Bombs Away!

by Vgn Golley

Growing up on Gaimon's island, Willis D. Asher had wished nothing more than to leave and explore the world as a pirate, and his wish came true when the straw hats showed up and offered him to join their crew. Now watch as he becomes the new bodyguard for the Straw Hat Pirates! (Currently at Loguetown Arc)

13. Straw Hat Pirates vs Nelson and Eric!

Hey, guys! Welcome to the new chapter of Bomb's Away! I hope you guys will enjoy the chapter...oh, and I don't own anything except for my OCs, as the OCs Jack Sparrow and Jake belong entirely to 9655.

NOW LET'S GET ON WITH THE STORY!

{Bombs Away!-Season 1, Episode 13: Finding the Dragon's Nest/Showdown between the Straw Hat Pirates vs Commodore Nelson Royale and Eric the Whirlwind!}

"Whoa, man! That painting is so huge!" A stunned Luffy says as he and the others are currently inspecting the paintings placed above them.

"I wonder what it is." A curious Asher says as a humming Usopp rubs his chin thoughtfully.

"It kind of looks like a map too."

"Maybe, but it's too worn out to make any sense out of it." Gin pointed out as Sanji placed his hands on his hips with a small glare on his face.

"What is this place anyway? Wasn't this place supposed to be the Dragon's Nest?"

"Not sure. Hey, Apis, what does Grandpa Ryu say about this place?" Asher asked Apis as Nami could be seen surveying the area with a thoughtful look on her face.

"Not sure, let me ask him." Apis says while turning to Grandpa Ryu as her eyes flash yellow. "Do you know what this place is, Grandpa Ryu?"

"Not gonna lie, I have no idea what this place is at all."

"Grandpa Ryu says that he has no idea what this place is either." Apis translated as Akira scoffed and rolled his eyes as he held Squish.

"Oh, man, are all Millennial Dragons this useless or is it just this guy?"

"Hey, don't be mean to him, Fish Face. He is senile and a thousand years old, remember?" A glaring Apis as she and Akira were about to continue arguing but was stopped by Jack whistling loudly to get everyone's attention.

"Hey, guys, look what I found," Jack says while standing near what seems to be a ripped-out part of the ceiling as it had the symbol of a Millennial Dragon painted on it. "A piece of the ceiling fell here."

"Yikes, talk about dangerous. This whole place is falling apart." Usopp says with a worried tone as he places his hands on his hips. "Speaking of which, isn't it dangerous to walk around in this place? I don't know about you guys, but I don't want to be flattened like a pancake because we were all dilly-dallying around here. Come on, let's get out of here."

"No, we can, this might be the Dragon's Nest." A scowling Apis says as Usopp scoffed and rolled his eyes as he gestured at the area around them.

"I don't see any Dragons hanging around here, do you?"

"Hold on a second." A serious Nami says as a concerned Asher turns to her.

"What's wrong, Nami?"

"This island that we're on? I don't think it's Lost Island."

"Told ya," Usopp says to a shocked Apis, who gained an angry thick mark on her head as she glared up at him with white eyes and shark teeth.

"You don't even know the reason why, so why don't you keep your mouth shut!"

"What makes you think that this place isn't Lost Island?" Jack asked curiously as Nami pointed up at the drawings painted on the ceiling.

"Look closely at the paintings, guys. Usopp was right. It is a map and it marks the location of Lost Island. Do you see that island with a domed-shaped building on it? Well, that's this island and that dome is the building that we are inside of right now."

"They do look the same," Sanji commented with Cottontail lying on his right shoulder as he chirped.

"And that island does resemble this one. I should know as I took a fly by of the island and it looks eerily similar to that drawing of the island."

"And those figures? Those must represent people. I will bet anything that those were the people who had inhabited this island a long time ago, and if that's the case, they are most likely Apis's Ancestors."

"My ancestors?" A shocked Apis asked as Nami nodded.

"Yeah, don't you all remember the story that Old Man Bokuden told us about yesterday?"

"Nope." All of the Straw Hat Pirates stated bluntly in unison as Nami sighed heavily and facepalmed.

"Look, he said that people of Warship Island were the descendants of the people who came from Lost Island."

"He did?" A surprised Luffy asked as Gin rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Well, now that I think about it, he did mention something like that-Wait, does that mean that the Dynasty that he was ranting about was on this island?"

"Probably, yeah, but what got me wondering were the Dragon Statues and the Dragon Paintings that we saw all over the island."

"This theory may be a stretch, but I think that the people of this island used to worship the Millennial Dragons as Gods. I bet that they made those statues and paintings of the Millennial Dragons that used to fly over this island a thousand years ago."

"So, if what my Big Sister is saying and your theory are true, then that means that this place 100% doesn't have the Dragon's Nest." Akira pointed out as Apis pouted.

"Well, if that's the case, then where can the Dragon's Nest be?"

"Wouldn't it be on the island with the Dragon drawn on it?" Zoro asked dryly while pointing up at a familiar-looking island that had Millennial Dragons flying around it as a bunch of people could be seen praying to them.

"He's right. Look, where those people are praying, just ahead of them is another island with the image of a Dragon on it. That's the real Lost Island. The Dragon's Nest must be there."

"Wait a minute, that can't be. If that's where the Dragon's Nest is, then that means that the Dragon's Nest is located on Warship Island." A stunned Apis says as a bunch of birds can be seen flying over to land on a window placed above them.

"Hold on, if the Dragon's Nest is on Warship Island, wouldn't it have been found already?" A confused Usopp asked as Asher turned to him.

"Remember the stories, Usopp. Lost Island has sunk down into the sea a thousand years ago, which explains why Apis wasn't able to find the Dragon's Nest at all, even after searching around the island for a whole year because the Dragon's Nest has been hiding down below the sea near Warship Island this whole time."

"Grandpa Ryu." Apis says while turning around to run over to Grandpa Ryu as he turns to her. "Think back, very hard, and try to remember where the location of the Dragon's Nest is. We thought that it was at this place, but it's not. The only thing that we found is an old painting. Does it bring back any memories for you at all? The only hope that we have now is that you remember. Please, Grandpa Ryu, you just have to remember." Apis begged as Grandpa Ryu lazily glanced up at the paintings just as the flock of green birds began flying around the room as he gasped sharply, having a small memory of himself flying through the air with his friends as they flew past this island and headed straight directly towards Warship Island.

"Apis...I remember...the Dragon's Nest is on an island east of a peak that looks like a warship."

"Guys, Grandpa Ryu says that he just remembered where the Dragon's Nest is. It really is on Warship Island."

"Perfect, why couldn't he have remembered that before we risked our lives to get here?" An annoyed Usopp asked as he had expected Apis to make an angry yet sarcastic remark, only for him and the others to see that Apis turned around to give them all a regretful look.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for dragging you all of the way out here for something that might've already sunk into the bottom of the ocean by now. It was all for nothing."

"...Not necessarily," Usopp says, surprising Apis as Asher nods and crosses his arms with a smug smirk on his face.

"Yeah, Lost Island could be placed nearby."

"We won't know until we look for sure." Jack pointed out with a grin as Nami nodded.

"They are right. Besides giving up so easily isn't like you, Apis."

"You'll never get anything done if you're afraid of failure," Sanji says while reaching into his coat to pull out a cigarette and lit it up as he proceeds to smoke it.

"He's right, and I'm the main example of that. I'm still afraid of the Grand Line but I won't give up so easily and avoid it." Gin says as Zoro smirks cockily.

"You should never give up hope, kid."

"So you might as well stop complaining and get moving," Akira said with a smile as Squish cooed.

"Yeah, let's get the fuck off of this island. Our mission isn't done yet." Cottontail says with a warm look on his face as Luffy laughed and nodded in agreement.

"So, let's go. Grandpa Ryu won't get any better if we just stay here and wallow in our own self-pity." Luffy says with his usual confident smile as Apis perks up and nods as she giggles and everyone smiles warmly, but then everyone, sans Apis, Nami, Akira, Squish, Usopp, and Sanji, flinches in surprise and grows tense.

"What's wrong?" Nami asked Asher worriedly as he narrowed his eyes.

"Someone's here. I can sense their bloodlust a mile away." Asher says while pointing upwards as he and the others glance up to see Eric the Whirlwind glancing down at them from the hole that they made at the front entrance of the dome-shaped building with a sinister grin on his face.

"He, he, he, thank you for deciphering the intricacies of that map. Well, done, now I can find the Dragonite and the Dragon's Nest as well." Eric says with an evil laugh as the Straw Hat Pirates glared up at him angrily and nervously.

{Bombs Away-Season 1 Theme Song!}

Wealth, fame, power

Gold Roger, the King of the Pirates,

Attained this and everything else the world had to offer,

And his dying words drove countless souls to the seas

At Loguetown, we see the King of Pirates himself, Captain Gold Roger, currently wearing shackles and kneeling down in a large stadium with two Marines standing beside him with a couple of swords in their arms as a huge crowd of people could be seen standing in front of them and were screaming at Roger to reveal where he had hidden all of the treasure and wealth that he had accumulated over the years as the King of Pirates heard this and, even though he was going to get executed soon, couldn't help but grin widely with excitement and glee.

"Oh, you all want my treasure?! You can have it! I left everything I gathered together in one place! Now you just have to find it~!" Captain Gold Roger exclaimed with a loud, joyful laugh.

These words lured men to the Grand Line

In pursuit of dreams greater than they've ever dared to imagine

This is the time known as 'The Great Pirate Era!'

Once the King of Pirates was executed, hundreds of Pirates immediately boarded their ships and set their sails as they all quickly sailed off into the dangerous ocean and began making their way to the Grand Line to find the Legendary One Piece as this officially issued, 'The Great Pirate Era!'.

Come aboard and bring along

All your hopes and dreams

Together, we will find everything

That we're looking for!

ONE PIECE!

Sharing an excited and determined grin, Luffy and Asher can be seen running up a hill as the Bombman then kneeled down and allowed the Rubberman to leap up to land on his back as Asher created a huge explosion underneath his legs, and it propelled them up into the air as the Boys cheered loudly and numerous visions of all of the current members of the Straw Pirates appeared in front of them as a glaring and malnourished Zoro can be seen tied up against a post in Shells Town, a panting and panicking Nami can be seen running away from Three of Buggy's Henchmen in Orange Town, and a purring Cottontail eating a couple of mushrooms on the Island of Rare Animals.

A smirking Usopp crossed his arms as he stood on top of a tall cliff in Syrup Village with Kaya standing beside him and wrapped her arms around him as the wind blew their hair away, a stoic Sanji walked through the Baratie while smoking a cigarette and carrying around a dish filled with food as he could be seen serving the food to Jack and a glaring Gin can be seen standing in the background as the Krieg Pirates' Flag can be seen waving behind him, Akira can be seen sitting on the chair and was being served food by a smiling Nojiko in Cocoyasi Village, and a giggling Apis flew through the air while being morphed into the form of a Dragon as she soared through Warship Island.

After the visions were done, the Future Pirate King and the Future Strongest Man In The World then perked up as they spotted the Going Merry sailing through the seas, and a laughing Luffy grabbed onto Asher's body as he then stretched his free arm to wrap over to latch onto the Straw Hat Pirates' Flag and they propelled themselves forwards with the Duo laughing joyfully as they crashed right into the Going Merry's Deck.

Compass left behind

It'll only slow us down

Your heart will be your guide

Raise the sails and take the helm

The Going Merry can be seen sailing through the treacherous ocean of the East Blue with numerous Sea Kings swimming past it as huge waves of water rang out, and the Straw Hat Pirates can be seen either staring at them in awe, cheering loudly, or panicking as they continued sailing through the ocean.

