A month and a half later.
No matter how reluctant they were, the moment of parting had finally arrived.
By the sea on Scrap Island, Yemu stood with his crew, bidding farewell to Tom and the others.
The weather was pleasant, a gentle breeze brushing against everyone's faces.
Perhaps it truly was luck. Yemu and the Sky Pirates had stayed in Water 7 for a full two months without once encountering the legendary tsunami, the Water Goddess, Aqua Laguna.
Lucky as it was, there was also a hint of regret.
"Then… this is goodbye, Brother Tom, Sister Kokoro!"
Although Yemu was the captain, the one closest to Tom was undoubtedly Tiger, so it was only fitting for him to speak first.
Yet despite the farewell, there was little sorrow in Tiger's eyes. He believed more and more that this separation wasn't permanent. They would meet again before long. That confidence came from Yemu, their captain.
Tom spoke as well, smiling brightly.
"Your next stop should be the Sabaody Archipelago, right? Once you get there, it won't be long before you return to Fish-Man Island. You haven't been home in quite a while."
"Yeah. Six years already."
"Then go back soon. It's time for a wanderer to return home."
"Mhm!"
Tiger nodded hard. He hadn't felt especially emotional at first, but the thought of finally returning to Fish-Man Island stirred something deep inside him. Coupled with saying goodbye to Tom, tears welled up in his eyes despite himself.
Flushing slightly, Tiger wiped them away in embarrassment.
After Tiger finished his farewell, it was Yemu's turn.
"Thank you for taking care of us these past two months, Tom-san."
"And the Twin Goddesses as well. If not for you, she probably wouldn't have been renewed like this."
As he spoke, he glanced back at the Twin Goddesses.
From the outside, Yemu's pirate ship looked much the same as before, but its interior had been completely overhauled.
Tom shook his head.
"No, I should be the one thanking you. Whether it's the Baku Baku Metal or the technology from Skypiea, I've learned an incredible amount. With these techniques, I'm sure I can finally build the sea train I've always dreamed of."
"I'm looking forward to it."
At that moment, young Franky looked at Tiger and Erik, his reluctance clear.
"Tiger-san, Teacher Erik… will you come back?"
Over the past two months, Franky had trained alongside Flare and the others under Tiger and Erik's guidance, and without realizing it, he had grown attached to them.
Tiger gently patted Franky on the head. Erik, meanwhile, looked at Yemu and asked softly,
"Captain, we'll come back, won't we?"
"Mhm."
Yemu nodded firmly.
"Of course we will."
His answer was unwavering. He looked at the four people before him, his gaze finally settling on Iceburg, who wore a worried expression.
Noticing Yemu's eyes on him, Iceburg lifted his head nervously.
Then he saw Yemu take a Den Den Mushi out of his pocket.
"This is for you."
Iceburg froze.
Among the four from Tom's company, Iceburg had the most distant relationship with Yemu and his crew over the past two months. Worried about the trouble the Sky Pirates might bring to Tom, Iceburg hadn't exactly been unwelcoming, but he certainly hadn't been warm either.
So if Yemu wanted to leave behind a Den Den Mushi, giving it to Tom-san, Kokoro, or even Franky would have made sense.
But instead, he handed it to him.
And then, Yemu's next words finally made Iceburg feel it—the quiet appeal of the man standing before him, someone roughly his own age.
"Tom-san is fortunate. To have disciples like you and Franky. I can tell that both of you possess the power to change the world in the future."
"This isn't some empty farewell courtesy. It's my honest belief."
"I know that even though I've tried to avoid it as much as possible, as long as I appear here, I'm bound to bring you and Tom-san serious trouble in the future. So take this."
"I give you my word. If Tom-san ever finds himself in danger, all you need to do is call this Den Den Mushi. No matter where I am, I will come and save him."
"This is my promise, and it is also the promise of the Sky Pirates!"
In that moment, all the resentment Iceburg had harbored toward Yemu over the past two months, along with his constant worries about Tom-san, seemed to vanish completely, like a heavy stone finally lifted from his heart.
Yet even so, Iceburg still didn't dare reach out to take the Den Den Mushi.
The weight of that promise was simply too heavy.
Fortunately, Tom, standing nearby, burst out laughing.
"Go on and take it, Iceburg-chan. This is Captain Yemu's concern for us. Thank you, truly!"
Only then did Iceburg accept the Den Den Mushi, holding it carefully against his chest.
Seeing this, Tom let out a sigh filled with emotion.
"Let's hope this Den Den Mushi never needs to be used."
…
As the sails were raised, the Twin Goddesses began to move. Driven by the wind, she slowly headed out toward the open sea.
He had managed to hold it in just moments ago, but as he watched Brother Tom growing farther away, his figure shrinking in the distance while still waving goodbye, Tiger finally broke down in tears.
Seeing this, Yemu stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't worry. I can promise you this. In just a few years, we'll definitely come back. Don't forget what I promised you. We still have to save your people, and when that time comes, we'll need a big ship."
Tiger's eyes lit up instantly.
Yemu bringing this up again proved that he had never forgotten his promise.
"Thank you, Captain!"
"What are you thanking me for? The road we'll walk together in the future is still long."
Tiger wiped away his tears, and at last, a smile appeared on his face.
At that moment, Enel walked over, biting into an apple as he spoke.
"I thought you might invite that Iceburg guy to come aboard as our shipwright."
Yemu nodded.
"I did think about it. But first, he probably wouldn't agree. Second, compared to becoming a pirate, staying in Water 7 suits him much better."
"Then what about our shipwrights? Once we reach the New World, what happens if the ship gets damaged?"
"I already have an idea. The Twin Goddesses isn't like ordinary ships. The kind of shipwright she needs is different as well. For now, let's wait. Once we enter the New World, our first objective will be to find our shipwrights."
"I see. As long as you've got a plan, that's fine. Then what about those ants following us? Should we deal with them?"
Enel narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flashing through his gaze.
"Deal with them."
The sea never lacks fools or people who don't know their own limits.
"Understood."
Enel suddenly became excited. After awakening Conqueror's Haki, he seemed to be gradually letting loose, growing more and more like the Thunder God Enel from the original story.
At the same time, Yemu turned to Tiger and instructed him.
"Our next stop is the Sabaody Archipelago. There's no longer any reason to hide our movements. From here on out, we don't need to avoid Marine or World Government patrols anymore. Head straight there."
"Got it. Then what about our speed?"
"As for that, let's keep it as it is for now. We should still leave the Marines and the World Government a little surprise."