I do not own One Piece
It is owned by Oda
I just own the OC's
Enjoy!
Warship Island opening: Giniro no Sora - Redballoon(Gintama OP 3)
(The music starts as it shows the Straw hat crew sailing across the ocean along with a new passenger in the form of Apis as a huge Sea King swims beside them. Most of the crew share worried glances except for Jou, Luffy, and Apis who smile in excitement. The sea king dives back into the ocean causing the Going Merry to be shot into the air.)
Giniro no sora hatenai
Furitsuzuku netsu no youni
Mijikai kisetsu kaketeku
Bokura wo nurashite
(The scene transitions over to Apis as she sits on Jou's shoulder peering through the lookout's telescope and turns the scope toward Grandpa Ryu. Apis turns the scope to the front of the ship as she see's something that brings a worried look on her face.)
Nani mo motazu iku kara
Tayorinai te no hira ni
Madotte shimau yo
Hikiau chikara to butukeau omoi
Kizutsukete demo dakiyoseta
(The next scene shows Commodore Nelson and the marines on their ship which completely towers over the Going Merry and standing at the ship's bow is a man with purple that comes up in an upward swirl and thin sunglasses.)
Kowaresouna kimi ni furete
Mienai mono shinjiteyuku
(Jou has his red chain over his shoulder, Luffy clenches a fist, Zoro puts Wado Ichimonji in his mouth, Sanji takes a drag of a cigarette, and a frighted Usopp hides behind the mast. Nami shields Apis as the young girl worriedly turns to Grandpa Ryu who spread out his wings and flies in the sky.)
Mou nani mo kowarenai yo
Fukinikeru netsu no youni
(Luffy knocks a row of Marines with Gum-Gum Whip, Zoro slashes through Marines with his swords, and Sanji delivers kicks to several Marines.
Mijikaku aoku kaketeku
Bokura wo yurashite
(Jou held both chains as he rolls to avoid Eric's Sickle-Sickle Whirlwind. Jou twirls his chains and sends a Dual-Chain Cyclone at Eric who countered with his wind-slash before they bound at each other.)
The Going Merry calmly drifted on the ocean. Usopp was in the crow's nest. Normally, it would be Jou's job most of the time, though it was fine to let others take turns doing it as it gave Jou time to do other activities like working on his telescope or writing his journal. Jou finished the latest entry as it went into the events of Loguetown. Jou was still thinking about what happened with Rana but the talk he had with Nami 2 nights ago helped.
As Jou finished writing, he closed and pocketed his journal. Jou currently sat at the front of the ship with the others. Jou stood and leaned against the rail as he stared at the open sea. Luffy was seated on his special seat: Merry's figurehead. Zoro was taking a nap and Sanji stood beside him, smoking a cigarette. Nami was leaning on the rail opposite Jou's, looking at a map.
"Nami!" Luffy called the navigator. "Shouldn't we reach the Grand Line soon?" Nami only responded with a half-lidded stare.
"What do you think?" Nami asked. "We just left Loguetown 2 days ago. It'll take some time before we get there. Just be patient."
"Kay!" Luffy responded with a grin.
"Yeah," Jou agreed as he folded his arms. "It's such a nice day today, too. That storm back in Loguetown was probably one of the worst I've seen."
"True," Sanji chimed as he let out a content sigh. "With weather like this, it almost seems like that storm was just a bad dream."
"Hey!" Usopp called from above. "I see a flock of bird's starboard!" Jou turned to the right and squinted to get a look at what the sniper saw. Jou pulled out his own telescope and made out the flock of birds, surrounding a large object of some kind.
"Are you sure?" Luffy wondered.
"Yeah!" Usopp replied.
"They're circling around something," Jou figured. "Not sure what it is though."
"Maybe it's a fish?" Luffy questioned.
"It could be a boat," Jou shrugged. "I say forget about it. It's probably nothing special. For all we know, it's probably a pile of junk anyhow."
"It could be fish," Sanji stated. "I heard it's common for sea birds to flock above fish and even trail them."
"It is?" Luffy wondered as he got from his spot and leaned over the railing.
"That's right," Sanji commented. "Sound's like lunch to me."
"You said it!" Luffy exclaimed. "Gum-Gum Grab!" Luffy reeled his arms, stretching across the ocean toward the 'fish', and managed to grab it.
"Woah!" Usopp sounded impressed. "That's a stretch!"
"It never gets old," Sanji smirked.
"Hey, Captain?" Jou said to Luffy while he holstered his telescope. "When you bring back whatever you got, hand it to me. I'll catch it."
"You got it!" Luffy grinned. "Come here!" He swung his arm toward whatever was in the boat and brought it back to the ship. "I caught it! It seems pretty big!"
"Nice one, Luffy!" Nami cheered.
"Here, Jou!" Luffy laughed. "Catch this!" Jou noticed his captain was pulling back his arm far too quickly and couldn't help but gulp.
"Uh, captain...?" Jou tried to explain. "I think you're pulling in a bit too fast?" Luffy didn't listen as he tugged back the object. "Oh, crap! I'm starting to regret my deci-" Jou didn't get the finish his sentence as he struck with whatever Luffy grabbed into his gut. Jou hacked out spit as the object slammed into his abdomen which sent him flying backward. Jou felt his own back hit something or someone as they screamed and hit the water below with a splash. Jou groaned from where he laid on the deck along with whatever he caught in his arms.
"That's the last time I try to catch something from you, Luffy..." Jou lamented.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Luffy plainly apologized as his arm came back with a snap.
"Dumbass!" Sanji growled at Luffy as he sprang back to his feet. He apparently dove to the deck to avoid Jou nearly slamming into him. It was Zoro who wasn't so lucky and was knocked in the sea and was pulled back to the ship by Usopp with the use of a rope. Jou leaned up and put whatever he was holding in his lap as Nami knelt beside him.
"That looked like it hurt," Nami told him. "You alright?"
"For the most part," Jou replied rubbing the back of his head. He looked down at what he caught which caused his eyes to widen. "Huh?"
What Jou saw was a young girl wearing a yellow dress with mustard-colored circles. She wore a dark maroon sash and a matching shirt underneath her dress and red shoes. On her head, she wore a pointy white-colored hat that covered her blond hair that was tied back into a thin braid. It didn't take Jou long to realize he was holding a kid in his arms.
"Hey, guys," Jou got the other's attention. "Take a look at this."
"That's no kind of fish I've ever seen," Sanji commented.
"It's no fish," Nami stated. "It's a girl."
