74: Chapter 74 Battleship IslandUpon hearing this, Usopp panicked instantly, running around the Going Merry frantically, shouting things like "We're doomed!" Seeing Usopp's cowardly behavior, Luffy's face bulged with a vein (╬▔皿▔)╯
"Shut up!" Luffy swung his fist and punched Usopp on the head.Usopp, crouching on the ground, glared resentfully at Luffy.Luffy raised his fist threateningly, and Usopp jumped to his feet, obediently awaiting further instructions.Nami continued, "Stop dawdling!Hurry up and row the boat back to where we were before."
Suddenly, the Going Merry began to shake violently, and countless enormous sea kings burst from the sea.The Going Merry was right above one of them.Everyone was terrified, except for Luffy, who was muttering to himself about how to cook these sea kings.Nami, furious, rushed forward and punched Luffy on the head, giving him a bump.She grabbed his ear and yelled, "What are you slouching for?You should be thinking about how to escape!"
Luffy rubbed the bump on his head, looking aggrieved.Zoro then spoke up, "Anyway, everyone, don't move yet.They'll dive back into the water sooner or later.Then we'll paddle like crazy!" Usopp shouted in terror, "Really?" Coby, standing next to him, quickly covered his mouth, but it was too late.A Sea King had already spotted them and was pouncing straight on.Just then, Apis slipped and, with a scream, fell straight into the Sea King's mouth.Seeing this, Luffy immediately stretched out his arm and, at the last second, pulled Apis, who was about to become the Sea King's lunch, back to safety.Apis opened her eyes and noticed Luffy's arm had grown longer.Recalling what had happened earlier, she said to Luffy, "Luffy, you're a Devil Fruit user, right?" Luffy nodded, answering her question.Apis then looked down and saw the nostrils of the Sea King where their ship was.She said to Luffy, "Luffy, put your arm down one more time." Hearing this, Luffy knew what she was going to do, so he cooperated and lowered her down.Apis quickly went into the Sea King's nostril and plucked a nose hair.The crew was terrified."It'll sneeze!"
Apis followed Luffy's arm back to the Going Merry, the nose hair in her hand falling off.Luffy exclaimed, "What a huge nose hair!" Apis playfully gave a thumbs-up.The remaining Sea Kings couldn't hold back any longer and sneezed loudly.Amidst everyone's gasps, the Going Merry sped forward, quickly returning to its original sea area.After confirming its direction, it headed towards Battleship Island.Soon, the group arrived at a place shrouded in mist.Everyone wondered if Battleship Island was even there, and Apis said she didn't know.Just as everyone was confused, Kuina pointed to a huge shadow and said, "Is that it?"
Everyone looked in the direction Kuina pointed and indeed saw an island shaped very much like a warship.Apis excitedly introduced her hometown to everyone.Just as the Going Merry was about to reach the port, a villager standing on a high point saw the skull on the Going Merry and immediately ran back to the village to tell the villagers.So, the strong men of the village took weapons to drive away the pirates, while the women took their children and hid in their homes.Soon the Going Merry stopped at the shore of the warship island.Apis stepped off the ship and waved happily to the villagers.The villagers were also surprised, "Apis, why did you get off the pirate ship?"
Seeing the villagers looking at Luffy and his crew with suspicion, Apis quickly explained, "They may be pirates, but they're good pirates." Even so, the villagers still refused to believe her; in their subconscious, all pirates were evil, and there were no good pirates at all."Besides," she added, "weren't you taken away by the Navy?"
"Yes, but I escaped later and was rescued by Luffy and the others," Apis answered truthfully."Apis, what trouble did you get into?For some reason, the Navy has been looking for you.You'd better not go near your house; they're still guarding it.Actually, we really want to help you, but they're pirates."
Apis was helpless when no one wanted to accept Luffy and his crew.Just then, an old voice came from the crowd: "Apis, come to my house!" Apis happily rushed into the old man's arms."Grandpa Bogudan!" Bogudan looked at Apis with loving eyes."I'm so glad you're safe.I want to thank you all for saving Apis.How about we tell you what happened and have a thank-you party?" Bogudan invited everyone.