"Ack, Gah!" I coughed heavily as smoke covered my eyes. My ears were ringing and I felt like a bunch of static shocks overcame my body. I felt I was stunned for the moment, but… I can move now. I picked myself off the ground to get a good view at the area where the lightning struck. Immediately I let my mouth drop. The powerful strike destroyed the infrastructure and left a black burnt mark on the ground where… no.

"LUFFY!" I cried out in terror. That concentrated blast was too much for him. "LUFFY ANSWER ME!"

"CONIS-CHAN! Luffy!" Sanji was just as terrified.

"WHERE ARE YOU!" cried Usopp. "

I dropped to my knees as I stared at the spot where my brother and Conis were. I could feel tears starting up in my eyes as I ignored the stupid idiots talking about this Enel guy. He must've ate some kind Devil Fruit to cause this."

"Luffy…" I whimpered.

"Have no fear!" I jumped up a bit at the sound of the voice. That was Gan Fall. "They are safe."

I stared up to the sky and I wiped my tears away. Both Luffy and Conis were safe on the flying horse. I breathed a sigh of relief. He then let Luffy off and told us he would take Conis away for a while. Then he said.

"Now you know the truth of this country as well God Enel's power. What are you going to do?"

Luffy picked himself up and adjusted his hat. "We have on that island. This country's business has nothing to do with us."

"I see, good luck." Then he flew off with Conis to wherever.

We all watched them go and ignored the gaping crowd. We wordlessly got on the boat, started it and road it on the path to Upper Yard. We have to take the Gan Fall's word for it. I trust him, but I feel there is more to his story.

As much as I like Maru-kun, the boat was slow, but steady. It took a while, but we finally came across a gigantic forest. The same forest that was on the map. Despite it being a 200-year-old map it's still surprisingly accurate. When we neared the entrance, I felt like the mood changed.

Before us was an area that looked tribal. On both sides of the river was long pole with a beast skull on it. A pan of some kind of was used to hold it up which I guess to give it lighting, but it had an eerie look to it. There was some kind of shield stuck in the middle of a pole with two spears, making an x like formation, attached to the shield or they looked like they were.

"This will be our last chance to turn back. You ready Usopp?" Sanji said.

"Um, if we can go back."

"Keep going!" Luffy said.

"Hey."

"Relax Usopp." I reassured him. "Skulls are one thing, but I understand completely if those idols came to life and attack us."

"You're not helping one bit." He whimpered.

"GYAH! GYAH!"

"Gah!" We all looked around for the source.

"What was that? Something's out there." cried the sniper.

"Was there a joke?" I honestly thought it was laughing at something or us."

"This a forest." Said Sanji. "We will have to make like tree and leave."

"That's not funny, you're not funny." said the sniper

"I thought it was." Luffy chuckled. "Anya, remember that joke Makino told us one time and I thought it was stupid."

"If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a sound?"

"Yep."

"That's not a joke, it's a riddle."

"Or a philosophical question."

"I'm surprised you know that."

"I know a lot."

"Uh huh."

I gave him a coy smile as he stuck his tongue out.

Usopp gave a loud groan. "I shouldn't be surprised, but it is unnerving you two joke around while there are creatures and noises around us. Don't you hear that?"

My brother chuckled. "There are a lot of forests."

"What? Never mind let's go full speed. PEDDLE FASTER MOVE!"

"Usopp."

"Do it!"

We peddle fast based on Usopp's whim. Then I heard something approaching from behind, prompting me to look. My jaw dropped and my heart stopped as I saw a giant swinging bladed pendulum like thing swing past us with a scary tribal mask on it.

"Was that a scythe?"

"Usopp, th-."

"GO GO! MORE ARE COMING!"

Wait a minute. Do I hear machinery or was that gears and chains?

"GUYS PEDDLE HARDER!" shouted Luffy.

We went overdrive down the river. Going as a blur before anything could happen to us. Not a moment later multiple pendulums swung around us at once. Was this the trial? Did they lead us here to be killed? Was this a test. Who cares WE NEED GET OUR BUTTS OUT! Crap, one of them was flying at us and we might not make it, I don't think slowing down is an option.

