No way, no way… No way!
This might actually work!
Luffy and the others stared at the Going Merry, which had now shrunk to the size of a toy boat, floating on the sea surface.
Their expressions were frozen in shock, one more dumbfounded than the next.
This…
What the hell?
Vir can shrink things now?
Did he eat a Devil Fruit?
Otherwise, how could he possibly do something like this?
Is there anything Vir can’t do?
But why did he shrink the Merry?
Wasn’t it already repaired?
The small boat carrying Luffy and the others rowed toward Vir.
Iceburg and his men, seeing this, also understood—
Vir must have eaten a Devil Fruit with this kind of ability.
This power… if used for shipbuilding, would be unimaginably convenient.
He could definitely become a top-tier shipwright.
Why did he choose to be a doctor instead?
This ability has nothing to do with medicine…
Before long, Luffy and the others arrived in front of Vir.
Seeing the miniaturized Merry, they were all amazed.
“Vir, why did you shrink the Going Merry?”
At that moment, Usopp, as if already guessing something, asked calmly.
But beneath that calm tone, he was hiding a deep sorrow.
The others also turned their eyes to Vir, wanting to hear his answer.
In their minds, shrinking the Merry meant Vir had no intention of letting it continue sailing.
But… wasn’t the Merry already fixed…?
Vir was silent for a moment at the question.
Then, looking seriously at the crew before him, he stated firmly:
“It’s no longer fit to carry us.”
The moment those words left his lips, it was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.
The impact of this news on them was immense.
Usopp immediately collapsed to the ground, staring blankly at the tiny Merry.
“Not… fit anymore…?”
Usopp muttered.
“I believe you all understand—
The New World is far more brutal than anything the Merry has faced before.”
“If you truly care about it, then let it rest.”
“It carried us this far.”
“It’s already exhausted…”
Vir spoke sincerely as he looked at the still-young faces in front of him.
The Merry surely wanted and was willing to keep carrying them.
But its mission, its journey at sea, had already reached its end.
A heavy silence fell over the group.
No one spoke—they were still processing the reality of the situation.
In the end, the Going Merry really couldn’t carry them anymore.
The joy they had felt just moments ago was washed away once again.
“Vir, what do you plan to do with the Merry?”
Usopp broke the silence, asking the key question.
How would they handle the now-miniature Merry?
The moment he asked, an idea struck Luffy.
“Since the Going Merry is small now, why don’t we ask the shipwrights here to build a better ship, and we can place Mini Merry on that ship?!”
When it came to matters involving his friends, Luffy never disappointed.
His words echoed the very thought Vir had once considered.
Hearing Luffy’s idea, everyone—including Usopp—brightened up.
Yes.
This…
This could actually work.
They would have a ship fit for the New World and still keep the Merry!
Grinning, Luffy reached out to pick up the Merry.
But as he bent down and put all his strength into lifting—
Not only did he fail to pick it up, he ended up pulling himself into the water instead!
*Splash!*
*Splash!*
Two splashes sounded almost simultaneously.
The moment Luffy fell into the water, Zoro immediately followed, fishing him out.
The speed of it made Vir sigh in admiration.
Truly, a professional rescuer.
That move was way too smooth.
After being rescued, Luffy suddenly realized something.
“Vir, is the Merry… still as heavy as before?”
Luffy asked expectantly.
Seeing Vir nod, everyone understood that their previous idea was unrealistic.
Even though the future Thousand Sunny was much bigger than the Merry, the size difference wasn’t that drastic.
If they placed the Merry on the Sunny, its mobility would take a huge hit.
It would be like constantly dragging another ship around.
Whether it was traveling, escaping, or chasing, they would be greatly hindered.
For pirates who were frequently pursued by the Marines, that could be fatal.
So what now?
Would the Merry really have to be left behind?
The thought crept into everyone’s mind.
No!
No way!
Vir wouldn’t have done this unless he had a solution!
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have shrunk the Merry!
He must have a plan!
“Big bro! Big brooo~”
Though the others stayed silent, Chopper—covered in tears and snot—jumped onto Vir’s face, executing a perfect “Face-Hugging Reindeer” move.
“Big bro~ Save the Merry! We can’t be without it!”
“Sniff~”
Chopper sobbed, sniffling and rubbing his nose all over Vir’s hair…
Vir’s face darkened.
Sensing the danger, Robin quickly sprouted two arms from Vir’s body, pulling Chopper away.
Otherwise, a dangling and thoroughly spanked reindeer would soon be inevitable.
With Chopper now safely in Robin’s arms, Vir reached up and touched his hair.
…
Yep.
His hand was smeared with snot.
But since Robin was already holding Chopper, he couldn’t retaliate.
Just you wait, Chopper!
Shaking his hand and wiping it on the deck, Vir turned his gaze to the Merry.
“I can try putting Mini Merry inside my medical kit.”
Saying this, Vir looked at Luffy for approval.
After all, Luffy was the captain.
And theoretically, the ship was his to decide.
Luffy and the others were briefly stunned by Vir’s suggestion.
“Your medkit can hold something this heavy?”
Luffy asked seriously.
Seeing Vir nod, Luffy fell into thought.
He was wondering what it would be like inside Vir’s kit.
Would the Merry be afraid of the dark in there?
Would Vir open it often to let the Merry see the outside world?
Forget it.
Better to just ask the Merry directly.
“Merry! Do you want to go inside Vir’s medkit?”
Luffy stretched his neck, looking at the tiny ship.
The others had no objections—
If the Going Merry agreed, this would be the best outcome.
Staying with Vir meant staying with them.
They all turned their gaze to the ship.
Soon, a faint yet delighted voice rang out.
“I do~”
Hearing this, a smile spread across Luffy’s face.
If the Merry agreed, then there was no problem!
“Vir, let it stay in your medkit!”
Luffy said firmly.
Vir glanced at each member of the Straw Hats.
Everyone nodded at him.
…Except Robin.
Since that was the case, he would give it a try.
Lifting the Going Merry, he opened his medical kit and placed it inside.
No difficulty—
It went in effortlessly.
Then—
*Ding!*
Vir froze.
What now?
Why was the system reacting?
[Congratulations, Host! You have obtained ownership of the Going Merry and acquired a Ship Spirit!]
[Upgrade this system to enchant the ship! Once enchanted, the Ship Spirit can assist in battle!]
[Ding! Host, please upgrade the system as soon as possible!]
The system’s voice echoed in Vir’s mind.
He stood there, stunned.
For a long time, he didn’t recover.
…What the hell?
A Ship Spirit that can assist in battle?
What kind of ability could that be?
Vir had no idea.
But one thing was certain—
Once he finished treating Whitebeard, he had to upgrade the system.
And enchant the Merry first.