SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 78 out, this is Chapter 79 of this fic and I am finally back on the On Piece bandwagon. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Pairings: Ace/Sasha, sibling Luffy/Sasha and Sabo/Sasha, patriotic-retainer Law/Sasha

Disclaimers: One Piece belongs to Oda Eiichirō-sensei. Me, on the other hand, own absolutely nothing, except my OC.

Chapter 79: Arc 7: The Pirate Flag Flutters With Sorrow!

"Are you sure?" Sanji echoed after he and Chopper returned to the ship and Zoro informed them about what Kaku had told them.

"That's what that shipwright said." Zoro confirmed.

"Our ship..." Sanji trailed.

"Can't be repaired?" Chopper gasped. "Even with all that money? Then, what about Merry? What's gonna happen to her?"

"I dunno." Zoro replied. "It'll depend on what Luffy and the others decide to do. Those three are at the shipyard, so they'll tell the shipwright what to do."

"Still, isn't it a bit extreme?" Sanji wondered. "I mean, look! The ship's the same as ever. She's sailed with us all the way from East Blue."

"It's because she's sailed all the way." Zoro confirmed. "A person can overcome obstacles and become stronger, but a ship isn't like that. The wounds keep building up and never heal."

"That still doesn't sit well with me." Sanji hissed. "Can you imagine what Usopp will say when he hears that?"

"I love Merry!" Chopper voiced.

"We all do." Sasha agreed. "But the damage is too extensive. There's nothing we can do; I've already knew this. Because," she let out a breath. "Back on Skypiea, Going Merry's soul appeared before me. That child... she told me... she's reaching her limits."

"I'm worried about Merry and Robin-chan." Sanji admitted. "I can't shake this uneasy feeling."

"Guys!" Nami called.

"Nami's back." Chopper hurried over to the other side of the bridge.

"She's by herself." Sanji noted. "Where are Luffy and Usopp? Nami-san, did something happen?" he waved.

"Usopp's awake!" Chopper informed the crew.

"Really?" Luffy beamed.

"That's a relief." Nami sighed.

"Oi, Usopp!" Luffy called.

"You really had us worried." Nami chided the heavily bandaged Usopp.

"Damn right." Sanji agreed. "You could've gotten yourself killed charging in there like that. We're just glad you made it out alive."

"Think things through before you act." Zoro scolded.

"I've been nothing but a burden." Usopp muttered. "I'm sorry. I really am. I'm ashamed, guys. We needed that money, but I..."

"Usopp, you should be in bed." Chopper reminded.

"So then..." Usopp trailed. "There's no way to get the money back?"

"We won't know until this Franky guy gets back." Luffy admitted. "Even if it's gone, we still have 100 million Berri. Don't worry about it."

"But Luffy, what about the ship?" Usopp asked. "Is 100 million enough to fix her? We're here at a first-class shipyard, so they can do it, right? They'll make the ship stronger than ever. And we'll keep sailing. She'll be as good as new. So? Can we afford to hire them with 100 million? How about it, Luffy?"

"The thing is..." Luffy started. "Usopp, about the ship, I've decided to get a new one. I'm sorry about deciding while you weren't around. But I've decided. The Going Merry's been really great to us but it's time to say goodbye. So, look." he pulled out the catalog he received from Iceburg. "I got this catalog from the Ice-ossan's place. There's a lot of brand new ships that we could buy. With 100 million, we could buy a really big used ship..."

"Wait." Usopp cut him off. "This is a pretty tasteless joke, not to mention ridiculous. What?" he gasped, seeing everyone else's solemn expressions. "You mean we can't afford the repairs?"

"That's not it." Luffy protested. "Losing the money has nothing to do with it! It was a hard decision! The Merry..." he shouted his reason.

"What did you say?" Usopp stammered.

"Don't make me repeat it." Luffy hissed. "The Merry can't be fixed. No one can repair her. If there was any other way, I wouldn't be doing this."

"It is our ship." Usopp argued. "This ship we're all standing on."

"That's right." Luffy confirmed. "This ship is gonna sink. That's what they said at the shipyard. It won't reach the next island."

"So, you let some guys you just met feed you a line, and you are happy about it?" Usopp snorted. "Some so-called first class shipwrights said it can't be done and you believed them? We have been together for our whole journey! Through rough seas and battles."

"Usopp," Sasha cut his rant short. "Would you like to hear the truth right out of Merry's mouth herself?"

"I..." the sniper was agape.

"Everyone, activate your Observation Haki." Sasha instructed and Going Merry's Klabautermann shimmered into existence on Sasha's lap.

The crew blinked at the short-haired young girl who was making herself comfortable in Sasha's arms.

"Merry?" Usopp blinked.

"That's me." Merry chirped.

"So, you're a girl, Merry-chan?" Sanji asked.

Merry looked at the cook cutely, "All of you refer to me as 'she', so I'm a girl. Usopp-nii," she turned to Usopp. "Luffy-nii is right; after the Knockup Stream, I'm already nearing my limit." the girl looked downcast. "I want to go on more adventures with all of you, but my time is already running out. You have to let me go." she implored. "I don't want all of you to sink with me. Please!" she sniffled.

"Alright." Usopp sighed in defeat.

With that, Merry gave the crew one last heartfelt smile and vanished.

SailorStar9: Any OOC-nes is regretted. *Sighs* Don't you just hate plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.