"Anya!" Luffy jumped to the back while I took the wheel. My brother stretched out his arms to perform an attack.

"Luffy that's the wrong way." shouted Usopp

"Trust me! Gum Gum… BAZOOKA!"

A powerful thrust into the water, he sent our boat flying through the air and over the bladed pendulum. After flying through the air we crashed into the water. We breathed a big sigh as it seemed the danger was past us.

"You know what?" I said. "That has got to be my least favorite part of this trip. 2 stars."

"1 star all the way." Usopp whimpered. "Why two?"

"I saw a cute bird."

Usopp stared at me deadpanned and turned away from me.

"I think you broke him." Sanji chuckled. "But on a serious note, we should get off."

"I was thinking th- WHAT!" shouted the sniper.

Two big fish emerged and made a beeline toward us.

"What are they?" I shouted as I took out my spear.

"Lamprey Eel." Sanji stepped forward. "The sky version of it."

We both charged and took out them out by piercing and kicking. After that we landed back on the boat.

"That species drinks blood. Something that size would consume us whole." Sanji explained. "While here we shouldn't stop and never let our guard down. All we can do it move forward.

"If there was another way to avoid this, I would've taken it." Muttered Usopp.

"I really want to meet the person who did that and punch him in face." I said irritably.

"Ditto, but we really need to…" Luffy stopped and squinted his eyes. He gasped and pointed ahead. "Look there's our path up ahead. The giant statue with four openings."

When were neared the entrances, each one revealed the name of a trial. We had to choose either the Trial of Swamp, Iron, String, or Ball."

"He wants us to play games?" shouted Luffy.

"We should pick one that's the least dangerous." Said Usopp

"Anything can be dangerous if used right." noted Sanji. "We need to pick one, defeat whoever is there and find the others."

"We don't choose string." I said. "Strings are troublesome and if weaponize we'll be in trouble."

"I say we do Balls, it sounds hilarious." My brother made his decision.

Usopp sighed. "How can that sound hilarious when we're in danger. It feels like someone is being unironic."

"I'm curious about Balls." I hummed. "Let's try it."

"I guess we're all in agreement." Said Sanji.

"I'm partial." Said Usopp

"Remember, even though we are adjusted to the island. This is an island high in the air. Many meters in the air. Anything is possible."

We took the Balls path and ended up in a tunnel.

"It's pitch black." Usopp said as he looked around in panic.

"It's a tunnel." I stared at Usopp deadpanned.

"There should at least be lights."

"Hmm…" ponded my brother. "Since there were four entrances do you think there is a hit and miss."

I facepalmed as Usopp freaked out. I glared at him. "Why?"

"I'm just saying." He shrugged. "What happens if we miss? Do we fall of the island?"

"Don't say that!" I shouted

"We would all die instantly!" Usopp shouted.

"We're 10,000 meters above the Blue Seas." growled the chef. "Think before saying something stupid."

Maru-kun sailed right into the light and through the other side. Before us our sight… oh noooo. WE FELL OFF THE EDGE OF A CLIFFF! My stomach felt like it was flopping over all the place while I screamed all the way down while clutching my brother. I felt my life flash before my eyes. All the memories. All the people. Ace, Master, Gramps, Ruki, Sabo, Dadan, Makino, Vivi. It has been a good run.

SPLASSHSHH

"Heh." I chuckled. "We're alive." The boat survived from falling so high and into the water.

"That was scary. I thought we would fall from here to the Blue Seas." Usopp whimpered as tears fell from his face.

Sanji grabbed my brother and shook him. "WHY DID YOU PREDICT SOMETHING SO TERRIFYING!?"

"Ahaha… oops. I thought we goners for sure."

After calming down we took a look at our surroundings. I guess the trial is a given by the little balls floating around the forest. They're adorable and cool. I like them. I want to take one back to the ship.

"When does the trial start?" questioned Luffy as he looked around. "Was the trial getting here?"

"Maybe there is none." Said Sanji.