"She's young, too," Jou added. "She looks to be about 8 or 9." Jou guessed as the girl looked no older than his kid sister from back home
"Huh, a fish person?" Luffy wondered as he looked at the unconscious girl. "Where's her webs?"
"A fish person...?" Usopp deadpanned at the straw hat. "You idiot, she's just a little kid." Upon further inspection, the color was drained from the girl's face. Jou has a feeling the girl's expression must be from the rough extract from her boat to their ship.
"Why would someone leave a child out in the middle of the ocean like that?" Nami voiced. "It makes no sense."
"We can always ask when she wakes up," Jou stated. "Once she does, she could be hungry, too. Hey, Sanji?" Jou got the cook's attention. "Didn't you mention something about making soup for lunch?"
"Yeah," Sanji answered as he blew out smoke. "I suppose I should go finish it since we got a special passenger aboard."
"Oh, yeah!" Luffy cheered. "Food!" The captain charged his way toward the kitchen.
"It's not finished, you numbskull!" Sanji growled as he went to the kitchen to prevent Luffy from getting into the unfinished meal. Jou lifted the girl in his arms and went to the kitchen. He knew that way they can keep an eye on her together once she woke up.
"I think she'll be okay," Jou turned his head to Nami walking beside him, giving a small smile.
"I know," Jou nodded. "No idea what a kid her age is doing out in the ocean? I guess we'll figure it out soon." Jou gave the unconscious young girl another look as he stepped inside the kitchen with everyone.
Everyone was gathered in the kitchen as they kept watch on the sleeping child. After Jou placed the girl on the bench, Nami brought a blanket and put it on the girl. Sanji was busy preparing the soup in case the young girl was hungry. Nami noticed Jou's attention was concentrated on the girl. He must be concerned about her. Nami didn't blame him, she was worried, too.
Nami placed a hand gently on his shoulder. Jou turned his head to stare at her. Nami gave him reassuring a smile. Jou didn't say a word but he nodded at Nami approvingly and smirked back. They averted their attention from each other as they heard someone sniffing the air. It was coming from the girl as she was waking up, she likely caught a whiff of the delectable aroma of the soup.
"Is she waking up?" Usopp wondered as he slowly crept toward the girl.
"Hey, don't scare her," Nami told the sniper.
"I'm not gonna scare her," Usopp said as he leaned over to check on the girl.
"You'd scare me," Jou commented. "I'd freak out if I saw a creepy, long-nosed guy leering down at me."
"Hey!" Usopp snarled with shark teeth. Nami and Luffy snicker as the sniper gave Jou and them an angry look. Usopp turned back to the young girl as she suddenly shot up from where she was resting bumped her head into the sniper's chin. The accidental headbutt from the girl caused Usopp to fall flat on his back unconscious while the girl held her head in pain after she accidentally knocked out the sniper.
"That hurt!" the girl screamed.
"You're awake," Nami smiled as the girl looked at her with big curious brown eyes. She was an adorable young girl. "That was quicker than I expected. Don't worry, you're alright now."
"You must be hungry?" Jou added with a smile as the girl brought her attention to him.
"Nothing that some grub won't cure," Sanji remarked as he continued cooking. "I'm cooking some soup if you're hungry." The girl seemed baffled as to how she got here until her lips curled into a grin.
"Lucky!" The girl expressed.
"I'm guessing you were shipwrecked?" Nami wondered. "You are lucky." Jou stood from the table and approached the girl.
"And we're lucky to have found you before something awful happened," Jou commented as he took a knee in front of the girl. "So, you got a name, kid?" Nami saw the girl's face turn into a look of disapproval toward Jou.
"Before asking a stranger questions it's polite to give them your name first," The girl stated irritably. Nami giggled into her hand as the girl seemed to speak with a sense of maturity which was different to see in children her age. Jou only responded with an amused chuckle.
"You know what, you're absolutely right," Jou agreed. "Sorry about that. My names Jou." Jou turned around to face Nami. "How about we introduce the rest of our friends here."
"I'm Nami," Nami introduced herself with a wink. "The chef cooking that delicious-smelling soup is Sanji."
"Hi!" Sanji greeted with a wave.
"That angry-looking guy scowling over there is Zoro," Jou pointed at the swordsman who leaned against the wall with his eyes closed.
"And despite his scowl, he's a good guy," Nami commented.
"Shut up," Zoro muttered.
"You already met the guy you knocked out over here," Jou pointed at the unconscious sniper.
"That's Usopp," Nami mentioned.
"I'm Luffy," Luffy introduced himself. "And I'm the captain of this pirate ship." The girl's face seemed to pale at the news that they were pirates. To Nami, that was understandable considering pirates and their reputation.
"What?!" The girl screamed. "Pirates!"
"That's right," Luffy grinned. "And we're on our way to the Grand Line."
"What's wrong?" Nami wondered as she caught the girl's face was turned blue with her eyes turned white in fear. It was like she completely shut down. To Nami, the girls' reaction was understandable considering pirates and their reputation.
"She isn't moving," Luffy noted.
"Yeah," Jou agreed and started to snap his fingers in front of the girl's eyes. "Hey! Hello! C'mon! Wake up, kid! Stay with us!" Jou ceased his snapping and stood up and turned to everyone. "No good." he sighed. "She's out of it."
"So, what're we supposed to do with her?" Zoro wondered.
"Uh, I'm not sure," Luffy replied.. "I'll have to think it over. I can deal with this tomorrow."
Since Usopp did lookout duty during the day, Jou decided to do it at night. Tonight they weighed anchor which left them sitting on the ocean. Jou thought it was better to be safe than sorry since they could be attacked. Jou looked around with his telescope but didn't find anything. Everything seemed clear which meant this turned out to be a quiet night.
"Okay," Jou sighed as he stretched his arms above his head. "To celebrate me being an amazing look-out, I'm gonna go have a drink and then call it a day." Jou holstered his telescope and used the shrouds to clamber down to the deck. Once he was down, he looked toward the kitchen door remembering their current passenger aboard the ship. "I wonder if the girl is okay? It couldn't hurt to check on her."
Jou noticed her attitude when she found out they were pirates. That's what they were, they couldn't change that. Jou felt she just needed some time getting used to them to realize they weren't going to hurt her. Maybe they can help her get back to her home, her family must miss her unless she ran away from home. Jou pushed through the kitchen doors and caught the girl bundled in a blanket. Jou and her made eye contact, he smiled at her but the kid turned her head with a pout.
