"Rebecca..."
Luffy murmured her name as he ran, his steps gradually slowing until he came to a complete stop.
He glanced back at the Royal Palace, and determination gradually settled in his eyes.
"Luffy-senpai?"
Bartolomeo looked at Luffy in confusion. Why had he suddenly stopped?
Weren't they supposed to be escaping as fast as possible?
"I just remembered something I need to do." Luffy grinned. "You guys go ahead. I'll catch up in a bit."
With that, Luffy dashed toward the distant palace heights.
"Huh?"
Bartolomeo was dumbfounded. What could possibly be more important than escaping with their lives?
"Luffy, we don't have much time!" Zoro shouted. "Whatever you need to do, make it quick! We'll wait for you at the eastern port!"
"Okay!"
Luffy waved without looking back, then picked up his pace again.
"What's Luffy going to do?" Merry asked in confusion.
"Isn't it obvious?"
Xi Yan smiled toward the palace heights and said, "He's going to find Rebecca, of course."
He wasn't surprised in the slightest that Luffy would do something like this.
Then Xi Yan gently patted Merry, who was sitting on his shoulder, and continued, "If you want to say goodbye to Rebecca, go with him."
"Really?!"
Merry's eyes instantly lit up. That meant she could give Rebecca a proper goodbye!
At that thought, Merry quickly flew off Xi Yan's shoulder and turned to chase after Luffy.
"Xi Yan, I'll bring Luffy to catch up with you in a bit."
"Okay," Xi Yan said. "If you get into trouble, remember to use Reverse Summoning."
"Got it~"
The little girl waved at Xi Yan, then quickly flew after Luffy, soon reaching his side.
"Merry?"
"Luffy, let's go find Rebecca together," Merry said with a smile. "We have to say a proper goodbye~"
"Okay!"
Luffy grinned at