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The tension hung heavy in the air as Usopp's glare bore into Luffy. The usually cheerful sniper's face was contorted with an anger none of the crew had seen before.
Nami stepped forward. "Usopp? What's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" Usopp's voice was quiet, dangerous. "Why don't you ask our captain? He seems eager to throw away our home like it's yesterday's garbage."
Luffy turned slowly, his straw hat casting a shadow over his eyes. "That's not what this is about."
"No? Then what is it about, Luffy?" Usopp's voice rose. "Are we just going to sell Merry like she's some piece of trash? After everything she's been through with us?"
The rest of the crew watched in stunned silence. Zoro's hand instinctively moved to his swords, while Sanji's cigarette hung forgotten between his lips. Chopper shifted nervously, looking between his two friends.
"Kaya gave us this ship," Usopp continued, his voice cracking. "She trusted us with Merry!"
"I know." Luffy's voice was soft but firm. "Merry has been our home for the past year. She's carried us through storms, through battles, through everything. I couldn't have asked for a better ship."
"But not good enough to remain, apparently," Usopp spat, cutting Luffy off.
Robin watched the exchange with careful eyes, while Vivi's sand swirled anxiously around her feet. Nojiko placed a steadying hand on her sister's shoulder.
"Listen to me, Usopp." Luffy's voice carried the weight of his position as captain. "If I had a choice, I would never abandon Merry. Never. But I don't have that choice anymore."
"There's always a choice!"
"No, not this time." Luffy stepped forward, his eyes meeting Usopp's. "Look around you. Really look. The cracks in her hull, the patches we keep making, the way she groans even in calm waters. Merry is breaking down more each day."
"We can fix her! We always have!"
"Until when?" Luffy's voice rose slightly. "Until she splits in half in the middle of the New World? Until we're all at the bottom of the ocean because we were too stubborn to accept reality?"
Sanji flicked his cigarette over the railing. "He's right, Usopp. The Grand Line is one thing, but the New World? That's different waters entirely."
"Nobody asked you, Sanji!" Usopp snapped.
"Oi, watch your tone," Zoro growled. "We're all feeling this, but you don't see the rest of us losing our heads."
Nami stepped between them. "Everyone, please. This isn't helping."
"Merry is our home," Luffy continued, his voice softening. "She'll always be our first real home as a crew. But she can't sail the waters ahead. If we try to force her, we won't just lose our ship – we'll lose our lives."
"So that's it?" Usopp's shoulders trembled. "We just... replace her?"
"We honor her," Robin spoke up, surprising everyone. "By acknowledging her limits and ensuring her sacrifice isn't in vain."
Vivi nodded, her sand settling. "She's right, Usopp. Sometimes... sometimes the bravest thing we can do is know when to let go."
"Easy for you to say," Usopp muttered. "You weren't there when we got her. You didn't see Kaya's face when she gave us this ship. You don't understand what Merry means!"
"That's enough!" Luffy's voice cracked like thunder. "You think this is easy for me? You think I want to leave Merry behind? She's carried us through hell and back. She's as much a Straw Hat as any of us!"
Tears began streaming down Usopp's face. "Then why?"
"Because I'm the captain," Luffy replied, his own eyes glistening. "And it's my job to keep this crew alive. Even if it means making decisions that break my heart."
Chopper sniffled, wiping his eyes. "I've been trying my best to patch her up, Usopp. But it's like treating a patient with a terminal illness. You can ease the pain, but you can't stop the inevitable."
Nojiko stepped forward, her voice gentle. "The ship I grew up on, the one that carried me and Nami through our childhood – we had to let it go too. It wasn't easy, but sometimes that's what growing means."
"But Kaya..." Usopp's voice broke.
"Would want you to live," Nami finished softly. "She gave us Merry to carry us on our adventures, not to die with her."
The silence that followed was heavy with emotion. The waves lapped against Merry's hull, her familiar creaks seeming more pronounced than ever.
"Kaya gave us this ship," Usopp continued, his voice thick with emotion. "She trusted us with Merry. She believed in us... in me."
"I know," Luffy said softly. "Merry has been—"
"No." Usopp cut him off, turning away. "I don't want to hear it. Not right now."
He walked toward the cabin door, pausing with his hand on the handle. "Merry deserves a second chance. She deserves better than this." His shoulders slumped. "She's not just a ship. She's family."
Without waiting for a response, Usopp disappeared into his room, the door closing with a quiet click that somehow felt louder than if he'd slammed it.
Nami moved to follow him, but Zoro caught her arm. "Let him be."
Luffy stood motionless, his straw hat shadowing his eyes. The decision weighed heavily on him, but he knew it was the right one. Still, seeing his friend's pain cut deep.