"Good evening," Jou greeted. "You're not sleeping?" Jou knelt in front of the girl but she kept her head turned away in defiance. If Jou was being honest, his feelings were becoming a little hurt. "So, you're still not gonna talk to me? Is it because my friends and I are pirates...?" Jou couldn't help overhearing a loud rumbling sound. It came from the girl which caused her face to turn red which made Jou chuckle.
"Sounds like someone's feeling a bit hungry?" Jou questioned.
Jou rose a brow as he felt someone inside the kitchen other than them. Whoever it was, the other person made their way over to the fridge and didn't notice the trap that was placed in front of it. The trap activated which caught the person who screamed, the girl was startled by the shout. Jou sprung to his feet as the girl hid behind him, clinging to him tightly. The kitchen lights came on as Jou saw Sanji and found their captain trapped under what resembled a human-sized mousetrap.
"How many times, Luffy...?" Sanji sighed. "This always ends the same way." Luffy struggled to get out of the trap. Sanji turned his head toward Jou. "What are you doin' in here, Jou?"
"I thought I'd check on the kid," Jou mentioned as he turned his head to the girl. "She's still not talking." She was still holding onto him but quickly let go with a sheepish look on her face. "And she's hungry."
"Oh, is that so...?" Sanji wondered as he looked at her. Not long after, Luffy was happily devouring a piece of meat. Jou sat at the table drinking which was another reason why he was in the kitchen, and the girl was sitting at the table while Luffy ate.
"Yummy!" Luffy exclaimed.
"I would've made you something to eat, Luffy," Sanji stated. "Just stop trying to take food without asking first."
"But, I'm hungry!" Luffy said as he continued stuffing his face. Jou heard the girls' stomach rumble again, catching the red on her face to appear again.
"There's your stomach again," Jou smiled. "You gotta be starving with how loud it's growling." The girl kept continued trying to keep a brave face.
"You skipped dinner, I know you skipped lunch," Sanji added. "What is this? A hungry strike? You think the big bad pirates are gonna poison you...?" the cook wondered. "Is that it...?" The girl started to shake her head rapidly. "If you just sit there, he's gonna eat everything."
"So, you might want to hurry," Jou suggested. "Our captain over here, his stomach is bottomless. I guess you're not as hungry we believe you are." Jou noticed the girls' eyes widen as she looked across the table. "Guess the food's all yours, Luffy."
"That's okay!" Luffy grinned as he grabbed a bowl of soup. "More for me!"
"Get back!" The girl sprinted and nabbed the soup from Luffy's hands. The girl quickly gulped down the soup and when she finished her face brightened into a happy grin. The look on her face caused Jou and Sanji to smile.
"Yummy!" She commented.
"Yeah, I know it," Luffy agreed with a knowing smile. "Was there any doubt? I picked Sanji personally."
"I've never had anything this good!" The girl said.
"You're finally smiling," Jou heard Nami's voice as she, Usopp, and Zoro were at the door, each of them with smiles of their own.
"Nami!" Sanji greeted the navigator
"Hey, guys!" Jou said as he rose his mug.
"Luffy, are you eating again?" Nami questioned.
"What's wrong?" Luffy shrugged. "I didn't have much lunch."
"Are you kidding?" Usopp questioned. "You emptied two pots!" Nami walked up to the girl.
"You poor thing," Nami said. "Did you really think we were evil?"
"Well, I guess," The girl replied as she looked down.
"Well, you weren't alone," Nami gave a kind smile. "That's a common sentiment these days. We're getting used to it."
"We were never going to hurt you," Jou mentioned. "There was no reason for you to be afraid," Jou claimed as he stood from his chair and stepped beside Nami.
"You're not gonna sell me off?" The girl asked.
"No way!" Usopp answered.
"You kinda do have an evil look," Zoro commented with a grin. "I can see your point."
"You're the expert on bad looks," Usopp remarked as he pulled Zoro's cheek. The sniper and swordsman started a small fight, throwing punches as a dust cloud formed from their skirmish.
"Why are they such morons?" Nami groaned. The girl laughed as the sniper and swordsman continue to argue.
"We have plenty more to eat, Madamoiselle," Sanji said to the girl.
"He's serious," Nami commented as she leaned her arm on Jou's shoulder. Jou didn't mind as he kept his smile at the girl with his arms folded. "And if you stick around, you'll see these pirates are more friendly and fun than scary. I promise."
"Count on it," Jou winked. "So, you still hungry? Want some more food?" The girl's lips curled into a big smile once again.
"More, please!" she requested happily.
"As you wish," Sanji said.
"Me too!" Luffy announced.
"Get your own, Luffy!" Sanji shouted.
"I've already tried," Luffy whined.
Once the sun was in the sky, it was time to get the Merry to set sail. Jou lifted the anchor out of the ocean while Zoro set the sails. Usopp and Sanji were in the crow's nest. Once everything was set, the Going Merry started to drift along the ocean. Jou and everyone on deck except Nami heard some kind of explosion aboard the ship which alerted them.
"Huh?" Luffy wondered as he stepped out of a door.
"What was that...?" Jou wondered. The kitchen door burst open with smoke billowing out of it. The young girl stepped out of the kitchen with a dirty face.
"Hey!" Sanji called from the crow's nest. "What's the trouble down there?"
"No trouble!" The kid called back. "I've just been cooking!"
"What?!" Sanji questioned with a slight crack in his voice.
"Everyone!" she waved to Jou, Zoro, and Luffy. "Breakfast is ready!"
"Ahh!" Luffy grinned. "Breakfast?"
"I wouldn't get too excited," Zoro remarked with a worried sweat from his forehead.
"Remember, guys..." Jou reminded. "She's just a kid. Don't make her cry or anything."
Nami was in her room fixing her shirt when she heard the sound above the deck.
"Huh?" she wondered. "What the...?!"
Nami didn't know what that even was. It could be Usopp working on his explosives? But still, that was pretty loud and felt she should at least check what was going on up there. Nami made her way on deck and found the guys heading toward the kitchen. She stopped Jou before he went inside.
"What's going on?" Nami asked. "And why does it smell like something's burning?"
"Well, you see..." Jou replied as he rubbed the back of his neck. "The girl was nice enough to prepare breakfast for us."
"She did what...?" Nami questioned.
"I know," Jou said. "Look, just force it down and say it was good..." Jou advised with a sigh but Nami couldn't argue with that.
"Yeah, I know," Nami nodded. "After all, she is just a kid."
Sanji stood beside the girl as everyone else sat at the table. Nami sat between Jou and Zoro while Luffy and Usopp were on the other side. Nami didn't know what she was looking at. Whatever was placed on the plate it was charred to the point where you couldn't even tell what it was. Jou and the others couldn't make out what it was either, probably wondering how they were going to eat it. Except for Luffy, who eyed the food like it was a gourmet with a beaming smile on his face. Knowing him, he'd eat nearly anything.
