Admiral Nelson Royale of the Navy's Eighth Branch was elated. A foolish pirate ship had challenged his fleet alone and was swiftly crushed, as always. Now, the coveted Thousand-Year Dragon's bones were within reach. He couldn't stop grinning.
A corpulent man, barely able to walk unaided, Nelson lacked the demeanor of a marine. Yet, his position as Eighth Branch commander and naval combat prowess earned him untouchable status, even for such reckless actions. Sipping wine, he gazed at the island with smug confidence.
"Admiral, the pirate ship has been eliminated," a marine reported.
"Hmph. Challenging my fleet? Utter insolence. No pirate can best us," Nelson boasted, tilting his glass.
His overflowing pride bordered on arrogance, blind to the possibility of defeat. Draining his wine, he responded coldly to the marine's report.
"The target clings to the wreckage, still alive."
"Fire," Nelson ordered.
"But, sir, we don't know their identity—"
"They're pirates, aren't they? No need to spare them."
He tossed his glass aside, shattering it—a warning of the fate awaiting disobedient subordinates. The marine paled.
"Or do you defy my orders?" Nelson sneered.
A chill ran through the marine. There was only one answer. Saluting, he complied. Nelson's unchecked authority instilled terror, ensuring none dared oppose him.
"Understood. We'll fire immediately," the marine said.
A massive roar erupted from the island, halting all work. The sound was undeniable, even to Nelson, who raised his arms in glee.
The long-sought legend—the Thousand-Year Dragon—was real, here on Warship Island.
"That's the Thousand-Year Dragon's cry! It's here!" Nelson exclaimed, beaming.
From the island's silhouette, a massive shadow took flight. In the moonless, cloud-covered night, its majestic form was unmistakable—a Thousand-Year Dragon, soaring toward Nelson's warship with startling speed, graceful yet powerful.
As Ryu-ji loomed overhead, Nelson reached skyward. "The dragon's bones, eternal life—"
His words cut off as Ryu-ji dove, using its weight to crash through the deck. The warship split in two, sinking in seconds. Debris scattered, and Nelson vanished. The fleet descended into chaos.
A single dragon, yet its might was beyond human resistance. The awe-inspiring sight left everyone breathless, shaken. No one remained calm. They'd earned the dragon's wrath.
"Retreat!" a marine shouted.
Ryu-ji's fierce gaze locked onto another warship. Spreading its wings, it soared and dove, crushing the deck with its weight. The second ship sank amid screams, no match for the dragon's simple, devastating power.
A one-sided massacre unfolded—dragon against man.
Ryu-ji, noting the fleet's growing panic, took flight again. On the wreckage, the five pirates watched, transfixed.
"That's the Thousand-Year Dragon? Apis's Ryu-ji, right?" Nami murmured.
"Incredible. It sank a warship in seconds. Can we even survive this?" Silk added.
"No way!" Luffy snapped, his eyes serious, not awed but concerned.
He'd seen Ryu-ji before, weakened in a cave, barely able to move. This burst of strength defied its frail state. Willpower alone drove it, but it wouldn't last. If it collapsed, no dragon could withstand cannon fire. Luffy had promised Apis to take Ryu-ji to the Dragon's Nest.
He couldn't just watch. His gaze hardened.
"Ryu-ji was too weak to move. If we let it fight, it won't make it to the Dragon's Nest," Luffy said.
"Maybe, but we're helpless right now," Nami replied.
"I promised Apis! I won't just stand here!" Luffy insisted.
Nami grabbed his shoulders, her eyes reflecting the same resolve but tinged with despair. Her trembling voice betrayed her anguish.
"Get it together! Emotions won't help. Our ship's gone, the enemy outnumbers us—what can we do?" she pleaded.
Her gaze dropped, hands slipping from his shoulders. Luffy looked around. Silk sat, sword discarded, defeated. Kiri, soaked from the sea, slumped similarly. Zoro's eyes burned with resolve but said nothing. Despair gripped them all, their faces darker than ever.
Ryu-ji sank a third ship and soared again, the sounds relentless. Luffy clenched his teeth, frustrated. Their ship was destroyed, the crew exhausted, and fighting wouldn't yield results. Escape was impossible. Admitting defeat was logical, but accepting it was another matter.
Watching Ryu-ji fight beyond its limits, Luffy couldn't stay passive. He turned to Kiri. "The navy's focused on Ryu-ji. I'll board their ship and take them out. If I'm quick, I can end this before Ryu-ji collapses."
"Luffy," Kiri said softly.
"I won't end here! I'm gonna be Pirate King!" Luffy declared.
Kiri closed his eyes, speechless. The navy, though rattled, prepared cannons to target Ryu-ji. The dragon didn't relent.
Kiri opened his eyes, meeting Luffy's gaze. Doubt lingered, but with nothing left to lose, he nodded slightly. Luffy's face lit with a grin.
Without explanation, Luffy turned to the warships. Nami protested, "Luffy, wait!"
"It's fine, Nami," Kiri said.
"They're too strong! You know that!" she cried.
"It's our only option," Kiri murmured weakly.
Nami froze, shocked by his tone. Luffy readied to stretch his arm when Ryu-ji dove from the sky, landing in the water nearby, sending waves rocking the wreckage. Spreading its wings, it shielded the crew.
A barrage of cannon fire followed. Ryu-ji took countless hits, blood and smoke rising. The crew's faces twisted in horror, unable to look away. Despite the pain, Ryu-ji didn't groan or retreat, enduring until the firing stopped.
