Going Merry — Four Days Later
The fog wrapped around the Going Merry like a heavy blanket of silence. It didn't feel like weather—it felt like waiting.
Four long days had gone by since Luffy had started working at the Baratie. During that time, the sea had been calm, the winds gentle… and Fuwako had once more grown larger. Now nearly double their previous size, their body had become sturdy—about as big as a small German Shepherd. Their feathers had grown fuller, forming a natural armor of fluff and sleek streamlines beneath. Their wings now held clear signs of true flight feathers coming in—though full flight was still out of reach. Their beak had hardened and angled more sharply, and their talons? They were no joke anymore. True weapons. Curved and strong.
Nami had taken it upon herself to file them down daily, mostly because Fuwako didn't understand the concept of personal space—and liked laying on her lap like a fiery feathery menace. Usopp claimed Nami was raising a dinosaur. Zoro claimed Fuwako was just evolving. Luffy said, "They're getting cooler!"
…Only Fuwako knew the truth—
They were getting hungry.
Now, silence ruled the Merry. Zoro sat cross-legged, back resting against the railing, arms naturally draped behind his head in lazy confidence. Nami and Usopp stood on either side of him, scanning the mist-covered water. Somewhere on the ship were the two strays they'd picked up—Johnny and Yosaku—but Fuwako never bothered memorizing their names. They were loud, smelled weird, and talked too much. That was all they needed to know.
And Fuwako?
Well… the bird simply laid across Zoro's lap like they owned it.
Which to be fair…
They kinda did.
Time passed like a drifting cloud. The fog blurred distance. A low breeze passed, and Fuwako's feathers rustled against Zoro's lap. He didn't complain—he'd gotten used to it. Sometimes, he even rested his arm on them like a pillow.
It was peaceful.
…Too peaceful.
Fuwako stared blankly toward the clouds overhead. Their instincts itched. Big. Open sky. All this new power growing in their wings… yet no action. No chase. No battle.
They wanted to hunt something.
Usopp suddenly broke the silence.
"Ugh—We've been sitting around twiddling our thumbs for four days now! How long you think we gonna be here anyway?"
Zoro shrugged lazily, eyes half-lidded. "Who knows?"
"He said he'll stay a year, but I'm already so bored."
Fuwako chirped in instant agreement—
"Pyu!"
—I'm bored too!
"Quit whining, this place is great! Plus all the food here is free!" Nami said, leaning over the railing to peer through the fog.
"Yeah, for you and puff ball over here it is."
Fuwako perked up defensively.
"Py-py… Pyu!"
—Not my fault you don't catch your own fish!
Usopp rolled his eyes but conceded defeat. Nami simply smirked and scratched beneath Fuwako's chin—earning a content trill from the bird.
Suddenly—
"Hey, Luffy!" Usopp called out loud.
There he was—on the Baratie—carrying a massive trash bag on his arms like it was just another day at sea.
"Hm?" Luffy barely responded.
"What are we still doing here!? C'mon, let's just get out of this place!"
Fuwako raised their head, wings lifting for emphasis.
"Pyu! Pyu!!"
—Yeah! Let's!
Luffy only grinned. "Just sit tight a little longer. I'm gonna try and make another deal with the Owner."
"Well hurry up!" Usopp snapped.
Fuwako sighed loudly, wind picking up gently with their exaggerated move.
…That's when they felt it.
A shift in the air. A coldness that slithered across their feathers. The bird slowly sat up—eyes narrowing into the fog. Their heartbeat changed. Slow… then faster.
Something approached.
In the distance—a silhouette. And then another.
A ship. A big one.
Its outline emerged like a ghost rising from the sea.
Fuwako's muscles tightened. Their wings tensed. A tremor of excitement slithered through them.
"Pyu…"
—Entertainment…?
As it came closer, Usopp's mouth fell open. Nami stepped back. Zoro's eyes sharpened—and his hand instinctively slid to his sword.
Fuwako hopped off his lap and stood at his side—eyes burning with curiosity. The fog parted more—revealing a ghostly galleon.
The people inside the Baratie started to panic. Dread filling their voices as they spoke of "Commodore Don Krieg"
"Guys don't panic! But I think this is our cue to leave right now!!" Usopp yelled.
Fuwako flapped and protested vehemently.
"PYU! PYU! Pyu-Pyu!!"
—NO! NO WAY! This is the most entertaining thing that's happened in four days!!
Nami leaned forward, jaw tense. "Look at the sheer size of that galleon!"
Fog curled away completely—finally revealing its condition.
The ship was wrecked.
Destroyed. Slashed open. The sails were ragged. Holes covered every surface. The mast was cracked.
It looked like a graveyard still afloat. Fuwako was surprised the ship still sailed.
"Pyu…"
—They certainly took a beating…
But then—
Something else hit Fuwako.
A scent.
Heavy. Metallic. Something primal.
Not human…
Not sea salt…
Not sickness…
A scent of strength that didn't belong to this part of the world.
Fuwako shivered, eyes widening. Their instincts screamed that whatever left those scars…was not ordinary.
The galleon docked.
A large man stepped out—with assistance from the same bandanna-wearing pirate from earlier.
Everyone held their breath.
The ringing of his chains echoed across the Baratie. Every step sounded heavier than stone. Even the chaos inside the restaurant went quiet… as if the building itself was afraid.
Not even twenty minutes later—
Screaming erupted from inside the Baratie.
People fled in a rush of fear.
"Hey see that? It looks bad, what do you think it's going on in there?" Usopp asked, voice trembling.
Zoro calmly placed one hand on the Merry's figurehead. "Dunno. Let's go inside and see."
Fuwako chirped in agreement—from on top of the figurehead.
"What!? Are you serious?!" Usopp's eyes nearly popped out.
"Sure am. You sound scared." Zoro smirks.
"I am NOT scared!!"
But Zoro was already focused elsewhere—eyes examining the damaged ship.
"It's so strange… this ship looks almost abandoned…"
Fuwako sniffed the air again. Slowly. Carefully.
"Pyu… pyu, py…"
—Yeah it does… but I smell people in there, a bunch…
More shouting came from the Baratie. The contrast between dying men on the galleon and panicked-angry yells inside created a chilling atmosphere.
Then—
KA-BOOM!!!
"PYU!!"
—WHAT THE—!
Fuwako jolted up, wings instinctively spreading for balance as the wind whipped around them… only to die instantly afterward, as if frightened away.
Their eyes stayed locked on the Baratie.
The scent of smoke… iron… and fear…
That explosion felt like… that cannon thingy…
Something was coming.
Something bigger than boredom.
Something that made Fuwako feel—
small, for the first time in their short life.
Their feathers rose.
Their instincts sharpened.
Their appetite awakened.
The strongest pirate fleet… had arrived.
And finally—
Fuwako was no longer bored.
TO BE CONTINUED…