Chapter 94: And... Uninvited Guests!
A few seconds later, Ralph and Apis caught up with Ryu, who was still circling in the air.
Ralph adjusted his direction and landed gracefully on Ryu's broad back.
Apis quickly released her grip and lay flat on Ryu's back, her small hands tightly clutching the feathers on its neck.
"..."
She whispered softly, "You remembered, didn't you?"
Ryu didn't respond.
Or rather, it answered with action.
It ascended once more, rising high enough to overlook the entire island.
Then, it lowered its head and gazed downward.
The lingering glow of the sunset bathed Warship Island, casting a warm golden hue over the land.
From high above, the outline of Warship Island was clearly visible.
The main island resembled a massive ship, with its layered mountains stacked from large to small, truly resembling the sails of a vessel.
Ryu let out a gentle cry.
In its call, there was a deep sense of nostalgia and the relief of finally finding its way home.
Through the power of the Hiso Hiso no Mi, Apis could understand the meaning behind Ryu's cry.
"...This is the place..."
Tears streamed from the corners of Apis's eyes.
Not tears of sorrow, but of overwhelming emotion.
So, the Warship Island she had always lived on was the legendary "Lost Island" of the Sennenryu.
So, the home Ryu had been searching for was right beneath her feet.
No wonder she had felt such familiarity and closeness the first time she met Ryu.
No wonder Ryu had trusted her and followed her to hide in the cave.
Perhaps... her ancestors had shared an inseparable bond with the Sennenryu as far back as a thousand years ago.
Everything felt like a fate that had been preordained.
Just then—
"..."
A low, deep vibration rumbled from beneath their feet.
The entire Warship Island began to rise slowly.
The island itself was lifting, while the seawater surrounding it receded.
The shallow shores, reefs, and rocky seabed that had been submerged... gradually emerged above the water.
On those rocky layers, ancient and peculiar patterns were carved.
Spreading-winged dragons, coiled serpentine forms, and various indecipherable symbols.
The Sennenryu's lair.
A sacred land that had lain dormant for a thousand years was finally about to reappear in the world.
"This... this..."
Apis stared wide-eyed at the expanding "new land" below.
Ryu's cries grew more fervent, filled with joy.
It flapped its wings and flew toward the rising lair.
And at the same time—
From the horizon, a response echoed.
"Ooo—awoo"
"Ooo awoo——!!"
One, two, ten, a hundred...
A flock of Sennenryu, like a green cloud, flew in from the edge of the sea.
They varied in size—some as large as Ryu, some even bigger—but all shared similar streamlined bodies and broad wings.
They soared under the sunlight, their bluish-green feathers reflecting golden rays, creating a breathtakingly magnificent scene.
The Sennenryu flock had returned.
They had felt the call of the lair, the resonance of their kin, and had flown from every corner of the world to this island that had waited a millennium for their return.
Apis lay on Ryu's back, watching the approaching dragon flock, her tears flowing uncontrollably.
"It's wonderful... It's wonderful, Ryu..."
She choked out the words, "Your family... they've all returned..."
Ryu gently called out, carrying her as he slowly descended onto the newly exposed ruins of the dragon's lair.
The area was filled with stone mountains of various sizes, all bearing the marks of time.
Ancient dragon-shaped statues stood among the rocky cliffs, worn and broken yet still exuding their former majesty.
Apis jumped down from Ryu's back, and Ralph landed beside her.
He surveyed the ruins of the dragon's lair, his expression calm, as if unsurprised.
Then, he raised his head and looked out to sea.
In the distance, the warships of the Navy's Eighth Branch had arrived unnoticed.
A full twelve warships fanned out in a semicircle, surrounding Warship Island and the newly revealed dragon's lair.
Each warship's deck was crowded with Navy soldiers, their cannons already aimed toward the island.
On the flagship, a rotund figure sat on his specially made throne, peering through a telescope in their direction.
Admiral Nelson Royal.
The fat on his face trembled with excitement, his lips curling into a greedy smile.
"It's true... the legend is true!"
He lowered the telescope, his voice shaking with emotion,
"Sennenryu... so many Sennenryu! Hahahaha! I'm going to be rich! I'm going to live forever!"
Beside him, Eric remained expressionless.
"Congratulations, Admiral."
Eric's voice was flat and unemotional, "With so many dragon bones, we can produce enough elixir of immortality to grant you endless power and wealth."
"That's right! That's right!"
