Chapter 28: The Going Merry

"It was just after we'd defeated Arlong," Kai began as they walked toward the north shore. "Nami and I had been sailing for about two months, hunting treasure and planning for the future."

"We landed here in Syrup Village to resupply," Nami continued. "That's when we met Usopp."

"The Great Captain Usopp!" the curly-haired young man interjected.

"Right," Kai laughed. "Who told us the most outlandish tales we'd ever heard."

"Hey! They weren't all lies!" Usopp protested.

"No, they weren't," Kai agreed. "Especially the one about a pirate posing as a butler."

Kaya's expression became more serious. "Klahadore... or rather, Captain Kuro. He had been poisoning me and my parents for months."

"He was planning to kill Kaya and take her family fortune," Usopp explained to Luffy and the others. "But when Kai and Nami arrived, everything changed."

"When Usopp told us his suspicions, I had Red Queen analyze Kaya's symptoms," Kai explained. "The AI confirmed it was a slow-acting poison commonly used by assassins."

"That's when we confronted Kuro," Nami said. "He didn't expect anyone to see through his disguise."

"It was an impressive fight," Usopp admitted. "I've never seen anyone move as fast as Kuro with his cat claws, but Kai was faster."

"Not naturally faster," Kai corrected. "I had to use my wish power to boost my reflexes. Even then, it was close."

"But you won!" Usopp exclaimed. "And then you used that amazing containment device to seal him away!"

"My Dimensional Prison Book," Kai nodded. "The same one I used for Arlong and his crew. It's one of my more useful creations."

"After Kai defeated Kuro, we discovered he'd been poisoning not just Kaya but her parents too," Nami explained. "That's when Kai offered to help."

"He saved our lives," Kaya said softly. "My parents and I would have died without his intervention. The poison was undetectable by normal means."

"Once they were on the road to recovery, the Wittlebys wanted to repay us," Kai continued. "That's when I learned that Merry was a former shipwright."

"Indeed," Merry adjusted his glasses with pride. "In my younger days, I designed and built several vessels. Nothing fancy, but seaworthy."

"And that's when I got the idea," Kai said. "I still had some Adam Wood from our discovery of the hidden island. So I proposed a trade—the wood and some designs for a custom ship."

"A ship worthy of the future Pirate King," Nami added with a smile.

As they crested the hill, a collective gasp rose from the group. Below them, anchored in a hidden cove, was a magnificent caravel. Its distinctive sheep figurehead gleamed in the morning sun, and its pristine white hull shone against the blue water. The ship was considerably larger than a standard caravel, with three masts instead of the usual two.

"The Going Merry!" Merry announced proudly. "Built with the finest Adam Wood, according to Mr. Zarathius's specifications!"

"AWESOME!" Luffy shouted, eyes wide with excitement. "It's perfect!"

"It's at least three times the size of a normal caravel," Sanji observed, clearly impressed.

"And made of Adam Wood," Zoro added, touching the hull reverently as they approached. "The strongest shipbuilding material in the world."

"It's beautiful," Nami whispered, squeezing Kai's hand.

Kai smiled, pleased by their reactions. "Shall we take a tour?"

Merry led them up the gangplank and onto the main deck. "As you can see, we've maintained the traditional layout of a caravel but expanded it significantly. The figurehead is carved from a single piece of Adam Wood, making it practically indestructible."

"And look at the sails!" Usopp pointed proudly. "I painted our Jolly Roger myself!"

Above them, a black flag fluttered in the breeze, bearing a skull wearing Luffy's distinctive straw hat.

"I love it!" Luffy declared, spinning around to take in every detail.

"The ship has multiple levels," Merry continued. "The main deck, of course, where we're standing now. Below, there's a spacious galley and dining area, a dedicated navigation room, a library, and separate quarters for the men and women."

"A proper kitchen!" Sanji exclaimed, already heading toward the galley. "With real equipment!"

"The lowest level contains cargo holds and storage," Merry added. "Plus a workshop space that Mr. Zarathius specifically requested."

"For my inventions," Kai explained. "I'll need somewhere to work on new gadgets as we travel."

"And there's a cannon deck," Merry pointed to the mid-level. "Plus a crow's nest with excellent visibility."

"It's perfect for long voyages," Nami said, examining the craftsmanship. "Especially for the Grand Line."

"That was the idea," Kai nodded. "We knew we'd need something special for what lies ahead."

As they explored the ship, Luffy became more and more excited, bouncing from room to room like a child on his birthday. Sanji immediately claimed the kitchen as his domain, already planning menus based on the available equipment. Zoro found a corner of the deck perfect for his training, while Nami carefully examined the navigation room, pleased with its array of instruments.

