This is the 37th chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.
A Mysterious Girl, Apis!
Somewhere at sea
After the storm is over the next two days, the Straw Hat pirates were relaxing on the ship while Ventus is getting himself change due to his clothes got all well. Anna is hanging his clothes to dry, Usopp is on a look out, both Sanji and Zoro were relaxing on the wooden rail, Nami is studying the map, and Luffy is sitting on the figurehead, looking at the horizon as he spoke.
"Nami! Shouldn't we reach the Grand Line soon?" Luffy asks when he called her.
"What do you think? We just left Loguetown two days ago." Nami told him. "It'll take some time before we get there. Just be patient."
"Kay." Luffy replied happily. "Hey, has anyone seen Ventus."
"Anna is having Ventus getting his clothes change, she's very strict lady." Sanji told him. "Hope she wasn't being hard on him."
"I HEARD THAT!?" Anna yelled at the them, causing the Straw Hat pirates to face pale.
"She's always like that." Ventus said, came out of the cabin with his new attire. "You guys gotta remember, she's a former nun. And yeah, she's way strict when it comes to lessons and new clothes."
Ventus is now wearing a black jumpsuit with a bluish-green jacket that resembles a tunic, black leather belt, white boots, and white gloves.
"Hey look at you, you look like you're in for adventure." Sanji said with a smile as the young Dragoon approaches them. Anna then walk downstairs while looking at the young Dragoon with a smile.
She wore a grey jerkin with a leather brown vest, leather vambraces, brown breeches, and brown knee-high boots.
"You look very handsome, Ventus." Anna compliments, heading towards the wooden rail next to him.
"Yeah, you look very nice." Nami added with a smile.
Ventus then blushed a bit, not used to being praised by his crew. Usopp was looking through the telescope, but stopped when he saw a flock of birds at sea.
"What the heck is that?" Usopp questions with confusion, looking through the telescope again. "Hey, I see a flock of birds starboard."
"Are you sure?" Luffy asks.
"Yeah and they're surrounding something. I can't make it out exactly, but it's big. I wonder what it is." Usopp informed the Captain.
"Maybe a fish?" Luffy guessed.
"Maybe, or...a small boat of fish? I don't know." Usopp said, new through his new binoculars.
"I've heard its common for seabirds to flock above fish even trailed them." Sanji explains.
"It is?" Luffy asks excitedly.
"That's right, sounds like lunch to me." Sanji said with a smirk.
"You said it!? Gum-Gum: Grab" Luffy then stretches his arm out as far as he can, recoil right towards the small boat.
"Whoa! That's a stretch!" Usopp compliments.
"It never gets old." Sanji added.
Luffy have manage to caught something as he pull his arm back.
"I caught it. Come here!" Luffy said with a smile, taking a step back while pulling his arm back. "It seems pretty big."
"Nice one, Luffy." Nami told him.
"It's coming too fast." Ventus warned them with his face pale, notice Luffy's arm is coming this way.
"You're reeling in fast, dial it down or we're gonna-"
Before Sanji could finish his sentence, he, Ventus, and Anna ducked to avoid getting hit, unfortunately he hit Zoro and sent him flying overboard. Luffy was able to place the figure down the deck while stretched his arm back in its place.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Luffy apologizes.
"DUMBASS!?" Sanji and Ventus yelled, getting back on their feet.
"WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF ARM HITS US AND WE'RE DEVIL FRUIT USERS!?" Anna yelled with her white and shark-like teeth, scolding the Captain.
As soon as Anna and Nami finished scolding of Luffy for being an idiot, Sanji and Ventus pulled Zoro up. After pulling him up, the Straw Hat crew gathered to that figure Luffy caught earlier, it was actually a girl.
She has a blonde hair tied back in a very thin braid, fair skin, and brown eyes. She wore a white pointy hat with red accent and mustard colored circles, a long yellow mustard dress which the sleeves and the bottom of the dress were maroon with mustard colored circles, dark maroon sash, maroon colored undershirt, and red shoes.
