This is the 39th chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.
Escape from Warship Island
Warship Island
Later that morning, the villagers were doing up some cutting the plants while farming which today was another hot day. Until, they saw the Marines heading towards the island, wondering why are they here which they have no idea, but the reason why the Marines are here is because they came to look for Apis and Eric won't stop at nothing until he gets the little girl and the information he's been looking for. Luffy, Nami, and Ventus were able to get back inside of the house, notice that the rest of the Straw Hat crew were sleeping from the long long story from Bokuden.
"Guys, you're not gonna believe what we saw, it's so cool!" Luffy exclaims with excitement.
"Um, what's going on?" Nami asks with confusion.
What got their attention was that Bokuden is still talking which he's sleep talking and made the Straw Hat crew falling asleep from the very long story.
"They must've fallen asleep from Bokuden's story." Ventus said with deadpan expression on his face. "And he's still at it."
"Oh brother, his story is still isn't over?" Nami rhetorically questions with annoyance.
"Afraid not." Ventus answered with a sigh as he then walk towards Anna, gently shaking her. "Hey, wake up."
Anna then slowly open up her eyes as she yawns and stretch a bit. Luffy walk towards Usopp as he spoke while slowly move his finger towards the bubble from his nose.
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead." Luffy said with a smile, popping the bubble as Usopp screams. Zoro then woke up as he spoke.
"What the? We're we here all night?" Zoro asks with a groan, leaving Sanji rise up a bit.
"Guess so. With that old guy rambling on, we've all must've been dozed off." Sanji said, yawning while stretching a bit.
Suddenly, one of the villagers opened the door with panic, panting heavily as he spoke.
"Bokuden! We've got trouble! Apis, where is she?!"
"What's the matter?" Nami questions.
"Y-You're those pirates, right? A Marine Fleet just arrived, they're blockading the harbor and coming ashore!"
"What!?" Ventus exclaims with shock.
"Oh no! We've got to get to Apis before they do!" Nami exclaims with worry.
"Why are the Marines after a little girl?" Usopp asks with confusion.
"Guys, I need you to come with me right now! Let's go!" Nami ordered.
"With pleasure, Nami~!" Sanji accepts happily, quickly stood up and went goo-goo eyes.
"We gotta go now?" Luffy asks, obviously a stupid question.
"Weren't you listening?! The Marines are here, we gotta go, now!" Ventus shouts with annoyance.
"He's right, we have to move." Anna agrees.
"What do we do with the old man?" Zoro asks while pointing at Bokuden.
"Well, it looks like he sound asleep, so I think we should just leave him be." Nami points out, turned her head to the villager. "Hey when he wakes up, tell him 'not to worry, we'll protect Apis and keep her safe'."
"Yeah, alright."
The Straw Hat pirates then head up towards the mountain where the elder dragon is inside of the cave and where Ventus have followed Apis there since last night. The Marines than wasted no time on sailing towards the harbor, one of the Marines notice the Going Merry is right next to them as he spoke to the Lieutenant Commander of the Marines.
"Sir! The pirates, their ships been spotted on the starboard bow!"
"Right! Listen up men, the landing party will accompany me onto the island. The rest of you will seize and secure that ship. Understood?"
The Marines gave the Lieutenant Commander a salute as they land next to the harbor while Eric use his nail file to sharpen his finger nails with a smirk on his face. The first group departs and guard the Going Merry while the second group accompany the Lieutenant Commander and Eric to find Apis since they know where she's at, but failed to notice that Apis is still inside of the cave. As soon at the Straw Hat pirates were in the cave, Usopp, Zoro, and Sanji were completely shocked and stunned when they saw a dragon first hand. Of course, Anna is no stranger to dragons because she have witness them in Ishgard, especially the young Dragoons father. Apis climbed up at the top of the elder dragon as she spoke.
"Hey, you're all here." Apis said with a smile.
"Guys, this is one of those Millennial Dragons that Bokuden was talking about." Nami told them.
"Hey, let's see if he can fetch." Luffy suggests with a big grin, making Anna and Ventus really annoyed as the two them bonked his head.
"Show that dragon some respect, Luffy." Anna and Ventus yelled at the rubber Captain in unison.
