"Aww," Luffy moaned, "do we have to leave already?"

Nami flipped her hair over her shoulder in frustration. "For the twelfth time, Luffy, YES! The Marines are sure to catch onto us staying here soon, and we've already caused Deity enough trouble. Besides, we don't have time to fight them."

"Nami's right, Luffy," Deity added, "the Marines are supposed to be coming for an inspection of the town today, and if they catch sight of you, who knows when you'll be able to leave?"

"Yeah, but I still don't like it."

...Neither do I.

The weekend had gone by much too fast for Deity's liking. It was already Monday morning, and as the Straw Hats were packing up the last of their belongings back on the Thousand Sunny, Deity felt a deep sadness.

I wish they could stay a little bit longer...

"We're almost ready," Franky called down to them, "Luffy, we're out of here in ten!"

"Thanks for having us, Deity," Chopper giggled beside him, "It was a blast!"

"It was my pleasure, Chopper."

He stood still for a moment, before Deity realized that he was holding back tears. "I-I'm going to m-miss you!" He jumped up and hugged Deity tightly. "G-goodbye!"

Deity hugged him back. "Goodbye, Chopper. Thanks for healing my injury."

"No p-problem...wait! Luffy, did you apologize about that yet?"

"Uh, no, sorry, I forgot." He bowed to Deity. "I'm sorry."

"IT'S A LITTLE LATE TO APOLOGIZE TO HIM NOW!"

Robin sneaked up behind them and poked Deity on the shoulder. "I hope you don't mind," she said as she held a few books on her other hand, "but I stole a couple of history texts for the road."

"They're all yours, Robin. You deserve them more than I do."

She smiled and walked over towards the Thousand Sunny. "Don't worry, when I fulfil my dream you'll be one of the first to know."

As Deity finally managed to pry Chopper off of him, Sanji ran past him and spun towards Nami. "Nami-swan, I completely restocked Deity's kitchen, just like you asked!"

"Thank you, Sanji." She winked in Deity's direction. "A little token of our gratitude."

"Oh, well, thanks."

"Bought with your money, of course."

Should have known there'd be a catch.

"Hey," Zoro called out to them, "has anyone seen my dumbbells?"

"Yeah, Sanji replied as he lit a new cigarette, "and I'm looking at one."

"What'd you say, you stupid chef?"

"You heard me loud and clear, moss for brains!"

"Why, I oughta-" he lunged off the ship and down at Sanji.

Wow, Deity thought to himself as Zoro and Sanji fought, I really did get to see two real pirates duke it out!...Didn't think it'd be over something so stupid...

"YOHOHOHOHO!" Brook danced around aboard the deck. "It's been plenty fun here on Jupiter Island! Perhaps I shall sing a song for our departure!"

"Not right now," Usopp answered as he loaded his crate of tools onto the ship, "we have to get moving – I've recently caught the Not-in-the-mood-to-fight-any-Marines sickness."

"Oh, man," Deity said, " is it serious?"

"Deadly."

"What?!"

"USOPP, YOU LIAR!"

"Chopper, it's serious! Really!"

The entire crew burst into laughter, and Deity soon joined in.

This feels so good...I don't think I've ever laughed so much in my life as I have this weekend.

"Okay," Luffy smacked Deity on the back, "we're off, then." He stretched out his arms, grabbed the railing and flew onto the deck. "Don't worry, we'll come by again some time and say hi."

Chopper ran up the stairs onto the deck. "Stay healthy, Deity!"

Deity smiled. "I'll do my best!"

"Don't forget to practice those elegant lullaby's!"

"I won't, Brook."

"Take care of that Tangerine garden!"

"Of course!"

"Remember those cooking tips I taught you!"

"I don't think I'll ever forget!"

"Keep your sword happy."

"Got it."

"Always be SUPER!"

"...Sure."

"Eat lots of meat every day!"

"Thanks, Luffy."

Sniping practice with Usopp...cooking lessons with Sanji...reading with Robin...golf with Franky...I don't think I could ever forget these memories.

"You know," Luffy grinned, "you could always come with us!"

"...What?"

"You know, run off and become a pirate, like we all did!"

"Yeah," Chopper exclaimed, "come on, Deity!"

Join...the Straw Hat Pirates...? Me, a pirate?...

He examined the ship, and studied the expressions of each member, as a faint memory rose in his mind.

"Someday, you'll have to make a very tough decision, Deity," his father had told him many times before, "one that will affect your life forever. What it is or who it'll be for, I can't say, but remember – your choice affects others, so choose wisely."

"...I'd love to-"

DING-DONG!

"Whoa," Usopp yelled over the deafening ringing, "what on earth is that sound, an alarm, or something?!"

"No," Deity sighed, "it's the palace doorbell. Someone's at the door."

"Geez," Sanji said, "loud enough. Everyone on the island must know whenever you have a guest."

"Yeah, we still have to work out the kinks. I should go see who it is."

"What if it's the Marines?"

"Probably not. They're not due for another hour or so. It's probably my parents, home from their trip."

"Oh."

The crew was silent for a moment, before Usopp gawked. "If they find is here, they'll kill us!"

"Uh, Usopp, my parents would never-"

"Besides," Nami said, "if the Marines learn you had pirates in your house, you'll get in trouble."

"True...I'll go see who it is."

"But," Chopper whined, "what about joining us?"

"Sorry," Deity replied as he jogged back to the palace, "but I have responsibilities here. Don't worry, though, I'll wait for you to return!"

"Right!" Franky ran to the wheel and howled for joy. "Let's get going, guys!"

Deity watched as the ship began to ride into the waters. "...Guys!"

They all looked back, and Deity cupped his hands around his mouth.

"I KNOW YOU'LL ALL REACH YOUR DREAMS!"

Luffy gave him the thumbs up.

"You gotcha! Bye, Deity!"

He waved to them until the doorbell rang again.

DING-DONG!

Boy, do I have a story to tell mother and father!