The changes in the Straw Hat Pirates were obvious to everyone around them, especially after Luffy's conversation with Franky. Whitebeard, Ace, Sabo, and even Buggy heard it all. Ace and Sabo wanted to say something, but the people around them stopped them.
This was the Straw Hat crew's personal business; outsiders had no right to interfere. Even if they wanted to offer comfort, it should be done later. The Going Merry was still functional right now, and saying anything would only make things more awkward.
At that moment, the door to the submarine deck opened, and Kaku walked out. He was about to greet everyone when he noticed the grim expressions on the Straw Hats' faces and immediately stopped talking.
"Kaku," Law said, "get the medical staff up here. Everyone's injured and needs treatment."
"Got it, Captain," Kaku replied, "I'll go now."
He didn't ask any questions and immediately went to work. Kaku had only just joined the Heart Pirates, and his heart was still literally in Law's hands.
This meant he hadn't yet earned Law's full trust and wasn't even qualified to fight in the war. His job was to drive the submarine and be ready to provide support at any moment, so he knew better than to stick his nose into other people's business.
The Heart Pirates' medical staff quickly boarded the Going Merry to treat everyone. Though the Straw Hats' battle had been relatively smooth, they had all suffered injuries of varying degrees.
Zoro had deep cuts on his shoulders, chest, and legs, a testament to the power of his opponent. Law was in a similar state; because his foe was Onigumo, his body was covered in a horrifying, dense network of knife wounds.
The most severely injured, however, was Carl, who had fought Akainu. He'd nearly had his shoulder burned off by magma, but fortunately, he had received timely treatment. Carl's own recovery ability was also excellent, so there was no need to worry about any permanent damage, only some scarring.
"Dammit! I couldn't defeat that Mole guy!" Zoro complained. "He was incredibly strong!"
"I know," Law agreed. "Onigumo was a real pain to deal with."
Both of them were frustrated that they hadn't won, but they hadn't lost either. The battle had been interrupted by Blackbeard's sudden arrival, and if they had fought to the finish, the outcome was still uncertain.
"Those Pacifistas were so tough," Franky said regretfully. "We only managed to take out four of them!"
When the Whitebeard Pirates, the Revolutionary Army, and the escaped prisoners heard that, they were dumbfounded. The Straw Hat Pirates were the definition of "humblebragging."
Everyone else had been completely overwhelmed by those Pacifistas, but the Straw Hats had managed to destroy four of them with just a few people and were still complaining it wasn't enough. It was completely insane.
But they didn't have time to dwell on it, as the Heart Pirates' medical staff had arrived to treat their injuries. The Heart Pirates were known for their medical expertise, and they now acted as the Straw Hat's unofficial medical team.
Seeing the extent of the other pirates' wounds, they immediately started to help, especially with Whitebeard, whose injuries were by far the most severe and shocking.
Law, Chopper, and Marco worked together to treat Whitebeard. After a period of careful surgery, they finally removed the magma from Whitebeard's body and stitched the wounds.
This was only possible thanks to Law's Devil Fruit ability; otherwise, no one would have dared to operate on Whitebeard. He was simply too old for such an invasive procedure.
"Whitebeard is just too old, and he has too many past injuries," Law said with a serious expression. "Even though the surgery was successful, he probably only has a few more years left to live. You should be prepared for that, Marco."
"We did all we could," Chopper added. "And it's all thanks to Uncle Crocus's medical books."
Both Chopper and Law had studied the medical books of Crocus, the ship doctor of the Roger Pirates, and had gained immense knowledge and skill from them. Without that knowledge, treating Whitebeard would not have gone so smoothly.
"So you got the medical books from Crocus, Roger's ship doctor!" Marco exclaimed. He then thanked them. "Your medical skills are incredible. I really have to thank you. Without your help, our crew wouldn't have been able to treat him properly."
Law simply kept his stoic face, saying nothing.
Chopper twisted his body, his cheeks puffed out. "Idiot! Don't think I'll be happy just because you praise me, you jerk!"
"Worororo! What a funny little guy!" Whitebeard laughed heartily, amused by Chopper. He had originally prepared himself to die at Marineford, but he had unexpectedly survived. Although he knew his time was limited, he now felt a renewed desire to live and spend more time with his beloved "children."
Growing old surrounded by his family was a dream he could still hold on to.
Just as the fleet was approaching the Gate of Justice at Enies Lobby, the Going Merry suddenly let out a loud crack. Half of the hull split open, and the bow plunged directly into the water.
"Merry!" the Straw Hats all shouted in shock.
They had known this day was coming, but they never expected it to be so sudden. The Straw Hat Pirates fell into a mournful silence, and the others, sensing their grief, also fell silent, watching them with sympathy.
Everyone on the Going Merry moved their belongings to the submarine, and then they all stood on the deck, silently staring at their broken ship, a deep sadness filling their hearts.
"Are you ready, everyone?" Luffy asked, standing on the submarine's deck with a torch in his hand.
Everyone nodded slowly. Luffy walked over to the side of the Going Merry and held the torch close to its hull. "Merry, thank you for carrying us all this time. The bottom of the sea is dark and lonely, so we'll be here to watch over you. Goodbye, Merry."
With those words, he lit the ship on fire. Everyone stared blankly at the blazing flames, tears streaming down their faces. At that moment, many white specks began to fall from the sky, as if it were snowing, making everyone wonder what was happening.
"I'm sorry..." a soft, ethereal voice echoed, "I'm sorry I couldn't take you all to a farther place. I'm sorry... I wanted to go on more adventures with everyone... What...?"
"Is that a ship spirit?" Even Whitebeard was stunned.
"I heard that a ship that is truly loved can grow a spirit," another pirate said, eyes wide. "I thought it was just a legend, but it's real!"
"Merry!!!"
Usopp, Chopper, Sanji, Zoro, Franky, and the women of the crew all fell to their knees, sobbing uncontrollably.
Luffy was also crying, his voice hoarse as he shouted. "Merry! We're the ones who should be sorry! I'm clumsy and I always break you! And Carl is a crazy taskmaster who always puts us through hellish training on your deck, while Zoro and the others are just idiots! Usopp is a useless shipwright who can't fix you! We're the ones who should be sorry!"
"But... I was so happy! I was really happy!" the Merry's voice replied, sounding like a mix of smiles and tears, making everyone's hearts ache even more.
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