"He's a dragon, not a puppy!" Nami shouts at him, showing his white eyes and shark-like teeth.
"I guess the closer you get to the Grand Line, the more you run into things like this." Zoro stated seriously.
"Well if things like those Sea Kings we encountered can exist, I guess anything's possible." Sanji added.
"Oh no, are we safe around this thing? Will he try and eat us?" Usopp ask with his tongue sticking out and scared expression, making a big lisp.
"Due to the age of an elder dragon, he doesn't show any hostility on us." Anna pondered. "However, he can only attack whenever we provoke him."
However that doesn't seem to be the case when the elder dragon move closer to Usopp, licking him.
"Um normally, he doesn't eat people, but he is forgetful. If he starts acting like you're food, get away quick." Apis warned them, but it's too late. The elder dragon chomped Usopp's head, leaving the liar panicked while holding his mouth.
"Now you tell me!?" Usopp exclaims.
"It doesn't hurt though, does it?" Luffy asks with a grin, laughing. "Don't worry about it, I think he likes you."
"That's easy for you to say, Luffy! You're not the one with your head in his mouth!" Usopp shouts with panic.
"Maybe we should let him eat you." Zoro coldly suggests.
"Zoro!" Usopp shouts.
"And give this thing food poisoning?" Snaji asks with annoyance as Luffy burst with laughter.
"Why you lousy...I outta..."
Few minutes later, Usopp finally got out of the dragons mouth and hiding behind the rock with frighten expression on his face. Ventus couldn't help but give him a sympathy look, not blaming him for hiding from the dragon.
"Anyways, this dragon is the reason why the Marines have been chasing after Apis." Nami explains seriously. "We can't let the Marines get their hands on him, I brought you here because we need to help Apis take him back to his home on Lost Island."
"Are you nuts?! In case you forgot Nami, the Marines are after us too!" Usopp protests. "With that blockade, we're gonna have enough trouble escaping ourselves, let alone with the ginormous lizard!?"
"Please, listen." Apis pleads, earned his attention. "Grandpa Ryu just wants to go home. Luffy said-"
"Wait, don't tell me Luffy said something like: 'Sure, we'll take him to the lost island'." Usopp guessed, making a terrible imitation of Luffy.
"Hey, how did you know I said that?" Luffy asks, leaving Usopp gawked.
"You always say stuff like that! Without asking us first and without having a clue of finding a place!?" Usopp protests.
"Meh, we'll work it out somehow." Luffy shrugs simply.
"Oh please!?" Usopp exclaims with panic.
"Just give it up, Usopp." Ventus told him calmly with a sigh. "Whenever our idiot Captain makes that promise, he keeps that promise. Or so it seems."
"It's okay Grandpa Ryu, I'll find another way to get you home and I won't let those Marines get you." Apis reassures him softly, rubbing the dragons snout. Usopp was a bit confused about her.
"The problem is, we don't really know where Lost Island is, but the dragon should have migratory instincts which will help us find it." Nami explains.
"Yeah, so what are we waiting for? Let's get going." Luffy declared with a smile.
"But Luffy."
"Hey, don't worry we'll work it out." Zoro told him.
"I agree, but first things first, how are we suppose to bring our big friend here down the mountain and onto the Going Merry?" Sanji asks, lighting his cigarette and Apis gasp surprisingly.
"It's easy, we're gonna build a cart. One big enough for Grandpa Ryu to ride. Let's move." Nami suggest with a smirk.
"Hey! Hold on a second!" Usopp protests. "Can't any of you guys think about it for one second?! If we help out this dragon, we might get caught in the process by the Marines! None of you guys want that to happen, do you? Ventus, tell them! Help me out here!"
The Straw Hat pirates and Apis were looking at the young Dragoon, even though he's part of the crew. Ventus then sighed as he spoke.
"Usopp, even if what you said is true, will that ever change his mind?" Ventus inquires, leaving Usopp tried to make an excuse but he's got nothing. "Exactly, the Marines are coming here and we don't have time for having any second thoughts. Also, if you want to go run and hide, be my guest. Besides, I'd rather help and worry about the others than run like a coward."
At that point, Usopp gave up and reluctantly agreed to help out. Anna couldn't help but smile at the young Dragoon, Apis then smile as she spoke.
