A.n I own Nothing
Thank you all for entering the Bounty Competition, I have received many many entries and suggestions for Connors wanted poster and all of them were great. It makes me really happy to see how many people enjoy this story and choosing the winning name was very difficult. So again thank you all and to everyone who entered give your self a pat on the back.
Sadly their can really only be one winner...however I have decided to chose two names for Connor. One for the rest of the Grand Line and one to be used later in the New World arcs. We have already seen a few Crew members have their epithets changed due to events in the New World, Franky and Usopp are prime examples of this. So I have chosen a second name for Connor from all the entries that were sent to be used later.
Please not the change in names will not happen until after Whole Cake Island at the earliest...could happen after Zou. We will see how we go.
And the winning names are...(insert drum roll here)
1st Grand Line Epithet: Golden Eyes Connor by Guest User Ice. Reason: He has Golden Eyes. Bounty: 1,000 Berii
2nd New World Epithet: Sea Eagle Connor by Guest user Unknown No. Reason: The eagle is the symbol of the Assassins and Connor sails on the sea. Connors New World Bounty will be determined at a later date.
And there we go, the two winners of the Bounty Competition. As I said I received a lot of createdentries, however these two stood out to me the most. Lots of entries were either to do with Connor being an Assassin and him having golden/yellow eyes. Many of the entries also had Connors eyes being similarto Mihawks eyes or a demons.
I chose not to go with those entries(even if they were some really good ones) as I felt it would take too much away from Mihawke and Zoro as Zoro was known and called as a Demon himself when he was Bounty hunting before he joined Luffy's crew. There were also a few names that had to do with Connors Brand but since he dose not like to have it shown I felt that they were not fitting for a pirate name.
The winning names however are exactly what I would expect to see on a wanted poster. They are simple, easy to remember and also make give Connor a uniqueepithet that represents his identifiable traits and would make him stand out in a world filled with pirates. So again congratulations to Guest Users Ice and Unknown No. and again a big thank you to everyone else who entered.
As always Please Review
Paulie stared Lucci in shock; he could not believe what he had just burst in on. About twenty minutes ago he had left Lucci, Kaku and Kalifa to guard Ice-Berg, he knew that their mayor would be safe with them and he trusted all three of them to keep Ice-Berg safe from the Straw Hats. However only now it appeared to be that it was not the Straw Hats that Ice-Berg needed protecting from.
"Kill...why are you trying to kill Ice-Berg?" Paulie demanded.
"There spies for the government," Ice-Berg answered.
"Spies...that can't be true," Paulie stated.
"It is, we are the top and deadly CP9," Lucci claimed.
"CP9, I've never heard of that branch of government before," Paulie said.
"There is a reason for that," Kaku responded "We are the world governments top Assassins,"
"and we never leave any witnesses behind," Kalifa finished
"A...A...Assassins?" Paulie gasped "No...that can't be right,"
"It is," Kalifa agreed "We were sent to infiltrate the Galley-La company and find something that the government wants. As well as eliminate anyone who stands in our way,"
"Those blue prints you had, we want the real ones and thanks to Ice-Berg we now know who has the information we seek," Lucci claimed "so we will be going now,"
He then turned to look down at Ice-Berg.
"After we kill him and you of course," Lucci said coldly.
"LIKE HELL I'LL LET YOU HURT HIM!" Paulie cried out and he rushed in.
However before he could do anything Lucci disappeared and instantly reappeared in front of Paulie. He grabbed Paulie by the shoulder and using he right hand he pointed his finger and jabbed it straight into Paulies shoulder. Paulie stopped his attack and fell to the floor in pain; Lucci had not used a weapon nor was his nails sharpened. Yet he had still managed to penetrate his shoulder with his finger.
"What the hell...how did he do that?" Chopper freaked out.
The rest of the crew and Ice-Berg were left speechless, none of them had seen Lucci move at all. Even Zoro and Luffy who were capable of moving incredibly fast could not keep their eyes on Lucci. Lucci pulled his finger out of Paulies shoulder and dropped the shipwright letting him fall to the ground.
