Chương 94: The Dragon’s Return to Lost Island
The young girl clung to the mast of the Marine ship, panting and glancing over her shoulder at the guard she had just managed to knock out. Her eyes filled with determination as she climbed higher, accidentally yanking a rope that caused the sail to unfurl. The Marine ship tilted precariously, causing the remaining crew to scramble as she leaped from the mast, grabbing onto a lifeboat and rowing away with surprising speed.
On the Going Merry, Luffy leaned over the side, staring out at the horizon. "Nami, are we at the Grand Line yet?"
Nami rolled her eyes, barely looking up from her map. "It's only been two days, Luffy. We've still got a long way to go."
Usopp, standing on the bow, spotted birds circling nearby. "Look, guys! Birds! Maybe there's land or food around here!" He squinted, pulling out his slingshot, then lowered it as Luffy reached out and stretched his arm to snag what he thought was a fish.
Instead, Luffy's hand latched onto something entirely unexpected—an unconscious girl. He yanked her aboard, sending her sprawling onto the deck while inadvertently knocking Zoro overboard.
"Hey!" Zoro spluttered, but before he could hit the water, Raja raised a hand, and a shimmering wave of psychokinetic energy caught him mid-fall, lifting him back onto the ship.
"Easy, Zoro," Raja smirked, setting him down gently. "Wouldn't want you to get all wet."
The girl groaned and blinked, slowly sitting up. She seemed dazed and confused, but the aroma wafting from Sanji's cooking pulled her from her stupor. Her eyes darted to the pot bubbling with a savory stew, but the sight of the crew around her made her jump back in fear.
"Oh no, pirates!" she squeaked, clutching her stomach as it rumbled.
"Relax," Sanji said, offering her a plate. "You look like you could use a bite to eat."
The girl eyed the food warily, backing away. "I'm not eating anything made by pirates!" But the hunger gnawing at her stomach grew too intense to ignore. Later that night, driven by desperation, she snuck into the kitchen.
To her surprise, she found Luffy caught in a giant mousetrap Sanji had set up to keep him from raiding the kitchen.
"Aw, come on! I was just gonna have a little snack!" Luffy protested, squirming as he struggled to free himself.
The girl seized the opportunity, snatching the food Raja had saved for her. But as the rest of the crew woke up and gathered around, Nami reassured her, "We're not here to hurt you. You're safe."
By morning, the girl, who introduced herself as Apis, attempted to repay their kindness by cooking breakfast. However, her sense of spice was questionable, leaving the entire crew gasping for air.
"Is my tongue on fire?" Usopp groaned, clutching his throat.
Just then, a Marine ship appeared on the horizon. The Marines had spotted the Going Merry, and soon enough, cannon fire rained down on them.
"Marines incoming!" Usopp warned, eyes wide with panic.
With quick reflexes, Raja conjured a powerful gust, using his Magic-Magic Wind Blast to send the Going Merry flying out of range of the Marine attack. The crew cheered as they watched the Marine ship grow smaller in the distance.
Their victory, however, was short-lived. Nami frowned, glancing at the water around them. "Why aren't we moving?"
Zoro looked over the side and let out a low whistle. "Uh, Nami? We're in the Calm Belt."
The crew grew silent, realizing their grave mistake as they stared into the deep, still waters. Below the surface, something enormous moved—a Sea King. The ship was perched precariously on its head.
"Everyone, stay still," Zoro whispered, glancing around. "No sudden moves."
But Usopp, in a fit of panic, screamed at the top of his lungs, startling the Sea King, which turned its monstrous head toward them.
Apis slipped and fell off the ship, but Luffy sprang into action, stretching his arm out to grab her just in time. As he pulled her up, she gripped onto one of the Sea King's long, bristly nostril hairs, causing it to sneeze mightily. The force launched the Going Merry across the Calm Belt, sending them hurtling toward a massive landmass.
When they finally managed to steady themselves, they realized they were approaching a rocky island.
"Is that… a ship?" Luffy asked, squinting at the enormous, vessel-like structure on the horizon.
Nami shook her head. "No, that's Warship Island!"
