The little girl, who looked like a rabbit, introduced herself while eating Sanji's potato pie.
"I'm Qimoni, this is the kitten Gonbe and Kokoro."
Nami curiously asked about the steamboat they had just seen.
Qimoni looked at Nami with great pride, crunching on her potato pie.
"That's the Sea Train, called Puffing Tom. It's propelled by steam power and runs along tracks in the sea. The tracks are just a little below us. The train travels in the same area every day, transporting passengers between islands, and also carrying ships and some packages."
Everyone listened with a look of having seen something truly amazing.
Orochimaru wasn't curious about this at all. He squatted on the ground, staring at Gonbe... Such a magical cat... Not only was it blue, but it also had rabbit ears. He poked it.
It really did meow, but it only made a "mia... mia" sound... This cat's accent is a bit heavy... So magical, let's flip it over and see, is it male or female?
"Mia! Mia!" Gonbe struggled furiously, trying to escape the human's rude actions. Cats have privacy too!
While Orochimaru was still studying the cat, Luffy's arm stretched out and dragged Orochimaru away.
"Yosh... Let's go! Next stop, Water 7! We must find a shipwright to be our Companion!"
Gonbe wiped his sweat. Finally, he was gone. That human was so scary.
After bidding farewell to the kind Kokoro and Qimoni, the going merry began its journey towards Water 7.
A group of people on the ship were loudly discussing what kind of shipwright they should find. Robin quietly watched the playful group below, her eyes filled with tenderness, as if she wanted to engrave this moment permanently in her heart.
Orochimaru just handed someone a cup of tea. There was no point in saying anything now. It was better to think about how to deal with Merry's situation.
Orochimaru was hanging on the ship, yes, hanging, like a useless snake, looking somewhat dejected... He didn't know why, but seeing Water 7 always gave him an ominous premonition.
But relatively speaking, he was still more worried about Robin's state. How should he tell her that the others wouldn't abandon her just because of an Admiral? But... never mind... He'd better look at the ship first... He didn't want to get close to Water 7... Nami took Luffy and Usopp to exchange some gold for Berries. This money was specifically for repairing the going merry, as they were quite wealthy now. Orochimaru ignored this group.
Looking at Chopper, who was carrying a small backpack and eagerly wanting to buy books with Robin, Orochimaru created a mini snake clone and put it on Robin's hand.
"Orochimaru's protective bracelet, don't lose it."
Robin looked at the small white snake biting its own tail, gazing at her with watery eyes... In the end, she couldn't refuse.
He then tucked another one into Chopper's hat, rubbing his fluffy head, "This is Chopper's. Be careful when you go out to play."
Not long after, Sanji also chose to disembark to take a stroll and buy some local specialties.
Only Zoro, who was sleeping, and a useless snake, transformed into a snake body and hanging on the railing, were left on the ship. From a distance, it looked like a rag fluttering in the wind. This must be the illness Usopp spoke of, the inability to disembark.
After an unknown amount of time, Orochimaru felt someone board the ship. He rubbed Zoro's cheek with his snake head.
"Hey... Zoro, wake up... Square-nosed Usopp." Wait... when did he get on Zoro?
Zoro also looked up, "Oh... Usopp..." ... After a while, he reacted, gripping his swords and roaring at the newcomer with a shark-like face, "Wait!! Who are you, kid!!"
The square-nosed Usopp looked at Zoro, "...I'm sorry to disturb your sleep... I am Kaku... a shipwright from the Galley-La Company. Your straw hat Captain asked us to inspect the condition of your ship for subsequent repairs."
A moment later, Kaku left. Zoro looked at the sea in silence, "Orochimaru... did you know already...?"
"Yes... Merry is just an ordinary ship... The materials are just ordinary wood... It can't withstand the storms of the Grand Line at all." Orochimaru patted Merry... "However, Merry has accompanied us for so long and experienced so many things. As a ship, it's truly remarkable... It's just... we might have to part ways for a short time."
Zoro looked at Orochimaru, "What are you going to do?"
"It's not time yet, but soon... I'm waiting for Merry's choice... After all, it's also our Companion." Orochimaru looked at the sheep's head, gently stroking it... Zoro didn't quite understand, but he chose to trust Orochimaru, "Does Luffy know...?"
"Ah..." Orochimaru paused... "The shipbuilding company will tell him... After all, he bears a great responsibility for Merry becoming like this."
Zoro's mouth twitched slightly, "...You... you're definitely retaliating against Luffy for getting angry at you before, aren't you...?"
"No, I'm not... Am I such a petty person?" Orochimaru's tail silently squeezed Zoro's neck and shook him, "Absolutely not! No deliberate retaliation!!!"
"I know, I know! I won't say any more... Let go." Zoro rolled his Byakugan and pushed Orochimaru away, coughing.
"Remember to explain to Usopp. Merry means a lot to him... and he's stubborn..."
"Do you think I'm like you guys? I have a mouth." Orochimaru chuckled rarely, looking at Zoro.
"And Usopp actually anticipated it, he just didn't want to face reality. After all, Merry is like his child... All the repairs and maintenance along the way... He's probably the one who understands Merry the most, right, Merry...?" Orochimaru looked at Merry, as it was a ship with a soul.
After some time, Chopper, Sanji, Nami, and others returned one after another, but they brought bad news: Usopp was kidnapped, and Robin was missing!
Luffy and his Crewmates immediately decided to set off to find Usopp and avenge him. They arrived at the abandoned shipyard and found Usopp beaten unconscious. Seeing this scene, a blazing rage ignited in Luffy and the others' hearts. The group walked towards Franky's House, determined to avenge Usopp.
Orochimaru stayed behind to take care of Usopp. Watching Usopp gradually regain consciousness, Orochimaru sighed and said, "Usopp... you should know that we don't lack those two hundred million Berries. Why did you fight so desperately? You're clearly the one most afraid of death."
Usopp couldn't help but cry, covering his face and saying, "But that was the money to save Merry! If I hadn't been unable to protect it, it wouldn't have been stolen by others."
Orochimaru gently patted him, "Usopp, I've never thought you were weak, it's just that everyone specializes in different areas. As a sniper, you shouldn't fight enemies head-on; that will only put you in danger. And I always believe that the future you will become even stronger. Aren't you going to become a brave Sea Warrior?"
So Usopp... you don't need to prove anything... Luffy doesn't need your proof either, just live according to your own heart.
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