Since Yin–Yang Release could touch Merry's body, then…
could it also be used to save her?
Right now, all hope rested on Jin alone.
No matter what, he had to try.
Holding the little girl in his arms, Jin forced himself to stay calm.
Whether Merry lived or died… depended entirely on him.
"So… you really have a way?" Usopp asked, his voice trembling.
"I can't guarantee it'll work," Jin said after taking a deep breath.
"But I have to try. At the very least… I don't want to leave regrets."
"Then do it," Luffy said simply.
He didn't know what Jin planned to do—
but he chose to trust him.
"Do you need our help?" Sanji asked.
"I know a thing or two about shipbuilding," Franky added.
"If there's anything I can do—"
"The method I'm using isn't something you can help with," Jin shook his head.
"It's probably a ninja-specific technique," Granny Kokoro said.
Everyone froze for a moment, then nodded helplessly.
If it was a ninja's method, then indeed… there was nothing they could do.
"Merry," Jin said gently, looking at her.
"Stop the ship."
"…No."
"No?"
"I haven't delivered everyone to land yet," Merry said softly.
"I won't stop the ship."
As she spoke, more cracks appeared across her body—
yet she didn't seem to care at all.
"Merry!!"
Usopp looked at her with aching eyes, wishing he could take her pain in her place.
Feeling Usopp's emotions, Merry smiled faintly.
"Right now, I'm relying entirely on willpower to keep the Going Merry moving.
If I take that strength back… the ship will break."
"When that happens, I won't be able to do anything anymore."
"So… I can't agree."
As the ship's spirit, Merry understood her condition better than anyone.
If she withdrew her power, the keel would snap instantly.
The ship would lose all ability to sail—
and her life would reach its end.
She couldn't accept that.
Not before safely bringing everyone home.
"But if you keep going, you'll die."
"It's okay," Merry said with a warm smile.
"I'm not afraid."
She looked at her companions.
"My reason for existing… was always to carry everyone safely to their destination."
"MERRY!!"
"Jin," Zoro said calmly,
"do what you think is right. The longer we delay, the worse it gets."
"If you force it, you might hurt her."
"That's still better than letting her die!"
Jin hesitated.
Zoro wasn't wrong—
but if Merry didn't cooperate, how could he save her?
Just then, Franky suddenly looked into the distance.
"I see a ship!"
"A ship?!"
Everyone's eyes lit up.
If there was another ship, then maybe Merry wouldn't need to keep suffering to hold the Going Merry together!
"Clang!"
Zoro instantly drew his sword.
"Get ready to take it."
Even if it felt wrong, they had no choice.
Saving a companion came first.
"Wait!" Usopp adjusted his goggles.
"Those people are… Iceburg and them!"
"Idiot Iceburg?!" Franky's eyes widened.
"Then we don't need to steal anything."
Before anyone could respond—
Creak… crack…
A dreadful sound echoed.
The sound of wood screaming.
Usopp's face instantly turned pale.
He looked down.
Cracks were spreading beneath the railing.
"No… the Going Merry—!"
"It's okay…" Merry whispered weakly.
"Someone came to pick you up… that's good…"
As she spoke, the cracks across her body multiplied.
She grew visibly weaker.
At the same time, without her power sustaining it, the Going Merry began to fracture more and more—
as if it would collapse at any second.
Splash—
Suddenly, seawater surged upward, gently wrapping around the lower half of the ship—
like a protective cradle.
The ship's collapse… stopped.
"Hah…" Jin let out a long breath.
"This should hold for now."
With seawater supporting it, even if the keel was broken, the ship wouldn't shatter—
though it could no longer move.
Seeing Merry's condition no longer worsening, everyone finally relaxed a little.
"That scared me to death…"
"I thought Merry was going to…"
Chopper bit his hoof, desperately holding back tears.
"Go to that ship first," Jin said.
"How?" Sanji sighed.
"Our lifeboat's already gone."
They couldn't exactly swim over—
everyone was exhausted.
"We swim," Zoro said flatly.
"…Swim?"
Chopper blinked.
He looked at the sea.
For Merry… he'd do it!
"You idiot," Zoro grabbed him by the collar.
"I'll carry you."
"Let me take you over."
Jin raised his hand.
A massive water dragon emerged from the sea, floating beside the Going Merry.
"We can't stand on water like you can," Franky complained.
"Stop talking and move!" Sanji kicked him straight onto the water dragon's head.
Splash!
Franky plunged straight into the surging current.
Franky: "???"
Hey—he didn't say he wasn't going!
But seeing everyone leap in without hesitation—
even the Devil Fruit users—
he stopped complaining.
"ROAR—!"
The water dragon surged forward, carrying everyone toward Iceburg's ship.
Soon, only two remained on the Going Merry.
Jin.
And Merry.
After gently placing her down, Jin asked softly:
"Merry… do you trust me?"
"…Yes."
Though it was their first meeting, he was a Straw Hat.
That alone made him her companion.
So she trusted him.
"Then listen carefully," Jin said seriously.
"What I'm about to do concerns your life."
"Cooperate fully. Don't resist. Understood?"
"…Okay. I understand."
She didn't know what he planned to do—
But if there was even a chance to live…
to continue adventuring with everyone…
How could she not want that?
She… wanted to live.
Jin could feel it.
From his ninja pouch, he took out a scroll and placed it on the deck.
Poof—
White smoke burst forth.
The small scroll instantly expanded into a massive one.
"What's that?" Merry asked curiously.
"A special scroll."
"What does it do?"
"…In short," Jin said,
"it can save you."
Yin–Yang Release.
Sealing techniques.
Summoning arts.
One by one—
He would try everything.
Until he found a way to save her.
"…Okay," Merry nodded gently.
"I'll cooperate."
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