The rain was getting heavier and heavier, and there were few pedestrians on the road. Even if there are a few sporadic passers-by, they are all holding umbrellas and bowing their heads and hurrying away. As for the transportation of blue in the waterway, it is even more outrageous, and who likes to ride through the waterway in such a heavy rain?

City of Seven Waters Center Street, 'Seven Tulips' Family Hotel.

Haoxue and the others were sitting in the hall, waiting for Victor.

"Old man, is it really okay?" Perona asked Haoxue a little impatiently, "My brother still hasn't come back after so long." ”

"I've already contacted him with a phone bug, and I've told him the specific address of the hotel, don't worry." Hao Xue crossed her arms and said calmly. He is very confident in Victor's strength and is not worried about him encountering an invincible enemy.

At this moment, the door of the inn was pushed open. With the sudden loud sound of wind and rain, Victor, wearing a black suit and a black bowler hat, walked into the lobby of the hotel.

"Wow! It's raining heavily! Victor drenched himself and sat down on the wooden bench in front of the bar: "Give me a hot cup of coffee, it's cold!" ”

Mai Hongji and Robin brought blankets and hot coffee, respectively.

Victor wrapped himself in a blanket and took a sip of hot coffee, finally relieving himself: "It's still a little cool in the rain this season." ”

At this time, he noticed Hao Xue's inquiring gaze and nodded slightly.

Matthew brought out a pot of hot soup from the kitchen behind the bar and said with a smile, "Just right, I borrowed the kitchen from the innkeeper and boiled a pot of hot soup for the boss." ”

"Thank you, Matthew." Victor scooped out a small bowl of hot soup, blew on the hot air, and drank it slowly.

Perona looked at the rain outside the window: "Brother, this rain is estimated to last at least 4 hours." ”

"Hmm...... Let's have dinner at the hotel. Victor took a sip of the hot soup and squinted his eyes pleasantly, "Rest for the night, and visit Mr. Tom again tomorrow." ”

"Sorry guest, I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation." The innkeeper, who was wiping his glass, said curiously, "But which Mr. Tom are you going to visit?" That Fishman Tom? ”

"What!? Isn't it okay for a fishman? Perona crossed her slender waist and was furious: "We are fans of Mr. Tom, and we came to him to repair the ship!" Is there a problem!? ”

"Don't be angry, this little lady!" The chubby innkeeper hurriedly waved his hand: "I'm not a racist!" On the contrary, I love the folks at Tom's Studio! Except for that little pervert! ”

Hao Xue laughed: "Little pervert? I guess it's 'Frankie', right? Ha! Ha! Ha! He really deserves this title! ”

"If you want to find Mr. Tom, you're in the right place!" The innkeeper gestured to the south: "There is a large garbage disposal site on the northeast coast of the backstreet of the City of Seven Waters, and there is a bridge near there. There is a warehouse under the bridge, where Tom's studio headquarters. If you want to visit Tom, look for him at the warehouse at the bottom of the bridge! If you go to him, don't forget to ask him for an autograph for me~"

"Uncle, you like Mr. Tom very much." Mai Hongji said with a smile.

"That's nature! Little girl, you don't know what the City of Seven Waters looked like more than ten years ago. At that time, One Piece Gordo Roger had just been executed, and piracy was becoming more and more rampant. Due to the flooding caused by the tsunami 'Akula Ragana', wood and steel could only be purchased through other islands, and the water level in the City of Seven Waters was rising year by year. The ferocious sea and pirates continue to thwart the deal. At that time, it was almost daily to hear the bad news that merchant ships carrying steel and timber had been plundered by pirates. Because of the lack of business, shipbuilding companies fought among themselves for customers, causing everyone to lose their jobs. If this situation continues, this city of seven waters can only become an isolated island waiting to be submerged by the sea. ”

"At that time, everyone was desperate, this is the city of seven waters, which was once famous for its shipbuilding industry! In the end, no one wants to entrust business, shipyards are closing down one after another, and even shipyard owners hang themselves! Because of the lack of supplies, he used his own boat to buy timber, and as a result, 50 people died at sea, which is not uncommon! All the shops are closed, the Carnival of Masks doesn't care about tourists, and the islanders don't even have a problem getting enough to eat, not even being self-sufficient. Humanity is so fragile......"

"And then? Fourteen years ago, Mr. Tom came up with an astonishing idea in front of the judges sent by the world government, and in front of all the residents of the City of Seven Waters, - to connect the four islands of the City of Seven Waters, St. Poplar, St. Prut, and Pucci by sea train. The reason why this island is deserted is because of the lack of transportation. The reason why the people on the island are disheartened is because they are afraid that the island will sink. And the sea train has become the savior of the city of seven waters! Fourteen years, four routes! Whether it's passengers, cargo, or boats, everyone can travel freely at sea, regardless of the weather! ”

"I will never forget that day four years ago. The sea train 'Smoking Tom' departed from this city that was about to be deserted, carrying people who were once desperate, and began to cross the sea! ”

"And now, as you can see, the City of Seven Waters is rejuvenated and alive. Not only me, but many other residents admire Mr. Tom. It's just ......"

"Just?" Mai Hongji tilted her head.

"It's just that we still know too little about Mr. Tom's race. Somewhat...... A little scared haha. The innkeeper scratched the back of his head embarrassedly: "Usually Mr. Tom's disciples or the beautiful secretary in their studio come out to buy supplies, and I don't know what Mr. Tom's temper is." But that doesn't stop us from worshipping Him! ”

Victor, who was sitting on a stool, glanced up at Haoxue, who crossed his arms and didn't make a sound for a long time.

After a not-so-sumptuous but cozy meal in the inn's living room, everyone went back to their rooms to rest.

Victor and Haoxue stood under the eaves outside the door, watching the heavy rain that had not stopped for a long time.

“…… That's how people see us. Haoxue, who was holding a long pipe, let out a puff of smoke and sighed.

"If you don't understand, you'll be afraid." 'Unknown' is a fear shared by intelligent beings. Victor, who had changed into clean clothes, put his hands in his pockets and said with a smile: "The fish-people are ...... to humans Isn't it the same? ”

Hao Xue took a silent puff of her cigarette and slowly exhaled the smoke: "...... It's harder than we thought. ”

Victor shrugged his shoulders: "Who says it's not?" I'm not going to just throw in the towel, Mr. Haoxue. ”

The snow slowly exhaled another puff of smoke, and the scarlet fire in the pipe loomed in the rainy night.

After a long time, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth:

"Ah, so is the old man."