Hearing the blank cannon shot echo skyward, Luffy turned back just before entering the cave.
The signal told him the situation had changed. His gentle smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. The shift in his demeanor altered Apis's face too.
Looking at the sea, enemy ships were already visible, signaling the need to return.
The worst-case scenario. He seemed to understand it as well.
"Apis, go to Ryu-ji!"
"L-Luffy…"
"Don't worry, we'll handle it!"
Smiling at Apis beside him, he sprinted off, eyes fixed ahead with resolve.
The path from their position to the ship was straightforward. Being atop a mountain, he could see their ship clearly. Even Luffy, self-proclaimed directionally challenged, didn't hesitate.
He dashed like the wind, his athleticism making his arrival astonishingly quick.
Still, he was farthest from the ship among the crew, the last to board. By then, everyone was back, preparing to set sail. Fighting near the village was too risky—they'd meet the enemy at sea. That was their only pre-set plan.
On the deck, Luffy scanned the crew.
Kiri, Nami, Zoro, Silk—all present, not one missing.
Their side: one sailship, five crew including the captain. The enemy: at least ten warships, larger than theirs, carrying hundreds of marines. No matter their strength, they couldn't win head-on.
They knew this, yet they'd been spotted.
No escape, no time to regroup.
Only one path remained—to fight for Ryu-ji's safety.
Luffy approached Kiri, who was peering through a telescope, and spoke with a grim expression, accepting the recklessness.
"Kiri, we're going at them, right?"
"Seems like our only option. They're probably planning to surround the island."
"So Ryu-ji can't escape?"
"Not unless we take them down."
Lowering the telescope, Kiri gave a wry smile.
He hadn't felt such a dire situation since the battle where he lost his crew. Even then, it was one ship against one. This kind of disparity was a first.
This might be the first time he truly thought they'd die.
A bad premonition gnawed at him, one he didn't want to acknowledge.
His smile faded, and he stared at the distant enemy ships with a serious gaze.
"Might die this time…"
"No way! We just started! We're not dying here. You're gonna make me Pirate King, right?"
"I know. Guess we just do it."
The ship began moving, pulling away from the dock. Nami steered, adjusting the bow.
Kiri spoke loud enough for all to hear.
"Target's the flashiest ship up front. Probably the commander's—Nelson Royale of the Eighth Branch, supposedly a naval combat genius."
"So we're at a disadvantage?"
"That's why we need to take out the commander before they sink us. Our only shot is to decapitate their chain of command."
The danger was clear. Everyone's expressions hardened.
Kiri, usually composed, looked tense, his lack of a smile unsettling. His grim demeanor suggested slim odds.
Naval combat differed from their usual fights.
It wasn't about individual strength but organizational power. The side that maneuvered better won. Their ship lacked a skilled sniper for cannons. Even Kiri, who knew loading and maintenance, wasn't adept at aiming or judging distances by sight.
The worst scenario: they couldn't counterattack while enduring relentless enemy fire.
Their ship was plagued with weaknesses—too few crew.
Kiri's expression remained grim.
"Same as before. Get as close as possible and ram them. Luffy and Zoro board the enemy ship. We focus on keeping ours afloat."
"That'll win it?"
"Maybe ten percent chance."
"That's low…"
"The problem's getting close. With your strength, you two shouldn't lose to marines easily. Worst case, we sacrifice our ship and charge."
"Sounds tougher by the second. But we can't run…"
"It'll come down to a moment. No one can let their guard down. One slip, we all die."
Zoro groaned at the blunt words. The odds were worse than imagined. Silk's face twisted, a sigh stifled by the approaching reality.
Kiri's serious look confirmed he wasn't joking.
No time to mope or think.
They were truly cornered.
"No choice but to go all out. Luffy, think we can win?"
"We'll win!"
"There you go. Everyone, give it your all."
Kiri shrugged, a faint smile returning.
Odds didn't matter anymore. With a pirate flag raised, anything less than victory against the navy was failure.
No retreating, only forward.
The enemy steadily approached the island. They sailed toward them.
Tension mounted as the distance closed.
The unbearable atmosphere enveloped the ship. Nami, gripping the helm silently, glanced at the crew, unable to ignore her growing unease. She hoped they'd all survive, but doubt gnawed at her.
"Luffy and I can defend the ship with our abilities. Counterattacks are mostly cannons. Silk, your ability?"
"Got the name. Kama Kama no Mi—Kamaitachi Human."
"Kamaitachi, huh? Almost Logia-like."
"I think so too. I used it back then, right?"
Silk lowered her gaze, clutching her sword's hilt.
She'd used her ability unconsciously before. Could she do it intentionally now? The situation differed—protecting comrades was the same, but facing ships instead of sword-wielding foes was another matter. She doubted she could cut warships with a sword and ability.
She hoped to at least protect the ship, but failure could endanger everyone.
Kiri spoke to the anxious Silk.
"Don't worry. Eating a Devil Fruit doesn't weaken you. It's about image and resolve. With strong will, you'll use it."
"Really?"
"Abilities grow stronger with training. Testing it now might not be bad."
"Like desperate strength? Yeah, gotta do it."
Reinvigorated, Silk's determination showed. Nami, at the helm, shouted.
"Guys, we're in cannon range! A few shots are fine, but we've got limits. Protect the ship!"
"Got it, Nami. I'll defend too. If I can tap that feeling, I should cut cannonballs."
Silk drew her sword slowly.
The crew took their positions, ready for battle.
Luffy cracked his knuckles, eyeing the enemy. Kiri and Zoro prepped cannons, waiting.
"Will our shots even hit?"
"Doesn't matter. Intimidate them, disrupt their calm. That's enough."
"If it doesn't?"
"We charge."
"Brilliant plan. I'm getting dizzy."
The enemy formation had shifted.
Likely the commander's ship, adorned with a golden ghost figurehead, was now flanked by two warships, protecting it. Approaching would be harder.
Other ships moved to encircle them, circling wide.
Focusing on all was impossible. Their target was one ship.
Ignoring the others, they charged straight ahead.
As they closed in, the enemy fired first—out of range, but a signal of battle's start.
"Here they come!"
The shots missed, splashing into the sea, raising water columns.
Two front ships angled slightly, exposing their sides, revealing countless cannon ports.
A barrage began.
Dozens of cannonballs flew, not just from the front but from two flanking ships. The continuous roars were overwhelming.
Not all would hit, but the pressure was immense.
Luffy and Silk rushed to the ship's edge, using their abilities without hesitation.
"Gomu Gomu no Balloon!"
"Take this!"
Luffy, inflating his belly, deflected a cannonball aimed at the ship. It didn't reach the enemy, but it protected them.
Silk, visualizing her ability, swung her sword.
She believed she could do it. A gust formed, an invisible slash from her blade cutting across a wide area, slicing several cannonballs at once. It exceeded her expectations—her ability was usable on the first try.
Grinning, Silk felt relief at protecting the ship.
"It worked!"
"Nice one, Silk! Keep it up!"
Luffy, kicking away another cannonball, cheered.
Her ability was perfect for this—wide-ranging, slicing iron cannonballs effortlessly with invisible wind.
Another swing sent another gust, cutting more cannonballs.
Feeling newfound hope, Kiri and Zoro raced across the deck, lighting cannons one by one.
"Zoro, forget aiming—just light them! All of them!"
"On it!"
Their cannons fired in succession, most missing, some falling short into the sea. But it signaled their intent to fight, buying time by showing resistance.
Getting close now would mean certain destruction. Their bluff had to hold until they reached the main ship to take out the commander.
Fortunately, the front was open.
Two flanking ships had moved, leaving the main ship in sight.
It meant the encirclement was tightening, but they couldn't wait or care. Charging recklessly was their only way to survive.
Cannonballs kept coming, nerves fraying, but they focused forward.
No direct hits yet due to distance, but that wouldn't last.
Nami shouted, "Kiri, they're behind us!"
Kiri sprinted to the stern, almost leaping, crafting a paper weapon. Spotting an incoming cannonball, he threw it like a spear. The hardened paper collided mid-air, barely diverting its trajectory.
The cannonball hit the sea, spraying water.
The ten warships moved in perfect coordination, surrounding them. No escape remained.
It was too fast, though expected.
Kiri, envisioning their doom seconds away, gritted his teeth in frustration. Shaking off the thought, he refused to accept defeat.
"No escape left…"
"Keep going straight. Even if the ship breaks, we push forward—"
Ahead, one warship stood out, larger than the rest. If they could reach it…
Watching the enemy, Kiri glanced back. The main ship was moving.
A cannon emerged from the lion-shaped figurehead's mouth—a strange triple-barreled design.
Kiri recognized it, shouting in horror before acting.
"Rotary cannon…!?"
Confirming the main ship's attack, Silk ran to the bow, sword ready.
The odd cannon was new, but she felt confident. Her ability could protect them, erasing past guilt.
But the enemy's move was unexpected.
The triple cannon rotated, firing three shots in succession. Simultaneously, all surrounding warships unleashed a barrage—a rain of cannonballs. Defending only the front wasn't enough.
The overwhelming cannon fire dazed Silk, her focus slipping.
She swung her sword, driven to protect, but felt the change. Her ability activated, but it was a mere breeze, not a slash.
"Oh—"
As she gasped, countless cannonballs struck the ship.
Luffy and Kiri couldn't block them all. The storm of shots riddled the ship with holes, roars followed by more roars, wood splintering and flying.
The five could only duck on the deck.
The shaking ship made standing impossible. Surviving direct hits was a miracle.
When the barrage paused for reloading, the ship was a wreck, barely afloat.
Stunned, they stood, overwhelmed by despair.
"Haa, everyone okay?"
"Y-Yeah, somehow…"
Luffy, first to speak, saw only grim faces.
Morale was shattered.
