I do not own One Piece
It is owned by Oda
I just own the OC's
Enjoy!
Warship Island arc opening: Giniro no Sora(Gintama OP 3)
[Jou's POV]
The next order of business for the crew was trying to find Lost Island. Jou stood beside Nami as she kept her attention on the map in her hands. He wondered if she was becoming frustrated even though trying to find this island presented a challenge for her navigational skills.
"You've been eyeing that map for a while now," Jou said but Nami didn't pay him a glance, focused on the map but she didn't ignore him either.
"I'm just now starting to realize why it's called Lost Island..." Nami stated. "It's not on any of the charts. It's description doesn't even match any of the islands and the waters around Warship Island."
"Hey, Grandpa Ryu!" Usopp called the dragon. "Which way should we go? Where's Lost Island?"
Jou looked at the Millennial Dragon laying on the cart they built for him. Luffy sat on the cart with Grandpa Ryu staring into his large yellow eyes. Jou knew Luffy was somehow able to hear what Grandpa Ryu was saying.
"Hey...?" Luffy spoke to the dragon but Grandpa Ryu closed his eyes. Luffy turned to everyone on the ship. "I think he went to sleep again!" Jou knew Grandpa Ryu was like them, not knowing how to reach the Lost Island. But they were going to help Apis get Grandpa Ryu back to his home.
"Well, looks like the search for the island continues," Jou remarked and looked at Nami. "Once we find it, you'll be the first navigator to find a missing island." Nami gave him a side-eyed glance but smiled with a shake of her head.
"That's not why I'm doing this," Nami stated. "I'm doing this for Apis and Grandpa Ryu, even if I'm not remotely sure how to find the island."
"I know," Jou agreed. "Still though, it would be something else once we find it."
"Sorry for the wait, everybody!" Jou heard Apis call out as she barged out of the kitchen. "I hope you're all hungry!" She ran toward them with a happy smile. Jou smiled back as Apis carried a steaming pot in her hands.
"Oh no, don't tell me she cooked again?" Zoro wondered worriedly.
"No one was waiting for her food!" Usopp whimpered.
"Cool it, guys..." Jou said. "She's just a kid." Sanji was in the kitchen with her so Apis probably just helped him cook. Although Jou remembered Apis' first attempt at preparing food for them, the spicy taste from that meal still lingered in Jou's mouth. Although, it was when they learned Apis' name, so that made it a fond memory. "You don't need to worry," Jou said to Nami as her own face seemed skeptical about eating Apis' cooking. "I'm positive Sanji cooked whatever she's got in that pot."
"I wasn't worried," Nami mentioned. "Though it is good to know Sanji prepared the meal this time." she smiled at him. "Also, it's good to see you care about Apis' feelings and not want to see her hurt."
"That's nothing special," Jou chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck. "That comes with being an older brother." As Apis approached everyone, Sanji was not far behind her holding a basket and a rope.
"Oh, Sanji!" Usopp voiced in relief. "For a minute there I thought you weren't the one who made the meal!" Jou had a mind to bonk Usopp over the noggin for that comment. But didn't have to as Apis stamped her foot into the sniper's causing him to yelp. Jou crossed his arms as he shook his head at him.
"Gotta admit, you honestly deserved that," Jou remarked as Nami nodded in agreement.
"Who's side are you on?!" Usopp questioned as he nursed his pained foot.
"Not yours," Jou smirked as Nami giggled beside him.
"Lunchtime!" Apis exclaimed as she held the pot above her head. "Now eat up, Grandpa Ryu!"
"Food! Alright!" Luffy exclaimed as he stretched his arms, snatching the pot out of Apis' grasps. But Luffy, in his eagerness, didn't think the pot would've been scalding which led to him burning his own hands. "HOT!"
"NOOOO!" Sanji yelled. "YOU MORON!"
The food was tossed from the pot and dropped on Grandpa Ryu's head along with the pot. The Millennial Dragon's eyes shot open, the heat obviously causing harm.
"Hold on!" Apis shouted as she climbed out of the Going Merry.
"Apis!" Nami worriedly called after the girl. Apis grabbed the rope attached to Grandpa's Ryu's cart. She hooked her legs around the rope and slid down the rope and touched down on the cart.
"Grandpa Ryu!" Apis said. "Are you okay?" She quickly started wiping away the food off his head. The dragon stared at Apis as she seemed stunned by what he told her. Jou who was watching the whole thing wondered just what Grandpa Ryu said that caused Apis' eyes to widen.
"Perfect!" Sanji remarked in irritation. "I go through the trouble of making that food and it all goes to waste."
"You can make more though, right?" Usopp asked.
"Yeah, but the point is we should never waste food," Sanji mentioned. Apis' attention was out toward the sea as Luffy turned to her. He used his sandals to hold the searing pot in his hands.
"What?" Luffy questioned her. "What is it?"
"I know where Lost Island is," She mentioned. "The Dragon's Nest is somewhere to the east of Warship Island."
"That's great!" Luffy grinned excitedly. "How'd you know where to find it?"
"Grandpa Ryu just remembered!" Apis as she returned the smile as she and the captain shared a laugh.
"We know where it is!" Luffy said to everyone on the ship. "Lost Island lies to the east of Warship Island, guys!"
"Yeah, Grandpa Ryu said so!" Apis agreed.
"Let's go!" Luffy commanded.
"Usopp, take the helm!" Nami told the sniper.
"Right!" Usopp replied.
"I'll go up top and keep an eye out," Jou suggested and hooked onto the shrouds and climbed to the crow's nest.
"We spent enough time here!" Luffy figured. "Now to Lost Island!"
"Dammit, you better eat all of that!" Sanji warned Luffy as the straw hat was still holding onto the pot.
"No problem!" Luffy grinned and sounded more than happy to finish whatever is left. They spun the ship around back to Warship Island, knowing where to go now.
Jou used his scope to see if he can spot their Lost Island but hadn't found a thing. Even with Nami and Usopp joining him in the crow's nest, it still wasn't enough even if they had a few more pairs of eyes keeping a lookout. Luffy from his special seat asked them if they spotted the Lost Island.
"Nope!" Usopp answered. "Not a single thing!" The sniper answered using his goggles. "We've come a long way but there's no sign of this Lost Island. I hope this doesn't turn out to be a wild goose chase." Nami hummed as she seemed in disappointment as well.
"At this rate, we can only hope for the best," Jou remarked as moved his scope off his eye.
"And then there's Grandpa Ryu..." Usopp added as he looked at the two. "I wish there was some way we can make him remember a few more details. Ah!" Usopp seemed to come up with an idea. "That should do the trick!"
Jou noticed Usopp holding an anvil in his hands. He wondered how Usopp even carried that thing while climbing up here. Jou frowned at Nami as she returned a similar stare as they looked at the sniper.
