Time flew by like a shooting star across the sky, and a day passed in a flash. After successfully escaping the Fortress, the Straw Hat Pirates resumed their unpredictable journey, heading toward a strange and mysterious island.
Sunlight warmed the deck, and a soft breeze stirred the sails.
Nami looked around to find her crew either lounging or lying around in boredom.
A sly grin crossed her face. She suddenly shouted, "Everyone, listen up! Let's split the gold!"
Like lightning through still air, her words electrified the entire deck.
Luffy immediately sprang up, arms raised in excitement. "Hahaha~ We're finally splitting the treasure! I can finally build my life-sized bronze statue!"
His voice echoed across the sea, but the others just stared at him with dull, unimpressed expressions. Zoro sighed. "Why are you so obsessed with a statue? We should use it to buy sake and drink properly."
As everyone started voicing their thoughts, Shin'ya and Robin walked over.
Just the night before, after leaving the Marine fortress, Something that started as a joke became real. Now, they were openly affectionate, stuck together like magnets.
Looking at the lively group, Shin'ya spoke calmly, "Guys~ haven't you noticed? The Going Merry is struggling more and more."
Robin nodded in agreement. "The weather and conditions on the Grand Line are harsh. Even though we've taken good care of her, the Going Merry was only meant for small-scale sailing. She's come so far already... but she's reaching her limit."
Usopp went quiet, his usual smile fading.
The rest turned to Shin'ya, unsure but attentive.
"My point is, we can't waste this treasure recklessly. We need a new pirate ship to keep going," Shin'ya added, more serious now.
Zoro's tone turned unusually grave. "Shin'ya's right. The Going Merry has brought us far. But if we want to reach our goals, she's going to hold us back. We don't even train on the ship anymore, That's how fragile she's gotten. If Skypiea happened again, Shin'ya would be the only one who could deal with it. He won't always be around."
"Zoro! Even you want to abandon the Going Merry? She's carried us all this way!" Usopp snapped, genuinely shocked.
Sanji lit a cigarette and took a long drag before saying, "Usopp... they're both right. After we learned Haki, we've barely trained at sea. We've outgrown the ship. As painful as it is to say, it's the truth."
"Our enemies will only get stronger. If we don't improve too, either we or the ship will be the ones breaking next time."
"You guys... Nami! Say something!" Usopp turned to her desperately.
Nami sighed. "The Merry really can't handle the Grand Line anymore. Once we reach a proper shipyard, we'll decide what to do. For now, I'll hold onto the gold."
Everyone had noticed the Merry's increasing limitations. Though she wasn't as broken as in the original timeline, serious problems were mounting. The Grand Line's conditions demanded something sturdier than a modest sailboat.
Usopp's lips quivered. He wanted to argue more, but no words came out.
A quiet heaviness settled over him. For the first time, he felt disconnected from the crew. Was strength more important than loyalty to a crewmate—especially one that had sailed with them since the beginning?
Sensing Usopp's growing frustration, which felt overwhelming enough to choke a sea king, Shin'ya spoke up.
"Hey, don't be so down. I actually thought of two options. Maybe you'll like one of them."
He held up a finger. "First option: We don't abandon the Going Merry. Once we find a new ship, we keep the Merry as a support boat and take her along with us."
Then a second finger. "Or... we build a new ship and I'll use my ability to fuse both vessels into one. The new ship will be a fusion—part Merry, part something more. That way, she stays with us no matter what."
The tension in the air broke. Spirits lifted.
Luffy grinned wide and tugged his hat down. "I've decided! Option two! That way, we get two ships in one! Hahaha! Our adventure's gonna get even crazier!"
Zoro turned to Usopp. "There. Happy now?"
Usopp looked up and slowly smiled. "As long as we don't abandon her, I'm good."
Nami smirked. "Then let's find a good shipyard. There are plenty in the Grand Line."
"Let's go to Water 7," Robin suggested, leaning her head on Shin'ya's shoulder. "The shipwrights there are the best. We can even hire someone to maintain the ship."
Sanji nodded. "Robin-chan's right. If we're upgrading, we'll need a shipwright."
Luffy jumped with excitement. "Then it's settled! We're getting the best shipwright in the world!"
"…and a musician too!"
The sunlight danced across the ocean as the Going Merry pressed onward.
—
The next morning, the deck was filled with a heavy scent of love—too heavy for most. Everyone, except Luffy and Zoro, looked like they were ready to throw Shin'ya and Robin overboard.
"You two! Enough already!" Sanji cried, nearly in tears. "Robin-chwan, why do you love him and not a classy guy like me~!?"
Before anyone could answer, Usopp shouted down from the crow's nest.
"Island ahead! It looks... strange! It's covered in ice? Is that a frozen island?!"
Everyone rushed forward to see for themselves.
"Yeah, it's getting colder the closer we get," Nami noted. "But it's the middle of summer. The sky's clear—this isn't natural."
Shin'ya noticed Robin trembling beside him. Her face was pale, her body shaking.
He took her hand and gently squeezed it, voice calm. "Don't be afraid. No one's going to hurt you."
Robin's trembling slowed. She looked up at him, finding comfort in his eyes.
"With you here, I'm not afraid," she whispered. Her voice still shook slightly, but her smile returned—soft.
"Tch~ Boring," Zoro muttered. "I'm gonna train."
"What a waste of emotion," Sanji sighed. "I'm going to cook."
"I'm gonna make Rumble Balls! Hehe~"
"I'm gonna go research cannonballs!"
Everyone, frustrated by the lovebirds behind them, lost interest in the island—except Luffy, who sat calmly with Robin and Shin'ya, staring at the land ahead.
As they docked, the island came fully into view: a frozen grassland, nothing but layers of ice stretching across the land.
Sanji frowned. "Tsk. Just ice."
"There must be people living here," Robin said quietly. "But this ice... it could only be from Admiral Aokiji. I don't know why he froze everything… or if he's still here."
Even with Shin'ya by her side, the years she spent running from Aokiji left deep scars. Her fear, though lessened, still lingered.
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