"I wonder if Straw Hat and the others will like the ship I made for them…"
Franky muttered while lying on a lounge chair.
"This is my greatest masterpiece."
To be honest, he truly wanted to leave with those guys.
But Water 7 needed him.
That was his responsibility—so he couldn't leave.
"Boss, why are you here?"
"Hm?"
"This is Franky House. It's my home. Why wouldn't I come back?"
Zambai and the others exchanged glances, clearly not expecting him to return at this moment. For a while, none of them knew what to say.
"What's with those expressions?"
"Boss… I'll be honest."
Zambai took out Franky's wanted poster.
"You're wanted now. Living a peaceful life is impossible."
"A bounty…"
Franky's expression darkened.
"So it really happened."
"Boss, I already asked Straw Hat Boss to take you with them," Zambai said seriously.
"I understand you. I know you want to go with them—"
"Bullshit!" Franky cut him off angrily.
"Who gave you the right to decide for me?! What do you even understand?!"
"And if I leave, you idiots will starve with those trash skills of yours!"
Franky glanced at the shabby Franky House behind them—it could barely even be called a building.
"But boss, if you stay here, we'll only hold you back!"
"Yeah, boss!"
"If you get captured again, there's no way we can storm Enies Lobby a second time—let alone save you!"
"Enough. Don't say this kind of nonsense again. You guys—"
BOOM!
A massive water dragon slammed into the ground, forcibly cutting off Franky's words.
Everyone turned toward the source—and immediately saw a familiar figure.
"R–R–R–R Ninja Boss?!"
"Yo. Long time no see."
"What are you doing here?" Franky stood up warily.
"Don't tell me you came to thank me."
"You could say that."
"Hahahaha! So? The ship I built is amazing, right?!"
Franky raised his chin proudly, full of confidence.
In his eyes, that ship was no worse than the Oro Jackson itself.
"It's incredible. Everyone loves it."
"That's good!" Franky waved his hand, pretending to be carefree.
"Then go adventure on my ship!"
"…And you?" Jin asked.
"I—I'm staying here!"
Franky suddenly put on a fierce expression.
"Enough talking! Hurry up and leave!"
Jin only smiled—he didn't reply.
"Ninja Boss, you came at the perfect time," Zambai said seriously.
"What we said before still counts, right?"
"Of course."
"Then please—do it!"
They all knew Jin's strength.
This was the man who single-handedly blocked a Buster Call—forcing Franky away should be easy for him.
"Wait—what do you mean, 'do it'?" Franky frowned.
"You're not planning to—"
"Earth Release: Rock Flow Technique!"
Bang!
The ground exploded upward.
A gigantic stone hand burst from beneath the earth, tightly grabbing Franky's lower body—and instantly dragged him underground!
Zambai and the others were completely stunned.
"Everyone, I'm taking Franky with me," Jin said with a smile.
"We'll meet again."
"Goodbye, Ninja Boss! Franky Boss is in your hands!"
Jin nodded, then glanced toward the distant sea—
A Marine warship was clearly approaching.
The Marines… bad timing.
"Jin, why hasn't your clone returned yet?" Luffy asked.
"It's already here."
Bang!
As his words fell, a massive stone hand erupted from the ground—Franky still trapped inside it.
"You bastard, what the hell is this supposed to mean?!"
Franky roared.
"I built your ship and this is how you repay me?!"
Before he could finish yelling, he realized—
He was already back at the shipyard.
"Yo, Franky."
"…It's you guys."
Franky snorted.
"So? How's the ship?"
"I love it."
"That's good…"
"Then get on my ship and be my shipwright!"
Luffy grinned widely.
"Damn it, stop deciding things on your own!"
Franky shouted.
"And you, ninja kid—can you let me go already?!"
"That won't do," Jin grinned.
"You haven't agreed yet."
"Yeah," Luffy added seriously.
"Pirates don't give up treasure."
"Treasure…"
Franky froze.
He never expected to be called that.
Treasure… were companions treasure?
Thinking about everything the Straw Hats had done—
…Maybe they really were.
"Why is he being just as stubborn as you used to be?"
Jin said, glancing back at Robin.
Robin only smiled gently.
"Boss, please go with them," Kiwi said.
"Yeah, boss—go chase your dream!" Mozu added.
"Don't say stupid things!"
Franky snapped.
"Why are you two joining in too?!"
"Boss," Mozu said with tears in his eyes,
"do you know when you smiled the happiest?"
"When?"
"When you were building the ship for Straw Hat!"
"Boss… do you really want to keep lying to yourself?"
"We truly want you to fulfill your dream—to do what you really want."
Franky fell silent.
His eyes slowly turned red.
You idiots… why say such heartbreaking things… damn it!
"Franky," Iceburg said calmly,
"you don't need to keep suppressing yourself anymore."
"Idiot Iceburg, I'm not—"
"Then what have you been doing all these years?" Iceburg interrupted.
"Do you really think I don't understand?"
"…It's time you forgave yourself."
Franky opened his mouth—yet couldn't refute a single word.
"Franky," Iceburg continued,
"you still remember what your 'dream ship' truly is, right?"
"I do."
Those words awakened memories buried deep in Franky's heart.
A true dream ship—
One that crosses countless seas, endures endless battles and hardship,
and still reaches the end of the ocean.
That is a dream ship.
And his dream—
Was to ride that ship himself and witness legend being born.
"Iceburg… you bastard…"
BOOM!!
Suddenly, a terrifying explosion echoed from the distant sea.
From above, they could faintly see a water dragon being completely blown apart in the sky.
Everyone's expressions changed.
"What happened?!"
"Not sure—"
Jin suddenly froze, his face turning grim.
"Luffy's grandfather is back."
"He destroyed my clone with one punch."
The feedback from the dispelled shadow clone surged into his mind.
Thankfully, there were still other clones holding him back—for now.
Jin rushed to the other side of the ship, staring at the distant ocean.
Robin followed, her expression tense.
"The Marine hero who cornered the Pirate King…"
she said softly.
"So he's finally making his move."
That was very bad news.
Jin turned back and looked down at Franky.
"What's your decision?"
"If you still haven't made up your mind—then I'll force it."
"Luffy's grandfather will be here soon."
"We don't have much time."
At that moment—
Another clone was obliterated.
BOOM!!
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