In the Galley-La Company's dock in Water 7, the light of the setting sun streamed through the windows and fell on the little Going Merry.
The wood of her hull had begun peeling away piece by piece. Her once-white sheep's-head figurehead was covered in cracks, and several holes riddled her sails. With her battered body, she had brought everyone back from Enies Lobby. Now, at last, she could hold on no longer.
Everyone in the Straw Hat Pirates stood in the dock, looking at the Going Merry. No one spoke. Only their tears kept falling.
Usopp knelt on the ground, his hand resting on the wood of her hull. His voice was hoarse and choked with sobs. "I'm sorry... Going Merry... I'm sorry... I didn't take good care of you before... I thought you couldn't be repaired, so I left you here... I'm sorry..."
Luffy cried too. He leaned against the rail, touching the helm that had accompanied them through so much of their voyage. "Going Merry... you're our friend... We'll never forget you..."
Zoro leaned against the wall and turned his head away, secretly wiping his tears. Sanji lit a cigarette, the smoke hiding his face so no one saw his tears. Nami held Chopper, who shook all over as he cried. Robin covered her mouth, tears falling onto the back of her hand. Franky's eyes were red too. The normally boisterous cyborg was now crying like a child.
Just then, that gentle voice sounded in everyone's minds once again:
"Thank you... I was so happy... to sail with you..."
As the voice faded, the Going Merry's hull fell apart completely. Piece after piece of wood dropped into the water of the dock. The ship that had accompanied them through the East Blue, Alabasta, Sky Island, and Enies Lobby