"Ew, that's no kind of fish I've ever scene." Sanji cringed.
"It's no fish, it's a girl." Nami clarifies.
"From the look of her, she's around Ventus' age." Anna added.
"What is she doing here in the sea?" Ventus asks curiously.
"Huh, a fish person? Where's her webs?" Luffy asks.
"'A fish person?' You idiot, she's just a little kid." Usopp told him.
"Why would someone leave a child out in the middle of the ocean like that?" Nami questions. "It makes no sense."
"I don't know, but we'll get answers once we get her inside." Anna suggests.
Some time later, Anna carried the little girl in the kitchen on the cabin to let her rest peacefully. While she's resting, Sanji and Anna were cooking lunch for the crew while Ventus is practicing outside and making some warm for the girl when she wakes up. When the little girl wakes up, she then suddenly got up while accidentally headbutting Usopp's chin, causing him to knock down to the floor.
"THAT HUUUUURRRRT!" She screamed in pain, holding her head.
"You're awake." Nami said with a smile, earned her attention. "That was quicker than I expected. Don't worry, you're alright now."
"Nothing decent grub won't cure, we're cooking some soup if you're hungry." Sanji offered.
"Lucky." She muttered with a smirk.
"I'm guessing you were shipwrecked?" Nami guessed. "You are lucky, what's your name?"
"Before asking a stranger question, it's polite to give them your name first." She points out seriously, causing Nami to chuckle a bit.
"Good point, I'm Nami." Nami introduces herself with a wink. "The chef cooking that delicious smelling soup is Sanji."
"Hi." Sanji greets with a smile.
"And our ranger friend next to him is Anna." Nami told her.
"Hello." Anna greets with a smile.
"That's Zoro. Despite his scowl, he's a good guy." Nami stated.
"Shut up." Zoro retorts, swearing he'll kill Luffy.
"And you've met the one who's unconscious lying on the floor, that's Usopp." Nami points out, causing the little girl looking at him. "Oh, you've already missed the Dragoon, his name is Ventus Starwind. Despite his height and size, he's around your age."
"Where is he?" She asks curiously.
"He's outside doing some training. He's trying to master his spearmanship." Anna explains.
"Shall I go get him and let him know that lunch is about to get ready?" Sanji suggests.
"There's no need, he already knew." Anna told him.
Sanji give her a nod with a understanding, knew that the young Dragoon is still trying to master his spear and his dragon ability.
"I'm Luffy." Luffy introduced himself with a smile, earned his attention. "And I'm Captain of this pirate ship."
As soon as she heard of the word 'pirate', she's starting to freak out.
"WHAT?! PIRATES!?" She exclaims with her mouth wide open and her face is pale.
"That's right. And we're on our way to the Grand Line." Luffy stated.
However, the atmosphere is getting awkward along with the silence as she just sit there with her mouth open.
"What's wrong?" Nami asks with worry.
"She isn't moving." Luffy said.
"So what are we suppose to do with her?" Zoro inquired.
"Uh, I'm not sure. I have to think it over." Luffy gestured, feeling unsure. "I can deal with this tomorrow."
Later that night, the Straw Hat crew were in their sleeping quarters while the little girl was alone in the kitchen since Nami and Anna offered her to sleep with them, but she refused to do so, they give her a blanket and a pillow for her to sleep. She was just thinking of stealing the food and walked in a young Dragoon. Even though, she didn't see him in person, but she was imaging what he looks like. However, she thinking about those pirates held the young Dragoon as prisoner.
'Why me?! This isn't fair, it's wrong for this many bad things to happen to one person! After all I've been through, I survive escaping the Marines only to get picked up by a pirate ship!' The little girl mentally shouts with scared expression, imagining about those Straw Hat crew. 'It isn't funny!?'
Suddenly, her stomach growls, causing her to blush with embarrassment. Until, the door opens when Ventus revealed himself.
