"Then let's set sail!" Luffy shouted.
Nami took hold of the helm, turning it smoothly toward the open sea, guiding the Going Merry around the island to the other side—where their old ship had been left behind.
Kaya felt the wind brush against her face, the sea calm and gentle. The peaceful rhythm of sailing settled her heart, strengthening her resolve. Watching Usopp and the others—how easily they were wounded, how often they risked their lives—pushed her dream forward even more. She wanted to become a doctor who could heal and protect others.
Merry began explaining the ship in detail to Nami, the only one who could truly follow his technical talk. He even pointed out the small garden he had built into it. Nami listened quietly, though her thoughts were in turmoil. She knew she would have to leave soon—but for now, she allowed herself to enjoy the moment.
Time seemed to slow, letting them simply feel the act of sailing.
After a while, they reached the shore on the other side of the island.
They all saw it.
A merchant ship—completely dilapidated. Around it were wrecked vessels, shattered wood, broken masts, and pirate flags scattered across the shore. The rocks were cracked, ship parts littered the water. It looked like a battlefield.
And in the center of it all stood the ruined ship.
"W-what happened here?" Luffy asked.
Nami narrowed her eyes. "Looks like the Black Cat Pirates split their ships, planning to attack from both sides."
Kaya, Usopp, and Merry stared.
"Then… does that mean someone stopped them before they even reached the shore?" Usopp asked.
"Looks like it," Nami replied.
Usopp swallowed hard. "I can't believe it… counting the wreckage—one, two, three… four… five… six… seven. Seven ships in total. Just who could do something like this?"
"Shishishishi," Luffy laughed. "That's our bandage guy for you."
Kaya froze at the words bandage guy. She walked closer to Luffy.
"Have you seen a man covered entirely in white bandages? His whole face?" she asked.
"What—you saw Bandage Guy too?!" Luffy exclaimed.
"Yes," Kaya said. "He helped me yesterday."
Nami glanced at Kaya's embarrassed expression, raising an eyebrow. She was about to ask more when—
They saw him.
Standing on the merchant ship's deck.
Tall. A black kimono. A sword at his waist. His face completely wrapped in white bandages, the twin ends trailing in the breeze.
Everyone stared.
Except Luffy, who waved. "Hey, Bandage Guy! We're here to pick you up! This ship Kaya gave us is ours now!"
In the next instant, the man vanished.
"Whoa—where did he go?" Usopp said.
Nami, Kaya, Zoro, and Luffy turned around almost instinctively.
The treasure and bags Nami had brought were now neatly placed on the deck. A towering shadow loomed above them. They lifted their heads.
He was at the crow's nest.
His bandaged head peeked out, staring down at them. He didn't say a word.
"Shishishishi! Don't worry about him," Luffy laughed. "He's just shy!"
Zoro leaned back into the corner and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.
Nami checked the treasure again. Usopp gulped hard at the sight of the bandage man watching them.
"I think… I need a mask," he muttered.
Merry glanced at Kaya—and noticed she was staring intensely at the bandage man.
Somehow… the bandage man seemed to be staring back.
…Probably.
"Alright!" Luffy shouted. "On to another adventure!"
"Wait," Nami said. "Let's dock first and bring Kaya and Merry back to shore."
Just then, they heard his voice.
"I-i c-could s-send t-them b-back… i-if y-you w-want."
Merry's eyes widened. "Oh—that would be a great help. We wouldn't want to delay you any further."
Without another word, the man vanished again, dissolving into black smoke. The smoke reappeared on the deck.
Now the three visitors could see him clearly—his pale hands, unnaturally white.
Usopp gulped again.
Black smoke poured from the man's shoulder, condensing, solidifying—until it formed a living black crow, nearly three feet tall.
"Wooooow!" Luffy shouted.
The crow flew to Merry, gripping the back of his clothes, lifting him into the air. They watched as Merry was carried away, soaring toward the shore—then beyond it, into the woods.
"Wooow! Make me fly too!" Luffy shouted. "I wanna fly!"
NAM.
Nami punched him straight down.
The bandage man extended his hand to Kaya.
"P-please… i-ill t-take y-you b-back h-home."
Kaya took his pale hand and smiled. "Thank you."
She turned to the others. "I think this is it. I wish you all luck."
"Good luck, Kaya," Usopp said. "Take care."
"I will," she replied. "And I'll achieve my dream."
Luffy and Nami smiled. Zoro remained silent in the corner—but he was listening.
"Please… take care of me," Kaya said softly to the man.
The bandage man lifted her into a princess carry.
Black mist spilled from his back, hardening into massive wings—long, black, and angelic, stretching nearly twenty feet wide.
Everyone stared, stunned by their beauty.
"P-please… h-hold t-tight," he said.
Kaya wrapped her arms around his neck.
Swoooooosh.
He leapt into the air, wings beating powerfully as they soared into the sky.
Nami felt something stir in her chest—something she didn't understand yet.
Luffy shook Usopp's shoulders excitedly. Usopp stared at the black wings disappearing into the distance, his eyes never leaving the sky.
"I think I really need a mask," he muttered. "Maybe… a cape too…"
"Hey! Hey, Luffy—stoooop!" Usopp protested as the shaking grew stronger. "I'm getting dizzy—!"