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Now that Arthur was standing before them, it was hard for the crew to believe.
Not long ago, Arthur had defeated Kurozumi Orochi, and the events unfolding in the Kingdom of Wano revolved entirely around that.
This had saved Luffy and his crew from a lot of trouble.
When Luffy heard Arthur speak, he realized that Arthur was about to say goodbye. With a hint of urgency, Luffy addressed him.
"Where are you going? Why not sail with us?"
Luffy's words made it clear he wanted Arthur to join their crew. However, Arthur, with his free-spirited personality, wasn't one to be tied down or follow someone else's lead.
Hearing Luffy's invitation, Arthur gave him a gentle smile and tactfully declined.
"Sorry, Luffy. Even though we won't be sailing on the same ship, I believe our friendship will last forever. You know me—I don't like being restrained by anyone," Arthur replied.
Luffy understood Arthur's character well. Though Luffy himself was carefree and lighthearted most of the time, his expression grew serious when faced with this parting.
Throughout his journey, Luffy had been through countless experiences, both joyful and painful. He had endured many farewells, and now, he was facing another one with Arthur.
Despite this, Luffy's heart remained steady, as calm as a still lake.
The bond between true friends is as light as water; there's no need for them to be together all the time. Arthur had made up his mind to leave the New World, and Luffy, understanding this, didn't try to stop him. After all, everyone has their own dreams and goals.
"Arthur, you could always stay on our ship," Luffy said, eager to have Arthur with them. "We've got everything you need—if you want good food, Sanji can cook for you, and it's great to be with everyone. Being alone can be pretty lonely, you know."
Chopper felt a bit upset when he saw that Arthur wanted to leave. He looked at Arthur and said, "Please stay…"
Arthur reached out and gently patted Chopper's head. "Don't worry, Chopper. If it's meant to be, we'll definitely meet again someday. Besides, I can't stay in the New World for too long."
Arthur paused, then added, "If I stay here, everything in the New World will be thrown into chaos. I'd rather return to the Grand Line for a while. There are still some of my friends there."
Though Chopper wanted to say more, he couldn't find the words. In the end, he knew that everyone had their own path, and Arthur was determined to leave. He couldn't hold him back.
Seeing the sadness on everyone's faces, Arthur grabbed a bottle of wine nearby and took a few swigs.
He then slapped Luffy on the shoulder, trying to lighten the mood. "Come on, why all the long faces? It's not the end of the world. You've heard that saying, right? There are friends across the seas, and no matter how far apart we are, we'll meet again someday."
He smiled at them. "You guys keep making a name for yourselves in the New World, and I'll take a little detour around the Grand Line. We'll meet again soon, I'm sure of it."