Nami sets the Going Merry on a course for Cocoyashi.

Just a little, she lets herself ease.

'It sure is nice to sail on you again, Merry, ' she whispers. Each step of what she had to do came more than naturally to her, and it 's startlingly clear as she operates the ship all on her own.

Kinoko flies into her view, and she watches the bird land on the bow beside her.

'So, Noko-chan, ' Nami says endearingly, 'how 's travelling with me thus far? '

The bird makes a huffy little caw, flapping her wings in an imitation of Luffy 's boisterous demeanor before scoffing. Then she snuggled up to Nami 's metal arm.

Nami can 't help but laugh.

This bird was so

human

, in the way that it was honest, expressive, and didn't need words to communicate. It 's not as if Nami could fully understand it-- but the animated actions were conversation enough.