"Thank you!" Apis thanked the Straw Hat pirates.
When they got out of the cave, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, and Ventus goes to work by taking down some trees to make a cart for Grandpa Ryu. They stacked the lumber up which it's enough. Apis is amazed of their strength while Usopp was standing with a sour look on his face.
"Hm, do you think that's enough?" Luffy asks.
"Yep, that's good." Nami told him with a wink.
"Well, I guess I better start slapping this thing, not that I have any real choice." Usopp said reluctantly while complains.
It took them a few minutes to get the cart together while using the leftover wood for the axles and the wheels. They were able to tie them together for the rope while Usopp uses the hammer for banging the wooden pins. Usopp wipe the sweat off of his forehead as he spoke.
"That's it guys, it's finally done." Usopp said with a smile.
"It's so strong and sturdy, even Grandpa Ryu couldn't break it." Apis said excitedly, bounces the cart which Luffy agrees as the two laugh.
"Speaking of breaking, how are we suppose to break through that Marine blockade? And back to the ship?" Sanji questions seriously.
"I don't know." Luffy shrugs. "We'll work it out somehow."
"Yeah, but how?" Sanji inquires.
"An attack?" Zoro suggests.
"You know, that's not a bad idea." Sanji said with a smirk.
"True, but it'll be impossible with the dragon in tow." Anna stated. "We need to get there without getting caught."
"She's right so I have an idea, but it requires stealth than strength." Nami suggests as she explains. "One of us has to go to the harbor, sneak aboard the Going Merry and sail it to the rear of the island."
"Well since my good personal friend Kaya, gave us the ship, I should be the one to go." Usopp said with a smirk, volunteered himself when Apis smiled.
'He's so brave.' Apis thought.
'Usopp is more likely tried to weasel his way out.' Ventus thought with deadpan expression on his face.
"However, Zoro is coming with me." Usopp said, leaving Zoro shocked.
"Me? Why?" Zoro asks with confusion.
"That's fine by me." Nami agrees.
"I'll go with you two as well." Anna volunteers seriously. "I don't trust Usopp one bit because of his cowardice."
That got Usopp face fault down to the ground while Ventus chuckle a bit and Zoro laughed a bit.
"With her ranger ability, you guys might be able to pull it off." Ventus told them, leaving Nami nod with an agreement.
"We'll head to the harbor right now, we're running out of time and we need to get the dragon at sea." Anna suggests which Usopp thinks differently.
"Way ahead of you, you can take that ship over to that edge of that cape. The one that looks like Usopp's nose." Nami said, points the edge.
"Oh that's funny, it does look like his nose." Luffy said with a chuckle.
"And if anything goes wrong, I'll use these to keep the Marines occupied." Anna said, pulling out those mini-bombs. "Let's go."
"Hey! You know for a ranger, you sure give a lot of others." Usopp complains as he, Zoro, and Anna head towards the harbor.
"Sanji, Luffy, Ventus, I need you guys get Grandpa Ryu on the cart." Nami ordered.
"Right."
"Whatever you say, Nami~."
With that, Luffy, Sanji, and Ventus went inside of the cave to get Grandpa Ryu to the cart.
Meanwhile, the Marines were inside of the house to find Apis, but she's nowhere to be found because the Straw hat pirates were able to get to her before they do. The Marines aim at the guns at Bokuden, surrounding him as the Lieutenant Commander approaches him and spoke.
"Alright old man, spit it out! Tell us where you're hiding this girl?"
When the Lieutenant Commander showed the photo to Bokuden, the elder is still sleep talking which the Lieutenant Commander didn't have the patience for this.
"HEY! OLD MAN!"
Bokuden suddenly woke up as he spoke.
"Huh? Oh yes, did I mention the 1231st king?" Bokuden asks with a smile, leaving the Lieutenant Commander confused.
"What are you talking about?"
"Lieutenant Commander! We found some tracks, looks like something was dragged from the backyard."
The Marines went outside of the house as they follow the tracks that Apis have left last night, but Eric is looking at those tracks that ends on those rocks.
"Eric, those tracks, is it them?"
The Marines stopped when they saw the mercenary.
"I'd say so and they appear to be fresh." Eric told them, looking at the mountain. "They lead up that mountain, that must be where they're hiding."
