A blazing wave of heat instantly evaporated all the seawater along its path. Carrying destruction and death, it surged violently toward the depths of the ocean.
At the same time—
Inside a massive submarine assault sailing ship cruising beneath the sea's surface.
Wapol, who had fled Drum Island, and his entourage of lapdogs were stuffing themselves recklessly inside a palace-like grand cabin.
"Meat, meat, meat… every single day it's this stuff! I'm completely sick of it already!!!"
After eating his fill, Wapol leaned back against his enormous throne, picking his teeth with a metal toothpick. Yet instead of satisfaction, an irritated, disdainful look spread across his face.
"Are we not back at Drum Island yet? Didn't you say we'd arrive today?"
"I can't wait to move back into my castle!"
"Please endure just a little longer, Your Majesty!"
At that moment, Wapol's lackey No.1, Chess, immediately bowed and replied.
"According to the navigators, at most three more hours and we'll be back within our own territory."
"When that time comes, we'll reclaim Drum Island, rebuild our forces, and wipe out every last one of those hateful fools!"
Chess clenched his fist as he spoke, proclaiming his loyalty and strength to Wapol.
His performance instantly earned him an approving look from Wapol.
What Wapol didn't notice, however, was the fleeting trace of fear deep within Chess's eyes.
In his mind flashed the terrifying figures of the pirates who called themselves the Blackbeard Pirates.
Fortunately, according to their latest intelligence, that pirate crew had already left Drum Island.
In other words, they could shed their pirate identities at any time and return as kings and ministers of Drum Island once more!
Although they had nearly looted every resource and treasure from Drum Island when they fled—allowing them to live extravagantly and indulgently even while at sea—
How could drifting about as pirates ever compare to being kings who preyed upon their people?
At this moment, Wapol and his followers were desperate to return home!
However…
Just as they were plotting what new policies to enact to further squeeze their citizens after reclaiming the throne, a soldier in a fur coat hurried over and knelt before Wapol.
"King Wapol! A short distance ahead, we've discovered a small sailboat."
"Based on our observations, it appears to be a pirate ship!"
"A pirate ship?!"
Wapol's interest was instantly piqued.
The lazy posture he had been lounging in shifted as he raised an eyebrow.
"I've been bored for so long—finally something to do."
"I really don't understand why those idiots rack their brains trying to become Pirate King!"
"With that kind of strength, all they do is babble about dreams all day long."
"Is this world really lacking smart people like me?"
Wapol narcissistically rubbed his greasy, bloated chin, then pointed at his subordinates.
"Come on! Bring the ship closer!"
BOOM!!!!!!—
Sometimes, no one knows whether tomorrow or disaster will arrive first.
Before Wapol's words could even fall, a scorching energy blast slammed violently through the submarine's hull and struck him dead center.
A searing pain flooded his mind as his skin and flesh burned.
Before he could even process what had happened, the impact sent Wapol flying straight into the sea.
Under the influence of seawater—the Devil Fruit user's greatest weakness—his eyes rolled back, tongue lolling out weakly as he sank deeper into the ocean amid the agony of ice and fire.
Massive bubbles poured out from the gaping hole in the shattered hull, carrying precious oxygen away from the cabin.
Although no one yet understood what had happened, the violent shaking of the vessel and the rapidly flooding seawater threw everyone into panic.
As the wounded ship tilted dangerously, countless soldiers scrambled desperately toward the exits.
When life was on the line, everything else was forgotten.
Kings? Nobility?
Right now, survival was all that mattered!
In the blink of an eye, the once-orderly submarine collapsed into chaos.
And then—
A massive surge of ocean currents suddenly erupted from the depths, miraculously enveloping the entire warship and forcing it upward toward the surface.
Gurgle gurgle—BOOM!!!
On the previously calm sea, bubbles suddenly burst forth as if the water itself were boiling.
Moments later, under the control of Surf, the warship of the White Iron Pirates was hoisted high out of the deep by monstrous waves.
The next second, several towering waves surged out of the sea, rapidly converging into two colossal hands resembling those of a god.
Each hand grabbed one end of the enormous ship—
And then—
CRACK!
With a deafening break, it felt as though the entire world fell silent.
The two giant hands seized the snapped hull and shook it wildly.
"W-What… what's happening?!"
Clinging to the deck with his Static Fur Ball ability, Kuromarimo let out a desperate, grief-stricken scream.
But no matter where he looked, no one could save him from this living nightmare.
In an instant, soldiers who couldn't hang on were flung from the ship like dumplings, splashing helplessly into the sea.
The shocking spectacle left Robin beside Red completely stunned.
Her deep eyes shimmered with disbelief, lips slightly parted—yet not a single word came out.
Red, on the other hand, gazed at the pirates being hurled out and slowly frowned in confusion.
"Hm? How come he's not here?"
He toyed with the ship like a toy using the waves, yet found no trace of Wapol.
At that moment, Merry's figure suddenly appeared before him.
As a ship spirit composed entirely of pure energy, Merry's control over energy far surpassed even Luffy and the others.
So despite having just used Hyper Beam, she wasn't left weakened and unable to stand like them.
Of course, merely piercing a single ship was still nothing compared to Luffy's ability to wipe out an entire fleet with ease.
Merry's hooded face now showed a hint of apology.
She scratched her temple awkwardly and said to Red:
"Sorry, Red… my Hyper Beam seems to have accidentally knocked Wapol straight into the deep sea!"
Red: "..."
"It really happened to be that precise?"
"Uh…" Merry gave an embarrassed smile. "Sorry, Red."
Boom!
Red immediately canceled Surf to conserve energy.
Without his power sustaining them, the towering waves collapsed at once—along with the elevated White Iron King.
Looking at the chaotic scene on the sea's surface, Red sighed helplessly.