That legendary place

That the end of the map reveals

Is only legendary

'Till someone proves it real

Zooming into the Going Merry, we see Nami drawing maps inside of her room, a glaring Zoro and Gin sparring with each other on the main deck, Jack sailing the Going Merry, Usopp fixing up the damages done to the ship, a blushing and heart-eyed Sanji serving some food that he had cooked to a smiling and bashful Kaya, Akira washing the deck with the help of some mop and soap, a grinning Luffy residing on his usual seat (The Going Merry's Sheep Figurehead) to enjoy the beautiful day, and a smirking Asher could be seen riding around on the masthead with Apis riding around on his shoulders, and the Duo went starry-eyed at the sight of the amazing journey laid before them as Cottontail can be seen flying ahead of them.

Through it all, through all the troubled times

Through the heartache and through the pain

Know that I will be there to stand by you

Just like I know you'll stand by me

Narrowing his eyes furiously, Zoro gripped his three swords tightly and swung them around as he was able to slash away a group of charging Pirates, a glaring Gin twirled his tonfa around and spun around elegantly as he was able to whack away various Pirates, a calm and collected Sanji smoke his cigarette as a horde of Pirates surrounded him and aimed their swords at him as he swiftly got down in a handstand and twirled around as the blonde-haired simp was able to kick them all away, Jack opened up his mouth and fired a huge torrent of hot flame-like energy at a group of charging and menacing evil Pirates and sends them flying away with the help of a large fiery explosion as Cottontail flew by and hardened himself as he proceeds to trip every single one of the burned and flaming Pirates out of the Going Merry.

Crouching down, a grunting Akira then jumped up into the air and began slashing and punching every Pirates that he saw, a gleeful Kaya can be seen running around at high speeds to knock away every single Pirates that was in her sight before she began running around in a circle and created a huge gust of wind that blew them out of the Going Merry and splashed down into the ocean, a giggling Apis dodged and weaved to avoid all of the incoming swords slashes as she then jumped up into the air and ran her hands across a nearby flying Cottontail as she was able to absorb his DNA and morphed herself into a Winged Cotton Lemur as Apis hardened herself and twirled around as she fires multiple white spikes that pierced through the Pirates' bodies.

Standing back to back, a nervous yet determined Usopp fired various of his specially made explosive balls at all of the nearby Pirates as a scowling Nami used her staff to whack every Pirates she saw, and we see the Last Remaining Straw Hat Pirates standing near the end of the Going Merry and spotted the Enemy Pirates Ship floating beside them. Getting an idea, Asher then crouched down and jumped up high into the air as a smirking Luffy stretched up his arm and grabbed onto his leg as the Rubberman grunted and proceeded to swing the Bomberman down at the Pirates Ship with said person creating a huge explosion that blew apart the ship as the rest of the Straw Hat Pirate cheered loudly at what their Captain and Crewmate did.

So come aboard and bring along

All your hopes and dreams

Together, we will find everything

That we're looking for

Multiple vast images of all of the Incoming Arc Villains appeared as we see Iron Mace Alvida, Axe-Hand Morgan, Buggy the Star Clown, Kuro of a Hundred Plans, Eldoraggo, Foul-Play Krieg, Arlong the Saw, Garp the Fist, Smoker the White Hunter, Bear King, and Eric the Whirlwind as all of the Straw Hat Pirates Villains posed menacingly and scowled stoically.

There's always room for you

If you wanna be my friend

We are, we are, on the cruise

WE ARE!

After arriving near the Grand Line, Luffy can be seen sitting at his usual favorite seat in the Going Merry with Asher standing behind him as Nami wraps her arms around him and places her head on his shoulder as an annoyed Zoro stands near them on their right with Cottontail residing on top of his mossy head as Gin can be seen resting on the edge of the boat lazily, Usopp stood beside the Lovebirds on their left, and Sanji stands beside him as he smoked a cigarette and sighed heavily with Jack smiling widely and enjoying the sea breeze as Kaya stood behind them and smiled warmly while holding Apis and Akira in her arms as the logo of the story appeared in front of the readers.

{Bombs Away-Season 1 Theme Song Over!}

"You again?!" An annoyed Asher asked while getting into a fighting stance as the others did the same.

"Yes, me again. I followed after you all to find out where the Dragon's Nest is, but seeing as it sunk down into the ocean near Warship Island, there's no point in trying to find it. It looks like the only option that I have now is to take not only that little brat but also that Millennial Dragon too."

"No way! You can't have Grandpa Ryu or me, you dummyhead!" Apis yelled with a glare as Cottontail chirped something and showed his ass to Eric.

"You better let us handle him, Apis. He has Sickle Sickle Fruit Powers if I recall." Sanji says while taking a whiff of his cigarette as Gin nods in agreement.

"He may not look it, but he's a pretty menacing foe and can kill you when you least suspect it,"

"Wait, Sickle Sickle? He's the guy with the powers of a Devil Fruit?" A surprised Usopp asked as Jack nodded with a glare.

"Yeah, he can manipulate air slashes. Pretty annoying."

"And hurts." A pouting Apis says while rubbing her bandaged-up head as her wounds from earlier were still healing.

"Luffy? You and the others take Grandpa Ryu back to the ship while I stay behind and hold him off." Zoro says with a stoic glare while pulling out Kuina's Sword as he steps forward. "I will catch up with you guys later."

"Gotcha," Luffy says with a smirk as Akira raises his hand.

"Uh, one problem, though. The ship is out there and we're stuck in here."

"He's right. I don't see any exits around here whatsoever." Usopp says as Luffy gives them both a reassuring look.

"Don't worry, if there aren't any exits, I just have to make one," Luffy says while bolting straight over to try and bash through a nearby wall, but merely ends up colliding against it with a pained groan as he slowly slides down. "...Ow...it didn't break...maybe I should've thought that through before doing it..."

"YOU THINK?!" The Straw Hat Pirates asked with a glare and thick marks on their heads as Asher sighed heavily and walked forward.

"Let me deal with this, Captain," Asher says while raising his glowing pink arm as he taps his knuckle on the wall and a big explosion occurs as he creates a huge hole in it. "Alright, we have our exit. Let's blow this joint."

"Oh, no, you don't!" A glaring Eric says while jumping down to try and stop them from leaving, but is swiftly intercepted by Zoro jumping up into the air to block him as the Straw Hat Pirates make their way over to get into Grandpa Ryu's Kart and hold onto the Millennial Dragon for dear life as Asher appeared behind the cart and held out his arms.

"Bomu Bomu No...Blastoff!" Asher exclaimed while covering his arms with pink explosive energy as he produced a big explosion that instantly propelled all of them forward at high speeds, and everyone screamed loudly as they shot through the makeshift exit on the wall and began falling down the mountain as, thankfully, the gang landed down on a giant dark brown branch and began sliding down it.

"W-WE USUALLY MAKE IT OUT ALIVE IN THESE KINDS OF SITUATIONS, RIGHT?!" A panicking and worried Usopp asked as Nami whimpered fearfully.

"YEAH BUT I HOPE THAT OUR LUCK HASN'T FINALLY RUN OUT!"

"DON'T WORRY, GUYS, WE WILL BE BACK TO THE SHIP IN NO TIME!" Luffy yelled reassuringly as an excited Apis could be seen cheering loudly while riding around on top of Grandpa Ryu's head. "SEE?! APIS IS HAVING FUN!"

"OF COURSE SHE DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT! GRANDPA RYU IS HOLDING ONTO HER!" A pissed-off Cottontail says as they all spot Grandpa Ryu raising one of his wings to make sure that Apis doesn't fall off.

"WHAT ARE YOU COMPLAINING ABOUT?! YOU CAN FLY, UNLIKE US, ASSHOLE!" Jake hissed angrily as he wrapped around Jack's shoulders for dear life.

"STOP ARGUING, GUYS! THIS IS FUN!" Asher cheered as they made their way down the island.

"Damn you! Move or you won't live to regret it!" An angry Eric says while nimbly dodging Zoro's sword attacks as he scoffs with a serious glare on his face.

"I'm not letting you go, so you have to make me, swirly head!" Zoro shouted as we cue back to the others and we see them still barreling down the mountain at ridiculously fast speeds.

"WELL, GUYS, LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE! I CAN SAFELY SAY THAT WE ARE NOW THE FASTEST LIVING THINGS ON THIS WHOLE DAMN PLANET!" Akira shouted while holding onto Nami fearfully as Squish could be seen holding onto his 'hair' tightly.

"AT THIS SPEED, WE WON'T LIVE TO BRAG ABOUT IT!" Sanji screamed panickedly as a worried Nami glanced over at Asher.

"ASHER! DO SOMETHING! CAUSE A BIG EXPLOSION TO SLOW US DOWN! IF WE DON'T, WE WILL WIND UP IN PIECES!"

"I CAN'T SLOW US DOWN NOW! IF I TRY, I CAN CAUSE US TO ACCIDENTALLY BE LAUNCHED UP INTO THE AIR! IT'S BEST FOR US TO JUST SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE RIDE!"

"MY CHEEKS ARE HURTING FROM THE RIDE!" A forcibly smiling Apis yelled while cheering loudly as we cue back to the others and we see a glaring Eric still fighting against Zoro.

"Sickle-Sickle...Wind Slash!" Eric shouted while releasing a small air blade over to a charging Zoro, who ducked to the side to avoid it and the attack ended up colliding against the broken-off piece of the ceiling with the Dragon Symbol on it as it was sliced in half.

"What was that?!" A shocked Zoro asked just as Eric zoomed past him as he made his way over to the big hole in the wall. "Hey! Don't you run away from me!"

"I have no time to be playing with you. There's a very valuable little girl and a millennial dragon waiting for me." Eric says while bouncing out of the hole in the building as an annoyed Zoro chases after him and they land down on one of the giant dark brown branches as the duo begin sliding down it and we cue back over to the others as we see Apis glancing down at Asher worriedly.

"HEY, ASHER, WILL ZORO BE ALRIGHT ON HIS OWN?!"

"YEAH, HE'LL BE FINE!"

"BUT HE'S UP AGAINST SOMEONE WITH DEVIL FRUIT POWERS! I DON'T CARE HOW STRONG HE IS! HE'S IN DANGER!"

"WE WOULDN'T HAVE LEFT ZORO IF WE WEREN'T CONFIDENT THAT HE WOULD SURVIVE AGAINST ERIC! TRUST US! ZORO WILL BE MORE THAN OKAY! IF WE HAD LEFT BEHIND SOMEONE LIKE USOPP, AKIRA, OR NAMI, THEN WE SHOULD BE EXTREMELY WORRIED." Jack screamed with a cheeky grin as the three people that he had mentioned turned to glare at him angrily.

"HEY WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!" Nami, Akira, and Usopp asked angrily just as they noticed that they were about to crash into a wall as everyone flinched worriedly.

"SHIT! WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO NOW?!" Gin asked as Cottontail perked up and glanced down at Apis.

"APIS! TELL GRANDPA RYU TO USE HIS FIREBREATH TO BREAK APART THE WALL!"

"OKAY!" Apis yelled as she glanced back at Grandpa Ryu and her eyes flashed yellow. "Grandpa Ryu, can you please burn a hole in that wall over there?!"

"Sure." Grandpa Ryu says calmly while raising his head and rearing back his head to let out his usual green fire breath, only to let out a few pieces of green smoke as everyone stares at him, flabbergasted. "Oop looks like I can't. My throat is a bit sore. I won't be able to use my fire breath anytime soon, I'm afraid."

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" Apis snapped angrily with a red face and multiple thick marks on her head just as they crashed through the wall and appeared on the other side as they continued barreling down the ruins of the island, and unfortunately for them, they made such a big commotion that Eric was able to track them down several miles away.

"There they are," Eric says with a sinister grin just as Zoro appears and he lands in front of him with a menacing glare on his face.

"Sorry, pal, but I cannot let you pass."

"Is that what you believe? I'm afraid that it's up to me whether I pass or not. Out of my sight." Eric says while swinging his arms around to send out a big blast of wind that nearly collided against Zoro if he didn't jump out of the way, but this let his foe to be able to jump up on top of a random building and begin running through the rooftops at surprisingly fast speeds.