"Then that's where we're going! Move out!"
With that, Eric and the Marines head towards the mountain to find Apis and the elder Millennial Dragon.
Meanwhile, the Marines were guarding the Going Merry when Zoro, Anna, and Usopp were hiding behind the building, looking at the Marines.
"You see? We should've wait to go at night." Usopp whines with his stream of tears.
Zoro has as idea when he drew out his sword, slicing the bamboo pipe.
"What the heck are you doing-UGH!?"
Before Usopp yells with a question, Zoro shove the pipe on his mouth to make it like a snorkel and telling him to 'shut up'. The three were able to pass through the Marines without any problems, silently swimming in the sea with their snorkels. When they made their way towards the Going Merry, Zoro, Anna, and Usopp merged out of the water while getting the snorkels out of their mouths, but Usopp is having trouble getting it out.
"Meet us on the deck." Zoro told him as he and Anna swam towards the rope.
"Hey, wait! Hold up!" Usopp said, trying to get the pipe out of his mouth when Zoro climbs up on the Going Merry and Anna is right behind him.
Until, the Marines heard a noise they turned, revealed that Usopp is making that noise by tapping the ship with that bamboo pipe that's still stuck in his mouth.
"HAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLT!?"
"Oh no! Help, Zoro, Anna! Somebody help!?" Usopp shouts, but Zoro and Anna were already on the ship.
"It's a pirate!"
"Stop him! Fire!"
Suddenly, Anna threw a bomb right next to the Marines as the gas leaks out, causing the Marines to cough since Usopp took his chance as he quickly climb up the Going Merry. Zoro then cut the rope, bringing the sails down as they sail away. The Marines are still coughing and the tears were brought down to their eyes, notice the Going Merry is sailing.
"What the hell?!"
"There must be another pirate on board that ship!"
"And the other is throwing that Tear Gas on us too!?"
"Hurry, they're getting away!"
"The winds pulling out to sea! Grab the ladder!"
"It's too late!"
"Dammit!"
The Going Merry was able to sail at sea just in time, but it was heading towards the Marine ship which one of the Marines noticed as he spoke.
"What the?! They're trying to ram us! All hands, evasive action!"
"What, you're going to ram'em?! Are you insane?!" Usopp yelled as he head inside to help Zoro pull the rudder.
As soon as the Straw Hat pirates were about to ram towards the Marine ship, the Marines were scattering around the ship with panic. They're planning to head for the sails, but it's too late as they brace for impact. Zoro and Usopp pulls the lever towards the left as the Going Merry steers left, but it also hit the Marine ship and left some scratch on the paint along the way. The Straw Hat pirates then sail without wrecking the ship as the Marines then sound the alarm.
"Follow Those Pirates!"
With that, the Marines goes to work as the hoist the anchor, ready the sails as they pursue the Straw Hat pirates.
"I Want Those Pirates Heads!"
Meanwhile at the island, the Marines and Eric were heading towards the mountain since the trail leads them that direction. The rest of the Straw Hat pirates were waiting for the Going Merry and able to have the elder dragon laying on the cart. Nami notice the Going Merry as she spoke.
"They made it." Nami stated with a smile.
Until, the seagull landed on the top of Grandpa Ryu's head, earned her attention when she use the Devil Fruit power to listen what the seagull has told her. Ventus then sniff the air, notice the Marines and Eric are getting close to the mountain.
"Oh no! The bird told me that the Marines are closing in!" Apis warned them with worry.
Ventus, Nami, Sanji, and Luffy looks down, seeing the Marines and Eric are heading their direction.
"They didn't waste any time, they got here quicker than I thought." Nami said surprisingly.
"They must've followed the trial that led us here." Ventus added.
"What are we gonna do? They're getting close!" Apis exclaims with panic.
"It'll be okay, don't worry." Nami reassures her. "Remember, we got these three with us."
Apis couldn't help but feel worried about Grandpa Ryu and the Straw Hat pirates. Nami and Ventus notice that the Marines were chasing the Going Merry.
"Plus, we're about to get outta here. We just have to wait until the Going Merry is reached to that cape." Nami told her.
As soon as the Marines and the mercenary were closing in, Eric notice the little girl, the elder dragon, and the Straw hat pirates.
