(A/N: Heyyyyy, how's it going? How's everyone's 2025 so far? Mine's been okay for the most part, pretty great because of my new dog. I know I've just listed a hiatus last time but it's less of a hiatus more like just a slow updates type of thing because writer's block has been kicking my ass. Especially since, and idk if y'all knew this but, I don't plan out any of these chapters. I write these with basic ideas and little thinking. I write this on a goddamn whim. It's also like I said in my author's note, I watch the episodes to while writing the chapters and I often forget how slow the pacing is along with struggling to choose which direction to go in terms of plot because, like I said before, I don't plan this out. Also-uh-I'm not gonna describe the fight between Usopp and Luffy because I know my ass will butcher that shit so bad. Anyway, that's enough rambling from me, enjoy the chapter!)

Chapter One:

" Bonds Are Broken "

(NO POV)

Even though the two were still snuggled together, it was hard for Zoro and Isaac to sleep soundly knowing some guy was snooping through the ship, even if it was his job. Zoro and Isaac peeked through into the men's cabin just as Kaku had ripped off one of the floorboards, "Hey! What do you think you're doing tearing apart our ship!?" Kaku looked up at them apologetically, "Oops, sorry for waking you two up. Don't worry, I'll put everything back once I check beneath the floorboards." He explained. Isaac raised a brow, "What are you checking for?" He asked. Kaku looked under where he had torn the floorboards off, gasping briefly before turning his head up. 

"Do either of you know what a keel is?" Kaku asked. "It's that thing at the bottom of the boat, what about it?" Zoro replied. "The keel is the most important wood beam on a ship. It crosses from stem to stem and supports the ship. When building a ship you start by placing the keel, building up the ship from that. It's like the ship's core to put it simply." Kaku explained. "I can tell your ship's been through a lot. Considering the state she's currently in, I'm honestly surprised she's made it this far. No matter how skilled the shipwright, no one could fix her."

Isaac's eyes widen, covering his mouth with his hand, and Zoro's expression turns serious. "What? Is this some kind of joke!? 'Cuz we're sure as hell not laughing!" He threatened. Kaku shook his head, "I would never lie on the job." He said before returning above deck, sighing, "I'm sorry to be the bringer of this bad news, but I'm sure we could build you a brand new ship. Well, I'd better go report this to your captain so I'm heading off." Kaku then left without another word. Isaac walked towards the goat figurehead, wrapping his arms around it sadly, "Say it isn't true, Merry..." He whimpered. Zoro looked at Isaac sadly, unsure how to provide comfort in the situation. He made his way towards Isaac, patting the pink-haired male's head gently in an attempt at comfort. Isaac sighed, "Thanks, Zoro...I'm gonna take some time to myself, to process everything." He said. Zoro nodded, "Just let me know if you need anything."

Awhile later, Sanji and Chopper had returned to the ship, so it was time to tell them the news.

"Is that true?" Sanji asked after Zoro explained the circumstances. "That's what the shipwright said at least," Zoro replied. "It can't be fixed? Even if we have money? Then what's going to happen to Merry?" Chopper asked worriedly. "Beats me. Honestly, it depends on how Luffy and the others react to the outcome of the assessment. Either way, I'm sure they'll decide the shipyard." 

"It just seems so extreme," Sanji said. "I mean, look at her. It's the same old Merry. We've traveled with her all the way from the East Blue to this place. So why now?"

"You just answered your own question. Humans become stronger after each hardship, but ships are different. Their wounds just pile up." Zoro explained. "It's just hard to accept. And what's Usopp gonna say when he hears about this?" Sanji asked. "But I love Merry! I don't want to leave her!" Chopper cried. "We all do. But her scars are too deep. There's nothing we can do." Zoro replied. 

Meanwhile, Isaac was deep in thought as he read through his spellbook. He slammed the book shut, cursing under his breath. "Dammit! I know there must be some magical way to fix Merry. There has to be!" He put the book down, tearing up. "If I only I were a stronger witch with more power...Maybe everyone was wrong about me. Maybe I'm not the son of some super-powerful witch, maybe the two of us looking alike is just a coincidence...Maybe I'm just some wannabee witch..." He mumbled.