"Nimble bastard!" A glaring Zoro says while chasing after him as Eric spots this and quickly sends out a small air slash that cuts through the branch of a nearby tree and allows it to drop down in front of the surprised green-haired swordsman as he growls angrily, but then gained an idea after spotting a nearby broken tree branch as we cue back over to Eric and we see him landing on a random rooftop as he looked around but then yelped in surprise when a random tree branch flew over to slam against his back, sending him falling down to crash against the ground as Eric groaned in pain. "I said that I won't let you get away. Just stay put and don't move an inch." Zoro threatened while dropping down from the roof and walked over to him as he held out Kuina's Sword and aimed it down at a glaring Eric.

"LOOK! WE ARE HEADING TO THE CITY WALLS!" A panicking Akira yelled as he and the others were heading straight towards the city's walls.

"LET'S BUST THROUGH!" An excited Luffy says as everyone immediately glares at him in annoyance and worry.

"NO! BEHIND THOSE WALLS IS THE CLIFF THAT WE FOLLOWED ALL THE WAY UP HERE!"

"NAMI IS RIGHT! IF WE BUST THROUGH THOSE WALLS, WE WILL SHOOT OFF THE CLIFF AND FALL TO OUR DEATHS!" Jack screamed as Luffy hummed thoughtfully and snapped his fingers as he turned to Asher.

"ASHER! MAKE A HUGE EXPLOSION TO SEND US FLYING THROUGH THE AIR!"

"YOU MORON!" The Straw Hat Pirates shouted as they were about to voice why that's a very bad idea, but suddenly, one of the wheels snapped off and they veered off to the right as they continued sliding down the mountain, causing another huge commotion that caught Zoro's attention as he turned his head, but this ended up being a bad idea as a smirking Eric reached down to grab some dirt and threw it in his face as the green-haired swordsman yelped in surprise and stumbled back as the Assassin stood up from the floor with a coy look on his face.

"I told you that you wouldn't live to regret it if you got in my way! And now the cost is your life!" Eric screamed with a glare while preparing to attack Zoro as we cue back over to the others and we see them riding over to the Going Merry as Nami laughed tearfully and in relief.

"I DON'T BELIEVE IT! WE ARE ALL STILL ALIVE!"

"AND WE SOMEHOW MANAGE TO HOLD ONTO THIS CART THE WHOLE TIME WITHOUT GETTING THROWN OFF!" Usopp yelled with a smile before he and the others yelped in surprise as the cart suddenly skidded to a stop and sent Nami, Akira, Usopp, Sanji, and Gin falling out of the cart as they crashed down into the ocean.

"See? Everything worked out just fine." A grinning Asher says while placing Apis down on the ground as Luffy glances over at his wet pirate crew and scoffs as he rolls his eyes.

"Well, quit swimming around. We have to go."

"Oh, please..."

"Damn bastard..."

"Seriously regretting joining you guys..."

"You are going to pay for this..." Nami, Sanji, Gin, and Usopp said in unison as they glared over at their captain.

"HELP! I CAN'T SWIM! I'M DROWNING!" A panicking Akira screamed while thrashing around in the water as a blank-faced Apis turned to him.

"Akira, you are swimming around on shallow water. Just stand up."

"...Oh..." A sheepish Akira said while standing up from the shallow water as Squish swam around him cutely and Apis facepalmed with a loud groan before her eyes flashed yellow as she glanced up to see a flock of Seagulls above and heard them say something that caused her to gasp worriedly.

"Guys, the birds say that Zoro is in big trouble. What are we going to do? We gotta help him." Apis says anxiously as Luffy hums thoughtfully and we cue back over to Zoro as he glares over at Eric, who is planning to attack him, but then-

"ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORO!" Luffy's voice rang out as his stretchy hand flew over to latch onto him by the back of his shirt and the green-haired swordsman grew worried.

"No...not this, not agaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaian!" Zoro screamed panickedly as Luffy pulled him back and he was instantly sent flying backwards through the air. "LUFFY, I TOLD YOU TO STOP DOING THIS!" Zoro shouted furiously as Luffy was able to pull him over to slam him against the deck of the Going Merry with a loud pained grunt.

"Oops, sorry."

"I SWEAR, SOMEDAY, I WILL CHOP YOU UP INTO A BILLION PIECES!"

"Damn! I can't let them escape again!" Eric screamed with a glare while chasing after the Straw Hat Pirates, who had immediately sailed away and breached past the storms as they made their way through the mirage and the Marines were able to spot them as they were shocked by their reappearance.

"Look, we are out!" A smiling Luffy says as Sanji groans.

"This mirage thing still creeps me out."

"Ditto," Asher says while nodding in agreement as they continue sailing ahead.

"What?! They are back?!" Lieutenant Commander Hardy asked with a surprised tone as one of the Marine Soldiers went over to report to him about their new situation.

"Yes, it appears that they are heading towards the direction of Warship Island and they are still towing that Dragon."

"All ships should go over and pursue them immediately! Send the order! On the double!"

"Yes, sir, but first, Eric just reappeared as well. We will have to wait for him to reboard before going after them." The Marine Soldier says as Lieutenant Commander Hardy frowned angrily, but nodded as he made his way out of his office and spots Eric jumping down into his boat as he smirked cockily.

"Well, you actually made it back to the ship unharmed and also empty-handed it seems."

"Shouldn't you be catching those Pirates instead of making smartass remarks, Commander?" Eric asked with a glare as Lieutenant Commander Hardy laughed slyly and we cue back over to the Straw Hat Pirates sailing through the seas at high speeds as Asher turned to his girlfriend confusedly while allowing Apis to ride around on his shoulders as she wrapped her arms around his head.

"So, I have a question, how are we outspeeding the Marines right now?"

"It's because the Going Merry is more faster and agile than those bulky Marine Ships, but the problem is that once we stop at Warship Island, they will be able to catch up to us, so what's the plan here?"

"I say we wing it," Luffy says with a smile as a bewildered Gin turns to him.

"Are you sure that it's a good idea to improvise, Captain?"

"Of course. All we have to do is find the Dragon's Nest and then Grandpa Ryu will get better and help us out by burning down those Marine Ships."

"Easier said than done, Luffy. The Dragon's Nest can be at the bottom of the ocean." Sanji says as Jack nods.

"Yeah, plus, only six of us can swim and none of us have the equipment to breathe underwater long enough for us to find the Dragon's Nest at the bottom of the ocean."

"Easy, we'll have Akira do it. He's a Fishman." Luffy says stupidly as Akira gives him a deadpanned look.

"I can't swim, Luffy."

"Maybe I can talk with some fish and aquatic life and ask them politely to help us out." Apis pointed out as Nami smiled brightly.

"Once again, the literal child is smarter than all of you, except for you, Akira. We will go to Warship Island, try to do Apis's plan, and see what we do from there."

"Uh, I feel like we won't be able to do Apis's Plan after all." Gin says with a half-worried/half-bored tone while pointing ahead as the Straw Hat Pirates whirl around and are shocked to see a huge Marine Ship floating in front of them as Commodore Nelson Royale can be seen smirking sinisterly from the deck.

"The small fries have leaped forward! Now is the time! All ships open to the left and right! Crane Wing Formation!" Commodore Nelson Royale ordered as the Straw Hat Pirates were stunned to see that there was a huge group of Marine Ships floating behind the Main Marine Ship and began spreading out from both sides.

"You gotta be kidding me!" A shocked Sanji exclaimed as Zoro narrowed his eyes angrily with a big thick mark on his head.

"Did the Marines bring every damn fleet that they had after us?!"

"All ships! Connect all ships by chain links to create a complete wall! No ship, either large or small, can break through our impenetrable wall! The small fries had just landed themselves into the frying pan!" Commodore Nelson Royale screamed with an evil laugh as the Straw Hat Pirates were stunned to see that all of the Marine Ships had suddenly spawned out silver chain links and connected all of their ships together to create a huge chain wall that prevented the Straw Hat Pirates from being able to sail right past them.

"What do we do now?! They have completely blocked us off!" A worried Apis says while being set down on the ground by Asher as Usopp crosses his arms smugly and chuckles.

"Easy, Apis, we jump onto a ship, defeat the Marine Soldiers, and cut the links! Easy peasy! It's our only choice!" Usopp says confidently as a shocked Apis turns to him with starry eyes.

"Wow! You mean you are really going to do that, Usopp?!"

"...Asher, Cottontail, Luffy, Jack, Zoro, Jake, Sanji, Gin, go!" Usopp yelled with a nervous laugh as Apis gave him a deadpanned look.

"Why am I not surprised?"

"Hey, you have Devil Fruit Powers, so why aren't you fighting?!" An angry Usopp asked as Apis scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Uh, hello, the only thing that I can do is talk to animals and I'm a little girl! What's your excuse, long nose?!" Apis asked aggressively as she and Usopp headbutted each other angrily.

"It doesn't sound like a bad idea, though," Zoro says with a smirk while pulling out Kuina's sword as Apis blinked and turned to him in shock.

"Eh?! Are you serious?! Even if you tried that, there's no way that you all can surv-,"

"Don't worry, Apis. We got this. Those Marines are nothing but cannon fodder to us." Asher says with a cocky grin while stretching for the upcoming battle as Cottontail chirped in agreement.

"Yeah, those Marines won't know what hit them."

"A bit risky for my tastes, but hey, what the hell," Gin says with a shrug as Jack nods with a big smirk on his face.

"Yeah, we have no other choice. Besides, this will be fun." Jack says with Jake wrapping around his neck as he hissed in agreement.

"Indeed."

"But-,"

"It's okay, Apis. Things will work out." Akira said with a reassuring smile as Nami nodded and turned to the boys.

"Just promise me that you will all make this raid quick, okay?"

"You can count on me, Nami~," Sanji says with a blush and a goofy smile as Asher growls in annoyance in the background.

"Alright! Let's go!" Luffy cheered as he grinned cockily.

"All ships take aim! The target is that Pirate Ship, but do not hit the raft behind the ship! If I see any damage on that raft, you will have to answer to me! Now open fire!" Commodore Nelson Royale ordered as, immediately, a bunch of Marine Ships began firing multiple cannonballs at the Going Merry and we cue back to Eric and the others as they were swimming up behind the Straw Hat Pirates.

"Stop the ships," Eric ordered Lieutenant Commander Hardy, who nodded and turned back to his men to stop all of the ships at once. "Commodore Nelson Royale, I had you pegged as a fatty who can do nothing but eat and eat, but after seeing your plan in motion has changed my mind about you. Now I know how a tub of lard like you got the rank of Commodore in the Marines."

"Marvelous! A truly marvelous view!" Commodore Nelson Royale says with a sinister laugh as all of the Marine Ships continue firing more and more cannonballs at the Straw Hat Pirates as the Going Merry struggles to evade them. "Here me out! Continue with the attacks! We will not relent for an instant!"

"Yes, sir!"

"But be careful! I don't want even a small scratch on that raft!" Commodore Nelson Royale says with a stern glare as the Marine Soldiers sweated nervously and nodded. "I can't let that little girl escape! The World Government has a huge bounty on her head and I will be happy to claim it and become the richest man in the east blue because of it! Not to mention that this is my one and only chance to get my precious Dragonite!" Commodore Nelson Royale says with a loud laugh as we cue back to Lieutenant Commander Hardy's Fleet and we see one of the Marine Soldiers scoping out the scene as he spotted the flag on the Main Marine Ship's mast and glanced back at his commander.

"Sir! The Commodore's flagship says his plan has succeeded and that the attack on the enemy's ship is still ongoing!"

"Hmmm, well, it looks like our mission is over." Lieutenant Commander Hardy says with a small nod and turns around to walk away as Eric scowled angrily and worriedly.

"If Nelson Royale gets his fat hands on that little girl and that Millennial Dragon, it will ruin all of my plans! I can't let this happen!" Eric thought to himself with a serious glare on his face as he then whirled around to face the retreating commander. "Hold on, Lieutenant Commander Hardy!"

"What do you want now?"

"I need you to provide me with a rowboat. In addition, I will need three of your men to man it." Eric ordered as Lieutenant Commander Hardy gave him an incredulous look.

