This is the 42nd chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.
Guest: I don't care. All I care is if they like it, like it. If they don't like, they don't like it, that's it. Also, it doesn't matter what you tell me about my story because I don't give a rats ass about it, so screw the bad comments, and screw the haters. Since you don't like it, don't bother write the reviews and leave. Don't let the door hit you in the butt on your way out.
No flame reviews.
Eric's Betrayal! Commodore Nelson's Secret Strategy!
Somewhere at sea
As the Straw Hat pirates sail to one of the Marine ships, the Marines fire the cannons at them which they've manage to dodge the cannonballs thanks to Nami's steering. Dodging them one-by-one, it wasn't an easy feat, especially since the Marines had them surrounded and the fact that the ship is also pulling Grandpa Ryu's cart, trying not to get him hurt.
While the Marines continued to fire the cannons at the Straw Hat pirates, aimlessly firing at the cart, Commodore Nelson is watching them from afar, feeling pleased that he'll get what he came for, a Dragonite from the Millennial Dragon. He then chuckled a bit as he spoke.
"Marvelous! A truly beautiful sight to behold." Commodore Nelson said with a smirk, laughing while waving his fan. "Hear me, continue the attacks! We will not relent for an instant."
"Yes sir!"
"But be careful, I don't want so much as a scratch on that raft." Commodore Nelson warned the Marines.
"Right, understood."
With that, one of the Marines then left as Nelson laugh once more with an evil smirk on his face.
"Four years, the Millennial Dragon eluded me." Commodore Nelson said with a sneer. "Now the beast is finally within my grasp. What this victory really means is the Dragonite, the elixir of immortality is now as good as mine."
Commodore Nelson then laughs with triumph, thinking that victory is his.
Meanwhile, the other Marines are on stand by, watching the scene as one of the Marines is looking through the telescope. Notice that there's a pennant flag as he zooms his telescope to see it close while looking at it as he spoke to the Lieutenant Commander of the Marines.
"Sir, the Commodore's flagship says his plan has succeeded! And that the attack on the enemy is still ongoing!"
The Lieutenant Commander then look at the sea, seeing that his work is finished as he spoke.
"Apparently, this mission is over. Our job is complete."
The Lieutenant Commander of the Marines then head towards the cabin while passing Eric, which the mercenary wasn't too happy of Commodore Nelson's inference. True that Commodore Nelson had his men surround the Straw Hat pirates and leaving them defenseless, but apparently, he wanted the Dragonite for himself and as in matter of fact, so does Eric.
'If Nelson gets his fat hands on them now, he'll ruined everything. I won't allow it!' Eric mentally thought with a grunt and a scowl as he turned to the Lieutenant Commander of the Marines when he about to head towards the cabin. "Hold on, Lieutenant Commander."
The Lieutenant Commander of the Marines stopped which he's not in the mood of the mercenary's demands as he spoke.
"What do you want now?"
"I need you to provide me a rowboat. In addition, I'll require three of your crew to man it." Eric told him with a smirk, causing the Lieutenant Commander to turn his body to him.
"A rowboat? And why would you need that?"
"Because a mast would just be in the way." Eric rudely answered with a scoff, leaving the Lieutenant Commander realize what the mercenary is up to.
"You can't row into the battle-zone!?"
"You're not here to tell me what I can't do." Eric retorts, turned away while not telling him of his plan. "Now do as I say."
The Lieutenant Commander of the Marines didn't like what Eric is up to, but he reluctantly give his men the orders to give him a rowboat for whatever the reason.
Meanwhile, the Marines continued firing the cannons at the Straw Hat pirates, Nami keeps steering the Going Merry while dodging the cannon-fire since the Marines kept missing their target. Apis rushed out of the cabin as she head towards the Grandpa Ryu's cart, but tripped which it earned Usopp's attention as he spoke.
"Apis! It's dangerous out here, now go back inside!" Usopp protests seriously.
"But I can't leave Grandpa Ryu all by himself!" Apis reasons with worry as she rush towards Grandpa Ryu.
"Hold on! Come back here!" Usopp shouts, rushes after her when Apis grab hold of the rope as she ran down towards the cart. "Have you lost your mind?! You'll kill yourself! Apis!"
