At sunrise, the ship sailed forward, wind in its sails. Luffy and Silk surrounded Apis, who'd warmed to them over breakfast. Silk's caring nature showed concern; Luffy's curiosity sparkled.
"You live on Warship Island?" Silk asked.
"Yup! Just one big mountain, nothing else, but it's great. Everyone's kind, and…" Apis trailed off. "I shouldn't say that."
"Your ability's cool! Talking to animals?" Luffy said.
"Hehe, it's fun. Can't swim, though. But sea animals give me rides!" Apis said.
"Awesome! I wanna try that," Luffy said.
"You've got your rubber powers. Those are cool too," Silk said.
"Yeah, I like 'em," Luffy grinned.
The trio chatted innocently. Nearby, Kiri steered, Nami stood by, and Zoro sat against the railing, calmer. Apis's story was known: Warship Island resident, Whisper-Whisper Fruit user, escaped a Navy ship for reasons unclear. A child fleeing alone implied serious resolve.
Watching Apis's smile, Nami murmured, "What happened to her? You don't hit the sea without a reason."
"Most folks out here have baggage. And she's a Devil Fruit user," Kiri said.
"Her power's useless for fighting," Zoro said.
Kiri, eyes forward, spotting the island, disagreed. "Not necessarily."
"Huh? Talking to animals ain't strong," Zoro said.
"Normally, sure. But Devil Fruit users aren't ordinary. Her power's potential depends on mastery. Talking to animals? If she controls strong ones, she's protected without fighting herself," Kiri said.
"Like hiring bodyguards?" Zoro asked.
"Something like that. It's not simple," Kiri said, serious. "She called a dolphin from afar. If she can reach Sea Kings, even we might not win."
"Sea Kings? That's insane," Nami said, uneasy.
"It's possible. Devil Fruits are like that—potential hinges on the user," Kiri said.
Zoro eyed Apis. "Stronger with training, huh?"
"If she realizes it, she could be unstoppable," Kiri said.
Nami laughed dryly. "Devil Fruits are scary." Three users—Luffy, Kiri, Apis—were aboard. Their power awed and unnerved her. Could they face non-humans? Her reason for thieving pirates resurfaced, but she suppressed it. She'd handle her goal alone.
Looking at Apis, Nami's expression softened. "Poor kid. What's she been through?"
"Think it's personal?" Kiri asked.
"No. Just feel bad for her, picked up by pirates," Nami said.
"She fled the Navy. They're not all justice," Kiri said.
Nami bit her lip. Eight years as a thief taught her the Navy's flaws, yet her hatred for pirates persisted. Kiri, smiling bitterly, handed her the helm. "Take over."
"What? Wait—" Nami protested as Kiri walked to the trio.
"Apis, island's in sight. Almost there," Kiri said.
"Really!?" Apis beamed, nearly bouncing.
Her joy lifted the mood. Luffy and Silk grinned. They leaned over the railing, spotting a white-cliffed island with a towering rock resembling a warship—hence its name, Apis explained.
"That's Warship Island?" Silk asked.
"Yup! Thanks, everyone. I'm so glad I met you," Apis said, her smile radiant.
Silk marveled. "Your Whisper-Whisper Fruit's amazing. Asking animals for directions?"
"Devil Fruits don't weaken you, unless you fall in the sea," Kiri said.
"Hmm…" Silk pondered.
Luffy turned to Apis. "You're being chased by the Navy, right? Safe to return?"
"I'm worried about that," Apis said.
"No Navy ships nearby. They might not be here yet," Kiri said.
"But they'll come back, right?" Luffy asked.
"Probably," Kiri said.
"Um…" Apis hesitated, her smile fading. Despite bonding, she seemed reluctant. Three pairs of eyes fixed on her. Steeling herself, she spoke, her face mature beyond her years. "It's not me the Navy's after—it's my friend. I lied to help him, tried to leave the island. If they return, we're in trouble."
"Oh…" Silk said.
"I want to protect him, but I can't alone. Can you help? You seem good," Apis pleaded.
"Sure. We're friends, right?" Luffy said.
Apis's face lit up, then clouded. "My friend's not normal. You won't do anything bad, right?"
"No way. Your friend's our friend," Luffy said.
"Okay. I trust you. Please save him," Apis said.
"Got it," Luffy nodded.
Apis's fears eased. These pirates were kind, never violent or bickering, always smiling. She trusted them. "When we land, I'll introduce my friend. You'll be shocked!"
"Shishi, can't wait!" Luffy said.
"What's he like?" Silk asked.
Kiri cut in. "Let's plan. We need food, water. Weapons and ammo are fine, but we can't go unprepared."
"Oh, right," Silk said.
"I'll handle supplies. I know what's left," Silk said, confident.
"Sounds good. I'll fix the ship. Luffy, go with Apis," Kiri said.
"Cool," Luffy said.
"Silk, take Nami. She's wary, so bond with her," Kiri said.
"Sure. I want to get along," Silk said.