"HEY! EVERYONE!" Shouted Nami's voice. Isaac stood up, wiping his tears and going to see what was up. "Nami!? Where's Luffy and Usopp?" He asked. Nami began explaining that Usopp along with a good chunk of the money they got had been taken by some gang known as the 'Franky Family' and that they hurt Usopp pretty badly and left him for dead in the streets. Luffy had also darted off before knowing exactly where to find the Franky Family, but Nami knew where their hideout was so it was time for the Straw Hats to get even and take back their money. Nami planned to stay on the ship to protect the money they had left while the others went to retrieve Usopp. She gave Zoro, Sanji, Isaac, and Chopper a map and directions to find Usopp as well as the location of the Franky Family's hideout. 

When they got to the spot, Usopp was nowhere to be seen. "Usopp!" Chopper called out only to be met with no response. "He's not here..." Isaac said. "Are you sure? Maybe Curly-Brow screwed up the directions," Zoro commented, receiving a glare from Sanji. "I'm not you! Shut up!" While Zoro and Sanji were arguing, Chopper and Isaac looked around. "Hey, look at this." Chopper pointed to what looked to be a trail of blood. Isaac cringed, "No, he didn't!" Isaac clenched his fists, "That idiot went off on his own!?" 

From above them, the four began to hear a faint scream quickly coming closer and closer from above them. Suddenly Luffy falls, bouncing off the sidewalk into the water, of course, he starts drowning once he falls in. "HELP ME!" 

"LUFFY!?"

After helping their captain out of the water Sanji asked where he fell from. "The shipyard...I was jumping around like that other guy looking for Usopp..." Luffy explained while coughing up seawater. "But we've got bigger problems, Usopp got abducted with the money!" Sanji nodded, "We know. Come on, we're just about to head over to the hideout of the guys who did it. I bet that's where we'll find Usopp and the money." Isaac sighed, "He most likely felt responsible and went off to fight them on his own..." 

When they arrived at the hideout of the Franky Family, the five pirates found Usopp lying outside, unconscious and very injured. "Is he breathing, Chopper?" Luffy asked. Chopper was in his humanoid form, checking Usopp's condition, "He's unconscious, but he's alive. I can save him." He replied. "You wait out here...'Kay Usopp?" Luffy tilted his hat slightly down, Sanji lit a cigarette, and Zoro tied his bandanna around his head. The three of them, Chopper, and Isaac were furious and ready to fight. "We're gonna blow that stupid house away!"

A large man opened the front door, only to be punched down by Luffy immediately. This caused a panic among the others inside;

"What was that!? What happened!?"

"Do you jerks have a death wish!?"

One then noticed Luffy and gulped nervously, "I recognize him! It's that pirate...Straw Hat Luffy!"

A much larger man laughed, "So you fools decided to come get your money back? Bad move. Do you think the five of you can handle all of us?" He mocked. "But since you're here, we might as well collect those big bounties on your heads!" 

Another chimed in, "He's the captain of that long-nosed weakling we took out earlier! With a sorry excuse for a pirate like that on his crew, he can't be that strong!" Luffy began punching the larger man rapidly, causing all of the Franky Family members to laugh. But their laughing quickly turned to screams of shock and terror when the man was sent flying back. "FIRE THE CANNONBALLS!" One of them shouted. Zoro made quick work cutting all the cannonballs into halves as well as cutting the cannon itself in half. The Franky Family members tried to flee only to be stopped by the combined efforts of Sanji, Chopper, and Isaac.

One of the few family members left standing, Zambai, began shouting frantically, "Wait! Wait! You guys just want the money back, right!? I hate to tell you but our boss, Franky, took it and went on a shopping spree! And since he's shopping off the black market we don't know where he is or how to find him! So no matter how much of a rampage you go on, that 200 million berries is gone for-" Luffy interrupted him by punching him and sending Zambai flying. "Shut up! That's enough out of you. This has nothing to do with the money." Sanji said. 

"Not even your bones will be left when we're done with you." Luffy declared.

The Franky Family members screamed before one of them shouted, "Stop being scared! We're the Franky Family, we do all the bone-breaking around here!" "Let's show 'em the specialty of the Franky House! Fire the 'Anything-Shot' cannon!" An assortment of random items were fired out of another canon, all the Straw Hats maneuvering around them with ease. In a matter of minutes, the entire Franky House along with the members of the family has collapsed.