"Okay, what do you plan on doing with that?" Jou asked.
"I was thinking we bonk Grandpa Ryu on the head with this?" Usopp instructed. "That should loosen up some memories in his old noggin' alright!" Jou placed a hand on his hip and glared at the sniper, not in favor of his idea at all.
"How about I drop that on your head instead?" Jou sighed as he pointed at the anvil. "We're not risking giving Grandpa Ryu head trauma."
"Yeah, that's mean," Nami also disagreed with Usopp's idea. She smacked Usopp's arm which caused him to lose his hold on the anvil as it dropped on his foot causing him to whimper.
Jou ignored the sniper's pained shouts. Jou turned his head over to Nami. He noticed the warm smile on her face. Jou followed her eyes and found she was watching Apis speaking to Grandpa Ryu. Jou grinned himself as he let out a chuckle. Nami looked at him as they smiled at each other, both of them shared similar looks toward Apis' excited mood. Even Usopp who recovered from his hurt foot joined them in watching Apis.
"Can you believe it, Grandpa Ryu!" Apis chirped. "We're almost there! We're almost to Lost Island! And it's there, right? The dragon's nest you told me about! And if you got there you'll get all better, won't you? Hmm? What? You're so nice but you don't need to thank me! We're not even there yet!" Jou couldn't help but wonder what Grandpa Ryu said to make Apis become upset. "No, Grandpa Ryu! That's not true! I don't think you're troubling me at all! What's your problem?!" Apis flailed her arms and legs while propped on the railing.
"At some point, it turned into an argument?" Nami wondered.
"It sounds like Apis is the only one arguing," Usopp said. "Listen to her."
"Let's just leave it between them," Jou stated.
"You don't think we should try to calm her down?" Nami asked.
"It's obvious she cares about Grandpa Ryu a great deal," Jou figured. "From what Apis said, Grandpa Ryu doesn't want it to seem like he's putting a lot of pressure on her to get him home which probably led to her shouting." Nami didn't answer him immediately as Jou saw her attention was toward the front of the ship.
"What is that...?" Jou murmured as he was looking ahead. There was fog before them but what was peculiar about it was the fact that there was a shadow that matched the silhouette of a ship. As the Merry drew closer, Luffy sitting on the Merry's figurehead took notice of this.
"A ship...?" Luffy wondered. "It looks like one but something's weird about it?" Luffy tapped the sillouette with his foot and as it a rippled, it became clear as it was like staring into a mirror. Of course it had the straw-hatted captain all excited by this discovery as the Merry started easing into the reflection. "Woah! Awesome! Hey, Nami! Do you see this?"
Jou blinked his eyes a couple of times and wondered if there was something wrong with his vision. But that wasn't the case. Jou turned his head to find Nami and Usopp having similar looks of disbelief.
"Yeah, Nami...?" Jou spoke. "Do you see it?"
"Oh, I see it," Nami managed to answer. "And I don't believe it." Luffy seemed all to giddy by this and had some fun by pretending as if he were being pulled in. If this was any other time, Jou probably would've laughed but this was not the time for jokes as he didn't know what this in the first place. Jou found Nami and Usopp looked close to nearly fainting, their faces blue with horror as they each let out screams. A thick fog covered the surrounding area as Sanji and Zoro burst from the kitchen doors.
"What gives?" Zoro questioned. "It's just fog?"
"From the way Nami was screaming, I thought we were in danger?" Sanji figured.
"What in the world is going on?" Nami asked no in particular.
"That's a great question," Jou said. "However, it's one that we don't have the answer to."
"Can somebody please explain to me what just happened?" Usopp questioned. "I mean, our own ship was in front of us!? but somehow we passed straight through it, right?"
"This stuff is so thick I can't see a thing," Luffy noted as he curiously looked around.
"It was almost like... well a mirage," Usopp put into words.
"A mirage, huh?" Jou repeated as he looked at Nami. "So, think you can shed some light about what we just saw? A mirage of our ship here on the water?"
"I remember reading about it once," Nami explained. "When warmer air in the sky collides with cooler air in the ocean's surface, it can create mirages at sea." The fog cleared away as loud claps of thunder resounded in the sky as dark clouds formed as heavy rain began to pour.
"What about this...?" the sniper asked in disbelief. "Is this a mirage too?" Jou figured there's only one way to find out. He tore off one of his gloves and felt the water drop into his palm.
"Nope," Jou shook his head. "This is indeed rain. And it's very, very real."
"AAAAAH!" Nami screamed in frustration. "What's the deal with this stupid ocean?!"
A wave caused the Going Merry to topple over as Jou, Nami, and Usopp screamed. Usopp's body slumped over the crow's nest as Jou fell on his backside as Nami fell in his lap.
"You okay?" Jou asked her as she stared up at him.
"Not even!" Nami shook her head and sprang to her feet. Jou pulled Usopp's body off the crow's nest as Nami gazed out at the ocean. Jou stepped beside her as he looked at the others on deck. Luffy was nearly blown off the figurehead, Sanji caught Apis and pushed Zoro over on accident.
"Dammit!" Zoro growled at the cook. "Thanks for knocking me over!"
"We didn't do it on purpose, jerk!" Sanji retorted. "It's the storm's fault!"
"Sanji! Zoro!" Nami called from the crow's nest. "Quit fighting and raise the sails and hurry up!"
"Yes, Nami dear~!" Sanji replied.
"You'll be safer inside!" Zoro told Apis as he held her arm.
"No!" Apis argued and ripped her arm back. "I have to stay out here with Grandpa Ryu!" Apis ran off in the other direction before Zoro could stop her.
"Wait!" he warned. "Don't be an idiot! It's too dangerous to be out in this storm!"
"I just can't leave him alone in this!" Apis argued. "I can't!" Apis continued but the waves caused the ship to tilt which caused Apis to slip and lose her footing on the wet deck and face-plant against the railing.
"See!" Zoro told her. "Now get in there and shut up, kid!" Usopp was on the yard trying to ready the sails as a thunderbolt struck the ocean surface.
"Get moving!" Nami ordered. "If we keep drifting that lighting is gonna hit us!"
"It almost seems like the oceans trying to push the ship back from something?" Luffy wondered. "But what?"
Jou stood beside Nami on the deck. The harsh rain wasn't letting up and it didn't help that their caravel violently wobbled from side to side. This whole thing couldn't be any worse as Jou wondered just now. He spotted Apis standing on the deck probably trying to get to Grandpa Ryu. Jou knew as well that it wasn't safe for her to be out here even if she wants to be there for Grandpa Ryu. But Jou's fears became correct as his eyes widened when he saw Apis tumble across the deck and fall over the rail.
[No POV]
"AAAAAH!" Apis shrieked as she fell overboard.
"Apis!" Nami shouted. Jou raced across the deck and without any hesitation and dove over the side. "Jou!" Nami made her over and feared the worse but felt relieved when she saw Jou carrying Apis in one arm while the other held onto the side of the ship.
