Chapter 34: The going merry
The scene shifts.
Half an hour later, in the spacious dining room of the villa.
Everyone was already eating until their faces were greasy. The unpleasant little interlude in the square earlier had naturally been forgotten long ago under the assault of delicious food.
"The situation back then was truly hanging by a thread!"
Usopp, holding a chicken leg in his hand, was vividly recounting the thrilling battle of "Captain Usopp" to Kaya, who sat opposite him.
"Just as those dozens of pirates rushed up, I remained fearless in the face of danger and let out a great shout!"
"I used a finishing move: Fire Star! In an instant, I blew them all away!"
The battle situation he described was indeed correct, except... he had replaced Tatsuya with his own wise and martial self.
Kaya covered her mouth in surprise and let out a cooperative exclamation of shock:
"That's truly amazing, Mr. Usopp."
After saying that, her gentle eyes looked toward Tatsuya, who was silently cutting a steak nearby.
She naturally knew who was truly capable of defeating dozens of pirates in an instant and even slaying Kuro.
It was likely this Vice Captain, who always seemed to be smiling.
"Awoo! Awoo!"
Strange swallowing sounds came from the side.
Luffy's arms had turned into afterimages as he continuously picked up meat from the plates, stuffing it directly into his mouth without even chewing.
His mouth was stretched out like a giant rubber pocket, and his throat was constantly bulging.
"Gulp."
A plate of meat disappeared in an instant.
Kaya, watching this scene from the table, covered her mouth in surprise again, her eyes wide and round.
"So impressive... As for me, I'd be full after just one piece of meat."
"Hmph hmph, Kaya, don't underestimate a pirate's stomach capacity! My appetite is also very good!"
Usopp's competitive spirit flared up instantly.
As he spoke, he also picked up a large piece of meat on the bone and, mimicking Luffy, shoved it violently into his mouth.
"Mmph! Guh... cough, cough, cough!!"
But he clearly didn't have Luffy's cheat-like rubber stomach; the moment he stuffed it in, it got stuck in his throat.
His eyes rolled back as he choked, collapsing onto the dining table and pounding it desperately.
"Are you guys idiots?"
Nami, who was elegantly sipping tea, watched this scene and commented helplessly.
"Hehehe..."
Watching this comical scene, Kaya couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh from the bottom of her heart.
"It's so nice... If only I could have a group of companions like this to go on adventures and laugh with..."
A hint of envy and loneliness flickered in her eyes.
"That would be very dangerous, Miss Kaya."
Butler Merry thoughtfully handed a glass of water to Usopp, who was about to pass out, and then said to Kaya with a smile.
Kaya nodded obediently, but the longing in her eyes did not dissipate.
Merry looked at the young lady he had watched grow up and sighed in his heart.
If only the young lady's body were healthy, perhaps she could also go and see the outside world...
He forced a smile and turned to the group who were feasting heartily:
"Ah, right. Speaking of which, to thank you all for saving Miss Kaya and the Village, I have already sent people to deliver a thank-you gift to the north coast."
"Ah?! Is it a big ship?!"
Hearing this, Luffy violently swallowed all the meat accumulated in his mouth and jumped up excitedly to ask.
Merry nodded with a smile and pulled a list from his coat.
"Yes, and besides that, I have also had people prepare enough supplies to support your voyage at sea for a month, including fresh water, food, and alcohol."
"Ah!! You're such a good person! Sheep-head Butler!"
Luffy was so moved his eyes were brimming with tears.
Merry's mouth twitched slightly as he touched his ram-horn hairstyle.
Sheep-head... what kind of title is that?
Watching this, Kaya laughed again.
"Well done, Merry."
"It's my duty, Miss," Merry said, a smile appearing on his face.
...
After finishing their meal, the group followed Merry and Kaya all the way to the north coast.
Just as they descended the slope, everyone's attention was captured.
On the sea ahead, a brand-new light sailing ship was quietly anchored.
The hull wasn't massive, but the overall structure was smooth and elegant, featuring a caravel design with a lateen sail on the mizzenmast.
The most striking part was the bow, carved with a cute sheep figurehead. The huge mainsail was unfurled, billowing in the wind as if ready to set sail at any moment.
"Wow!!!"
Luffy's mouth hung wide open, and he was almost drooling.
The others were also full of shock; this was countless times better than their previous boat.
Merry stepped forward and introduced it to everyone with some pride:
"Although the style is a bit old and the blueprints are from several years ago, this is my pride—the going merry! From now on, it belongs to you!"
"Ah, let me introduce the usage and structure to everyone..."
"Ah, get lost! Get lost!"
Nami unceremoniously shoved Luffy aside, her eyes gleaming as she leaned in toward Merry.
"Talk to me about the ship! That idiot Luffy won't understand!"
"Oh oh oh! My ship!!"
Luffy, who had been pushed aside, didn't care at all. He stretched his arms and with a "swoosh," flew onto the deck.
He ran back and forth on the ship, touching the sheep's head, pulling the ropes, and letting out constant screams of excitement.