"A rowboat? What for?"

"Because a mast will be in the way," Eric says with an ominous smirk as Lieutenant Commander Hardy gasps in realization and gives him a shocked look.

"What the hell?! Are you crazy?! Don't tell me that you are planning to row yourself and others into the battlezone?!"

"You're not here to tell me what to do. Now just do as I say." Eric says with a firm tone as Lieutenant Commander Hardy narrows his eyes at him angrily and we cue back over to the Going Merry as we see the kids and the pets hiding inside of the ship until Apis suddenly gains a determined glare and runs out of the ship as Cottontail and the others watched her go worriedly.

"Apis, it's too dangerous for us to be out here!" Akira yelled while running after her with the others as Apis whimpered nervously.

"But I can't leave Grandpa Ryu all by himself!" Apis says while running to the back of the ship as the others follow after her and watch on in shock as she leaps onto one of the ropes holding Grandpa Ryu's raft and easily climbs down on it to leap onto his head.

"Have you lost your mind, girl?! You will get yourself killed out there!" Cottontail yelled as Apis ignored him and hugged Grandpa Ryu's head as her eyes flashed yellow.

"Don't worry, Grandpa Ryu, just hang in there for a little bit longer. I promise that I will get you to the Dragon's Nest."

"I know, my child," Ryu says, knowing that it was futile to order her to get back on the ship, and merely raised his wing to protect her from any kind of incoming cannonballs.

"Man, she is so brave." An impressed and starstruck Akira says as Jake hissed in annoyance.

"Or more reckless and idiotic."

"Hey, at least she will fit in well with this group," Cottontail says as he and Jake share a laugh before the gang flinches in surprise as two cannonballs land near them and crash down into the ocean, causing a big splash that nearly sends everyone flying out of the Going Merry.

"HOLY CRAP! THEY GOT US! THEY HAD CIRCLED AROUND AND ATTACKED US FROM BEHIND! JACK, WE HAVE BEEN HIT, JACK!" A panicking Usopp screamed to Jack, who stood near him and leaned against a wall casually with his arms crossed. "WE'RE DOOMED! IT'S OVER!"

"Calm down, Usopp, those were warning shots. We didn't get hit." Jack says with a blank tone as a surprised Usopp turns to him.

"Eh? Seriously? Oh, whew, what a relief...hey, wait a minute, who was the dumbass who thought that we were hit anyway?!"

"That was you." A deadpan Gin says as Usopp flinched and laughed nervously as he sweatdropped a bit.

"Oh, this is going to be awesome!" Asher cheered while trembling with anticipation of being able to fight with the whole Marine Fleet Army as said people continued firing more and more cannonballs at them as Nami was able to steer the Going Merry to avoid nearly all of them, except for one as Luffy spotted it.

"Hey! There's a cannonball heading this way!"

"I can't do any more from here! You guys do something about it!" Nami snapped from the inside of the Going Merry as the dynamic duo perked up and nodded as Luffy leaped off from his favorite seat and landed down on the upper decks with Asher standing near him as they glanced up to see the cannonball heading straight towards them.

"Gomu Bomu No...Super Teamwork Combo..." The Dynamic Duo trailed off as Luffy breathed in a huge gust of wind, and his body was inflated like a balloon. "...Balloon..." The Dynamic Duo continued as the cannonball collided against his stomach, and it got stretched backwards. "...Explosive..." The Dynamic Duo says as Asher raises one of his glowing pink explosive arms and reaches over to tap the cannonball with his finger as he covers it with glowing pink explosive energy. "...Blastwave Throwback!" The Dynamic Duo exclaimed as Luffy retracted himself and sent the glowing explosive pink cannonball flying forward at high speeds as the Rubberman swiftly morphed his body back to normal and he and the Bombman watched on as the glowing pink cannonball flew over to collide against one of the Marine Ships and caused a huge explosion to occur that sends all of the Marine Soldiers flying away as their ship got heavily damaged.

"Oh wow!" Apis says with starry eyes as Grandpa Ryu looks impressed and smiles warmly as we cue back over to the Main Marine Ship and we see Commodore Nelson Royale growling angrily with multiple thick marks on his head.

"No way! Those impudent bastards! How dare they damage one of my Warships?! That's it! Men! Strike them down with the Super Giant Cannon! There will be no leniency! No escape for you wretched heathens!" Commodore Nelson Royale screamed furiously as his men began making the preparations to use the Super Giant Cannon and aimed it at the Going Merry as Nami spotted this and grew worried.

"We are in trouble, guys! A direct hit from that giant ass cannon and our ship will be blown to shreds!"

"We will be fine. Asher and I will just bounce it back again." Luffy says with a goofy smile as Nami growled angrily.

"Don't be stupid! We need a more permanent solution! I will turn the ship around! You guys work on the rear sail! Go!" Nami ordered as everyone nodded and ran off to work on the rear sail as Usopp could be seen standing near a cannon and glared over at the Main Marine Ship as he put on his goggles.

"You like shooting cannonballs, huh? Alright, you bunch of Marine Thugs! I got a shot for ya! Eat this!" Usopp exclaimed while firing a cannonball into the air as it was able to miraculously land inside of the Giant Super Cannon just as the Marines fired it as it caused a huge explosion that completely destroyed the cannon and about 20% of the ship as we see a dazed and scorched Commodore Nelson Royale laying on the ground due to his throne being destroyed by the explosion as well.

"What the hell just happened?!"

"An enemy cannonball hit our main cannon perfectly!" A Marine Soldier says as Commodore Nelson Royale growled angrily.

"How did that medicine go down, fellas?! That's what happens when Usopp gets serious!" Usopp says with a laugh as Asher grinned cockily.

"Nice work, Usopp!"

"Yeah, that was amazing! You are so cool, Usopp!" Apis yelled over at Usopp, who blushed bashfully at the praise and nodded as Asher, Luffy, and Jack noticed Grandpa Ryu turning to face them as he growled.

"Don't worry, it will be okay."

"Yeah, all you have to do is to keep protecting Apis."

"We will handle the rest." Asher, Luffy, and Jack said in unison as a glaring Nami turned to the Straw Hat Pirates.

"Now is our best chance at doing our plan! Let's act quickly and cut some links to open a path big enough for us to escape and go back to Warship Island!" Nami ordered as the gang nodded.

"Zoan Mystic-Ryu Ryu no Mi Model: Human/Beast-Obelisk Form!" Jack exclaimed while using his Devil Fruit Powers to transform into his Human-Beast Obelisk Form as he got down on all fours. "Two of you get on now!"

"On it!" Asher says while he and Zoro leaped on to land on his back as Jack then took off into the air at high speeds.

"Gomu Gomu No...Bridge!" Luffy screamed while wrapping his legs around the wooden beams of the Going Merry and then stretched his arms over to wrap around the wooden beams of the Marine Ship placed far in front of them as Sanji and Gin was quick to run along his arms to reach the Marine Ship.

"Zoan Mystic-Drogon no Mi Model: Kuja Snake/Beast-Wyvern Form!" Jake shouted while using his Devil Fruit Powers to transform into his Kuja Snake/Beast-Wyvern Form as he roared loudly. Standing before him is a 10-feet-tall Male Dragon with a pair of orange/red eyes, a pair of pointy ears, a large snout filled with razor-white sharp teeth, a pair of black four-clawed arms with two black/red wings attached to them, black scales with red spikes running down from his neck to his back, a long black scaly tail with red accents, and a pair of four-clawed legs.

"Let's go!" Cottontail says while morphing into his Monster Form and popping out two giant bat-like wings made out of white cotton as he and Jake take off into the air and fly over to land on the deck of the Marine Ship.

"Alright! Hang in there, Grandpa Ryu! Here goes!" Luffy yelled while unwrapping his legs as he slingshot himself over to the Marine Ship and ended up accidentally colliding against a shocked Zoro, knocking them both down into the ground as Asher and the others laughed amusedly.

"Report! What are they doing?!" Commodore Nelson Royale asked with a glare after the Marine Soldiers were able to find him a new throne and placed him on it.

"Sir, eight people from the Pirate Ship have boarded Ship #1 from the portside."

"What?! That's unacceptable!" Commodore Nelson Royale says with a glare as we cue back to the Straw Hat Pirates and we see them eyeing the chainlink wall.

"Do you think that you can cut them?" Luffy asked Zoro, who was rubbing his hands on the chainlink as he nodded.

"Yeah, I can. Thankfully, the Marines are cheap bastards and didn't have these chains made out of pure steel. If they did, I wouldn't be able to cut them at all and we would be screwed, but since these chains are not purely steel but a combination of metal alloys, I will be able to cut them easily."

"Well, honestly, even if these things are made out of metal, I can just blow up these chainlinks by myself," Asher added with a shrug just as a huge group of Marine Soldiers appeared as they all aimed their swords at the Straw Hat Pirates, who looked unfazed by this as Sanji scoffed and reached into his jacket to pull out a cigarette as he smoked it.

"This is overkill."

"Yeah, but hey, at least that means all of us will be able to have some bad guys to punch equally," Jack says with a smirk as Asher nods and cracks his knuckles.

"Alright, Straw Hat Pirates, let's do this!" Asher says with a cocky smirk as the others smirked as well and nodded as they all ran forward to attack the Marine Army.

"Bomu Bomu No...Combustive Thunder Roar!" Asher exclaimed while cupping his hands around his mouth and breathing into it as he detonated it and used his hands to enhance the blast as the Bombman sent a giant wave of explosive pink energy that collided against about twenty Marine Soldiers and sent them flying out of the boat with the help of a huge explosion.

"Cottontail...Cotton...Spiked...Mace tailwhip!" Cottontail screamed while shapeshifting his tail to gain a spiked mace and twirled around to slam his makeshift cotton weapon against about ten Marine Soldiers and send them flying away.

"Gomu Gomu No...Pinwheel...Extravaganza!" Luffy yelled while spinning himself around rapidly, resembling a red/blue/yellow tornado as he zooms towards the shocked Marine Soldiers like an uncontrollable tornado and collided against them, sending them flying away with multiple fast punches and kicks

"Zoan Mystic-Ryu Ryu No...Fist of Fury!" Jack screamed while raising his arm as it got covered with hot purple flames and delivered a strong punch at a group of Marine Soldiers to send them all flying away.

"Zoan Mystic-Drogon no...Firebreath!" Jake shouted while rearing back his head and fired a big burst of purple hot flames that collided against a group of Marine Soldiers and sent them flying away, burned and screaming.

"Black Leg Style...Quasi-Queque!" Sanji yelled while he rushing forward as the blonde-haired man flipped over into a double-handed handstand and began continuously spinning around while stretching out his legs as he was able to kick a lot of Marine Soldiers away.

"Man Demon Special Technique...Whirlwind of Fury!" Gin says while holding out his metal tonfas as he begins spinning around rapidly and is able to whack away a lot of Marine Soldiers as a concentrated Zoro can be seen using Kuina's Sword to slowly cut each of the chain links one by one.

"Yeah, that's it! Way to go! Show those Pirate Hating Assholes who really rule the sea!" A happy and grinning Usopp cheered as Apis looked shocked by the Straw Hat Pirates' powers and strength.

"Curse you! How dare you lousy Pirates try to break my links! Capture them at all costs or else I'll maroon every last one of you!" Commodore Nelson Royale ordered furiously as all of the Marine Soldiers from all of the boats instantly made their way over to Boat #1, but Zoro simply continued cutting more and more chain links to prevent them from boarding onto their stolen boat.

"Bomu Bomu No...Minefield!" Asher exclaimed while reaching into his pocket as Nami's Boyfriend pulled out a bag full of caltrops and swiftly infused them with his explosive pink energy as the Bombman opened up the bag and then tossed all of the explosive caltrops into the ground around the Marine Soldiers, causing multiple large explosions to rang out as it sends all of them flying away with a pained scream.

"Cottontail...Cotton...Spiked Balls!" Cottontail screamed while spitting out numerous spiked cotton white balls that collided against several Marine Soldiers and sent them flying away.