"Y-You made this all by yourself?" Nami asked trying to be polite. The girl was too adorable to have her little heart shattered after she went to the trouble of making whatever this meal was.
"Mmhm!" The girl nodded with a smile spread across her face with bandages decorating her forehead and either side of her cheeks.
"I see..." Jou drawled with an uneasy chuckle. "Good job..." Nami could tell he was dreading eating the food. So was she, but they both knew they had to. For the girl.
"The appearance is... quite unique," Usopp commented. "Yes, unique!"
"Yeah!" Luffy exclaimed happily. "Let's eat!" The pots, pans, and other utensils the girl used were completely burned and destroyed.
"Not only did you guys rescue me, but you've given me food and shelter as well," The girl remarked. "I finally found a way for me to pitch in and help."
"That's real thoughtful," Nami forced a smile on her face. "Thank you."
"Yeah," Jou agreed with his own shaky smile. "We... we really appreciate it." Jou turned his head to Zoro. "Right, Zoro?"
"Is this considered food?" Zoro groaned as he stared at the lump of charred food on his plate. Nami knew it was just like Zoro to be inconsiderate, especially toward the little kid. Nami wasn't having that so she stamped the heel of her sandal into Zoro's foot, causing the swordsman to open his mouth wide for a silent scream which allowed Nami to dump the contents from his plate in his mouth.
"Just shut the food in and eat it!" Nami exclaimed as she clamped Zoro's mouth shut with her hands.
"Seriously though..." Usopp wondered as he eyed the 'food'. "Is this stuff really safe to eat?"
"Oh, yeah," Luffy remarked already stuffing his face. "Taste good." Luffy's words seemed to really please the girl.
"Of course," Sanji stated. "After all, you can't judge a meal by appearance alone."
"Are you sure?" Usopp questioned.
"Well, down the hatch," Jou commented as he stuffed the food in his mouth as everyone followed suit. For Nami, the charred piece on the plate actually had a taste. But all she tasted was spice, the kind of spice that burned your mouth. Nami felt her face heat up by just having one bite and it seemed the others besides Luffy were having the same reaction to it. Except for Zoro, who had already eaten his share was passed out on the floor.
Everyone screamed which somehow caused the Going Merry to leap off the ocean. Nami, Jou, Usopp, and Sanji grabbed the nearest cup of water and quickly gulped it down to relieve their burning mouths. Luffy kept eating his own food, staring at everyone in confusion.
"It... wasn't that bad, was it?" The girl wondered with a worried expression. She ate a piece of her food and ended with the same result. Her face went pink and grimaced in disgust. "Spicy! My mouth feels like it's on fire! I must've used the wrong seasoning!"
"Heh..." Sanji gave a weak laugh. "That's okay, it's a common mistake." The girl frowned as she looked at the cook. "Next time, you'll know which spices to avoid." The girl's face reverted back to a smile. "She took this time to cook this feast!" Sanji addressed the others. "The least you can do is eat every crumb!" Faces of complete dread were shown on Zoro and Usopp as they tried to argue.
"Shut up!" Sanji scolded them. "This little girl went out of her way for you bums! She deserves-" Sanji paused and stared at the girl. "Excuse me, but I don't think I got your name?"
"It's Apis!" she introduced with a smile. "My name is Apis."
"Apis, huh?" Jou commented. "It suits you. It's a cute name, too." Nami gave a small giggle at Apis' red cheeks from Jou's compliment. Nami agreed that it was a cute name for a cute young girl like Apis.
"Apis deserves the respect of seeing you eat her meal," Sanji announced. "Besides, I won't allow anyone aboard this ship to waste food." Sanji's gaze shifted to Nami. "A bit later, I'd be happy to cook something especially for you."
"That'd be great!" Nami chirped happily.
"Oh, brother..." Jou muttered as he took another drink of water. Nami gave Jou a side-eyed glance with a smirk. Jou seemed to notice her stare as he rose an eyebrow at her. "What...?" he whispered to her.
"Are you... jealous?" Nami teased him.
"What...?" Jou wondered and shook his head. "No. I don't get jealous." He claimed as he continued drinking his water. She didn't know why but him claiming he wasn't 'jealous' was amusing to her. Nami smiled knowing she found probably a new way to get a rise out of Jou, a bit of payback on her part.
"I'm sorry," Apis spoke. "I know it's horrible. I'm just not a very good cook. All I wanted to do was something nice."
"It's all good," Jou said as he gave Apis a smile. "It's the thought counts, kiddo."
"Yeah, Apis..." Nami agreed. "Don't worry. Nobody's mad at you. Really."
"Yeah, you leave the cooking to me from now on," Sanji stated. "I'm sure that there are many interesting things that you could do to help out." Apis smiled as she gave a nod.
"Are you sure?" Luffy wondered as he continued to eat what was left of Apis' food. "This is good stuff."
"Eat!" Everyone chorused at their captain.
"We'll have to make some barbecue next time," Luffy suggested with a full mouth. "I haven't had it in forever. And meatloaf with roasted potatoes after that."
Apis sat at the table with the others as Sanji collected the dishes and scrubbed them in the sink. Jou wanted to ask Apis the question that the others likely had on their minds, too.
"So, Apis...?" Jou said. He was glad to finally have her name. "If you don't mind, can you tell us why you were at sea all by yourself?"
"Good question," Nami added. "Were you stranded or was someone after you?"
"I escaped a marine ship," Apis mentioned. "They were holding me prisoner?"
"A marine ship?" Usopp questioned as he seemed confused. Jou was astounded by that as well as he pondered that fact with a hand on his chin. Jou wondered what would the marines have to gain by holding a girl like Apis prisoner. Also, for Jou, it was just another thing to add to the marines' list of what makes them somewhat deplorable.
First, they take bribes from pirates... Jou thought. Now they think holding a kid prisoner is okay? Those jackasses. Apis didn't look dangerous at all, the opposite really. Though, there must be a reason for why?
"How long ago was it when you escaped?" Jou wondered.
"I got away 3 nights ago," Apis mentioned.
"Three nights ago?" Nami questioned. "That was during the storm." The night Apis escaped was the day they left Loguetown. "Your little boat didn't stand a chance."
"How'd you get in trouble in the first place?" Zoro wondered. "They had to have held you prisoner for a reason? What could a little girl like you have possibly gotten into that got the attention of the marines? Everyone knows they're a bunch of twits but I still can't imagine them labeling you an enemy. And what did you do?" Apis sighed as she took an interest in the ground before speaking.
