"Well, well," Luffy remarked with a satisfied grin, "now I'm finally getting the pomp and ceremony a big shot deserves. Quite different from my last visit, when hardly anyone recognized walking down the street."
Observing Luffy's smug expression, Nami rolled her eyes dramatically before picking up the Den Den Mushi to coordinate their landing procedures with the dock authorities.
As previously arranged, Iceburg had granted permission for the Stormbreaker to dock at Galley-La Company's private berth. The area had been cleared of all other vessels, leaving the entire space reserved exclusively for Luffy's ship.
Standing at the edge of the dock with his arms folded across his chest, Iceburg gazed up at the magnificent vessel that represented the culmination of his company's finest craftsmanship. Pride and nostalgia mingled in his expression as he waited for his distinguished visitor to disembark.
Beyond the security barricades, a substantial crowd had gathered—so were curious onlookers, others journalists eager for a story, but a significant portion wore matching white shirts emblazoned with a distinctive logo: a heart pierced by a lightning bolt.
The Stormbreaker docked with practiced precision, and Luffy, followed by Ain and Nami, strolled casually down the gangway. Taking the lead, Luffy smiled broadly and waved to the assembled spectators, triggering an imdiate response from the crowd.
The reaction was particularly intense among the white-shirted fans. At the sight of their idol's acknowledgnt, several of them appeared to lose all self-restraint, surging forward against the barriers maintained by Galley-La employees.
Their frenzied behavior montarily stunned Luffy, who couldn't imdiately comprehend the situation. It wasn't until he activated his Observation Haki to assess the crowd that he realized these passionate individuals were actually organized mbers of his fan club.
They called themselves the "Lightning that Captures Hearts" fan club—or "Heart-Strike" for short—with the lightning-pierced heart on their shirts serving as their official emblem.
Having heard rumors of Luffy's impending visit to Water 7, they had mobilized to catch a glimpse of their idol. For various reasons, every mber of this surprisingly large group had developed a fervent admiration for the young Admiral, creating a fan base that included both n and won of diverse ages and backgrounds.
Surveying the enthusiastic fans, who constituted at least thirty percent of the gathered crowd, Luffy couldn't help feeling both surprised and secretly pleased.
"Would you look at that?" he thought to himself with undisguised satisfaction. "That's my charisma at work! When there were only three Admirals, I never heard of Akainu, Aokiji, or Kizaru having dedicated fan clubs. But I've got an entire organization of supporters already!"
"Clearly, a handso young man like has more popular appeal than those three grumpy middle-aged uncles!"
After indulging in this mont of narcissism, Luffy decided he would find so way to show appreciation to his devoted fans before departing the city.
Watching Luffy descend the gangway with confident steps, Iceburg wasted no ti in approaching to welco him. As soon as the Admiral and his companions reached the dock, Iceburg extended his hand in greeting.
"Admiral Luffy," he said with genuine warmth, "it's been quite so ti since our last eting. Welco back to beautiful Water 7. I hope your visit proves enjoyable and productive."
Luffy, in exceptionally high spirits, clasped Iceburg's hand firmly and responded with uncharacteristic politeness:
"Mayor Iceburg, it has indeed been too long. I'm honored to return to Water 7, especially with such a warm reception from its citizens."
Despite the months that had passed since their last encounter, the two n fell easily into comfortable conversation. After exchanging the necessary pleasantries, they quickly reverted to their more natural, bantering dynamic.
"Brother Iceburg," Luffy said with a mischievous gleam in his eye, "I ca straight to you the mont I beca an Admiral. Since I'm doing your city such a favor with my presence, how about offering a discount on my next ship?"
"An Admiral of your stature, haggling over prices?" Iceburg shook his head in mock disapproval. "That hardly seems befitting of your position."
"What's the point of 'befitting my position'?" Luffy countered. "How much is dignity worth in berries? I'll trade you all my dignity for a free al right now!"
"The free al is already arranged," Iceburg laughed. "Why are you trying to bargain for sothing you're already getting?"
"Ha! Just making sure," Luffy grinned. "Can't be too careful when food is involved."
As they walked together toward the waiting transportation, Iceburg found himself silenced by Luffy's shaless banter.
"Good grief," he thought to himself, "this kid hasn't changed a bit since becoming an Admiral. If anything, he's even more brazen than before!"
Secretly, Iceburg resolved that if he didn't manage to get the upper hand over Luffy during this visit, he'd renounce his own na. The young Admiral might have risen in rank, but so things clearly remained unchanged—particularly his ability to reduce serious situations to absurdity with just a few choice words.
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