"Jou! Apis!" Nami called worriedly.
"Nami! Get Luffy!" Jou called as he seemed he was close to losing his grip hanging from the soaked ship.
"Luffy!" Nami quickly called the captain over. Luffy knew what to do as he stretched an arm toward the hanging look-out and child.
Jou's hand eventually slipped as he grit his teeth in worry but felt ease once Luffy clasp his hand. With a tug, Luffy tossed Jou and Apis back aboard the Going Merry. Jou tumbled across the deck with Apis in his arms as Nami quickly ran to check on them.
"Are you guys alright?" Nami asked.
"I-I'm fine," Apis answered and looked at Jou. "Thanks, Jou." Apis smiled at him until it faded as Jou, who is usually a nonchalant person was instead staring at Apis with a look of disapproval.
"Apis, didn't Zoro tell you earlier to get in the cabin?!" Jou reminded. "With how things are going it isn't safe for you to be out here right now! You're better off indoors!" As Jou rose his voice at the young girl, Apis' bit her lip as her little face seemed to scrunch up, trying to hold back tears.
"Hey!" Nami rebuked Jou. "What's the hell's your problem? It isn't her fault! You don't have to yell at her!" Jou didn't give Nami a single glance as his focus was on Apis. Jou's face seemed to soften up as he began to feel awful scolding Apis like this. He found her hat lying beside him and picked it up and dropped it on her head.
"I'm trying to tell you it isn't safe out here," Jou told her calmly this time. "For your own safety, you being inside the cabin is the best thing for you right now."
"I can't!" Apis shook her head. "I wanna be here for Grandpa Ryu! I need to go to him!"
"I get that but..." Jou started but noticed the pleading eyes of the young girl. "Fine. But just try to be more careful."
"Right," Apis nodded and got to her feet and ran in direction of the quarter deck. Jou stood and watched her run off and caught Nami glaring at him with arms folded over her chest, staring at him with eyes of disapproval.
"What's that look for...?" Jou asked.
"When we get out of this storm you owe Apis an apology!" Nami affirmed.
"What...?" Jou wondered as his brows furrowed.
Apis did what she wished and checked on Grandpa Ryu. The dragon stayed on the cart looking about as calm as ever even with the storm raging on.
"Grandpa Ryu!" Apis shouted at her friend. "Hold on! We'll get you out of this storm as soon as we can-!"
Water splashed the rope that kept the cart tied to the Merry as it came undone. The ropes whipped Apis off her feet as she fell on the deck. The rope nearly slipped away as Apis snatched it. As Apis gripped the rope, it slid through her hands causing them to bleed. She grits her teeth in discomfort but had to hold onto the ropes no matter what knowing it was the one thing keeping Grandpa Ryu with the ship. Apis felt someone get behind her. She turned her head and saw Zoro helping her keep the ropes steady and stopping the rope from untying to the ship.
"Zoro!" Apis exclaimed. The swordsman didn't speak a word as he shuffled over to grab the other rope while he held onto Apis. Apis turned her head to Grandpa Ryu as the dragon spoke to her.
"What?!" Apis wondered. "Grandpa Ryu, what're you saying?! No! We will not let you go to save ourselves! We're going to find your nest like I promised!"
"Gum-Gum Lasso!" Luffy called as he latched himself around the mainmast and stretched his arm around the wheel attachments on the cart. In the distance, something seemed to catch Sanji's eye.
"Hey!" Sanji called. "I see a light over there!"
"A light?" Jou wondered. "Where?" Sanji pointed it out with his finger as Jou followed where the light was and caught sight of it with his telescope. "I see it! But what is it?"
"That must be the eye of the storm!" Nami stated.
"That's not all!" Jou added as he zoomed in closer. "There's an island, too!" Jou with his scope managed to spot an island ahead of them.
"Are we gonna head there?" Usopp wondered.
"That's where we're heading!" Nami decided. "Come on!" Luffy struggled to keep hold of Grandpa Ryu's cart but managed to hold onto it.
"Luffy!" Apis exclaimed.
"Don't worry!" Luffy declared. "I got him! We're gonna take him to the Dragon's Nest just like you said, okay?"
"Okay!" Apis answered.
[Nami POV]
After the storm ended and everything calmed, Nami found that Apis had hurt her hands trying to hold onto the rope the kept Grandpa Ryu's cart tied to the Going Merry. In the kitchen, Apis sat on the table as Nami tended the Apis' hands.
"There you go," Nami smiled as she began packing up the first-aid kit. "Your hands hands will be okay now."
"Thank you," Apis nodded and was about to get off the table but Nami stopped her and there was a reason as for why.
"Wait a minute, Apis," Nami said. "Don't move. Someone has a few words they'd like to say to you." Apis tilted her head as she blinked her eyes a couple of times. Nami quickly left the kitchen and dragged in a confused Jou as she yanked him back into the kitchen.
"Would you quit pulling?!" Jou protested as Nami didn't listen until she put Jou in front of Apis, the young girl confused by what was going on. Jou stared at Nami as she only folded her arms over her chest, giving him a stern look.
"Nami..." Jou sighed but Nami stopped him with a shake of her head.
"Oh no you don't!" Nami insisted. "I told you you're going to apologize to Apis!" Apis continued to have a look of confusion as she looked between the two.
"Apologize?" Apis wondered. "To me...?" Jou sighed again but stepped in front of Apis and knelt in front of her.
"Apis..." Jou said. "I noticed you hurt your hands..." Jou rubbed the back of his neck. "Are they okay?"
"Oh yeah, they're fine," Apis replied.
"That's good," Jou nodded. Nami cleared her throat behind Jou. He turned his head to her as Nami gave him a pointed look as he likely gathered she wasn't going to let him go until he apologized.
"Apis, I'm sorry for you yelling at you during the storm," Jou said and placed his hands on the floor as he bowed in front of Apis. The young girl's eyes widened as she started going into a panic.
"No, no!" Apis exclaimed as she waved her hands in front of her. "You don't need to apologize for anything! I know you were only concerned and wanted to help me!"
"But still, you didn't deserve to be yelled at like that," Jou mentioned. "You just wanted to be there for Grandpa Ryu. So, Apis?" Jou brought up his head and stared at Apis. "How about it? Can you forgive me?" Nami saw Apis glance at her. Nami gave her a smile as Apis returned it with a nod and looked at Jou.
"Okay, Jou," Apis said. "I forgive you. Even though I was never mad at you to start with." Jou stood and gave Apis a grin.
"That's good enough for me," Jou nodded. "Thanks." Jou put out his hand for Apis to shake. Apis grinned back at him and shook his hand as Nami smiled victoriously as she watched the scene play out.
