77: Chapter 77 Taking Lord Dragon Out to SeaThe next morning, Luffy and Nami returned to Bogudan's house and woke everyone up, preparing to work together to find the Lost Island.Just then, a villager rushed in, shouting, "Something terrible has happened!Grandpa Bogudan, where is Apis?The Marines have arrived and blockaded the port!"
Hearing this, Luffy knew he couldn't delay any longer, so he quickly led everyone to the cave where Dragon was hiding.When they saw the Thousand-Year Dragon, they were all incredibly shocked.They hadn't expected that the legendary Thousand-Year Dragon Bogudan had spoken of truly existed.Luffy then told everyone his decision to send Dragon back to its homeland.Zoro then raised a question: "Putting aside the Navy's encirclement, with our current strength, taking it along wouldn't be a problem.But the problem is, where is the Lost Island, and how do we get it to the sea?" Nami grinned, clearly having an idea."First, we need to make a cart, big enough to carry Dragon."
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji arrived at a grove of trees and each used their skills to quickly gather a huge bundle of wood.Seeing this, Usopp had no choice but to step in and use his own handy skills to help.In no time, they created a giant cart.Apis jumped around happily, "Great!Now Dragon Lord can ride on it!"
A new problem arose: the Navy had blockaded the port.How could they get Dragon Lord out to sea?Zoro suggested they just fight their way out, but Nami rejected the idea.After a moment's thought, Nami came up with a good plan: "I've already figured out how to get it out, but the Going Merry needs to go around to the other side of the island first." Usopp volunteered, "That's the important ship Kaya gave me, I'll do it."
Just as Apis was watching Usopp's cool antics with adoration, his next words instantly shattered his dashing image.With his coolest gesture, Usopp uttered the most cowardly words: "But Zoro has to come too!And can't we wait until dark?" Luffy immediately raised his fist and smiled gently, "Usopp, what did you say?I didn't hear you clearly.Could you say it again?" Usopp broke out in a cold sweat, straightened up, and loudly proclaimed, "I said, Captain, rest assured, I will complete the mission perfectly!"
Nami shook her head speechlessly, pointing to a long rock and saying, "You guys take the boat to that cliff over there that looks like Usopp's nose.Sanji and Luffy, you're in charge of carrying Usopp onto the boat." Hearing this, Usopp reluctantly led Zoro to set sail.Meanwhile, in the village below the mountain, a Marine captain led a group of soldiers into Bogudan's house, preparing to interrogate him about Apis's whereabouts.Just then, a Marine soldier discovered a drag mark leading to the back of the mountain.Upon learning this, the captain led a group of soldiers along the drag mark."Eric, have you found anything?" the colonel asked as they reached the foot of the mountain.Eric pointed to the drag marks on the ground and said, "These drag marks must have been left by them.They must be hiding somewhere in the mountain." Upon hearing this, the naval colonel immediately ordered his soldiers to search the mountain.While the naval soldiers were searching the mountain, Zoro and Usopp had already infiltrated the vicinity of the Going Merry.Seeing that the Going Merry was guarded by soldiers, Zoro decisively looked down at the drainpipe of the house behind him and stuffed it into their mouths, preparing to return to the Going Merry by sea (as mentioned earlier, the Devil Fruit given to them by the protagonist is not afraid of seawater).
Just as Usopp was boarding the ship right behind Zoro, he accidentally made a noise.The soldiers guarding the ship reacted immediately and took turns firing at Usopp.While Usopp frantically dodged, Zoro, who had boarded first, unfurled the sails and quickly sailed towards their destination with Usopp.Meanwhile, the Marines, having realized what was happening, also gave chase in their warships.Nami, on the mountaintop, finally saw the Going Merry, and Apis, through her ability, learned from the seagulls that the Marines had caught up nearby.Eric, halfway up the mountain, looked up and saw Apis and the Thousand-Year Dragon.The colonel decisively ordered his soldiers to seize the Thousand-Year Dragon.Although the colonel himself was unsure, Eric continued to fan the flames: "What are you hesitating for?The Thousand-Year Dragon that Admiral Nelson wants is right in front of you!Give the order to fire!"
The colonel steeled his resolve and decisively ordered his soldiers to open fire.Apis, seeing this, immediately rushed forward, wanting to protect the dragon with her petite frame.Just as the bullets were about to strike Apis, Luffy stepped in front of her, using his ability to deflect all the incoming bullets.Seeing that the bullets were ineffective against Luffy, the colonel immediately ordered his soldiers to switch to swords.Sanji then decisively kicked away the charging soldiers, and Luffy unleashed his Gum-Gum Pistol, firing wildly at the last wave of marines.Eric, seeing this, stepped forward and introduced himself: "I am Whirlwind Eric, a mercenary hired by Admiral Nelson.I'm not looking for you pirates, but for the Thousand-Year Dragon behind you.If you dare cause trouble, I'll turn you into food for the Scythe-Scythe Fruit's Scythe-Weasel."
Luffy and Sanji completely ignored Eric, turning to ask when the Namie Going Merry would arrive.Eric, furious at being ignored, shouted, "You two bastards, didn't you hear me?I said I am."
Luffy impatiently interrupted, "Eric the Okama?I'm listening to you!" Eric, annoyed, immediately raised his finger and shouted, "Scythe.Whirlwind!"
Eric swiftly flicked his fingers, unleashing two slashes.Luffy, seeing this, immediately punched them away.Turning to Coby, he said, "Coby, this transvestite's ability is somewhat similar to yours.This enemy is yours." Coby nodded, transforming his arms into blades as he walked towards Eric.Eric, seeing this, disdainfully said, "No matter what blade you conjure, it will break before my Scythe Weasel.""Crack!" Eric shouted, then quickly waved his fingers again, "Scythe.Whirlwind!"
Eric used his scythe again, launching a whirlwind attack at Koby.Koby raised his twin blades and executed a "cross cut."
Coby swiftly swung his sword, unleashing a cross-shaped slash that deflected Eric's attack.Unaffected, Coby quickly charged at Eric, who could only dodge awkwardly.Just then, the Going Merry finally arrived at the foot of Long-Nosed Rock.Nami immediately summoned everyone back to the vehicle and headed towards the rock.Eric tried to stop them but was knocked unconscious by Luffy's Gum-Gum Pistol.After a period of rapid jolting, Luffy and his crew finally reached the surface safely.The warship pursuing the Going Merry had its mast broken by the momentum of the cart as it rolled down the sea, leaving it immobilized.Luffy and his crew used this opportunity to secure the cart and began searching for the Lost Island at sea.
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