"The Dark-Dark Fruit?"
"It can steal other Devil Fruit users' abilities—and even allow the user to possess multiple Devil Fruit powers at once?!"
"There's actually a Devil Fruit ability this powerful in the world?!"
With a single report published by the World Economy News Paper, the gazes of countless powerful figures across the seas were instantly drawn together, all focusing on one name—
Marshall D. Teach.
…
…
"Zehahahahaha… so this is your power, Teach!"
"You really stole the spotlight this time—all for yourself!"
High above the blue skies, thousands of meters in the air, more than a dozen small islands floated in midair by miraculous means. Graceful waterways linked them together, forming a breathtaking natural wonder.
At the very center stood the largest Sky Island, upon which rose a massive palace dominated by golden hues, majestic and imposing.
Golden Lion sat upon the throne in the palace's grand hall, casting a half-mocking, half-wary gaze toward Blackbeard beside him.
After all, according to the newspaper, the second Devil Fruit Blackbeard intended to steal… was Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit.
Recalling the greed he'd seen in Blackbeard's eyes during their first meeting, Golden Lion was certain—
Even if the newspaper report contained some exaggerations, it was by no means baseless nonsense.
"Ah… hahahaha…"
Under Golden Lion's stare, a trace of awkwardness flashed across Blackbeard's face.
But as a veteran pirate with impeccable acting skills, Blackbeard quickly regained his composure. Holding a cup of shochu, he walked up to Golden Lion, stopping at a distance that was safe yet respectful, and began pouring him a drink.
"Senior Shiki, you can't believe those outside rumors, can you?!"
"We're partners who hit it off at first sight!"
"Have you forgotten how perfectly we worked together when we rampaged through Impel Down?!"
"Hmm…"
Watching Blackbeard's calm demeanor, Golden Lion let out a thoughtful hum and raised his cup.
In that instant—
Their eyes met as Blackbeard looked up as well.
The two exchanged a smile, everything unspoken yet understood.
A mere newspaper report had exposed many of Blackbeard's secrets and greatly heightened Golden Lion's vigilance toward him.
But legends were legends for a reason—none of them lacked pride.
At least in Golden Lion's view, the benefits Blackbeard could bring far outweighed the danger he posed.
As for Blackbeard, he too needed Golden Lion—to provide a secure base, and to use his legendary pirate status as a shield, allowing Blackbeard to secretly recruit the criminals he had his eye on.
Because this operation was a collaboration with Golden Lion, they used special technology provided by Indigo to temporarily cut off Impel Down's communications, then cleared the entire prison at maximum speed.
With the two working together, even Magellan's poison failed to slow them down in the slightest.
In the end, Golden Lion simply waved his hand and, using the unparalleled convenience of the Float-Float Fruit, transported all the willing criminals from below Level Three of Impel Down back to his Sky Island territory.
All in all, aside from making Golden Lion more wary of Blackbeard, the newspaper report didn't significantly affect their partnership.
If anything, learning that Blackbeard's darkness could steal other Devil Fruit abilities only made Golden Lion value this dangerous ally even more.
…
…
Time passed swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, several days had gone by since Red exposed Blackbeard's abilities.
Perhaps because major news had erupted again and again recently, the report on the Dark-Dark Fruit stirred surprisingly little reaction across the world—aside from a handful of people who were truly paying attention.
But at the very least…
Red had already achieved his goal.
…
…
"Pirates once imprisoned in Impel Down have appeared in the West Blue, knocking out a Devil Fruit user and abducting them?!"
"So Golden Lion's patience is even worse than I expected."
"Is it because he knows he doesn't have much time left?"
Inside Laboon's inner world, Red—having just finished helping Usopp till the fields—received intelligence sent back by members of Akatsuki, and a faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
There was a saying: if you find a cockroach in your house, it means there's already a whole nest.
If Impel Down pirates had begun appearing, then Golden Lion and his group had clearly already started large-scale operations.
"The West Blue…" A sharp glint flashed in Red's eyes as he spoke into the Den Den Mushi."Spread this information through the black market, then keep observing their movements."
"The Marines and the World Government have suffered repeated setbacks lately—their control over the seas has weakened significantly…"
"This is the perfect time for all kinds of monsters to crawl out of hiding."
"It just makes you wonder… who will ultimately be favored by the sea?"
"Don't you think so, Luffy?"
Red suddenly tilted his head toward Luffy, who was stuffing his face beside him.
Luffy replied with a puzzled look, "What are you talking about, Red? You're being all mysterious again…"
"If you don't start eating now, Sanji's cooking is going to get cold!"
"Alright, alright~" Red sighed helplessly at his eternally food-obsessed captain.
He was racking his brains to suppress Luffy's future rivals, yet this guy had nothing but food on his mind…
He really had sacrificed too much for this crew!
…
…
"This day… has finally come!!!"
Inside the largest dock of Water 7, the Straw Hat crew stood excitedly beside a massive curtain, anticipation shining in their eyes.
At the same time, the elite shipwrights of Galley-La Company slowly withdrew.