They had to admit it was too reckless. The enemy's strength was too great, their strategy outsmarted, as if lured in.
The naval combat prowess wasn't a lie.
The ruthless barrage was too practiced. The initial misses might've been deliberate to lure them closer. At this range, normally inaccurate, every shot hit perfectly.
Speechless, they stared at the enemy ships, unable to find words.
The power gap was insurmountable.
This was naval combat—inescapable for pirates.
The deck was thick with tension. Only Luffy and Kiri could speak.
"The ship's done. We need a new plan."
"Let's fly to their ship! It's our only shot!"
"No, too many cannons. You'd get shot down at this distance."
"Then what?!"
Luffy, trying to stay calm, raised his voice. Kiri, unusually rattled, couldn't respond immediately.
His mind raced—ways to survive, to win. But panic clouded his thoughts.
Nothing came to mind.
It was the first time they'd seen him like this—clenching his fists until they bled, teeth gritted, yet wordless. No strategy to win and keep everyone alive. His frustration was palpable, agonizing to witness.
Words were hard to find.
As the tense silence lingered, the enemy readied again.
Cannon fire resumed. Zoro shouted sharply.
"Get down!"
With no time to defend, they all hit the deck. Another rain of cannonballs tore through, shredding the ship, wood flying.
The ship split in two, bow and stern separating.
Luffy, Kiri, and Zoro were on the bow; Nami and Silk, stranded on the stern.
The ship was breaking apart, sinking imminent.
The enemy, surrounding them, was in full control, reloading leisurely. This wasn't a battle—it was an execution. Their defeat seemed certain.
The crew's panic grew, composure impossible.
"Ugh…"
"Hey, Kiri, you're bleeding!"
"It's fine. Just a cut."
On the tilting bow, the three stood.
Luffy noticed blood dripping from Kiri's forehead, likely from flying debris. Not deep, but his hair was red, blood streaking his face's right side.
Luffy couldn't stand it.
He'd heard Kiri's story—his crew sunk at sea. He'd sworn not to let it happen again, yet here they were, facing annihilation. He refused to accept it.
Standing, he glared at the enemy ship, muttering with fury.
"If we crush that ship, we can still win. I'll go. If I take him out…"
"Wait, Luffy! You know how far that is? Even if you could reach it, their cannons are aimed here. Kiri or not, you'd get shot down!"
"I'll dodge or deflect! If we stay, we all die!"
"Idiot, if that worked, we'd have done it! They're a trained navy, not some random pirates!"
"You saying we wait to get shot?! I'm not doing that!"
"I'm not saying that! You can't swim if you fall! Think for a sec—"
"Both of you, stop! Fighting here is pointless!"
Kiri stepped between them, halting their argument. It was the first time they'd clashed like this. The tension was undeniable.
But they couldn't act.
Lost on what to do, they were at a loss.
The air grew heavier. Meanwhile, the enemy prepared the final blow.
On the stern, Nami and Silk were far from calm.
"This is bad…!"
"Nami, wait!"
Nami suddenly kicked open a door, rushing inside.
The sinking ship was flooding, half-submerged.
Entering was dangerous, but Nami didn't care, frantic.
She raced down tilting stairs, kicking open a loose door to a room where their treasure was stored, now submerged. A deadly sight—being trapped meant death. Yet Nami waded in, intent on grabbing everything.
Silk, chasing her, grabbed Nami's waist to stop her. But Nami's desperate expression didn't waver.
"Nami, it's dangerous! The ship's sinking—we need to get out!"
"Let go! I need this!"
"We can find more treasure! If you die, you'll never search again!"
Nami turned, grabbing Silk's shoulders, her face desperate, revealing her hidden resolve.
"It's for my village! This is the only way to save them!"
Her anguished cry froze Silk's thoughts.
Then, a third barrage hit, obliterating the ship.
The mainmast snapped, the flag—straw-hat Jolly Roger—torn free, carried by the wind to the island's shore, landing limply on the sand.
Apis, breathless, arrived.
She'd reached Ryu-ji in the cave but couldn't stop worrying about her friends.
Asking Ryu-ji to wait, she rushed out, seeing the ship battered by cannon fire, reduced to ruins.
Running aimlessly to the shore, she arrived as it sank.
Stunned, Apis could only cover her mouth with trembling hands, speechless.
"No…!"
She picked up the pirate flag.
Stumbling, she held it, overwhelmed by sorrow. It hadn't been long since she first saw it, yet it felt so dear.
She didn't know if Luffy and the others were alive.
The ship's state suggested they might be dead.
Her chest ached painfully.
Clutching the flag, tears streamed down her cheeks.
Bowing her head, she whispered hoarsely.
"Help…"
She didn't know who or what she was pleading for.
She just didn't want them to die, unable to contain her emotions.
She knew she shouldn't say it.
But in this moment, she couldn't hold back.
"Help, Ryu-ji!!"
Screaming the name of the one she wanted to save, her voice echoed.
Immediately, a familiar, powerful roar resounded across the island.
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