Everything wrapped up smoothly.
After tightly binding Kuro and confiscating his weapons, the group headed to the restaurant for a well-deserved meal.
Later, Kaya approached them, saying she wanted to give them a gift. She then led everyone to the coast, where a middle-aged man wearing a croissant-shaped hat was waiting. Behind him stood a sailboat with a sheep's head at the bow.
The moment they saw it, Luffy and Nami cheered excitedly.
"Whoo-hoo! What a beautiful ship!"
"This ship is for all of you," Kaya said with a warm smile, her words even sweeter than her expression.
Carl grinned. "Luffy, we've got a new ship!"
The horned steward, Merry, stepped forward to introduce it. "This vessel is called the Going Merry. Though it's a bit small, I designed it with a reinforced cross structure—"
Before he could finish, Nami cut him off impatiently. "Ah! Just get to the point!"
After all, explaining ship details to most of them was pointless—Carl was probably the only one who understood sailing.
Luffy, meanwhile, was fixated on the ship's bow, grinning. "Haha! This is awesome, especially the sheep's head!"
Kaya added, "I've also stocked the ship with daily necessities."
"Really? Thanks a lot! What luck!" Luffy beamed, as carefree as ever.
Zoro sighed. "Some people have it too easy…"
Carl, however, seemed deep in thought. He studied Kaya carefully, his gaze lingering for so long that she started blushing.
Then, out of nowhere, he asked, "By the way, Kaya, aren't you Usopp's girlfriend?"
"Ah—uh—no, it's not like that!" Kaya stammered, caught off guard.
"So, if I wanted to pursue you, that'd be okay?"
"Eh? Eh?!!"
Kaya was completely flustered. The others were just as shocked, and Merry quickly stepped in front of Kaya, wary of Carl's intentions.
Luffy was the first to snap out of it, laughing. "Hahaha! No way, Teacher Carl likes the Makino type!"
"Sister Makino?"
"Oh, she's the owner of a bar in my hometown. She's always taken good care of me. She's really kind, and her personality is a lot like Kaya's," Luffy explained.
With that, everyone understood.
Kaya was still blushing, unsure how to respond to Carl, but luckily, he didn't press the matter, as if he had just been joking.
However, the truth was that Carl had been at least half-serious. Kaya was gentle, kind, beautiful, curvaceous, and wealthy—she really did resemble Makino in many ways. If she had been interested, it wouldn't have been a bad life to settle down here after the voyage.
But some things couldn't be forced, and it was clear Kaya had no such intentions.
Just then, a loud noise came from uphill. A large ball-shaped backpack tumbled down, with Usopp's panicked screams following right behind. Luckily, Zoro stepped in and stopped the bag from rolling straight into the sea.
It looked like Usopp was planning to set sail with them.
Kaya, looking reluctant, pulled Usopp aside to speak with him privately.
Meanwhile, Luffy and the others were busy transferring supplies from the Black Cat Pirates' ship to their new one. Even Jango and the Nyaban Brothers weren't spared from the labor, and even the lion, Liki, was forced to work.
Carl thought for a moment, then approached Kaya as she returned with Usopp.
"Kaya, we're pirates. We can't exactly take the Black Cat Pirates' ship and crew with us. Would you be able to handle things on your end? Of course, you'll get a share of the profits," Carl said.
Kaya nodded. "Yes, my family's business is doing well, and we have some connections with the Marines."
Carl turned to Luffy. "Captain, what do you think?"
Luffy didn't seem to care much. "If that's the case, then we'll leave it to you, Miss Kaya."
Nami, on the other hand, was thrilled. Even if they had to give Kaya a cut, being able to sell the ship and supplies right away was a huge win. However, Kaya was surprisingly generous—she refused to take a commission and immediately sent Merry to fetch the money. Nami couldn't have been happier.
Soon, Kaya's house guards, led by Merry, arrived to take custody of the captured pirates, including Kuro.
However, when they went to take Jango away, Carl suddenly stopped them.
"Luffy, I'm kind of interested in hypnosis. Can we keep Jango for a while? Once I've learned it, I'll figure out a way to turn him in for his bounty."
Luffy shrugged. "Sure, whatever, Mr. Carl."
Jango, who had just regained consciousness, glanced at Carl gratefully upon hearing this.
Carl just grinned. The real reason he wanted to keep Jango wasn't for hypnosis—it was to see a real-life version of the moonwalk dance from his world.
Once everything was settled, the new ship was ready to depart.
Usopp had prepared a small boat, standing beside Kaya as he called out, "You guys take care!"
Luffy looked confused. "Why?"
"Why?! We fought together! At least act a little sad that I'm not coming with you!" Usopp yelled, feeling like he was about to cry.
"Okay! Hurry up and get on!" Zoro suddenly said.
Usopp froze.
Luffy grinned. "You're already one of us, aren't you?"
Usopp's whole body trembled, and he nearly teared up. But instead, he puffed out his chest and declared, "I—I'll be the captain!"
Luffy immediately shot back, "Baka! I'm the captain!"
Everyone laughed at their bickering.
And just like that, Usopp officially joined the Straw Hat Pirates. As they sailed away, he waved goodbye to Kaya, who smiled warmly, though Carl could tell she was reluctant to part with him.
Midway through the voyage, Carl prepared food and drinks, and everyone gathered on the deck.
"To our new ship and new crewmate!" Luffy cheered, raising his cup.
Everyone joined in the toast.
Zoro was especially happy—after a hard fight, he could finally enjoy some good sake again. Nothing felt better.
Meanwhile, Carl untied Jango's ropes and pulled him over. At first, Jango was a little wary, but the cheerful atmosphere quickly won him over.
"Jango, you can dance, right? C'mon! Let's see what you got!" Carl encouraged.
Jango hesitated for only a moment before nodding. Dancing was his thing, after all. He couldn't even walk properly without adding a little flair.
As soon as he started moving, Carl joined in, and before long, even Liki the lion was grooving along.
Carl used his abilities to keep the rhythm going, and soon Luffy and Usopp got involved too. Their dancing wasn't the best, but they were having a blast.
The Going Merry set sail toward new adventures, filled with laughter and music.