Amid raging waves and torrential rain, the ship charged straight toward the warship.
Thanks to the navigator's skill, the sails stayed taut, riding the wind and conquering the waves—a suicidal move under normal circumstances. Yet, they prioritized speed over safety, never wavering. This allowed them to catch up to the warship.
On deck, the crew scrambled to keep the ship afloat.
Even Apis, with no sailing experience, hustled about, doing her best.
As the ship closed in on the warship, Luffy, holding his hat, shouted, staring at the enemy vessel.
"Nami! Ram it! I'll jump aboard!"
"What!? Are you insane!?" Nami yelled.
"Kiri's waiting! I'm going!"
"Ugh, fine, don't blame me if this goes wrong…!"
Grumbling, Nami gripped the helm and steered.
The plan was to slam the bow into the warship's side, catching them off guard. But the strain could wreck their ship. In this storm, it might sink entirely.
Still, Luffy insisted on charging.
Oddly, Nami didn't resist, setting the course.
Silk staggered across the swaying deck to Nami.
"We're really ramming them?" Silk asked.
"No choice—he said so!" Nami snapped.
Silk glanced at the warship, flames rising from it, its form shifting unnaturally. Something was wrong, though details were unclear. No cannon fire came from the enemy. To bridge the power gap, they had to seize this chance.
"Nami, after we hit, turn to show our port side," Silk said.
"Now you're giving orders!?" Nami retorted.
"Please. We can't win head-on. Let's try this."
"Try what—Silk, wait!"
Silk dashed below, spotting Apis tumbling on the deck and Zoro grabbing her collar to steady her.
"Apis, Zoro, help! We're using the cannons!" Silk called.
"What's that now?" Zoro grumbled.
"I'll help!" Apis chirped.
"Don't fall overboard, kid. That's the end," Zoro warned.
Holding Apis, Zoro headed below. Silk glanced at Luffy, focused on the warship.
"Luffy, we'll fire the cannons! Give the signal when ready! We'll be below!"
"Got it!" Luffy shouted.
His voice cut through the storm. Silk descended into an unused section of the ship, where Zoro and Apis waited, drenched from the rain, water dripping onto the dry floor. No time to care. Silk brushed back her hair and got to work.
But as rookie pirates—plus a civilian—none had cannon experience. It was a spur-of-the-moment idea, and they froze before the cannons, powder, and shot.
"So… how do we prep these?" Silk asked.
"You called us down here without knowing?" Zoro snapped.
"I've never used cannons! We're new to sea battles!" Silk protested.
"Just stuff in powder and a ball, right?" Zoro said.
"Let's try. It might work," Apis added.
Spurred by Apis's words, they fumbled into action. Loading powder and shot felt like an experiment. No one knew the right amount of powder or which shot to use—they just shoved in what looked right.
They managed to prep six cannons. Each could fire two, totaling six shots. With no view outside, timing depended on Luffy.
As they finished, Luffy's voice boomed.
"Silk, it's time!"
"We're ready! Brace for the ship's sway!" Silk shouted.
Tense, the trio crouched by the cannons, awaiting the signal.
The ship closed in.
Luffy, atop the mast, clung to a rope, hat secured, peering at the warship's deck. Through the storm's haze, he saw Kiri, saber in hand, cornered by marines. She looked pained, her movements shaky, but alive.
Less than a minute to impact.
Unable to wait, Luffy bellowed, "KIRIII!"
His voice pierced the storm, turning heads—not just Kiri's, but the marines'. At that moment, their ship slammed bow-first into the warship's side. Nami deftly turned the helm, scraping their port side against the enemy.
Luffy, calm, seized the moment. "Silk, fire!"
"Fire!" Silk yelled.
Six deafening blasts rang out as the cannons fired.
The warship dwarfed their ship, but the point-blank barrage dealt heavy damage, worsening existing holes. Screams erupted aboard the enemy, chaos deepening. The ship's structure was unrecognizable, walls breached everywhere.