"So what now? Should we try finding Franky?" Isaac asked. "Where would we even start looking?" Zoro pondered while tying his bandanna back on his left bicep. "Dammit. Looks like these idiots really didn't know anything." Sanji lamented. "And even if we did find him, if he already spent it then there's no getting it back." 

Meanwhile, Chopper had done basic first aid and called out to the others, "We need to take Usopp back on a stretcher, so I could use some help over here!" Sanji sighed, "It's no good sitting around here for Franky to come back, so we'll just head back to the ship for now. We left Nami there to fend for herself and Robin's still missing." Isaac frowned and rested his chin on his fist. 'That's right. Sanji and Chopper mentioned Robin mysteriously vanishing...What could be going on with her?' He thought. Isaac then looked up at Luffy who was standing on top of what remained of the Franky House, "Hey, Luffy!" He shouted. 

"I've made a decision about the ship..." Luffy said. "It's time to say goodbye to the Merry. We'll part ways here." 

Waiting for Usopp to come to was agony. Isaac was extremely worried not just about his condition, but also how he'd react to Luffy's decision. He didn't want to part ways with the Going Merry after all they'd been through, but not only did we have no other choice it was also not up to him, it's Luffy's choice as the captain and Isaac had sworn to follow him no matter what. As the sun was beginning to set, Chopper ran out of his office shouting, "You guys! Usopp's finally awake!" Luffy grinned, "Alright! That's good to hear!" Nami sighed in relief, "That's one less thing to worry about." 

They all entered, relieved to see Usopp alive and well. "You know I oughta' punch you for scaring us like that." Nami lightly scolded. "That's right. But it looks like you've taken enough punches already if you ask me. You're lucky you didn't die." Sanji said. Zoro crossed his arms, "You can't just run off and fight whoever you want." He lectured. "That's a good one, coming from you." Sanji joked. Usopp trembled, sniffling, "This wouldn't have happened if I was strong like you guys...I'm so sorry! I'm so ashamed of myself!" Usopp cried, hugging Zoro's legs. He sobbed onto Zoro's pantlegs, apologizing profusely. "Take it easy! You shouldn't be out of bed yet." Chopper urged. "Hey, listen to what Chopper's saying why don't you," Nami said.

"So, is there a chance we'll get our money back after all?" Usopp asked. "Well, we won't know for sure until that Franky guy shows up," Luffy replied casually, his answer causing Usopp to bow his head in shame. "I see...I'm sorry." "Hey, even if we can't get it back, we still have 100 million berries, so don't worry," Luffy reassured. "Yeah, but he lost twice as much!" Nami exclaimed. "Nami..." Chopper mumbled. Nami cringed, "Sorry Usopp." "No, it's fine. More importantly, will Merry be okay? I mean-can we still repair her with the money we have left?" Usopp asked. "I know we have a bunch of awesome shipwrights around here, but I know it's gonna get tougher from here on out, so I want her to be stronger than ever! You talked to them about it, right?"

 "Yeah...But we aren't having them repair it." Luffy replied. "We decided to get a new ship instead." Usopp's expression turned shocked and he gasped. "I know we should've asked you first, but we have no choice. Either way, my mind is made up. The Going Merry has taken good care of us, but it looks like our journey with her has to end here." Luffy explained. Tension grew more and more as silence filled the room, Luffy picked up a book and began flipping through the pages, "Ice Pops gave us this awesome ship catalog to go through. There are all kinds of ships we can pick from in here! And if we decide to go for a used model, we can go even bigger than the Merry." 

Isaac cringed, 'Luffy's being a little too casual about this...'

"Wait, just stop. I get it Luffy, but the joke's gone on long enough, okay? Chopper doesn't know you're kidding, he's getting upset. Come on Nami, back me up here." Usopp said in disbelief. None of us said anything, and as he looked around at us he then looked at Luffy. "Does that mean we don't have enough money for the repairs? It's because I lost the 200 million, isn't it!? And now we're short on money and can't work on the Merry, is that what this is about!? After all, a first-class shipyard will cost a lot of money, right!?" Usopp shouted beginning to grow angry.