"Grandpa Ryu, hang in there just a little longer." Apis told the Millennial with assured tone and a smile. "I'm gonna get you to the Dragons Nest, I promise you that."
"Aw, man she's brave." Usopp said with awe. "Look at her, she loves that dragon. Alright, you can count on me Apis! I'll help break through the frontlines and reach the Dragons Nest, okay?"
Until, the Straw Hat pirates were hit from behind, causing Usopp flying while the Going Merry is rocking as he landed next to the wooden wall with a thud. He recovered quickly as he starts panicking.
"They got us! They circled around and attack from behind!" Usopp yelled, rush next to Sanji. "Sanji, we've been hit! Sanji! We're doomed! It's over!"
"Pipe down, will ya? We haven't been hit." Sanji shouts with annoyance, causing Usopp to stop panic.
"Seriously?" Usopp asks.
"Yeah." Sanji answered simply.
"I saved." Usopp sighed with relief, recompose for a few seconds. "Who was the one going around, saying we've been hit, anyway?"
"That was you." Zoro and Ventus answered in unison, causing Usopp to flinch.
"Though, that wasn't a lie." Anna corrected him. "You just assumed that we were hit."
"Yeah! That's it! Go!" Luffy exclaimed with excitement.
The Marines then fire the cannons at the Straw Hat pirates when Nami steers the ship, making them miss their target, but one of the Marine ships fire the cannonball which it's heading straight towards the pirate ship. Nami then steers when Luffy notice the cannonball is heading toward the pirate ship as he spoke.
"Hey, cannonball coming this way!" Luffy announced with a grin.
"I can't do anymore from here, you do something about it!" Nami yelled at her Captain.
"No problem! I'm on it!" Luffy complies as he rush up towards the rail, grab hold of the wooden rail as he inflates himself like a balloon. "Gum-Gum: Balloon"
As soon as the cannonball hit Luffy's round stomach, he bounces right back toward the Marine ship, destroying the mast in the process.
"Oh wow!" Apis said with amazement.
"No way!" Commodore Nelson exclaims with shock, yet furious. "Those impudent bastards, how dare they defile one of my warships!? What are you doing? Strike them down with the Super Giant Cannon!?"
With that, one of the Marines then comply his order, heading toward the Super Giant Cannon.
"There will be no leniency! No mercy! No escape from you heathens!" Commodore Nelson growled with anger. "Prepare to fire the Super Giant Cannon!?"
As soon as they sound the alarm, the Marines then readied the Super Giant Cannon.
"The enemy vassal has been trapped, dead ahead!"
"We're in trouble! One hit from that monstrous cannon, then our ship will be blown to shreds!" Nami warned them seriously.
"We'll be fine, I'll just bounce it back." Luffy said with his carefree tone.
"Don't be an idiot!" Anna yelled with a tick mark on her head. "With the cannonball that size, you won't be able to bounce it back at them! Nami, you get back inside and change course! Luffy, you and Zoro head to the rear sail, we have to get out of the way, now!"
Just as Luffy and Zoro head towards the rear sail, Usopp readied his cannon as he aim at the Marine main ship.
"You like shooting cannons? Alright you bunch of Marine thugs, I got a shot for you." Usopp muttered serious as they were able to ready the rear sail when Nami was about to steer the ship, Usopp fires the cannonball at the Marine main ship, which its going straight toward the Super Giant Cannon. As soon as Nelson give the orders to fire, the Super Giant Cannon is destroyed, the grossly obese Marine is knocked out from the ground as the smoke clears.
"What the hell just happen?" Commodore Nelson questions when one of the Marines rush towards him.
"An enemy cannonball slammed directly into our main cannon, sir!"
"You morons! Don't just stand there, lift me up!" Commodore Nelson grunts with an order.
"How'd that medicine go down fellas?! That's what happens when you get served a heaping help of Usopp payback!" Usopp bragged.
"Big talk for someone who got lucky." Sanji said.
"You're full of it." Zoro added.
'And here I thought Usopp was our crew's marksman.' Ventus thought, wondering why would they doubt his aim.
"That was pure skill, guys! Luck had nothing to do with it! Learn the difference!" Usopp argued the two.
