"What a surprise~"
Looking at the members of the Rosy Life Riders sitting on the Flying Fish Motorbikes, Brook showed a touched expression and said: "I never expected you to come pick me up."
"Ahahaha, we came to get you as soon as we received the news," Loll laughed.
"But I thought you had returned to your hometown."
He remembered that two years ago, they had mentioned that after leaving, they would return to their hometown to live.
"We did indeed return to our hometown before," Loll said. "But when our boss saw the newspaper, he got worried and brought us back to Sabaody Archipelago."
"However, you had already disappeared for some time by then, so we decided to help protect your ship first."
"But for some reason, as soon as we arrived here, we saw your pirate ship vanish into thin air!"
As he said this, a look of shock appeared on Loll's face.
"You have no idea, we were completely stunned at the time."
Upon hearing this, Brook thought for a moment and then said: "It must have been Merry who summoned the ship away."
He remembered that Merry had that special ability.
"Yes."
Loll nodded and said: "Later, we learned the truth from Big Sister Shakky. It was indeed Miss Merry who did it."
If Big Sister Shakky hadn't found them and told them about this, they would have continued searching for the Straw Hat Pirates' ship.
"You met Shakky?" Brook showed a surprised expression.
"Yes."
Loll nodded and said: "After searching for the ship for a while, we encountered Big Sister Shakky."
"She said the Thousand Sunny was summoned away by Miss Merry, and she also told us that the Straw Hat crew was still alive and would regroup after two years, so we shouldn't worry."
Brook nodded upon hearing this, then asked with some confusion: "Then why have you come back now?"
"Of course to see if there's anything we can help with at this time," Loll said, giving a thumbs up.
As their boss put it, the Straw Hat Pirates had done them a great favor, so... even if they had to climb mountains of swords or cross seas of fire, they would help the Straw Hat Pirates!
That was why they chose to come here after two years.
Brook laughed upon hearing this. These people were truly good folks.
"By the way, how did you know I would be at the concert venue?" Brook asked curiously.
"Have you forgotten how famous you are?" Loll gave Brook a helpless look.
This guy's posters were plastered all over Sabaody Archipelago. How could they not know?
"Yohohoho~"
"It seems I'm quite famous~" Brook laughed.
"Indeed, very famous," Loll nodded. "So after receiving the message from Big Sister Shakky, we came here immediately to pick you up."
"I see."
Loll nodded, then said: "We'll reach the seaside soon."
"Once everyone is gathered, you should set sail immediately to avoid being blocked here by Marine warships."
"Yes, I know." Brook nodded in agreement.
According to Shakky's information, he was the only one who hadn't arrived yet.
So... once he arrived, they would immediately depart for the New World. "Yohohohoho!"
Hearing Brook's laughter, Loll's face showed a hint of hesitation. He really wanted to ask if the Ninja brother was still alive.
But considering that bringing it up would do no good for anyone, he restrained himself.
Then he said, "Alright, hold on tight, we're accelerating~"
"Okay! Yohohohoho!"
"Why hasn't Brook arrived yet?" Usopp said with concern while looking into the distance. "I hope nothing's wrong."
Hearing Usopp's words, worry appeared in everyone else's eyes as well.
The island was swarming with Marines everywhere, looking chaotic. Perhaps...
"Don't worry," Franky said. "That guy is a big star now - the Marines won't arrest him."
Although Brook had appeared at Sabaody Archipelago two years ago, since he'd become the Soul King without being captured by the Marines, it meant the Marines didn't have information about Brook. So Franky wasn't worried about Brook's safety.
"But he's still a pirate," Chopper worried.
"That's true, but his Wanted Poster shows what he looked like when he was alive. How many people could recognize him now?"
Chopper scratched his head upon hearing this. "I guess you're right."
If Brook didn't reveal himself, others probably wouldn't recognize who he was.
Just then, Merry looked up and said, "He's coming."
As she spoke, Merry glanced at the distant sky, her eyes beginning to sparkle.
"Huh?"
Hearing Merry's words, everyone's eyes immediately lit up.