As they docked, the island's residents looked on in horror at the pirate flag fluttering above the Going Merry. They grabbed makeshift weapons and charged toward the crew, shouting and waving their arms.
Apis stepped forward, waving her arms frantically. "Wait! These pirates saved me!"
At the sight of Apis, the villagers lowered their weapons, shocked. "Apis? You were with them?"
Apis nodded, explaining how she'd escaped the Marines and found herself rescued by the Straw Hats.
An elderly man stepped forward, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Thank you, brave pirates, for protecting our little Apis." He introduced himself as Bokuden, Apis's grandfather, and invited the crew to a celebration in their honor.
That night, as Bokuden prepared pork buns for the feast, Nami pulled him aside, questioning him about the Marines' interest in Apis.
Bokuden's eyes grew misty. "There's an ancient legend here. They say Warship Island descended from Lost Island, home to the millennial dragons. The Marines believe this legend, and they're determined to capture Apis to find their way there."
As he spoke, the crew slowly drifted off, lulled by the long-winded story, until Apis slipped away into the night. Luffy's nose twitched as he caught a whiff of something delicious.
"Pork buns!" he said dreamily, stumbling after the scent.
Nami glanced around, realizing Luffy and Raja were both missing. Following the scent trail, they came to a cave where Apis was speaking in hushed tones to an enormous creature.
Inside the cave was a massive dragon with gentle eyes, who Apis introduced as Grandpa Ryu. Luffy and Raja were captivated, exchanging excited glances as if they understood the dragon's unspoken thoughts.
Apis explained that she had eaten the Hiso Hiso no Mi, granting her the power to read animals' minds. Through this ability, she'd heard Ryu's longing to return to Lost Island and reunite with his fellow dragons.
Luffy's eyes sparkled with determination. "Don't worry, Ryu! We'll help you find Lost Island!"
Despite Nami's initial hesitation, she eventually agreed, and the crew set about making preparations for the journey.
As they gathered supplies, an ominous figure appeared on the horizon. A Marine named Eric was closing in, determined to capture Apis and uncover the secrets of Lost Island.
The Next Morning
The Straw Hats prepared to depart from Warship Island, Apis and Ryu in tow, when Eric and his Marines blocked their path.
"You'll hand over that dragon," Eric sneered, brandishing a weapon. "Or face the consequences."
The crew leaped into action, each taking on their respective roles. Zoro and Usopp maneuvered the ship closer to a narrow rock passage, while Raja summoned a defensive barrier around Ryu, loading him onto a cart as they prepared to escape.
Luffy and Sanji launched themselves into the fray, engaging the Marines with ferocious attacks. Luffy's fists stretched and snapped, landing blow after blow, while Sanji's swift kicks sent Marines flying across the battlefield.
"Hey, Luffy! Keep them busy while we finish loading Ryu!" Zoro shouted, swinging his swords as he kept Eric's men at bay.
Usopp fired his slingshot, aiming precisely at the Marine sharpshooters. He covered his friends, ensuring they could make it to the cart without interference.
Just as the Marines closed in, Raja unleashed another Magic-Magic Wind Blast, sending them tumbling backward as the Going Merry pulled the cart onto the water, dragging Ryu along safely.
Eric, regaining his balance, snarled in frustration. "Don't let them escape! We need that dragon!"
But with Ryu safely aboard, the Straw Hats surged forward, pushing into the open sea, the last of the Marines left far behind.
As they sailed away from Warship Island, Apis stood at the ship's edge, watching the land fade from view. "Thank you, everyone," she said softly, her eyes misty with gratitude.
Nami put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're part of the crew now. We don't abandon our friends."
Raja, who had been keeping watch, grinned. "Besides, there's no adventure without a little danger, right?"
As they charted a course for the Grand Line, Luffy raised a fist to the sky. "Let's go, everyone! Onward to Lost Island!"
The crew erupted in cheers, their spirits high as they set off on another grand adventure, their bonds growing stronger with each passing wave.
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
DarkGoldMonarch
DarkGoldMonarch Creation is hard, cheer me up!
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực