After some time had passed since Wapol's attack, the Going Merry was floating on the sea, having left Little Garden behind.
Behind her trailed another ship of similar size, and on that ship's deck stood the people who had emerged from Wapol's body.
Hancock stood at the very front of the deck, staring at the trailing ship before turning to Luffy beside her and speaking up.
"Luffy, do we really have to bring those guys along when they're only in the way?"
"I read their thoughts to confirm they really were forced here. That's why, Hancock."
"They won't last if we leave them on Little Garden. Besides, according to the map, the next island is their homeland, the Drum Kingdom, so we could drop them off there."
"Anyway, all the records Wapol had—both the navigational and the permanent log—they were all destroyed. So unless they stick with us, they've got nowhere else to go."
"I understand what you're saying."
"By the way, those perverted giants… they really were amazing fighters."
"To tear such a huge goldfish in half…"
As Hancock spoke, Luffy recalled the events that had just happened.
When the Going Merry started to leave Little Garden, Dorry and Brogy stood at opposite ends of the island, bidding the ships farewell.
****
"Thanks, Luffy. It was because of you that we learned of Harald's fate."
"We decided to finish our duel at Harald's grave, and I'll be sure to honor your request as well."
"Right, Dorry. And as a bonus, these fellows even treated us to a drink."
"Both of you, please watch our backs. Show us what you've got."
Luffy looked down at the barrels of liquor set before his feet and responded to the giants' words.
As the Going Merry and Wapol's ship drifted farther away, the giants tossed their heads back and shouted with booming voices.
"No matter what happens, keep going straight ahead~!"
"We'll surely uphold the promises we made to you! So trust us~!"
"Dorry! Brogy! We're rooting for you both~!"
"Yeah, Usopp! You become a brave warrior of the sea too~!"
"We're cheering for you as well~!"
From the stern, Usopp waved at the giants, who were shouting back at him.
While Usopp did that, Luffy, with Zoro on one side and Sanji on the other, spoke.
"Should've brought more dinosaur meat on board, huh?"
"The freezer's already full, Luffy."
"And if we'd brought more, the ship would slow down. Then we couldn't take Vivi to Alabasta quickly."
"You're right, Sanji… I guess I should've eaten more instead of bringing more."
"Luffy, did we really have to give them all our liquor?"
"I'm sad we gave away all our booze too, Zoro. But if it's payment for what we asked of them, I'll stop feeling bad about it."
"They seemed plenty grateful that we told them about their king's death… but seriously, is there really that thing up ahead?"
"Yeah. Because of that beast, ships had to make a huge detour around Little Garden in the past."
"I can barely believe it's as big as a mountain, but bigger than that—bigger than an island…"
At Zoro's words, the Going Merry lurched as a wave rushed over from afar.
After everyone on deck held firm against the wave, Nami emerged from below decks with the women.
"What's going on all of a sudden?! The weather was fine just a moment ago…!"
"Th-that can't be…"
Nami and Vivi, standing side by side, opened their mouths in shock and slowly lifted their heads.
Just as the ship was beginning to be engulfed by a dark shadow and Hancock and the others widened their eyes and looked up, Luffy, with Usopp having run up beside him, spoke.
"Whoa… It's even bigger in person than Laboon."
"A gigantic goldfish!!!"
What appeared in the path of the Going Merry's course was, literally, a colossal goldfish.
This goldfish was so huge it could have been called a mountain, or even a small island, and it opened its mouth wide to swallow two ships.
"It's not too late! Quickly, turn the ship around!"
"Bu-but I promised Nami-san, Dorry-san, and Brogy-san! We have to go straight ahead!"
"You're not in any position to talk with your legs shaking, Usopp! And the people on the ship behind us are all screaming in terror too!"
Upon hearing Nami's warning and seeing the panic on Wapol's ship, Luffy spoke.
"Nami, a promise isn't something one side unilaterally keeps."
"If you assume only the worst case at every moment, there'd be no one in the world I could trust, nor anyone who could trust me."
"So even considering the worst outcome, you shouldn't carelessly betray someone's trust after you've made a promise."
"Of course, thanks to the original story I know that Dorry and Brogy are men who will keep their promises and have the ability to do so."
"If I didn't know that, risking my life to trust them would be a bit reckless—if I died, it wouldn't just be me who suffers."
"The worst situation you're talking about is happening right now!"
"Just wait a little longer."
"If they can't keep their promise, then I'll take responsibility. That's why a captain exists."
"If we get swallowed, we'll have to dig a hole through the goldfish's cheek to escape."
As Luffy thought this and the ships grew more chaotic, on the island's edge the giants stared down the colossal goldfish.
"Long time no see, you giant goldfish."
"Blocking the west side of this island for a hundred years, wreaking havoc… today it ends!"
They readied their stances, axes and swords drawn back.
"Bringing out real resolve for the first time in ages, eh, Brogy!"
"If we used our full power in our duel, we'd destroy the island! So of course we couldn't."
"But to repay a favor, it's only natural to go all out!"
"A true warrior not only takes revenge but also repays kindness!"
Both of their arms and weapons were coated in black Armament Haki, surrounded by rippling white energy.
"The only thing we cannot pierce is 'Blood-Stained Serpent'!"
"In the name of Elbaf, we will surely bring it down!"
At the moment they faced each other and swung their weapons forward, their Haki mingled into a single vortex,
'Elbaf Spear! National Ruin!'
The vortex of white will formed a massive, drill-shaped slash that shot forward, tearing through the giant goldfish's head at its center, strafing down its back and spine.
The pressure from the attack sent the Going Merry and Wapol's ship surging forward past the colossal carcass of the goldfish.
"That's the full power of Elbaf's warriors… incredible!"
"I've made up my mind, Luffy! No matter what you say, we're going to Elbaf, their homeland!"
Usopp's eyes welled with tears as he shouted in awe of the giants' strength, while Luffy wore an adventurous grin as he felt their power.
Beside the retreating ships, Dorry and Brogy stood surrounded by the shattered fragments of their weapons.
"They're completely obliterated."
"We'd been swinging them for a hundred years, so it's a miracle they lasted this long."
"Are you sad about it now, Dorry?"
"It was to repay their kindness. It was our last act of service, so I have no regrets."
"Then let's celebrate~!"
They laughed as they lifted the barrels of liquor given by Luffy's crew above their heads and shouted loudly.
"To Monkey D. Luffy and his companions~!"
"May the blessings of Elbaf and Nika be with you~!"
****
Recalling the memory of resolving the threat of the giant goldfish, Luffy turned to Hancock, who had been talking about the people on Wapol's ship.
"Captain, a guy who's not even good at looking after his own crew worrying about other people… sorry for being such a nuisance."
"Luffy, I was worried the people on that ship might do something foolish and harm us."
"But now that they know we've got them by the leash, there's nothing more to worry about."
Hancock said and swiftly pressed her lips against Luffy's cheek.
"Hey…!"
"I have never thought you were a nuisance."
"It was you who saved me, and I love you for it."
"Have faith in yourself, in the belief everyone on this ship, including me, has in you."
"Because you are a captain worthy of it."
Luffy's face flushed red when he heard those words, and Hancock smiled as she faced him.
Watching them from the corner of the cabin wall, Vivi poked her red face around Nami and whispered,
"So heartwarming… it's really like two people in love…"
"Vivi, sorry, but while we're sailing, keep watch on the permanent log out here instead of me."
"I'm too exhausted from everything at Little Garden… I'll stay in my room for a while."
"Alright, Nami. I'll call for you if anything important comes up, so rest until then."
"Thanks."
Nami answered Vivi with a stern expression before going back inside the cabin.
Some time passed, and on deck Zoro, Usopp, Luffy, and Sanji lay side by side, looking up at the sky and talking.
"Haah… My heart is still racing because of everything that just happened."
"Zoro, how were things on Wapol's ship?"
"Everyone was knocked out, probably because of the giant goldfish, so I moved them down into the cabin there."
"Good job."
As Usopp spoke, Luffy asked the question and Zoro answered.
(I never thought much about Dorry and Brogy in my past life, but as a former Marine now, I can't help but think of the Marines who died by their hands.)
(But I harbor no resentment. It wasn't a matter of right or wrong, but of clashing positions.)
(Moreover, seeing them with my own eyes today, they were far from heedless killers. They honored their word and regarded repaying kindness as a matter of course.)
(That such people and the Marines were forced to clash over a difference in stance… it feels all the more bitter.)
"By the way, when was your first love, guys?"
"…Sanji, what did you say just now?"
"First love?"
While they lay there talking, Sanji turned to Luffy and asked,
"I was simply curious if any of you… especially Marimo here ever had a first love, so I asked."
"Well… sudden, but a good topic to kill time. Since you brought it up, why don't you go first?"
"As for me, it was the lady who came as a customer when I started working at the Baratie, Luffy."
"Not only beautiful, but that figure… ahem. Marimo, what about you?"
"…There was no such thing for me."
During this lighthearted chat, Zoro paused, recalling Kuina from his childhood before answering:
"I knew you were that kind of guy… Usopp, your first love is that Kaya-lady you keep contacting on the Den Den Mushi whenever you have time, right?"
"Of course, Sanji. To me, Kaya is a goddess of beauty beyond even Hancock, the very light of angels."
"Hmm… then what about you, Luffy?"
When the question turned to Luffy, not only Sanji and Usopp but even Zoro turned their heads toward Luffy with intrigued expressions.
"Me?"
"So it really was Hancock-chan?"
"Looking back now… my first love was a lady I stayed with briefly in Fusha Village, Usopp."
"The green-haired Makino?"
"Or Anne, the girl you grew up with as a foster sibling, with that tomboyish yet sexy vibe?"
"Neither of them… And Usopp, what you said about Makino aside, you damn pervert Sanji."
"I don't recall you ever painting Anne in such a way, Luffy."
"Hehe, even if you didn't think it, with all the information you've given me about these ladies, my mind has already filled in the blanks."
"Zoro, what should we do with that perverted scoundrel?"
"Cut off his tongue, so we can focus only on fighting and cooking, and only the good will remain."
"Hey Marimo! Even if that's true, there are things two guys just don't talk about!"
"But seriously, Luffy, who is your first love?"
"…She was just a lady I stayed with briefly in Fusha Village, Usopp."
Luffy said as he recalled his childhood.
Back then, young Luffy had been cradled in the arms of a woman on a small hill dotted with trees in Fusha Village at sunset, just as she'd come of age.
The woman in Luffy's memory held him against a backdrop of shadows. From within those shadows, her purple eyes shone clearly as she silently shed tears.
"All I can faintly remember now is that her purple eyes and her embrace felt so warm."
"And that boy Luffy's heart had fluttered for her… that's all."
"Oh~ now that's a meeting to remember, huh?"
"What did she look like, Luffy? Try to remember correctly."
"It was so long ago I can only recall that her eyes were purple."
Bang!
Just as Usopp and Sanji were talking and Luffy was about to answer, Vivi burst through the cabin door with force.
As the others sat up, Vivi, her face serious, spoke.
"This is bad! Nami's running a fever over forty degrees right now!"
Nami…!