One Piece: From Ninja To Pirates

When Meiser found her, the little one was curled up in a dark corner, her body covered in cracks, looking like a porcelain doll on the verge of shattering.

Even Meiser, a hardened ninja, felt his heart tremble at the sight. How could someone so small be so considerate?

Despite clearly being on the brink of death, she chose to endure the pain silently, curling up alone in the corner to wait for the end.

As if... as if she was afraid her friends would worry... She looked so tiny!

If he hadn't noticed something was wrong and used his Sharingan to search for her, they might not have even gotten to see Merry one last time before she died.

"But I look like this..." Merry whispered. "It would make them sad. I don't want to see them sad..."

"If everyone is sad... it would break my heart."

"It's okay... it's okay... it's okay, Merry."

Merry opened her mouth slightly, then finally sighed silently and slowly closed her eyes.

In her current state, even if she wanted to resist, she couldn't.

Because all her strength was being used to maintain the pirate ship. At the very least, she couldn't die until she had safely delivered her friends to their destination.

Once they were safe, her mission would be complete.

When they reached the deck, everyone's eyes immediately landed on the small figure in Meiser's arms—the one who looked like she was about to die.

The green raincoat, combined with the name Meiser had mentioned earlier, made it instantly clear who this little one was.

And the sight of Merry snapped something in Usopp's mind.

"MERRY!!!"

Usopp rushed over like a madman, not even caring when he tripped halfway and broke his nose.

Once he reached Meiser, Usopp instinctively reached out to touch her but stopped himself abruptly, afraid he might shatter the fragile little thing.

"Merry?!" Luffy exclaimed urgently. "Zoro, quick, help me up!"

"I need to see Merry!"

For some reason, Merry's voice sounded incredibly weak—as if... as if she was about to die.

Zoro didn't say a word, silently pulling Luffy up and draping his arm over his shoulder before slowly walking toward Meiser.

The others also approached, carefully gathering around Meiser.

"Is... is this Merry?" Nami asked, covering her mouth. "What's wrong with her?"

"She doesn't look well at all..."

"Merry, Merry, what's wrong?!"

"Chopper, hurry, check what's happening with Merry!"

"Everyone, don't crowd too close—give her some space!"

The others complied, careful not to interfere with Chopper.

Chopper cautiously stepped up to Meiser and said, "Let me take her."

"I'm not sure if you can even touch her."

"What do you mean?"

Meiser didn't explain, simply gesturing for Chopper to do what he needed to.

Without wasting time, Chopper tried to examine her—but his hand passed straight through Merry's body.

"Eh?!!!"

"Why... why can't I touch her?!"

Unconvinced, Chopper reached out to touch again, but this time he still couldn't make contact with Merry's body.

Chopper panicked instantly—what was happening?

If he couldn't physically touch her, there would be no way to treat her.

"Chopper, what are you waiting for? Hurry and save her!" Usopp urged anxiously.

"But I can't reach her. It's like she has no physical form," Chopper said, on the verge of tears. He wanted to help, but he simply couldn't touch her.

"How is that possible? Merry has a physical body!" Usopp argued. "Back on Skypiea, she repaired the ship all by herself. How could she not have a body?"

"Perhaps she no longer has the strength to maintain her physical form," Kokoro suggested.

Usopp froze, his heart feeling as if it had been struck by a hammer, skipping a beat.

Chimney stared at the small figure in Meiser's arms, struggling to accept the situation. This little one, who looked even younger than her—was she really going to die?

"Then why can Meiser touch her?" Nami asked.

"Because I'm a ninja, I suppose."

Using the properties of Yin-Yang Release, Meiser had gained the ability to touch the small figure. Before activating this power, even he couldn't reach Merry.

"Merry... what's happening to Merry?!" Luffy exclaimed, watching as cracks began to spread across her body. "Why does it look like she's breaking apart?"

"Maybe it's connected to this ship."

Franky, recovering from his shock, pointed at the pirate ship. "Since the Ship Spirit was born from this pirate ship... her fate must be tied to it."

Franky didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood his meaning.

Once the Merry Go was completely destroyed, Merry's life might also come to an end. That was likely the reason her body was covered in cracks.

But how could they possibly accept such an outcome?

"I don't believe it... I refuse to believe it!!" Usopp roared. "There has to be a way!"

"She looks so young... why does she have to go through this?!"

Usopp was nearly hysterical, unable to accept the reality before him.

"I'm sorry... Usopp," Merry whispered weakly, forcing her eyes open. "I'm sorry, everyone."

"Please don't grieve for me. Being able to save all of you from danger before disappearing... I... I have no regrets..."

Even now, Merry wasn't thinking of herself. Her selflessness was heartbreaking.

"No... we're the ones who should be apologizing," Usopp trembled, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face.

"It's our fault... we didn't protect the Merry Go well enough."

"If anyone's to blame, it's us."

"Everyone... I've never blamed you," Merry turned her head slightly, smiling at them. "I could always feel your love. Thank you all."

"Merry!!"

The crew broke down completely, tears flooding their faces.

"Why... why does it have to be this way?!!"

Usopp's legs seemed to lose all strength as he collapsed to the ground, then began pounding the earth with his fists. "Why does Merry have to go through this?" he cried.

Though the little one appeared several years old, Usopp knew her true lifespan might only be a few months!

Just a few months... How cruel it was to die after only being alive for such a short time?

Wiping tears from the corner of her eye, Nico Robin turned to Meiser. "Meiser... do you have any solution?"

Usopp sprang up from the ground as if grasping at straws, rushing before Meiser. "Meiser, save her!! If you have any way, you must save her!!"

"That's right, Meiser's a Ninja—you must have a way, right?! You're the only one who can physically touch her—is there anything you can do?!"

"Meiser, save Merry!!"

As the only one who mastered all sorts of strange abilities, perhaps Meiser truly had the power to save Merry?!

Under everyone's hopeful gazes, Meiser fell silent for a moment before speaking. "I'll do what I can."