"Gomu Gomu No...Slingshot!" Luffy shouted while reaching over to wrap his arms around two wooden pillars and ran forward with a big group of oblivious Marine Soldiers chasing after him as he then jumped up and collided against the Marine Soldiers as the Rubberman sent them all flying out of the Marine Boat with a loud laugh.

"Zoan Mystic-Ryu Ryu No...God Hand...Impact!" Jack yelled while raising his arms, which sparkled with purple/black energy as he formed them into the shape of two energy blasts and had them both impact against a big group of Marine Soldiers to send them all flying away with a loud and pained scream.

"Zoan Mystic-Drogon no...Firebreath!" Jake says while rearing back his head and firing a big burst of purple hot flames that collided against a group of Marine Soldiers and sent them flying away, burned and screaming.

"Black Leg Style...Flanchet!" Sanji screamed while rushing forward as the blonde-haired man raised his leg and delivered a strong kick to a Marine Soldier's chest and sending him over to collide against a group of Marine Soldiers as if they were bowling pins.

"Man Demon: Special Technique...Demonic Shot!" Gin shouted while raising his metal tonfas with a cold and furious aura covering his body as he slammed his weapons against multiple Marine Soldiers to send them all flying away with a pained scream.

"Wow, they are so amazing..." A stunned Apis says with sparkling eyes, wishing that she had a more powerful Devil Fruit to fight alongside them as Grandpa Ryu huffed in agreement.

"There's only one chainlink left!" Nami shouted after noticing Zoro cutting another chain link as she then turned to Usopp and Akira. "Let's get moving!" Nami ordered while running off as the boys nodded and ran forward to set the sails.

"Don't just stand there like idiots! Somebody stop them!" A worried Commodore Nelson Royale screamed after noticing that the Going Merry was heading towards the weakest link in the chainlink, but they were forced to suddenly stop as a huge airslash collided against the ocean, halting them in place as everyone was left surprised by this and turned their heads to see a smirking Eric rowing towards them on a small boat that was being manned by three Marine Soldiers. "Oh, Eric, excellent work! Now that little girl and the Millennial Dragon are mine for the taking!"

"What was that?! That scared me!" A shocked Apis says while emerging out of Grandpa Ryu's wings as she was worried to see Eric and his crew rowing over to them. "Oh, crap! You are that Sicko Sicko Fruit Guy!"

"It's not, 'Sicko Sicko'. It's, 'Sickle Sickle', you stupid brat." Eric says as he glares down at Apis menacingly. "Now, enough of this bullshit. You have lost. Hand yourself over alongside the Millennial Dragon."

"No! You can't have us! Leave us alone!" Apis yelled angrily while raising her arms protectively as she flinched when a cold-faced Eric raised his arms.

"Keep in mind, little girl, I have the power to chop you and your precious Dragon into pieces with my wind slashes at any time."

"Stay right there! Lay on finger on them, and you will pay!" A glaring Nami screamed from the Going Merry as Usopp and Akira nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, and then you have to deal with me!" A scared yet glaring Usopp says as a scowling Akira raises his arms.

"Enough of this! I'm taking action! Fishman Merman Special technique: Water Shot!" Akira says while hurling multiple small pathetic water droplets that didn't even fly over to collide against Eric as they splashed down into the ocean harmlessly. "Damn it!"

"Heh, more empty threats and pathetic attempts to harm me. Fair warning, Little Pirates, I missed you all on purpose. The next one will cost you. If you all try to stop me, I will windslash your ship apart." Eric threatened with Nami and the others sharing nervous looks as they all knew that they wouldn't have a single chance against him.

"Shit, we got trouble, guys," Asher says while kicking away a defeated Marine Soldier as he points ahead and the gang spotted Eric commanding the Marine Soldiers to untie the ropes containing Grandpa Ryu's raft to the Going Merry and connect it to their small boat as a struggling and wailing Apis can be seen in Eric's arms.

"Great, it's him again." A glaring Sanji says as Zoro nods.

"Yeah, and it looks like he's stealing Apis and Ryu."

"Oh, no, he's not!" A scowling Luffy says as he is about to go over and attack him but is stopped by a stern Gin and Jack.

"Wait, Captain, I don't think that will be a good idea."

"Yeah, if you lay one hand on him, he might kill Apis and the others with his windslash attack." Jack says as Luffy hums thoughtfully and nods.

"Alright, no punching...I will kick him instead-Ow!" Luffy says before yelping in pain as a glaring Jack bonked him on the head.

"I will be taking the girl and the Millennial Dragon now," Eric says with a smug grin while still holding onto a struggling Apis as the Marine Soldiers then rowed them away and dragged around Grandpa Ryu. "Nothing personal!" Eric says with a taunting laugh as Nami and the others glared at him venomously.

"Excellent work, Eric! Now bring them here!" Commodore Nelson Royale says excitedly with a sinister glint in his eyes as, much to his confusion, Eric begins laughing mockingly.

"I'm sorry, Nelson, but these prizes aren't for you!"

"Eh?! What did you say?!"

"The only reason why I obeyed your ludicrous demands was to use your fleet's information-gathering capabilities and resources! Now, I know that you are angry, but don't pretend that you are any different from me! You tried to use me as well with just as much as vigor!"

"You bastard! I hired you for a great sum of money!" A furious Commodore Nelson Royale yelled as Eric rolled his eyes and scoffed.

"I think that I have worked off that chump change by now, so I have no obligation to obey a blubbering sea lion like you anymore!"

"A sea lion?! Blubbering?!"

"I no longer need your money once I hand this little brat over to the World Government and make myself the richest man in the East Blue! Not to mention that with the Dragonite that I will extract from this Millennial Dragon right here, I will make myself immortal!"

"GRRRRRRRR, THAT'S IT! YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS BETRAYAL, ERIC! MEN! I WANT THIS BACKSTABBER DEAD! SHOOT HIM! SHOOT HIM!" Commodore Nelson Royale ordered furiously as one of the Marine Soldiers turned to him.

"But, sir, if we shoot him, we could accidentally kill the little girl and the Millennial Dragon!" The Marine Soldier says as Commodore Nelson Royale pauses a bit and grumbles angrily as a smirking Eric turns to the scared Marine Soldiers.

"If you don't want them to come and attack us, I suggest that you hurry up and get us out of here!" Eric demanded as Apis grunted and glanced over at Grandpa Ryu worriedly as she then glanced up at her foe pleadingly.

"Please, stop! Stop harassing Grandpa Ryu! I'm begging you! If you want your money, then just take me instead! Leave Grandpa Ryu alone!" Apis begged with her eyes flashing yellow as Grandpa Ryu glanced over at her worriedly.

"Apis, don't do it! That's too dangerous! Once the World Government has you, they will turn you into a weapon due to your Devil Fruit Powers! Just to try to escape from Eric's hold, so that I can grab you and try to launch back to the Going Merry!"

"All he wants is to be left alone! Just take me instead and leave him be!" Apis yelled while ignoring Grandpa Ryu as Eric smirked smugly and laughed evilly.

"Oh, quit your whining!"

"You don't understand! I have to take Grandpa Ryu back to the Dragon's Nest or he will die! So even if you do take him with you, he will die in a couple of hours, so he is worthless! Just take me instead!"

"ENOUGH!" Eric screamed while now holding Apis by her neck and raised her up into the air as he began choking the hell out of her. "I won't believe any of your lies, so I will take the Millennial Dragon with me no matter what you say!"

"I...I don't get it...I understand...why you want Grandpa Ryu...but why do you want...me?! All I can do...is...talk...to...fucking...animals! I'm...no...one...special!" Apis grunted while struggling to break out of Eric's hold as he blinked slowly and laughed amusedly.

"Oh, wow, you really are stupider than I thought! Do you even know what your Devil Fruit truly is?!"

"Yes! It's the Whisper Whisper Fruit! It gives me the power to talk to animals!" Apis yelled defiantly as Eric proceeded to laugh even harder at what she said.

"Wow, I never knew that a child can be this idiotic! Judging by the description that you gave about your Devil Fruit to those Marines, you don't have the Whisper Whisper Fruit! You have the Human Human Fruit Model Changeling Devil Fruit!"

"Human Human Fruit Model Changeling Devil Fruit?" A bewildered and shocked Apis asked as Eric nodded.

"Yes, that's the name of your Ultimate Mystical Zoan Devil Fruit! It's a Devil Fruit that gives its user the ability to transform their body parts or their entire form into any animal that they want, essentially gaining the corresponding abilities of said animal! This includes enhanced combat skills, flight, and other unique traits!"

"I can...transform into animals?!" An amazed Apis asked as Eric nodded once again.

"Yep, while also giving you the ability to communicate telepathically with animals, creating a deep understanding between the user and the animal kingdom with the only known weakness being lack of practice or the transformations consuming energy!" Eric says as he then gives a stunned Apis a malicious grin. "So, that's why the World Government wants you, my child, because you are a part of the worst generation! I have no doubt that even the Five Elders will give me billions of Berris just for you! And as to why I'm telling you this? Well, judging by the fact that you had such little information or understanding about your Devil Fruit, I doubt that you will be much of a threat even with this knowledge!" Eric says before suddenly tossing Apis over to crash against the boat as she yelped in pain and teared up as Grandpa Ryu spots this and grows angry as he narrows his eyes.

"Now just sit down and shut up before I..." Eric says before trailing off as a large shadow falls on top of him and the Marine Soldiers scream panickedly as they proceed to leap down into the ocean and swim away at a rapid pace, much to the Assassin's confusion as he hears a low growl behind him and slowly turned around to see Grandpa Ryu standing up from the raft as he glared down at him coldly. "...Mommy..." Eric says with a pale face and trembling in fear as Ryu huffed in his face and proceeded to bite into his arm, instantly crushing it with his powerful jaws and causing it to be slashed apart as Eric roared in pain just as the Millennial Dragon raised his head and fired a small stream of green flames that propelled the now burned up Assassin away as he disappeared from sight.

"Apis..." A saddened Grandpa Ryu says while glancing down at an injured Apis as memories of their bond and time with each other appear in his mind and instantly grows furious that his Grandaughter got hurt as he reared back his head and wings as Grandpa Ryu lets out a loud immense roar that sends ripples across the ocean and caused everyone to cover their ears in pain as, once his roar died down, he glanced down at Apis, who was staring up at him in awe and shock as she then beamed.

"Grandpa Ryu! You stood up! You can move! That's great!" A laughing Apis says while hugging his nose as Grandpa Ryu smiles warmly and makes sure to not think about the immense pain that he is feeling just by standing up.

"Yeah, it is, Apis, now stand back, I'm going to take a quick flight."

"Eh?" A surprised Apis said with her eyes flashing yellow as she watched in stunned shock at the sight of Grandpa Ryu spreading out his wings again and started flapping them as the little girl beamed excitedly. "You are going to fly?! Really?!"

"Oh, boy..." A worried Usopp asked as Nami gulped nervously.

"You don't suppose he's-,"

"Going to fly?! Yep!" An excited Akira says with a laugh.

"That's it, Grandpa Ryu! Forget about your pain and fly!" Asher and the others cheered as Grandpa Ryu began floating off from the raft and hovered in the air as Apis laughed gleefully.

"You did it, Grandpa! You're flying!"

"Unacceptable! If I can't possess the Millennial Dragon, then no one can! Kill it before it escapes! All I need is the Dragonite! As long as his bones won't break, I should be able to still make my exile and make myself immortal! Just kill that winged beast but make sure not to hit the little girl!" Commodore Nelson Royale ordered with a furious scowl as, immediately, all of the Marine Ships began firing multiple cannonballs at Grandpa Ryu, not hurting him too badly, but it still caused him distress as a tearful Apis covered her mouth in shock.

"Grandpa Ryu! Fly! Get out of here! Fly to someplace where the cannonballs can't reach you!"