"It's useless to struggle, we have mastered the arts of Rokushiki," Lucci said "it's six very strong from of martial art that allows the user to surpass human limits,"
Lucci repeated the same move he had performed on Paulie, only this time he aimed for Luffy's throat. Luffy despite having a rubber body was affected by the attack and was thrown over to the hole Zoro had cut open. He crashed landed next to the swordsman and started coughing and gasping for air.
"That would have killed a normal human, be thankful. Your rubber body saved you," Lucci claimed.
Luffy caught his breath and glared up Lucci. He then stretched his arm out towards him. Lucci however could tell that Luffy was not attacking as the rubber arm bypassed him completely. The CP9 members watched as Luffy grabbed Paulies fallen body and bring him back over to the Straw Hats.
"Interesting….tell me Straw Hat why do you ally yourself with Paulie?" Lucci asked.
"Because I want too, also I promised him I would kick your ass for him and I need to ask Robin something,"
"Such vulgar language," Kalifa commented.
"Indeed, but he is a pirate after all," Lucci agreed "What I find strange is that he thinks he and his little band of weaklings can defeat us who are blessed to work for the government,"
Luffy ignored Lucci and focused on Robin.
"Oi Robin why are you with them?" Luffy demanded "Why are you leaving my crew?"
"I already gave my reasons to Sanji, Chopper and Connor," Robin stated "surely they told you,"
"They did but I don't accept it," Luffy declared.
"That's right, what could be so important that you would leave us for?" Nami asked.
Robin stared at the crew for a second then sighed.
"So troublesome," she said and then looked directly at Connor "Connor you did tell the others that I had a goal correct?"
"Uh...yeah," Connor answered.
Robin nodded and looked back at Luffy.
"That wish I have is something that is impossible for me to achieve while I am with all of you. I can only achieve it if I am with CP9" Robin said "therefore it would be pointless to continue sailing with you,"
"What could you possibly want that you would go to the government for?" Nami pleaded "What goal is that...tell us Robin we can help,".
Robin however shook her head.
"What I do is my own business and no longer any of yours," Robin stated.
"Well captain, do accept that resignation?" Zoro asked, glancing over at Luffy.
"LIKE HELL I DO!" Luffy shouted back angrily.
"There, she wants to go with us," Kalifa stated "Nico Robin, we will handle the rest. You may leave; wait for us at the meeting point,"
Robin nodded and turned around, she opened the window and Blueno walked up to her and helped her onto the window sill.
"Robin wait," Chopper called out.
"Don't go," Nami begged.
"This is goodbye, we will never meet each other again," Robin said and she stepped out the window with Bluneo.
The Straw Hats could do nothing but watch, they had come for answers but had not gotten any in return.
"So...So everything was a lie then," Paulie coughed out as he struggled to push himself up.
The crew and CP9 looked at him.
"Everything we did, the friends you all made and the comradery we all felt for you...it was all a lie this whole time?"
"Yes it was. But the biggest challenge for me this mission was not killing everyone in the Galley-La company from the start," Lucci stated.
"You wanted to kill everyone?" Luffy asked surprised.
"Of course, while I cannot argue that the shipwrights skills here are clearly the best and unmatched anywhere else in the world. However skills like that should only be used to benefit the government and those who support it," Lucci said sternly with a cold tone "yet here you are selling and renting your skills to Pirates and all forms of peasants and criminals,"
"What does that have to do with anything?" Zoro demanded.
"Everything, by even considering offering their services to pirate scum who are not worth the air you breathe the Galley-La company is considered a criminal organisation," Lucci claimed "and all criminals must pay for their crimes with their lives,"
"So only the government gets the best ships?" Connor shouted "what about the people who aren't pirates? Merchants and travellers...what about them, are they not allowed to buy top quality ships too?"
"Of course not, they can get ships from the second and third rate shipyards," Lucci scoffed "and they should be content with those,"
"That's not fair," Connor claimed.