"He'll come around," Sanji said, finally lighting a fresh cigarette. "He just needs time."
"Will he?" Chopper asked quietly, his big eyes worried.
Robin placed a gentle hand on the reindeer's hat. "Some wounds need time to heal, Doctor."
Vivi's sand swirled anxiously around her feet. "Should we talk to him?"
"No," Luffy said firmly. "Not tonight." He understood Usopp's feelings all too well. The Going Merry was more than just their ship – she was their first real home together. But as captain, he couldn't let sentiment override the safety of his crew.
Nojiko exchanged glances with her sister. "This isn't going to be easy, is it?"
"Nothing worth doing ever is," Nami replied softly.
The crew gradually dispersed, each lost in their own thoughts. The sound of Merry's creaking seemed to echo Usopp's words – a reminder of what they stood to lose.
Inside his room, Usopp sat on his bunk, head in his hands. "I won't give up on you, Merry," he whispered. "I can't."
On deck, Luffy remained at the railing, watching the stars reflect off the waves. He could have argued, could have pulled rank as captain. But some battles weren't meant to be fought with words or fists. Sometimes, the hardest part of being a leader was knowing when to let someone grieve in their own way.
Morning
The morning sun painted the horizon in brilliant golds and pinks as the Going Merry approached Water Seven. At first, it appeared as merely a dark smudge against the skyline, but as they drew closer, the city began to take shape in a way that left the crew speechless – well, almost speechless.
"Holy shit!" Nami exclaimed, leaning forward over the railing. "Is that... is that water flowing upward?"
Indeed, massive waterfalls seemed to defy gravity, cascading upward in great arcing fountains that connected different levels of the city. The entire metropolis was built in tiers, like a massive wedding cake made of stone and water, with the upper levels shrouded in a perpetual mist from the spray.
"It's like a giant fountain!" Chopper squealed, stars in his eyes as he bounced excitedly on the railing, held secure by Robin's extra hands.
Sanji took a long drag from his cigarette, watching the water's impossible flow. "Oi, Nami-swan, are you sure your navigation isn't broken? Because I'm pretty sure water isn't supposed to go that way."
"It's the city's water system," Robin explained, a rare smile playing on her lips. "The fountains are powered by the legendary Aqua Laguna's residual energy."
"That looks awesome!" Luffy shouted, perched precariously on Merry's figurehead. His eyes were wide with wonder as he watched ships of all sizes navigate the water-roads that wound through the city like liquid streets.
As they drew closer, the true scale of Water Seven became apparent. The city rose from the sea like a maritime colossus, its architecture a stunning blend of classical and fantastic. Buildings sprouted from the water like stone flowers, connected by arching bridges and canals. The lower levels bustled with activity, small boats zipping through the waterways like water striders on a pond.
"Look at those masks!" Vivi pointed to the people riding what appeared to be aquatic horses through the canals. "They're so unique!"
"Those are Yagara Bulls," Robin informed them. "Water Seven's primary mode of transportation."
Zoro, who had been napping, cracked open his eye. "Huh. A city where the roads are made of water. No wonder I keep getting lost on land."
"You'd get lost in a straight line, Marimo," Sanji quipped, dodging the half-hearted sword swipe that followed.
"The architecture is incredible," Nojiko marveled, watching as water cascaded down massive stone facades. "Look at how the buildings seem to grow right out of the ocean!"
The city's crown jewel came into view as they rounded the final approach – the Galley-La headquarters, rising above everything else like a palace of stone and spray. Its spires reached toward the sky, water flowing down its sides in carefully controlled streams that caught the sunlight and created countless rainbows.
"Those must be the shipyards!" Chopper pointed to the massive dry docks that lined the lower levels. They could see ships in various stages of construction and repair, with workers swarming over them like ants.
"They're huge!" Luffy's eyes sparked like diamonds "Hey, hey, do you think they have meat shops here too?"
"Is that really what you're thinking about right now?" Nami sighed, but couldn't help smiling at her captain's predictability.
"The water here... it feels different. More alive somehow."
"That's because it is," Robin explained. "Water Seven's entire ecosystem is built around its unique water system. The city literally breathes through its canals."
As they approached the main harbor, they could see people using water-powered lifts to move between levels, the mechanisms working with precisely engineered grace. Street vendors' calls echoed across the water, mixing with the sound of construction and the constant rush of the fountains.
"It's like something out of a fairy tale," Chopper whispered in awe.
"More like something out of a shipwright's dream," Sanji corrected, watching a massive galleon being lowered into one of the dry docks using an elaborate pulley system.
From the crow's nest, Nami called down, "We'll need to head for the main intake channel! There's a harbor master's station just past that big archway!"