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" The Boys all screamed in unison as Asher leaped up high into the air and covered himself with explosive pink energy as he slammed himself against a Marine Ship and blew it up as Luffy threw multiple stretchy punches that collided against a Marine Ship and destroyed it, Jack flew above and bashed through a Marine Ship to destroy it, Zoro leaped onto the deck of a Marine Ship and proceeds to slash apart all of the cannons on it, Sanji and Gin worked together to get onto a Marine Ship and process to kick and whack away multiple Marine Soldiers, and Cottontail and Jake worked together to slash and bite multiple Marine Soldiers in sight.

"Now's your chance to fly, Grandpa Ryu! Hurry!"

"What are you waiting for?! Blow him away! Fire all cannons!" Commodore Nelson Royale ordered as his men quickly fired multiple cannonballs at Grandpa Ryu, who tanked the attack and whirled around to roar savagely as he then flew forward.

"Grandpa, wait! You are going the wrong way!" Apis screamed worriedly as Grandpa Ryu ignored her and opened up his mouth as he fired a huge stream of green flames that collided against various Marine Ships, blowing them up into a billion fiery green pieces as a glaring Ryu then headed straight towards the Main Marine Ship.

"Idiots! It's coming this way! Shoot it down, quickly, before he blows us all up!" Commodore Nelson Royale screamed panickedly and fearfully as his Marine Soldiers continued shooting more and more cannonballs at Grandpa Ryu, who continued flying forward and tanked the attack as he opened his mouth, planning to fire a huge stream of green flames to take down the Main Marine Ship once and for all, only for more cannonballs to collide against his frail and old body, causing him to lose what little strength that Ryu had left and caused him to crash down into the ocean below, causing everyone to gasp in shock and horror as Apis looks stunned with tears running down her eyes as she trembled.

"Grandpa Ryu!" Asher screamed panickedly with Luffy grabbing onto him as he covered his legs with pink explosive energy and created a huge explosion that propelled them up into the air as they landed on top of Grandpa Ryu's back. "Hey, come on, man, don't you die on us!"

"Yeah, we will help you!" Luffy yelled as a groaning Grandpa Ryu glanced up at them.

"I'm sorry, kids...I'm tapped out...I have no more...energy left...I think this is the end..."

"Hey, now, what are you saying?! Don't talk about dying!" A glaring Luffy screamed as Asher nodded in agreement.

"That's just quitter talk!"

"I'm being realistic here...kids...I can barely keep my eyes open...please, forget about me and protect Apis, please..."

"Believe us, we know where you are coming from. We won't let anything happen to Apis, we promise,"

"And we will make sure to take you to the Dragon's Nest, but promise us that you will stay alive!" Luffy shouted seriously as Grandpa Ryu remained silent and struggled to not close his eyes.

~[Day of Fate ~Spirit VS Spirit~ Short Version]~

Venit aevus ille,

O Messiah, O Messiah!

YUDULIYA-VELE!

YUDULIYA-VELE!

YUDULIYA-VELE!

YUDULIYA IYALIYA!

Cueing back over to Apis, we see her having shaky eyes and teared up as her heart throbbed madly and began silently sobbing as she dropped down onto her knees and all of her precious memories with Grandpa Ryu appeared in her young mind with one of them being when Grandpa Ryu made the effort to at least make his way over to appear in her house when she got sick on her birthday and was unable to meet up with him like usual as Apis remembered making a flower crown for him, hearing his stories, and them sharing a laugh as Apis also remembered the day when she admitted to him that she sees him like her Grandfather and Ryu warmly called her his Granddaughter as something deep within her finally snapped as her eyes gained black scleras as well as glowing golden pupils, and immediately, Asher, Luffy, Jack, Cottontail, Jake, and Grandpa Ryu were able to sense something near them as they turned their heads to glance over at Apis.

"Gra...Gra...Gran...Gra...Gra...GRANDPA RYUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" A crying Apis exclaimed into the high heavens while throwing back her head and holding out her arms as a huge burst of golden smoke appeared on her body and broke apart the boat that she was riding around on as the waves shook by the intensity of her transformation sequence.

Feel it drawing nearer, an endless fear that takes you hold!

Feel it getting closer, revealing such an evil soul!

I can't surrender at the turning point of destiny!

Right now, it's do or die; my life is on the line, and I will not flee!

By my power!

Whoa~whoa, it's clear to me!

My spirit grows, and I will face this demon!

Whoa~whoa, with burning energy!

The day of fate has finally come!

"Apis...you finally did it...you had finally...unlocked your Devil Fruit's full potential..." A teary-eyed and smiling Ryu says as everyone slowly turns over to glance at Apis and their eyes widen in shock and amazement as there is a huge cloud of yellow smoke from where Apis used to be, and suddenly, a pair of long huge mustard yellow wings popped out as they began flapping rapidly, and we see Apis flying out of the yellow smoke in her new Changeling Form as her glowing golden eyes honed in on the Main Marine Ship venemously and in revenge as the intense winds around her blew off the tears from her eyes.

Once her transformation was complete, we see that Apis had transformed herself into a 15-foot-tall Female Millennial Dragon as she resembles a tall and long dragon with a dark gray face as she has a pair of eyes that have black sclera and a pair of glowing golden eyes, a mustard yellow mane planted around her head, no ears, a long dark gray snout with two holes that acted as her nose and a row of sharp white teeth, a pair of long huge mustard yellow wings planted on her back with maroon edges that have mustard-colored circles planted on them, a pair of long huge yet slender four-clawed arms, mustard yellow feathers with a maroon underside, a large dragon-like muscularly slender build, a long mustard yellow feathery tail with a maroon underside, a pair of long small yet slender four-clawed legs, and the only piece of outfit that she retains from her Human Form was her pointy white hat and her Millennial Dragon Necklace. Apis has now transformed into her Human Human Changeling Dragon Soul Form.

~[Day of Fate ~Spirit VS Spirit~ Short Version Over]~

Growling angrily, Apis then flapped her wings and instantly flew forward while kicking up the water underneath her as she headed straight towards the Marine Blockade and opened up her jaws to bite into the chainlinks, ripping them off the boats and flew forward as Apis made her way over to the Main Marine Boat before flying upwards, causing a huge splash of seawater to shoot out of the ocean and crash down on top of a stunned Commodore Nelson Royale and his Marine Soldiers as Apis floated above them menacingly.

"Amazing...truly amazing, so this is the power of the Human Human Changeling Fruit?" A shocked Commodore Nelson Royale says before noticing that Apis was preparing to attack them as he flinched nervously. "Quick! Fire the harpoons at her! Shoot her out of the sky!" Commodore Nelson Royale ordered as the Marine Soldiers ran off to prepare their harpoon guns.

"Shit! I have to help Apis!" Jack screamed worriedly while spreading out his wings and took off into the air just as the Main Marine Ship fired multiple harpoons up at a surprised Apis, but Jack was able to fly in and knock off the majority of them from their course by punching them as the Shapeshifting Girl composed herself and opened up her mouth as she roared out a big stream of yellow flames that vaporized the harpoons out of existence.

"Yes! Way to go, Apis and Jack!" Asher cheered as Luffy grinned widely, happy to have another shapeshifter with them, but then the boys gasped in shock as Grandpa Ryu glanced up at them.

"Don't worry, boys, you can leave, I'm fine staying here."

"Eh?! What kind of wimpy talk is that?! You gotta fight back! You still haven't accomplished your goal, remember?!" Luffy asked with a glare as Asher nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, we haven't reached the Dragon's Nest yet. Don't give up when we are so close to victory." Asher says as Grandpa Ryu glances up at them and tells them something that makes them both nod.

"Don't worry about Apis. We will tell her your message."

"And I promise that we will look after her. You have our word." Asher says just as the whole ocean began shaking violently, shocking everyone, including the inhabitants of Warship Island.

"The entire sea is shaking!" A shocked Akira yelled while he and the others held onto the railings as Nami groaned and facepalmed.

"Oh, come on! As if we don't have enough problems!"

"What the hell...?" A bewildered Asher asked while he and Luffy looked around as Grandpa Ryu remained silent and watched on as all of the water around them began receding to be replaced with what seemed to be green grass.

"This is it, Kids, and I'm 100% sure now. We are finally here."

"Wait, really? So does that mean that we are in the Dragon's Nest?" A hopeful and excited Asher asked as Ryu nodded with a small weak smile.

"Yes, it's also why I don't want to move anymore. Because I've already accomplished my dream and appeared at the Dragon's Nest."

"What's going on?! Why is the sea shaking?!" Commodore Nelson Royale asked panickedly as one of the Marine Soldiers turned to him with a shrug.

"I don't know, sir! There shouldn't be any underwater volcanos in these waters!" A Marine Soldier screamed as Grandpa Ryu suddenly raised his head and let out a loud roar as Apis gasped in shock.

"Did you hear that, Jack? He's calling for them."

"Yeah, he's calling for his friends," Jack says just as he and the others spotted a huge group of Millennial Dragons from all shapes and sizes and ages flying into the scene as they headed straight towards them.

"Holy crap! So many Millennial Dragons!" A shocked Usopp exclaimed as he and the others were left stunned by the sight of them.

"These are Grandpa Ryu's friends!" A smiling Nami says as Akira laughs joyfully.

"What the hell?!" A shocked Zoro exclaimed as Gin had a wide-eyed and comically shocked look on his face.

"There are more Millennial Dragons?!"

"Where the hell did these things even come from?!" An alarmed Sanji as Cottontail and Jake looked amazed by the army of Dragons.

"Oh my! Look at this! A huge army of Dragonite!" Commodore Nelson Royale yelled with a maniacal laugh as he then turned to his men and glared at them. "Men! Open fire on the Millennial Dragons!" Commodore Nelson Royale ordered to the Marine Soldiers as they nodded and aimed their cannons up at the Millennial Dragons as Grandpa Ryu spotted this and raised his head as he roared defiantly, trying to muster up the strength to breathe one more green fireblast, but it seemed that he had finally used the last of his strength and his head crashed down into the ocean.

"Ryu!" Asher and Luffy screamed concernedly while glancing down at Ryu as he glanced up at them.

"Please...give my message...to Apis..."

"Don't worry, we will," Asher says reassuringly as Grandpa Ryu smiles warmly.

"Thank you all...for being friends...with...my...Granddaughter..." Grandpa Ryu says while closing his eyes as he takes his last breath and fully dies as Apis spotted this and teared up as she then heard Commander Nelson Royale laughing evilly and grew vengeful.

"I lost my parents...I lost my big brother...and now, I lost my Grandpa...and you took him away from me! I will never let you do that again! NEVER!" Apis screamed furiously while flying down to appear above the Main Marine Ship and reared back her head as her eyes glowed a bright golden. "CHANGELING SOUL: MILLENNIAL DRAGON SOUL...RYU...DRAGON ROAR!" Apis exclaimed while opening her glowing yellow mouth and firing out a stream of golden flames that flew down to impact against the Main Marine Ship and caused it to blow up in a huge fiery golden explosion as the water rippled around it violently.

"...I am so proud of her right now." An impressed and proud Asher says with a smile while Luffy laughs excitedly at the destruction placed before them as an angry and panting Apis continues floating in the air before her scleras turn white and her eyes stop glowing golden as they return to being brown again and a huge burst of golden smoke appeared on her body as we see Apis morphing back into her Human Form and seems to be unconscious as she began falling down through the air, but thankfully, Jack flew over to catch her as he sighs in relief.

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

"WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"

"THE COMMODORE'S SHIP HAS BEEN DESTROYED BY THE LITTLE GIRL THAT WE WERE SENT TO CAPTURE!"

"I NEVER REALIZED THAT SHE'S THIS POWERFUL!"

"LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!" All of the Marine Soldiers screamed panickedly as they turned around to run back to their assigned Marine Ships.

"Yep, it never fails, take out the leader and the troops retreat back to safety," Sanji says with a smirk while reaching into his jacket to pull out a cigarette and lit it as he began smoking it.

"We better get going ourselves," Zoro says as the gang nods, except for Gin as he stares up at the Millennial Dragons curiously and notices that they are all flying in a huge circle now.