"Hey, Apis!" Luffy called from outside. "Come take a look at this!" Apis leaped off the table and ran out to the deck. This left Nami alone with Jou as he frowned at her as she continued to beam a smile.
"Well, you seem happy," Jou remarked as Nami giggled.
"Very," Nami stated. "I didn't expect you to get so angry with her. You were obviously just concerned but still..."
"It's just the big brother in me, ya know?" Jou sighed as he crossed his arms. "Apis reminds me a bit of my little sister back home. I did feel bad shouting at Apis like that. So..." Jou paused as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Thanks for pushing me to apologize to her."
From what Nami could tell, when Jou was nervous he would rub his neck as a nervous habit. Was he embarrassed about apologizing? It was endearing when he seemed ashamed but Nami gave him a comforting grin.
"Yep!" Nami replied. "After how nice you've been to her, I'd hate for you to not even at least say you're sorry."
"You were right," Jou agreed with a smirk. "C'mon, let's go see what the others saw. That island we spotted might be the Lost Island." Jou mentioned as he left the kitchen.
"Let's hope so," Nami said in agreement as she followed him.
[No POV]
With the storm over, the ocean was returned to a serene state as they made their way through dark clouds, and just ahead of the ship was their destination.
"An island," Nami spoke. "Hidden by a mirage and surrounded by stormy seas. Well, that certainly explains why no one's ever found it. It's not lost anymore though, now that we found it."
"Looks more like a castle that sank into the ocean instead of an island if you ask me," Luffy commented. The Going Merry drew closer which gave the others a better view of the island's appearance. Elements of the island were underneath the sea as small sections surfaced from the water.
"Woah!" Usopp exclaimed in astonishment. "Check out the stonework! It actually looks like a dragon! You know, I bet those Millennial Dragon's built this place themselves."
"Wow!" Luffy said. "I never knew dragons were so good at building stuff!"
"They're not, you morons!" Sanji remarked. "It's pretty obvious that humans built this place."
"Well, whatever," Zoro added. "Who cares."
"It shouldn't matter," Jou commented. "I doubt it really matters who built this place,"
"Yeah, who cares," Luffy agreed. "We made it to Lost Island!" They docked their ship and went on land and found the island itself was huge and resembled a mountain and was covered in greenery which was what everyone took notice of. But what really seemed to take their attention was the fact the island appeared to be deserted.
"No signs of life," Sanji mentioned. "I wonder if anyone lives here anymore? It looks like this place has been reclaimed by nature."
"Does anyone know where the Dragon's Nest could be?" Nami wondered.
"Hey! Grandpa Ryu!" Apis called as she sat in front of the dragon. "Grandpa Ryu! Hey, I'm talking to you!" Apis yelled at Grandpa Ryu but the dragon kept his eyes shut. "Geez, we're on the island with the Dragon's Nest! Would you wake up and tell us where it is?!" Grandpa Ryu finally opened his eyes and closed them again as Apis frowned.
"What he say?" Luffy asked with arms behind his head.
"Well, he said he's not sure," Apis replied. "But he said that this place might not even be the actual Lost Island."
"What...?" Zoro questioned.
"Then this isn't the right place?" Jou wondered.
"So we went through a frickin' mirage and that storm for nothing?!" Usopp voiced. Apis closed her eyes with a sad expression on her face, feeling all hope is lost.
"Hey, Apis...?" Luffy spoke as he got the young girl's attention. "See that?" Luffy pointed to the top of the mountain. "If the Dragon's Nest is on the island, I bet we can spot it from up there!"
"Right," Nami smiled. "We can't see anything from down here, so why don't we go take a look." she looked at Apis. "What do ya say?"
"Yeah." Apis agreed with a smile.
"Great!" Luffy exclaimed. "Let's go!"
"Then I guess we're going for a walk," Jou remarked. "Speaking of, hey, Apis?" Jou sat on the cart and gave a smile at the young girl. "If it's alright, I still want to make amends for yelling at you so I want to do something while we make our way to the top of the mountain." Jou gave Apis a wink as she tilted her head.
"Sure," Apis nodded. "But what are you planning to do?"
On the way up the mountain, Jou was carrying Apis on one of his shoulders as his other hand to support her. While Jou did that, the rest of the boys on the crew were in charge of getting the cart up the mountain. Luffy and Zoro hauled the cart with a pair of ropes while Usopp and Sanji pushed in the back. Nami strolled beside Jou as they made their way up the mountain.
"Hey, Apis?" Jou said. "I know I practically begged for me to do this but are you okay with it?" Jou asked. Apis was currently using Jou's telescope while they trailed up the mountain.
"Yeah," Apis nodded as she turned to him. "It's fine. Although, you didn't have to do this, Jou. I already forgave you. Also..." Apis murmured with a frown. "I hope I'm not heavy or anything."
"You kidding?" Jou smirked. "You're practically a feather."
"Yeah, Apis," Nami chimed in. "Jou's just trying to show that he's still sorry. So don't worry about it." Nami turned her head to the rest of the guys moving the cart up the mountain.
"It's not fair!" Usopp whined. "How come Jou gets to have a nice, leisurely stroll with the girls while we have to do all the work! He should be back here pushing with us!"
"I am doing something," Jou retorted. "I'm carrying Apis and keeping the girls' company. Besides, this is for Apis and for Grandpa Ryu, too, of course. She deserves to have a ride up the mountain, too."
"Yeah," Nami agreed. "So, less caterwauling and more dragon-hauling!"
"Sure, that's easy for you to say!" Usopp shouted.
"Would you shut up and push!" Sanji told the sniper. "Nami so gorgeous when she's ordering us around~!"
"Oh brother!" Usopp groaned.
As the trail continued, along the sides were rundown buildings that have seen better days as the group came to realize that people once upon a time stayed in these homes.
"It's a city..." Nami noted. They continued the journey as they observed what was left of the city.
"Woah, check it out," Luffy said. "It looks all abandoned and broken down. Do you guys think people really used to live here?"
"Of course," Zoro answered. "Who else do you think lived in all these houses."
"Why did they leave then?" Usopp wondered. "And where did they go?"
"Who knows?" Sanji replied. "Maybe they just found a better island and moved away or something."
"That's possible," Jou commented. "I guess there had to be some reason why this island is long deserted." Jou felt a few pats on his head as he looked at Apis. "What's up? You want to get down?"
"I do," Apis nodded. "There's something I want to take a look at while we're here."
"Okay, if you want," Jou said as he set Apis on the ground. The crew kept moving while Apis ran to a field of grass. Apis smiled when she noticed something on the ground and picked it up. In her hands was a round object with a dragon designed into it.
"It's a Millennial Dragon emblem," Apis noted. "I wonder if the children who lived here played with dragons like I do with Grandpa Ryu?" Apis looked up and saw a few teal-colored birds flying above her. "Hi!" she greeted them. "Do you know if there's a place where dragons might nest?"
