The Great Voyage: The Props Master on the Straw Hat Ship

“Mr. Link…”

Merry stared at him blankly, then suddenly grabbed Link's hand.

"I never imagined that you, Mr. Link, would have such a passion for ships!!"

With tears welling up in her eyes, Merry exclaimed, "I never imagined that at my age I could build a ship like this! Thank you so much for making my dream come true, Mr. Link! Thank you so much!!"

呃 ..

Link was only slightly taken aback by Merry's sudden outpouring of enthusiasm and gratitude before quickly regaining his composure and saying firmly:

"Ships are a seaman's second partner, and we will never be lax in this regard!!"

"Mr. Link!!"

Mr. Merry felt he had found a kindred spirit and told Link that he would use the best materials in the remaining construction of the Merry to help complete the final building work.

The two had a very pleasant conversation, and it was at this moment that Zoro quietly came over.

Do we have that much money?

It's worth noting that there are only three or four great pirates in the East Blue with a bounty of over ten million Berries. Zoro remembers that the highest bounty was only twenty million Berries, belonging to a fishman named Arlong.

Even the "Eastern Sea Overlord" Crick only has a bounty of seventeen million Berries.

Even if they seized the Buggy Pirates' inventory, they would only have ten million Berries.

Adding to Alvida's previous gains, it's nowhere near the level of a massive sum of 20 million Berries.

"There isn't any at the moment, so I had Mr. Merry pay some in advance."

Link replied with a smile.

Zoro sensed something else: "Currently... you mean it'll be available in a couple of days?"

"It should only take about two or three days... Do you remember how we helped the residents rebuild the town in Orange Town before?"

"Help with the reconstruction? Do we have that... wait, you mean..."

Zoro was taken aback at first, then immediately realized what was happening.

"Yes."

Link nodded. "The Black Cat Pirates, whom we arranged to meet with Kuro, will be arriving in a couple of days. They have three high-bounty officers on board!"

"Their bounty will be enough to fund the construction of pirate ships."

The main combat members of the current Black Cat Pirates are the Black Cat brothers, Buchi and Sam, both of whom have a bounty of seven million Berries.

Zango, the hypnotist who was previously the first mate and is now the captain, has a bounty of nine million Berries.

The three of them together have exactly 23 million Berries.

032 Is this my pirate ship?! [Thanks to Shanggu Xuanji and Xiaogui for the monthly tickets!!]

Not to mention the "Hundred Schemes" Kro, whose identity was exposed; he himself had a bounty of 16 million.

In short, annihilating the Black Cat Pirates, who will arrive in two or three days, will be enough to support the construction of subsequent pirate ships.

Since Link and his crew can't exchange these heads for bounties anyway, they might as well give them to Mr. Merry to exchange for money to build ships.

"Is this so..."

Zoro nodded in understanding, then raised an eyebrow and said:

"You've taken care of that Kuro from before, so what about the Black Cat Pirates..."

"Don't worry, I won't fight you for it this time."

Knowing what he was up to, Link waved his hand, saying that this little guy wasn't worth his time.

"That's good."

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Zoro nodded in satisfaction.

His eyes were filled with anticipation for the approaching prey.

Time flies, passing by in a flash.

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

The news of Kuro's defeat did not leak out at all; even the townspeople were unaware of it, let alone the Black Cat Pirates.

Therefore, after Usopp and his three henchmen discovered the arrival of the Black Cat Pirates while scouting the coast, they immediately notified Zoro.

Then, Zoro proceeded to chop and slice through the entire pirate crew.

None of the three main individuals with the highest bounties escaped.

During this time, besides Zoro, Usopp also contributed a lot to help Kaya get revenge.

Using his traps and clever tricks, he also took down quite a few henchmen, and they could be considered to be fighting side by side.

As for the Black Cat Pirates' valuables, Link calmly put them away amidst Nami's frantic and resentful gaze.

In total, approximately seven to eight million Berries were deposited into the pirate crew's inventory.

Thus, Link, who was cleaning up the venue, had secured the 23 million Berries in votes.

Along with Crowe, whose limbs had been broken by Link and who had been handcuffed and remained unconscious, they were taken to the nearest naval base by Mr. Merry in exchange for a large bounty.

The funds for the final construction of the Merry were thus replenished.

After the Going Merry completed its final repairs, Merry led Luffy, Link, and the others to the shore.

"Everyone, look!!"

When the large cloth covering the ship was pulled back, everyone could see a three-masted sailboat with a cute sheep's head in their field of vision.

The ship is constructed entirely of a skeletal frame, and all of its triangular sails are steered using the "caravel" method, which is steered from the center of the stern.

"With Mr. Link's help, all the materials are currently the most advanced configuration available for the Going Merry!!"