"I guess you're hungry." The voice of Ventus said, earned her attention when she saw him.
"Sorry, I was just scared of those pirates. And I'm starving." The little girl admits.
"Well, you have skipped lunch and dinner." Ventus told her with a chuckle as he sits next to her. "Why don't I try play with my ocarina? It can help you cheer up."
"Really?" She asks, earned a nod from him.
Ventus then take his ocarina out of his pocket as he brought a mouthpiece to his lips, take a deep breath, and began to play a melody.
(A/N Rohan Theme: Ocarina Version & soundtrack of the Lord of the Rings.)
He then begin to play in a high, yet rich tune. The song is played in a happy but calm and majestic. The little girl then listened to that song while smiling, holding on her necklace while thinking about her home and the dragon from the island.
'Grandpa Ryu, please hold on a little while longer. I'll be home soon.' The little girl thought, praying to the dragon.
As soon as she finished praying, she looks back at the young Dragoon when he continues playing his ocarina, leaving her smile.
(Music Ends)
When he finished playing his song, he lowered his ocarina from his lips. He paused only for a moment as she spoke.
"That's beautiful." The little girl compliments.
"Thanks." Ventus thanked her with smile until her stomach growls again as she quickly put her hands on it with a blush of embarrassment. "Guess you're really are hungry."
"I was thinking about getting something to eat, but..."
"I wouldn't recommend that." Ventus warned her. "Sanji places a giant mouse trap in front of the fridge at night."
"Why would he do that?" She questions.
However, Luffy staggered into the kitchen half asleep, the two watched at the rubber Captain approach the fridge. Suddenly, a metal bar launched at Luffy, pinning him to the floor as he struggles to move but he's too stuck. The lights came on and Sanji walked into the kitchen with annoyed expression on his face.
"How many times?" Sanji questions. "Luffy, this always ends the same way. You never learn, do you?"
Sanji then looked at the little girl and Ventus to see that they're up.
"Ventus, what are you doing up?" Sanji asked.
"I thought I could come here and try to cheer her up." Ventus told him.
"Well that's very nice of you." Sanji said with a small smile. "I'll deal with her and this idiot. Go back to bed."
Ventus nodded as he head towards the sleeping quarters to head back to sleep. The little girl is watching him leave before turning to face Sanji.
"Who is that? Why is he here?" She asked.
"Remember what Nami told you about Ventus?" Sanji counters with a question, earned a nod from her. "That's him, he's Ventus Starwind. The youngest member of the Straw Hat crew."
"What?! He's part of your crew too?!" She exclaims with shock. "But he doesn't look like he's my age...Wait, she also did mention about his height and his size, how did he get the adult size?"
"That's because of his rigorous training and growth-spurt." Sanji explains. "Also to let you know, he's no ordinary human, he's a half-breed between a human and a dragon."
"Did he eat a Devil Fruit?" She inquires.
"Not exactly, he was born that way. His father is a dragon and his mother is a human." Sanji told her, leaving her shocked. "Look it's hard to explain, but his father was able to use his magic to turn himself into a humanoid dragon."
"Wow, I wish I could meet them." The little girl said with her starry eyes.
"I'm sorry to say this, but his parents died." Sanji told her.
The little girl couldn't help but feel sad about his parents death, didn't know about it.
"Look, I'll go ahead and give you and this idiot something to eat." Sanji said.
When he cook up something for them to eat, Luffy happily eats while Sanji explain about Ventus' past as she listens carefully about what the cook tells her. When he finished explaining, she couldn't help but feel sad about him and disgusted of his two cruel uncles.
"I see, I have no idea that Ventus deals with so much hardships." She said sadly.
"Yeah, Ventus has been through a lot over the past 11 years." Sanji nods, turning his head to Luffy. "And as for you, I would've made you something to eat, Luffy. Just stop trying to take food without asking first."
"But I'm hungry." Luffy whines while eating until they heard a stomach that was coming from the little girl, leaving her blush with embarrassment.
