The warship, battered and barely afloat, had fought through the storm to reach calmer waters.
Riddled with holes, it was a miracle it hadn't sunk. Waterlogged decks signaled a dire situation, yet it still moved forward.
Everyone thought they'd been through hell.
The unprecedented damage broke the spirits of even the survivors, leaving them reluctant to move.
No one expected a random boy to cause this chaos.
Many marines sat dejected on the soaked deck, only a few still active.
Wendy gazed at Donny, under the ship's doctor's care, and spoke with a smile.
"Got beat up, huh? Were those kids strong?"
How long had it been since she'd seen him injured? Were they that formidable?
Defeated by fledgling pirates, the ship in tatters, the navy's pride crushed. Yet Wendy seemed almost gleeful, oddly relaxed compared to the others.
A lieutenant stood nearby, reporting with a serious expression.
"The damage is severe. We'll likely sink before reaching the Eighth Branch. We should stop at a nearby town, repair the ship, and let the men rest."
"Agreed. Let's do it."
Her response was distracted, her mind elsewhere.
The lieutenant frowned, scolding, "You're not enjoying this, are you?"
"Hmm… Mixed feelings. I had a hunch, but getting this thoroughly trounced stings."
"Naturally. If you were carefree now, I'd leave the unit."
"Then it's good I'm bummed out. I'd hate more work without you."
"That's exactly the flippant attitude I'm talking about—"
"Did you see their faces?"
Looking at Donny, Wendy cut him off. The lieutenant sighed heavily.
He'd always found her work ethic lacking, and now something felt off. Was it her talk with Kiri in her quarters? His concerns grew, but he reported anyway.
"The storm made it hard to count. One girl at the helm, a swordsman and a girl fighting Donny, and that straw-hat boy."
"His arms stretched, right? Definitely a Devil Fruit user."
"An odd crew for nobodies. Two ability users."
"Yup. Stretchy arms and paper weapons. Fascinating."
Her excited expression stood out. She'd seemed bored for years, but today she was alive.
The reason was clear.
Still, the lieutenant pressed, "Your hunch was right?"
"Yup. Grandpa's notes suggested it, but it's true—he had a kid. And by some twist, that kid's a pirate. Can you believe it? How's that not fate?"
"A fateful encounter?"
"Donny thinks so too. It's him, no doubt."
Donny, sitting quietly, locked eyes with Wendy.
Their thoughts aligned, both hoping for a reunion someday.
"Still, this was a good lesson. My misjudgment. I was too lax. Time to tighten up."
"Finally getting serious?"
"Training time. Not just me—everyone."
Wendy turned, eyeing the dejected marines on the deck.
Hardened men, all looking pathetic.
Hands on hips, she spoke with a vibrant, almost girlish energy.
"How many of you thought East Blue was the weakest sea?"
Her clear voice reached everyone.
The marines looked up, listless, their eyes dull.
She scanned them, grinning.
"You know the Grand Line. That's a fact. But this incident proved something, didn't it? There's no strongest or weakest sea. The careless die; only those who keep honing themselves survive. That's the universal rule of the seas."
Her words were both a reprimand and a rallying cry.
The marines listened intently.
"Let's own it—we lost. But it's not over. You'll face pirates again, maybe even them. Victory or death depends on you. Only those who look forward keep living."
Slowly, life returned to their eyes.
They'd been in despair, but they weren't dead. There was still a chance to change.
Encouraged, they began standing, one by one.
"No time to mope—train. Next time, we win."
Loud affirmations echoed, and the deck grew lively.
The lieutenant sighed quietly.
"You and they sure bounce back."
"Hehe, maybe. Not a bad speech, right?"
"Hard to say. I know you too well."
"Let's head to town. Then, back to work."
Wendy let the wind hit her face, brushing back wet hair, gazing at the sea.
"Eighth Branch, huh… Wish some hero would solve our problems."
"Not this again."
"That 'ojaru' guy creeps me out."
"Stop with the ominous talk. You never know who's listening."
Scolded by the lieutenant, Wendy kept smiling, shaking her shoulders, staring gleefully toward the storm's direction.
Evening should've brought a sunset, but thick clouds hid it.
The battered sailship, worse for wear, carried on. Repairs seemed pointless.
Yet the crew was carefree, sprawled on the deck. Kiri, weakened by rain, Luffy, Zoro, Silk, and Apis—exhausted from their first naval battle and cannon blasts—lacked the energy to move.
Nami, letting go of the helm, approached with a sour look.
"Hey, how long are you all lounging? Making me steer alone—aren't you embarrassed as pirates?"
"That bear was tough. I'm drained," Luffy whined.
"I told you messing with the navy was dumb. …Well, we all made it back."
Sighing at their state, Nami couldn't deny underestimating this crew.
Even with the enemy ship in disarray during the storm, surviving was a miracle. Their intensity at critical moments was indescribable—precise orders, reckless bravery, unwavering resolve, and unspoken trust.
Facing Donny, clearly outmatched, they wordlessly divided roles and cooperated. That moment revealed their bond.
Comrades. Was that what they were?
Nami's expression softened briefly. She shook it off, forcing a wry smile before they noticed.
They'd escaped, cleared the storm, and now just needed to return to Warship Island.
Clapping her hands, she snapped them out of the relaxed mood.
"Enough lying around. We need to get to Warship Island fast, or they'll come after us again. Move it."
"Next, we help Apis. Gotta take Ryu-ji to his homeland," Luffy said.
"Yup!" Apis agreed.
"Ryu-ji? Who's that?"
Kiri tilted his head at the unfamiliar name.
While others knew the context, Kiri, who'd been captured, was out of the loop on Warship Island and the Millennium Dragon.
Silk sat cross-legged, explaining to the still-prone Kiri.