The warship rocked, marines stumbling. Kiri, cornered near the bow, and Wendy, watching, were no exception.
It was Kiri's chance. The simultaneous ramming and cannon fire left no one calm. Seeing Luffy atop the mast, Kiri summoned her last strength.
"Kiri, come!" Luffy shouted.
Dropping her stolen saber, Kiri ran through the rain, leaping onto the railing and jumping toward their ship.
Everyone watched. Despite the ships' contact, waves had already opened a gap. Kiri, unsteady, couldn't possibly make it.
But she stretched out her hand, as if pleading. Luffy's arm shot out, grabbing hers. They gripped tightly, and he yanked her aboard, landing her on the deck.
Wendy stared, stunned. Such reckless, fearless trust. She couldn't help but admire them, frozen as Kiri rejoined her crew.
"Kiri! You okay!?" Luffy asked.
"Thanks, Captain. That was close," Kiri panted.
"Shishishi, no biggie. Can't sail without you!"
Seeing Kiri safe, Nami sighed in relief and turned the helm. The battered warship couldn't pursue. They adjusted course, navigating the stormy waves to escape.
Below, the cannon blasts had deafened the trio. Black smoke clouded the hold. Zoro, least affected, spoke up.
"You guys okay? Get topside. It ain't over."
"What? My ears are ringing…" Silk groaned.
"Just move!" Zoro barked, gesturing upward.
Silk followed, but Zoro glanced at Apis. A kid, unsuited for combat. Silk could handle herself, but Apis was better off below.
"Apis, stay here. We're not sure it's over," he said.
"What? My ears…" Apis mumbled.
"Whatever. Don't come up if fighting starts," Zoro snapped, heading up.
On deck, Kiri lay sprawled, Luffy crouched beside her. Silk ran over, beaming despite the rain, followed by Zoro with a slight grin and Apis, her face lighting up.
"Kiri! You're okay!" Silk exclaimed.
"Thanks for the rescue, guys. I was in deep," Kiri said.
"Damn troublemaker. Told you to stay away, idiot," Zoro teased, smirking.
The crew gathered, rain-soaked, gazing at Kiri. Despite the trouble, no one was angry. Even Zoro's harsh words carried a smile. Apis joined, and they laughed together.
In the storm's chaos, on a ship that could capsize any moment, barely out of the warship's range, they laughed, overjoyed at saving one crewmate—no treasure, no grand adventure.
Nami, at the helm, found it baffling. Foolish? Carefree? These pirates were unlike any she'd met. Yet, oddly, it didn't feel bad.
She'd distrusted them for being pirates, but they weren't heartless. Charging into a storm for Kiri proved it. A warm crew.
Softening, Nami smiled at them. "Hey, we're not done. Survive this storm, so get to work!"
"Aye!" they cheered.
"Nami, you came too. Thanks," Kiri said.
"I'm just here to use you guys for treasure. Speaking of, you were on a navy ship—steal some loot next time!" Nami huffed.
"Haha, classic thief talk. Gotta respect the hustle," Kiri said.
"Wait, don't you only rob pirates?" Silk asked.
"Details, details! Steal when you can!" Nami shot back, grinning.
She was starting to fit in, relaxing at the helm.
"Alright, let's beat this storm. Furl the sails before they tear, then—"
A massive polar bear, Donny, burst from the sea, landing on deck. Its towering presence stunned everyone. Luffy grinned, while the others gaped.
Donny's eyes locked on Kiri. Luffy, sensing it, stepped forward, fists ready.
"So you're the one who took Kiri," Luffy said.
"He's strong, Luffy. From the Grand Line," Kiri warned.
"Don't worry. I won't lose."
Luffy, flanked by Silk and Zoro, weapons drawn, faced Donny's cold stare.
"Apis, take care of Kiri. He can't move," Luffy said.
"Got it," Apis replied.
"We'll take this bear down and go home!" Luffy roared.
He launched a punch. "Gomu Gomu no Pistol!"
Donny swiftly caught it with both paws, human-like, and threw Luffy onto the deck, cracking it.