"What's wrong, you're hungry too?" Sanji questions as she averts his gaze. "You skip dinner, I know you skip lunch. What is this, a hunger strike?"
She then look at him slightly.
"You think the big bad pirates are gonna poison you, is that it?" Sanji questions with annoyance, causing her to shook her head frantically. "If you just sit there like that, he's gonna finish everything."
That got her realize that as Luffy spoke.
"That's okay, more for me." Luffy assures with a smile as he about to steal her food.
"GET BACK!" She snapped, snatched her food from him as she drinks the soup. When she finished her soup, she then spoke with a satisfied smile. "Yummy."
"Yeah, I know it." Luffy agrees. "Was there any doubt? I pick Sanji personally."
"I never had anything this good." She stated.
"You're finally smiling?" Nami asks with a smile when she, Zoro, Usopp, Anna, and Ventus were at the door, earned Sanji's attention when she turned her head to Luffy. "Luffy, are eating again?"
"What's wrong? I didn't have much lunch." Luffy told her.
"Are you kidding? You empty two pots." Usopp points out.
"I don't remember." Luffy said innocently as Nami approaches her.
"You poor thing, did you really think we were evil?" Nami inquires.
"Well, I guess." She answered. "But, is Ventus...you know?"
"If you're thinking he's here against his will, he's not." Anna assures her with a smile. "Ventus chose to live a life as a pirate when he give them a full explanation."
"But still, you aren't alone that's a common sentiment these days. We're getting use to it." Nami assures her.
"You're not gonna sell me off?" She asked.
"No way!" Usopp exclaims.
"We won't do that to you." Ventus added, walk towards her. "Also, I couldn't make it out of them when I first met them, but now I know. They're not just my crew, they're also my friends."
"You kinda do have an evil look, I can see your point." Zoro joked with a smile.
"You're the expert on bad looks." Usopp insults, pulling his cheek as Zoro grunts with a scowl.
With that, both Zoro and Usopp got into a small rumble when Sanji, Anna, Ventus, and Nami looked at them with annoyance while Luffy just laughs.
"Why are they such morons?" Nami asks with a sigh.
"Not Ventus." She spoke up, earned their attention. "He was able to cheer me up when he plays his ocarina, so I wasn't scared of him."
Ventus then blushed of her statement, since he wasn't use to being praised by someone. Anna and Nami couldn't help but smiled mischievously, looking at the young Dragoon which they think its cute when he blushed.
"We have plenty more to eat, mademoiselle." Sanji said with a smile, leans close to her.
"He's serious. And if you stick around, you'll see these pirates are more friendly and fun than scary." Nami told her, leaving her confused. "I promise."
Nami then smiled as she spoke.
"More, please?" She asks politely.
"As you wish." Sanji accepts.
"Me too." Luffy added.
"Get your own, Luffy." Sanji rejects without hesitation.
"I already tried." Luffy complains.
With that, Ventus then heads back to sleep in the sleeping quarters so he can sleep peacefully.
The next morning as soon as dawn was rising, the Straw Hat crew prepared to set sail while Zoro and Ventus begin their morning spar, Anna is practicing her marksmanship skills and her swordsmanship so she won't lose her edge and Nami was satisfied with their current direction. Until, something exploded from the kitchen and the little girl came out of the door, covered in soot and she's a bit dizzy. It cause the Straw Hat crew to stop as they look at the little girl.
"Hey, what's the trouble down there?" Sanji asked from the crows nest.
"No trouble, I've just been cooking." The little girl replies with her thumb up.
"What!?" Sanji exclaims with disbelief.
"Everyone, breakfast is ready!" She shouts, waving at them.
"I've got a bad feeling about this." Ventus muttered with fear.
"Ah, breakfast?" Luffy asks happily.
"I wouldn't get too excited." Zoro warned him.
When they went inside of the kitchen, the Straw Hat crew were looking at their breakfast with doubt whether it's either edible or not because it looks like it's brunt and charred black and the smell is rather also burnt and strange.
