"Nya nya nya… Luffy! Luffy!!"
Seeing that Luffy hadn't responded for a long while, little Merry poked his cheek with her tiny finger, still calling out curiously.
"You can't do that, Merry!"
Luffy, flustered and unsure how to convey the proper values, froze, until Robin's voice, cultured and soothing like a heavenly melody, suddenly came from behind him.
Seeing Merry turn toward her, Robin stepped forward and gently lifted her down from Luffy's back.
She crouched slightly, bringing her eyes level with Merry's, speaking like a patient teacher:
"Pets are beings meant to bring joy to both the caretaker and the one cared for.
Some creatures may fear you at first, but over time, your relationship can grow. You'll rely on each other. You'll find joy in each other's presence, and deeply care for one another.
At that point, a pet isn't just a pet, they're your companion, a partner on a journey through life."
"Mm! Mm!"
Luffy nodded vigorously, agreeing wholeheartedly with Robin's explanation.
After all, both Laboon and Merry are considered Luffy's pets by the system, but as Robin said, he truly treats them as partners.
"And then there are some creatures…"
Robin continued, smiling gently as she spoke to Merry:
"They might not be able to defeat you, but they don't want to be around you. They have their own thoughts, their own desires.
They're only forced to be your playthings because of your strength. Over time, both you and they will grow tired, and despair will follow.
Then, interacting with them becomes boring.
So, capturing pets must be selective, you can't just grab anything that looks fun. That's irresponsible.
Do you understand, Merry?"
Robin, like a mother, tidied Merry's tousled hair from her earlier excitement, smiling warmly as if to convey her intentions through kindness itself.
"Ugh…"
Though Merry didn't fully understand Robin's meaning, she listened intently, taking her words to heart.
Her cute, bright eyes glanced regretfully at Dorry and Brogy, saying softly,
"So… those two big guys… they're the ones who don't want to be my pets, right…?"
Meh…
The little girl pouted, lips forming three tiny peaks, like a small rabbit, still gazing affectionately at the two giants.
It was the first time she hadn't gotten what she wanted.
Even though she obeyed her friends' wishes, she still felt a small twinge of disappointment.
…
"Ahahaha!!!"
Despite hearing the conversation, Brogy felt no anger.
Even a giant couldn't resist Merry's cuteness. Thinking it was an innocent child's play, he roared with laughter.
Dorry, usually not one to laugh, even chuckled along.
Afterward, Brogy's eyes softened with affection as he looked at Merry.
He bent his massive body, blocking the sunlight entirely, and extended a huge finger toward the group, teasing her:
"Little one, do you want us two big guys as pets?"
Treating Merry like any ordinary child, Brogy tried to chat with her to ease her disappointment.
"Mm…"
Merry, remembering Robin's words, answered hesitantly, unsure how to respond.
"Ahahaha!"
Brogy's laughter shook the ground, stopping only after a long moment. He then spoke, still smiling:
"You're a remarkable kid! Truly special eyes you have!
But… your beautiful companion just said, didn't she?
If you can beat me, make me submit, maybe I'll become your pet~"
As he spoke, Brogy carefully pointed his massive finger at Merry, as if wanting to touch her face without hurting her.
The little girl, who had been pouting, suddenly brightened.
Her sparkling eyes fixed on Brogy, she asked eagerly:
"Y-you mean…
really!?"
Brook grinned widely:
"Ahahaha! Of course it's true!
Elbaph warriors never lie!
If you beat me, I'll be your pet~ hahahaha… uh!!!!!!"
Brogy, still teasing the little girl, suddenly felt the world spin around him.
He shot into the air!
Luffy sighed, covering his eyes, clearly not wanting to witness what was about to happen.
Meanwhile, everyone in the Starry Sky crew could only think:
"Heaven forgives sins, but man-made disasters cannot be undone!"
"Hey… hey… hey…!!!"
Even the usually stoic Dorry was dumbfounded, unable to speak.
He could only watch as the tiny girl grabbed Brogy's finger and, with a powerful push, hurled him backward.
…
Boom!!!
Brogy's massive body slammed into the ground, utterly bewildered.
The special Elbaph helmet he had worn for over a hundred years spun off his head during the fall.
Eyes wide and vacant, he felt the world suddenly silent.
He stared at the sky.
Blue sky, clouds drifting, horses running below…
Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
Thrown by the sudden turn of events, Brogy lay in the pit he had created himself, pondering life.
…
"Hey! Big guy, are you giving up?"
"If you give up, you'll be my pet!"
Merry kicked off the ground, soaring high into the sky.
Her tiny feet generated an enormous force, Boom! Boom!, tearing through the air.
Her agile body flew toward Brogy as if stepping down an invisible staircase.
Crash…
Brogy slowly climbed from the pit, reclaiming his precious helmet and placing it back on his head.
His enormous eyes filled with shock, staring at the tiny figure before him.
Finally, he could no longer contain himself:
"Y-you… who are you people!!!"
He, Brogy the Red Ogre, and his partner Dorry the Blue Ogre, had once been notorious bounty hunters of the Grand Line over a hundred years ago.
Each had a bounty of one hundred million Berries!
Now, a century later, their power had only grown… yet today, he had first been unnerved by a mysterious swordsman's aura, then hurled across the sky by a mere girl!
Has the world changed while I've been gone?
Has Elbaph changed too?!