"Will you stop and listen to me!?" Luffy retorted. "What is it!? Tell me! Don't try to sugarcoat it!"

 "I'm not! I don't even care that the money's been stolen, that's over now!" 

"If that's the case, then what's all this crap about buying a new ship!?"

"Both of you, stop it!" Zoro cut in, "Fighting's no good! Calm down!" 

"I don't see what I'm doing wrong! He's the one saying all this stupid stuff!" Usopp complained. "Usopp, I understand how you feel, but you shouldn't get so worked up. You need to rest." I pleaded. "Who cares about me!? How can you guys sit here while our captain's joking about getting a new ship!"

 "I'm not joking about anything, this was a hard choice for me too!" 

"Oh yeah, I feel really bad for you!"

Usopp snatched the catalog from Luffy's hands, "How dare you say all this while waving this stupid thing around!?" Luffy glared at Usopp, "You trying to start a fight!?" "I don't need your damn pity! If it doesn't matter that I lost the money then why are you talking about getting a new ship!? Just spit it out already! If we can't afford the repairs because I screw up then say it! I want to know the truth!" Usopp shouted. "The Merry can't be fixed!" 

Usopp stared at Luffy in silence, "Wh-What did you just say...?" Luffy's fists were shaking, "Don't make me repeat myself. I told you the Merry can't be repaired anymore. No matter what we do, we can't fix it...Otherwise, I wouldn't say something like that." He said. Usopp fell to his knees, "This ship? The ship we're aboard right now is broken?" "That's right. It's only a matter of time before she sinks."

"What are you talking about Luffy? That's nuts."

"It's the truth. They told us at the shipyard. They said she wouldn't even hold out 'til the next island." 

Usopp growled, "Oh, really? So a bunch of strangers tell you to scrap your ship and you agree without asking questions? I understand they know what they're talking about, but this is just wrong! Don't just give up on the Merry! What about all we've been through together!? What about all the battles we fought!? She's our friend! She's one of us! Are you really going to abandon her without a second thought!? After all we've been through, is that how little Merry means to you, Luffy!?"

Chopper slowly stepped towards Usopp, "I know you're upset Usopp, but you need to calm down." "Sorry, but no. I'm not backing down until we settle this." 

"Usopp, please..." Nami pleaded.

"What? Do you think you know better than the shipwright? If we had someone who knew about that stuff, we wouldn't have asked them in the first place!" Luffy said. "Forget them! We don't need them telling us what to do! I'll fix the Merry just like I always have before. I'll even start right now!" Usopp insisted before beginning to struggle to stand. "USOPP! YOU'RE NOT A SHIPWRIGHT, YOU GOT THAT!?" Luffy shouted. "Luffy, stop!" Nami retorted. Usopp clenched his fists, "Yeah, you're right. But so what!? But I don't get why you're so hung up on everything those shipwrights say!? They just want your money! Merry's our ship so it's our job to protect her! I'll never give up on her!"

Usopp slowly rose to his feet, "This is stupid. You got fooled by the shipwrights' convincing argument, didn't you? The Luffy I know would've believed in the strength of the Merry first rather than buying those guys' sales talk! But here you are acting like you know everything! I can't believe that's the kind of captain you turned out to be! I thought you were better than that!" He shouted, grabbing Luffy by the shirt collar. Isaac made an attempt to stop them, "Usopp, stop! You're being unfair! Luffy also-"

"Stay out of this Isaac! It's my call, I stand by it!" Luffy interrupted. Isaac was shocked, but kept quiet, knowing by the lack of using his nickname that Luffy was 100% serious. "There's nothing you can do! We're getting a new ship whether you like it or not! We'll say goodbye to Merry here!" Usopp's grip on Luffy tightened, "I won't leave her here! I don't care what you say! Listen, Luffy! Not everyone can live life looking ahead like you do! I see Merry as one of our friends, got it!? And I won't abandon her when she's hurt!" Luffy ripped away from Usopp, "Don't be stupid! Even if she is a friend, she's not a person!" "They're the same to me! And I know Merry still has the strength to live in her!" Usopp retorted.

Just as Sanji was finally about to come between them, Luffy tackled Usopp down in a fit of rage, "Would you listen to yourself!? Don't act like you're the only one torn up about this, we all feel the same way!" He shouted. "If that was true, then you wouldn't be looking for a new ship!"

