Safe at Last, Never Give Up

The night has passed.

Light returned.

"Oh no, where's Usopp?"

Luffy, riding on Chopper's back, asked around.

"Where did he go!?"

During the final battle, Usopp got so excited that he threw his mask away to encourage Luffy, but now that he's calmed down...

"Hey, Luffy's calling you."

Sanji nudged the 'Sniper King' next to him, who had put his mask back on, but the Sniper King... or rather Usopp, shook his head like a windmill.

'No... no... I already said those things...'

"Ahem, Usopp has already gone back by small boat."

Luffy and Chopper, who were stacking themselves on top of each other, were shocked to see Sniper King put his mask back on.

Why?!

"After all, this is his ship."

"How exactly did you two record Usopp's characteristics?" Zoro, who was standing next to him with his arms crossed, couldn't help but complain.

"As expected, there was no one there."

Nami walked around the cabin for a while before coming out and rubbing her forehead.

"I clearly heard a voice..."

"Yes, I also heard a voice saying they're coming to pick us up—"

"Roman, wasn't it your White Knight who was sailing the ship back then?"

When faced with questions from others, Roman, who was at the helm, rolled his eyes.

"I was so entangled with a group of colonels that I didn't even have a chance to get away and help Luffy, let alone have time to set sail?"

"I already said it's Merry!" Luffy declared to everyone without hesitation, but this kind of thing...

"Thank you,"

The elegant and beautiful Nicole Robin placed her hands in front of her and bowed gracefully to the people on the deck.

"You saved me."

"Hehehe, we're partners! Saying that is too formal~~~"

Facing the Straw Hat crew, filled with laughter and warm friendship, Franky, leaning against the ship's railing, adjusted his sunglasses, his eyes filled with envy behind the black lenses.

"Hey? There's a boat coming from ahead?"

"Could it be the navy?!"

Having just experienced a major battle, the Straw Hat crew became vigilant once again. What was rapidly approaching was indeed a ship that looked very similar to Marine warship! — Because they were products of the same company.

"It's Galley-La Company ship."

Franky's words put everyone at ease, and on the giant ship that began to slow down were Mayor Iceberg, wrapped in bandages, and his shipwrights.

"Oh, it's the Straw Hat crew!"

"You're still alive! That's wonderful!"

"You guys braved the massive tsunami, stormed Enies Lobby, and even brought your comrades back... You guys are something else!!"

Amid cheers, the Golden Merry slowly approached the Galley-La Company's massive repair ship. Roman observed the mayor's expression: not a trace of anxiety or worry.

That means:

"Mr. Iceburg, after we left, did another group of people also break into Enies Lobby?"

Upon hearing this, Franky's expression changed!

During the previous battle, I did hear from the Navy that a group of people stormed into Enies Lobby. I didn't have time to think about it then, but now that I'm considering it more carefully, it's highly likely that those appearing on Enies Lobby at this time are his subordinates: the Franky Family.

"Ah, it's nothing."

The Iceburg uncle, his hands wrapped in bandages, waved his hand.

"Because the World Government forcibly took the Sea Train away, we in Water 7 sent 'craftsmen' to chase after them and provide technical support to those laymen."

No wonder he's a mayor; his ability to lie through his teeth is top-notch.

"Although there was a minor conflict, I was able to contact the Navy in time, so the misunderstanding has been cleared up."

After saying that, he winked at Franky, giving him a reassuring look.

"Waaaaah~~ Iceburg, you bastard!!"

Franky, tears streaming down his face, wiped his face.

"And those guys, they're all bastards~~~ I didn't cry! I didn't cry at all!"

"Oh right, the Straw Hat Pirates."

Iceburg looked at the people on the deck.

"Come aboard my ship."

??

"Your ship can no longer sail."

"How is that possible! Merry led us through the tsunami, into Enies Lobby! And then rescued us, we—"

"But he has reached his limit."

Iceburg looked at Roman was at the helm.

"Young man, could you please remove your 'ability'?"

