The sun had barely risen over Syrup Village, painting the sky in soft amber hues, when the Mirror Star floated silently at anchor, her time nearly done. The ship had carried Vihaan, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami through calm and storm alike. But today… a new chapter waited on the horizon.
From the hilltop, Kaya watched as her friends prepared for departure, a gentle breeze tugging at her pale yellow dress.
Below, by the newly gifted Going Merry, Usopp stood with his arms crossed, trying—and failing—to hide the shimmer in his eyes.
"You sure you wanna come?" Vihaan teased, adjusting the collar of his coat. "You know, no more lying in bed pretending to be a brave warrior. You'll actually have to be one now."
Usopp puffed out his chest. "I was born to be brave! Besides, what kind of man leaves his future crew behind?"
Luffy laughed. "Welcome aboard!"
Zoro gave a lazy nod.
Nami muttered something about idiots and sighed.
Kaya stepped forward, something wrapped in silk in her hands.
"Usopp…" she said softly. "Wait."
He turned, blinking.
Kaya held out the bundle. "Before you go… this is for you. For both of you, actually."
Vihaan stepped beside Usopp, curious. Kaya unwrapped the silk carefully, revealing a list of book titles and a small key.
"The mansion's west wing… you never entered it."
Usopp's eyes widened. "The library?"
She nodded. "I've seen how curious you get when no one's looking. I figured… this time, you might need more than stories."
Vihaan raised a brow, impressed. "You're giving us access?"
"It's all old engineering books my father collected… and one or two on sword forms and physical training," she said. "I think you'll put them to better use now."
Before setting sail, Usopp and Vihaan ran—literally—back to the mansion, pushing open the heavy oak doors to Kaya's hidden library.
The scent of old paper, ink, and dreams filled the room.
Wooden shelves curved around the walls like tree roots. Dust swirled in the filtered light. It was less a room and more a vault.
"Whoa," Usopp whispered. "This place is huge."
Vihaan didn't answer. He was already thumbing through a manual on ship rudder torque and hull pressure curves.
After an hour of speed-reading and selective skimming, they packed twelve books:
Introduction to Sail Ship Engineering
Naval Rudder Systems and Steering Designs
Woodwork Repair and Onboard Maintenance
Basic Cannon Mounting & Modification
Compass Calibration & Weather Instrumentation
Handcrafted Mechanics: Pulley Systems and Lifts
Sea Survival Tools and Compact Engineering
The Grand Line's Weather & Mechanism Adaptation
Miniature Weapon Engineering
Visual Illusions and Projection (Mirror Use Concepts)
Battlefield Fortifications: Mobile Covers & Traps
Ship Remodeling and Deck Optimization
And one humble title, worn and faded:
Beginner Swordsmanship and Strength Foundations
Usopp took the last one. Vihaan nodded in approval.
They left a note on Kaya's desk:
We'll come back to return them. When we're stronger. Thank you for trusting us.– Usopp & Vihaan
Back at the Going Merry
By midafternoon, the Going Merry was finally ready. The sheep-head prow looked almost proud, as if eager for adventure.
Nami had already claimed the navigation room. Zoro stood near the mast, testing how the weight of his swords shifted with the new deck wood. Luffy had somehow already found a barrel to sit on and was happily chomping meat.
Vihaan stepped aboard last, looking back at the Mirror Star one final time.
"She carried us far," he murmured.
"She looked like a bathtub," Zoro corrected.
Vihaan smirked. "But a loyal bathtub."
They all laughed.
Later that Night
The Going Merry cut through gentle waves as the stars above flickered into view.
In the quiet, Vihaan and Usopp sat near the stern, the books stacked beside them. Vihaan was turning the pages of a mirror theory tome, fingers tracing a diagram for bending reflected heat.
Usopp was reading aloud from the swordsmanship guide, trying to mimic a basic stance.
"Feet shoulder-width apart," he muttered, holding a stick. "Grip firm but relaxed. Blade angled—ow! Cramp!"
Vihaan chuckled. "You're getting there."
"I'm just saying," Usopp said between breaths, "even if I'm not strong yet, at least I'm preparing. I want to be useful to the crew."
Vihaan looked up from his book. "You already are, Usopp. But if you want to become stronger… I'll train with you."
Usopp's eyes widened. "Really?"
Vihaan offered his hand. "To the Grand Line and beyond."
Usopp shook it. "To the future Pirate Kings."
Vihaan grinned. "Co-Kings."
They both laughed under the stars.
Meanwhile... Below Deck
In the lower cabin, Nami sketched new sea routes.
Zoro meditated cross-legged in the corner, trying to balance all three of his swords on his shoulders. Luffy was sprawled across a hammock with a full belly, snoring softly.
The ship creaked and swayed gently, but there was no turbulence—only the sense of something beginning.
A crew, still rough around the edges.
But united.