"You're amazing, Usopp!" Apis complimented him, given him a thumb up while Usopp given her a thumb up with a smirk. Luffy looked at Grandpa Ryu with a smile on his face as he spoke.
"It'll be fine. Don't worry, okay? All you have to do is keep protecting Apis, we'll do the rest." Luffy assures the Millennial Dragon.
"Hey, who are you talking too?" Usopp asks when he walk towards his captain.
"Grandpa Ryu." Luffy answered simply, leaving Usopp confused.
"Now's our best chance." Nami shouts, earned their attention. "If we act quickly, we can cut through their barricade and clear a path outta here."
"That's a great idea." Sanji accepts.
"You're up for it, kid?" Zoro asks the young Dragoon, earned a nod from him as he then turned to Luffy. "Luffy?"
"Leave it to me." Luffy complies as he then stretch his arm far way back. "Gum-Gum: Bridge"
Luffy then swung his stretched arm as he grab hold of the Marine ship, making the bridge as both Zoro and Sanji ran on his arm while Ventus grabs hold of Anna, flying towards the ship. As soon as Zoro, Sanji, Ventus, and Anna boards the ship, Luffy then spoke.
"Yeah! Hang in there, Grandpa Ryu!" Luffy shouts, turning his head to Grandpa Ryu as he then launches himself towards the Marine ship. "Here it comes!"
Zoro notice that Luffy is heading straight towards him, leaving his face pale as the rubber captain landed right next to him and crashing next to the wall.
"Hey nice catch." Luffy compliments with a smile and his carefree tone.
"Damn you." Zoro grunts, cursed his captain.
The Marines were able to lift Commodore Nelson up as he spoke.
"Report! What is this status of the enemy?" Commodore Nelson questions his fellow Marines.
"Sir! The enemy has breached our defenses! Five of the pirates have been able to board ship one on the portside!"
"What?! That's unacceptable!" Commodore Nelson shouts furiously.
While back at the Marine ship one, they went to the steel chains and had Zoro observe them.
"Chains of steel, huh?" Zoro identifies.
"Can you cut'em?" Luffy asked.
"There isn't anything I can't cut." Zoro told him.
"Great, get to it." Luffy ordered the swordsman.
Until, they heard footsteps as the Marines on the ship ran to the deck, surrounding them while readying their swords.
"This is overkill." Sanji said with annoyance.
"I'll take the right side and you take the left." Luffy suggests.
"It doesn't matter, as long as we fight them all." Ventus told the rubber captain.
"I'll leave these guys to you." Zoro said.
"Thanks." Luffy, Sanji, Anna, and Ventus complies in unison as the ranger readied her twin short swords.
"No one gets by the fighting Marines of the Nelson Fleet! You're dead, pirates!"
With that, the Marines charges after them. Unfortunately for them, the four were way too strong for them to handle. One-by-one, many of the Marines were knocked out by Luffy's punches, Sanji's kicks, Ventus' lance, and Anna's twin swords. While they were keeping the Marines busy, Zoro cuts one of the steel chains.
"Yeah, that's it! Way to go! Show those pirate-hating bullies who really owns the sea! Beat'em! Sink'em! Slice'em into two!" Usopp cheered excitedly.
Commodore Nelson is starting to grew even more furious when he sees his fellow Marines are getting beaten by the four pirates as he spoke.
"Those vermin think they can break through my magnificent chain!?" Commodore Nelson growls. "You'll capture them at all cost! Or I swear, I'll marooned every last Marine in this fleet!"
More of the Marines from other ships ran over to the ship when the run through the steel chains.
"Gum-Gum: Gatling" Luffy then unleash his flurry of punches, sending multiple Marines towards the sea, but the Marines kept coming towards the ship.
"Blade Storm" Anna then slash multiple Marines with her twin swords, sent them flying.
"Sonic Thrust" Ventus then multiple jabs at the Marines, sent them flying with sheer force.
The Marines were getting beaten and numbers alone won't be enough, but they're not given up that easily. While the Marines continued running through the chains, Zoro cuts the second steel chain, causing them to lose their balance and fallen to the sea. The large number of the Marines are running after Luffy, which he was running with the smile on his face.