The archway in question was a massive stone structure that seemed to be crying endless tears of water, creating a curtain of spray that rainbow-lit their path into the city proper.
"Wonder if they have a good bar," Zoro mused, finally fully awake and watching the city with interest.
"Wonder if they have beautiful ladies," Sanji sighed dreamily.
"Wonder if they have a cotton candy store!" Chopper added hopefully.
As they passed under the great arch, the full breadth of Water Seven opened before them like a pop-up book coming to life. The morning sun caught the spray from countless fountains, creating a perpetual rainbow that crowned the city. The air was filled with the smell of salt and stone, and the sound of water falling up and down created a symphony unique to this impossible place.
"Everyone," Nami called from her position at the helm, "welcome to Water Seven, the City of Water!"
"AWESOME!" Luffy shouted again, his voice echoing across the water and drawing amused looks from passing locals.
The Going Merry creaked beneath them as they made their way toward the harbor, almost as if she too was in awe of this magnificent city. For a moment, even Usopp emerged from his room, unable to resist the spectacle before them, though his expression remained guarded as he watched the shipyards draw closer.
As they prepared to dock, Luffy's excited chatter about exploring mixed with Nami's practical directions about where to secure the mooring lines, while Sanji already planned which markets to visit for supplies.
The Going Merry glided smoothly toward the docking area. As they approached, Luffy stood from his favorite spot on Merry's head, his demeanor shifting subtly. It was a change the crew had come to recognize – their usually carefree captain stepping into his role as leader.
"Nami," he called out, his voice carrying that rare note of authority. "Before anything else, we need to exchange the gold for money. But not all of it."
Nami paused in her preparations for docking, raising an eyebrow. "Not all of it? Luffy, that gold is worth a fortune. Why would we keep any?"
"Because I need some," he replied simply, adjusting his straw hat.
Robin, who had been helping secure the mooring lines with her multiple hands, looked up with interest. "Oh? What sort of project requires gold, Captain?"
Luffy grinned mysteriously. "It's a secret. But it's important."
"Knowing him, he probably wants to make a golden meat statue," Sanji muttered, lighting a fresh cigarette.
"Shishishi! Nope, but that's a good idea too!"
As the ship came to rest against the dock, Nami began organizing their departure. "Alright, how much gold do you want to keep?"
"Just two bars," Luffy decided. "The rest we can exchange."
"Two whole bars?" Nami looked pained. "Do you have any idea how much money that is?"
"Nami," Luffy said, his tone making it clear this wasn't up for discussion. "Two bars."
She sighed dramatically. "Fine. But this better be worth it."
As the crew prepared to disembark, Zoro started to get up from his napping spot.
"Oh no you don't," Nami pointed at him. "You're staying right here."
"What? Why?"
"Because," Sanji smirked, "you'd probably end up in East Blue if we let you wander around Water Seven."
"I would not!" Zoro protested.
"You got lost going to the bathroom yesterday," Chopper pointed out innocently.
"The ship was rocking!"
"We were anchored," Robin added with a small smile.
Zoro crossed his arms and sat back down. "Whatever. Someone needs to guard the ship anyway."
Luffy clapped his hands together, gathering everyone's attention. "Okay! Here's what we're gonna do." He pulled out several bundles of money they already had on hand. "Nojiko, Chopper, Robin – you three go find medicine. Get everything we need, and Chopper, get yourself some medical books if you want."
Chopper's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Really! Sanji, take Vivi and get food supplies. Get the good stuff – we can afford it now."
"Of course, shitty captain. Come on, Vivi-chwan~!" Sanji twirled toward the princess.
"What about me?" Usopp asked quietly, speaking for the first time that morning.
Luffy's expression softened slightly. "You're coming with me and Nami. We need to exchange the gold, and then..." he paused briefly, "we need to talk to the shipwrights about Merry and a new ship."
Usopp flinched visibly but nodded, his eyes downcast.
As Luffy handed out money to each group, he added extra to each share. "Get something nice for yourselves too!"
"Are you sure about this much?" Nojiko asked, counting her share.
"Yep! Robin might want books, Chopper definitely wants books, and you might see something cool!"
"What about me?" Vivi asked.
"You're with Sanji, so you can help pick good food, and maybe find something pretty!"
"Oi, oi," Sanji interjected, "are you saying Vivi-chan isn't already pretty enough?"
"That's not what I meant and you know it," Luffy stuck out his tongue.
As the groups prepared to split up, Nami started giving directions. "The exchange office should be near the main square. Robin, the medical district is supposed to be on the second level, near the northeast fountains. Sanji, I saw some markets near the harbor as we came in."
"What about me?" Zoro called out.
"You just stay put and don't get lost on a stationary ship!" everyone shouted back in unison.