"There she is." Eric said when Grandpa Ryu raise his head, blowing the steam out of his snout which the Marines are shocked.
"What is that thing?!"
"It's a monster!"
Grandpa Ryu look at the Marines when Eric smirked evilly, looking at the dragon.
'Dragonite, the elixir of immortality, I've finally found it.' Eric mentally thought while the Lieutenant Commander of the Marines turned to his men as he spoke.
"Don't panic, men! That beast is the Millennial Dragon we've been looking for, we can take it. We'll sneak up closer and get the drop on it. Let's make Commodore Nelson proud!"
With that, the Marines and Eric are heading closer towards the mountain so they can sneak up the Millennial Dragon, but Ventus is able to hear everything due to his dragon hearing. The young Dragoon then told Nami that they're coming closer to try and sneak up on them.
While back at the sea, the Going Merry is sailing towards the cape while the Marines were on pursuit. Usopp is still trying to get that pipe out of his mouth.
"Aw come on you stupid thing! Why do you have ruined our flawless escape?!" Usopp grunts, trying to get the pipe out of his mouth.
"We haven't escaped." Zoro and Anna points out in unison, leaving Usopp finally got that pipe out of his mouth as he scream with panic when the Marine ship sailed close toward the Going Merry.
"Faster, men! Overtaking board that vessel!"
The Marines then got closer enough at the Going Merry when Usopp shouts.
"Zoro, Anna, I'm gonna man the rudder, you two go take care of the sail! Go! Go!" Usopp ordered.
"Right, we're on it!" Zoro accepts as the two man the sail while Usopp man the rudder which they've got the advantage to flee, leaving the Marines in the dust since they got the disadvantage due to sheer size.
"Man, that ship maybe as big as a whale, but its fast." Usopp stated, steering the rudder to get away, but the Marines won't give up that easily since they're still on pursuit.
While back at the island, the Marines quietly hiding beneath those rocks without being scene which the young Dragoon can smell them coming as the Marines readied their weapons. Apis notice the Marines are planning to shoot them.
"No! Stop! Please don't shoot Grandpa Ryu!" Apis shouts with a plea. Nami is trying to stop her, but the elder dragon uses his wing to defend her. "No, wait!"
Grandpa Ryu then assures her, staring her into the eyes as he then raise his head, leaving the Marines scared.
"I had a feeling if we follow that brat, she might possibly lead us to some Dragonite." Eric proclaims. "But I never expected to encounter a living breathing Millennial Dragon, this is quite the surprise. She is no longer of any importance to us now. That dragon is now our priority, within it lies a key to immortal life."
The Lieutenant Commander then turn to his men as he spoke.
"Fire!"
The Marines then aim at the Millennial Dragon when Apis was about to stop them, but it's too late, the Marines fires when Luffy got in front of them. The bullets were stretching his body, bounces right back at them which lead the Marines shocked.
"What the hell was that?"
"How did he deflect the bullets?"
The Marines were stunned, wondering how did Luffy deflect those bullets as Eric spoke.
"I see you have Devil Fruit powers." Eric stated, realized of Luffy's power.
"Uh-huh, I'm a rubber man." Luffy told him.
"Rubber man?"
"Devil Fruit?"
"What's that?"
The Marines were a bit confused when the Lieutenant Commander of the Marines was about to speak, but Eric cuts in.
"Use your swords men, bullets won't work against rubber." Eric ordered them.
The Marines then drew out their swords as they charge after them, but Ventus run pass them as he them use his lance, aiming at the Marines.
"Phlebotomize" Ventus fires the projectile at them, leaving the Marines sent flying and knocked out. Apis couldn't help but feel amazed of the young Dragoons power when Luffy and Sanji walk towards him.
"Nice shot, Ventus." Sanji praised him. "With that shot, the Marines won't be a problem."
Ventus nods without looking at the cook when the Marines grunted in pain, trying to stood up while looking at the three Straw Hat pirates. Eric is disappointed of their actions as he spoke.
"You call yourselves Marines?" Eric comments rudely, walking pass the Lieutenant Commander. "What a joke, the lot of you are pathetic."
As soon as Eric walk pass the Lieutenant Commander of the Marines, one of the Marines stood up and flees when Eric sliced him, leaving the Marine dead.