"Here they come!" Luffy said excitedly as they stopped, leaving the Marines failed to realize that his arms were stretched while grabbing hold of the Marines. "Gum-Gum: Pinball"
Luffy then throw the Marines right towards the sea which their fight is over and satisfied of the fight as Zoro then cuts the third steel chain.
"There's only one chain left! Let's get moving!" Nami ordered as she rush towards the rudder.
"You got it Nami!" Usopp replies as they sail towards the escape route.
"Stand there you imbeciles! Somebody stop them!" Commodore Nelson yelled.
When Nami and Usopp were about to head towards the escape route, Eric used his Devil Fruit power to unleash the wind slash at them, causing the Going Merry to stop. Eric have the Marines rowing towards Grandpa Ryu's cart with the smirk on his face.
"Ah Eric, excellent work." Commodore Nelson praise the mercenary. "Now the Millennial Dragon is mine for the taking."
As soon as Eric and the Marines approaches Grandpa Ryu's cart, Apis stood up as she spoke.
"What was that?" Apis groans, but seeing the Marines and Eric are here. "I know you, you're that 'Sicko' guy."
"It's not 'Sicko', it's 'Sickle' you brat!?" Eric snarled with a vein popped his head when Nami and Usopp rush towards the back of the pirate ship. "Enough! You've lost, now hand over the Millennial Dragon!"
"Stay back! You can't have him! You'll never get Grandpa Ryu!" Apis shouts, protecting the Millennial Dragon.
"Give him to me right now!" Eric demands with impatience.
"No!" Apis refuses.
"Keep in mind, I had the ability to slice you into ribbons at any given moment." Eric warned her, raise his fingernails.
"Stop Right There!" Nami yelled, earned his attention. "Lay one fingernail on that kid and I'll make you beg for death!"
"Yeah! And then you'll have to deal with me, you crazy sicko!" Usopp added, but Eric is unfazed.
"More empty threats." Eric scoffed with a smirk, turned his head to the two. "Fair warning little pirates, my wind slash missed you on purpose."
Nami then realize that is was Eric who used his Devil Fruit powers to unleash the wind slash at the Straw Hat pirates, which the mercenary missed it on purpose.
"A demonstration, the next one will cost you." Eric warned them with the threat. "Force me and I'll blow your ship apart."
Meanwhile, Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Ventus, and Anna have finished their part by fighting against the Marines and cutting the steel chains. However, they notice Eric as ordering the Marines to take Grandpa Ryu's cart and holding Apis hostage.
"What's wrong?" Luffy asks, walking towards them.
"It's him." Sanji told him with a glare.
"Huh! So what's he doing?" Luffy questions.
"It's obvious, he's taking Grandpa Ryu and holding Apis hostage." Ventus answered with a growl, watching Eric ordering the Marines tie the rope on their rowboat.
"Oh no he's not!" Luffy said, attempting to get off the Marine ship, but Zoro stopped him. Anna got her bow ready, taking the arrow out of the quiver while Ventus sprouts his wings as he takes flight.
"Stop! If you try to fight him, he might kill Apis and the others with his wind slash move!" Zoro reasoned with his Captain.
"Alright, no punching." Luffy said, placing his foot on the rail. "I'll kick him."
"WILL YOU LISTEN TO ME!?" Zoro yells with his white eyes and shark-like teeth, bonked his head.
"Hey, where's Ventus?" Sanji asked.
"He's flying right towards the rowboat." Anna told them, earned her attention. Zoro, Luffy, and Sanji looked at the young Dragoon flying.
"Dammit! Is he asking to get them killed!?" Zoro growled with a scowl.
"Don't worry, trust me." Anna assures them, aiming at Eric. "Flash Arrow"
She then fires her arrow as it head towards Eric and the Marines, earned their attention as the arrow obstructs their eyesight with a flash, causing them to grunt and block their vision.
"Piercing Talon" Ventus then throws his lance toward the mercenary, impaled him right in the shoulder. Eric screams with pain as they stop rowing when Ventus landed on the cart.
"Are you alright?" Ventus asked her without looking, earned a nod from her.
"But you won't!" Eric shouts with groan. "You will pay for that!"
Ventus then charges after him, pulling out his lance and knocked them out with his dragon claw.