·····

"Can."

As the papers covering the Golden Merry receded back onto Roman, revealing:

"It's a lie, isn't it?"

Nami covering her mouth;

"Why,"

Sanji silently smoking;

"Merry!"

Sniper King and Chopper weep in pain.

As well as:

Luffy, Zoro, and Robin remained silent.

Only Roman, who was at the helm, silently clenched his fist. Wasn't the reason he had rushed to drink the 'Cell Will Awakening Potion' for this very moment?

"This is a miracle,"

Iceburg looked at the sailboat in front of him, which was made of messy iron plates that were barely held together and had cracks as long as an arm. He wouldn't be surprised if it fell apart at any moment.

"I've been a boatman for so many years, and I've never seen a boat as resilient as this."

"It—has lived up to its mission!"

However, it has already reached its limit.

As Galley-La Company's large ship lowered its elevator platform, everyone stepped onto the platform and turned to face the battered Going Golden Merry.

'Sorry····'

A voice rang in the ears of the Straw Hat crew.

'I really want to continue the adventure with you all, but I...'

"We're the ones who should be apologizing!!!"

Luffy cried and shouted at the Luffy Golden Merry.

"It was my insistence on going to the Sky Island! It was my constant pushing you beyond your limits, and I even tore the sails..."

"Zoro and Sanji are both idiots, always causing trouble..."

"Even Roman's paper couldn't eliminate the impact..."

"Although Usopp always manages to fix you, his skills are terrible..."

"We're the ones who should be apologizing!!"

'But I am very happy,'

Although they encountered a group of adventurers who often put themselves in danger, they were also true companions who considered the Golden Merry their home.

Thank you all for being so kind to me—

"Waaaaah!!"

"Merry, waaaaaah~~~"

·······

"Hey, hey, hey, why are you crying?"

Seeing that everyone was starting to burst into tears, Roman had to interrupt their 'farewell'.

"Have you all forgotten how to fight? One of our purposes in storming Enies Lobby was to resolve the issue with the Going Merry, wasn't it?"

???

"Waaaaah, Roman, do you have a way?" X3

Roman rubbed his temples as he watched the Straw Hat Trio clinging to his legs.

It's only been less than a day, right? I just told you about this method yesterday, did you think I was lying to you? —Although there were a few hiccups along the way, the result was perfect...

"Merry, have you forgotten my 'dream'?"

Roman opened his arms.

"My dream is to see my friends' dreams come true! — And that includes you, Merry, of course."

!!

"So, you'll have to put up with this for now."

As Roman extended his right hand toward the wrecked Golden Merry, a gaping maw, as big as an Iron Barrel, appeared in his palm.

"Life Return— "

As Roman activated his ability, the large mouth in his palm transformed from two-dimensional to three-dimensional, growing larger with the wind! As it stretched forward, it became a mouth as huge as a Sea King's.

"The Baku Baku Factory!"

Puff!

As the giant mouth swallowed the Golden Merry, it quickly shrank back and transformed back into a painting in Roman's palm.

"Aaaaaah, you ate Merry!"

"Waaaaah, give me back Merry!!"

"Mr. Roman is a bad person!"

·······

"Stop joking around, have you forgotten that Wapol can perfectly fuse two people together?"

"As long as there is a sturdy enough ship to merge with the Merry, the Going Merry can continue to live."

Furthermore, Roman had considered all the potential problems that might arise, and he was determined to ensure that Merry would accompany the Straw Hat crew to the ends of the earth...

"Waaaaah, Roman is so reliable~~~"

"Wow, Roman, my Superman~~~"

"Waaaaah, I wronged Mr. Roman ~~~"

!

"That's enough! Stop wiping your snot on me!!"

"What does it matter? Roman, aren't you covered in paper? -- Give us some napkins!"

"Roll!!"

That's really true...

Franky, standing beside him, calmly crossed his arms, tears streaming down his face behind his sunglasses.

What a bunch of awful bastards!