Although Iceburg had allowed them to participate in part of the Going Merry's refit due to manpower shortages…
All of the truly core and confidential sections had been completed jointly by Franky and Iceburg alone.
"You guys sure got here fast!"
Standing on either side of the curtain with Iceburg, Franky broke into an excited grin when he saw the Straw Hats.
Clearly, he too was eagerly awaiting the moment the brand-new Merry would be unveiled.
Unable to hold back, Franky flashed a wide grin. His moving body emitted metallic scraping sounds as his gaze swept across the crew, emotion welling in his eyes.
"I've gotta admit—you're a crew that brings miracles!"
"I never imagined that in this era, someone could recreate the Ancient Weapon · Pluton…"
"But now, you've truly done it!"
"It's an honor to be invited to remodel this warship!"
"Straw Hat Pirates!!!"
Franky and Iceburg placed their hands on the heavy curtain.
The next second, they pulled together.
"If one day in the future you become the Pirate King and conquer these seas…"
"Then ride this warship worthy of a king!!!"
Whoosh—
The enormous curtain fell away.
Instantly, dazzling golden light burst before Luffy and the others' eyes.
Like a spotlight from the heavens, sunlight poured down upon the brand-new ship.
The first thing to enter their vision was a brilliantly radiant Merry figurehead crowned with regal splendor!
From the Pokémon world, the King's Rock had been embedded into the figurehead through special techniques by Franky and Iceburg.
Though the ship's structure was still primarily wooden, its surface shimmered with a unique metallic pattern.
This was a special material developed specifically for the Merry by Wapol—light and flexible like wood, yet possessing the hardness and durability of metal.
Even Iceburg and Franky, both masters of shipbuilding, couldn't help but look at Wapol with eager eyes upon seeing this new material.
Unfortunately, its cost was exorbitant—only the currently wealthy Straw Hat Pirates could afford to use it as the ship's main material.
As a result, the Merry now radiated an aura befitting one who stood above all others.
Yet to the Straw Hats, that aura felt gentle and tranquil, filling them with reassurance.
Beyond its appearance, the greatest change for the crew was the Merry's size.
Once merely a light sailing ship, under Iceburg and Franky's transformation, the Merry had been expanded into a large four-masted vessel!
Its volume was several times that of the original Merry—
Even larger than the Thousand Sunny Red remembered!
Two sails emblazoned with the Straw Hat Pirates' emblem dropped as the curtain fell, and the black pirate flag fluttered proudly in the air.
A gentle sea breeze swept through the spacious dock, brushing across the crew's delighted faces.
Franky and Iceburg raised their arms in invitation.
"Come on, everyone!"
"Give your warship a name worthy of it!"
By tradition, a ship's name was usually chosen by its creator.
But since Franky and Iceburg were only the remodelers, the right to name it still belonged to the Straw Hat Pirates.
"A new name?!"
The crew, just about to board and explore the new Merry, froze in unison.
Red grinned. "That's true."
"Since the Merry has been reborn, it deserves a brand-new name."
He looked at his companions. "Come on, everyone—let's give our partner a name worthy of her!"
"I'll start~"
Red's eyes flicked to the King's Rock atop the Merry.
He'd obtained it as a reward from a Ultra Ball after capturing Articuno.
Now placed on the Merry's head, it might not have been a perfect fit in size, but its effect had become the core source of the ship's imposing presence.
With a flash of thought, Red smiled and spoke:
"Since it's a ship meant for the Pirate King… how about King · Going Merry?"
"King?!"
The Straw Hats froze at Red's suggestion.
Usopp nodded. "It does sound impressive… but why does it feel kind of weird?"
"Probably because it's too straightforward."
Zoro laughed as he stepped forward—true to his reputation as a naming disaster, he seemed oddly confident now.
"A ship ridden by a king is already a king's ship. No need for extra explanation."
"So instead, I say we call it—Six Paths Reincarnation · Going Merry!"
"To symbolize Merry's rebirth!!!"
"Huh?! That sounds way too creepy!" Sanji immediately protested.
Pinching his cigarette, he scanned the massive ship before smiling.
"Such a beautiful ship deserves a beautiful name!"
"How about Lovely Lady Merry?"
"What kind of nonsense name is that?!"
With Sanji leading the charge, the crew's naming ideas quickly spiraled out of control.
Nami suggested Storm Thunder · Merry, Usopp proposed All-Phenomena Myriad · Merry, Chopper went with Sacred Heart · Merry, Robin offered Wanderer · Merry…
And then there was Luffy's—
Lion Tiger Dog · Merry!
After everyone simultaneously punched Luffy on the head, the chaos finally came to an end.
Luffy stood up slowly, his head covered in bumps, and pouted.
"If you don't like it, I'll just think of another one!"
Clutching his aching head, he frowned.
Ever since Nami, Robin, and the others had mastered Armament Haki, Luffy's antics had earned him far more beatings than before.
This time, though, he actually fell silent in thought.
Just as everyone lost hope, he suddenly clenched his fist and slammed it into his palm.
"Got it!"
"Hey, Luffy—you're not about to come up with something weird again, are you?" Usopp muttered doubtfully.