"Hey! Apis!" Nami called with Jou beside her. "C'mon, you don't wanna get left behind!"
"Guess what?" Apis mentioned as she ran over with a bird on her shoulder. "I was just talking with the birds and they told me there's a building with a dragon emblem on it!"
"What?" Nami wondered.
"You want to go check it out?" Jou asked.
"It could be the Dragon Nest!" Apis exclaimed happily. "What're we waiting for!" Apis ran to catch up to the others. Nami walked beside Jou until something caught her attention. A gust of wind was blown a couple of feet away from her as she looked at it curiously.
"What's the matter?" Jou questioned as he approached her.
"Oh, nothing," Nami shook her head and looked where the wind once was as Jou took notice of it, too.
"Hey!" Luffy called. "Are you guys coming or what?"
"Uh, of course! Wait up!" Nami said running to catch up with the others. They reached the very top of the mountain where the building Apis told them about and pushed the cart up the final step. Once they made it Usopp fell flat on his back in exhaustion.
"Please tell me we don't have to push anymore?" Usopp breathed. The bird perched on Apis' shoulder that told her about the building flew into the ky.
"Thank you so much for showing us the way!" Apis called to it as she was sitting on Jou's shoulder.
"Wow, what do you know?" Sanji commented as he looked down at the many steps they had to climb up. "We traveled a lot further than I thought."
"Thank you all so very much," Apis thanked.
"Yeah, nice work guys!" Nami praised.
"Excellent job, lads," Jou remarked as Usopp brought up his head to glare at him.
"You didn't even help us push!" Usopp shouted.
"I helped," Jou mentioned. "I carried Apis up here." Jou lifted Apis off his shoulder and placed her on the ground. "Here you go, kiddo. Up the mountain as promised. That was fun, huh?" Jou asked as Apis laughed.
"I guess it was," Apis smiled. "Thank you, Jou. Although, you still didn't have to do it."
"Don't worry about it," Jou remarked as he looked at the building Nami had taken interest in. "So, this is the building?" The structure was closed off with a large door that was decorated with a painting of a dragon.
"Yeah," Nami nodded. "That painting must be the dragon emblem, huh?"
"Yep, guess so," Luffy answered.
"Wait, this little building's the dragon's nest?" Sanji questioned.
"This is it?" Usopp asked.
"Even if it is, where's the door?" Zoro wondered.
"Right?" Jou agreed. "It doesn't look like there's somewhere we can enter?"
"The doors right there!" Luffy exclaimed as he pointed at the building.
"No, it's not!" Nami retorted. "There's no handle or keyhole! If there's a door then how are we supposed to open it, stupid!"
Apis' focus was completely on the assumed door and clutched her necklace that had a dragon claw hanging from it. She approached the door slowly as Apis noticed the indentation etched in the wall that matched her claw.
"Hey!" Usopp called her.
"Apis..." Nami said. "That pendant of yours...? You mean it's a..."
"So, it's a key that opens the door to the dragon's nest, huh?" Sanji figured.
"Well, if that's the case..." Jou smiled as he crossed his arms. "Go for it, Apis." Apis nodded in confirmation as she raised her arm to try and reach the indentation. The word was 'try' as Apis jumped a few times to reach the claw but couldn't because she was too small. Apis turned around, her eyes glistening with tears running down her cheeks.
"I... I can't reach it!" she cried.
"That's 'cause you're so short, silly," Luffy commented with a smile. "
"Yeah, so...?" Apis countered.
"Here, let me do it," Luffy took the claw and walked up to the door. "Let's see..." He didn't get to place the claw in the wall as the ground beneath everyone's feet started to crumble. "Uh oh..."
The ground gave away as it collapsed as everyone screamed while they dropped into the deep hole, their eyes widened in fear. Even Grandpa Ryu who is usually composed had eyes wide in panic like Apis and the pirates. Once they finished their plummet, they lay on the ground as they looked up at the sky from the hole overhead.
"Um, hey guys...?" Usopp spoke first. "We're still alive, right?"
"Well, it sure feels that way," Zoro commented.
"Who was it again that claimed to have a key that would open the door for us...?" Sanji questioned as Apis laughed nervously.
"Here," Luffy handed back Apis' claw which she took with a smile.
"It isn't a total loss," Jou smirked as he leaned up while adjusting his hat. "We didn't quite use the front door, but at least we're inside."
"So, it all worked out," Apis gave a thumbs-up.
"Yeah, but..." Zoro said as he looked around. "Just what is this place?" Zoro stepped beside Luffy who seemed to take interest in something above them.
"Hey," Luffy pointed. "Up there. Look."
"What is that...?" Apis wondered. Everyone brought their eyes up and saw the painting that decorated the ceiling.
[Jou POV]
Jou looked at what had Apis' attention. Jou didn't quite know what to make of it but it appeared to be some form of artwork that adorned the ceiling above them. There were quite a few old paintings that remained visible but showed their age by how long it's been there. It seemed to illustrate different elements that circled around a sphere. Jou didn't quite know what it meant but it almost looked like a chart.
"Oh, man!" Luffy exclaimed. "That's painting is so huge! I wonder what it's of?"
"It looks kinda like a map to me," Usopp commented picking himself up off the floor.
"Maybe?" Sanji spoke. "But it's so worn out it doesn't make much sense. What is this place anyway? Wasn't this supposed to be the Dragon's Nest?"
"Apis, do you know?" Luffy asked the girl as she stood next to Grandpa Ryu.
"I don't," she answered. "Grandpa Ryu says he doesn't know either."
"Oh man..." Usopp groaned. "Are all Millennial Dragon's as useless as he is?"
"Take that back!" Apis shouted at him.
"I'm only telling the truth," Usopp said.
"Oh, yeah!" Apis retorted. "And how exactly are you being useful?!"
"Me?!" Usopp snapped back as the two glared at each other. Jou would intervene to stop them from arguing as that wouldn't solve anything. But Jou's attention was brought to Luffy as something seemed to catch the captain's interest.
"What's up, captain?" Jou wondered as he stepped beside Luffy. Jou noticed he was staring at another large piece that seemed to come from the painting above that portrayed what a Millennial Dragon. "This painting...?"
"Yep, I know," Luffy smiled. "Hey, guys! Check this out! A piece of the ceiling fell here!"
"Yikes!" Usopp winced.
"It's huge!" Apis commented as she and Usopp went to look at it.
"This whole place is falling apart," Usopp vocalized worriedly. "Um, speaking of which... isn't it dangerous? I don't know about you but I don't wanna get flattened like a pancake. C'mon, Let's get outta here!"
"No, we can't!" Apis argued. "This might be the Dragon's Nest!"
"I don't see any dragons hanging around here, do you?!" Usopp countered as he and Apis continued to glare at each other.
"Hold a second!" Nami voiced which brought everyone's eyes toward her.