"You made all by yourself?" Nami asks nervously, earned a nod from her.
"The appearance is...quite unique. Yes, unique." Usopp said, not wanted to hurt her feelings.
"Yeah, let's eat." Luffy agrees as he begin eating while Sanji look at the kitchen, seeing that pots, pans, and utensils were completely ruined and a mess.
"Not only did you guys rescue me, but you've given me food and shelter as well. I finally found a way for me to pitch in and help." She said with a smile.
"That's nice of you, but it's not really necessary." Ventus reasoned with her, chuckled nervously.
"Ugh, is this considered food?" Zoro grunts with a statement, making Nami and Anna mad as the navigator stomped his foot, causing him he yelled in pain.
"You just shove the food and then eat it." Nami quietly told him as she shove his portion of food on his mouth, forcing him to shut it.
"Seriously though, is this stuff really safe to eat?" Usopp questions with a glare, looking at his burnt breakast.
"Oh yeah, tastes good." Luffy told him while eating, making the little girl happy.
"Of course. After all, you can't judge a meal by appearance alone." Sanji stated as he, Anna, Ventus, and Nami eat theirs.
"Are you sure?" Usopp questions as he eats it which it was the biggest mistake for all of them to trust Luffy on this.
When their faces have turned red, they yelled which their breakfast is really SPICY as Nami, Anna, Usopp, and Zoro chunked the water down on their throats. However, Ventus is trying to hold his digestion, but it was too late as he breathes fire as the door bursts out. For a few seconds, Ventus wheezed out of his lungs while the Straw Hat crew were all covered in black soot.
"What was that?" Usopp asks.
"Sorry about that, but my stomach don't agree with anything spicy or alcohol. When that happens, my fire breath goes out of control." Ventus explains with a wheeze.
"How did this happen?" Anna inquires.
"Well, I've tried something spicy once which it didn't end well." Ventus told her, but his stomach is grumbling as the Straw Hat crew and the little girl, except Luffy, were running out of the kitchen, thinking that he's about to breath fire again. Until, he instead let out of the loud farting sound while stinking up the kitchen from the cabin, causing them to cringe while plugging their noses in repulse.
"Ugh! That stinks!?" Sanji cursed with disgust and stream of tears in his eyes.
"Jeez kid, would it kill you to warn us when you do that?!" Zoro yelled.
"Sorry, but I've already told you. My stomach don't agree between anything spicy or alcohol." Ventus reminds them. "I'm a dragon, remember?"
"But what kind of a dragon that would fart in the entire kitchen!?" Usopp exclaims with disgust and stream of tears in his eyes.
Ventus then give him an 'Are you serious?' expression as he got out of the kitchen, leaving Luffy alone finished his while quickly eating theirs. For a few minutes later after letting the stinky air out of the kitchen, Sanji and Ventus then clean up the mess that the little girl made while the rest of the crew sit at the table.
"Oh yeah, we didn't catch your name." Ventus inquired.
"It's Apis. My name is Apis." Apis introduced herself.
"Apis, huh? That's a nice name." Ventus compliments, leaving Apis blushed a bit. "Anyway, I think it's best you leave the cooking to Sanji and Anna from now on."
"But what about you?" Apis asks.
"He's still learning, true that his cooking skills could use work. But what I'm impressed was that he's a quick learner." Sanji cuts in. "Also, I'm sure that there are many more interesting things that you can do to help out."
That got Apis brighten her smile.
"Are you sure? These are good stuff." Luffy said with a smile.
"Only because you've got no sense of taste." Anna and Ventus told him bluntly in unison.
"Why don't you make some barbecue next time? I haven't had it forever." Luffy suggests. "And meat loaf with roasted potatoes after that."
After cleaning up the mess, Anna is teaching Ventus cooking some good and light breakfast, not mention nothing too spicy. Nami then speak to Apis.