But Luffy turned to the new Merry, grinning broadly.
"Freedom · Thousand Sunny Merry!!!"
"…Huh?"
The Straw Hats froze, surprise flashing across their faces.
Red's eyes trembled.
"Thousand Sunny?! That was supposed to be the Sunny's name!"
"And it should've come from Iceburg!"
Confused, Red asked, "Luffy, why that name?"
"Huh?" Luffy scratched his head and laughed."Because we're going to be the freest people on the entire sea!!!"
"We'll sail with the Merry across every ocean, reach every island, and see every sunrise and sunset in the world, right?!"
"Then why not call it World Sunset?" Chopper asked innocently, only for Usopp to clap a hand over his mouth.
Nami stared in shock. "Luffy… this is the most cultured you've ever been!"
"Freedom and Thousand Sunny…" Zoro repeated, then smirked. "Sounds pretty good."
Sanji nodded. "At least it's better than someone's Six Paths Reincarnation."
"Like your Lovely Lady was any better."
"Curly brows never have anything serious in that head!"
"What'd you say, idiot?! You wanna fight?!"
"Oh? Bring it on!"
Clang!
Zoro drew his blade. "Don't think a Devil Fruit makes you invincible! One day I'll personally chop your legs off!"
"Oh?" Sanji sneered. "Let's hope your slashes are as sharp as your mouth!"
Bang! Bang!
"YOU TWO—THAT'S ENOUGH!!!"
Nami smashed both of them with her fists, driving two fighters already strong enough to rival the Seven Warlords straight into the ground.
She turned to Robin. "Robin, what do you think?"
Robin smiled gently. "Sometimes, listening to the captain isn't such a bad idea."
"Besides, Thousand Sunny feels quite close in meaning to my Wanderer."
"Even Robin agrees?" Nami finally looked to Red."So, Red—what do you think of Freedom · Thousand Sunny Merry?"
"My opinion?" Red smiled wistfully at the familiar name.
Then he turned to Luffy and said,"My opinion… is that whoever says more words wins."
"Luffy, are you sure?"
"Of course!"
Luffy grinned, placed his straw hat on his head, and spread his arms toward the Merry.
"Then it's decided!"
"From today on, Merry's new name is—"
"Freedom · Thousand Sunny Merry!!!"
Whoooosh—
The moment Luffy finished speaking, sacred light burst from the Merry's hull, bathing the crew in radiant brilliance.
"This is…!"
Red's eyes lit up with excitement.
Though he'd suspected the remodeled Merry might trigger Pokémon-world evolution rules, seeing it happen before his eyes—
He couldn't help but feel exhilarated.
Within the holy evolution light, the Merry's silhouette subtly transformed.
Franky and Iceburg stared in utter shock—the very designers of the ship themselves.
The light came swiftly, and faded just as fast.
Seconds later, calm returned.
But when everyone looked again at the Merry, awe filled their eyes.
Even Red was no exception.
Though her appearance hadn't drastically changed, the Merry now felt utterly natural—like a creation born of the world itself.
Her presence was deep and commanding, yet free and unrestrained.
The once-forced King's Rock had become a true crown, perfectly resting upon Merry's head.
And within the sheep figurehead, a pair of pure white wings had emerged—like wings of freedom, ready to carry their dreams to distant skies.
"Everyone… long time no see!"
A light, cheerful voice sounded from above.
Red and the others looked up.
Descending before them was a young girl wearing a small crown on the right side of her head, a flowing cloak obscuring her face in a soft haze.
"You're…?"
"Little Merry?!"
Red reacted first, recognizing the signs of Pokémon evolution.
The girl giggled, lifting her foot playfully.
Though her face remained unseen, her joy was unmistakable.
"Of course~"
She spun gracefully on the railing, smiling mischievously.
"Do the Straw Hat Pirates have another ship spirit, perhaps?"
"Merry!!!"
Only then did Luffy and the others fully understand, shouting in delight.
They rushed aboard the Freedom · Thousand Sunny Merry, excitedly chatting with Little Merry in her new form.
After half a month apart, they had endless things to say.
Meanwhile, Red quietly stepped back, focusing his consciousness on the device screen to examine Little Merry's new status.
Pokémon: Freedom · Thousand Sunny Merry (Ship Spirit Form)
Level: 32
Nature: Naughty (+Attack −Sp. Def)
Type: Ghost / Psychic
Ability: Levitate
HP: 121 Attack: 92 Defense: 77 Sp. Atk: 120 Sp. Def: 100 Speed: 78 Total: 588
Pokémon: Freedom · Thousand Sunny Merry (Ship Form)
Level: 32
Nature: Naughty
Type: Steel / Flying
Ability:Protosynthesis(When holding a Booster Energy or under harsh sunlight, all stats except HP are boosted; Speed receives a 1.5× bonus compared to other stats.)
HP: 126 Attack: 120 Defense: 112 Sp. Atk: 83 Sp. Def: 70 Speed: 77 Total: 588
"As expected… Merry's strength after evolving has increased by far more than just a little."
Red smiled in satisfaction, murmuring to himself.
(End of Chapter)