captain. And what’s more, he had a crew of 40. That was a decent size for a pirate crew, you could take on a marine squad with that number for sure. There was no further doubt towards this man, he definitely looked the real deal. Definitely looked like he could fit whatever bill that she would throw at him too.

She followed the young captain through his vessel, noseying around at what she could as she passed. It was a nice ship. Nicely furnished and tidy, with simple white eggshell walls. Zanji clearly took pride in his ship, and it showed. Then into a brick room which the captain called the foundry. It was a decent size, Ro was surprised at how big it was and how well it was outfitted. She could see the ships engine at the back there. The walls and shelves were laden with all sorts of materials. “What a wonderful space you’ve got here. Whoever is your craftsman is lucky to be this well supported”. She meant it too, often she would see the supporting members of a crew get treated as second class people, who had to scrounge around for the resources to do their jobs. This sort of area showed a respect for craftsmen that she herself could respect.

Following him again, this time down the ladder into the little area below. Upon descending, the ships laboratory was revealed. Another quaint yet practical space. She smiled at Zanji and lifted her bag up onto the table. “I have to say, I’m impressed. May I begin work here?”

Zanji remained in his spot as he awaited the arrival of the scientist miss veil. His arms were crossed but his posture remained tall and straight as a arrow. He really didn't mind waiting for her after all she was a guest aboard his ship and he was certain she would. His ship was truly a masterpiece at least in his own eyes that and his dear friend the shipwright who had commissioned its build. He often wondered about what ever happened to that man he just simply disappeared after it was created. Probably his best and final work that he wanted to retire after its creation.

He smiled once again happily at her as he heard her voice coming down the hatch into the room. She was so complementary he liked that about her. She had a good eye for quality as well. "Well I spared no expense in the construction of the ship and the ship wright followed my exact plans so I am a very lucky man to have a vessel as fine as this." He watched as she came down the corridor and looked about the room. "Sorry if it's a bit cramped was short on money during the construction but I'm sure with some upgrades we can expand the room after a while." He chuckled and nodded his head as she asked if she could get to work. "Of course Miss veil you have full access to the forge as well if you need any materials." he smiled happily and ceased leaning against the wall and proceeded down the hallway and up the ladder " I shall not try to disturb you during your work can i get you anything to drink or snack on so please don't hesitate to ask for anything."

She smiled sweetly at her host, the gentleman captain. She had been allowed to use both the foundry and the lab for her work. Honestly, she had been spoiled with her setup here. Having made sure that she would have everything that she needed for her work, Zanji left her to her business. She would call out to him as he left. “Feel free to stay and watch if you like, although I may be a while”. Ro wouldn’t mind the company if he decided to stay, but understood if he didn’t want to watch her work for a few hours. It was nice of him though, to consider her and give her space. A conversation wouldn’t go unappreciated though.

Pulling her gear out of her bag, she leafed through the pad that she had previously scribbled down notes into. She went through the specs that they had discussed earlier that day, reminding herself about what had been said. Nodding to herself, the ideas began flowing back through her. She had initially suggested the cannon be mounted on a track which would retain the resultant energy through creating elastic potential within a spring. Zanji had suggested using an impact dial to absorb the shock, which wasn’t too bad of an idea. But since that time in meeting him, she had come up with something else that she preferred. The idea was about using a magnet mounted onto the track of the cannon and have it pass through a coil of thick wire…

Her mind continued to flow freely as she moved over to the stack of blueprints, pulling out a fresh sheet as well as some stenciling tools and a pencil. She began her first draft, Drawing straight lines up and down the sheet.

Zanji smiled as he climbed back up the ladder as he did he chuckled as she spoke up. "Oh I did not wish to intrude upon your work Miss veil." he kept the hatch open however and stood within the furnace room and tapped his foot unable to decide his choice of action for now. Well one of his most favorite and inspirational songs just popped into his head. " " how about a little music to help you preform better my dear, I'll be right back." He chuckled and began walking towards the door to the deck of his ship.

He left the door to the foundry door open as well. He would only be a minute as well he would quickly head towards his cabin. He gently reached out and opened the door and grabbed the tone dial and put it in his front coat pocket. the tail end of the dial sticking out noticeably. He would then procure his violin case and shut the light off in his room and proceed out the door. His room door would snap shut behind him as he returned and he looked down at the hole. " "I hope you like the song it is one of my top favorites." He unpacked his violin and got into a playing position his toes at ten and two as he took a calming breath.

He pulled the bow out from the case and spoke gently to it " hello old friend ready to make some music?" he smirked and closed his eyes as he placed his fingers upon the strings. play a ballad version of a very old song that pirates sang about in the golden days it was bink's sake. He was in such a cheerful mood that he even sang along with it his voice being a gentle one sounded almost like young mans as it filled the square with his song.