"Oof!" Luffy grunted.
"Damn, this thing's trained!" Zoro growled, charging with three swords.
Donny's fur wasn't armor, but its precise claw parries blocked Zoro's strikes. Unfazed, it countered flawlessly, not a scratch on its fur. Zoro retreated, stunned. This animal's intelligence and physicality surpassed any foe they'd faced.
He charged again. "Tiger Hunt!"
Three swords slashed like claws, aiming for Donny's torso. But Donny sidestepped, dodging effortlessly. Zoro, midair, was struck and sent crashing through the cabin wall.
Donny was unscathed against Luffy and Zoro. Numbers meant nothing.
Silk stepped between Donny and Kiri, sabers raised. "I won't let you take him."
"Take this!" Luffy lunged, aiming a punch at Donny's face. "Gomu Gomu no Bullet!"
Donny ducked, countering with an uppercut. Luffy flew skyward, then was kicked into the same wall as Zoro, both crashing inside.
Donny's eyes returned to Kiri, blocked by Silk. They locked gazes in the storm.
"Silk…" Apis whispered.
"It's okay, Apis. It's okay," Silk said, as if convincing herself.
Her arms trembled, fear threatening to crush her. But with Kiri and Apis behind her, she couldn't flee. Biting her lip, she faced Donny.
As Donny assumed a martial stance, tension gripped the deck. Waves crashed aboard. Silk moved first, charging and swinging her saber.
Her speed was no match for Luffy or Zoro. Donny easily dodged, stepping back.
"Yaa!" Silk shouted.
Her strike missed—but blood spurted from Donny's abdomen, staining its white fur red.
"What…?" Silk gasped, most shocked of all.
Her blade hadn't connected, yet a slash mark appeared. Kiri, watching, shouted, "Silk, keep swinging! It doesn't need to hit!"
"Huh? Okay!" Silk swung again.
The blade missed, but another cut appeared on Donny. Shallow, but real. Against an opponent Luffy and Zoro couldn't touch, Silk landed hits.
Still confused, she recalled eating a Devil Fruit on Warship Island. She'd forgotten her powers, unclear even now. But somehow, she was attacking with them.
Donny, wary, backed to the ship's edge. Luffy and Zoro burst from the cabin, charging.
"Take that, bear!" Luffy roared.
"I'll cut you down!" Zoro shouted.
Despite their fury, they stayed coordinated. Luffy attacked, while Zoro threw debris as a distraction. Silk watched for openings.
Donny parried Luffy's punches, deflected Zoro's debris, and dodged Silk's invisible slashes. Its composure faltered under the triple assault.
"Gomu Gomu no Gatling!" Luffy unleashed a flurry of punches.
Donny blocked, retreating. Luffy suddenly backed off, and Zoro's debris flew at Donny's face. It dodged, but Silk's swing landed a hit on its leg, staggering it.
Luffy seized the moment, stretching both arms back. "Gomu Gomu no Bazooka!"
A powerful palm strike hit Donny's abdomen, sending it crashing through the ship's side into the sea.
Zoro leapt after, slashing. "Oni Giri!"
The strike, blocked by claws, still forced Donny into the waves. Zoro would've fallen, too, but Luffy grabbed him, pulling him back to the deck.
They'd won, barely. Exhausted, they collapsed.
"Take that, bear," Luffy panted.
"Nami! No time to furl sails—escape now!" Zoro urged.
The warship was still in sight. Kiri wasn't fit to fight. Speed was their priority.
Nami nodded, steering through the storm.
A roar shook the air—the bear. Apis, sensing its emotions, murmured sadly, "It's grieving. Lonely."
"Related to me?" Kiri asked.
"It's calling a different name. Not yours. It doesn't want to be apart."
Kiri, expressionless, muttered, "Just a mistake. I don't know anyone like that."
He patted Apis's head, dismissing her pained look. Donny's cry meant nothing to him. Even if it saw someone else in him, Kiri didn't care. His memories were his own, and he had no interest in any supposed truth.
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