Ship Spirit - Going Merry

"Why can't I learn it..."

Usopp seemed to have lost all his strength, his whole being dimming.

Not being able to learn such cool ninjutsu felt like losing hundreds of millions. It was agonizing.

"Because our physiques are different," Xi Yan said. "I'm probably the last ninja in this world."

After speaking, Xi Yan paused, then added, "Well, a rather special ninja."

Considering what Granny Kokoro had said about Wano Country, Xi Yan specifically added that clarification.

Seeing this, the others no longer pressed the issue. Some things were inherited through bloodline; others couldn't force it.

Nico Robin was taken aback. She realized Xi Yan might have had a similar experience to her.

So he's the only ninja left...

Could his hometown also have been... destroyed?

"Mmm..." Chopper suddenly trembled, then slowly opened his eyes and said, "Where am I?"

"You're awake," Xi Yan said with a chuckle, looking at Chopper. "How do you feel?"

"My body is very tired, but... I think I can move."

As he spoke, Chopper got up and began to examine his body. After a moment, he said, "I remember now, I ate a Rumble Ball..."

"Yeah, you went berserk, but I subdued you."

"Is that so? Thank you, Xi Yan."

"Don't mention it. I'm glad you're okay."

Xi Yan reached out and ruffled the little guy's head. It felt really good.

"You really scared us when you were like that," Nami said. "Chopper, don't do anything reckless like that again."

"Sorry, I'll be careful," Chopper said, scratching his head.

He hadn't had a choice back then, or he wouldn't have risked taking a third Rumble Ball.

"Eh?!"

"Isn't this the Going Merry!" Chopper exclaimed, noticing his surroundings as he stood up. "Why are we on the Going Merry?"

"That's a long story..."

"Speaking of which... why did this ship come all the way to Judicial Island?" Xi Yan glanced at the Going Merry. "Wasn't it deemed unseaworthy?"

"I thought it had something to do with you..."

Xi Yan looked at Nami in surprise. "Why would you say that?"

"You know, the first time I met you all was near the Sea Train. I never even saw this ship."

He hadn't seen it with his own eyes, so it made sense she'd think that.

Seeing that Xi Yan didn't seem to be faking it, Nami became even more confused.

"If it wasn't you... then what happened?" Nami said. "We searched everywhere, but we couldn't find any trace of anyone else."

"It's as if... as if the ship sailed here by itself. But how is that possible?"

After all, for a ship to reach its destination, environmental factors had to be considered first!

In the Grand Line, the weather in every sea area was different. It might be calm here, but a raging storm might be just over there.

For it to drift to its destination on its own was basically impossible, let alone... the terrifying Gods of Water!

They were able to get through the Gods of Water because of Xi Yan. So how did the Going Merry get here?

"Long Nose, do you remember what I told you?" Franky suddenly said.

Hearing this, Usopp's gloom lifted, and he immediately stood up. "Are you talking about... the Ship Spirit?"

"Yes, the Ship Spirit!"

"Ship Spirit?"

Facing the confused gazes of the others, Franky explained with a straight face, "A Ship Spirit is a legend of this sea. When the crew cherishes their ship exceptionally, there's a chance a Ship Spirit will be born."

"And this Long Nose here has actually seen this ship's Ship Spirit!"

"So..." Franky swept his gaze around. "I believe the reason this ship was able to cross the Gods of Water and reach Judicial Island is also because of the Ship Spirit."

Otherwise, there was no way to explain why the ship had ended up at Judicial Island by itself.

"Our ship actually gave birth to a Ship Spirit?!" Sanji exclaimed in disbelief.

"Cherish the ship..." Usopp looked at the patched-up hull and fell silent for a moment, then said with a choked voice, "Merry..."

Had they truly cherished this ship well?

If so, why had the ship ended up like this?

"Merry!!"

Chopper burst into tears. Had the Going Merry braved the dangerous Gods of Water to save them?

"I really love the Going Merry the most!!"

"Really?!" Luffy exclaimed excitedly, "Merry!!"

"Merry, where are you?"

"Merry!!"

Luffy, lying on the ground, struggled to get up, but couldn't.

In the end, he could only use his chin as a tool to move, inching along the ship, seemingly trying to find the ship spirit.

"Even I have never seen a ship give birth to a ship spirit before," Granny Kokoro said with emotion.

Although she didn't get to see the ship spirit with her own eyes, she felt her life was complete.

"Hm?"

Xi Yan seemed to sense something, turned his head to glance at the Going Merry's cabin, and then narrowed his eyes.

This feeling is...

"Don't waste your energy," Franky said. "If she wants to see you, she'll come out on her own."

"But... don't forget, this ship has entered its final countdown. Even with a ship spirit..."

"Bastard, you're not allowed to talk about the Going Merry like that!" Chopper yelled. "The Going Merry is fine, why are you saying that?!"

"If it weren't for the Going Merry, we wouldn't have been able to escape from Judicial Island. You cold-hearted guy!" Nami said.

"That's just how it looks..."

Franky wanted to explain further, but seeing the looks on the Straw Hat Pirates' faces, he wisely shut his mouth.

Clearly, in the hearts of the Straw Hat Pirates, this was not just a pirate ship, but a partner who had gone through countless life-and-death situations with them!

This gave Franky a feeling he had never experienced before.

"Merry..."

Zoro's right hand touched the ship's railing, his heart unable to remain calm.

"Is there really no other way?" Nico Robin asked Franky. "This ship really..."

"The keel is gone," Franky shook his head.

Although he wanted to help the Straw Hat Pirates repair the ship, with the keel gone, it was like a death sentence.

Replacing the keel was equivalent to building a new ship. But would that still be considered repairing the ship?

That would be building a new ship!

"Sigh."

Nico Robin sighed, not expecting them to face such a situation right after escaping Judicial Island.

"Huh?"

"Where's Xi Yan?"

The others blinked. Their attention had been fully on Franky, and they hadn't noticed when Xi Yan had disappeared.

Just then, a child's voice came from inside the cabin, sounding like a little girl?

"Please put me down. I don't want them to see me like this."

"Please..."

"No," Xi Yan shook his head. "You've become like this for everyone's sake... How can I let you hide in a dark corner and wait to die alone?"

Merry's appearance made Xi Yan's heart ache!