One Piece: Starting with Sharingan, First Mate Uchiha

They escaped from Justice Island, which felt like hell.

They shook off the naval warships that were chasing them like mad dogs.

At this moment, the sea gradually calmed down.

The Going Merry, carrying the wounded Straw Hat crew, sailed on the vast ocean.

Although the ship was in a dilapidated state, with a broken mainmast and sails riddled with bullet holes, it still stubbornly forged ahead through the waves.

Ahead, the silhouettes of several huge ships emerged in the dawn light.

That was a Carrera company rescue ship, personally led by Mr. Iceberg.

"Feed—!! Everyone—!!"

"We're here!!"

Luffy stood at the bow of the ship, waving his arms, a bright smile of relief on his face.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, their tense nerves finally able to relax.

"Thank goodness...we're finally safe."

Nami slumped onto the deck, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Chopper was bandaging Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, who were covered in blood, while Usopp was hugging the broken mast and crying bitterly.

Just as everyone was cheering and preparing to move closer to Carrera's large ship to transfer,

Sudden.

"Snap—!!"

A sudden, abrupt cracking sound rang out on the silent sea without warning.

The sound wasn't loud, but it struck like a heavy hammer, hitting everyone's heart hard.

The smiles on everyone's faces froze instantly.

"Boom..."

Before Luffy could react...

The Going Merry's proud ram's head prow, along with the forward deck, broke off without warning.

Like an old man who had burned out his last bit of life force, he finally couldn't support his heavy body and collapsed.

The bow separated from the hull, and seawater rushed wildly into the break.

"Merry————!!!!!"

Luffy let out a terrified scream.

Ignoring his own injuries, he rushed to the broken section like a madman.

That was his favorite first-class seat; it was the soul of the ship.

Luffy stretched out his hands, desperately trying to pull the broken bow back together, attempting to piece it back together with his bare hands:

"Hey! Merry! What are you doing?!"

"Stop joking! We've already escaped! Everyone's here! We're going on an adventure together!!"

"Connect it quickly! Connect it quickly!!"

However, no matter how hard he tried, the broken keel could never be restored.

The icy seawater relentlessly poured into the cabins, and the Merry was slowly sinking.

"H-How could this happen...?"

Usopp rushed over with a hammer and planks, his usual tools for repairing ships.

"Repair it! Repair it quickly! Just stop the water..."

However, looking at the huge crack that had completely broken in two, Usopp's hands trembled violently, and he couldn't even hold a nail steady.

The nail fell to the ground with a desperate clang.

He knew better than anyone else... that this was no longer a problem that could be solved by repairs.

"Frankie!!!!"

Luffy suddenly turned around and grabbed Franky beside him.

His fingers gripped Frankie's arm tightly, his eyes filled with pleading:

"You're a cyborg, right? You're a shipwright, right?!"

"Fix it quickly!! We have whatever money you want! All the hundreds of millions of Berries we just stole are yours!!"

"Please! Save it!!"

Nami, also crying, looked towards Barry and the other foremen who were rushing over:

"Mr. Barry! You're top-notch foremen at Carrera! You must have a way, right?"

Please... think of something!

"Merry...it just saved us!"

Faced with Luffy and Nami's heart-wrenching pleas.

Franky, who was always arrogant, was silent at this moment.

He looked at the broken keel, the ship's spine and its lifeline.

Franky slowly removed his sunglasses, revealing a pair of bloodshot eyes.

That usually carefree face now showed an unprecedented seriousness and respect.

He didn't speak, but just looked at Luffy and gently... shook his head.

"..."

Luffy froze, then weakly released his grip on Franky's hand.

"How could this be...?"

Barry, standing to the side, lowered his hat brim, gritted his teeth, unable to bear seeing Nami and Chopper cry, his voice low and hoarse:

"...It's no use, Miss."

"The dragon bone... is completely broken."

Barry pointed to the wrecked boat, his voice filled with deep shock:

"Actually, it was already sentenced to death back in Water Seven."

"Logically speaking, it shouldn't have been able to sail here at all."

"It carried you out of those doomed waves, and even managed to hold on until now..."

"This in itself is a miracle that completely defies common sense in shipbuilding."

"This ship... in its final moments, pushed beyond its limits to save you."

Franky stepped forward, placed his large hand on Luffy's trembling shoulder, and his voice was choked with emotion:

"Straw Hat Boy, let go."

"This ship... has done its best."

"It fought to the very last moment, protecting all the crew members."

"Let it... rest properly, like a man."

"..."

Luffy knelt on the flooded deck, his head bowed.

Large tears fell onto the wooden planks; that was the last warmth of the Going Merry.

He knew Franky was right.

As captain, he had to accept this harsh reality.

Not far away.

Viktor stood there quietly.

His trench coat billowed in the sea breeze, and his black, tousled hair obscured his eyebrows and eyes.

"Buzz—"

Viktor saw a different scene through his Sharingan.

The boat sprite wearing a yellow raincoat and holding a small wooden hammer was standing on the broken ram's head prow.

Its body is becoming increasingly transparent, as if it might vanish into the wind at any moment.

However, there was no pain or regret on its face.