On the shore.
Kaya watched this scene and smiled.
Then she turned her head to look at Tatsuya, who had been standing quietly by the side, looking at the sea.
"Tatsuya-san, I hope you like this ship."
"Ah, we like it very much. It's exactly what we wanted."
Tatsuya turned back, looking at the hesitant Kaya. He said with a smile:
"If Miss Kaya has something to say, just say it directly. At this moment of parting, there's no need for too many reservations."
Having her thoughts seen through, Kaya blushed. She lowered her head shyly, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes, and said softly:
"That... if it's not too much trouble... could you let me experience that one more time?"
She was referring to the previous illusion experience.
"Of course, I'd be happy to."
"Then, please look into my eyes."
Kaya immediately looked up, staring without hesitation into Tatsuya's Sharingan, which had instantly turned red.
The world changed.
The pain and illness vanished.
She was once again back on that vast, boundless sea.
The sea breeze brushed against her cheeks, white seagulls soared under the blue sky, and the waves lapped against the hull, making a pleasant sound.
"Kaya... time for dinner!"
A familiar and warm call came from behind her.
Kaya immediately looked back.
On the other end of the deck, her parents were standing there, smiling and waving to her, just like when she was a child.
Kaya froze in a daze...
The illusion ended.
In reality, Kaya's tears immediately began to flow uncontrollably, sliding down her pale cheeks.
But this time it wasn't sadness, but a sense of closure.
"Thank you... truly thank you, Tatsuya-san. You are a good person."
Kaya wiped away her tears, looked up, and gave Tatsuya a bright smile.
"A good person..."
Tatsuya shrugged noncommittally, not refuting the evaluation, but merely saying softly:
"I hope you can be a bit stronger, Miss Kaya. Since you've survived, you must live on brilliantly, for your parents' sake as well."
"Mm... I will!" Kaya nodded vigorously, her gaze becoming firm.
Just then.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!! Move! Get out of the way!!"
From the slope behind them, a sudden burst of panicked shouting was heard.
Everyone turned to look and saw a person carrying a huge pack twice the size of his body.
Because his center of gravity was unstable, he was rolling all the way down the steep slope like a giant meatball.
"Ah, it's Usopp-san," Kaya said in surprise. "So he left suddenly just now to get his luggage."
"What on earth is this guy doing?"
Tatsuya facepalmed helplessly.
"Anyway, let's stop him first. He's going to hit the going merry at this rate," Zoro said.
"Agreed."
The two looked at each other and, with perfect rapport, raised their feet at the same time.
Bang!
Two feet accurately blocked the rolling "Usopp meatball."
"Ow, ow, ow..."
Usopp lay on the ground dizzy, the huge pack on his back making it hard for him to breathe.
"Ah... thank you guys, I almost couldn't stop."
He struggled to climb up from the ground and patted the dust off his body.
"Usopp-san, have you decided?" Kaya asked softly, looking at the giant pack.
Usopp straightened the goggles on his head and looked at Kaya, a confident smile appearing on his face as usual.
"Yeah! I'm going to set out before I regret it! After all, a warrior of the sea can't back down!"
He took a deep breath and gave Kaya a thumbs up:
"Anyway, if I can come back to this Village in the future, I'll tell you even more and even better adventure stories! I'm off! Kaya!"
After saying that, Usopp turned resolutely, intending to walk toward a small skiff by the shore.
After taking two steps, he realized no one was asking him to stay.
"Hey, what are you talking about?"
Zoro, already standing by the railing of the going merry, shouted with a frown at Usopp who was walking toward the small boat.
"Hurry up and get on the ship, you idiot."
"Eh?" Usopp froze and stopped in his tracks.
At that moment, Luffy also leaned over the railing at the stern, poking his head out and saying as if it were the most natural thing in the world:
"We're waiting for you, Usopp."
"Aren't we already companions?"
"Com... companions..."
Usopp's eyes instantly widened, his lips trembling.
So, they had already considered him a partner?
A wave of immense emotion surged into his heart, and he desperately held back the tears that were about to burst forth.
"You... you bastards!"
Usopp turned around abruptly, hoisted the giant pack, and while running toward the ship, shouted loudly to hide his embarrassment:
"In that case! Then the Captain... I'll be the Captain!!"
"Ha?! Don't talk nonsense! I'm the Captain!!" Luffy immediately retorted, pulling him onto the ship with a kick.
"Set sail!!"
With a loud shout from Luffy, the going merry slowly pulled away from the shore, sailing into the vast sea.
On the shore.
Kaya and Merry stood side by side, watching the pirate ship as it gradually grew distant.
"Miss Kaya, the wind is picking up. We should go back," Merry said softly.
Kaya watched the figure of the long-nosed boy waving on the deck and smiled, wiping away the last tear from the corner of her eye.
"I really do need to become stronger, so that I can hear their stories again... Merry, let's go back."
Merry looked at his young lady's lively face and a gratified smile tugged at his lips.
He looked toward the direction where the Merry had disappeared and bowed deeply.
"Thank you all... pirates."