"A knife?" Luffy asks.
"I don't know." Sanji shrugs.
"It's his fingers." Ventus told them with a scowl. "Seems like he had the Devil Fruit powers."
Nami and Apis were shocked of Eric's ability while Luffy and Sanji were surprised that Ventus was able to figure it out as the mercenary stops and spoke.
"My name is Eric the 'Whirlwind', Straw Hats." Eric introduces himself. "I was hired by Commodore Nelson of Branch 8. I have no business with you, that Millennial Dragon on the other hand is a different story. Stand aside, if you don't, you'll forfeit into my wind-slash, the power of the Sickle-Sickle Fruit."
Eric then continues rambling while leaving them confused as Sanji.
"Did he say Sicko-Sicko?" Sanji questions.
"No, he said Sickle-Sickle Fruit. Basically, a sickle is like a bladed weapon that can be used for farming and fighting." Ventus explains, leaving Sanji realize what he means. "Also, it explains how the mercenary cut the Marine with ease. He's using his fingernails to slice with one cut which it produces the power of the Devil Fruit power."
Sanji is starting to get the ideas of the young Dragoons explanation, understanding how Eric cuts the Marine without breaking his fingernails is because he ate the power of the Devil Fruit power.
"Hey Nami, can we go now?" Luffy asks, leaving Nami look at the sea when she notice the Going Merry is heading to the cape along with the Marine ship.
"Not yet." Nami told him.
"Nami is so gorgeous, even when she's checking on Zoro, Usopp, and Anna's progress." Nami said.
"I wish they'd hurry up." Luffy said impatiently, leaving Eric turned his face red with impatience and his temper flares up.
"HEY, STRAW HATS! ARE YOU LISTENING?!" Eric yells, earned their attention. "DID YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID?!"
"Yeah, we heard you. You're Eric the 'Sicko'." Luffy told him, leaving Ventus guffawed while holding his laugh.
"NO! I SAID 'SICKLE' YOU MORON! SICKLE LIKE THE SHARP THING THAT CUTS, NOT SICKO!" Eric yelled, raise his fist.
"Well, we're already 'sicko' hearing you talk." Luffy joked which it's a bad joke as he laugh, leaving Eric growled while readying his fingers.
"Let's see how much you laugh after you've gotten a taste of this." Eric snarled. "Sickle-Sickle: Whirlwind"
Eric releases a powerful air slash, slashing the three Straw Hat pirates while slashing the ground as the elder dragon blocks the wind with his wing.
"What was that?" Luffy asks, holding his arm.
"His wind-slash. Creep really packs a punch." Sanji grunts with pain as the blood trickle down to his hand.
Ventus is unaffected from that wind slash because of the scales from his body. Eric then smirked as he spoke.
"The winds I use are just as sharp as the keenest blades in the world." Eric explains. "Even the fiercest fighters don't stand a chance, I can rip anyone to shreds in a matter of seconds."
"Let's get out of here." Apis quietly said while Eric laughs.
"Not yet, they're not ready." Nami told her.
Ventus then turn his scales back into a skin, leaving Eric confused as spoke.
"I don't understand, why are you unscathed? My Devil Fruit powers would've slashed you." Eric inquires.
"My scales were able to protect me from your wind slash. Dragons pierce better than your wind." Ventus mocks, making Eric angry. "Your Devil Fruit power is indeed a force to be reckon with, but it's not enough to kill me or the dragons."
"You little...Grrrrr...I'm gonna kill you for that insult. Now, you either move aside or die, that dragon's mine!?" Eric yelled with anger.
"If you want him, you'll have to go through us first." Ventus growled, readied his lance.
"Alright then, it's your funeral dragon boy." Eric accepts, readied his fingernails.
"What about now?" Apis shouts, leaving Nami looking at the edge of the sea when the Going Merry finally made it. "Well, Nami?!"
"Finally, it's time." Nami said with a smirk, turning her head to the three. "Luffy! Sanji! Ventus! Let's go!"
"We're on our way, Nami~!" Sanji told her, went goo-goo eyes as he, Luffy, and Ventus rush towards the cliff which Eric is confused. "We'll be right there."
As soon as Luffy, Sanji, and Ventus made their way towards the cart, Sanji is ready to push the cart.