"Yes it is, if you don't agree with the government or even question them then you are against them," Lucci explained "and therefore need to die as well,"
"Lucci we're on a time frame," Kalifa reminded him.
"Of course," Lucci said and then looked at Luffy and his crew.
"In less than two minutes this building will go up in flames and will burn to the ground. If you want to leave you had best do so now," Lucci said.
"Like you'd let us just run away," Nami hissed.
"Your right we won't," Kaku agreed.
With Robin now gone Luffy charged in with Zoro and Paulie. Luffy went straight to Lucci, Zoro faced off against Kaku who had drawn his own swords and Paulie, despite his inured state chose to fight with Kalifa and her whip. Lucci attacked Luffy with a kick however the Rubber captain avoided it, but a blade of energy was produced from it and hit the roof above the entryway and it fell on the waiting pirates below.
Nami dived forward but Chopper and Connor jumped back as the roof collapsed.
"CHOPPER! CONNOR!" Nami cried with worry.
Paulie was no match for Kalifa in his current state and was swiftly thrown around and knocked unconcise. Zoro was fighting with Kaku and found that he could only defend himself.
"So you were all acting as shipwrights," Zoro hissed as they fought "does that mean your assessment of the Merry was a lie too?"
"No, despite our true identities we were always thorough with work as carpenters," Kaku claimed "the assessment of your ship was no different,"
Zoro grunted in response and they continued to fight.
Outside Connor and Chopper had only barely avoided being crushed by the falling rubble. They both sat on the floor looking at the pile blocking their path. They had only barely avoided the rubble from crushing them.
"What the hell is wrong with that guy," Chopper screamed "you don't collapse a ceiling where people are standing under it,"
"We have to get back in there and help the others," Connor said getting up.
"How, it would take too long for me to clear this," Chopper pointed out as he too stood up.
"Luffy came in through a wall...let's find that room and enter from there," Connor suggested.
"Okay," Chopper agreed.
The two started running down the hall in the same direction as the room Luffy had burst through, however they were only running for a few meters went the building started to shake and several explosions echoed thought the structure.
"What was that?" Connor asked worriedly.
"I...I...I think that might be the fire that Lucci mentioned," Chopper answered in fear.
The two gave panicked glances at each other and then they ran faster, as they ran Connor felt his brand pulse and then a few seconds later it happened again.
"Chopper my brand just pulsed twice, something must have happened to Luffy and Zoro," Connor claimed.
Chopper knew exactly what that meant but he could not panic about that now, Connor's brand pulsing did not mean that Luffy and the others were dead, only that they had been defeated. Chopper was about to say something however Connor beat him too it.
"Chopper...it just pulsed a third time," Connor said softly.
Choppers eyes widened, apart from himself and Connor only three other crew members had that meant that Luffy Zoro and Nami had all been defeated by CP9.
"Lets...let's just get back to them as soon as we can," Chopper said in a neutral tone.
It did not take them long to find the room that Luffy had used to enter Ice-Bergs...it was the closet room with the door kicked off its hinges. However the hole had been blocked by rubble as well.
"What...why is this blocked?" Chopper asked.
"Uh...Chopper...there are flames coming," Connor stated as he looked down the hallway.
Chopper poked his head out of the room and sure enough they could see a fire that was very rapidly spreading though out the building.
"It's burning faster than normal, there must be something fuelling it," Chopper observed "we should get out before it reaches us,"
"But what about Luffy and the others?" Connor asked.
"This way is blocked too," Chopper said "they're trapped,"
Connor raced into the room and ran up to the pile of rubble and drew his sword.
"What are you doing?" Chopper asked.
"Well...Like Zoro said when you don't have a door..." Connor started and he swung his sword twice in quick succession forming a triangle. The rubble within it suddenly broke away and fell out of place leaving a small sized hole "Make one,"
Chopper ran up to Connor and looked at the hole; he could easily fit through that.
"Connor that's great," Chopper said happily.
"It's not as big as the one's Zoro makes...but it should do," Connor smiled.