"That doesn't make any sense." I said. "Just getting here was nerve racking. If we entered a door and they tell it's something stupid like 'It's the friends you made along the way' I'm going to scream."

"I wouldn't mind it one bit." sighed Usopp. "The destination, journey or 'we were the Trial of Balls all along' I wouldn't mind."

"The balls are cool and all, but what about the other trials?" asked the captain. "We might have seen better stuff and maybe prizes."

"We are criminals here." Said Sanji. "The only prize is whatever they have in store for us. Plus, it could've been a lot worse than this."

"Let's just keep going." I said "If we stress too much about this, we might get wrinkles. Even you Sanji."

"You still find me attractive right?" Sanji asked coy.

"Of course, you are, but Chopper is more adorable."

"Chopper is ranked higher than me?" whined Sanji.

The boat continued to move along as we were talking. We got tea and crackers as we semi-enjoyed the trip. As I was drinking, I wondered what the others were doing. Not to mention this feeling of being watched and the orbs were giving me curious vibes. What are they?

"Hey, Usopp catch!" Luffy plucked and orb and tossed it to Usopp. Okay, I don't see the harm in playing catch.

Then something emerged from the orb and tried to attack Usopp. Was that snake? Was that snake there the whole time? I pulled out my shield just as the sniper ducked and my twin kicked it away. Now on high alert these balls could be filled with snakes.

"Sanji beside you!" Usopp pointed to a ball floating toward us.

"What a piece of crap." He stood up. "I hate the idea of being surrounded by Snake Eggs."

He then struck the ball with his foot.

KABOOM!

The explosion engulfed us, leaving us charred and singed. I sighed and dunked my heard in the water. I lifted myself up and brushed off the soot in a calmly manner.

"WHAT HELL WAS THAT!?" shouted Usopp. "These orbs all random.

I agree, there was no telling who or what was inside one. A pillow, food, a cute animal. Suddenly a man's laugh sounded through the area.

"Haha, you never know what appears from these 'Surprise Clouds'. Isn't not knowing half the fun?"

"Who's there?"

"Look!" shouted Usopp as he pointed to person sitting on an orb. "Right there."

Sitting cross-legged was a round-shaped man with dark red hair. The man wore a full-body white jumpsuit. Plastered in a vertical line were gold rings in the middle of the suit. He wore an orange hat, gloves, shoes and yellow sunglasses. He also had white wings on his back. A strange man that he is, but this guy is trouble.

"Huh, huh Welcome to the Trial of Balls. My personal Trial."

Then he started dancing like a moron. On second thought am I supposed to take him seriously? Yes, because there an important rule my master placed in me

"Morons are always the most dangerous."

So don't underestimate people.

"Hey! Octopus! Are Nami-san, Robin-chan, and etc alright?" shouted Sanji. No matter the answer he was ready to fight.

"You mean the sacrifices. Maybe. They'll die if they are on the alter, but if they escape… they die."

Sanji glared harshly at the rotund man. "Bastard."

"You should be worried about yourselves. You can't get them if you can't beat me."

This guy is confident. Too confident, he just casually jumped off to meet to us. As he got close, Luffy shot up and sent a rubber punch to the face. Huh? Except his attack missed like the man knew it was coming or predicted.

"YEAHH! Take this!" He thrust an open palm at Luffy's face.

Boom

My jaw dropped after seeing a simple palm thrust sending my rubber bodied brother flying like rocket. He collided into the tree, breaking the trunk. He fell down like a lump.

"Luffy!" I screamed.

"That was just normal hit!" shouted Usopp. "Not on his body."

"Normal? There's a difference between me and you."

"Difference." I growled. I took out my spear and pounced him. "Here's your difference right here! Midnight Spike!"

I sent him a powerful strike, but then he muttered something about a piercing and moved to the side easily. He then grabbed my leg and thrust his arm to my face.

Boom!