"Hahahaha, has Brook finally arrived!" Luffy exclaimed excitedly.
This meant... they could set sail.
The next moment...
"Yohohohoho!"
Sitting on the Flying Fish Motorbike, Brook laughed excitedly and shouted, "Everyone, I'm here!!"
Seeing the Thousand Sunny getting closer and closer, Brook trembled with excitement, his bones rattling.
"It seems everyone has gathered..."
Looking at the figures standing on the ship, Loll smiled and said, "You can depart immediately now."
"That's right"
Brook nodded, then said, "Thank you, Loll."
"Don't mention it~" Loll replied. "Given our relationship, there's no need for thanks."
After speaking, Loll turned his gaze to the two unfamiliar people on the Thousand Sunny.
Who were those two?
After staring at Perona for a while, Loll shook his head slightly - he didn't recognize this person.
Then he turned his attention to Meiser, who was wearing sunglasses.
"His build is very different from the Ninja brother, and he doesn't look the same either. Could it be... this is someone new who joined the Straw Hat Pirates?
If that's the case... then the Ninja brother really died?"
At this thought, a trace of sadness appeared in Loll's eyes.
Before he could order anything, he noticed the man in sunglasses below smiling at him while subtly making a hand gesture.
Loll: "!!"
As if suddenly understanding, Loll's eyes instantly lit up.
He then straightened his posture, straining to look at Meiser as if wanting to say something.
But when he saw Meiser shake his head at him, Loll immediately returned to normal.
I get it...
The Ninja brother is still alive, but he can't reveal his identity right now!
Thinking this, Loll nodded at Meiser.
Seeing this, Meiser smiled slightly before crossing his arms and looking up at the sky, quietly waiting for Brook's arrival.
Soon the Flying Fish Motorbike arrived above everyone, and Brook jumped down from it.
"Yohohohoho!"
"Everyone, it's been so long!" Brook said excitedly as he looked at the group. "I... I'm just so moved!"
"After two years... we've finally reunited!"
"Yohohohoho! Brook!"
"Long time no see!"
Everyone greeted Brook with equal enthusiasm and smiles.
"You really threw away your superstar status so casually!" Franky laughed heartily.
"Yohohohoho! Nothing compares to all of you," Brook chuckled.
Having wandered alone on the seas for decades, what mattered to him wasn't material possessions or fame—it was his comrades!
"You... you guy..."
Hearing this, several of them covered their eyes, moved to tears. "Why do you have to say such touching things, you bastard!"
"Yohohohoho!"
"Oh my!"
"Seeing you two again... makes my heart pound uncontrollably."
"Ah!"
"Though I don't have a beating heart! Yohohohoho!"
Seeing Brook was still his usual self, Nami and Nico Robin both smiled.
But before either could say anything, Brook continued: "So, after two years apart... could you two let me see your pan—"
"THWACK!!"
After kicking Brook flying, Nami roared with shark-like teeth: "No way I'm showing you anything, you pervert!"
Honestly, this idiot really hasn't changed at all.
"Th-that's definitely the same power as before..." Brook trembled as he lay on the ground.
"Right!"
Sanji zipped over to Brook's side, winking and nudging him. "That power feels just like it used to—"
"POW!"
After punching Sanji to the ground, Nami said: "You can lie down too, you idiot!"
"Ah... the violent Miss Nami is still so beautiful..."
Perona felt speechless hearing this. Why were there two weirdos in the Straw Hat Pirates?
But before she could comment, she noticed Brook standing up and walking over to Meiser.
With a smile, Brook said: "It's really great that you're alive."
Clearly, he had also seen the hand gesture Meiser made to Loll earlier.
Nami blinked in surprise. "How did you recognize Meiser so quickly too?"
"I saw the gesture Meiser made earlier," Brook said. "And... I don't just observe people by their appearance. Don't forget I'm a Devil Fruit Ability User."
Aura, soul aura—these never change!
So... even if Meiser hadn't made that gesture earlier, he would still have been able to recognize him!