"So what's your story? Why were you adrift at sea? Were you stranded? Or was someone after you?" Nami asks with her soft tone.
"I escaped from the Marine ship, they were holding me prisoner." Apis explains.
"A Marine ship!?" Usopp exclaims.
"I got away three nights ago." Apis told them.
"That was during the storm." Ventus guessed, earned their attention. "As far as I know, that little boat didn't stand a chance."
"How'd you get in trouble in the first place?" Zoro questions seriously, earned her attention. "They had to have held you prisoner for a reason. What kind a little girl like you have possibly gotten into that got the attention of the Marines? Everyone knows they're bunch of twits, but I still can't imagine them labeling you an enemy, what you do?"
"Well, um...I..."
"What's wrong? Are you hiding something?" Luffy questions curiously.
"No! It's nothing like that! You have to believe me!" Apis begs frantically, but turned to sad. "I'm innocent. But still, I can't take about it."
"You can't tell us?" Usopp asks.
"Calm down, she must have her reasons for not telling us. If doesn't want to talk about it, it's best not to pry any further." Anna reassures with her calm tone.
"Yes, I agree." Nami agrees with a smile. "But it would be helpful if would at least tell us where you're from?"
Apparently when she change the subject, Apis then spoke.
"Um...I from...It's a place called Warship Island." Apis told them.
"'Warship Island'?" Nami repeats.
"Do you know it?" Usopp inquires.
"No, but it should be labeled on the name." Nami told him as she grabs hold of the map.
"It should because that island is close to the Grand Line." Ventus added as he and the navigator looks through the map.
"Odd name, why is it called a Warship Island?" Luffy questions.
"Ah well, because the shape of the island looks exactly like a warship." Apis explains.
"I like it." Luffy said with a big smile.
"Look." Nami said, earned their attention as she placed a finger on the island.
"Ah Ventus is right, it's close to the Grand Line." Usopp said with a amazed expression.
"We're here so the distance between us and Warship Island is reasonable." Nami explains while guide her finger at the sea to the island. "Well, what do you want to do Apis? We can take you back to the island. We're heading to the Grand Line, but it's no problem for us to drop you off."
"Thank you." Apis thanked them. "You were all so nice to save me and I feel bad for having go out of your way. But I want to go home than anything! I'm sorry, I'm being selfish. Maybe you can hand me a ship that's heading west on your way to the Grand Line, I'm sure I can handle things on my own from there."
"Absolutely not." Nami refuse. "No way! A pirate ship can even get close to another vessel without them attacking and implying fear."
"Yeah, you're right." Apis reluctantly agrees sadly.
"But still, we're not on anyone's timetable other than our own. A Warship Island isn't that far off, so we can do it." Nami told her with a smile, earned her attention. "Well, I'm fine with this either way. And you, dear Captain?"
"Sure, sounds great to me." Luffy accepts with a big grin.
"It's close to where we're going." Usopp added with a smile.
"I know. And the island looks like a warship." Luffy agrees.
"Think that's a yes." Sanji told her with a smile.
"Really?! You don't mind changing course and taking me back home?" Apis asks with a smile, getting off the top of the barrel.
"Nope." Luffy answered simply.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, I'm going home!" Apis thanked them gratefully. "You have no idea what this means, I didn't ever think I make it out of the ocean, let alone back to Warship Island! You're amazing all of you, I'll prepare tons of dishes for everyone!"
"No! That's okay!" The Straw Hat pirates, except Luffy, politely declines in unison.
"Why not?" Luffy asks, causing Ventus and Anna to beat their Captain into a pulp which they're very annoyed of his stupidity.
Meanwhile, the Marines were sailing at sea, looking for Apis since she manage to escape from the Marines after the storm when the Lieutenant Commander arrived on deck, leaving the Marines salute their Lieutenant Commander.
"Reporting! Vessel sailing sir, straight ahead at 12 o' clock! A man-size caravel with main mast flying a flag with a skull mark."