"Right let's go," Chopper nodded and he shifted into his hybrid form in order to fit through the small hole.
Connor followed him and once they were through they found that the entire room was on fire and in the process of falling apart and the heat from the fire was intense making it hard to breathe. There were two three new holes into he wall. In the centre of the room was Ice-Berg and Paulie who were both lying on the floor surrounded by flames; neither one was moving. They had been left there by CP9, Connor spied one of Zoros swords lying on the ground as well.
However there was no sign of Cp9 or the other three Straw Hats.
Chopper ran over to Paulie and Ice berg, he shifted into his human form and picked them up. Connor ran over to Zoro's sword and grabbed it's handle, it was very hot and the boy felt it burn his hands. However Connor winced and did his best to push the burning feeling aside and ran back over to help chopper.
"We need to get out of here," Chopper said.
Connor looked back at the hole he made; it was too small for Paulie and Ice-Berg to fit through.
"The holes to small," Connor claimed.
Chopper looked around for an escape route, they needed to get out before the heat became to much and burned up all the oxygen in the room. But the only way he could see out was the window...unfortunately that meant jumping from the third floor. Chopper weighed his options, a fall like that could leave some major damage but he was fairly sure that they would survive; however if they stayed in the burning room much longer they would surely burn to death.
"Connor quick open the window and jump out," Chopper ordered.
"What? We're on the third floor," Connor reminded him.
"We'll survive the fall, but we won't last long in this room," Chopper assured "I can't do it because I've got these two,"
Connor nodded and ran over to the window, however he found it sealed shut.
"It won't open," Connor claimed as he tried to force the window open.
"Then break the glass by jumping through it," Chopper commanded.
Connor looked at Chopper and then nodded; he backed up a bit ant then ran and jumped through the window using his arm to shield his eyes. The glass shattered and Chopper followed him. A moment later fire exploded from Ice-Bergs room and the building started to collapse on itself, the Galley-La workers who had been still guarding the perimeter watched as Connor and Chopper fell from the window.
Chopper in the let go of both Ice berg and Paulie up a bit and then reached out and grabbed Connor by the his ankle. He pulled the boy towards him and then re-grabbed Paulie and Ice-Berg and held them close to his chest and Connor closed his eyes as they slammed into the ground.
Connor opened his eyes and found that he, Paulie and Ice-Berg had landed on something soft and it took a second for him to realise that Chopper had caught them.
Connor stared at Chopper in horror as the reindeer had used his body to protect all three of them from the fall and it was clear from the reindeers pained expression that he had gotten hurt for it.
"Chopper...are you okay?" Connor asked.
"Its fine, Logia type bodies are tough," Chopper smiled.
Connor sighed; he knew Chopper was only saying that to make him feel better about the situation.
"Let's not do that again," Connor said.
"A...Agreed," Chopper coughed.
Chopper let go of his hold and Connor got off him, he also helped to remove both Paulie and Ice-Berg. Unfortunately they did not have time celebrate their escape from the burning building as the workers from the Galley-La suddenly surround them.
"Oh right, these guys are still out here," Connor remembered as he looked up at them.
Franky's Secret Safe House
"Oh so that's how it is," Franky said.
Franky had kidnapped Usopp in retaliation for what Luffy had done to his home, originally he had confronted Luffy directly but the Galley La foremen had gotten in the way and in the end Luffy had escaped him. Franky had not been happy about it and began to search for the rubber pirate and had learned that the Straw Hats had tried to kill Ice-Berg...this had put the gangster in a worse mood.
So he had come up with a plan, take one of Luffy's crew hostage to force Luffy to come to him and finish the fight. Franky had targeted Usopp because he knew the sniper was weak and useless in a fight; he was also the only straw hat to be alone. Franky wasted no time bringing both him and the Merry to his secret safe house.
Unfortunately for Franky Usopp had informed him that he had not only quit the crew but also taken sole possession of the Merry.