"I see... No wonder Brook could recognize Meiser."
"Meiser, is this really alright?" Nico Robin glanced at him as she spoke.
She had also seen the gesture Meiser made earlier. The Flying Fish Riders probably already knew that Meiser was still alive.
In this situation... wouldn't it cause trouble for both sides?
"Don't worry, Robin," Meiser said. "They're trustworthy."
Before Robin and the other two arrived, Shakky had told them about how the Flying Fish Riders helped them find a ship.
During that process, Duval and his crew had nearly died, so Meiser believed they could be trusted.
As for whether this information would put Duval and the others in danger...
As long as they weren't foolish enough to actively spread the news, these guys wouldn't be targeted by the World Government. So Meiser wasn't worried about that.
Nico Robin fell silent for a moment after hearing this, then nodded without saying anything more.
"Oh my, upon closer look, there's another beautiful lady here~" Brook popped up in front of Perona and said, "This lovely lady, I wonder if..."
BAM!
Nami, who had punched Brook to the ground, opened her shark-like mouth and roared: "Go die, you bastard!!"
Why does this idiot say things like that to everyone he meets?
Perona looked at Brook with disgust in her eyes. Was this guy about to ask about her panties?
Thinking this, Perona's gaze toward Brook became as if she were looking at trash.
"Brook, are you okay?"
Merry looked worriedly at the large bump on Brook's head. That must hurt a lot.
"Yohohohoho, thank you for your concern, Miss Merry. I'm fine," Brook said as he sprang up.
"That's good..." Merry sighed in relief.
"Alright, let me introduce you," Nami said, putting an arm around Perona. "She's—"
"No need for introductions, I know who she is," Brook laughed. "The Ghost Lady from two years ago, right?"
"Huh?"
Perona was taken aback, then asked in surprise, "I don't remember ever meeting you. How did you recognize me?"
"Because I sensed your soul's aura," Brook explained. "It's exactly the same as the ghosts we encountered two years ago."
"I see..."
Perona showed a look of understanding. No wonder this perverted skeleton could recognize her. He probably used the same method to identify Meiser too.
Tch, it seems this guy has some skills after all.
"Well then... To celebrate our reunion after so long, let me perform a transformation for everyone!" Franky announced.
"Transformation?!"
Hearing Franky's words, Luffy and the others' eyes immediately lit up.
"Quick, quick, transform!" Luffy urged.
"Pervert!"
Click After pressing the switch on his nose, Franky's hair immediately turned into an afro, stunning everyone present!
"So... so cool!"
"Is this the robot transformation? I really want to press it!"
As he spoke, Luffy ran toward Franky, clearly intending to try out Franky's transformation.
Just then, several cannon roars came from the side.
"BOOM!!"
"BOOM!!"
"BOOM!!"
Three cannonballs came flying toward the Thousand Sunny!
"KABOOM!!"
"KABOOM!!"
"KABOOM!!"
The three cannonballs ultimately exploded around the Thousand Sunny, rocking the pirate ship back and forth.
"Whoa!!"
"It's cannon fire!" Chopper shouted in panic.
Had the Marines attacked?
"Huh?"
Luffy stopped in his tracks, furrowing his brow as he looked toward the side. "What's going on? Where did those cannons come from?"
"They're Navy battleships," Usopp said with a frown as he stared into the distance. "There are three battleships total."
Did these guys arrive a bit too quickly?
Could they be three battleships that happened to be patrolling nearby?
"Hey, should we counterattack?" Usopp turned to look at Luffy. "Otherwise we might get sunk."
If they were sunk at this moment, they would be trapped on this island by the Marines.
By then... what awaited them might be a siege led by a Marine Admiral!!!
Thinking of this, Usopp's face paled.
"Of course we'll counterattack," Luffy said. "I'm not in the habit of sitting around waiting to die."
After receiving this confirmation, Usopp nodded and said, "Then let's take them out."
Usopp then took out his slingshot, intending to use his More-More Fruit ability to blow up these Navy battleships.
But before he could act, he noticed Merry floating outside the ship, silently raising her hand toward the front.
