OPTC Chapter 256 I Really Just Wanted to Travel
Zhang Da Ye said, "If you really want to do something, then the only option is to report it to the Navy."
Zeole froze. "The Navy?"
"Yeah." Zhang Da Ye nodded. "What else do normal people do when they run into pirates? You take shelter and then contact the Navy. This kind of situation is way above our pay grade—we can only hope they have some special ability user or some kind of high-tech weapon."
Zeole hesitated. "I guess that makes sense, but… I didn't think people as strong as you would rely on the Navy."
"You say that like we're criminals. We're just law-abiding citizens on a legitimate tour," Zhang Da Ye said, taking out a Den Den Mushi. "I'll make the call. I've got some connections."
Ye Yan cautioned, "We should change locations. This place is too exposed. If they came for these animals, they'll send scouts soon."
The Golden Lion had hidden for nearly a decade. If they were discovered, he definitely wouldn't let them leave alive.
"Good point." Zhang Da Ye turned to the Qilin Lion. "Tell the animals this: those willing to wait for Navy rescue should find a good place to hide. Those who don't trust that—start finding a way off the island."
The Qilin Lion nodded helplessly and let out a low roar. The animals exchanged uneasy looks before scattering in every direction. It was like a great migration—but this time, it carried a sense of quiet sorrow.
"Shark Chili, you take Meng Meng and Brook ahead. Hide our ship, then grab the spare canvas and see if you can turn it into a giant parachute. If that's not enough… take down the sails and use them." Zhang Da Ye placed Tom on Shark Chili's head. "And bring Tom with you."
He wasn't about to rely solely on the Navy. With Tom—the best tailor in the world—there was no way they couldn't make a parachute. Worst case, he'd just stitch Tom into it.
"Leave it to me." Shark Chili reached up to steady Tom, then sprinted toward where the Amber was docked.
He ran so fast that Tom's head stayed behind for a moment before snapping back into place.
"Boss, be careful!" Shark Chili shouted.
"Stay safe, Mr. Da Ye," Meng Meng and Brook added before turning and running off as well.
"Send the Flag Demons to scout the other islands," Zhang Da Ye said, noticing that the island beneath them had stopped rising. It now hovered among a dozen others, all floating at different heights, circling around the largest one in the center—that had to be the Golden Lion's base.
"They're already out," Ye Yan replied. "Wind Ear just found a village on one of the closer islands. There are people living there, but conditions look bad. We're still gathering details."
"Great," Zhang Da Ye muttered. "The worst possible outcome. Now I can't even run away with a clear conscience." He sighed and dialed Vice Admiral Gion's number.
"Look on the bright side," Ye Yan said. "If there were only animals, the Navy might attack recklessly. But with civilians involved, they'll have to be more careful—maybe even plan a proper rescue."
Brrrrr… brrrrr…
The Den Den Mushi clicked. "Da Ye-chan? It's been over ten days… Did Artoria-chan start missing me already?" came Gion's teasing voice.
Zhang Da Ye ignored the flirt and got straight to the point. "Vice Admiral Gion, I'm calling for help. We've run into a serious problem."
Her tone immediately turned serious. "If even you need help, who's the enemy?"
"The Golden Lion."
There was silence for a few seconds. "...The Golden Lion? You mean *that* Golden Lion?"
"Yes. Shiki the Golden Lion—once mentioned alongside Roger and Whitebeard."
He could hear the background noise on her end explode into chaos—chairs scraping, people talking rapidly.
A few seconds later, another voice came through. "Da Ye, this is Vice Admiral Tsuru. What's your current situation and location?"
"Vice Admiral Tsuru? You're there too?" Zhang Da Ye immediately felt relieved. This old lady gave off the most reliable feeling in the entire Navy. "We haven't been discovered yet. We were on Crown Island—locals call it the Rare Beast Island—along the direct route between Water 7 and Alabasta. But thanks to Shiki's ability, the entire island was lifted into the sky.
There are about a dozen floating islands now, drifting laterally. No idea where they're heading. We've confirmed at least one has civilians living on it."
"So your position can't be pinpointed," Tsuru said thoughtfully. The sheer fact that so many islands were floating confirmed it had to be the Golden Lion. "In that case, I'll have the Intelligence Division trace your Den Den Mushi signal. Is that acceptable?"
"No problem," Zhang Da Ye said. "Do I need to do anything?"
"Just don't hang up," Tsuru replied. "If you get a chance to evacuate, leave the Den Den Mushi behind."
"Wait—you're not encouraging us to stay and help?"
"Of course not," Tsuru said calmly. "You're civilians. You deserve protection, not orders to fight."
Zhang Da Ye wasn't sure if she was trying to win their favor or genuinely being kind—but her tone felt sincere. "Understood. We'll stay hidden and send as much intel as possible. Please do what you can to keep these islands safe."
"I'll have Gion stay in touch and head out immediately for rescue," Tsuru said before handing the line back.
"Da Ye-chan," Gion said softly, "you guys really did go traveling, huh? It's only been a month, and every problem you run into is bigger than the last."
"You think I planned this?" Zhang Da Ye groaned. "All I wanted was to eat, relax, maybe catch a small-time pirate or run a little tavern to earn some travel money. But no—these lunatics keep finding me instead. By the way, things sounded pretty noisy on your end earlier. Having a meeting?"
"Yeah. Thanks to you, I'm the only one left here now," Gion sighed. "We were already drowning in work over a certain Warlord case. Then we had to deal with the Donquixote Pirates, spent days drafting an operation plan, deal with Sakazuki's aftermath, and finally got a moment to breathe—now it's the Golden Lion. Tell me, Da Ye-chan, are you sure you're not doing this just to make me work overtime?"
"Hah, if only. Trust me, I don't want any part of this mess either."
"By the way, you mentioned Vice Admiral Sakazuki earlier," Zhang Da Ye thought for a moment, then lowered his voice. "If possible… can you not let him get involved?"
"Why not?"
"I just have this feeling that if he shows up, the first thing he'll do is rain down magma and blow all these islands to dust. Then, when Shiki beats him up and flies off, I'll be standing there wondering which one of them I'm supposed to help."
Gion groaned. "So that's the image you people have of Sakazuki?"
She couldn't even defend him. There *had* been cases where pirates took hostages, and Sakazuki killed both them and the hostages without hesitation.
"Please don't take it the wrong way," Zhang Da Ye said quickly. "I'm not judging him. He's wiped out countless pirates—he must have his own reasons. I just… don't want to be anywhere near it when it happens."
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