[Task Completed: Acquire Ship - Going Merry]
[Reward: 5 Contracts]
[Contracts Remaining: 23]
"So, I just need to own the ship. It does not matter if I sail in it or not. That simplifies things."
Luffy stood atop the figurehead of the Going Merry, looking out at the sea.
"A sheep, huh? It's much better than a clown," Luffy spoke as he saw the Big Top sailing towards the bay.
Then, a plan formed in his mind. He turned his attention to the heiress.
"Kaya, I need you to gather all the workers you have."
__________
After some time,
"WHY... just tell me WHY?!" Buggy wailed, tears streaming down his face as he saw the figurehead of the Big Top being dismantled.
"I like this decision, Captain," Alvida voiced her approval, completely ignoring the wailing clown beside her.
But Luffy paid them no mind. He was with the foreman, explaining exactly what he required.
After confirming they would need a day to complete the modifications, he turned towards Kaya's villa. He was heading off to finally relax for the first time since he came to this world.
__________
Usopp was still unconscious, so the last mission was still pending.
As for Kuro and Jango
Jango signed the contract and became the official hypnotist of the Straw Hats.
Kuro refused firmly. He was beaten, then tortured, and finally signed the contract.
[Contracts Remaining: 21]
But the way Kuro looked at Luffy and the others was evident. Even if others might not notice, one cannot hide their true intent from a gangster.
In the end, Luffy decided he was not worth the risk and executed him.
Yeah, he wasted a contract. He could have made him a slave, but because he wanted a fast fighter for the crew, he had made a calculation error.
Luffy, as a former boss, was not naive. There are many ways to harm your target while being totally obedient to them.
He did not trust the so-called absolute contract blindly. He had been awake both times Alvida and Buggy tried to harm him; he was ready for them, but he did not had the reason to act.
All this time, he had worked toward making others loyal to him, using the contract merely as a leash to instill fear. He would never fully depend on it.
__________
A day passed quickly with the crew reveling in their victory. Luffy ate all he could; after all, it was the first time since Morgan's office that he was eating something truly good.
Then he went to get something new to wear, something black, and instructed the others to follow suit.
In the village, they finally got to see their bounty posters for the first time. Luffy was satisfied by what he saw. Surprisingly, there was also a bounty on Zoro now of 5 million, and Alvida's bounty had been updated to 8 million.
That called for a celebration again, much to the horror of the villagers.
In the end, getting all the things they needed, including new equipment for training, on Kaya's tab, they returned to the mansion.
At night, training began, which gave the tired villagers a sleepless night - all credit went to Buggy's crying but this time there was someone to share burden with him, new recruit Jango.
As the time arrived for them to set off, they were greeted by a renovated ship.
The figurehead was replaced from a clown to that of a black goat. The entire theme of the ship had become mostly black. With a main black sail showcasing a skull wearing a straw hat and two guns crossing behind it, it gave the impression of something sinister.
"SHIHAHAHAHA, I like it." Luffy laughed out loud, also wearing mostly black along with his crew. "The name of this ship will be TheBlack GOAT."
As Luffy announced the new name of the ship, the others, who were too shocked, were finally brought out of their daze.
"Is it really our ship?" Jango asked while pointing at the Black GOAT.
"Let's board," Zoro, who was carrying the still unconscious Usopp, said as he went ahead.
The others also started moving when they heard a voice from behind. "W...Wait!"
It was Kaya, along with her now recovered butler, Merry. "I will go with you."
"And why would we take a missy like you with us?" Alvida questioned, intimidatingly slamming her mace onto the ground with a loud thud.
"I have some knowledge in medicine."
"I just want to help Usopp."
Kaya spoke timidly, to which Luffy smiled and extended his hand toward her.
"Only come if you are willing to sign a contract."
"Miss, are you re—"
"I have made my decision," Kaya nodded firmly. "If I don't go with you, Usopp will... He might..."
"Okay then." Luffy gave the signal to Nami, who went forward to welcome Kaya and helped her get on board.
__________
A siren rang out.
All the Marines stationed at the 153rd branch hurriedly made their way toward the bay.
Seeing the huge disturbance, many shops in the market closed, and people hurried to their homes.
Although the people were misunderstanding the situation, no Marine was willing to waste a second to correct them. Because everyone wanted to be first. First to welcome the Hero of the Marines to their humble town.
Coby was among this Marine crowd.
Before long, he stood at the bay, watching a huge ship with a dog figurehead coming closer.
Just the sheer size of the vessel made him gasp.
"Soldiers, get in formation!"
__________
Garp stood at the front of the ship, watching Shells Town get closer.
He was not happy. The journey that was meant to take two days had taken double that.
It was all because of an unusual sea tornado they faced, which was a very rare occurrence in the weakest sea.
In the end, it was Garp's fist that calmed the tornado, or their ship might have been destroyed. In fact, the only reason it took so long was because Garp had to limit his power.
"We are already at Shells Town and you are telling me there is still no news of the brat?"
"No sir," replied Bogard.
"Hah! Looks like this needs to be done the old-fashioned way."
_________
Inside Morgan's office,
"So, you are Coby?"
"Y...Yes, sir."
"Coby, let's see what this file says about you," Garp said, flipping pages in the file. "Served under Iron Mace Alvida... Disguised as a Pirate Hunter... Enlisted in Marines... Sounded the alarm bell... and, Killed Axe-Hand Morgan."
After reading from the file, Garp casually put it on the table and looked at Coby. An awkward silence filled the room.
Garp gave Coby a sharp look, and Coby was too scared to say anything.
__________
Author here :
Sorry for the short chapter