"Merry?"
Usopp asked in confusion, "What are you going to do?"
"Of course I'm going to blow the cannonballs back."
As Merry finished speaking, the distant Navy battleships suddenly opened fire.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, those cannonballs curved in mid-air and flew right back!
"KABOOM!!"
"KABOOM!!"
"KABOOM!!"
Three cannonballs accurately struck one Navy battleship, blasting three huge holes directly through it.
"So amazing, Merry!"
"Of course," Merry lifted her small head proudly. "I'm pretty strong now too!"
She wasn't the same person she was two years ago...
Having mastered the power of wind, she could easily push cannonballs back!
Meanwhile, the Marines had fallen into chaos because of those three cannonballs.
"Damn it, what's going on?!" a Marine Rear Admiral said angrily. "Why did the cannonballs fly back by themselves?"
Had a new Devil Fruit ability user appeared in the Straw Hat Pirates?
"It was done by a little girl!"
"Huh?"
Hearing his subordinate's words, several question marks practically appeared above the Marine Rear Admiral's head.
Then he said with disbelief, "Are you serious?"
"See for yourself, sir."
After saying this, the subordinate brought over a telescope and handed it to his superior.
The Marine Rear Admiral took the telescope and looked through it, soon spotting the little girl floating in mid-air.
Marine Rear Admiral: ???
Such an adorable little girl is a member of the Straw Hat Pirates?
"Is this reasonable?"
"This person might be an intern of the Straw Hat Pirates," a subordinate reminded.
Such a young child could only be an intern.
Navy Rear Admiral: ...
Are interns this fierce nowadays?
What kind of intern is this?!
"Rear Admiral, what should we do?" a Navy Commander nearby inquired.
If the cannonballs aren't effective... they might not be able to defeat the Straw Hat Pirates.
"Keep firing," the Navy Rear Admiral said. "I'll block any cannonballs that fly back at us."
"Yes!"
"Why have they stopped firing?" Chopper wondered, looking into the distance. "Are they scared?"
"Maybe," Merry said.
But before Merry could say more, several cannonballs were seen flying toward them from afar.
"It seems they haven't given up," Merry remarked.
"Leave it to me," Usopp said.
As he spoke, he took out his slingshot and aimed at the three incoming cannonballs, then fired without hesitation.
"Certain Kill: Expanding Bullet!"
As the words left his mouth, the tiny-looking bullets suddenly grew several times in size and slammed into the three cannonballs, exploding them mid-air!
"Boom!!"
"Boom!!"
"Boom!!"
"Not bad, Usopp!"
Meiser gave a thumbs-up as he watched Usopp blast the three cannonballs out of the sky. "Your sniping skills have gotten even better!"
"Of course~"
Usopp lifted his head proudly. "I've become much stronger over these two years~"
"Hahahaha."
After two years of training, his strength had increased a hundredfold compared to before!
Zoro, curious, asked, "How did those bullets suddenly grow bigger just now?"
Did Usopp eat a Devil Fruit?
"Oh, that's because of the Devil Fruit I ate," Usopp explained. "This Devil Fruit gives me the ability to enlarge inanimate objects."
"I see..."
Zoro showed a look of understanding. "No wonder those bullets expanded."
It had to be said, this ability was perfectly suited for a sniper like Usopp.
Just then, the coating on the pirate ship began to change.
The bubble film tightly covering the deck suddenly expanded, eventually enveloping the entire pirate ship!
"Wow, it formed a bubble roof! Amazing!"
"So this is coating."
Meiser stroked his chin as he examined the bubble overhead. "Interesting."
"Can this thing really let us sail underwater?" Perona eyed the bubble film skeptically. "It won't suddenly burst, will it?"
It looked so thin... Could it withstand the pressure of the deep sea?
If it burst halfway through, they would all die.
"Don't worry, it won't burst," Nami said, pulling out a blueprint. "This bubble has the ability to reduce various pressures and can easily withstand the deep-sea pressure."
"So how do we submerge?"
