Toward Shells Town
The Battle Atlas cut smoothly across the waves, its massive hull parting the sea as gulls wheeled overhead. Alvida's ship was a smoldering wreck behind them, already vanishing into the horizon.
Coby stood on the deck in awe, still hardly able to believe where he was. "T-thank you… both of you. If you hadn't shown up, I… I never would've gotten free."
Luffy grinned, arms behind his head, straw hat tilting in the breeze. "'Course we helped. You're free now, right? That's what matters."
Tessal didn't answer right away. He was crouched near the Atlas' forge-bay, gauntlets clinking as he tightened bolts and adjusted panels. Sparks flashed as he worked, and Coby found his eyes drawn to the strange shape forming under Tessal's tools — a compact, beetle-like device no bigger than a shield.
Finally, Tessal stood, wiping sweat from his brow. "This is for you, Coby."
Coby blinked, startled. "F-for me?"
Tessal handed over the device: a disc-shaped construct with ridged plating and a folding handle. "The Scarab Aegis. It's not a weapon — it's a defense unit. Deploy it, and the plating expands into a full shield. Strong enough to block blades and bullets, maybe even a cannonball if you're lucky." His eyes narrowed slightly. "If you're going to chase your dream, you'll need something to protect yourself until you can stand tall on your own."
Coby's hands trembled as he took the gift, staring at it like it was a miracle. "I… I don't know what to say. Thank you, Tessal!"
Luffy dropped down cross-legged beside them, his grin never fading. "So, what's your dream, Coby? Everyone's got one."
Coby swallowed hard, then clenched his fists. "I'm going to join the Marines! I want to fight for justice and protect people from pirates like Alvida!" His voice rang louder this time, full of conviction.
"Shishishi!" Luffy laughed. "I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"
They both turned to Tessal. For a moment, the hum of the ship was the only sound. Then Tessal's gaze drifted toward the endless horizon, his armored hand tightening around a wrench.
"I'll change the world," he said simply.
Silence followed, not out of doubt, but out of weight. Each boy's dream felt larger than the sea itself.
Soon, the shorelines of Shells Town rose in the distance, its marine base tower cutting into the sky. Coby leaned over the railing, eyes shining. "There it is! The start of my new life!"
Luffy bounced to his feet, straw hat casting a shadow over his grin. "Then let's go find Zoro."
Tessal's gauntlets clicked into place as the Atlas drifted toward the docks. "And see how far our first steps take us."
The ship creaked, the sails snapped, and the three boys stood on the deck with dreams burning brighter than the sun.
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Would you like me to expand Shells Town so Tessal gets involved alongside Luffy in freeing Zoro, or should Tessal stay more in the background during the canon Zoro scenes, only stepping in for big moments?