"Well, um..." she began but Jou noticed the hesitation in her behavior.
"What's wrong...?" Luffy questioned. "Are you hiding something?"
"No! It's nothing like that!" Apis declared. "You have to believe me! I'm innocent," she remarked with a frown. "But still... I can't talk about it."
"You can't tell us?" Usopp wondered.
"Easy, easy..." Sanji vocalized as he strolled over while wiping his hands with a towel. "What's the big deal? She must have her reasons. If she doesn't wanna say we shouldn't press her." Jou agreed with the cook and gave a nod. But still, it wouldn't hurt to know what the marines want with her.
"Yes, I agree," Nami smiled at Apis.
"If it's okay with you, Apis..." Jou said. "Do you think you can tell us where you live?"
"Yeah," Nami nodded. "Think you can tell us about it?"
"Uh... uh... I'm from..." Apis seemed to hesitate at first. "It's a place called Warship Island."
"Warship Island?" Nami repeated
"Do you know it?" Usopp asked.
"No," Nami claimed as she reached for her map. "But it should be labeled on the map." she spread it across the table as everyone looked at it.
"Odd name," Luffy commented. "Why is it called Warship Island?"
"Uh, well..." Apis answered. "Because the shape of the island looks exactly like a warship."
"Heh, I like it!" Luffy grinned.
"Look!" Nami gasped as she pointed at her map. Jou and the others followed Nami's finger and looked at the spot she directed them to.
"It's close to the Grand Line!" Usopp exclaimed.
"We're here..." Nami traced the map. "So the distance between us and Warship is reasonable. Well, what do you wanna do, Apis?" the girl looked at the navigator. "We can take you back to your island? We're headed to Grand Line but it's no problem for us to drop you off."
"Thank you," Apis said as she glanced sadly at the floor. "You were all so nice to save me and I feel bad for having you go out of your way." She stared at everyone with hopeful eyes. "But I wanna go home more than anything! I'm sorry I'm being selfish! Maybe you can hand me to a ship that's heading west on your way to the Grand Line? I'm sure I can handle things on my own from there."
"That's not gonna work," Jou mentioned shaking his head. "If another ship spot's our mark, they'll never let us get close, not without them taking shots at us."
"Yeah, you're right," Apis agreed softly with a melancholy look.
Jou noticed Apis was trying to be considerate. Jou caught she was quite mature for her age and wanted to find her own way back without them having to take her when they got their own plans to head to the Grand Line. But Jou wanted to at least see Apis back to her home.
"But still, we're not anyone's timetable other than our own," Nami noted with a smile on her face. Jou knew that look as Nami had made her decision. "And Warship Island isn't far off. So we can do it. Well, I'm fine with this either way."
"I'm with Nami," Jou agreed. "What do you say, captain?" Jou directed his smile at Luffy and saw the signature grin from the straw hat.
"Sure," Luffy said. "Sounds great to me."
"It's close to where we're going." Usopp was in agreement as well.
"I know," Luffy stated. "And the island looks like a warship."
"I think that's a yes," Sanji sent a smile at Apis.
"Really?" Apis wondered in surprise with a smile as she stood from her chair. "You don't mind changing course and taking me home?"
"Nope," Luffy claimed.
"Yes!" Apis cheered. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I'm going home!" she exclaimed happily all while jumping up and down. The 6 pirates smiled at the excitement of the young girl. "You have no idea what this means! I didn't ever think I'd make it out of the ocean let alone back to Warship Island! You're amazing! All of you! I'll prepare tons of dishes for you! For Everyone!"
"No!" Everyone but Luffy shouted as she shook their heads frantically. "That's okay!"
"But, why not...?" Luffy pouted.
I can't help feeling something's wrong? Nami thought when she stepped outside the kitchen and glanced up at the sky and couldn't but feel something about to change.
"Hey!" Nami's attention was brought to Usopp in the crow's nest. "We got company!" Nami's eyes widened at the sniper's warning. "Just our luck! We're in deep trouble! It's the marines!"
"Marines?!" Nami exclaimed as she was now put on alarm.
"And we're not just talking one or two ships either!" Usopp added. Nami ran to the side of their ship and caught several marine vessels sailing toward them.
"He's right!" Nami stated. "Why would the marines dispatch an entire fleet to this area?" It didn't make sense why they were here. Could they be looking for something? Why would they need that many ships? Nami had more questions than answers for the marines' sudden arrival.
"What's up, Nami?" Jou asked as Nami turned to find him and the others step out of the kitchen. "I heard something about marines?"
"Yep," Nami nodded and turned back to the ships. "And a whole fleet, too." Nami noticed the anxious expression on Apis' face as the ships cruised toward the Merry. Maybe she knew these were marines she escaped from?
"Hey," Luffy spoke as he stared at Jou. "Maybe they're here to claim the bounties on us." Nami knew that was impossible despite how large the amounts are on their lookout and captain.
"They wouldn't send this many ships just for the both of you," Nami noted. Nami rose her brow when she saw Jou let out a small chuckle. What was so funny right now?
"Well, granted, we are pretty awesome," Jou smirked. "Right, captain?"
"We sure are!" Luffy agreed with a laugh.
"Would you guys shut up!" Nami scolded them. "This isn't a joke!"
"I know," Jou stated as his face turned serious. "They wouldn't send this many ships after a couple of starter pirates; even if the bounties are pretty high." Jou stared out at the marine ships as his eyes narrowed. "They have to be here for another reason." Apis stepped back looking even more nervous than before.
"What's wrong with you?" Sanji asked her.
"Those ships belong to branch 8!" Apis mentioned. "They're the ones I escaped from! What am I gonna do?!" Nami and the others gazed at each other but didn't get to say a word as the marine ship in the lead of the others fired three cannonballs at the ship.
"AAAH!" Usopp screamed. "THEY'RE FIRING AT US!"
"Brace yourselves!" Jou warned but the cannonball's never hit the ship and splashed into the water causing three huge splashes that wavered the Going Merry. Usopp nearly fell off the ship, Luffy and Zoro tried to keep their footing as the boat was swerved, and Sanji held onto Apis as the girl clutched onto his leg. Nami nearly fell but felt her back fall against someone. Nami turned her head and saw Jou, he held onto her hand as his other was placed on her shoulder. They stared at each other before he glimpsed out at the marine ships.
"I got no clue if that was a warning shot or they really mean to drown us here?" Jou questioned as he released Nami.