That hurts. It hurts so much. It felt like a bomb exploded inside my body. I barely screamed as I was sent flying away and into something hard. I fell on the ground, trying to understand what happened. The ringing in my ears didn't help at all. I heard more bodies hit the floor and that dumpling man laughing. I don't know what he did, but I'm not out of yet. I groaned as I sat up slowly, painfully. While regaining my bearings I sent a glare at the dumpling man. I noticed Luffy sitting as he stared at the man.

"Huah, huhuh. Know the name of your destroyer. I am the priest of the Forest of Illusion, Satori. I'm God Enel's Priest."

"Forest of the Illusion?" questioned my brother.

"I'm just going to call you Dumpling if that's okay."

He turned to me with a smirk. "Those are the words you will carry toward the afterlife and yet the Forest is an illusion. Like you boat."

My eyes widen as I saw the boat continue to move.

"This little life saver is your only way out. It will continue on the Milky Road until it will exit the forest by itself."

I narrowed eyes as he continued blabbing like he was so proud of his voice. You know what? This is guy is just another of those guys who think they are holier than others. I bet whoever Enel is has an even bigger self-complex and much more dangerous. Blabber said we have a 10% chance to leave this forest and we have to get through him and his balls…. Ew.

Usopp ran off immediately after hearing about we might lose the boat. Catching on, Luffy told us to stop the boat while he handled dumpling man. I gave my brother a look and he returned a reassuring smile.

"Go, the boat is the main thing."

I nodded and raced off after Sanji and Usopp while Luffy distracted dumpling man. We raced through the woods searching for Maru-kun. I jumped up in the air and landed on branch to search for it. I climbed up further and leapt to another branch while putting my skills as a Dragoon to good use. We have to be good jumpers or at least have good leg strength.

"Sanji, Anya! I found it."

"Where?" We shouted.

"Sanji it's right above you! Anya you should be to see and leapt from there!"

I smiled and squatted to prepare.

"Not so fast!" Great dumpling man found us. "Surprise Cloud Sniping Attack!"

I watched the ball headed toward Sanji and gasped. I was about to yell something when the ball ricocheted from three other balls and went straight to Usopp.

"Usopp!" I took out my shield to throw!

"ANYA-CHAN! LOOK OUT!" shouted Sanji.

I whipped around just in time as another one came at me fast. I raised up my shield to block, I braced myself thinking it might explode or a wild animal. The next second passed and no explosion. I looked up and blinked twice at what I was seeing.

It was an old pair of shoes on the ball.

"You got a dud too." The rotund man shouted.

So not all the balls are dangerous, but they're random. Good and bad. We all need to be extra careful. Suddenly my brother came storming at the dumpling and unleashed multiple punches with his rubber abilities. I always did like how it seemed he has multiple arms, but that's not important.

Damn, the bad thing is the dumpling man evaded them and he punched a bunch of balls in the man's place.

"Luffy, you're hitting those balls."

Too late, multiple balls were bouncing off of trees and in different directions.

"LUFFY YOU BLOCKHEAD!" I shouted and jumped away before a ball could hit. I ran down across a tree trunk while dodging them. One of them hit the ground the ground in front of me an out popped a bunch of swords. I barely dodged them all and only one managed to cut me. I cried out as one hit in the back. I expected worse, but then animal landed in front of me. I was about coo, but then noticed what type it was. It was a skunk.

"BACK YOU BASTARD!" I tossed the skunk away before it could spray and leapt away for extra measure. I grabbed onto a branch and swung from it. I landed on a nearby trunk just as another ball landed in front of me and out popped mud that dosed me.

"I guess I could use a facial." I jumped across, grabbed a vine and swung across like a… strange feeling came over me. A feeling that I need to do before I lost opportunity.

"AHHHHHahhhhHHHHH!"

I don't regret anything.

"AHHHHHahhhhHHHHH!" I heard my brother yell as he too swung across a vine.

Yes, this thing is something you wouldn't understand at all. I landed next to Sanji who stared at me deadpanned.

"What?"

"It's amazing you two are related, but you got the looks in the family."

"Master told me to own it."

"Sakura-sama is right."

"Should I trick him with feminine charm?"