"…Guess we'll have to ask Laboon for help."
The deep sea was a mysterious realm even Red dared not easily venture into.
Maybe one day, when they reached planetary-level strength, they could freely tread every corner of this world.
Red pulled a small Den Den Mushi from his pocket and dialed. Soon, Usopp's exhausted voice came through the line.
"Hello~ Red, what's up?"
Sounded like another sleepless night.
After hearing Red's explanation, Usopp quickly understood and relayed the message to Laboon.
With his sharp intellect, Usopp had already figured out a way to communicate with Laboon over the past few days.
The principle was simple: phonograph technology, loudspeaker amplification, and a bit of creative tinkering.
After recording the message for Laboon, Usopp used his device to amplify explosion-generated shockwaves into special vibrations—ones Laboon could clearly hear.
And so…
A few minutes later, an enormous island whale rose from the depths. It opened its abyss-like mouth and inhaled violently!
In that instant, the remaining White Iron Pirates—along with their ship—were swept along by the raging currents and swallowed whole by Laboon.
No matter how they struggled, it was all pointless.
Within minutes, the sea returned to utter calm, with no trace of the White Iron Pirates left behind.
After Usopp relayed the message again, Laboon turned and dove back into the ocean, heading toward where Wapol had sunk.
Before leaving, it let out a cheerful, earth-shaking cry toward Red, expressing its joy at being needed by its friends.
Unfortunately, Red still couldn't understand Laboon's language.
"What happened?!"
The commotion quickly woke everyone aboard the Going Merry.
Aside from Luffy and Zoro, who slept like thunderclaps couldn't wake them, everyone else rushed onto deck.
Seeing the turbulent waves left behind by Laboon, they asked in confusion.
Meanwhile, after hearing through the Den Den Mushi that Laboon had spotted Wapol, Red finally exhaled in relief.
Turning to the others, he smiled.
"Nothing happened."
Everyone: "???"
Do you think we're idiots—or blind?!
The group immediately shot Red some hostile glares.
But Red remained relaxed.
"Well, you all came out at just the right time."
Snap!
With a crisp snap of his fingers, Merry appeared beside him.
She stood neatly with her hands clasped behind her back.
Red smiled.
"Let me introduce everyone to one of the Straw Hat crew's original members."
"And also the true sixth official member to join the Straw Hat Pirates—right after Usopp."
"Sorry, Sanji."
"Looks like Zoro will have to stick with the title 'Number Seven' from now on."
"Wait, Red!"
Nami, who had been with the crew from early on, frowned in confusion.
"You said this kid is the sixth member, but…"
"I've never seen her before!"
She leaned closer, curiously inspecting Merry.
With Red vouching for her, Nami felt no danger—and Merry's adorable manners inspired no suspicion at all.
But the very next second, Nami realized she was horribly wrong.
Merry suddenly flashed a mischievous smile and greeted her familiarly:
"Hi, Nami~ Nice to meet you."
"Oh—and hiding your private stash in the food storage compartment really isn't a good idea."
"You should be careful. One day Luffy might find it while stealing food~!"
"I suggest moving it somewhere else."
"The second storage room you picked—the harder-to-access one—is actually a pretty nice choice."
"W-What are you talking about?!"
Nami's expression went from shock… to disbelief… to an awkward grin.
Cold sweat instantly beaded on her forehead.
With her lips twitching, she forced a placating smile.
"That's strange, little one. Big sis has no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh? Then never mind!"
Merry instantly switched back to an innocent, carefree expression.
But in Nami's eyes, that cute little figure had transformed into a horned little devil!
Though she managed the Straw Hat Pirates' finances, that money belonged to the crew—not to her personally.
She had allocation authority, not usage rights.
So sometimes, she'd distribute herself funds based on market prices… then haggle brilliantly and pocket the savings as her "legitimate private stash."
What terrified her was—
Even Red didn't know this.
So how could this child-like "companion" know!?
Nami's thoughts spiraled into chaos.
Then Merry cheerfully looked around at everyone and continued her commentary:
"Sanji, the magazines you bought in Loguetown are practically worn out. If that's the case, why not subscribe through a News Coo?"
"It's not much money—Nami won't mind."
"Captain Smoker, you don't need to force yourself to match Zoro's training intensity."
"People's bodies are different. Pushing too hard might backfire."
"Vivi, if you really want to enter the Pokémon world again with Red…"
"You could just tell him directly instead of whispering under your blanket every night."
"I'm sure Red wouldn't refuse."
"And Robin…"
Merry suddenly turned, meeting Robin's stunned gaze, and smiled softly.
"If you're feeling lonely, try opening your heart to everyone a little more."
"Trust me—your painful journey is over."
"This is your final stop."
Merry made a full round, leaving the entire deck stunned into silence.
Blushing furiously after his secret was exposed, Sanji immediately turned to Red.
"Red! Just who is this young lady?!"
"And also—"
"I absolutely did NOT buy any unhealthy magazines! Everyone, you have to believe me!!!"
"Hahaha!" Red laughed. "Relax, I won't tell Zoro!"
"That's not what I meant—!" Sanji reached out for help… and was completely ignored.
Smoker and Vivi wore faces of fury and mortification, respectively.
Only Robin—still not fully aligned with the Straw Hats—quietly reflected on Merry's words.
"All right, no more suspense!"
Red placed a hand on Merry's head.
"Merry, why don't you introduce yourself properly?"
"Okay!" Merry smiled sweetly and bowed deeply.
"Hello, everyone! I'm the ship spirit of the Going Merry—Merry!"
"With Red's help, I can finally meet and talk with everyone properly."
"This feels amazing!"
"Thank you for taking such good care of me all this time!"
"From now on—leave everything involving the sea to me!!!"
She patted her chest confidently.
(End of Chapter)