Chapter 7: Morning on the Merry

The first light of dawn painted the sky with soft shades of gold and pink. A gentle breeze stirred the sails of the Going Merry, and the rhythmic sound of waves against the hull served as a calm reminder of the vastness of the sea. The ship rocked lazily, the salty air filling the morning silence.

Inside the cabin, the crew stirred awake one by one. Nami, ever diligent, had been the first to rise, already reviewing her maps. Zoro, who had fallen asleep against the mast after a late night of training, stretched with a low grunt. Usopp snored softly from his makeshift bunk, still lost in whatever grand tale his dreams spun.

But it was the rhythmic creaking of the helm that caught Dikun Silver's attention.

Standing at the helm, Luffy held the wheel with an oversized grin. The morning sun reflected in his wide eyes, gleaming with the excitement of another day at sea. His carefree demeanor was unwavering — as if the dangers of the Grand Line were nothing more than stories to laugh at.

Dikun sighed. This idiot.

He approached silently, the wind ruffling his silver hair. Unlike Luffy, whose presence was like a loud trumpet, Dikun's was the quiet hum of a looming storm. Though Luffy was the captain, it was often Dikun who ensured the ship's survival.

---

The Silent Commander's Watchful Eye

"You've been steering for hours," Dikun noted, his tone as even as the sea. "Did you even check the map?"

Luffy's grin widened. "Nope! But we're going straight, so we're fine!"

Dikun pinched the bridge of his nose, already regretting asking. "That's not how sailing works, Captain."

"Don't worry!" Luffy beamed. "I'm the best at going straight!"

"You're also the best at going in circles," Dikun muttered under his breath.

With a shake of his head, he pulled the wheel from Luffy's hands. "Go eat, Luffy. I'll take over."

"But I wasn't done!" Luffy protested, though his empty stomach betrayed him with a loud growl.

Dikun arched a brow. "Trust me. You're done."

Realizing defeat, Luffy laughed it off and dashed toward the galley, his appetite already in control. Dikun watched him go, a small smirk flickering across his face. Luffy's antics never ceased to amuse him, but it was in moments like these that Dikun's presence truly shone.

The Silent Commander. Always watching. Always ensuring the crew stayed afloat.

---

Morning Meal and Misguided Ideas

The crew gathered around the wooden table in the galley, the small space filled with the tantalizing smell of grilled fish. Usopp and Luffy devoured their portions with reckless enthusiasm, while Zoro leaned lazily against the wall, occasionally tearing into his meal.

Dikun, however, was more composed. He ate in measured bites, crimson eyes flickering between the crew as he listened to their chatter.

"Luffy," Nami spoke up, exasperation already lining her voice, "did you even look at the sea charts? We could be sailing straight into a storm."

"Or a Marine base," Dikun added without looking up.

"Nah, it's fine!" Luffy grinned. "We're going on an adventure!"

Dikun's hand tightened around his fork. "Luffy, adventure doesn't mean sailing blind. The Grand Line isn't forgiving. One wrong turn, and we could be shipwrecked or worse."

"But we have you!" Luffy said confidently. "You'll figure something out!"

Zoro snorted. "You're not wrong there."

While the comment was meant as praise, it only added to Dikun's frustration. They're relying on me too much.

---

Discipline and Command

Luffy, as cheerful as ever, suddenly perked up with another brilliant idea. "Oh! Oh! I thought of something!"

Dikun immediately braced himself.

"What if we paint a giant skull on the ship's sail? But not just any skull — a smiling skull! That way, people will know we're the friendliest pirates around!"

Silence.

Even Usopp, who was usually the first to support Luffy's wild ideas, paused mid-bite. Zoro opened one eye, clearly waiting to see how Dikun would respond.

Dikun slowly placed his fork down. "Luffy."

"Yeah?"

"That is…" He took a long breath, his voice calm but firm. "...the single worst idea you've had all morning."

Luffy blinked. "But it'll be fun!"

"Fun until the Marines spot a giant smiling skull and blast us out of the water," Dikun said dryly. "We're pirates, not a circus act."

"But—"

"No."

The table fell silent. Zoro chuckled under his breath, and even Nami seemed somewhat relieved that someone had the courage to rein in their reckless captain.

"Dikun's right," she added. "We can't just draw attention to ourselves like that."

Luffy pouted, visibly deflated. But the ever-present gleam of determination remained. "Okay, fine! No smiling skull sail. But next time I get an idea, you'll listen!"

Dikun smirked. "We'll see."

---

A Silent Understanding

Later that day, as the ship continued its gentle journey across the waves, Dikun stood once again at the helm. His hands gripped the wheel with practiced ease, eyes scanning the horizon. The sea, though unpredictable, had its own rhythm — and Dikun had learned to listen to it.

Luffy eventually joined him, leaning against the railing, his hat casting a shadow over his face. For a while, they said nothing. The wind spoke for them.

"You really worry about us, huh?" Luffy finally broke the silence.

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't," Dikun replied simply.

Luffy grinned. "Good. 'Cause I worry about you too."

Dikun's expression softened, though he didn't respond. Luffy's loyalty was a force of its own — something that, no matter how reckless he was, Dikun couldn't bring himself to resent.

"Don't ever change, Luffy," Dikun murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Huh?"

"Nothing." Dikun shook his head, the faintest trace of a smile touching his lips. "Just… don't jump off the mast again."

Luffy laughed heartily. "No promises!"

And as the Going Merry sailed onward, the bond between the Captain and the Silent Commander grew ever stronger.