After the night's revelry, the people went off to rest. The Straw Hat Pirates, meanwhile, gathered beside the Golden Bell.
"Ahem, Everyone."
Rubick cleared his throat. "From now on, I'm the King of Sky Country. I'll need to stay here for a while and teach them Haki before I can leave with peace of mind."
Luffy looked startled. "Mister, does that mean you're not coming on adventures with us anymore?"
"I told you this would happen," Rubick said reassuringly. "It's just happening sooner than expected."
"What? That's no fun!"
Luffy's spirits sank, and the others were reluctant to part with Rubick too.
Nami, on the other hand, brightened. "That works out. We won't have to give him a share of the gold we found."
"Wow. Harsh," Luffy said.
"Heartless," Usopp added.
"Monster!" Chopper cried.
Sanji flew into a rage. "Don't talk about Nami like that!"
"Come on, don't make this so sad," Rubick said. "Once you head down tomorrow, remember to stop by Water 7. You can find shipwrights there and buy a new ship."
Usopp raised his hand. "Wait. What about the Going Merry?"
"You can leave the Going Merry at the Port for now," Rubick replied. "That's easy enough if you have money. Once I find the Door-Door Fruit, we'll take her home together."
After seeing Luffy and the others off, Rubick prepared to return to the Shrine. Someone had already cleaned it up, so he could move straight in.
Beneath the vines, Mary called out to him.
"Rubick, what are you going to do with me?"
Rubick shrugged. "That's up to you. You can stay here, or go back to the All Blue with Luffy and the others, then head wherever you like."
Mary wasn't going to join the Straw Hat Pirates, so Rubick didn't care where