After casually shooting down another cannonball flying toward them, Usopp asked, "Will Meiser use Water Release Technique to pull us down?"
Hearing this, Nami gave Usopp a look of exasperation. "Other crews don't have ninjas on board, and they still manage to submerge."
Other ships don't have a Ninja on board.
Usopp froze for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Then how should we go down?"
"Just remove the float bags."
"Float bags?"
Question marks appeared above everyone's heads. What was that thing?
Nami sighed helplessly and explained, "Because the ship has been coated, its original buoyancy can no longer keep the pirate ship afloat on the sea. That's why we need to place a float bag underneath to support it."
"The way to submerge is to remove the float bag supporting the ship's bottom. Without enough buoyancy, the pirate ship will sink."
"Now... do you understand?"
After hearing Nami's words, Luffy and the others fell silent for a moment before nodding, "So that's how it is."
"You didn't understand at all, did you?!" Nami twitched her lips in exasperation.
This reaction, this expression... she knew it all too well, damn it!
Shaking her head resignedly, Nami said, "Anyway... everyone, quickly raise the sails and prepare to set sail!"
"Raise the sails?"
"It seems coated ships can sail using ocean currents like wind, allowing us to change direction promptly."
"So we can't just dive straight to our destination?"
"Of course not."
Nami rolled her eyes at Zoro and said, "Otherwise, why do you think so many people end up buried at sea?"
Not everyone can make it to the New World, after all.
"What do you mean? Could we end up buried at sea?!" Chopper exclaimed in terror.
"Don't worry, I'm here."
Meiser patted Chopper's little head reassuringly.
"That's right."
Remembering Meiser's abilities, Chopper immediately relaxed.
With such a powerful ninja around, there was no need to worry about safety.
Just then, two Marine warships appeared behind them and launched an attack.
"There are pursuers behind us too!"
"Leave it to me," Merry said.
With that, the little one flew up, passed through the coating into the air, and attacked the distant warships.
This time, however, she didn't choose to deflect cannonballs onto the warships' decks but instead blew up their sails!
"Hehehe~"
Looking at her handiwork, Merry nodded with satisfaction. "Now you won't be able to chase us~"
Watching the warships gradually lose direction without their sails, a smile spread across Merry's face.
Just then, she overheard something surprising.
"Fans?"
Flying to the stern, Merry looked toward the coastline in surprise. "There are actually fans coming here to find us?"
"What fans?"
Brook was taken aback, then looked at Merry. "Are they here for me?"
"Let me listen carefully..."
After listening intently for a moment, Merry opened her eyes and said, "No, she's here for Nami."
"It seems she even wrote a letter for Nami."
"For me?"
Nami was stunned for a second before her face lit up with delight. "Where is it?"
She'd never received a letter from a fan in her entire life.
"On the island," Merry said, gazing toward the island. "She's trying very hard to get here."
"But... it seems she's been stopped by the Marines."
After carefully listening to the sounds reaching her ears, Merry nodded affirmatively.
"This..."
Nami hesitated. Should she go check it out?
But remembering they were still being pursued, Nami felt uncertain.
If we go to the island now, it's highly likely our crewmates would be blocked by the Marines, so...
As if sensing Nami's concern, Merry smiled and said, "Leave it to me."
With those words, Merry closed her eyes and began communicating with the wind using her abilities.
Soon after, she delivered her message to the girl's ears.
"Hello, I'm Merry from the Straw Hat Pirates."
"The Straw Hat Pirates?"
The girl froze for a moment before exclaiming excitedly, "Are you by the coast? Please wait for me! I have a letter to give to Nami."
"I'm her fan—I really admire her."
"Please, please wait for me!"
Having finally gotten a chance to meet her idol, she absolutely couldn't miss it... she mustn't miss it!
"What is this girl talking about?"
A nearby Marine looked at the girl in confusion. "Straw Hat Pirates? What fan?"
"Could it be that she likes pirates?"
Hearing the girl's words, a few of the Marines began to eye her with suspicion.