"ATTENTION PIRATES!" A voice boomed from the enemy ship. "YOU HAVE TRESPASSED INTO RESTRICTED WATERS AND HEREBY ORDERED TO STOP AND SURRENDER!"
"There's no way we're gonna stop for marines!" Usopp announced while he dangled from the side of the ship.
"How do you wanna handle this?" Zoro asked Luffy." Cause I wanna fight 'em."
"Then I say let's fight!" Luffy agreed.
"You're crazy?!" Usopp exclaimed to them. "Why must we always fight against impossible odds!"
"Apis?" Sanji got the young girl's attention. "Go downstairs and wait and in the cabin."
"He's right," Jou agreed. "Don't worry, kiddo. We're not gonna let them take you."
"Okay," Apis nodded but her eyes toward a group of birds on the Merry.
"Apis...?" Sanji wondered. "What is it?"
"A wind's coming," Apis mentioned. "He says it's a strong one." Nami stared at Apis and brought her attention to the sky. Nami didn't know how Apis figured that out by looking at some birds, but she was correct. Nami's feeling earlier was right. There was a storm incoming.
"Zoro!" Nami called the swordsman. "Lean the sail pointing sail! Jou, help him! Usopp and Sanji, right rudder full!"
"Huh?" Usopp raised a brow in confusion.
"Get going!" Nami snapped.
"Right!" Usopp said and went to the steering rudder
"Yes, Nami!" Sanji followed the sniper.
"What's happening?" Luffy asked.
"A gust is coming!" Nami stated. "We'll ride it out and move on! If we try to take that out, the fleet we'll end up losing no matter how well we fight!"
"Somebody sounds chicken," Luffy remarked. Nami focused her eyes on Apis as the girl's locked with hers. She was still curious how she found out about the storm from birds.
This girl... Nami thought. Just as Nami had put it, the wind increased and sailed the Going Merry away from the marines. There was no way they could catch up to them now as the marine vessels were pretty much left in the dust.
"Hah!" Luffy gave a short laugh. "Woah! This is fast! We got a good wind, huh?"
"We did it, Luffy!" Usopp announced. "Look! The marines are falling behind!"
"Haha!" Luffy laughed victoriously.
"I see dead snail's move faster!" Usopp taunted the marine ships as they were completely out of sight. "They aren't following us?! See! Old Captain Usopp can even scare a marine fleet away!"Thanks to the gust it moved them away which allowed them to escape from the marines.
"Perfect!" Luffy grinned. "Another triumph by our expert navigator!"
"Well done, Nami!" Sanji cooed. "Incredible how you detected that wind before it hit!"
"All I did was pay attention to my gut instinct." Nami shrugged. She couldn't help but notice Jou and Zoro were acting a little strange. Everyone else was excited that they managed to escape the enemy ship. Maybe something had them worried.
"Only you can be humble in your perfection," Sanji said.
"Shall we continue onto Warship Island?" Luffy questioned.
You mean you'll still take me?" Apis asked.
"Of course," Luffy said.
"Okay, then!" Usopp declared. "To Warship Island it is. Let's go!"
Jou listened as the others praised Nami for her quick thinking after they fled from the marines. Jou sensed that something was wrong and by the looks of it Zoro could tell as well. Jou made his way beside Zoro, the swordsman stared at him but neither of them spoke a word. Jou brought his attention to their flag up top as it wasn't moving. Then again, Jou didn't feel any wind. He would know if there was wind around them. It was as if, this specific spot in the ocean was completely devoid of any wind whatsoever.
"What's with those faces, guys?" Nami wondered as she strode up.
"You must know something doesn't seem right?" Jou questioned Nami.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"This may sound crazy..." Zoro spoke. "But it seems to me like we're not even moving. You feel that?"
"Now that you mention it..." Nami spoke as Jou could see the gears turning in Nami's head. "The sail doesn't seem to be catching any wind at all." Nami took notice as Jou nodded.
"I thought you'd see that," Jou commented. "Check out the flag, too." Nami looked at their flag. Jou saw the realization come to Nami's face as she let out a scream. Whatever she came to recognize probably wasn't a good indication.
"Nami...?" Luffy wondered. "What's wrong?"
"Are you hurt?" Sanji asked.
"We're screwed!" Nami exclaimed. "We've entered the Calm Belt!"
Jou gathered something was off when the sails or even the flag weren't blowing any wind. This is the first time Jou's ever heard of the calm belt. But if it had Nami worried then it was probably something to be concerned about. Though, the others, like Usopp and Luffy were confused by this brand new problem.
"The 'clam belt'?" Usopp wondered.
"What's that?" Luffy asked.
"It's called the Calm Belt," Jou reminded. "So...?" Jou looked at Nami. "Why is this part called the Calm Belt?"
"It's called that because it's the sea where nothing moves a muscle," Nami mentioned.
"So, there's muscles and clams?" Luffy questioned still not getting it.
"No!" Nami shouted and noticed Apis looking around like she knew something was about to happen. The ship started to rock as everything felt as if it were shaking.
"What was that...?" Luffy wondered. "An earthquake?"
"A good trick since we're at sea," Zoro stated.
"It's gotta be something below the ocean?" Jou figured.
"All of this chitchat isn't going to get us outta here," Nami declared. "Furrow the sail's and start paddling now! We have to get back on course!"
"You can count on me~!" Sanji remarked as hearts flew around him.
"Don't panic and besides this is a sailboat?" Zoro wondered. "Why do we need to paddle?"
"True," Usopp agreed. "And why would we go through the trouble of doubling back when the marines are waiting for us?"
"Look there's no time to argue!" Nami shouted. "Shut up and do as I say!"
"At least it's nice and quiet here," Luffy commented as Usopp nodded. Nami seemed to become more agitated and groaned in frustration.
"Fine!" Nami exclaimed. "If I need to explain it to you, I will! In our haste to escape the marines, we ended up going too far south and now we're off course and stuck out here!"
"South...?" Luffy repeated. "So, we entered the Grand Line!" Usopp cheered as he threw his arms up in happiness.
"If we were at the Grand Line...!" Nami affirmed which caused the sniper to cease his celebration. "You'd think I'd waste my time explaining this!" Nami laid out her map for everyone to see. "Now look! The Grand Line is sandwiched in the middle between these two green areas you see here! You understand?"
"Uh, huh, uh-huh..." Luffy said as he listened and pretended to partially get what the navigator was clarifying.
"These areas just as they're labeled are what is called the Calm Belt!" Nami added. "That's where we are!"
"Hmm?" Luffy hummed.
