Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, casting golden specks upon everyone.
Luffy looked down at Nami, who had fallen asleep in his arms.
Even in slumber, her arms remained tightly wrapped around his body, refusing to let go.
For the first time, Luffy began to reflect—on his dreams, on his crew and on all the people and events they had encountered during their journey.
Noticing the dampness at the corners of Nami's eyes, Luffy gently reached out and wiped it away.
"Lucy, are you hungry? Dad and I brought plenty of food—come eat!"
Rebecca smiled as she opened the food box, revealing fragrant chicken legs and steaming white rice.
Luffy flashed her a bright grin and accepted the meal.
"Thanks, Rebecca."
Time passed slowly.
One by one, the others—Zoro and the rest—began to wake up, sitting up in their beds.
When they saw Luffy, excitement flickered in their eyes.
Chopper burst into tears instantly, throwing himself at Luffy and wail.
Zoro silently walked over, grabbed a bottle of sake and took a deep swig.
For a while, the atmosphere was heavy, the only sounds being the crew eating.
Everyone, including Luffy, seemed lost in their own thoughts.
After Rebecca's food had been finished, Luffy stretched, carefully stood up and carried the sleeping Nami to a bed.
He gently laid her down, tucked a blanket around her, and smoothed the edges.
Zoro and the others watched quietly as Luffy completed these actions before approaching him again.
"Everyone."
Luffy's gaze swept over them one by one—Zoro, Jinbei, Usopp, Robin, and Chopper—before he spoke in a low voice.
"I... I'm really sorry. I failed as your captain. I couldn't protect everyone and because of that, this tragedy happened."
"It's not your fault! The enemy was just too strong—" Chopper immediately protested, but Zoro shook his head, stopping him.
Luffy continued, "All this time, we've traveled together. Sure, we've had our struggles, but in the end, we all survived and grew stronger. It's because of all of you that I found the courage and determination to keep sailing. My dream has always been to become the Pirate King—because I believed that the Pirate King is the freest person in the world."
He paused, his voice tinged with sorrow.
"But now... I realize that the price of this freedom might be too much to bear. In chasing this dream, I've gained countless friends, but at the same time, one misstep could kill us. Like this time—the enemy was too strong, and I was too weak."
"Everyone... we can't keep chasing this fleeting dream with nothing but reckless passion and luck. So... I hereby announce..."
Luffy's eyes reddened, his jaw clenched as if summoning every ounce of strength to force out two words through gritted teeth.
"Disbanded."
"Luffy!"
"Luffy-kun!"
Shocked exclamations erupted from the crew.
Chopper sobbed again, clinging to Luffy's arm as tears streamed down his face.
Zoro silently drank his sake, Usopp's eyes flickered as if relieved, Jinbei frowned and sighed, while Robin pursed her lips without speaking.
Luffy stood up, gazing towards the sea.
The grief on his face gradually faded, replaced by a resolute expression.
"Everyone... go back to your hometowns. Wait for me—wait until I'm strong enough to protect everyone, until no one else dies before my eyes! Wait until I defeat that Caesar, until I kill him! I'll come find you wherever you are and invite you to join me again. Please!"
With that, Luffy bowed deeply to them all.
Silence.
In the forest, you could hear a pin drop.
After a long pause, Zoro drained his bottle and tossed it aside.
Standing, he met Luffy's gaze.
"Luffy, I'm returning to Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue first. I need to forge my own sword. When you're ready to take that guy down, call me."
Without waiting for a response, Zoro turned and disappeared into the woods. (bruh)
"Zoro..." Chopper stared blankly at his retreating figure, dazed.
"I will return to Fish-Man Island too Luffy. I'll await your signal" Jinbei said, rising.
"Take care!" Luffy stepped forward and embraced Jinbei.
Then Luffy turned to Robin.
"Robin, what about you? Do you... have somewhere to go?"
Robin smiled gently. "I'll go with you to find your father, Dragon. He can help you grow stronger."
"Right!" Luffy nodded, then looked at Nami, Usopp, and Chopper.
Turning back to Jinbei, he said, "Jinbe, could I ask you to do something? Could you take Nami and the others home?"
Jinbei replied solemnly, "Leave it to me. Anyone who wants to harm them will have to get through me first!"
"Thank you!"
Luffy stood, placing his straw hat on his head and tugging the brim down.
"Everyone... this is goodbye for now. Wait for me—I won't be gone long."
Silence fell again as they watched Luffy and Robin disappear into the depths of the forest.
"Hmph, he didn't even thank me before leaving," Mansherry pouted.
Rebecca's heart suddenly felt hollow as Luffy vanished from sight, an inexplicable sense of loss washing over her.
****
Deep in the forest, far from where they'd awakened, Luffy suddenly stopped.
Robin turned in surprise to see tears streaming down his face, her heart aching.
"Robin... I... I really don't want to leave everyone! But I have no choice. If we keep sailing, more and more of our crew will disappear. That's not the kind of freedom I want! Brook is dead, Sanji's gone, Zoro lost an arm... I can't lose anyone else, Robin. It hurts so much..."
Luffy wept, his sorrow and anguish bursting forth now that they were alone.
Seeing his tears, Robin's heart ached too.
She stepped forward and pulled Luffy into her embrace.
"Go ahead and cry, let it all out. You'll feel much better afterward."
Robin, like a gentle older sister, held Luffy in her arms and softly patted his back.
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