"Yeah so there is no point in holding me, they aren't coming," Usopp claimed "I just want to fix the Merry and be done with this Island,"
Franky, Kiwi and Mozu suddenly started crying over hearing the sad story.
"You are way too dramatic," Usopp commented as he continued his repairs.
Once Franky and the two girls had calmed down Kiwi and Mozu went to make some tea, when they returned Franky found it too hot and demanded some cola instead.
"Would you like some tea too?" Kiwi asked Usopp and brought him over a cup.
Usopp looked at it for a few moments before turning back to his work.
"No thanks I still have a lot of work to do," Usopp responded.
Franky came over and looked up at the ship, he could see the damage done to it and it looked like it could sink at any moment.
"You don't have to be in a rush Longnose-Bro," Franky claimed "Your welcome to stay here as long as you like,"
Usopp stopped hammering the peace of wood he was working on and looked at Franky strangely.
"Uh...you kidnapped me remember," Usopp pointed out "and my name is Usopp,"
"Yeah but that was before I knew what happened with your crew, since your no longer part of it then I have no grudge against you," Franky stated "So you can take it easy and rest, your welcome to use this place for as long as you need too,"
"Thanks," Usopp beamed happily. He now had a safe place to work on the Merry as well as sleep, Usopp was starting to think he misjudged Franky.
"Hey by the way, what's with the wild weather today?" Usopp asked "the sea seemed way rougher than normal,"
"Oh that, that's because of Aqua Lagna," Franky answered off handedily.
"Aqua Lagna?" Usopp asked confused.
"It's a massive tidal wave that strikes the city at least three or four times every year," Kiwi answered "it only lasts one knight so everyone evacuates before it happens,"
"Oh so that's why all the shops were closing early today," Usopp realised "but will we be okay in here?"
"Oh yeah, this place is sealed tight and reinforced, Me and my brothers and sisters have always taken shelter here for Aqua Lagna," Franky claimed "I do the reinforcing myself every year before and after the wave hits,"
"Really?" Usopp asked surprised "you do the reinforcements?"
"Yep, I built this place too," Franky boasted.
"Trust us when we say that big bother here knows his stuff," Mozu said.
"That's right, apart from the ship yard there is probably no safer place on the island to wait out Aqua Lagna," Kiwi added.
"Yep it's vacant for most of the rest of the year, so like I said you can use it as long as you like. I could also give you a hand as well," Franky offered.
"You know about fixing ships?" Usopp asked surprised.
"Well yeah, I am a ship dismantler and I was a ship builder before that...used to make my own battle ships all the time with SUPER powerful cannons. One was even powerful enough to take out a sea king," Franky boasted.
"Really?" Usopp asked amazed "But want about the sea kings impenetrable scales?"
"Please nothing can stand up to the SUPER power of FFFRANNKYYYYY!" Franky yelled and did his dramatic pose.
"That's still wired," Usopp muttered. However he decided to accept Franky's offer to help, after all if Usopp had a trained and professional shipwright to help him out then the Merry's repairs would go a lot faster and most likely hold for a lot longer too.
"Alright if you really want to help...could you start on the mast?" Usopp asked.
Franky nodded and got on board, he went over to the mast and assists it's condition, like the rest of the Merry it was only barely holding together. He looked over to Usopp and found the sniper still on working hard and completely focused on the task at hand. Franky decided to have quick look around to see would need repairing first.
However like Kaku while he was investigating the shop he discovered something grave. Franky came back out onto the deck and looked down at Usopp.
"So Usopp-bro, once you've repaired the ship...what are you going to do with it?" Franky asked curiously.
Usopp stopped his work and looked up at him.
"I'm going to take it back to my home Island of course," Usopp said proudly.
"You're taking it home...and where is that exactly?" Franky asked.
"A small village in the East Blue," Usopp answered.
"The East blue,"
"Yeah it was given to me by a very special friend of mine, her names Kya and she gave us this ship so we could travel round the world," Usopp said proudly.
"But if you take it back now it's not a round the world trip," Kiwi pointed out.
"I know that...but it still made it all this way...and that's good enough for me," Usopp said.