As the noise ceased, Ryu-ji slowly rose, stretching its neck skyward. Simultaneously, Apis's voice rang from the shore.
"Ryu-ji!" she screamed.
Ryu-ji's roar thundered heavenward. Collapsing onto the sea, it raised a wave, soaking the crew. Their eyes locked on the dragon, still floating but gravely wounded. Holes pierced its body, flesh torn, breathing ragged.
Luffy leapt onto Ryu-ji's neck, peering at its face. No cannon hits there, but its eyes were dim, fading.
"Hey, Ryu-ji! You're going to the Dragon's Nest—don't die yet!" Luffy urged.
Ryu-ji's eyes met his. Luffy felt a strange sensation, hearing a voice, his expression shifting.
"What? That was… you?" he asked.
As the four watched, stunned, Luffy touched Ryu-ji's cheek, hearing a calm, reassuring voice—not through his ears, but undeniably Ryu-ji's.
"What do you mean, 'this is fine'? Weren't we going to the Dragon's Nest? We haven't given up! We'll make it work, so don't say that!" Luffy said.
The crew saw he was somehow conversing. They heard nothing—Ryu-ji hadn't spoken beyond roars. Only Luffy perceived it. Despite not having the Hiso Hiso Fruit, his earnest demeanor made doubt impossible. They watched silently, trusting he heard.
"Awakened? Who're you talking about? We gotta get outta here—whoa!" Luffy clutched his head, wincing.
Kiri called out, "Luffy!"
A piercing ringing overwhelmed Luffy. Amid it, a loud voice spoke—unheard by the others, coming from the sea.
"Who are you guys!?" Luffy shouted, pained.
The sea shifted. The navy, ignoring the dragon's bones, readied another volley to eliminate the threat. But something emerged, surrounding the fleet.
Four massive shadows rose, dwarfing Ryu-ji—Thousand-Year Dragons, rivaling giant sea kings. Their appearance stunned all—pirates, navy, and islanders. Their overwhelming presence radiated power.
Moving as one, they flapped their wings. The force wasn't an attack but a disaster. Winds and waves obliterated the fleet in an instant. Debris sank, leaving only the Straw Hats' wreckage. The dragons spared them.
As the waves calmed, the crew gazed at the dragons. Unlike Ryu-ji, they exuded youthful vigor, their strength far surpassing his. They looked at Ryu-ji with tender eyes.
The crew, spared from sinking, realized the battle was over. The dragons' majesty captivated them.
"They're huge! Who are they!?" Luffy exclaimed.
"The fleet… gone in a flash," Nami whispered.
"This is their prime. Unreal," Kiri said.
Kiri, still slumped, noticed something. Staring at the dragons, he murmured, "They came from the sea… Nami, the Lost Island legend."
"It sank to the sea's bottom," she recalled.
"The mural pointed to this island, but even the islanders didn't know," Kiri said.
The four dragons dove underwater. Luffy shouted in disappointment, but the others waited for Kiri's next words.
"The dragons were the key. They knew the truth," Kiri said.
Soon, the sea stirred again. A massive object rose, waves shifting. The crew and Ryu-ji, immobile, stared at the water. A colossal shadow emerged.
A white, crown-like landmass surfaced, encircling Warship Island. Ryu-ji and the crew were lifted onto it, leaving the sea.
This was Lost Island—the Thousand-Year Dragons' home, the Dragon's Nest. Speechless, they marveled at the pristine, glowing land.
The four dragons roared skyward from the island's edges, their voices solemn, carrying deep emotion unlike Ryu-ji's battle cries. The sound calmed the crew's hearts.
"They're calling…" Luffy muttered.
"Huh?" Silk turned to him.
The crown-like land had jagged rocks at its edges, where the dragons perched, having raised the island. Luffy, staring at the nearest dragon, looked serious, almost dazed, hearing a voice again.
"They're calling someone far away," he said.
"You understand them? Like with Ryu-ji?" Silk asked.
"Yeah. Don't know why. But Ryu-ji's voice is gone now," Luffy replied.
Stepping off Ryu-ji onto the land, he looked back. Ryu-ji still breathed, but barely. Death was near.
The crew gazed at him, hearts heavy. Their savior—if not for him, they'd be dead. Unable to do more than watch, they could only stay by his side.
"Is Ryu-ji gonna die?" Silk asked softly.
"He was already too weak. These wounds…" Zoro trailed off.
"He sought the Dragon's Nest for this moment. It's his wish fulfilled," Kiri said.
"Let's see him off together," Luffy added.
As they watched Ryu-ji, Nami glanced at Warship Island. Not everyone was here. In this critical moment, her heart ached.
"It's not everyone. Apis isn't here. She'd want to be with Ryu-ji more than anyone. This can't be the end!" Nami cried.
The crew turned to her, then to the island, sharing her sentiment. But they realized there was no need to worry.
Luffy pointed. "Nami, look."
"What—?" she gasped.
"She knows. She'll be here for the end."
Apis ran toward them, breathless, stumbling but rising, eyes fixed on Ryu-ji. She'd accepted the inevitable, determined to be at his side.
Tears brimming, she bit her lip, forcing a shaky smile. "Ryu-ji, I'm here!"
Nami covered her mouth, tears streaming. Silk hugged her shoulder, comforting her. Apis passed through the crew, reaching Ryu-ji's face. His closed eyes opened, meeting hers with gentle warmth.
Her radiant smile, unchanged from days past, seemed to make him smile back.
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