"Why are they circling?"

"Doesn't matter, we have to go now," Sanji says as Gin nods and the Straw Hat Pirates turn around to make their way back to the Going Merry by having Cottontail and Jake fly them back to their ship.

"That was awesome." A grinning Usopp says just as the others appear back on the ship as Cottontail and Jake proceed to morph back into their normal forms.

"Where are Apis and the boys?" Nami asked concernedly just as Jack flew onto the scene as he flew over to land in front of them and morphed back into his normal form as he held an unconscious Apis in his arms, and before he could say anything, a huge explosion rang out as the Straw Hat Pirates turned their heads and spotted two dots heading straight towards them as we see a smirking Asher and Luffy crashing down into the Going Merry's deck as the whole ship shook violently.

"Yo."

"GRRRRRR, 'YO' YOURSELVES! CAN'T YOU COME BACK MORE QUIETLY?! YOU TWO ARE GONNA WRECK THE SHIP!" Nami screamed furiously as the boys' commotion was able to bring Apis back from her unconscious state and moaned as she turned her head and spotted the silhouette of Grandpa Ryu's body lying dead in the ocean as the Shapeshifting Girl gasped sharply and teared up as she began crying.

"Grandpa!" Apis screamed while sobbing as a sympathetic Asher went over to grab her from Jack's arms and allowed her to cry into his chest as everyone shared somber looks just as the sea began shaking violently again as everyone looked around worriedly. "It's not fair! Why did you have to die?! Why didn't I unlock the full power of my Devil Fruit before you got seriously injured?! I couldn't keep my promise to you!"

"That's not true, Apis. He got his wish." Asher stated with a firm tone as a sniffling and teared up Apis glanced up at him. "Listen to what the Dragons are saying," Asher ordered as Apis nodded shakingly and closed her eyes in concentration as they glowed yellow and sent out a big shockwave of yellow energy across the area, making it easier for her to listen to the thousands upon thousands of Millennial Dragon Voices as, while they all said a lot of things, a common theme keeps popping up.

"W-Wait...this place... it's the..." Apis says before trailing off as a huge shockwave emitted from Warship Island, and much to everyone's shock, the rest of the ocean finished receding as a huge island formed around Warship Island.

"So that's what it means! It all makes sense now!" A shocked Nami yelled as everyone turned to her. "The Dragon's Nest! It really is here! The name, 'Millennial Dragon'! Why didn't I see it before?! The reason that they are called, 'Millennial Dragons', has nothing to do with their lifespans! It's because they migrate to this island once every 1,000 years! And it's by no coincidence that they have all flocked here now! They only visit this place every 1,000 years because it's the only time when the island resurfaces! That's why they called it Lost Island! Anyone who was around to see it is long gone! And here we are! The next generation to bear witness to the rising of Lost Island and its Dragon's Nest!" Nami exclaimed with the Straw Hat Pirates looking around in shock and awe as they all realized that they were residing inside of Lost Island itself.

"Lost Island...the Dragon's Nest..." An amazed and shocked Apis says as she and the others looked around and spotted all of the Millennial Dragons flying down to hang out in Lost Island as a bunch of wrecked Marine Ships were placed around them and there were thousands and thousands of what seemed to be statues of Millennial Dragons as Apis also spotted something that made her gasped sharply and jumped off from Asher's hold as she landed on the ground. "Changeling Soul: Millennial Dragon-Wings!" Apis exclaimed while holding out her arms and her eyes gained black scleras as well as glowing golden pupils as golden smoke occurred and a pair of long huge mustard yellow wings with maroon edges that had mustard-colored circles planted on them appeared on her back as Apis then took off into the air.

"Apis! Wait! Come back!" Asher screamed as he and the others were quick to get out of the Going Merry to catch up with Apis, who was able to reach the dead body of Grandpa Ryu as she shakingly flew over to land on a boulder placed in the lake around her and her Millennial Dragon Wings disappeared with a poof of yellow smoke while her scleras turned white and her eyes stop glowing golden and they return to being brown again as Apis stared over at Ryu's dead body with tears in her eyes.

"Grandpa Ryu! Wake up! Please! Say something! Anything!" Apis sobbed while tearing up as the Straw Hat Pirates appeared and glanced down at her somberly as Nami hummed.

"How strange. What are the chances that he would fall directly on top of the Dragon's Nest? I hope that brought him some peace."

"It did. Before Ryu died, he was saying in his mind that his wish finally came true and he could die happy." Luffy says with a gruff tone as Usopp looks around and hums as he realizes that there are a bunch of Dragon Statues placed near him.

"It's a strange place to put a nest. I mean, what's with all of these weird-looking rocks?"

"It's likely that they are all made of Dragonite." Sanji pointed out as Jack nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I mean, look at the structure of these 'statues'. Don't they look like Dragons to you?"

"Oh, yeah, right, so did these Dragons carved statues of themselves?" A curious Usopp asked as Nami shook her head.

"They are not statues. Those are actual Millennial Dragon Skeletons. Fossilized Dragonite that has been preserved on the ocean floor."

"Oh yeah."

"You don't get it, do you?" A deadpan Gin asked as Usopp shook his head sheepishly.

"Trust me, you are not alone," Akira says reassuringly with Cottontail and Jake nodding in agreement as Nami looks around with a thoughtful hum.

"I heard that when Elephants are about to die, they instinctively travel to a predetermined area like an Elephant Graveyard. Maybe the same is true here. This might be a Millennial Dragon Graveyard."

"A graveyard?" Zoro asked with a raised eyebrow while giving Nami a pointed look as a teared-up Apis turned to glare at the Straw Hat Pirates with tears streaming down her face.

"No, it can't be! Because Grandpa Ryu promised me that getting him back to the Dragon's Nest would make him feel better and help him regain his energy and live again! It's not a graveyard! It's not!" Apis screamed while sobbing as the Straw Hat Pirates gave her sympathetic looks and a stoic Asher proceeded to jump down to land on the shallow lake while not caring about the fact that his energy was being depleted as he walked over to Apis and climbed up the boulder while regaining his strength as the Bombman reached over to grab her and pulled a surprised yet crying Apis into a tight hug.

"Apis, listen to me now, Grandpa Ryu was lost and lonely for so long. He didn't have a friend until you came along and then everything changed for the better and he wanted you to know that in all of those centuries that he has been alive, this past year with you was his happiest." Asher says, relaying Ryu's message to Apis as she gasped and teared up.

"You are a liar! If this is the Dragon's Nest, then it should've healed him and made him feel better like he promised me! He has to get better!"

"Grandpa Ryu wasn't lying to you, Apis. He just didn't tell you the full truth because you were too young to fully comprehend what he meant. He said that Millennial Dragons return to this nest every 1,000 years and are reborn again." Asher says as Apis looks shocked by what he said.

"Grandpa Ryu really said all that?"

"Yes. He also said that when he reincarnates, Ryu won't be able to remember you, but the one thing that he will remember is your bond with him and that will exist for all of his lifetimes. Take a look for yourself." Asher says while pointing ahead as Apis turns her head and is shocked to see a Millennial Dragon Egg placed near them as it hatched open and a Baby Millennial Dragon popped out as it squeaked loudly and a bunch of Millenial Dragons flew over to land beside her as one of them gingerly tapped its snout against her body, causing the Baby Millennial Dragon to yawn cutely and opened her eyes as Apis's eyes flashed yellow and gasped sharply as, while the Baby Millennial Dragon doesn't know who she is, she could feel their mental bond with her powers, and Apis teared up as she felt some of Grandpa Ryu's fleeting essence giving her a mental message that reads, 'I love you, Apis'.

"I...love you too...Grandpa Ryu..." Apis said while tearing up as she felt Grandpa Ryu's Soul leaving quickly and was replaced with a new soul for the Baby Millennial Dragon as she cooed and awkwardly flew over to them as Asher placed Apis down on the boulder and said person reached out her hand to place it on the Baby Millennial Dragon's forehead as her eyes flashed yellow and was happy to see that Grandpa Ryu was right as she could feel his love for her buried deep in the Baby Millennial Dragon's subconscious. "Hi, little one, I'm Apis. What's your name?" Apis said with a small smile as the Baby Millennial Dragon cooed.

"Hello, Apis, I'm...uh...I don't have a name. I was born like a minute ago." The Baby Millennial Dragon says as Apis hummed thoughtfully, not wanting to name her Ryu since that's more of a guy's name, but then perked up as an idea popped into her head.

"Well, if you want to have a name, how about something like...Ryuko?"

"Ryuko...I like it. Thanks for the new name, Miss Apis." The Now-Named Ryuko says while turning around to fly back over to her parents, who began nuzzling her as Apis began crying tears of joy and Asher reached over to pull her into a comforting hug as, after waiting for the little girl to calm down for about a few minutes or so, the Bombman then brought her back over to the others and placed Apis down on the ground as said person glanced over at Ryu's dead body and then turned her head to see Ryuko being fed by her parents as she smiled softly and turned back to the others.

"I was wrong, Apis. This place isn't a Millennial Dragon Graveyard at all. I think it's a place of renewal. A special location designed to bring both old and new Millennial Dragons together." Nami says as Apis gives everyone a tearful smile and bows to them.

"Thank you all so much for bringing Grandpa Ryu back to the Dragon's Nest. You all risked a lot and I appreciate that. I always knew that this place was important to him, but I never knew why until now. This is a place of miracles. Now I understand why my ancestors went so far as to build a temple for the Millennial Dragons." Apis says as Asher smirks and reaches over to rub her head.

"Well, I feel like we all had too much excitement for one day, so how about we go back to the village and rest a bit before taking off to the Grand Line tomorrow?" Asher asked as everyone perked up and nodded.

"Yeah, it's time to celebrate!" Luffy shouted while ordering Sanji to make them all food as Jack looked around and spotted the fossilized Millennial Dragons and sighed heavily.

"Man, I can't believe that these fossils used to be living, breathing Millennial Dragons."

"Yep, although, funny enough, even if the whole Dragonite Immortality thing was true, there's no way to extract them like this," Nami says as Gin nods with a sly smirk on his face.

"Which means that the Marines' whole plan about becoming immortals was all for nothing. That's hilarious,"

"Makes sense," Akira says as he now understands what is going on with the fossilized Dragons. "It seems that their whole plan was just a silly dream. These fossils are covered with centuries of coral."

"Yeah, even if we took them back with us, there's no way that we will be able to extract anything substantial from them." Cottontail as Jake laughed amusedly and, unknown to them, a heavily injured and burned Commodore Nelson Royale can be seen dragging himself across the ground as he glanced up and spotted all of the Dragonite and Millennial Dragons placed before him and he also spotted the Straw Hat Pirates walking away as Nelson perked up evilly.

"Those fools! As if I would ever kick the bucket so easily! I must pay them back for what they have done to me, but first, look at all of those Millennial Dragons! With this many Millennial Dragons placed in one area all at once, I can have all of the Dragonite that I could ever want! I will live forever!" A laughing Commodore Nelson Royale says while eyeing the Millennial Dragons sinisterly as Eric the Whirlwind appears on the scene while being completely burnt and lost his hair, glasses, and clothes, leaving him in his pink boxers as he still had a very broken and useless arm.

"You plan to eat and drink yourself to death, fat man?" Eric asked with a half-joking/half-threatening tone as he then grew serious and gave him a cold glare. "Now, move."

"Eric, look, a whole flock of Millennial Dragons! How fortunate for us both, my friend! What say we make another deal?! How much money would it-,"

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Eric screamed furiously while swinging his only working arm forward to produce multiple big air slashes that ripped Commodore Nelson Royale to pieces, killing him instantly as the Straw Hat Pirates turned around and spotted Eric the Whirlwind glaring down at them furiously as a sinister aura covered his body.

"Man, you are one stubborn son of a bitch." Asher says as Eric glares down at them angrily.

