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The next morning, Kaya and Merry led Rowen and the others to the harbor.
"Everyone, this is your ship! I've named it... the Going Merry!" Merry announced, pulling back the large cloth covering the vessel.
Rowen looked at the ship—the source of so much heartache for countless One Piece fans back on Earth—and a smile touched his lips.
The Going Merry was a caravel, featuring a triangular lateen sail on the mizzenmast and a central rudder at the stern, easily recognizable by its sheep figurehead.
She was armed with four cannons: one facing forward at the bow, one at the stern, and one on each side.
While she couldn't compare to the massive pirate galleons, compared to the tiny, makeshift boats Rowen and the crew had been using, this was, at least, a real pirate ship.
"Shishishi! What an awesome ship!" Luffy's face lit up with pure joy the moment he saw her.
This was their crew's first official pirate ship!
"Finally, a decent ship! With a vessel like this, we should be able to sail the Grand Line," Nami commented happily.
As a navigator, a good ship was like gaining wings.
"Hmph." A faint smile touched Zoro's lips as well.
Rowen had opened his eyes; Zoro knew his ambition could only be realized on the Grand Line.
"Rowen, why are you looking at me like that?" Nami suddenly noticed Rowen's gaze, blinked, and felt a slight blush creep onto her cheeks.
"Nothing. Just thinking your smile looks really nice right now. Much happier," Rowen replied with a smile.
Before, although Nami would smile, there was always a noticeable undercurrent of worry in her eyes.
The burden of concern for her hometown, Cocoyasi Village.
But now, her smile seemed genuinely lighter, happier.
"..." Nami pressed her lips together upon hearing his words.
She's... happier now?
Thinking back, ever since meeting Rowen again—specifically, after the fight with the Buggy Pirates in Orange Town—she had felt genuinely happy.
Especially after Rowen's declaration that she could rely on him, and his consistent actions of protecting her in every situation... Nami felt a long-forgotten sense of security wash over her.
Not since Bell-mère's death, not since she became a pirate-robbing thief and set out to earn that 100 million Beri, had she felt this secure.
It was as if... she had finally found someone to lean on.
Seeing this new ship, Nami instinctively started thinking from the perspective of its navigator, seemingly forgetting her earlier insistence on being only a temporary crew member.
But... can days like these truly last?
The thought made Nami bite her lip.
"No matter what you're facing, remember what I told you, Nami," Rowen said softly, gently placing his hand on her shoulder, just as he had back in Orange Town.
"When things get tough... lean on me. Burden me as much as you need to. I'm strong, you know," Rowen looked into Nami's eyes and smiled.
No matter how strong Nami acted, she was still just an eighteen-year-old young woman.
Her hometown suffered under Arlong's tyranny; her adoptive mother, Bell-mère, was murdered right before her eyes.
Afterwards, for the sake of the villagers, she was forced to join the Arlong Pirates, drawing sea charts while simultaneously stealing treasure to buy back her village for 100 million Beri.
She had been living this nightmare since she was only ten years old.
Thinking of this, a flicker of protectiveness softened Rowen's eyes.
"Mm..." Nami felt her nose sting. Biting her lip, she gently rested her forehead against Rowen's hand on her shoulder.
Just like in Orange Town.
Watching this from nearby, Kaya felt a pang of something bittersweet, a mix of envy and something else.
But then, Kaya glanced down at her own pinky finger, remembering her promise with Rowen, and smiled again.
She had already received so much. She shouldn't be greedy.
"Let's set sail! Rowen! Nami! What are you two waiting for?!" Luffy suddenly yelled.
"Luffy." Watching Nami quickly slip away, Rowen turned towards Luffy with a very pleasant smile.
"I think it's time I put together a proper training plan for you. As captain, you can't be undisciplined," Rowen's smile was dazzlingly bright.
"Eh?!" Luffy had no idea what was happening. Rowen had been so lenient with him before!
Only Nami, already aboard the Merry, blushed slightly.
"Kaya! Goodbye!" Usopp yelled from the ship.
"Usopp! Do your best! Fulfill your dream and become a brave warrior of the sea!" Kaya called back, smiling brightly and waving cheerfully at Usopp.
"Oh! Just watch me!" Usopp puffed out his chest and yelled back.
"Um... T-Take care, Rowen," Turning her gaze to Rowen, Kaya bit her lip, looking at him shyly.
Tentative steps... this is love.
"Yeah. Well then, we're off, Kaya," Rowen turned back, smiled, and waved goodbye to Kaya.
Rowen wasn't oblivious; he had sensed Kaya's feelings.
But he had no intention of bringing her aboard. Kaya's body was simply too frail to endure the hardships of sea travel.
More importantly, Kaya's gentle heart wasn't suited for the Grand Line.
Even if Rowen had a Devil Fruit to restore her health right now (which he didn't), she still wouldn't be suited for the Grand Line.
Kaya's personality wasn't built for combat. Exposing her to the Grand Line's cruelty would do her more harm than good.
In the One Piece world, physical limitations, even incurable diseases, could often be overcome with Devil Fruits.
But lacking the mindset and 'Disposition' of a true warrior, or a powerful, unwavering dream like Nami's... no external means could compensate for that.
Not everyone was suited for the Grand Line.
Besides, Rowen's current priority was simple: Get stronger!
That was the foundation upon which everything else rested.
Otherwise, everything he held now was merely smoke and mirrors, fleeting illusions.
You can't gain anything without sacrificing something.
That was a fundamental truth, a resolve and mindset required of any truly strong individual.
Besides, this wasn't truly abandonment. Once Rowen stood at the pinnacle of the world, he would naturally return and take Kaya away with him.
Aboard the ship, Nami watched Kaya's wistful expression and seemed to understand something. For some reason, she felt a strange pang of jealousy in her own heart.
Nami recognized this feeling wasn't normal. She pressed her lips together.
She had thought her reliance on Rowen was simply that of comrades leaning on each other... but this sudden feeling told her otherwise...
"Setting sail!" Luffy yelled loudly, perched on his special seat—the sheep figurehead at the bow.
"OOOHHH!" Rowen and the others raised their right hands in unison, responding with smiles.
Under Nami's command, the Going Merry slowly pulled away from the harbor.
Rowen looked back at Kaya watching from the shore and smiled, extending his own pinky finger.
"!!!" Seeing this, Kaya pressed her lips together, then slowly raised her own pinky finger.
Remembering their promise from the night before in Rowen's room, Kaya smiled sweetly.
I'll wait for you, Rowen.
Kaya's eyes shone with unwavering brightness.
This was her promise with Rowen.
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"Decided?!" Piiman, Ninjin, and Tamanegi huddled together.
"Of course! Let's go! We have to carry on the Captain's greatness!" Piiman declared seriously.
Ninjin looked back towards Syrup Village.
"Pirates are coming!" Tamanegi, Ninjin, and Piiman yelled in unison as they began running through the village streets.
In the distance, the Going Merry slowly sailed towards the horizon.
Only on the shore, Kaya remained, gazing after the ship, unwilling to leave for a long, long time.
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