Apis spoke up, pulling Silk's hand. "Can I visit home first? Grandpa's worried."
"Of course. We'll come," Silk said.
"Settled. Almost there?" Luffy asked.
"Yup," Kiri said.
The ship neared a pier by a sandy beach, near Apis's village. Nami's steering was flawless, and the anchored ship stopped. They disembarked—Apis and Luffy first, eagerly running to the village. Zoro set a plank, and Nami and Silk followed. Kiri and Zoro stayed to repair the ship.
"Those two are so reckless," Zoro said.
"That's their charm. You staying?" Kiri asked.
"Nothing to do. Nap, maybe. Silk wants to spar later," Zoro said.
"Help me. The ship looks rough," Kiri said.
"We'll ditch it eventually," Zoro said.
"Still, a sloppy ship makes us look bad," Kiri said.
"Fair point," Zoro grumbled, joining Kiri with gathered materials.
Villagers noticed the pirate ship and recognized Apis, cheering her return. She spotted her grandfather, Bokuden, and leapt into his arms.
"Apis! You're safe!" Bokuden cried, tearing up.
"Grandpa!" Apis hugged him tightly.
Luffy watched, smiling. Bokuden, realizing Luffy's role, bowed. "You saved her. Thank you."
"No big deal. Just found her," Luffy said.
"Grandpa, this is Luffy," Apis said.
Nami and Silk caught up. Villagers, seeing the black flag, were wary but confused by the crew's friendliness. Apis addressed them. "They're pirates but good people. They saved me and promised to help Ryu-ji."
"Ryu-ji?" Bokuden frowned. "But…"
"It's fine. Ryu-ji would agree," Apis said.
Bokuden looked uneasy, eyeing Luffy's carefree grin and the seemingly delicate girls. Trusting them with this was tough, but Apis persisted. "They're okay. They saved me, right?"
"Hmm, but Ryu-ji…" Bokuden hesitated.
"It's the only way. If Ryu-ji stays, the Navy'll come. Luffy's taking him to Lost Island," Apis said.
Bokuden sighed, relenting. "Fine. I'll entrust Ryu-ji to you. But you can't meet him without context."
"What's that mean?" Nami asked.
"Come to my house. I'll explain everything," Bokuden said.
Nami and Silk exchanged puzzled looks, sensing unexpected gravity. Luffy nodded casually. "Got it. Talk, then meet him."
"That easy?" Nami asked.
"Gotta hear it to meet her friend," Luffy said.
"Follow me," Bokuden said.
They entered his modest home, sitting as Bokuden prepared to speak. Apis, knowing his long-windedness, stood. "Grandpa, I'll make tea. It's rude not to offer guests anything."
"Good idea," Bokuden said.
"Keep talking. Luffy, help me," Apis said, pulling him.
"I can help. Luffy's clumsy," Silk offered.
"It's fine. C'mon, Luffy," Apis insisted.
"Alright, stop pulling. I stretch anyway," Luffy said, following.
As Bokuden cleared his throat to discuss the Thousand-Year Dragon legend, Nami interrupted. "Before that, we brought Apis back. No reward?"
"Nami, really?" Silk said.
"Not just money. Treasure works," Nami said.
"Hmm…" Bokuden pondered.
"Nami, not now," Silk said.
Nami's diversion let Apis sneak Luffy out the back, hurrying up the mountain toward a rock wall. "This island's weird. Tea's this far?" Luffy asked.
"No, I lied. Grandpa's talks take forever," Apis said.
"Oh."
"Hurry, or the Navy'll come. Luffy, I trust you. Don't hurt my friend," Apis said.
"No way," Luffy said.
They entered a large cave, damp and wide. Luffy looked around curiously; Apis, familiar, focused ahead. They reached a vast chamber inside the warship-shaped rock. A massive figure loomed in the dimness. Apis ran to it, calling, "Ryu-ji, you okay? I found someone to help. He's good."
"Who're you talking to?" Luffy asked, stepping forward.
His eyes adjusted. It wasn't a rock—a colossal creature, dragon-like, with a lizardish face, sharp fangs, and green fur. Aged, balding, it lacked vigor but exuded presence. Its golden eyes met Luffy's, who gasped. Dragons were fairy tales, dismissed by his brothers. Yet here one was, alive.
Apis stroked its snout. Luffy, awestruck, shouted, "Incredible! Is this real!?"
"Quiet, Luffy! You'll scare Ryu-ji," Apis said.
"What is this!? I thought dragons weren't real, but it's here, alive!" Luffy said.
"Calm down! I'll explain," Apis said, sighing. Turning to the dragon, she said, "This island has a legend—the Thousand-Year Dragon."
"Legend?" Luffy asked.
"Yup. Ryu-ji's that dragon, my friend… no, everyone's on this island. He's been with us since I was little, guarding the village for a thousand years."
Luffy studied Ryu-ji. He seemed weak, his eyes kind. Apis's expression grew complex. "Ryu-ji has to return to his home, the Dragon's Nest, on Lost Island."