"There's one more thing," Kai said mysteriously, leading them back to the main deck. He pressed a hidden panel, revealing a small compartment containing a beautifully crafted piano.

"A piano?" Luffy asked, puzzled.

"I created it with my paintbrush," Kai explained. "Music is important for long voyages, don't you think?"

That evening, they held a celebration on the deck of the Going Merry. Kaya's family provided food and drink, and the entire village came to see off their new heroes. Usopp's three young followers—Carrot, Pepper, and Onion—darted about excitedly, asking endless questions about pirates and adventures.

As night fell, Kai seated himself at the piano and began to play a hauntingly familiar melody. It took the others a moment to recognize it as "Binks' Sake," an old pirate song.

"How do you know that song?" Luffy asked, surprised.

"Let's just say it's a classic where I come from," Kai replied with a wink. Then he began to sing, his voice carrying over the water:

"Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,

Binks' Sake take it slow,

For the voyage never ends,

The wave goodbye will turn to greetings,

Their song of the heart forever sings..."

One by one, the others joined in, their voices blending in harmony under the star-filled sky. Nami leaned against Kai's shoulder, watching Luffy dance with Usopp and the children. Zoro drank contentedly from a large mug, while Sanji charmed the village women with his gentlemanly manners.

In that moment, Kai felt truly at home. This was what he had wished for—not just survival in a strange world, but a place to belong, with people who accepted him despite his differences. As the red-haired Devilukean played the piano beneath the stars, his heart-shaped tail swaying gently to the rhythm, he knew he had found his crew—his family.

The next morning dawned clear and bright—perfect sailing weather. The Going Merry was loaded with supplies generously provided by Kaya's family. Fresh food, barrels of water, and even some new clothes filled the storage holds.

"Are you ready to join us officially?" Luffy asked Usopp, who stood on the dock with his small travel pack.

"Absolutely!" Usopp declared, though his knees trembled slightly. "The Great Captain Usopp is prepared for any adventure!"

"Then welcome aboard!" Luffy extended his hand, which Usopp eagerly grasped.

"I've packed all the medical supplies you requested," Kaya told Kai, handing him a large case. "And some books on treatment for common ailments."

"Thank you," Kai replied sincerely. "They'll be invaluable."

"And don't forget this," Merry added, presenting Nami with a beautifully bound logbook. "For recording your adventures."

As they prepared to set sail, Usopp turned to say farewell to his young followers.

"Listen up, men!" he proclaimed, striking a heroic pose. "I'm off to become a brave warrior of the sea! When I return, I'll have even more amazing stories—and they'll all be true!"

"We'll miss you, Captain Usopp!" the boys chorused, saluting tearfully.

"Take care of the village while I'm gone!"

With final goodbyes exchanged, the newly expanded Straw Hat crew boarded the Going Merry. Kai and Nami took their positions at the helm, Zoro prepared to raise the anchor, Sanji made last-minute checks of the provisions, and Usopp joined Luffy at the bow.

"Where to, Captain?" Kai called to Luffy.

"Loguetown!" Luffy declared without hesitation. "The beginning and end of the Pirate King!"

"Loguetown it is," Nami confirmed, consulting her charts. "With this ship and favorable winds, we should reach it in three days."

As the Going Merry sailed away from Syrup Village, Kai couldn't help but smile at the significance of their destination. Loguetown—where he had first arrived in this world, and where their true journey would begin. The circle was completing itself.

"You're thinking about something," Nami observed, sidling up beside him at the helm.

"Just about how far we've come," Kai replied, slipping an arm around her waist. "And how much further we have to go."

"Are you worried?" she asked.

"No," Kai said, watching Luffy's excitement as he perched on the sheep figurehead, pointing toward the horizon. "With this crew, I think anything is possible."

That night, as the others slept, Kai stood watch at the helm. The stars above were bright, reflecting off the peaceful sea. He activated his communicator.

"Red Queen, are you there?"

"Always, Kai," the AI responded, her voice warm and familiar. "The ship's systems are integrated successfully. The Going Merry is performing excellently."

"And our trajectory?"

"On course for Loguetown. Estimated arrival: three days, seven hours, assuming current weather patterns hold."

Kai nodded, satisfied. "And the crew?"

"All sleeping soundly. Vital signs normal. They seem... happy."

"So am I, Red Queen," Kai admitted, gazing up at the stars. "So am I."

As the Going Merry sailed through the night, carrying its crew of dreamers toward their destiny, Kai Zarathius—former Devilukean orphan, dimension traveler, and now Straw Hat pirate—felt truly at peace for the first time since arriving in this world.

The adventure was just beginning.