The Light Falling Snow of Reminiscence

Far out at sea the Going Merry sails under cloudy skies. Distant voices cry out across the waves: "HEY, HEY, HEY!!" "HEY!!" On deck the crew reacts in alarm. Sanji leans toward a wide-eyed, fishnet-clad Franky whose face is covered in sweat drops. Luffy sits on Chopper's shoulders, shouting, "USOOPP!!!" Usopp yells, "DO YOU KNOW WHERE USOPP IS!I HE'S MISSING!!!" Robin, standing nearby, says, "N-NO, I CAN'T ANSWER!! NOW THAT I'VE COME AROUND..." Chopper adds, "HEY, THEY'RE CALLING YOU!!" A small panel shows Nami from behind on the stairs as she remarks, "... THAT'S STRANGE. I CHECKED, BUT NO ONE ELSE IS ONBOARD." Sanji wonders, "I WONDER HOW THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE HIM AS USOPP." Luffy, now standing and clutching Chopper, exclaims, "EEEEH!I WHY!I" Franky replies, "DON'T WORRY. HE WENT BACK FIRST WITH A BOAT."

The crew continues arguing on deck. Luffy insists, "LIKE I SAID, THAT WAS MERRY'S VOICE!!" Usopp agrees, "I'M SURE WE WERE CALLED." Chopper asks, "IS THAT SOI" Sanji adds, "I DID HEAR A VOICE CALLING US." Luffy reacts with shock, "EEEEH!I REALLY!I" Robin looks thoughtful: "... I SOMEWHAT THOUGHT SO, TOO... BUT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE." Franky points at the small, round creature and demands, "RIGHT, MERRY!I SAY SOMETHING!!" The creature stares blankly. Someone off-panel shouts, "WHAT!I WHO!I" as a distant ship appears on the horizon. Franky exclaims, "HRMMI A SHIP'S COMING FROM AHEAD!!"

A massive Galley-La Company ship cuts through the waves toward them. Crew members cheer wildly: "YOU ARE SAFE!!!" "THEY'RE ALIVE!!" "WUUOOO!! IT'S THE STRAWHATS!!" "IT'S THE GALLEY-LA COMPANY'S SHIP...!!!!" Luffy stares in disbelief, shouting, "ICE-OSSAN!!" The crowd on deck yells, "AND YOU GUYS MADE IT BACK ALIVE FROM ENIES LOBBY!!" "IT'S UNBELIEVABLE!!" "AMAZING!! YOU GUYS SET OUT DURING THE AQUA LAGUNA..." In a smaller panel Robin stands silently while Franky and Iceburg glare with intense expressions. Iceburg mutters, "BAKABURG..." as a small creature sweats nervously beside them.

From the deck of a massive government ship, a bandaged man stares out at the chaos below. Bubbles read: "FROM THE WORLD GOVERNMENT...!!" "EVERYTHING BACK" "THEY REALLY MANAGED TO GET..." He mutters, "WHAT A BUNCH OF OUTRAGEOUS GUYS..." as cheers erupt from the vessel. Suddenly the Going Merry slams violently into the structure with a massive crash, "ガターン...!!" Someone screams "UWAH!!" The impact sends debris flying. Close-ups show a round-headed figure reacting with "ギッ..." while Usopp-like features appear in panic. A voice cries "MERRY!!!" as the small ship tilts wildly in the waves. Another panel shows a surprised "EH...I" amid the wreckage.

The Going Merry drifts helplessly as Luffy shouts "MERRY IS...!!!!" Onlookers on the government ship yell "HEY, WHAT'S GOING ON ALL OF A SUDDEN!I" and "LOOK!! THEIR SHIP...!!!" A woman stands watching while the bandaged man questions, "YOU HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ABOUT THAT, HAVE YOUI" and notes "THEY DID SAY THAT MERRY COULDN'T GO ANY FURTHER." Another replies "EHI" and "THIS IS EXPECTED!!... THIS IS NOT 'ALL OF A SUDDEN'...!!" Luffy's face twists in anguish as he realizes the danger. The bandaged man recalls, "SHE'S A NAKAMA WHO HAS TRAVELED WITH US ALL THIS TIME!! AND JUST NOW, TOO... SHE SAVED US JUST NOW!!!" Crew members beg "GUYS...!! THIS IS PERFECT TIMING!! YOU'RE ALL SHIPWRIGHTS, RIGHT!I" "PLEASE!!! PLEASE DO SOMETHING!!!" Luffy roars "OSSAAAN!! WE'VE GOT TROUBLE!!! MERRY'S IN DANGER!!! PLEASE DO SOME- THING!!!"