"Yes, I was badly burned and nearly drowned to death, but enough about me, look at this beautiful place! Isn't it marvelous?! This place is just filled with Dragonite, the legendary elixir of immortality!" Eric yelled with a maniacal laugh as the Straw Hat Pirates gave each other dull and bored looks.

"Dream on, buddy. You can break open every Millennial Dragon Fossil and it won't give you your precious elixir." Nami pointed out as Eric gave them all a sinister grin.

"So, I hear, maybe I should improvise? Instead of wasting time with these Dragon Fossils, I can focus more on the Living Dragonite right here. Surely you must realize that fighting me will be an exhausting lesson in futility, so how about we make a deal and split the treasure?"

"No, thanks."

"Fool! Do you not want eternal life?!"

"Not really." Asher, Luffy, Jack, and Apis stated bluntly in unison as the rest remained silent.

"What's wrong with you all?! There's no one who's not afraid of dying! Don't let the fact that the majority of you have Devil Fruit Powers make you think that you are invincible! A Pirate's life is always inches away from death! There's no way that you can't be afraid of dying!"

"I wouldn't bet on it. Luffy's the kind of guy who will die smiling doing what he does."

"Asher is my boyfriend, so I can safely say that he will die happy when fighting in battle."

"Jack is not afraid of dying, seeing that dying is a whole new adventure."

"Grandpa Ryu taught me that having an eternal life is both a blessing and a curse as you watch your loved ones die before you and I don't want that, especially if it means killing innocent Millennial Dragons." Zoro, Nami, Jake, and Apis said in unison as Eric growled angrily.

"Very well, I can accept that you Dragon Lovers won't share the elixir of immortality, but you shall still bear witness as I rip the Dragonite from their bodies!"

"No! Don't! I won't let you harm these beautiful creatures! This is a very important place for the Millennial Dragons, so I won't let people like you harm them! Even if it costs me my life!" Apis yelled with a determined glare as Asher and the others gave her approving nods.

"So, you insist on defying me even more, huh?! Well, fine! For that, I will kill you all! Sickle Sickle...Whirldwi-,"

"Changeling Soul: Millennial Dragon-Head!" Apis exclaimed as her eyes gained black scleras as well as glowing golden pupils and golden smoke occurred as she gained her Millennial Dragon Head. "Changeling Soul: Millennial Dragon-Head...Ryu...Dragon Breath!" Apis screamed while shooting out a big stream of golden flames just as Eric fired a big airslash as both attacks collided against each other and caused a big explosion that sent him flying back as he crashed down into the ground.

"Ugh! What the hell?!" Eric asked with an alarmed and shocked look on his face as he stood up and glanced down to see that his hand was now mangled and damaged. "Why the fuck did you do that, you little brat?! Now my hand is broken!"

"Yeah, that's the point." Apis says with a smirk as a poof of yellow smoke appears and her head returns back to normal as her scleras turn white and her eyes stop glowing golden and they return to being brown again. "Now that your hand is broken, you can't use your Devil Fruit Powers anymore."

"Which means that we can kick your ass with no problem," Asher says while he and the others share devilish smirks as they all crack their knuckles.

"Oh, no..." A worried Eric says as he gulped nervously.

"Gomu-Gomu No...Pistol!" Luffy screamed while throwing a stretchy punch that flew over to collide with Eric's chest.

"Zoan Mystic-Ryu Ryu no Mi Model: Human/Beast-Slifer Form!" Jack says while using his Devil Fruit Powers to transform into his Human-Beast Silver the Sky Dragon Form and took off into the air, and he was able to fly above a stunned Eric. "Zoan Mystic-Ryu Ryu No...Thunder Force!" Jack shouted while opening up his first mouth as he generated a big ball of yellow energy inside of it before firing a hot flame-like energy blast that collided against a screaming Eric.

"One Sword Style: 36 Caliber Phoenix Cannon!" Zoro yelled while holding up his Kuina Sword horizontally above the shoulder of his sword arm, and then performed a circular swing that launched an air-compressed projectile spiraling towards a screaming Eric.

"Black Leg Style...Flanchet!" Sanji says while rushing forward as the blonde-haired man raises his leg and delivers a strong kick to Eric's chest.

"Man Demon: Special Technique...Demonic Shot!" Gin exclaimed while raising his metal tonfas with a cold and furious aura covering his body as he slammed his weapons against Eric's head.

"Nami and Cottontail...Super Teamwork Combo...The Cotton Spiked Mace Thurst!" Nami and Cottontail shouted as the orange-haired woman held out her arms and allowed her boyfriend's pet to fly over to land in her hands as he morphed himself into a spiked mace staff and Nami twirled Cottontail around to slam him against Eric's back.

"Fishman Merman Special technique: Water Shot!" Akira says while hurling multiple small pathetic water droplets that collided against Eric's body as, due to his poor injured condition, it caused him to roar in pain.

"Special Attack...Exploding Star!" Usopp says while pulling out a slingshot and firing a small explosive projectile to fly over and impact Eric's body as a big explosion rang out.

"Zoan Mystic-Drogon no Mi Model: Kuja Snake/Beast-Wyvern Form!" Jake shouted while using his Devil Fruit Powers to transform into his Kuja Snake/Beast-Wyvern Form as he roared loudly. "Zoan Mystic-Drogon no...Firebreath!" Jake shouted while rearing back his head and firing a big burst of purple hot flames that collided against a screaming Eric.

"Bomu Bomu No...Bomb Punch!" Asher exclaimed while running forward to throw a glowing pink energy punch at Eric's face, causing him to wail in pain as a big explosion occurred that knocked his teeth out of his mouth.

"LOOKS LIKE ERIC THE WHIRLWIND IS BLASTING OFF AGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN!" Eric screamed while flying through the air at incredibly high speeds as he disappeared from sight and we then cut to the next day, morning time as we see everyone standing by the docks with the Straw Hat Pirates packing up new supplies for their journey to Loguetown as Asher and the others were standing on the docks as the Warship Island Villagers were still admiring the Millennial Dragons that were hanging out in the Lost Island.

"I still can't believe it."

"Creatures like this really do exist?"

"It wasn't just a legend." Various Warship Island Villagers stated in unison as Nami crossed her arms curiously.

"Does anyone have any idea how long this island will stay until it sinks back down into the bottom of the ocean?"

"Oh, in a year or so," Bokuden explained with a casual shrug as the gang all turned to him in shock.

"Wait a minute, you knew that Lost Island was here this whole time?!" A surprised Sanji asked as Bokuden nodded.

"Yes, indeed."

"Why did you never tell us?!" Gin asked as Bokuden rolled his eyes and scoffed.

"I told you all when I was telling you the history of Lost Island and the Dragon's Nest. You young kids never listen." Bokuden says with an annoyed glare as everyone sweatdropped a bit.

"Well, anyway, I guess in a year or so, Lost Island will sink again and all of the Millennial Dragons will fly back to the Grand Line to return to their homes," Usopp says as Asher hums thoughtfully.

"Which means that we will probably not see the Millennial Dragons for a rather long time as I doubt that we will happen to run into one out in the Grand Line."

"Most likely, but hey, before you go, how about I make some of my special pork buns?" Bokuden asked as everyone, sans Luffy and Jack, grew worried.

"Uh, no thanks, sir. We gotta go back to our journey right away." Akira says with a nervous laugh as Luffy pouted.

"I'm hungry. Can I eat some pork buns?"

"Ditto."

"YOU TWO SHUT YOUR TRAPS!" The Straw Hat Pirates screamed with comical anger and shark teeth as everyone then heard some running footsteps and turned around to see a panting Apis running towards them as she held a huge bag filled with all of her stuff.

"Guys, I'm here. I finished packing all of my stuff and I'm ready to go."

"Heh, happy to hear that," Asher says while reaching over to rub Apis's head as Nami gives her a worried look.

"Are you sure that you want to come with us? It could be dangerous."

"Maybe, but I have become close friends with each of you and I would love to come on your next journey." Apis says with a warm smile as she glances over at the Millennial Dragons. "Admittedly, I'm a bit worried about leaving them behind because anyone could attack them again, but Grandpa Bokuden and the Villagers promised me that they would look after them until they leave a year later, and trust me, I won't get in you guys' way anymore now that I have unlocked my Devil Fruit powers, but more importantly, I want to join you guys because now I have a dream that can only be accomplished if I go with you guys to the Grand Line."

"Oh, what is it?" A curious and excited Luffy asked as Apis beamed.

"Before meeting you guys, I never would've thought that I would be capable of taking on the responsibility of protecting unique animals like the Millennial Dragons. At first, I didn't believe in Lost Island either, I thought it was just a story, but you guys helped me out anyway by taking Grandpa Ryu back to Lost Island with me. The fact that you guys risked everything to help make Grandpa Ryu's dream a reality inspired me to create a new dream, a noble cause that I will truly believe in and never doubt myself ever and one that I will gladly risk my life for. Helping out Grandpa Ryu and the Millennial Dragons this past year was the most exhilarating thing in my whole life, but I know that I can't keep protecting them because they no longer need my help, which is why my dream is to go out into the Grand Line and find as many unique animals that I can and keep them under my own care in my own little zoo." Apis says as the Straw Hat Pirates beamed and grinned widely as they nodded approvingly.

"Yosh, from now on, Apis? You are our Beast Tamer." Luffy said with everyone cheering as Apis perked up and smiled at them as she then turned to Grandpa Bokuden, wanting to say goodbye to him before he left, but was surprised to see that he was asleep.

"What the heck, Grandpa?! I made an epic and heartwhelming speech like that and you fell asleep?!" A pouting Apis says as everyone laughs.

"Well, that is an admirable dream, Apis, but do you think that you will be able to do it?" Jack asked as Apis turned back to smile at him warmly.

"Of course. As long as I have you guys and the spirit of Grandpa Ryu with me, I can do anything." Apis says while reaching up to rub her Dragon Necklace as it's the one thing that she will protect forever with her life as it's the last thing of Grandpa Ryu that she had to remember him by as well as the family photos they took together. "Besides, you guys are the ones who taught me that acting a little crazy isn't such a bad thing."

"I'm not crazy," Luffy stated sincerely as everyone gave him blank looks just as Bokkuden woke up as he smiled.

"Oh, Apis, before you go, I might as well tell you the story about Lost Island one last time," Bokuden says, causing Apis and the others to flinch nervously as they sweated nervously. "You see, it all started with-,"

"Changeling Soul: Millennial Dragon!" Apis exclaimed while holding out her arms and her eyes gained black scleras as well as glowing golden pupils as golden smoke covered her body and began growing in size as she transformed into her changeling form. "Sorry, Grandpa, but we have to go to Loguetown and then head to the Grand Line! See you when I accomplish my dreams and whatnot! Love you! Bye!" Apis screamed while turning around to take off into the air as she flew over to land inside the Going Merry. "Come on, you guys, we have to go!"

"Apis! Don't go so soon!" A disapproving Bokuden says as Nami turns to him with a reassuring smirk on her face.

"Don't worry, there is no way that Apis can get the ship moving by herself..." Nami says before trailing off as, somehow, Apis was able to have the Going Merry sail forward and the Straw Hat Pirates grew worried as they ran forward.

"WAIT!"

"APIS, DON'T GO YET!"

"YOU FORGOT ABOUT US!"

"STOP!"

"DON'T LEAVE US BEHIND!"

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Gin, Nami, and Akira screamed panickedly while Cottontail flew down to grab Jake and Squish and took them both to the ship as Luffy laughed amusedly and a smirking Jack turned to Asher as they were chasing after their friends.

"So, now that Apis joined our crew and will stay with us for a very long time, are you going to see her as your little sister now?" Jack asked teasingly as Asher smiled warmly and chuckled.

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!" The Warship Island Villagers laughed amusedly as the Straw Hat Pirates continued trying to chase after the Going Merry and yelled at Apis to turn back now.

---

And done. I hope that you guys enjoyed the chapter, and I can't wait to write the next one. Also, I want to say that the 36 Caliber Phoenix Cannon is a power boost of Zoro's 36 Caliber Phoenix Move.

Anyway, as always, I will catch you all later.