"Guess you didn't count on a Ranger and a Dragoon." Ventus muttered with his serious expression as his wings disappears.
Until, Grandpa Ryu stood up from the cart, earned their attention when they look at the Millennial Dragon from behind. The Marines scream with fear as they jumped onto the ocean, swam away.
Grandpa Ryu sprouts his wings, roaring at the sky so loud it cause a shockwave from the sea. The Marines and the Straw Hat pirates are covering their ears from the loud roar as Ventus joins Grandpa Ryu, roaring at the sky. As soon as Grandpa Ryu and Ventus finished roaring, Apis then spoke.
"Grandpa, you stood up. That's great!" Apis said with a smile, hugged the Millennial Dragon's snout. "You're back!"
But Apis then stop laughing as she broke the hug.
"What?" Apis asks as Grandpa Ryu starts flapping his wings. "Really?"
"Oh boy." Usopp said.
"You don't suppose he's-?" Nami asks with shock.
"That's it! Fly, Grandpa Ryu!" Luffy cheered with a smile.
Grandpa Ryu then takes flight, got off the wooden cart.
"You did it, Grandpa! You're flying!" Apis shouts with a laugh.
"I should go and join the others." Ventus told her, sprouts his wings as he head towards the Marine ship to join the others.
"Unacceptable!?" Commodore Nelson shouts with furious. "If I can't possess the Millennial Dragon, then no one will! Cannon shooting down this dragon, immediately!"
The Marines then fires the cannons at Grandpa Ryu which most of them misses while some hits their target.
"No! Stop! Fly away, Grandpa! Go hide! Find someplace where the cannons can't reach you!" Apis shouts with a plea, on a verge of tears.
"Shoot him now, quickly! Now, kill him now!" Commodore Nelson ordered with an evil smirk.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!?" Luffy yelled as he stretch his arm, destroying the cannons while Zoro knocks the Marines and slice the cannons, Sanji kicked the number of Marines, Anna fight against the Marines, and Ventus breathes fire at the Marines while destroying the cannons. With the Marines stop firing the cannons thanks to the five pirates, Commodore Nelson spoke.
"What are you waiting for? Blow it away! Fire all cannons!" Commodore Nelson ordered impatiently. "I have to get the Dragonite!"
With that, the Marine ship fires the cannons at Grandpa Ryu which the Millennial Dragon is taking the hit. Grandpa Ryu then heads the opposite direction, flying towards the Marine ship.
"Grandpa, wait! You're going the wrong way!" Apis shouts, tried to stop him but it's too late. Commodore Nelson is now feared when Grandpa Ryu is heading a his direction, but the Marines continuing firing the cannonballs at the Millennial Dragon.
"Idiots! It's coming this way! Someone save me! Shoot it down!" Commodore Nelson yelled with an order.
The Marines then fires more cannons at Grandpa Ryu, but the Millennial Dragon isn't slowing down as it continues to head towards the Marine ship. Grandpa Ryu roars at the Marine ship as Commodore Nelson spoke.
"I see its fangs, what are you waiting for?!" Commodore Nelson shouts with fear as the Marines continued firing the cannons, which Grandpa Ryu is taking quite a number of the cannon-fire and it's too much for him as he descends down towards the sea, crashing down to the water and he's at his limits. The Straw Hat pirates saw the scene with dread and Apis shed in tears with sadness. Both Ventus and Luffy then head towards the Millennial Dragon as they landed on his back.
"Hang in there, I'll help you." Luffy said, but Grandpa Ryu is dying. "Hey, what are you trying to get at? Don't you talk about dying!"
"Luffy, Grandpa Ryu is at his limit." Ventus reason with the rubber captain. "Yes, dragons can outlive a human, but they have limits of aging. Believe me, I know."
Luffy can understand what Ventus is telling him which he's right.
"We won't let anything happen to Apis." Ventus continues. "I can promise you that, but once we find the Dragons Nest, Grandpa Ryu will finally rest."
Luffy then give him a nod with an understanding, but knew that Grandpa Ryu is dying. If they were able to find the Dragons Nest, Grandpa Ryu will get well, but it'll be too late since the Millennial Dragon is on the brink of death.
That's it for the 42nd chapter. Sorry about the delay.