Mr. Merry looked at Link with gratitude and said, "Thanks to Mr. Link's help, I was able to realize my dream on the Merry. It's so wonderful, sob sob sob!!" As he spoke, he excitedly wiped away his tears and cried.

As for this ship, which was nominally a vessel, Luffy ran towards it with stars in his eyes the moment he saw the Going Merry.

The first place he settled on the ship was his future exclusive seat, the one where the ram's head was located at the bow.

"Is this my pirate ship?!"

Luffy was grinning from ear to ear.

"Your name is Going Merry, right? I'm counting on you from now on, Going Merry!!"

Zoro and Nami boarded the ship shortly after.

"It is indeed better than the pirate ships I have seen before."

After taking a stroll around, Zoro, still admiring the view, found a spot on the deck and lay down.

Although the boat is not large, it is quite comfortable to ride in.

Nami nodded frequently beside her.

Hmm, is this the ship that cost over ten million Pelés to build?

Some of the materials seem quite valuable; I wonder if I could get a good price for them if I sold them...

With Merry by his side, Link carefully inspected the entire ship, especially the keel.

The keel is the most important part of a ship; once this keel breaks, the ship is 100% beyond saving.

Fortunately, Link's large sum of money did have some effect.

The area where the dragon bones are located has been specially reinforced, making the protection much more robust than the original version.

According to Merry, it can effectively withstand most violent impacts, and Link nodded in satisfaction.

And so, Luffy and Link's crew finally got their first pirate ship, the Going Merry!

Everyone was quite satisfied with the ship.

After familiarizing themselves with the ship's operation and exchanging a few pleasantries with Kaya and Merry, the group began to anchor and prepare to set sail.

What are you still doing there?

Luffy lay on the edge of the ship, looking down at Usopp, who was carrying large and small bags and was also planning to go on a trip.

Over the past two days, they have all witnessed Usopp's efforts, and Luffy has also learned that Usopp is Yasopp's son.

Their already good relationship has become even closer.

"We're already comrades, aren't we?"

Luffy chuckled and extended an invitation to Usopp.

The title 033, and the flag... [Thanks to Zhanhen Piaodeng and Yilan Zhongshanxiao for the monthly tickets!!]

I have no objection

Zoro, who was lying down, patted his chest with his sword.

"It just so happens that this ship is short of a general sailor, a shipwright in charge of repairs, a lookout, a sniper, and incidentally a helmsman who can also steer."

Link was pondering his options, and had no objection to Usopp joining him.

It's the original cast, and besides, he's the future "Great Usopp" and "Saint Usopp".

In times of trouble, look to Zoro; in times of dire straits, look to Usopp, though he wasn't very reliable in the early stages.

However, after two years of training, although he is still timid, Usopp's progress and maturity are clearly visible.

By then, he was already capable of becoming an excellent naval warrior, able to stand on his own.

"captain……"

Hearing everyone's recognition and invitation, Usopp was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes again.

However, being a man, he shook his face, then, full of excitement, strode over with his head held high!

"I should be the captain, shouldn't I?!"

Thus, the adventure in Xirob Village officially came to a perfect end.

Acquired pirate ships: an upgraded Going Merry, treasure from the Black Cat Pirates, seven million Berries, new crew members, an excellent sniper, and now, without Usopp!!

This trip was incredibly rewarding!!

"Yoshi! The great Captain Usopp has set sail with his crew!!"

On the high seas, the Going Merry sailed leisurely. After calming down from his initial excitement about his first voyage, Usopp began to indulge in his old habits again. 8

In the original version, Zoro sleeps, Nami ignores him, and Luffy sometimes plays with him, but most of the time, he entertains himself. (9)

But now... 3

"If you're really that free, go and clean the deck properly first!!" (9)

The great Captain Usopp, before he could even begin his glorious deeds, was mercilessly subdued by Link wielding a mop and a bucket.

"Are you really going to make me do all the odd jobs a sailor does?"

Usopp would definitely bark his fangs at anyone else, but he wasn't so brazen with Link, who had easily defeated Kuro and was clearly a senior member of the crew. ④

Holding only the bucket and mop Link had thrown at him, he swallowed hard and asked with some difficulty, "Slip away."

"Your goal is to become a captain, right?"

Link glanced at Usopp. "Then you'd better learn what it takes to be a pirate."

Usopp: "...Does being a pirate require studying?"

"That's for sure."

Link replied matter-of-factly, "Otherwise, why would every ship have a position like 'apprentice pirate'?"

"Although you are our partner and a full-fledged crew member, you still have a long way to go before you become a true pirate."

"Especially compared to your father, if you want to become a pirate as good as him, you have to work much harder than ordinary people."

"Is this so..."

Upon mentioning his father, Usopp's somewhat restless mind calmed down slightly.

"what should I do?"

He asked Link, who looked like a seasoned pirate, for advice.