"Nobody knows why but inside the Calm Belt there's no wind and no current!" Nami stated. "It's like a void where everything is stagnant! Given that sailboats move by catching winds, this is more than a dangerous region! It can be fatal! Get it?!" Luffy responded with a shake of his head.
"Nope," Luffy replied. "But it sounds like we're in big trouble."
"Good!" Nami said. "You retained more than I thought you would!"
"So, this is what that geezer meant when he said it was dangerous," Sanji commented.
"Well, that explains why we haven't gotten a single gust of wind," Zoro noticed.
"How are we gonna get outta this if our ship can't move?" Usopp wondered.
"Maybe the wind will start blowing again," Luffy said trying to look on the bright side. "Oh, I know!" Luffy turned to Jou. Jou rose his eyebrows wondering why he got his captain's attention. "Jou, use your chains to bring the wind back so we can get outta here!" Jou sighed as he hated to disappoint his captain.
"I can't," Jou declared.
"Huh, why not?" Luffy frowned. "You do it all the time when you spin your chains super fast!"
"Yes, I do that," Jou voiced. "But it would be impossible in a situation like this. You heard Nami, right? There's no wind in the Calm Belt, like at all. So if I were to attempt to gather wind with my chains, I'd be rotating them with no wind being collected."
"Oh, really," Luffy said simply. "That sucks." Jou sighed as he folded his arms across. It sucked feeling like you were completely useless like right now.
"Yeah, I know," Jou sighed in agreement. He brought his eyes over to Nami "So, are there any other details you'd like to share about the Calm Belt?"
"There is," Nami claimed. "There's another good reason that people call this area dangerous! It's infested with-" The ship swayed violently which caused more panic among everyone.
"What was that?!" Usopp questioned in alarm.
"It's big!" Apis answered the sniper. 4 large creatures burst from the water. Jou felt something shoot up underneath the Going Merry raising their ship as it rose from the ocean.
"Here they come!" Nami panicked. There weren't just 4, there appeared to be about 10 creatures each of a different species but were each of a towering size. The Going Merry with each of the pirates and Apis on board the ship was perched on the nose of one of the sea creatures.
"Sea monsters!" Luffy screamed. "They're gigantic!"
"The Calm Belt is also home to the Sea King's..." Nami stated with tears streaming down her face as she hugged the mast. "It's their main place for breeding. They're the biggest reason people can't cross the Calm Belt!"
"Delightful," Jou remarked sarcastically as he stared around at the creatures of varying colors and breeds. It was just their luck why they ended up in this place.
"Any idea how we get out of this?" Sanji questioned.
"Yes," Zoro answered. "Everybody don't move a muscle. We don't wanna give them any reason to stick around or eat us. Once they're gone, we'll paddle back. Got it?"
"YOU CALL THAT A PLAN!" Usopp yelled.
"Shut up!" Nami quickly reached up to clasp her hands over the sniper's mouth.
"Sorry," He muffled. It was at this time a humongous yellow frog with big green eyes leaped from the water toward the pirates' ship.
"A giant frog is attacking us?!" Luffy was alerted as everyone screamed as the yellow amphibian came closer. Apis in the midst of this fell off the Merry. Jou's body reacted on impulse and quickly dove off the side of the ship.
"Apis!" Jou shouted as he leaped overboard.
"Jou!" Nami called but Jou was already soaring downward to reach the falling young girl. Jou uncoiled his red chain swinging it around Apis' body and pulled her to his chest. Jou's eyes widened as he saw the frog open its mouth wide. Jou figured with how massive this thing is; it was about to eat him and Apis in just one gulp.
"Hold on!" Jou heard Luffy call from the ship and wrapped his arm around Jou and Apis before the frog can swallow them.
"Nice try, jackass!" Jou remarked as the overgrown amphibian fell into the ocean with a huge splash. "Thanks for the save, captain." Jou smiled at Luffy and looked at Apis with her face in his chest. "It's okay, Apis. I got you." Apis pulled away and looked around and saw they were being held by Luffy's arm.
"Luffy's arm?!" Apis wondered. "It's stretching!"
"Oh, that's right," Jou replied. "You didn't know that about our captain. Luffy's a rubber man."
"Rubber man?" Apis questioned. "Luffy? Did you get your ability by eating a Devil Fruit?"
"Yeah, that's right!" Luffy stated and swung his arm as Jou and Apis went soaring high above the Going Merry. Jou knew that Luffy was going to bring them back to the ship but he was concerned it might frighten Apis.
"You might wanna brace yourself, alright?" Jou warned. "So, hold on tight."
"I have an idea," Apis mentioned.
"You what?" Jou wondered.
"Trust me," Apis said with a fierce expression. Jou noticed the confident look on her face and who was he to question the kid. Hell, whatever idea she's got might save their skin right now.
"Okay, kiddo," Jou voiced with a nod. "You have my full trust." Apis gave him a nod back.
"Hey!" Apis called. "Stretch your arm downwards again!" Jou didn't ask what Apis had in mind but he was going to put trust in her. Luffy did as she wanted and pulled them toward the Sea King.
"Luffy!" Usopp called from the ship.
"What're you doing?!" Nami questioned.
"No idea, guys!" Luffy seemed to didn't have a clue either what Apis was trying to do.
"Apis! Jou!" Nami shouted worriedly.
"Jou, when we get close to the Sea King, hold me out!" Apis affirmed.
"You're the boss!" Jou replied.
"Watch out!" Usopp warned. They were getting close to the Sea King as Jou held onto Apis' as she reached out with her own arms.
"1...2...!" Apis counted as they reached the inside of one of the Sea King's nostrils. Jou watched Apis pluck out a massive nose hair bigger than an average-sized person and were dragged out of it thanks to Luffy.
So, that was her plan? Jou thought amusingly.
"What the hell did she just do...?" Zoro wondered from the ship.
"Yanked out a nose hair," Luffy noticed. Jou looked at the Sea King as its eyes started to water and its nostrils wriggled.
"That didn't help anything!" Usopp shouted as he kept holding onto Merry's mast much like their navigator.
"It sounds like it's gonna...!" Nami figured.
"Brace yourselves I think this behemoth is gonna sneeze!" Sanji noted. Jou clutched onto Apis as Luffy hauled them back to the ship. Jou kept her close as he hit the deck with the big nose hair.
"No way..." Luffy mouthed as he gaped at the nose hair. Apis gave the captain a thumbs up while in Jou's arms.
"That was your idea, huh?" Jou questioned Apis as he flashed her a grin. "Good thinking, kiddo." Apis returned the smile at him. Jou heard the sniffling coming from the Sea King and knew what was about to happen next.