"NO! I FORBID IT! A man like him doesn't deserve your beauty."

"Yeah, Sakura told me I have fully mastered the charm yet."

"Besides." He turned. "Usopp is trying to get the boat."

I turned and saw Usopp jumped off a branch, grabbing onto a vine and tried swinging toward the boat. He reached it, but for some reason he could not jump off and was pulled away.

Sanji sighed and looked at the two boys swinging from the vines. "Anya-chan help me out.

In a short moment the four of us met on the bottom floor. My brother and Usopp looked a bit disheveled from a thrashing Sanji gave them.

"Remember we need to focus and get to that boat. I'll forgive you for earlier, but you all need to listen to my orders got it." We nodded. "For now, forget the boat. We need to fi-."

Boom

My eyes widen and my jaw dropped as that rotten dumpling seemingly phased in and struck Sanji across the chest. He… no. Sanji fell to ground with a thud, not moving. He's… no. He's not. He's stronger than this.

"Life is fragile and painful." He looked at the three of us. "Three left."

I kicked the ground and launched myself.

"MIDNIGHT FANG!"

Despite me swinging, he still dodged it like an annoying knat.

"Do be sad, you're going to join him soon." I heard a whisper behind me. I twirled and swung my spear angrily, but he still dodged it.

Boom!

That hurt so bad. He struck me from behind like a coward. Th… This time it felt like the wind was knock out from me and my eyes seemingly rolled up as I was sent flying forward. I barely heard a rage cry from Luffy, probably started to attack again.

I laid there for a while, trying to regain my senses. I opened my eyes, then slowly and painfully sat up. I looked up as I saw dumpling had connected the balls together somehow. At the front was a ball that had a dragon mask. I coughed for a bit and looked around me. I saw my brother sprawled on the ground, but he was waking up as well.

I didn't hear him fall next to me after I got knocked out. I wonder how long I was out for him to have to make a dragon out of balls.

"HUHUHHHHUH!" He sang terribly. "The end is near! Soon you will embrace eternity! I am God Enel's Priest. You won't be able to defeat me.

I glared hard at him as he continued to mock us. We're not done yet and I'm not planning to die here. Luffy jumped up and launched another punch. I looked around and saw Usopp coming to.

"Usopp go find Maru-kun. Get out of here!"

"What?"

"Just find the boat. Leave it to us."

He looked hesitant, but then nodded. He left just as I turned around and screamed. The ball dragon was chasing Luffy and they were heading toward me. I took off as soon as he caught up.

"We need a plan!"

"I'm thinking!"

"Think harder!"

"I am! You think!"

"I am!"

We ran across the forest while frantically avoiding the dragon. If you could see us, you would think it was comical, but this is not FUNNY! This serious!

We zigged. We zagged. We evaded as the Dragon of Balls continued to chase us. I'm getting pretty tired of all this running. I noticed a tree up ahead. I looked toward Luffy whom gave me a reassuring smile. We both had the same idea. We ran toward it, up the tree and bounced off it. My eye caught a rope that was tied to the balls. Luffy grabbed the rope and that stopped the dragon from chasing us. I landed on the ground gracefully.

"Huh, so it wasn't moving by itself." He grinned.

"It was only an illusion to our eyes."

"Like a magician." Luffy immediately snapped the rope

"More like a puppeteer."

"YOU BRATS! I can't control it now. GET OVER HERE!"

The man tugged the string and brought Luffy and the dragon toward them. I gasped as Luffy and the dragon were on collision toward the dumpling man. Mr. Dumpling was also panicking as both went straight toward. Both of them didn't let go of their grip as they both collided. I ducked in cover as the explosion emerged

KAAAABOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

"Kya!" I screamed as the intense pressure and fire roared out around me. A short while it died down and found myself covered in debris. I picked myself up and dusted myself off. I looked up to where the two forces collided.

"Luffy." I muttered worryingly. I jumped on the tree trunk and climbed up quickly as a I can. I grabbed onto a tree branch and ran across it toward the smoke. I slowed down as the smoke dispersed. I gasped at seeing the dumpling man survived, then I started smiling when I noticed Luffy piggybacking on his back without the fat man noticing.