"Yohohoho Yohoho~(x4) Yohohoho Yohoho~(x4)

Gather up all of crew, It's time to ship out Bink's Brew

Sea wind blows, to where who knows, the waves will be our guide

All across the oceans tide, rays of sunshine far and wide

Birds they sing, of cheerful things, and circles passing by

Bid farewell to wavers town, say so long to port renowned,

Sing a song, it won't be long, before we're casting off

Cross the golden circle seas, the salty spray puts us at ease

Day and night, to our delight, the voyage never ends



Gather up all of the crew, It's time to ship out Bink's Brew

Pirates we, eternally, are challenging the sea

With the waves to rest to our heads, ship beneath us as our beds

Hoisting high, up on the mast, our jolly roger flies

Somewhere in endless sky, stormy winds are blowing by

Waves are dancing, evening comes, It's time to sound the drums

But setting in and never fear, tomorrow's skies are always clear

So pound your feat and clap your hands, 'till sunny days return



Yohohoho Yohoho~(x4)



Gather up all of the crew, It's time to ship out Bink's brew

Wave goodbye, but don't you cry, our memories remain

Our days are but a passing dream, everlasting though they seem

Beneath the moon, we'll meet again, the wind's a lullaby



Gather up all the crew, It's time to ship out Bink's Brew

Sing a song, and play along, for all the oceans by

After all is said and done, we'll end up as skeletons

So spread your tale, from dawn 'till dusk, upon these stormy seas



Yohohoho Yohoho~(x7)"

Her first draft was coming together as she heard the sweet sounding sea shanty begin to fill the room above. Note blended into note and sunk through the floorboards and into the lab below. Ro stopped work for a moment to listen to this curious tune. The sound stimulating images of people, merry and free as they sailed the seas of the world. She giggled a little, amused by the strange pirate playing a melody for the pair while they worked.

Looking back to her first draft blueprint, she was almost finished. The current generating magnet track idea was fully fleshed out. Resistance would be generated by the magnet when pushed through the coil at high speed. This would in turn slow down the canon’s backward motion along the track while generating electrical current. This current would flow up to fuel the air compression device within the cannon itself. It was a delicate system that she would have to balance well to get right. A good job would result in a contained system by where the cannon cocks itself with the force created from it’s previous shot.

Pleased with where this was going, she decided to start work on the crafting process. She strolled over to the ladder and climbed it, bringing herself back into the foundry. Giving Zanji a little smile as he continued to play, she walked over to light the fire on the furnace, letting it heat up. She would then walk over to one of the shelves that held the raw metal bricks, looking over them and inspecting them.

As he finished the final chord of his favorite sea shanty he felt the reverberations as the good doctor began to climb up the ladder. he would finish on a high note and smiled at her a gave her a polite bow, "I'm impressed miss veil already finished with the blue prints." This women was proving to be a most valuable investment option. he watched her as she light a fire in the furnace. the light from the furnace bringing heat and light to the furnace. It wouldn't take to long for that great furnace to heat up.  

He reached out and would take a look at the schematics as she was busy with the material inspection. He gently unfolded them on a small table and would examine them. The drawings were decent she had put in a few of his suggestions. this showed to him that she took the words of others into consideration of her craft.  his voice was calm and full of praise and kindness " Well well so far I am liking the schematic nicely done my dear miss veil." He would roll up the blue prints slowly. "So miss veil may i ask you a few questions about yourself?" he would stretch out his arms slowly and crack his neck to the side. He was glad he had a day to relax and rest his bones for once being a captian of a pirate ship was hard work. he pulled up a chair and sat down facing off towards miss Veil.

The tune coming from the violin ended, Ro missing the wonderful song already. While she was looking over the captain’s stock, he had peeked at the blueprints and commented on them. “Oh, don’t look at those yet, they’re just a draft. Just to make sure I don’t mismeasure something or don’t create the same scale for everything.” She reached down and spotted a bar of copper which looked like it was quite high grade, having few inconsistencies throughout the metal. Grabbing the bar, she hefted the load up onto the workbench. A bead of sweat rolled down her forehead as the room began to heat up from the furnace.

Zanji asked if he may ask questions about her. Ro smiled, but underneath she was uncertain. She didn’t want to tell the man of her identity. All the same, she was curious about the captain and wanted to know more about him. So she tentatively agreed. “Sure, as long as I get to know you too”. Turning back to the furnace, she would crank up the temperature. It was almost ready to begin smelting. In the meantime, she went back over to the ladder and pulled up her bag from below. From inside, she brought out a little contraption hooked up to a few wires. It looked like a sphere cut into two with a hole going through both hemispheres.

Turning back to the captain she spoke again. “My turn first. What’s a man such as yourself doing here on this summer island?” Her curiosity stampeding her manners. Maybe he wouldn’t want to tell her what his business was. She may as well ask though.

Zanji was most gratuitous as he watched her work. he would remain quiet and watch her work. It always made him feel at ease watching someone work at there profession. Call it nostalgia or perhaps even a deep seated memory from a past life. But watching a person create something from something as simple as a piece of paper, to metal work always amazed him. He tugged on his shirt and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. He totally forgot how hot it could be in this furnace room. he had only been inside the room once before and that was after the ship was created. Oh he felt like a child on Christmas morning.

He shook his head and felt a bead of sweat roll off his head from the heat the furnace was giving off. "Well of course you may ask your questions about me it is only fair." He chuckled and leaned back into his chair balancing upon the back legs lazily. He looked upon her after she asked him what he was doing here on this summer island. His lip curved into a smile "well what I am doing on this island I'm hoping to form up a pirate crew,strengthen my ship and of course gain some knowledge an cultures of the people of the grandline and the new world."

This was more of 75 percent of the truth give or take. However his real reason was he was hoping to gain some intelligence reports upon the celestial dragons more specifically the one who murdered his father. Oh how he would rue the day for murdering his father right before him He cleared his throat and looked at miss veil in the eyes. "My turn now, Alright my question is rather simple tell me whats your opinion about the celestial dragons?"