"That happened ONE time!"
"Try seventeen!" Nami corrected.
As they walked down the gangplank, Chopper was already chattering excitedly about what kinds of books he might find. "Do you think they'll have books about aquatic medicines? Or maybe some Water Seven special techniques?"
"I'm sure we'll find something interesting, Doctor," Robin smiled.
"Ooh, maybe they'll have books about desert medicine too!" Vivi added.
"Just don't spend all day reading," Nojiko teased. "We need to actually buy supplies too."
Sanji was already making a mental inventory. "We'll need fresh vegetables, meat for the bottomless pit we call a captain, spices... Vivi-chan, is there anything special you'd like me to prepare?"
"Anything you make is wonderful, Sanji-kun," she replied, causing him to twirl with hearts in his eyes.
As the groups split off in different directions, Luffy, Nami, and Usopp headed toward the exchange office. The atmosphere between them was tense, with Usopp trailing slightly behind.
"The exchange rate here should be good," Nami was saying, more to fill the silence than anything else. "Water Seven does a lot of international trade."
"Hey, Usopp," Luffy called back without turning around. "After we're done at the exchange, want to explore the tool shops? Might find some cool stuff for your inventions."
"Maybe," Usopp replied noncommittally.
Meanwhile, at the medical district, Chopper was bouncing from shop to shop, his eyes wide with wonder. "Look at these herbs! I've never seen anything like them!"
"They're probably local varieties," Robin observed, examining a particularly interesting specimen. "Water Seven's unique environment must produce some fascinating botanical specimens."
"Oh! Oh! Look at this!" Chopper held up a thick book. "It's about aquatic medicinal plants!"
Nojiko laughed, watching the little doctor's excitement. "I think we found where all your extra money is going."
In the market district, Sanji was in his element, expertly examining produce and haggling with vendors. "Vivi-chan, what do you think of these tomatoes?"
"They look fresh," she replied, learning forward to smell them. "And they smell wonderful!"
"The soil here is rich in minerals from the sea," the vendor explained proudly. "Makes everything grow better!"
"We'll take two kilos," Sanji decided. "And what about those herbs over there?"
Up in the medical district, Chopper had amassed a small mountain of books and supplies. "Are you sure this isn't too much?"
"Captain was quite generous with the funds," Robin reminded him. "And these will all be useful."
"Look at this salve," Nojiko held up a jar. "It's supposed to be good for treating rope burns. We could definitely use that."
In the market, Sanji's cart was quickly filling up. "We'll need extra meat for Luffy... these spices look good... ah, and these fruits! Vivi-chan, would you like me to make you a special fruit parfait later?"
"That sounds wonderful!" Vivi smiled, then pointed to a stall. "Oh, look at those candies! Chopper would love those!"
"Good thinking! We'll get some for everyone."
Meanwhile, Zoro had actually managed to fall asleep on the deck, despite (or perhaps because of) being told to stay put.
Back in the medical district, Chopper was finishing up their shopping. "I think we have everything we need now!"
"And quite a bit more," Nojiko teased, looking at their loaded bags.
"Knowledge is never wasted," Robin smiled, carrying several books of her own.
In the market, Sanji and Vivi were heading back, their arms full of supplies. "This should last us a while," Sanji said satisfied. "And I found some new recipes to try."
"I can't wait to taste them!" Vivi smiled. "And look what I found!" She held up a beautiful blue scarf. "Nami will love this!"
Back on the Merry, Zoro opened one eye as a messenger bird landed on the railing with a newspaper. He got up to retrieve it, glancing at the headlines as he sat back down.
"Huh," he muttered. "Looks like things are getting interesting in Water Seven..."
Luffy
Luffy suddenly stopped walking, his sandals scraping against the stone pavement. His eyes narrowed slightly, head tilting as if listening to something only he could hear. The playful demeanor that had occasionally surfaced during their walk vanished completely.
Nami noticed the change immediately, recognizing that particular look. "Luffy? What is it?"
"Someone's here," he said quietly, his voice carrying that rare serious tone that always meant trouble. "Someone very strong."
Usopp glanced around nervously. "How strong are we talking about?"
Luffy didn't answer immediately, still focused on whatever his Haki was telling him. The bustling sounds of Water Seven continued around them, but there was a new tension in the air.
"Strong enough," Luffy finally said, a slight grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Strong enough to make things interesting."
"That's not reassuring at all!" Nami hissed, her hand forming a fireball, ready to fight if someone decided to attack them out of nowhere. "Should we be worried?"
"Nah," Luffy replied, adjusting his straw hat. "Not yet, anyway." He started walking again, but his stride had changed – more purposeful, more alert. "Just keep your eyes open. Water Seven might be more fun than I thought."
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