The Traveler brought the musical instrument back to Miitoboru's side; regarding the matter of its body being made into a musical instrument, Miitoboru was actually quite happy about it, because it really liked musical instruments.
In the past, when adventuring with its companions and anchoring at the island's edge, the companions would gather around the bonfire and play the instruments in their hands—this made it recall those times.
The Traveler struck the intact parts of the xylophone, and this sound evoked some more memories.
In the scene, there was a group of people with bitter and reluctant expressions on their faces, and even a few shedding tears.
They were Miitoboru's companions, but at this moment, they had no choice but to leave Miitoboru here—Miitoboru's hull was severely damaged and could no longer sail.
["No crying—we can't say goodbye to it while crying!"]
One of them started singing, sing on—when singing, smiles would appear on their faces.
Everyone hooked arms, danced, and sang the 'final song,' with smiles on their lips and tears in their eyes.
Xinyan had once said that music is for expressing emotions, so even though everyone was singing cheerful songs, the atmosphere of the music remained sorrowful.
Sing on, smile on—just like celebrating its first launch, send it off like that.
Miitoboru had saved them; even in its extremely damaged state, it still brought them to an island where they could anchor.
But they couldn't save Miitoboru—they could go back, but Miitoboru couldn't.
In the journeys ahead, they would be short one companion, one who wouldn't speak, wouldn't laugh or sing with them.
One who had saved all of them.
[Miitoboru sighed: "How great it would be if I could go back with them—as long as I could be with them, no matter how dangerous the place, I would be willing to go there together..."]
["There are still so many great adventures in this world that haven't been experienced..."]
["I... how did I end up left here, abandoned behind them, watching them start new adventures while I can't go along..."]
This monologue became more and more relatable the longer it went on; the readers inwardly cried trouble.
It felt a bit uncomfortable, but not because the plot was so tear-jerking—instead, it was sensing something called 'romance.'
The 'men's romance' mixed with regret—this was what made the readers uncomfortable.
Using flashback when knowing the ending, as expected, it couldn't be avoided!
Beidou was the one who understood the most; she couldn't help but think of the Alcor, her heart full of emotion.
My old partner, do you possess consciousness too? Are you also watching us laugh?
If you really have consciousness... how about a drink?
The story hadn't ended yet; what ended here was Miitoboru and the pirates' story—the next part would be Miitoboru and the Traveler's story.
The Traveler came to see Miitoboru again several days later; Miitoboru told the Traveler that for some reason now, it slept more and was awake less.
The readers guessed the reason—it was probably because during this time, the Traveler and the others had shut down the device, and the forged 'dream' was about to disappear.
Miitoboru's body had long vanished; it being able to possess the driftwood boat now and speak was already a miracle.
The front was flashback; what followed this was foreshadowing—the readers had already guessed something was going to happen, but they still couldn't help wanting to see it.
Shikikan, you're not acting anymore? Then we'll lay our cards on the table too—we really do love watching!
Can't avoid it—no matter how you think, it can't be avoided!
Time for farewell, right? This development looks like it's heading toward farewell no matter how you see it.
Then, let's have a proper farewell—the farewell of 'men of the sea' has no tears, isn't that so?
Miitoboru was already very satisfied; being able to speak with the Traveler already felt like a dream.
The regret of not being able to communicate with its companions had at least been somewhat fulfilled here with the Traveler.
However, Miitoboru still had one last wish—it wanted to take the Traveler to a place.
There must be treasure there; this was Miitoboru's guarantee to the Traveler.
[Miitoboru: "Just consider it as being fooled by me one more time—come with me!"]
Miitoboru might not be able to speak anymore at any moment; Paimon was quite reluctant to part with Miitoboru and naturally wouldn't refuse this request.
The real-world Paimon felt even more heartbroken; her discomfort was different from the one in the story.
The her in the story was the discomfort of facing an impending farewell; the real-world Paimon's was emotionally empathizing fully, yet being unable to 'reach' it.
She could only look at Lucian pitifully, hoping Doraemon-Lucian had some way.
Lucian was also helpless; whether there was a way or not still depended on Nahida.
But even if Nahida had a way, it could probably only achieve something 'regional'—Nahida couldn't make the dream affect the whole world yet.
In the end, it might turn into Miitoboru only being able to 'awaken' and speak in specific regions, reverting to an ordinary driftwood boat elsewhere—but isn't that pretty good too?
Getting back to the story, in the story, Miitoboru carried the Traveler and Paimon sailing on the sea, chatting with them.
As they chatted, a thick fog descended around them, and several lanterns appeared on the water's surface.
These lanterns were just like Inazuma's 'fish lanterns,' giving Miitoboru a feeling of being home.
Sailing along the lanterns, there were monsters around, great ships too; sailing further ahead, the great ships vanished, surrounded entirely by shipwrecks—Miitoboru navigated through the many wrecks.
Miitoboru tried its best to ignore them; while chatting with the Traveler, it mentioned the 'Catches,' which was the harpoon Ako Domeki had used, now on the Traveler's person.
[Miitoboru: "Really nostalgic—he must still be out at sea chasing his dreams."]
What Miitoboru said about Ako Domeki was already a hundred years ago.
Moreover, after Ako Domeki returned to Seirai Island without finding Asase Yuu, he didn't go adventuring as a pirate again afterward.
So, Asase Yuu, what exactly did you protect!?
Not even Nezuko and Hundred-Eyed Demon were protected! It was they who waited for you, searched for you.
[Miitoboru: "I have two things I want to tell you both—the first thing is, actually, I've long remembered my name..."]
["Asase Yuu's shrine maiden named me 'Koshimaru.'"]
This name was because it came from Koshimaru Village, and maru also means returning voyage.
A round maru means the starting point is the endpoint, also a hope that no matter how far it sailed, it could carry everyone safely back to Koshimaru Village.
Speaking of this, Miitoboru was still quite self-blaming, because it felt it had let down everyone's expectations.
All because it wasn't sturdy enough, couldn't withstand the thunderstorm, couldn't carry everyone safely back.
But the readers who had seen those scenes naturally wouldn't think it was Miitoboru's fault—being able to deliver everyone to the island under such a thunderstorm could already be called a miracle.
Unless riding the Raiden Shogun, no ship would dare claim it could safely pass through.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice Lines · Raiden Shogun: About Seirai Island
"Pirates rebelling against the Shogunate—that counts as loyalty? Why? Since they rebelled, they must face the consequences; with one slash of my blade..."
"...Ei, don't pinch my nose; I am reflecting."