"What is it, Nami dear?" Sanji asked.
"This island that we're on..." Nami said. "I don't think it's Lost Island."
"Ya see...?" Usopp sneered at Apis.
"You don't know that for sure so why don't you just shut your big trap!" Apis shouted with shark teeth.
"So what makes you think this isn't Lost Island?" Luffy questioned.
"Look up," Nami mentioned.
"What?" Luffy wondered as he looked up. "The painting?"
"Yeah..." Jou said. "What're you seeing that the rest of are missing?" Jou knew the drawing looked like a chart, so Nami with her understanding of maps may have figured out what it all meant.
"Look closely," Nami mentioned. "Usopp was right. It is a map and it marks the location of the Lost Island." She directed her finger at one of the drawings. "Do you see that island with the dome-shaped building on it? Well, that's this island and that dome is the building we're inside now."
"They do look the same," Sanji agreed.
"And those figures..." Nami continued. "They must represent people. I'll bet anything if they're the ones who used to inhabit this island long ago. And if that's the case, they're probably Apis' ancestors."
"Ancestors...?" Apis murmured staring up at the picture curiously.
"Don't you remember the story old man Bokuden told us?" Nami asked.
"Nope," Luffy stated. "I was asleep."
"He said 'the people of the Warship Island were the descendants of the people who came from Lost Island'," Nami explained.
"Oh, did he...?" Luffy wondered with a tilt of his head.
"Yeah, I remember him saying something about that," Jou mentioned. "While trying to stay awake half the time."
"That does sound familiar," Usopp noted. "Then does that mean the dynasty of kings he kept babbling on and on and on about was on this island?"
"Probably..." Nami replied. "What bothered me were the dragon statues and the iconography we saw all over the island. It was so much. That seems to indicate that the people who lived here probably worshipped the Millennial Dragon's as gods. I bet they made those icons and images of the dragons that used to fly over this island long ago."
"I see," Usopp said. "Well, if that's true, it would lower the chance of the dragon's nest being on this island."
"Then where could the real dragon's nest be...?" Apis questioned.
"Wouldn't it be on the is island with the dragon drawn on it?" Zoro wondered as he eyed the drawing.
"You're right!" Nami noticed. "Look where those people are praying? Just ahead of them is another island and there's a dragon image. That's the real Lost Island. The Dragon's Nest must be there. But..."
"Wait a minute, that can't be?" Apis voiced. "That island's shape!"
"Yeah, I know," Nami agreed. "But if that map on the ceiling is correct then the only place the Dragon's Nest can be is on Warship Island."
"Wait a minute...?" Usopp added. "If the Dragon's Nest is on Warship Island, wouldn't it have been found already?"
"Well, that's what the map says," Nami remarked. "It's as plain as day. What? Do you think I just made that up or something?"
"C'mon guys, Nami's a navigator," Sanji proclaimed. "If anyone can read a map, it's her. This means the Dragon's Nest is somewhere on Warship Island! If we look hard enough, we'll find it!"
"Well, we finally know where the Dragon's Nest is..." Jou stated with a hand on his hip. "But then there's the fact that it and the Lost Island sank to the bottom of the ocean."
"That's what I was thinking," Nami commented. "If that maps correct, I'd say that's likely what happened. It would also explain why no one's ever found the nest after all these years." Jou noticed Apis hurriedly run toward Grandpa Ryu.
"Apis...?" Usopp wondered.
"Grandpa Ryu!" Apis as she made her way to the dragon. "Think back, Grandpa Ryu! Where's the Dragon's Nest at? We thought it was at this place, but it's not! The only place we found here was the old painting! Does it bring back any memories to you at all! The only hope we have left is that you remember! Please, Grandpa Ryu! You just have to remember! You just have to!"
Jou noticed Grandpa Ryu's eyes drift toward the painting. A few island birds flew before the painting. Jou couldn't tell what the elder dragon was pondering while he glanced at the painting. His eyes widened as they probably brought back memories.
"Grandpa...?" Apis murmured.
"Kay!" Luffy said to Grandpa Ryu. "So, the Dragon's Nest really is on Warship Island!" Jou still had no idea how it was possible for Luffy to hear Grandpa Ryu's thoughts, especially when they first encountered the dragon. Jou honestly wished he was able to understand the dragon, not that it was a big issue or anything.
"Luffy...?" Jou said. "What did Grandpa Ryu say?"
"He said he remembered," Luffy stated.
"How did you know what he said, Luffy?" Apis asked.
"Don't know? Just do." Luffy replied.
"You're right," Apis said. "Grandpa Ryu said he just remembered. He said the Dragon's Nest is just located on an island east of a peak that looks just like a warship."
"Perfect," Usopp commented. "Why couldn't he have remembered that just before we had risked lives to get here, huh?"
"I'm sorry," Apis frowned. "I'm sorry for dragging you all the way out here and for something that probably has already sank to the bottom of the ocean. It was all for nothing." Jou caught the crestfallen look on the young girl's face. She felt terrible making them search for something that felt hopeless. Jou smirked as he felt differently and he looked around at the others as they obviously thought the same as him.
"Not necessarily," Usopp remarked as Apis turned to the sniper. "Who knows? The Dragon's Nest could be someplace else on Warship Island. But we won't know unless we look for it, right?"
"You just going to give up when we're this close?" Jou asked. "That doesn't sound like you."
"Yeah, giving up so easily isn't like you, Apis," Nami agreed.
"If you fall down in life, you'll just have to get right back up," Sanji commented.
"Yeah, you shouldn't ever give up hope, kid," Zoro added.
"I..." Apis was speechless by everyone's kindness toward her.
"Let's go!" Luffy exclaimed thrusting both arms in the air. "I mean, you do want Grandpa Ryu to get better, don't you?" He asked Apis as she smiled and nodded at the straw hat. It was exactly what she wanted and each of the crew was in agreement as they smiled wholeheartedly at the young girl.
"Thank you," Apis said to everyone. The moment was ruined when Jou felt something. He had a gut feeling someone else was here at this temple beside them. It appeared Zoro had the same premonition as he nudged one of his swords.
"Zoro, what's wrong?" Nami wondered.
"Someone's here," Zoro mentioned as he looked up. "Up there." Jou followed where his gaze was and without any hesitation, he pulled out a throwing knife.
"Jou!" Nami exclaimed.
Jou tossed his knife at the intruder. Jou's suspicion was correct as their stalker used only their hand to parry his knife. The throwing knife is being pierced into the opposite wall. The stalker let out a chuckle while they were covered by a shadow as they stepped forward as Eric revealed himself.
"Thank you for deciphering the intricacies on that map," Eric praised. "Well done. Now I can find the Dragonite and the nest as well."
"It's the sicko!" Luffy remarked.