"There's a Millennium Dragon on that island. We haven't seen it, but Luffy did. It's Apis's friend and wants to go home, so we're taking it."
"Millennium Dragon, huh? Thought they were just legends."
"It's awesome! Huge and cool—a real dragon!"
Luffy sat up, energized, fatigue forgotten as he raved about the dragon. Kiri listened, intrigued.
Zoro, sitting cross-legged, glanced at Apis.
He'd heard the gist—Ryu-ji was targeted by the navy.
They'd just fought the navy.
That ship was wrecked, but reinforcements could come anytime. Lingering wasn't an option. Even if they reached Warship Island, another navy encounter would be hopeless. The power gap was undeniable.
This battle taught them naval combat relied on numbers—sailors, gunners, lookouts.
Their win was pure luck, aided by Kiri's chaos in the storm. Calling it a naval battle was generous. Facing the navy head-on now would be suicide.
Zoro spoke grimly.
"We can't dawdle. The navy's got us in their sights. If you want to protect Ryu-ji, we take him and leave the island fast. To the dragon's nest, right?"
"Yup. Ryu-ji's never said that before."
"He's nearing the end, huh?"
"Don't say that… But, yeah, probably."
Apis bit her lip, looking down.
She seemed to mourn the parting but was steeling herself, unwilling to accept it.
Her voice wavered, heavy with thoughts of Ryu-ji.
"He doesn't say it, but I know. He's eating less, barely moves. He used to fly and swim fine, but now even walking looks tough."
"Just old age, then."
"But it's okay, right? He lived his life—a thousand years. It's time for him to rest."
Apis looked up, speaking as if convincing herself.
Loneliness welled up. She didn't want to let go, but for Ryu-ji's sake, prolonging his life felt wrong.
The time to part was near.
Closing her eyes, she thought, then spoke clearly to everyone.
"It's fine. I'll send him off with a smile. If I'm weak, Ryu-ji will worry."
"Apis…"
Imagining the moment, tears welled in her eyes. Nami, hugging herself, called her name, but it didn't ease the pain.
Apis held back tears, gripping her clothes tightly.
Smart but still a child, she couldn't fully control her emotions.
Silk suddenly hugged her, pressing Apis's face to her chest.
The situation was more dire than imagined.
Kiri, still sprawled, spoke solemnly.
"Got it. We hit Warship Island, grab Ryu-ji, and leave. Night's coming—darkness will hide us from the navy."
"The issue's the route. Where's this dragon's nest?" Nami asked.
"Let's ask Bokuden. He mentioned a mural, so he might know something," Silk said, stroking Apis's head.
No one objected.
The course was set—stop at Warship Island, pick up Ryu-ji, and head out. Where to next depended on Bokuden's info. It wouldn't be an easy journey.
Their enemy was the navy, their ship damaged, and they'd be escorting an immobile Millennium Dragon.
A grueling voyage loomed.
Luffy slapped his knees and stood.
"Alright, let's eat!"
"What? How's that your takeaway?!"
Nami grimaced at Luffy's abrupt suggestion.
His thought process was a mystery, especially after Kiri and Zoro's serious talk.
She was dumbfounded, but the others seemed unfazed—typical Luffy.
"Being hungry makes you mope. Eat, fill up, and you'll smile again. Right, Apis?"
"Y-Yeah!"
Apis pulled away from Silk, wiping her eyes and forcing a grin.
It was strained but shifted the mood. The tension eased, the air lighter. Luffy's words weren't wasted.
Still, his lack of forethought was an issue.
Who'd cook in this situation? The topic shifted there.
"Who's cooking? Kiri's down, and I'm not great at it," Apis said.
"I'll do it," Zoro offered.
"No way. Uh, Nami?"
"Sure. Five thousand Berries each."
"You're charging?! How greedy are you?!"
"Then I'll cook!"
Apis raised her hand amid the confusion.
All eyes turned to her.
They'd eaten together, but her cooking skills were unknown. With no other options, hesitation created an odd atmosphere.
Apis beamed, full of life, eager to help, showing no signs of battle fatigue.
A child's resilience, but the crew exchanged glances.
"Apis, you can cook?"
"Leave it to me. I'm confident."
"Not thrilled, but better than paying," Zoro muttered.
"I heard that. Fine, I didn't want to cook anyway," Nami snapped.
"Shishishi! Apis, make us something good!"
"Yup!"
Apis nodded happily, and the plan was set.
Kiri, still sprawled, looking foolish and making no effort to stand, spoke up.
"Before that, let's change. Wet clothes suck for anyone, not just me."
"Good point. Nami, Apis, borrow mine. Not sure about sizes," Silk said.
"I'll take anything. It's getting chilly," Nami replied.
"Apis, okay with that?"
"Yup! I'm not embarrassed in front of everyone."
"Haha, my clothes aren't that weird."
The three women headed to the women's quarters to change out of wet clothes.
Zoro started toward the men's quarters but paused, spotting Kiri still down. He and Luffy stared, and Kiri grinned sheepishly.
"Sorry, can you help me change?"
"Such a pain…"
"Can't be helped. Kiri's weak to water," Luffy said, hoisting him up.
Luffy's doting contrasted his usual self, amusing Zoro, who sighed.
"You're spoiling him. Water's his weakness, sure, but he's the one who went after that polar bear."
"No big deal. Kiri always helps us out, so this is nothing."
"Thanks, Luffy. You're a real captain, unlike some people."
"I'll kick you off," Zoro growled.
"You guys get along great," Luffy laughed.
"No, we don't. What are you seeing?"
The three men headed inside to change.
Later, Apis, refreshed, entered the kitchen. Her cooking, however, was indescribably awful, leaving a horrific taste.
Only Luffy ate unfazed, while the other four screamed in horror.
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