Nelson laughed maniacally, "Give the order! All cannons, prepare to fire! Once those dragons have all landed, begin the bombardment! I want them alive! It doesn't matter if they're badly injured, as long as their bones remain intact!"
"Yes."
Eric bowed his head slightly, a flicker of mockery passing behind his goggles.
Idiot.
Once you and the Pirates have worn each other down, I'll finish you all off.
The secret of the Sennenryu, the formula for the elixir of immortality... they'll all be mine alone.
Then, wealth, power, status... what won't I have?
Two men, each with their own hidden agendas, stood on the Navy warship representing "justice," gazing greedily at this sacred dragon's lair.
And Apis saw the Navy's formation.
Her face instantly paled.
"The Navy... they're here... they want to capture the Sennenryu... to make that elixir..."
Apis suddenly turned to look at Ralph beside her.
"Ralph! Help us!"
Apis's voice trembled with tears, "Please! Help Ryu! Help the Sennenryu! We can't let the Navy take them!"
Ralph didn't answer immediately.
He continued to gaze out to sea, as if waiting for something.
"Ralph!"
Apis grew desperate, running up to him and grabbing the hem of his clothes,
"I know you're strong! You defeated those Navy soldiers once! Please, help us again! I... I'll repay you! I'll do anything!"
Ralph looked down at her.
The little girl's eyes were filled with tears, her face etched with fear and pleading.
But still, he didn't move.
"..."
Apis's voice gradually faded, as if her last hope was slipping away.
"If you're angry because of the unpalatable food I gave you before... I apologize... I'm sorry... truly sorry..."
She released her grip, stepped back two paces, and bowed deeply.
"As long as you help the Sennenryu... I'm willing to do anything. Aren't you a pirate? Don't pirates want treasure? I'll find a way... I'll beg the village chief to gather all the money in the village... If it's not enough, I..."
As she spoke, large tears began falling from her eyes.
But Ralph continued staring at the sea.
Until—
His eyes faintly brightened.
A new black dot appeared on the horizon.
Not a Navy ship.
It was... a ship he recognized.
With a sheep figurehead at the bow and a straw hat Jolly Roger painted on the sail.
The Going Merry.
"..."
Ralph murmured to himself,
"They're here."
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Meanwhile, Apis was still crying:
"What reward do you want... just tell me... as long as it's something I can do..."
Ralph finally turned to look at her.
"What kind of reward could a little girl like you possibly give me?"
His tone was teasing, carrying a hint of laughter, "Even if you sold off your entire Warship Island, how much treasure could you really gather?"
Apis's heart turned completely cold.
She lifted her head, looking at Ralph through tear-blurred eyes, the last light in her gaze slowly fading away.
But just then—
Ralph's tone suddenly shifted.
"However, when we pirates take action, it's not always just for treasure."
Apis froze in surprise.
Ralph looked at her and asked:
"Tell me, would you consider us friends?"
Apis stared at him blankly, then after a few seconds, nodded vigorously.
"Of course!"
Her voice trembled with emotion, "Even though you're a pirate, you're a kind pirate! You helped Ryu regain his memories, you're bringing him home... You'll always be my friend!"
[Ding!]
[System Notification: Apis's relationship with host has been upgraded to "Friend," affection requirements met]
[Relationship reward obtained: Opportunity to acquire "Hiso Hiso no Mi" through "Fruit Reincarnation Method" (When current ability user dies, host can place suitable fruit nearby to 100% obtain the fruit)]
Ralph completely ignored this notification in his mind.
The Hiso Hiso no Mi?
What would he want with that thing?
But that wasn't the important point.
The important thing was that the reason he hadn't acted until now was because he was waiting.
Waiting for his "audience" to arrive.
Performing the feat of defeating the Navy and saving an endangered species in front of Lufia could potentially increase her affection.
Now, the audience had arrived.
So then—
"Alright."
Ralph said.
He turned around, facing the sea.
Facing the twelve Navy ships and the rapidly approaching Going Merry.
"Geppo."
Ralph's body lifted into the air.
Apis watched his retreating figure, tears still streaking her face, but hope had already rekindled in her eyes.
However, just as Ralph flew into midair, preparing to charge toward the Navy ships—
He noticed a new development.
He saw that behind the Going Merry, another ship was following.
Not a standard Navy ship from the 8th Branch.
There was no number "8" on its sail.
Only a seagull emblem and the letters representing the Navy.
Navy Headquarters.
The Straw Hat crew weren't the only ones coming.
And... an uninvited guest.
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