Merry

On the coast, at the harbor.

As they walked through the lush forest path, the sound of waves crashing against the shore grew clearer.

The moment their vision opened up, a sailboat quietly anchored in the bay came into view.

It was a uniquely designed sloop, with smooth, rounded lines.

The most eye-catching feature was the adorable sheep's head figurehead.

It was carved with lifelike detail: round eyes, curved horns, and a seemingly gentle smile always on its lips, as if welcoming the companions about to board.

Although Ronan and the others had just captured the Black Cat Pirates' ship, which was larger and more imposing, compared to this ship full of spirit and design, that eerie Black Cat ship was practically a pile of floating garbage.

"Wow—!!"

As a professional navigator, Nami's eyes lit up. She quickly walked forward, reaching out to touch the wood grain of the hull, exclaiming:

"This is... a light sailing ship! This streamlined design, and the draft... it's simply perfect!"

"Are you really giving this to us?" Luffy's eyes turned into stars, his voice trembling with excitement.

Kaya smiled slightly and nodded, "Yes, please do use it! It may not be large, but I hope it can carry you to even farther places."

Merry, dressed in a proper butler's uniform, wore a look of pride on his face.

He stepped forward, gazing at the ship with deep affection, as if looking at his own child:

"Although its style is based on old-era light sailing ships, this is a masterpiece I poured my heart into designing."

"It has a frame structure and uses a stern rudder with a triangular sail."

"This design sacrifices some cargo space, but greatly enhances maneuverability and speed in complex sea conditions."

Merry the butler pushed up his glasses and earnestly introduced the ship to everyone, "Its name is—Merry!"

Looking at the sheep's head, Ronan felt a warmth surge within him.

"Merry, huh..." he murmured softly.

In his "Observation Haki" perception, the wood of this new ship seemed to be breathing.

Although it was just an inanimate object now, he knew that on their future journey, under the care of Luffy and the others, this ship would birth the legendary "Ship Spirit."

"I'll explain the operation method," Merry the butler opened a blueprint and began to explain volubly, "First, regarding power activation, the main sail's hoisting rope is located..."

Luffy clearly had no interest in these complex mechanical principles; his attention had long since drifted elsewhere.

Nami, on the other hand, listened with great interest, nodding occasionally and asking a few professional questions, which greatly impressed Merry the butler.

"What a great ship!"

Luffy leaped onto the deck. He ran straight towards the sheep's head figurehead, sat down on it, and excitedly patted it:

"Especially this bow! It's so cool! This is totally the VIP seat!"

Watching Luffy sitting on the sheep's head, Ronan's lips curved into a knowing smile.

That was the captain's exclusive seat, Luffy's favorite spot.

For countless days and nights in the future, this straw-hatted boy would sit here, gazing at the distant sea, shouting, "I'm going to be the King of the Pirates."

"I've packed everything you might need for the voyage,"

Kaya stood on the shore, looking up at Luffy, "Fresh water, food, and some spare ropes and canvas."

"Thank you so much, Kaya!" Luffy shouted, waving his hands.

"Ahhhhhh—!!"

Just then, a sharp scream, coming from afar and approaching rapidly, shattered the tranquility of the bay.

Everyone looked towards the sound and saw, on the steep slope leading to the coast, a huge figure carrying a half-person-tall package, losing its balance and rolling down like an out-of-control meatball!

"Is that...?" Nami was stunned.

"Someone... someone stop me!!"

The rolling meatball let out a desperate cry for help.

Kaya covered her mouth in surprise, "Usopp?!"

It was rolling at an extremely fast speed, kicking up dust as it went. It was about to rush off the slope and crash directly into Merry, which was docked by the shore!

"What is that guy doing?" Luffy tilted his head, looking puzzled.

"Idiot! Now's not the time to be spacing out!"

Zoro's hand was already on his sword hilt, but then he realized he couldn't cut, and sighed helplessly.

"Let's just stop him first! At this speed and trajectory, he's definitely going to damage our new ship!"

"Right!"

No sooner said than done.

Luffy and Zoro, with perfect unspoken understanding, simultaneously lifted their feet.

Just as Usopp's terrified face was about to kiss the Merry's railing—

"Bang!!"

Two large feet, one on the left and one on the right, landed with pinpoint accuracy and crushing force right on Usopp's face!

The immense kinetic energy was instantly nullified.

The world fell silent.

Ronan stood to the side, watching this classic "human brake" scene, and almost burst out laughing.

This familiar recipe, this familiar taste. This is the Straw Hat Pirates' unique way of greeting.

"Wuwuwu..."

Usopp's nose was gushing blood, two clear shoe prints imprinted on his face. Tears streaming down his cheeks, he raised his hands: "I... I'm sorry..."

After the farce, the atmosphere became somewhat delicate again.

Usopp struggled to get up and patted the huge backpack on his back.

He didn't look at Luffy and the others, but turned his back to Kaya, seemingly afraid to meet her eyes.

"So you're really going out to sea, Usopp," Kaya's voice was soft, yet filled with understanding.

"Ah..." Usopp adjusted the goggles on his head and said with feigned seriousness, "I need to set off quickly before my resolve wavers. Don't try to stop me, Kaya."

He spoke earnestly, like a lone hero heading to the battlefield.

Kaya smiled gently: "I won't stop you, because I had a feeling you belonged to this sea."

Usopp's body stiffened slightly, then he turned his head, his nose slightly red: "Saying that... makes me feel a bit empty!"

He sniffled, gave a thumbs-up, and revealed his signature smile:

"Don't worry! When I return to this village next time, I'll tell you true adventure stories, a million times more incredible than all those 'lies' I used to tell!"

"Mhm! I'll be waiting!" Kaya nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with tears.

This was a promise between childhood sweethearts, and a declaration of a boy's transition into manhood.

Having done all this, Usopp took a deep breath, suppressing the sorrow in his heart.

He turned around and looked at Ronan, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami, who were already standing on the Merry's deck.

Looking at these companions with whom he had fought side-by-side, a flicker of loneliness crossed Usopp's eyes, but he quickly masked it.

He stood on the shore, waved at everyone, and called out with feigned nonchalance:

"Hey! You guys! Take care too! Hope we can meet again at sea someday!"