Luffy reacts with shock "!!I" as the bandaged man says "LET HER SLEEP ALREADY...!!" A small round figure watches nearby. The bandaged man asks "WHAT'S THAT SOUND...I" while distant impacts echo "ゴゴゴ..." and "I" He wonders "IS THERE SOMEONE IN THE SCRAP-SHIP ISLAND...!!I" A wide view reveals the ruined scrap island with "KOOON KOOON" sounds. The bandaged man concludes "WE'VE DONE ALL WE POSSIBLY CAN." Surveying the wreckage he states "IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS HIT BY THE AQUA LAGUNA... IT'S IN SUCH BAD CONDITION.... NO,... ISN'T THIS... THE STRAWHATS' SHIP...!I" Luffy's hand reaches desperately, "I WANT TO SET OUT...!!" as a small "!I" and "SQUEAK" appear near the damaged Merry.

The bandaged man clutches his head, sweat flying, eyes wide with "!!I" as he declares "JUST ONCE MORE. I WANT TO SET OUT" amid dramatic speed lines and impact marks. He grits his teeth in determination while multiple panels show the ruined Merry being struck by debris and waves with sounds like "ガシャン!!" "ベリベリ!!" "ガンガン!!" "カシャカシャ!!" and "ドドド...!!" He mutters "FIXING UP A HOPELESS SHIP...!!I" and questions "WHAT AM I DOING...I" as more impacts "ハア..." and "ヒュルルル..." echo around the battered vessel. Luffy watches tensely from the side while the ship continues to groan under the assault.

A massive wave crashes toward the ship as the crew struggles on deck. "ICEBURG-SAN!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING THEREI" someone shouts in alarm. "ANOTHER BIG WAVE IS COMING THIS WAY!!!" The vessel rocks violently under the storm. "THANK YOU," a voice says amid the chaos. The ship tilts dangerously as water surges over the rails. "WAIT!! WE CAN'T LET YOU GO BY YOURSELF!!!" the crew yells desperately. "I'LL GO EVEN IF I HAVE TO GO ALL BY MYSELF!!!" another insists. "EH!I YOU'RE SETTING OUT NOW!!I THE SEA IS STILL REALLY VIOLENT!!" a wide-eyed crew member reacts in shock.

Luffy stares in awe at the distant ship. "FROM A SHIP THAT HAS REACHED ITS LIMIT A LONG TIME AGO....!!!" he exclaims. "... A MIRACLE. I'M... SEEING A MIRACLE RIGHT NOW." A small battered vessel floats beside the magnificent Going Merry. "IT LIVED A VERY ADMIRABLE LIFE.... YET I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH AN AMAZING PIRATE SHIP. I'VE BEEN A SHIPWRIGHT FOR MANY YEARS," a voice reflects. Nami covers her mouth in emotion. "I UNDERSTAND," someone says quietly. Luffy and the bandaged man stand in silence as the Merry drifts on the calm sea.

The Going Merry and the small ship face each other on the open sea. "ARE YOU GUYS READYI THEN," a voice asks. The crew on the Merry responds with resolve. "... YEAH. NMMA!!" they reply. "THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA IS DARK AND LONELY. WE'LL SEE YOU OFF HERE!!" a crew member calls out. "MERRY," Luffy says softly as smoke begins to rise. The ship stands ready for its final journey.

Tears should not be shed. A time of separation has come, when men part ways... HE'S FULLY PREPARED FOR THIS MOMENT. HE'LL BE ALL RIGHT... AND WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THATI THERE'S NO WAY HE COULD ENDURE THIS. MAYBE IT'S FOR THE BEST THAT USOPP... ISN'T AROUND... The crew watches in silence as flames engulf the Going Merry. "MERRY," Luffy whispers. The ship burns brightly against the sky. "THANK YOU FOR CARRYING US ALL THIS TIME..." a voice says as the vessel sinks into the sea amid falling embers.