"But if there's no point if it's at the bottom of the ocean..." Eric declared. "It looks like my only option is to take your Millennial Dragon."
"No way!" Apis asserted. "We don't know if the nest really sank so stay away from him, you jerk!"
"You better let us handle him," Sanji suggested. "He's got Sickle-Sickle fruit powers. This is one nasty guy we got here."
"Sickle-Sickle...?" Usopp repeated. "Him? He's got Devil Fruit powers too?!"
"Luffy..." Zoro said as he stepped next to Luffy. "You guys go on ahead and get Grandpa Ryu back to the ship." Jou figured Zoro was about to suggest he takes on Eric while they get back to the ship. But Jou had another option, it might disappoint Zoro but Jou's already made up his mind.
"Hold up, Zoro..." Jou approached the swordsman.
"What is it...?" Zoro wondered
"You planning on fighting him?" Jou questioned.
"Sure am," Zoro stated. "Why?"
"You should let me fight him instead," Jou insisted.
"Why should I...?" Zoro wondered incredulously.
"I know how his powers work," Jou mentioned. "I've seen them first-hand. They allow him to control the wind, it's similar to how I fight. I'm sure you'll get another opportunity to test those sword's of yours. So, let me take him." Zoro only stared at him as Jou felt he wasn't going to go for it. But eventually, Zoro only sighed as he seemed to comply with Jou's request.
"Fine," Zoro said. "But you better not lose. You got that?"
"I can handle this," Jou smirked and turned to Luffy. "Hey, Captain? You and the others get to the ship. I'll catch up in a bit."
"Gotcha," Luffy nodded.
"Woah, hold on!" Usopp said. "Wait a minute! Get to the ship? How? I don't see an exit here? Do you?"
"Then I guess I'll make one," Luffy declared as he ran toward a wall.
"Luffy, wait!" Nami shouted. Luffy continued to sprint as he rammed into the wall with a yell. He seemed to have hit his head which caused him to fall back to the ground.
"It didn't break?" Luffy wondered as he leaned up with a bruise on his forehead. "Huh? Maybe I should've thought that through before doing it?"
"Really?" Everyone exclaimed. "Ya think so?" By some miracle, the wall beside the one Luffy had struck crumbled as it revealed the outside.
"Haha!" Luffy laughed. "There's our exit!" Luffy walked back to the crew. "See? We worked it out somehow. C'mon, Apis!"
"He's hard-headed but this is ridiculous," Sanji remarked with a scowl.
"No, you don't!" Eric exclaimed as he leaped down. Jou uncoiled his chains and charged Eric and lashed at him. Eric dodged from Jou's red chain as he swiped at Jou with his claws. Jou leaped away to avoid the attack and went to lash Eric with both chains as the man evaded with a back-flip. Eric glared at Jou since he was keeping him away from the others. Jou side-glanced at Luffy who was observing another painting on the wall that seemed to grab his attention.
"Luffy!" Jou called which broke the captain from his stupor. "Quit zoning out and get to the ship!"
"Oh!" Luffy mouthed. "My bad!" With that, everyone but Jou gathered onto Grandpa Ryu's cart. Luffy pulled the cart through the large hole as the others screamed in fear. Jou let out a sigh of relief as he was left with Eric, to fight him one on one.
"Well, pal..." Jou smirked. "Looks like it's just you and me." Eric didn't seem amused by this as he only growled at Jou.
"Move!" Eric demanded. "Or you won't live to regret it!"
"Not gonna happen," Jou shook his head. "I happen to not want to move, so you're just gonna have to make me, sicko!" Eric dashed at Jou with his fingers ready for an attack.
"Dual-Chain Cyclone!" Jou leaped and spun around, launching a blast of wind at Eric.
"Sickle-Sickle Wind-Slash!" Eric threw his attack at Jou. Jou didn't Fade-Step and to dodge the blade of wind he combat-rolled away from it. Jou whirled his head around to find a piece of debris was split in two.
"He used that attack earlier when we first met him," Jou noticed. Eric ran past Jou to likely try and catch up to the cart. "Hey, jackass! We're not finished here!"
"I noticed you use the wind with your chains..." Eric noted. "As intriguing it would be to see if your wind compares to my power and see how long you last, I have no more time to waste on you! There's a Millennial Dragon out there that needs my undivided attention!" Jou pulled out a throwing knife and threw it at Eric, it never hit him as Eric had leaped out of the building.
"Oh no, you don't!" Jou dashed after him. Jou leaped out of the building and had no idea there was such a huge jump. It caught him by surprise but he didn't need to worry as he landed on a branch and used it to slide down all while keeping his balance. Jou saw Eric in front of him doing the same, each of them sliding this long tree branch. Jou may have been busy chasing after this guy but he hoped the others were alright.
[No POV]
The others were speeding down another mountain. Usopp, Nami, Sanji weren't exactly enjoying themselves as they hung on for dear life. The only one who was enjoying this was Luffy. But Apis, who was holding onto Grandpa Ryu kept looking back with a worried glance to where they left Jou alone with Eric.
"Hey!" Apis called. "Is Jou going to be alright?"
"Yeah, he'll be fine!" Luffy replied. "Jou's strong!"
"But he's up against someone with Devil Fruit powers!" Apis argued. "I don't care how strong he is! He's in danger!"
"He'll be alright!" Luffy assured. "Trust me!" Apis was still concerned but felt a hand grab her shoulder. Apis turned around to find Nami giving a reassuring smile.
"Believe us when we say Jou will be fine, Apis," Nami remarked. "If Jou can fight Arlong one on one then he can handle some annoying guy with Devil Fruit Powers."
"I hope you're right," Apis said as her nerves were calmed. Apis turned her head back to find they were rushing toward a tunnel. "Luffy, up ahead!"
"Yeah!" Luffy replied. "It doesn't look good, huh?"
"Well, don't just stand there!" Apis cried. "Do somethiiiiing!" Everyone screamed as they sped through the tunnel and out the other side with the exception of Luffy who continued to laugh excitedly.
[Jou POV]
Jou heard the collision from the other side of the island. Jou had an inkling that was the others and hoped they were alright. He chased after Eric, who must've thought he gave Jou the slip. But Jou believed otherwise as he was still on Eric's heels. Eric's only focus was getting to Grandpa Ryu as Jou's goal was to prevent that. Jou found Eric standing on a ledge, likely hearing the commotion the crew made on their way to the Merry.
"There they are," Eric stated. Jou made himself known as he leaped onto one of the derelict buildings.
"You finally going to stop running?" Jou questioned as he put his red chain on his shoulder. Eric became more agitated that Jou kept interrupting him. That was all fine for Jou. Whatever keeps him away from the others, Apis and Grandpa Ryu.
"Well, I come and go as I please, pirate," Eric remarked as he held up two fingers. "Move it!" Eric threw a wind-slash at Jou. Jou spun his chains as he gathered wind and used what he collected to deflect Eric's attack.
