The Thousand Sunny sailed through the calm waters, its mast billowing in the gentle breeze. The aftermath of Laugh Tale still lingered in their minds, but the Straw Hats were resilient. They had survived countless battles, defeated impossible foes, and now, with the One Piece in their grasp, their journey took on a new purpose.
Chopper, who had been working tirelessly in the infirmary, stepped onto the deck, his small frame beaming with excitement. "They're okay!" he announced, his voice filled with joy.
Everyone turned to see Usopp and Raiko stepping out, albeit weak, but alive and smiling.
"Pinocchio!" Kikidori called out, smirking at Usopp.
"Hey! I don't look like Pinocchio!" Usopp protested, puffing out his chest.
"You kinda do," Zoro muttered under his breath, earning a laugh from Sanji.
Raiko, still bandaged but walking steadily, gave Kikidori a small grin. "Thanks for protecting me back there," he said softly.
Kikidori ruffled Raiko's hair, his usual goofy grin masking the seriousness of his words. "You saved me first, Raiko. But you know what? You don't have to surpass me. You've got something better now—a crew that believes in you. Make that your dream."
Raiko nodded, his eyes shimmering with new determination. "Then my dream… is to protect all of you. No matter what."
The crew erupted in cheers, clapping Raiko on the back and celebrating his heartfelt decision.
---
Later that evening, as the Sunny sailed toward the Red Line, the crew gathered on the deck under a blanket of stars. The air was filled with laughter and the clinking of mugs as they celebrated their survival and the completion of most of their dreams.
"Can you believe it?" Franky said, flexing his arms. "We actually made it to Laugh Tale, and the Sunny's still standing strong! SUPER!"
"It's because you're the best shipwright," Nami said, raising her drink. "To Franky!"
"To Franky!" the crew chorused, raising their mugs.
"And to Chopper," Sanji added, setting a plate of snacks on the table. "For saving Usopp and Raiko."
Chopper's cheeks turned red, and he waved his hands bashfully. "Stop it, you guys are making me blush!"
"And to Kikidori," Zoro said, smirking. "For managing to survive despite all his goofy transformations."
"Yeah!" Luffy grinned, leaning back on the railing. "Kikidori, you're awesome!"
Kikidori gave an exaggerated bow. "Thank you, thank you! But don't forget—my captain's the King of the Pirates now!"
Luffy laughed, his carefree demeanor lighting up the deck. "Shishishi! Yeah, I guess I am!"
"But we're not done yet," Robin said, her voice calm but resolute. "The Red Line is next."
"Yeah!" Luffy stood up, his eyes gleaming with determination. "We're going to break the Red Line and connect all the seas! Brook will see Laboon, Sanji will find the All Blue, and I'll make the world free for everyone!"
The crew cheered, their hearts united by their shared dreams.
---
As the night wore on, Nami found herself leaning on the railing, staring out at the horizon. Luffy, his straw hat tilted back, stood beside her, munching on a piece of meat.
"You okay, Nami?" he asked, his voice soft.
Nami turned to him, her expression unreadable. "Yeah, I'm just… happy."
"Why?" Luffy asked, tilting his head.
Nami hesitated for a moment before leaning forward and kissing him on the cheek. "That's why."
Luffy blinked, his face turning red as he stared at her in confusion. "Eh? Why'd you do that?"
Nami rolled her eyes, smiling softly. "Because I wanted to."
Luffy scratched his head, still baffled, but then he grinned. "Shishishi! You're weird, Nami!"
Nami laughed, shaking her head. "And you're an idiot, Luffy."
The rest of the crew, who had been watching from a distance, burst into laughter.
"Did you see his face?" Usopp laughed.
"Priceless," Sanji muttered, hiding his disappointment behind a puff of his cigarette.
"Love is in the air!" Franky sang dramatically.
Zeus floated around Nami, giggling. "You should kiss him again, Nami! Do it!"
"Zeus!" Nami scolded, swatting at the cloud, but she couldn't hide her blush.
---
As dawn broke, the Thousand Sunny sailed steadily toward the Red Line, its crew full of hope and determination. They had come so far, faced countless obstacles, and achieved the impossible. But their journey wasn't over.
With the world watching and their dreams within reach, the Straw Hats were ready to take on whatever came next.
The seas were vast, the sky endless, and their adventures far from over.
End of Chapter 108