One Piece: Trainers on the Straw Hat Pirates.

Chapter 49 Forward - The Going Merry! (Please continue reading~)

"Wow!!!!!"

In the early morning, as the first rays of the rising sun arrive.

Luffy, who was the first to arrive at the port, let out a shocked and joyful shout.

Looking at the three-masted sailboat with the cute sheep's head docked in the harbor, Luffy's eyes turned into shining stars, and he excitedly stretched out his arms to hug the sheep's head.

With a light bounce, I landed directly on top of the ram's head at the bow of the ship.

"Hehe! Pirate ship...my pirate ship!!!"

Luffy grinned foolishly, sprawled out on the bow of the ship as if floating on water, familiarizing himself with the ship's presence.

Meanwhile, led by Melly, Crimson and the others arrived at the coast.

"Hey, so this is our pirate ship? It looks surprisingly good!"

Zoro, who was responsible for carrying the gym equipment, slammed the huge metal pile onto the ground with a "thump!" and looked at the future ship with a satisfied sigh.

At this moment, the butler, Meili, and Miss Kaya walked up to the group and introduced them with smiles:

"Although the design is a bit outdated, this is a boat I spent several years designing!"

"The skeletal structure is a light sailboat with a triangular sail at the stern."

Its name is...

"GO·Merry!!!"

"The Going Merry, is it?!"

Luffy, who was lying on the bow of the ship, suddenly raised his head and burst into a bright laugh:

"What a lovely name!"

"Merry!!!"

He gently patted the sheep's head, as if he were talking to the ship.

Upon witnessing the complete crimson of the Going Merry, a faint glimmer appeared in his eyes.

The scenes from my memory flashed back again.

That was the scene that left the deepest impression on him in the world of One Piece...

On the vast sea, the Going Merry, gradually disappearing in the raging fire, bids a final farewell to the Straw Hat crew.

Even years later, when he sees related clips on video platforms, he still can't help but shed tears.

but……

"Don't worry, Going Merry!"

"This time, I will absolutely not let you repeat the same mistake!!!"

Crimson made a solemn vow in his heart.

In addition, he is also looking forward to the appearance of the Going Merry's ship spirit, wondering if he can take the Going Merry into the game world to level up and learn Pokémon moves...

After all, there are many Ghost-type Pokémon in the Pokémon world whose formation is very similar to that of Ship Spirit.

The joy of owning a new ship was contagious among everyone in the Straw Hat crew.

One by one, everyone carried the prepared supplies onto the ship.

The sun is shining brightly, and the breeze is gentle—perfect weather for sailing!

Standing at the railing of the Going Merry, Usopp bid a hearty farewell to Kaya and the three members of the Usopp Pirates.

"Goodbye, Miss Kaya!!!"

"I will definitely become a brave warrior of the sea!!!"

"besides……"

"While I'm gone, the three of you must protect Miss Kaya in my place!!!"

"Don't worry, Captain Usopp!"

The atmosphere of parting filled the entire port, but it would eventually drift away into the distance as longing carried by the waves of the sea.

Luffy stood on the captain's seat, hands on his hips, looking radiant!

"Hahaha...my little ones!!!"

"Raise the sails! Set sail!!!"

"oh!!!"

The Straw Hat crew shouted in unison.

The pirate flag, drawn by the great Usopp who knows everything except fighting, flutters atop the tallest mast.

Under Nami's command, the Going Merry began to turn around and head towards the vast sky!

I don't know why...

This voyage was more exhilarating than any before!

Luffy sat atop the ram's head, feeling the sea breeze blowing, his open shirt fluttering in the wind.

From the moment he saw the Merry until now, a smile has been etched on his face; his mouth has never closed.

Zoro arrived at the fitness area at the stern of the ship, continuing his physical training while recalling the concepts of the Iron-Cutting Realm and the Sword Master Realm that Red had previously reminded him of.

His master, Koushirou, had told him these things a long time ago.

However, at that time his swordsmanship skills were not yet up to par, and he could not understand it well.

After his battle with Kro, and with the help of Pokémon energy, he vaguely felt as if he had grasped something.

He was frowning as he carefully read it.

Not far from Zoro was Red, who was leaning against the ship's railing, manipulating the waves to propel the ship forward.

There was nothing he could do; he was the only one in the entire pirate crew who knew how to surf.

Only he is qualified to be this tool.

Fortunately, after becoming proficient, Crimson no longer needs to expend too much energy to perfectly control small waves.

At this moment, he was carefully placing a photograph into his image collection.

That was a photo of the Straw Hat crew standing near the Going Merry, celebrating their new friend.

In the photo, everyone's eyes are exceptionally bright, full of anticipation for the future.

It was Red who asked the housekeeper, Melly, to take the photos before she set off.

As for Usopp and Nami...

One of them hid in the cabin and studied the Weather Stick that Crimson had told him about.

One of them stood on the observation platform, observing the surrounding sea with binoculars.

Not long after they left Syrup Village, Nami on the lookout tower cried out in alarm:

"Something's wrong! You guys come quick!"

"Um?"

Upon hearing Nami's call, everyone—from Luffy, who was leisurely keeping watch, to Zoro, who was training, and even Red, who was nourishing himself with primal energy with his eyes closed—stopped what they were doing and looked over.

Even Usopp, who was in the cabin, temporarily put down the design drawings in his hand and curiously poked his head out.

Nami, holding binoculars, stood on high ground and pointed in one direction:

"Look over there!"

"There looks like a ship over there!"

"It's a pirate ship!!!"

"oh?!"

Luffy instantly became interested and stood on the bow of the ship, straining to see what was happening.

Pirates don't necessarily respect each other just because they're in the same line of work.

On the contrary...

When two pirate ships meet, it could very well be the prelude to war!

But just then, Nami shouted again:

"Wait a minute! Their pirate flag looks so familiar!"

"That looks like the Black Cat Pirates' flag!"

"oh!?"

As Crimson approached the bow of the ship, a dark dot could be vaguely seen slowly growing larger.

"Interesting!" he grinned. "Even though Crow is dead, they still managed to find us!"

"Perfect, this saves Miss Kaya the money she would have spent hiring a bounty hunter."

Seeing Luffy's eagerness to try, Akame gently patted the bow of the ship.

"Hey Luffy, they're just a bunch of small-time pirates. Are you getting excited?"

"ah!?"

Luffy laughed and turned to look at Akame.

"Of course we're excited! This is our first time encountering enemy at sea!"

No matter what it is, the first time is always exciting.

But Crimson shook her head: "Forget it..."

"It would be embarrassing for the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates to personally deal with a bunch of lowly minions!"

"I think this time, let's test the recruits' combat capabilities!"

"New recruits?"

At this moment, Zoro, who had walked over, said in confusion:

"You want Nami and Usopp to deal with them?"

Crimson smiled slightly:

"You're one place behind, Zoro!"

"It should be Nami, Usopp..."

"And Merry!"

(End of this chapter)