"Hey, Wright, kid! Wanna head out with this old man for a bit?"
Garp barged into Wright's office, munching on a rice cracker. Seeing Wright buried in paperwork, he smirked and clicked his tongue.
"Oi, oi, you're starting to look more and more like Sengoku. Do you really need to take this stuff so seriously?"
"..."
Wright shot Garp a deadpan look, exasperated by the old man's antics.
"Old man, don't you think it's your lazy attitude that's actually the weird one here?"
"I wouldn't mind getting some fresh air… but don't tell me this is about visiting your grandson!"
"..."
Garp's face twitched.
"Seriously! Talking to you smart types is no fun at all. Can't even finish a sentence before you figure everything out!"
"Tch! The World Government just got humiliated by your grandson today. They probably haven't even made it back to Water 7 yet, and now you're making moves? What else could you be up to?"
"If Kuina weren't on a mission in the New World, she'd probably be heading there already. I bet she's finally willing to acknowledge Luffy's strength."
Wright gestured toward a Den Den Mushi on his desk. "Heh, in front of CP9, they burned the World Government's flag on Enies Lobby…"
"And then they wiped out CP9! Among them was Rob Lucci, supposedly the strongest CP9 agent in 800 years. The whole CP division just lost all face."
"Bwahaha! That's exactly why I just told Sengoku—what a grandson I have!"
Garp laughed heartily. Wright could only sigh.
"Fine, take Ace with you. As an Admiral, I shouldn't be showing my face so openly… but I'll head over myself later. There are some things I need to take care of."
"Yeah, I should let Ace meet Luffy—he needs to make that brat regret becoming a pirate!"
Garp ground his teeth. "Look at Ace—he's a proper Marine! That's what a Navy hero's grandson should be like!"
"Tch… I told you to break Luffy's legs, but you wouldn't listen…"
Seeing Garp's eyes widen dangerously, Wright wisely changed the subject.
"Ahem… anyway, I'll go ahead first. You take your time with the warship. If you're in a hurry, just have Ace speed things up!"
Before Garp could react, Wright vanished from his seat, leaving Garp standing there with his mouth agape. Rice cracker crumbs spilled from his lips.
"Tch! Just because you can fly doesn't mean you're all that!"
Grumbling, Garp grabbed the Den Den Mushi on Wright's desk.
"Oi? Ace? Get back to headquarters immediately—this is important!"
"What about Wright? He's not here! You're coming with me!"
Slamming the receiver down, Garp walked out of the office, grumbling to himself.
"Hmph! Ace has to knock some sense into Luffy! That brat is out of control!"
"…Even though he did well… he still needs a lesson!"
...
Off the Coast of Water 7—A Solemn Farewell.
A heavy atmosphere hung over the open sea. A funeral was being held, solemn and full of grief.
Beside the massive ship from Mayor Iceburg's Galley-La Company floated a smaller, broken vessel—her hull scarred, her body nearly split in two. The Going Merry, who had just completed her final, miraculous voyage.
Even in this sorrowful moment, the sheep figurehead at the bow seemed to smile in peaceful acceptance.
On a small boat, holding a lit torch, stood the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, Monkey D. Luffy. Behind him, aboard a slightly larger vessel, were the rest of his crew.
The Going Merry had just saved them from an impossible predicament, rescuing them from the hellish Buster Call that nearly wiped Enies Lobby off the map.
And now, it was time to bid farewell to their beloved comrade.
"Merry… the sea is dark and deep. You'll be lonely."
"So… let us send you off properly."
"It's a shame Usopp isn't here…"
Luffy cast the torch onto the Merry. Zoro glanced at Usopp, who stood apart, masked as Sniper King. A calm, steady voice emerged from beneath the mask.
"This is a man's farewell! Not a single tear should be shed!"
"She was ready for this, long ago."
"You carried us so far. Thank you, Merry!"
Flames engulfed the ship. Snowflakes drifted down, as if the heavens themselves were mourning alongside them.
As the fire crackled, not just the Straw Hats, but even the Galley-La Company members heard a voice—soft, ethereal, and filled with longing.
"I'm sorry… I wanted to take you even farther…"
"This voice?! Is that… Merry?!"
"I wish we could keep going on adventures together, but… I'm happy."
"No, we're the ones who should be apologizing! Merry!"
"Thank you… for always treating me so well."
"Aaaaaahhh—"
"I really…"
"Was so happy!"
As her voice faded, no one could hold back their emotions any longer. Tears streamed down their faces, their grief surging like a tidal wave.
"Meerrrrryyy!!"
Luffy collapsed onto the boat, sobbing uncontrollably. The rest of the crew was no better, drowning in sorrow at the loss of their dear comrade.
Then suddenly—their Lightforged Crystals flared with a brilliant glow.
"This is—"
They looked up in shock. Before them, a pillar of radiant golden light pierced the sky, breaking through the stormy clouds, illuminating the burning Merry.
Glowing golden rings spiraled around the pillar, and a soft, ethereal melody echoed in their ears.
It was as if—
"Merry… is that you… singing?"
Nami whispered, covering her mouth as fresh tears welled up.
Through her blurred vision, she saw a small figure rising from the burning ship, bathed in golden light.
A tiny being, holding a wooden mallet, clad in a raincoat-like cloak. Beneath the hood, a wide, joyful smile shone.
"No way…"
Iceburg was stunned.
"That's… the legendary ship spirit?!"
"Ha! More like—it'd be strange if a ship like this didn't have a spirit!"
Franky muttered, his eyes already brimming with tears.
"This is… super emotional!"
"Are we witnessing a super miracle?!"
"Merry!!"
In that instant, the Straw Hats knew without a doubt.
This was their cherished comrade—The Going Merry!
"Merry! Are you… are you still here?!"
Luffy shouted, ready to leap into the sea. Zoro and Sanji quickly restrained him.
"Stay put! If you interfere with the Master—that person—Merry might be in danger!"
"You idiot! You can't swim!"
"Waaah…"
Sniper King collapsed to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
"…A miracle… Merry…"
The golden light slowly faded, leaving only the tiny, glowing spirit in the air.
She listened to something unseen, then smiled brightly.
"Thank you… Great One…"
"I will cherish this second chance with everyone!"
Then she looked down at her beloved crew, arms wide open.
"Everyone… can I… keep sailing with you?"
"MERRY!!"
A thunderous cheer erupted, shaking the very skies as if even the clouds had been scattered by the sheer force of their voices. For a fleeting moment, a golden figure seemed to flash across the sky.
The brilliant sunlight poured down, illuminating the scene—
A moment frozen in time, as the crowd erupted in celebration—
"Welcome back, mate!"
-------
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