Both wind attacks canceled each other out as Eric bounded from where he stood and launched another wind slash. Jou vaulted off the destroyed structure to avoid Eric's attack which sliced through the building and the ground. Eric managed to jump a huge distance which let him continue to try and reach Grandpa Ryu and the others. With that, Jou gave chase as Eric noticed Jou racing after him. Eric slashed down a large tree in an endeavor to hinder Jou. Jou wasn't deterred when he saw the tree falling. Once the tree struck the ground, Jou hopped on the tree and bounded off with somersault. He landed on the ground and continued after Eric.
Jou saw Eric standing at the edge of a cliff. Eric leaped off it as Jou picked up his speed and sprung off the edge himself. Luckily, Jou was close enough to coil his red chain around Eric's ankle and screamed as he noticed Jou.
"Surprise, jackass!" Jou shouted and threw Eric to the ground below. Eric screamed as he hit the surface with a crash. Jou landed in a crouch in front of Eric and approached him. "There's no point in running anymore." Eric looked up at Jou with a glare and sent a wind-slash.
"Fade-Step!" Jou avoided the attack and emerged in front of Eric. Jou raised his leg and kicked Eric in the chin. That kick had to have hurt due to the seastone in Jou's boots as Eric skidded across the ground on his back. Eric weakly got to his feet and dropped to his knees, wiping blood from his mouth.
"You're not going to lay a finger on Grandpa Ryu..." Jou remarked as he sauntered toward him. "If you even think you're going to get to him, you're gonna have to get through me first." Eric grits his teeth as he wiped the blood off his chin. Jou whirled his head around and saw another cloud of dust scatter in the air and sensed that had to be everyone else.
I hope everyone is okay, Jou thought. Eh, they're tough. I'm sure they're fine. Jou brought his attention back to Eric and didn't have time to react as some dirt struck his eyes.
"Dammit!" Jou muttered as he fell on a knee and rubbed his eyes with an arm. If Jou didn't look back due to his concern for Apis, Grandpa Ryu, and the crew he could have finished Eric now. Jou should've known taking his sights off this guy was a wrong move. Jou's mom would comment that it was bad to take your eyes off an opponent, as that's one of the key things she told him while training him.
"I meant what I said before..." Eric said as he stood over Jou. "Your skill with wind is fascinating even without a Devil Fruit that I almost wish to fight you fairly, Dual-Chain. However, you've stood in my way of the Millennial Dragon and I told you you wouldn't live to regret it. And now the cost is..." He raised his hand. "Your life."
[No POV]
The cart crashed straight into a rock as the rest of the crew landed in the water, except for Apis who held onto Grandpa Ryu.
"I told you we'd make it!" Luffy smiled at the others. "Well, quit laying around. We gotta go!"
"Oh, please..." Nami groaned from where she knelt in the water.
"Luffy..." Zoro muttered as he laid on his back.
"He's dead," Sanji growled. Usopp muffled as his torso was underwater while his legs flailed. An island bird appeared in front of Apis as a worried expression fell over her face as she gasped.
"Luffy!" Apis called frantically. "The birds said Jou's in big trouble! What do we do? We gotta help him!" Back to the cliff, Eric was about to ready his attack to do away with Jou. Jou couldn't see as his vision was blurry from the dirt tossed at him.
"Now die," Eric grinned. Jou chuckled as Eric looked at him in confusion.
"I don't plan on dying," Jou smirked at him even if his vision was clouded.
"JOOOOOOOU!" A loud shout was heard in the distance.
That's Luffy... Jou thought as he felt something clutch onto the collar of his cardigan. His eyes widened as he realized what was about to happen and gulped. Or I think this is how I die...
All the way from the Going Merry, Luffy's arm reached Jou as he snatched the back of his shirt.
"Bingo!" Luffy grinned.
"So cool!" Apis agreed while she used a pair of binoculars. Usopp was behind them, his hands together in a pray for Jou's safety.
Jou from the cliff had a look of death on his face. Sweat poured profusely down his face as he probably prepared for his unfortunate doom. He didn't get to protest as he was pulled back to the ship at great velocity.
"DAAAAAAMIT, LUFFY!" Jou screamed as he flew toward the ship. Jou slammed back-first into the mast, he gave out a quiet squeak, his eyes white in panic as he peeled off the mast.
"Oops," Luffy mouthed. "Sorry." Jou only moaned in response as he was sprawled out on the deck as Apis ran to him.
"Jou, are you okay?" Apis asked. "You're not hurt, are you?" Jou leaned up and gave the young girl a reassuring smile.
"I'm fine, for the most part..." Jou sighed. "It's just my pride."
"Okay, Jou's here!" Luffy said. "Let's go!" The Going Merry's sails were unfurled and started sailing. As it was cruising away from the island with the use of the winds, it went into the mirage.
"Hey, look!" Luffy pointed. "We're out!"
"This mirage still weird's me out," Sanji commented. The Marine ships were following the Merry but appeared much too slow when compared to the small caravel they were chasing.
"Eat our sails!" Usopp mocked. "You'll never catch us you bunch of lolly-gagging slowpokes!"
"The Going Merry is faster and more agile than those bulky Marine ships but once we stop at Warship Island there going to catch up," Nami remarked. "Guys, what're we going to do then? Do we even have a plan?"
"We'll be okay!" Luffy announced.
"Oh yeah?! How!" Nami shouted with shark teeth.
"All we have to do is find the Dragon's Nest and then Grandpa Ryu will get better and help us out," Luffy suggested.
"That's easier said than done, Luffy," Sanji stated. "The nest could be at the bottom of the ocean for all we know."
"We'll search the bottom of the ocean then." Luffy decided.
"Big talk from someone who can't swim," Zoro mentioned.
"Right," Jou agreed. "How does he think he's gonna even get down there?"
"Let's just get back to Warship Island," Nami insisted. "We'll work this out and hopefully avoid any entanglements with the Marines."
"Uh, Nami..." Sanji spoke. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news."
Everyone looked ahead as something caught their attention. Luffy sat on Merry's figurehead leaned closely as he noticed what was in front of the Merry. Jou reached for his telescope and spotted a large Marine vessel that was sailing toward the small caravel. The number 8 was displayed on the sails and the figurehead in the front of the ship resembled that of a monster.
"Well, that can't be good," Jou said.
Okay, we're nearing the end of this arc. I know I said I'd be done with it this month, that was a lie. Not entirely though, I meant it. Though I should really not make promises like that.
Not that anyone is interested or not, but I'm gonna bring back review replies at the end of the chapter. At times, I thought they were a fun way to interact with you guys, even though most people didn't give me much to really reply to. So, I decided I'm going to have them on the final chapter of an arc. We'll see how that goes.
Anyway, that's it for this one.
I'll see you guys next time!
Later!