Two weeks passed in a blur of repairs, training, and celebration. Finally, the day came.
Franky stood proudly at the base of the Shipyard Tower, arms folded, sunglasses gleaming. Beside him was Iceburg, calm as ever with his hands in his pockets.
"Noah! Emma! Get over here!" Franky shouted from the lift platform.
Noah and Emma stepped onto the wooden lift as it rose smoothly to the top of the tower. When it clicked into place, the wind swept past them, giving a full view of Water seven below.
"Alright," Franky said with a grin. "You two ready to see something super?"
Iceburg nodded. "We put our best craftsmen on this one."
Franky turned and pointed toward a massive metal gate behind him.
"Open it up!"
The workers pushed the gate aside.
Noah stepped forward… and froze.
Below the tower, resting on a huge drydock ramp that led straight to the sea, was a gigantic ship. It wasn't in the water yet—its hull towered above the workers, held in place by steel clamps and wooden braces.
A majestic dragon head carved from dark red wood formed the figurehead, its eyes glowing with polished gold. The body of the ship stretched long and wide. Powerful, built to endure any storm.
Franky slapped Noah on the back. "Feast your eyes, bro! This is your new ship!"
Noah stared, speechless. Emma's mouth fell open.
Iceburg gestured calmly. "A ship cannot sit on water at this height. So we built it here, on the upper drydock. When it's time to launch it, we'll release the clamps and let it slide down into the sea."
Franky grinned wider. "That ramp is the same kind we're currently using on Straw Hat Luffy's ship"
Emma leaned forward with sparkling eyes. "It's… huge…"
Franky winked. "And super sturdy! Built for a true pirate captain!"
Iceburg placed a hand on the railing.
"We present to you… the flagship of the Rogue Pirates…"
Franky raised both arms dramatically.
"THE SCARLETT HORIZON!"
Noah let out a slow breath.
"…This is really mine?"
Franky smirked. "Yup. Built with the same love and sweat we put into all our ships. Now you've got a ship worthy of the sea."
Emma nudged Noah's arm. "Captain Noah… it looks perfect."
Noah couldn't stop staring. The wind brushed past him, carrying the scent of sawdust and the sea.
He whispered:
"…The Scarlett Horizon."
And he smiled.
Later that day...
The sun hung low over Water seven, painting the sky orange as the massive drydock ramp shook under heavy footsteps. Workers scrambled into position. Franky raised one hand.
"ALL RIGHT, LET'S LAUNCH THIS SUPER SHIP!"
Iceburg nodded."Release the clamps!"
CLANK—CLANK—CLANK
The bolts began to pull free. The huge ship tilted forward slightly, ready to slide toward the sea.
Noah stood before it, Emma at his side.
The Straw Hats lined up at the very edge of the platform, watching.
Luffy stepped forward, staring at Scarlett Horizon with wide, sparkling eyes.
"Noah… you're really leaving?"
Noah nodded softly. "Yeah. My own journey starts now."
Luffy's lips trembled.
Then...
His eyes turned to circles.
His nose ran.
His mouth stretched.
"UWAAAAAAAHH!!! NOAHHHHH!!!"
He grabbed Noah in a hug so tight it almost broke ribs.
Noah hugged him back.
"I'll see you again, Luffy. You better still be chasing that One Piece."
"I WILL!" Luffy cried into his shoulder. "And you better become a great pirate too!"
Their voices shook, emma sniffled behind them. Nami rubbed her eyes, even Zoro looked away awkwardly.
As Noah stepped back toward his ship, the wind carried a soft melody across the tower.
sung by the shipyard workers:
"We sail on hopes, we sail on dreams,
Across the waves where freedom gleams.
Our hearts are set, our spirits rise—
A brand new dawn beneath these skies.
So raise the sails, let winds decide,
The friends we've made stay by our side.
Though seas may part our distant streams…
We'll meet again in hopes and dreams."
The workers pulled the final lever.
FWOOOM—!!
The Scarlett Horizon lurched forward.
"LAUNCH!!" Franky shouts.
The ship slid down the ramp, picking up speed, dust and wood splintering behind it
Emma clutching the rail while Noah stand proudly on the prow.
WHOOSH—CRASH!!
The ship smashed into the ocean, water exploding like fireworks around it.
The Scarlett Horizon straightened, rising with the waves like a waking giant.
Noah turned back toward the tower.
Luffy cupped his hands around his mouth.
"NOAH!!! LET'S MEET AGAIN SOMEDAY!!!"
Noah smiled.
"I will. Count on it, Pirate King."
Emma raised the new Rogue Pirates flag, the dragon insignia snapping in the wind.
The sun reflected off the water as the Scarlett Horizon drifted into the open sea…
Sailing on hope.
Sailing toward dreams.