"Pirates, huh? Obviously a novice once to be open these sailing at waters under Commodore Nelson's control. These are dead scum aren't worth their time, let them be."
"You're mistaken, that flag belongs to a savvy crew." The mercenary told him. "The Captain is 'Straw Hat' Luffy, a man with the 30 million berry bounty on his head."
The mercenary was a slender man with square-like face, long sharp fingernails, and purple hair, curled upwards in the shape like a hook. He wore a grey blazer and pants with red-colored sides and purple striped shirt underneath. On his chest, he wore something that looks like a golden brooch shaped like a bird-wing. He also wore a pair of earrings with pearls hanging underneath them. His glasses are very thin and doesn't show any eye itself at all.
"What!? Everyone's been for that pirate."
"What I find inept is that even with this giant fleet at our disposal, we can't find one little girl." The mercenary rudely comments, walk towards them. "It's plausible that someone manage to nab her, yes. Perhaps a certain a highly skilled pirate who just happens to be in the vicinity. Capture that ship at once!"
For some time later, as the Straw hat pirates were sailing towards the Warship Island, they were doing whatever they were doing. Luffy was just lazily sits, Sanji was cooking some snacks, Usopp was on the lookout at the crows nest, Anna and Zoro were sparring, Ventus is practicing his lance techniques. Nami was outside, observing the weather.
'I can't help feeling somethings wrong.' Nami mentally thought, feeling something is wrong.
"Hey! We've got company approaching!?" Usopp shouts, earned their attention. "Just our luck, we're in deep trouble! It's the Marines!"
"The Marines?!" Nami exclaims with shock.
"And we're not just talking one or two ships either!?" Usopp told her when Ventus use his Dragon Sight, looking at the Marines which they've bring out a fleet.
"He's right, it's an entire fleet." Ventus said with serious expression on his face.
"But still, why would the Marines dispatch an entire fleet to this area?" Nami questions herself.
"What's going on?" Luffy asks when he and Apis were out of the cabin, leaving the little girl gasp with fright when she saw the same Marines that got her captured three days ago.
"Are they here to claim the bounty on my head?" Luffy asks.
"They wouldn't send this many, just for you." Nami points out.
"Maybe the Marines feel they need an entire fleet to capture me. I am kind of amazing." Luffy brags.
"Shut up, this isn't a joke." Nami scolds with annoyance.
"You're being careless!" Ventus and Anna yelled with white eyes and shark-like teeth, bonked his head. Apis then takes a step back when Sanji noticed her as he spoke.
"What's wrong with you?" Sanji asks.
"Those ships belong to Branch 8." Apis told them, earned their attention. "They're the ones I escaped from. What am I going to do?"
With that information, they now know why Apis have escaped from the Marines which this situation is very serious. One of the Marines have manage to find the little girl as he spoke.
"Lieutenant Commander, I found her! The girl is standing on the deck of that ship!"
"What?!"
"Think of your failure, had I not happened along?" The mercenary taunts, causing the Lieutenant Commander to growl at him. "I've gone and hurt your pride, haven't I? Such wounds to the ego often heal quickly. Though should you allow the clue to the dragonite has slipped through your grasp a second time? Not even an elixir of immortality could soothe the wounds Commodore Nelson will inflict upon you."
"Prepare the main cannons! We'll capture that pirate ship or give it to the bottom of the sea!"
The mercenary then smirked which it got the Marines motivated enough as they ready the cannons, firing at the Going Merry which Usopp screamed as he spoke.
"THEY'RE FIRING AT US!?" Usopp yelled with scared expression as the cannonballs have missed the ships.
"ATTENTION, PIRATES! YOU HAVE TREPASSED IN A RESTRICTED WATERS AND ARE HEREBY ORDERED TO STOP AND SURRENDER!"
"There's no way we're gonna stop the Marines." Usopp points out.
"Let them come." Ventus growled as he readied his lance. "The Marines won't stop until they get they've wanted."
"How do you wanna handle this?" Zoro questions with a scowl. "Cuz' I want to fight them."