Snow falls gently as a hand catches a flake. Nami stares upward in surprise. "IT'S SNOWING." The Going Merry is revealed in full glory, newly completed with its distinctive sheep figurehead and skull-and-crossbones sail. "GOING MERRY" IS NOW COMPLETED!!" the crew cheers wildly. "UWOOO! CARAVEL!!" On deck, the Straw Hats scramble to prepare for departure. "EVERYONE NEEDS TO WORK TOGETHER TO STEER HER!!" one shouts. "LOOK! THE MERRY IS SO SCRATCHED UP!!" Usopp calls out while examining the hull. Nami stands near the cannon, murmuring, "I'M TRYING TO GET A FEEL OF THE CANNON. IT'S HERE, AFTER ALL." Sanji snaps, "IDIOT, LET ME DO IT." Nami lowers her head, tears forming. "I... I'M SORRY."

Zoro sleeps soundly on deck as Chopper yells, "ZOROOO!! THAT'S MY SEAT!!" The Merry charges forward through rough waves toward a massive mountain. "A MOUNTAIN!! THE ENTRANCE IS...!!" The ship smashes through the barrier with a thunderous "ばん!!" and "ドン!!" Luffy stands at the bow, arm raised. "LET'S GO!!! TO THE GRAND LINE!!!" The crew erupts in joy as they burst into the open sea. "WOO HOO, WE'RE HERE!!!" "IN THE WORLD...!!!!" "THIS IS THE GREATEST SEA" Luffy roars, "DON'T LOOK BACK!! WE'RE GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD!!!" The Merry sails onward with the crew celebrating.

Robin gazes ahead. "SKY ISLAND~!!!" The Merry is suddenly launched skyward in a massive "ドン!!" explosion of water. "IT'S FLYING~!!!!" someone yells. "WHOA, THIS SHIP IS FLYING IN THE SKY!!!" The crew stares in awe. A strange octopus-like creature appears, laughing "WAHA-HAHA!!" while exclaiming "AH, IT FEELS GOOOOD..." and "THIS IS GOOD." The creature stretches and releases the ship, sending it plummeting. The Merry tumbles violently through the air with dramatic impact lines and debris as the crew struggles to hold on.

Luffy's eyes widen in shock. "EHI" A lone voice echoes across the snowy sea. "I'M SORRY." The Going Merry floats quietly on calm waters under falling snow, smoke rising from its form. The ship speaks in soft narration. "JUST A LITTLE BIT FURTHER..." "I WANTED TO CARRY YOU" "BUT I..." "GO ON MORE ADVENTURES WITH YOU..." "I WANTED TO" "... I'M SORRY." The crew stares in stunned silence. "MERRY!I" Luffy cries out. The ship continues its farewell as tears and shock spread across the faces of Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Usopp, Chopper, and Robin. "A VOICE..." someone whispers. Snow continues to fall gently around the broken but beloved vessel.

The crew stands on the sinking Going Merry, overwhelmed with guilt. Nami cries out, "I'M NOT GOOD AT NAVIGATING, AND I CRASHED YOU INTO AN ICEBERG!!" Usopp adds, "WE'RE THE ONES WHO HAVE TO APOLOGIZE, MERRY!!!" Luffy shouts through tears, "I EVEN RIPPED THE SAIL SOME-TIMES!!" Zoro and Sanji are idiots, so they broke many things, too!!" The others echo, "WE'RE SO SORRY..." and "BUT HE'S NOT GOOD AT IT, EITHER!!!" A massive splash erupts as the ship begins to submerge. In a wide view under bright sunbursts, the crew watches from a small boat as Merry sinks. Narration reads "HAPPY." and "BUT I WAS". Someone exclaims "!!!" as the Going Merry vanishes beneath the waves.

Close-ups show the Straw Hats weeping. Nami sobs, covering her face. Chopper wails with an open mouth. Robin looks down sadly. Sanji grits his teeth. Usopp cries out. Luffy's face is streaked with tears as he says "HAPPY." The Going Merry's spirit appears as a smiling figure in the waves, replying "THANK YOU FOR TAKING GOOD CARE OF ME UNTIL NOW." The crew shouts "MERRY~!!!" and "うわあああああ...!!!" as the ship disappears. A final panel shows the empty sea with the volume end note.

Volume colophon page. Header: '■ジャンプ・コミックス ONE PIECE 44 "帰ろう。"'. Publication details: '2006年12月9日 第1刷発行 2009年4月27日 第17刷発行', author '尾田栄一郎 ©Eiichiro Oda 2006', editor 'ホーム社', publisher '集英社', printer '株式会社美松堂 中央精版印刷株式会社', ISBN '4-08-874287-7 C9979'. Japanese legal and distribution notes at bottom.

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