The man looked at me and growled. "You brats screwed up everything. My rhythm was messed up that I couldn't concentrate. Now my Mantra was messed up."

I blinked in surprise. So, he needs to be fully focused and calm for this 'Mantra' to work. "Oh? So, you need to be concentrating?"

"Knowing that will not he-."

"That was close."

I laughed as the man finally noticed Luffy and yelled at him to get off.

I smirked and yelled. "Stay on him brother. Make sure he can't move a muscle."

Luffy grinned and used his powers to retract the dumpling man's movement. Now the man was panicking more due to his restriction.

"Awe," I teased "Are you incapable of being free?"

"Shut up!"

"You were high and mighty before, but you're just a dumpling."

"DON'T INSULT ME YOU EGGPLANT!"

My eye twitched at being called my most hated vegetable. "AND YOU'RE A F-."

"Easy Anya-chan." A familiar voice spoke out. I breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll finish this."

I smiled at seeing Sanji standing on one of the balls as if it was natural. He was starting to look cool as he lightened up his cigarette and started making a speech that would make him even cooler.

"You kept talking about how we are incompetent. I don't care about this trial because there are two ladies waiting to be rescued and one right here had to endure your idiocy. In other words." He glared intently at the man. "This is a Trial of Love."

He was just starting look cool too, but that's him.

"You're a person that's despicable and uncouth. You kidnap our cute angel friend and then try to kill her. Any attempts to beg for mercy are gone. I have none."

"You know." Luffy said. "It's amazing you can see through our movements. However, it won't do you any good if you can't avoid it."

"You challenged us, yes?" I smiled innocently. "Thanks for being here. We got better because of you."

"I DIDN'T DO THIS HELP TO YOU BRATS! YOU ARE GOING BE GONNERS! THIS COUNTRY HAS ANOTHER LAW! If a priest can't take care of you then it's a Class One crime. Attacking me is declaring war on the great God Enel."

I guess we'll be dealing with Enel sooner than later. Oh boy, Class 1. Not really. Sanji then started talking about how dicing peppers corrected will get an amazing flavor. After finishing he jumped in the air and landed hard on the dumpling with spinning heel kick, knocking the guy out.

That's end of our adversary. Dumpling Man. Defender of… nothing.

Luffy unwrapped himself and let the man fall with a loud thud.

"So, we are going after Mr. Superiority Complex." I wondered

"Are we sure he's not a god?" asked Luffy.

"I doubt he is one." Sanji took a cigarette out. "We all know there are people who have said complexes or at least think have royal status makes them above anyone else."

I glared harshly. "You think he's a World Noble that stumbled here?"

"Then we would see the Marines around here, I doubt that." Said Sanji. "Just moron who thinks he's a god."

"Doesn't matter." Luffy said. "If he comes after us, we'll be fine."

"I'm worried about this whole Mantra thing." I said.

"Then we'll find a way around it." Said Sanji.

"LUFFY! SANJI! ANYA! I found the boat it is leaving the forest."

"Usopp's alright." I said.

"What's he saying?" Luffy asked

"He said he found the boat."

We froze, looked at each other with shoc realization then ran after Usopp.

"Quick we don't have time." Usopp grabbed his belt. "Leave this to me. Usopp... ahhhhhh!"

Rope with a grappling hook shot out of his belt and grabbed onto Maru-kun. Usopp really is amazing when he puts him heart and mind into. We jumped on him and held on tight. He used belt to pull us toward the boat, but not without bumping into various obstacles that left us in pain. Ouch

We landed in the boat in a heap and in pain.

"S-see it's a-all good." The sniper groaned.

"Punk, you know I'll remember this." The cook growled harshly.

"You need to work out kinks." I said weakly

"Next time I'll get us there." Said my brother

We made it onto Maru-kun and continued on way to our friends. On this merry old slow as syrup boat ride. We defeated a priest and now we're going to run into this Enel person. Right now, we're going to nurse our wounds.