"Then I say lets fight." Luffy ordered.
"You're crazy!? Why must we always fight them against impossible odds!" Usopp yelled, swiftly coming near them.
Of course, he protests about the other ideas besides fleeing which the ranger will admit, they're at a disadvantage. However, that doesn't mean they're weak and Usopp even forget the fact was that Ventus have fought against the Arlong pirates and destroyed the structure with only one strike. Sanji told her to go and wait downstairs, but Apis notice something when she look at the seagulls.
"Apis, what is it?" Sanji asks quietly.
"A wind is coming." Apis answered, earned her attention. "He says it's a strong one."
Nami then turn to Zoro as she spoke.
"Zoro, Ventus, lean the sail pointing south." Nami ordered the two, leaving them confused. "Usopp and Sanji, right rudder full! Get going!"
With that, Ventus and Zoro we're heading towards the sail while Sanji and Usopp were heading to the rudder as Anna spoke.
"What's happening?" Anna questions.
"A gust is coming. We'll ride it out and move on." Nami told the ranger. "If we try to take out the fleet and head-on, we'll end up losing no matter how well we fight."
"Somebody sounds chicken." Luffy said innocently, causing the ranger to bonk his head, leaving a big bump on his head while Nami look at Apis with serious expression on her face.
Back at the Marine ship, one of the Marines informed the Lieutenant Commander.
"They showed no signs of stopping, sir."
"They mock us."
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind came and the Going Merry ride towards the south, leaving the Marines shocked.
"The pirate ship is increased its speed and altered course!"
"Heading?"
"South bound, sir!"
"South bound!? That fools! Don't they have maps? Surely, they know what's in that direction."
"What the hell are you waiting for? Move! Attack!" The mercenary yelled, ordered them to charge forward.
But it was too late, the Going Merry is heading south with such speed. However, Ventus knew something was off.
'If I remember correctly, we're in the East Blue and it's on the top right side of the world according to the map, north to the Grand Line.' Ventus mentally thought, realized where they're heading. 'Oh no, we're heading straight to the Calm Belt. And if we're heading there, we are so screwed.'
"Whoa, this is fast! We got a good wind, huh?" Luffy said with a smile.
"We did it Luffy. Look, the Marines are falling behind." Usopp said excitedly. "I've seen dead snails move faster!"
The Marines then decided to withdraw and alter the course, but the mercenary told him to delay that. However, the Lieutenant Commander refuse that order because when they sail towards the Calm Belt, they'll be trapped like rats which the mercenary didn't like that and he doesn't care about it either. He warned the Lieutenant Commander that Commodore Nelson will punish to anyone who disobey the order, but he accepts that and told the mercenary that he'll be damned if he give orders that will kill the entire fleet, told him that the pursuit is over.
Meanwhile, Usopp, Sanji, Apis, Nami, and Luffy cheered that the Marines were no longer in pursuit, but Zoro, Anna, and Ventus then notice of how calm the sky has become. The three then scan the area, notice that the jolly roger flag and the sail weren't getting any wind which the young Dragoon knows that they're in the Calm Belt.
"What's wrong?" Nami asks. "You've had that look on your faces for a while."
"Yeah, I guess I hoped I was dreaming." Zoro said, leaving her confused. "This may sound crazy, but it seems to me we're not moving. You feel that?"
Nami then scan the area, notice that the Going Merry isn't moving at all.
"Now that you mention it, the sail doesn't appear to catching any wind at all." Nami said.
"But Nami, do you by any chance know one ocean that separates the Grand Line from the other Blues?" Ventus asked, hoping that she knows what he means. After for a few seconds, Nami screamed.
"Nami, what's wrong?" Luffy asks."
"Are you hurt?" Sanji added with worry.
"WE'RE SCREWED!?" Nami yelled with her eyes widen and fear. "WE'VE ENTERED A CALM BELT!?"
That's it for the 37th chapter. Sorry about the delay.