Seeing this, Kevin quickly stepped forward, shielding the girl behind him. "Sorry, sorry, this little one must still be half-asleep. I'll take her—"
"I am not half-asleep!" the girl retorted angrily. "And I'm already 15—I'm not a child!"
"Fifteen?"
The other Marines exchanged glances, their expressions turning stern. "Then you really shouldn't be admiring pirates!"
"I don't like pirates," the girl insisted. "I admire her!"
It wasn't that she admired wicked pirates—from beginning to end, the one she admired was that brave girl of the sea, Nami!
Ignoring these muscle-brained men, the girl turned and dashed toward the coastline.
She had to deliver the letter in her hands to Nami as quickly as possible!
Just then, Merry's voice reached her ears once more.
"I'm sorry, miss," Merry said softly. "We're surrounded by Marine warships, so we can't stop and wait for you."
"We... are about to set sail..."
"How can this be... I'm almost at the coast..."
As if unwilling to give up, the girl quickened her pace, finally reaching the coastline just before the Straw Hat Pirates' ship set sail.
The moment she spotted the Thousand Sunny in the distance, hope shone brightly in her eyes.
But at that very moment, a Marine pinned her to the ground.
"Why... why?"
Confusion filled the girl's eyes as she looked at the Marine holding her down. She couldn't understand why he was restraining her.
The Marine paid no attention to her reaction, instead turning his gaze toward the warship anchored nearby.
"Lieutenant Commander, I've caught someone causing trouble."
"Ahahaha, is that so? Then you take charge of guarding her."
"That's right, a pampered young master like you should avoid troublesome tasks. Just rest."
"Hahahaha..."
Hearing their mocking words, the young noble-turned-soldier's face flushed with anger, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Bastards... looking down on me..." he muttered through gritted teeth. "I'm the one who will crush the Straw Hat Pirates!"
Only he deserved that honor, damn it!!!
"Defeat the Straw Hat Pirates?"
The girl froze for a moment before anxiously saying, "No, absolutely not! Nami is my—"
"Shut up!"
The young master soldier angrily retorted, "If it weren't for you, would I even be here holding you down?"
Thinking this, he increased the pressure in his grip.
But before he could do anything else, he noticed a green light appearing in mid-air, swiftly flying toward him!
Young master soldier: ???
The next moment.
"Bam!!"
The power of wind slammed into the young master soldier, sending him flying backward.
Immediately after, another attack shot out, striking the Marines' special warship and destroying their secret weapon!
"It's over!"
The Marines, watching their secret weapon get destroyed, were utterly stunned.
Without it, how could they possibly defeat the Straw Hat crew?!
Looking down at the frantic Marines below, the girl stood up in confusion and asked, "What just happened?"
At that moment, a pale green wind appeared before the girl, and a voice reached her ears.
"Place the letter in the wind sphere in front of you. I will deliver it to Nami."
"Thank you!"
Glancing at Kevin, who was catching up, the girl immediately understood she wouldn't be able to see Nami in person. Without hesitation, she placed the letter in her hand onto the wind sphere.
For now, she could only place her hopes in this person who called herself Merry.
Soon, under her watchful gaze, the wind sphere swiftly flew toward the distant Thousand Sunny.
"Hey, why are you running so fast?" Kevin said. "This distance is close enough. I won't let you get any closer—"
"No need anymore."
The girl shook her head and said, "My letter has already been delivered."
Kevin: ???
What did she mean, already delivered?
Looking up at the distant pirate ship, a trace of confusion appeared in Kevin's eyes.
Meanwhile, the girl gazed into the distance with anticipation, as if hoping her idol would respond with just a word.
A moment later...
"Thank you."
Nami's voice, carried by the wind, reached the girl's ears, speaking gently, "I've received your heartfelt message."
"You wrote it beautifully. I really like it."
"May you also live the life you desire and shine in your own unique way!"
Looking up at the woman floating above the pirate ship, waving the letter at her, the girl's eyes welled up with tears of emotion.
"Ahhh!!"
Nami, taking in the girl's reaction, smiled even more tenderly.
"What an adorable little one."
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