"I see..." Franky said and he jumped off the ship "Bro stop wasting your energy. This ship can't be saved,"
Usopp stopped working and looked over at Franky in shock. This was the second time he had herd that news.
"What but you just said you'd help me repair it," Usopp claimed.
"Yeah...but that was before I found out you were going to sail on it again," Franky said seriously.
Usopps face turned from shock to anger.
"If you're not going to help then leave me alone. I have work to do," Usopp snapped.
Franky let out a long sigh, he marched over to Usopp, picked him up and threw him into the basin of water that the Merry was floating on.
"Big Brother!" Kiwi and Mozu cried out.
"It's fine, he needs to see for himself," Franky said.
Usopp pulled himself out of the water and back up onto the hideouts floor he sat on his hands and knees panting. It was not from nearly drowning, it was from exhaustion as his body clearly needed and wanted rest.
"Like I said the ship is can't saved. Your crew had this looked at by the Galley-La workers right? Well they should have told you the same thing," Franky said seriously "I'll dismantle it for you,"
Franky raised left arm and shot his wrist out, he grabbed the railing and pulled it and a good portion of the surrounding wood off. It fell to the ground with a thud. Usopp snapped out of his panting state and stared in Horror at what Franky was doing.
"OI STOPP WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Usopp cried out.
"Huh I told you I'm taking your ship apart for you," Franky claimed.
"WELL DON'T! I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP!" Usopp screamed in rage.
He walked over to the failed piece of the ship and started to drag it back to the Merry; although it was clear he was struggling to do so.
"It's alright Merry, I got it. Don't worry I'll put it back...I'll fix you like always," Usopp said to the ship as he struggled to get the fallen piece back onto the ship.
Franky shook his head, he had hoped showing Usopp the broken Keel that he had seen when they had brought the ship here would snap him out of his delusions that it could be fixed. Apparently that was not the case.
"You saw it right, the Keel is cracked. It can be seen from the outside, if you take ship out it will fall apart...even a small wave would break it," Franky tried again.
"Then why did you offer to help?" Usopp shot back.
"I thought you were going to fix it up and set it a drift so it could die in peace...but if you're going to sail on again then you will die along with it,"
"I don't care,"
"It's not even a ship anymore, if it can't carry people or even make it from one island to the next then it's just a floating pile of wood," Franky claimed.
Usopp ignored him and continued to hammer away at the Merry promising to always fix her no matter what.
Franky's eye twitched, he was losing his patience
"Don't you get it yet?" Franky asked harshly "the keel is broken in the middle, the plates have slipped off, the frame is worn out and the hull won't hold up against as single wave,"
"GET IT THROUGH YOUR THICK HEAD, YOUR SHIP IS DEAD! THE GREATEST CARPTERS IN THE WROLD CAN'T FIX IT...SO WHAT MAKES YOU THINK AN AMAITER WHO KNOWS NOTHING HOW SHIPS WORK CAN?!"
That was the last straw, something inside Usopp snapped.
"SHUT THE F*** UP! Usopp suddenly exploded in rage "YOU DON'T KNOW A DANM THING! THE MERRY IS NOT YOUR SHIP IT'S MINE AND IF YOU SAY ONE MORE BAD WORD ABOUT HER I WILL KICK YOUR ASS! SO EITHER HELP ME WITH THE REAPIRS OR SIT BACK SHUT UP AND DON'T TALK TO ME!"
Franky was taken aback, he thought Usopp was spineless but it appeared he had more back bone in him than Franky realised. Suddenly Usopp collapsed to his knees and started to cry. Kiwi and Mozu ran over to him to see if he needed any help.
"I...I know the Merry is done for...I've known for a while now," Usopp said softly as tears fell from his eyes "But that doesn't make it any easier,"
Franky walked over and looked down at him.
"You knew?" he asked.
Usopp nodded.
"Since before we came here, I hoped what I saw was only a dream...but when I heard what the Galley-La workers said...I knew it was real," Usopp cried.