"GET READY!" Luffy warned his crew. "WE'RE GOING FOR A RIDE!" The Sea King blew out the biggest sneeze Jou had probably ever witnessed which led to the Going Merry being blown off its nose. The ship glided through the air for a few seconds until it hit the water and skipped across the ocean like a rock.
"There's gotta be a better way!" Everyone on the ship exclaimed as the ship hovered above the ocean's surface.
"Alright!" Luffy cheered. "It feels like we're flying!"
"In case you haven't noticed...?!" Usopp shouted. "We are flying!" The crew and Apis were thrown off the ship as they free-fall through the air above the Sea King's. The Going Merry crashed into the sea with an enormous splash as the crew and Apis somehow managed to land on the boat. The ship was finally back to sailing along the water.
"So, we're not in the Calm Belt anymore?" Jou asked.
"Yep," Nami nodded. "Looks like we landed back where we started."
"Yeah," Zoro said. "And no signs of the Marines either."
"I-I thought I was a goner...?" Usopp stammered with a panicked expression while on his knees.
"Well, looks we owe thanks to Apis," Jou smirked at the girl. "Nice thinking."
"Yep, quick thinking!" Luffy agreed.
"Thank you!" Apis smiled as he gave a thumbs up.
"Okay!" Luffy called. "Set the sails!"
"Our destination is..." Nami said.
"Where else...?" Luffy stated. "Warship Island!" The sails were set as was their current destination. Jou witnessed everything become hard to see as a thick set of fog surrounded their ship.
"I...can't see a thing?" Usopp commented.
"Well, we can see the fog," Luffy said.
"Apis, are you certain about the coordinates?" Sanji asked.
"No," Apis answered.
"No...?" Usopp wondered. "But you said...?"
"Relax," Nami reassured. "I'm sure we'll come upon it any moment now."
"You're so confident~!" Sanji complimented.
"I sure wouldn't side against you," Luffy added to Nami.
"Look!" Apis pointed. Everyone followed where she pointed but only saw the fog. Jou was honestly just as lost as the others as they couldn't spot a damn thing. But through it, Jou managed to make out what looked like a large boat.
"It's a sailboat!" Luffy exclaimed from Merry's figurehead. "It's gigantic!"
"Not so fast," Sanji dismissed.
"You say it's gigantic?" Zoro wondered. "That doesn't begin to describe it."
"Fine, it's super humongous!" Luffy added as he further exaggerated by widening his arms.
"No!" Nami spoke. "You're missing the point!"
"Apis?" Jou looked toward the young girl. "Is that Warship Island?"
"It is," Apis stated with a smile. "I told you before that's why it has its name. It looks like a warship."
"Yeah, I see it now!" Luffy said as he got a better look at the island as the fog was clearing up. As the ship got closer to the island, Jou saw the green grass that covered the land and the village. Jou knew that the villagers, mostly the men assumed they were about to be attacked by pirates. They held paddles, spears, and pitchforks. Once the Going Merry docked, Usopp threw the rope ladder that allowed Apis to climb down from the ship to greet her fellow villagers, who wore similar outfits just like her.
"I'm home!" Apis exclaimed happily with a wave. "Hi, everyone!"
"Apis!" one of the village men said as each of their faces showed surprise.
"What're you doing?" Another wondered. "Why're you with pirates?" The crew decided to hop down from the ship and onto the island.
"Why did you bring them here, Apis?" questioned another villager.
"Hey, you...?" Luffy spoke as his hat shadowed his eyes. "I have a question?"
"Yeah, what do you want?!" The man asserted.
"Do you know of any good barbecue restaurants here?" Luffy questioned he held his stomach. That seemed to deflate the villages as any tension they felt was ultimately gone now.
"Huh?" The villagers wondered.
"What kind of a question is that, pirate?"
"Relax," Apis smiled. "They're not bad pirates! They're nice and helpful!"
"I didn't think there was such a thing as a nice and helpful pirate," A villager commented.
"Yep!" Apis nodded.
"Is that how you ended up with these people?" A man questioned. "The last time we saw you, you were taken away by marines."
"That's right," Apis affirmed. "But I escaped from the marines. And then..." Apis looked at Jou and Luffy. "I was stranded in the ocean but they rescued me just in time."
"Yep," Luffy stated.
"That's pretty much what happened," Jou said.
"Apis, why were you taken from us in the first place?"
"Yeah. The reason the marines came after was a mystery!"
"It isn't safe for you to stay here. Those Marines are still lurking around."
"Where should I go?" Apis questioned sounding worried.
"We really would like to help but wait a minute...? These strangers are pirates, right?"
"Uh, so what do I do...?" Apis asked she put a hand on her head.
"Listen, we aren't aren't out to get you," Usopp assured them.
"Apis!" the owner of an older-sounding voice was heard from the crowd. "Come to my house, child." The one who spoke was an old man, holding a cane in his hand as he made his way to the front of the crowd.
"Who's that?" Nami wondered.
"I guess someone she knows, I guess?" Jou answered with a shrug. Apis, however, seemed happy to see the old man as she ran to him.
"Grandpa Bokuden!" Apis exclaimed as she hugged her grandpa.
"I'm glad your safe, precious!" Bokuden voiced. "Thank you for saving my granddaughter's life." He remarked gratefully. "I'm in your debt. I know! In honor of Apis' safe return, I'll throw a celebration for you and your crew."
"What's on the menu?" Luffy asked. "Maybe barbecue?" Jou knew it was just like Luffy to wonder if there was going to be barbecue whenever a party was about to happen. Though, with the way the villagers presented themselves, they probably didn't do barbecue.
"Sorry, I'm afraid not, Luffy," Apis mentioned. "But Grandpa Bokuden's pork buns are the best in the whole island!"
"Well, if you say that, then how could we refuse," Jou smirked. "I was starting to feel a bit hungry anyway."
"All right!" Luffy thrust his fist in the air. "Let's eat!"
"Sure, I could eat," Zoro said.
The crew was successful in bringing the young girl, Apis, who they met by some miracle out at sea. That still caused the questions as to why the marines had Apis captive in the first place. Maybe Apis' grandfather, Bokuden, can hopefully share what the marines wanted with her.
And so begins a new arc. A filler arc, sure, but also a new adventure. Honestly, I'm just doing this arc for fun before we hop into all the crazy stuff that happens in the Alabasta Saga. I plan to finish this arc in February and after that, we'll be in the Grand Line finally.
I'll see you guys next time.
Later!