"Hey, Nami~! This kick is dedicated to you." Sanji told her, kicking the rock as the cart then went downhill while getting ready for a wild ride.
"No you don't!" Eric shouts, rush in front of them.
"Phlebotomize" Ventus then fires a projectile at Eric, knocking him out of the way and sent him flying.
"Nice shot." Nami praised him, earned a nod from him.
As they continue to went downhill, the boulder is in the way.
"We're gonna hit that rock!" Apis shouts with panic.
"Luffy!" Nami called him.
"Gum-Gum: Gatling" Luffy then unleash the flurry of punches, destroyed the boulder in the process, but the boulder is in pieces as Sanji and Ventus were able to destroys the rubble while landed on the ground and went downhill.
"This is stupid! It's crazy! We're all gonna die!" Apis shouts with her face paled.
"Not if we keep our heads down." Luffy advised, but his head got caught by a tree branch. Grandpa Ryu used his tail to grab onto to him.
"Take your own advice!?" Nami and Ventus yelled in unison with white eyes and shark-like teeth.
After they said that, Luffy got his head off the tree branch and landed on the dragons back.
"Oh yeah." Luffy said, holding his head while laughing.
"Try using your head so something like that won't happen again!?" Ventus yelled with his eyes still white and his shark-like teeth.
After the young Dragoon finished scolding the rubber Captain, he can hear that Apis is laughing which she's having fun with the wild ride.
Meanwhile, the Going Merry is able to get to the cape, but they couldn't outrun the Marine ship as Usopp spoke.
"Nami wanted us to bring that ship to the edge of that cape, right?" Usopp questions.
"Yes, that's what she said." Anna nods seriously as the Going Merry lands while the Marines were close enough to land.
"Just perfect, we couldn't outrun them, huh?" Usopp said with annoyance.
"I guess not. Well, I guess I'm itching for a fight anyway-!?"
Before Zoro and Anna readied their weapons, they notice the cart is heading towards the cape.
"What the hell-UWAAA!?" Zoro exclaims with shock, widen his eyes.
When they got into the cape, Ventus jumps off while sprouting his wings out and they crashed into the main mast, tumbling down. As soon as they got out of the mast, they got to the ocean. Ventus was able to grab to land on the Going Merry while joining the others on the deck. Apparently, Zoro, Usopp, and Anna dropped their jaws with shock.
"That crazy plan actually worked?!" Zoro exclaims.
"Well, he said he work it out somehow." Apis told them with a smile, given a thumb up.
"I told you so." Luffy said with a smile, laughing.
"After them! Move! Capture that ship!"
"Sir, we can't! Not with our main mast snapped and it's wedged against the ship! We're stuck!"
"WHAT!?"
After they manage to get out of this situation since the Marines are completely stuck due to the main mast was snapped into two, Usopp was tying the cart onto the ship.
"That should do it." Usopp said with a smile.
"Man, that ride was fun." Luffy stated.
"It sure was." Apis agrees, laughing a bit.
"Sure you're okay after that ride?" Nami asks with a smile, earned a nod from her as she turned to Luffy. "Well now that Grandpa Ryu is all secure, we can raise anchor."
"Yeah." Luffy agrees. "We're going to Lost Island, guys. Set sail!"
"Uh-huh, and where's that?" Usopp questions with a sweat drop.
Luffy was pointing the directions which he's guess and don't even know where the Lost Island is.
"Are we really gonna be okay?" Ventus asks, having some regrets about joining the crew.
"Ah, we'll work things out somehow." Zoro shrugs with a small smile.
"I hope so, cuz' it's not on a chart." Nami added with a wink.
"Nami's gorgeous, even when she doesn't know where the ship is going~." Sanji compliments, went goo-goo eyes.
"Oh brother." Ventus muttered, shook his head with annoyance.
"You think everything about Nami is wonderful." Anna muttered with annoyance.
"Even Anna is so gorgeous when she's annoyed~." Sanji added, looking at the ranger.
Anna felt like she wants to kill him which she doesn't like him flirting with her and Nami. The Straw Hat pirates then raise the anchor and set sail towards the Lost Island since it's not on the charts, they'll have to figure out where the Lost Island is.
That's it for the 39th chapter. Sorry about the delays.