"What do you mean, what you saw?" Franky asked interested.
"While we were on Sky Island, the Merry was taken from us and placed on an Alter...it was modified to get us up to the sky and damaged from the journey," Usopp explained "when we found the ship it was nearly night fall, so we decided to rest and repair it in the morning,"
"However that night I saw a small figure in fog with a hammer, the sounds of the hammer against the wood woke me up and when I saw the figure it told me just a bit longer...I want to carry you just a bit longer," Usopp continued.
"A…figure with a hammer...did it have a rain coat?" Franky asked.
Usopp nodded.
"When the morning came the Merry, it was all repaired and all the modifications had been undone and it was back to its original state," Usopp finished "there was no one but us around and we were all sleeping. I know it sounds crazy but I think what I saw was the Merry spirt who had come to help us,"
Franky stared at Usopp for a moment and let out another long sigh. He sat down and put his hand on Usopp shoulders.
"Look I shouldn't have yelled and what you saw...that was real," Franky said.
"It was?" Usopp asked.
"Yeah you saw Klabautermann," Franky confirmed.
"Klabutoman?" Usopp asked confused.
Franky nodded.
"It's an old sailor's tale; Klabautermann is a sprit or sea fairy. They live on ships and have been said to appear and help sailors in times of great need, like if they are lost in storms or in your case in need of repair," Franky claimed.
"So...so it wasn't the Merry I saw then," Usopp said disappointed.
"No it was, Klabautermann are born when ships are made and die when a ship dose. In a sense Klabautermann are essentially the heart and soul of a ship," Franky claimed "and they only ever appear to those who love and care for their ship dearly...so for you to see the Merry's spirt...well it must have felt the love you and your crew had for it,"
"So...so...the Merry really did help us?" Usopp asked looking up.
"Yeah and I know this is hard for you but you really should let the Merry go," Franky said regretfully.
"I can't...I just can't,"
"You have to; if you keep fixing it and then take it out to sea you'll die. No question about it...if that happened do you really believe your ships sprit could rest in peace?" Franky asked.
Usopp didn't respond he had not thought of that.
"But...But I can't just leave her...I can't...No I won't leave a friend to die alone and in pain," Usopp said.
Franky than looked up at the Merry.
"I understand but this has got to be hard on the Merry as well and seeing you act like this...do you think this is what your ship wants?"
"What the...Merry wants?" Usopp asked.
"If what your saying is and Klabautermann did appear to you then that means the Merry loved you and your crew as much as you guys loved it. She's held on as long as she could but now...now it's time to let her go," Franky said "She can't carry you anymore and she's done her duty well...let her go...let the Merry rest with the knowledge that she got you to shore safe and sound one last time. If you do that than your ship will rest in peace,"
"I'll help you fix her and send her out to sea one last time, but you can't be on it," Franky said "Fix her up one last time and then send her on her way,"
Usopp looked up at Franky with tears still flowing from his eyes.
"If I do that...will she be happy?" Usopp asked.
"Yeah, there are several ways a ship can die and sending them off is one off on one final voyage is one of the oldest and most respectful ways to do it," Franky assured.
Usopp wiped his tears away.
"Okay...let's do it," He said finally agreeing "but you're not allowed to take the ship apart,"
"Wouldn't dream of it now," Franky smiled.
Usopp nodded and they both stood up.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you, you're actually a nice guy," Usopp said.
"It's fine and just so you know I'm not nice," Franky said and then got in his dramatic pose "I'M SUPERRRR!"
"Still wired," Usopp chuckled.
Suddenly a knock was herd on the door and all the occupants in the secret hideout looked towards it.
"Huh...who's that?" Usopp asked.
"Don't know, no one should be out now. Aqua Lagna will hit soon, it's way too dangerous," Franky answered.
A second knock was herd, Franky started to walk towards the door to answer it however as he approached the door burst open and standing there with deadly looks were CP9, they were all dressed in black suits.
"Hello Cutty Flam," Lucci said coldly "Our boss would like a word with you,"