It was smiling, looking at each of its crying companions with its gentle, large eyes.

It stretched out its little hand, as if trying to wipe away Luffy's tears, but it passed right through them.

Don't cry... everyone...

Victor seemed to understand its lips.

Viktor took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in his heart.

He walked over to Usopp, who was crying so hard he was almost fainting.

"Don't cry, Usopp."

Victor reached out and gently patted Usopp's shoulder, his voice soft:

"It's very happy."

"What did you say...?" Usopp looked up, his face covered in snot and tears.

"It's about to sink... how can I be happy!"

"Because it has accomplished its mission."

Viktor adjusted his glasses, his gaze tenderly fixed on the small figure in the void:

"It protected its beloved companion until the very last moment."

"For a ship, there could be no happier ending than this."

"I can see...it's laughing."

Upon hearing this, Usopp paused for a moment, then cried even harder, screaming with heart-wrenching despair:

"Waaaaah!! Of course I know!! But... but I can't bear to part with it!!!"

……

Before I knew it, a light snow began to fall from the sky.

The pure white snowflakes fell on the dark sea and onto the tattered deck, as if the sea was bidding farewell to this brave warrior.

Everyone had already transferred to Carrera's large ship.

A small boat carrying the wreckage of the Merry floated silently on the sea.

Everyone decided to give the Merry a final burial at sea—cremation.

This is the oldest and most honorable way to say goodbye.

Let it return to the sea in the flames, rather than rot in the cold ocean floor.

Luffy is holding a torch.

His arms were wrapped in bandages, but they were trembling violently.

All his companions stood behind him.

Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Victor.

Everyone gazed at the small boat that carried countless memories for them.

That was their home, where they started from the East China Sea.

They are the partners that carry them soaring into the clouds, diving into the deep sea, and crossing the great sea routes.

"Merry..."

Luffy's voice choked with emotion, filled with endless longing:

"It's very dark at the bottom of the sea... You'll be lonely."

"So...we're going to send you away."

Luffy closed his eyes, steeled his resolve, and dropped the torch in his hand.

"call--"

The moment the flames touched the wooden board, it burst into flames.

It wasn't a terrifying raging fire, but a warm, golden light.

The flames devoured the broken mainmast, the patched deck, and finally enveloped the smiling ram's head.

Snowflakes fluttered down, and flames soared into the sky.

In this sorrowful silence.

That voice... that voice that once called out to them by the broken bridge, rang out again.

This time, it wasn't just in my mind, but seemed to resonate throughout the world, resonating deep within everyone's soul.

【sorry……】

That childlike voice, tinged with apology, drifted away with the sparks.

I wanted to take everyone... to farther places.

I'm sorry... I wish I could adventure with you all forever.

Nami could no longer hold back, covering her mouth and sobbing uncontrollably, "Merry!!"

Chopper burst into tears, his face covered in snot and tears: "We're so sorry, Merry!!"

Even Zoro, who is usually a tough guy, silently turned around and looked up at the snowy sky.

Sanji lowered the brim of his hat, the cigarette in his hand had long since gone out, and a single tear slid down his cheek.

But... I'm so happy.

The voice became lighter, filled with warmth and gratitude.

Thank you all...so far.

I'm really... happy.

With a final thank you, the Going Merry's keel crumbled in the flames, transforming into countless dancing points of light that rose into the sky.

"Merry—!!!"

Luffy looked up to the sky and shouted, tears streaming down his face like a burst dam.

Usopp knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably; it was his final farewell to his closest comrade.

Robin wiped away her tears, looking at her companions, her heart filled with warmth.

This is a group of people who love even a ship so deeply.

Franky, who was standing to the side, was also in tears, crying like a 300-pound child.

"Waaaaah... This is such a... super amazing ship!!!"

Franky played his guitar while crying: "This is what a man's farewell is like!!"

Viktor stood at the very back of the crowd.

The firelight reflected off his face, creating a play of light and shadow.

He watched the ram's head gradually turn to ashes in the flames, and the ship spirit waving goodbye to everyone in the firelight.

Viktor slowly raised his hand, adjusted his glasses, and silently recited in his mind:

Goodbye, Merry.

"Your will, we will bring to Laugh Tale."

"Until then... get some rest."

Just as the Going Merry sank completely into the sea.

Suddenly, a system notification sound, devoid of emotion yet exceptionally pleasant, rang in Viktor's ears—a sound only he could hear.

【Ding! 】

[Detection indicates the "Ship Spirit" is about to dissipate...]

The host's involvement is extremely high, and they have a deep bond with the ship.

[System is automatically collecting data...]

[Collection successful!]

[Congratulations, host: The ship spirit of the Going Merry has been successfully extracted and saved to the "System Space".]

[Note: This spirit is currently in a dormant state. When the host acquires a new high-quality ship, the spirit can be infused with it, allowing it to inherit Merry's will and memories and continue sailing with the host.]

Upon hearing this, Viktor's previously sorrowful gaze suddenly sharpened.

He suddenly looked up at the empty sea.

A relieved smile crept onto Viktor's lips through his tears.

"I see……"

"That's right."

"How can the Straw Hat Pirates' ship be without a soul?"