"Well fine, if you don't like how I run things, then why don't you-" Sanji kicked Luffy, smashing the table in the process. "This has gone way too far. What the Hell is wrong with you!? If you keep it up, you're gonna say something you can't take back, so calm down!" He scolded. Luffy sighed, sitting up, "You're right. I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking..."

"You don't have to apologize, because that's how you really feel, isn't it?" Usopp asked. 

"That's not true!"

"Just get rid of the dead weight and move on before they can slow you down. If you're gonna throw away the Merry, then you might as well throw me away too."

Sanji looked at Usopp with a serious expression, "I know you're pissed off, but don't say stupid crap like that!" 

"No, I'm serious. I've been thinking about this for a while. Things aren't like they were before, you guys are just too strong. I can't keep up. Think of today, you couldn't even trust me with your money. There's no point in keeping me around if all I do is cause you trouble."

Isaac frowned, "Usopp, that's ridiculous! You're not useless, none of us are! We all have a part to play in this crew! Even you and me! So quit saying stupid crap like that!" He exclaimed. Usopp looked at Isaac, "You say that like you can relate to me, but you have no idea what it's like! I wasn't born a powerful witch like you! How can we possibly relate to each other!?" He shouted. 

Isaac fell silent, stepping backward slightly. Usopp made his way to the door, "Hey, Usopp, where are you going!?" Sanji exclaimed. "Wherever I go, it's my business. It has nothing to do with you anymore. I'm sorry but...I'm leaving the crew. This is goodbye!" Without another word, Usopp was out the door. Isaac began tearing up, "Usopp..." He saw Luffy still sitting amongst the debris of the broken table, "What are you doing just standing there!? Who knows what he'll do out there! Go say something to him! Stop him before it's too late!" He begged, breaking into sobs. "We've been through so much together...It can't end, not like this! Usopp's more than a crewmember, he's our friend! Don't you feel the same way?"

Luffy remained silent, but Sanji, Nami, Isaac, and Chopper ran to the deck calling out to Usopp. Luffy came out moments later, and Usopp stopped in his tracks, back still turned. "Luffy! I'm sorry I can't follow you anymore. And I'm sorry I was a pain until the bitter end. I know you're the captain, so the Merry belongs to you." He turned around, "That's why I want you to fight me, Monkey D. Luffy! I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL!"

"At 10 o'clock tonight I'll be back! Then we'll fight a duel over Merry! If I win, I'm taking the Merry and leaving! Either way, by the end our bond will be broken!"

(ISAAC'S POV)

Watching that fight between Luffy and Usopp the night before was brutal. Luffy gave Usopp the Merry, and the rest of us grabbed our stuff and moved into a hotel room. Zoro, Chopper, and I were on the roof of the hotel building, Zoro having an arm wrapped around me. I've known since we met that he wasn't the best with emotions but I knew he was doing his best to provide physical comfort for me. I looked down, 'Where was Big Sis Robin when you needed her?' I wondered. The door to the roof opened and there was Sanji, "So this is where you've been. We went through the trouble of renting a room and no one's using it. I guess nobody could sleep, huh? Where's Luffy?" He asked.

"Over there." Chopper pointed up at the top of a nearby building, where Luffy was sitting alone. "Where'd you go, Sanji?" He asked. "I kept a lookout at the rocky cape all night, I wanted to be there in case Robin came back," Sanji replied before taking a puff of his cigarette. I wonder where she went. She never said anything about leaving..."

I stood up, "Let's go look for her. For all we know, she could be in trouble." I said. "Do you think we can find her?" Chopper asked. I shrugged, "I don't know, but it's better to go looking than to just sit here doing nothing. Even if I don't really have any ideas about where to start looking..."

Sanji nodded. "You're right. I know for certain she's gotta still be in town." He looked at all of us, "In case something happens, let's make this inn our meeting spot." "I'm coming too!" Chopper exclaimed. Before Sanji, Chopper, and I could leave, Nami burst through the door. "Luffy! It's awful! The whole town's talking about it!" She cried. Luffy was silent, "Listen to me Luffy! Something bad's happened to Iceburg!"

TO BE CONTINUED...