Chapter 385: You came just in time!
Late at night, at the end of the originally empty sea surface.
A ship came from amidst the waves, cutting through the night seawater.
Or to be more precise—that was not a ship, but the wreckage of a "ship".
The bow, originally resembling a lion and also like the sun, had a corner cut off. The mast had clearly been severed and was only barely propped up right now.
On the deck, there was even a massive, ferocious scar that bisected it.
Even the pirate flag symbolizing their pirate identity hanging at the top of the mast had a huge hole torn in it.
To be honest, at first glance, this ship simply looked like a "ghost ship" that had sunk to the bottom of the sea but had been forcefully dragged back to the surface by ghosts.
That was the "Thousand Sunny".
And the true situation wasn't much different—the crew members on the ship right now could indeed almost be said to look exactly like "ghosts".
"Hey, Mr. Chopper, is their condition really okay?"
At this time, the person at the helm was not the usual Franky, but Brook.
He steered the helm while looking worriedly at the deck behind him.
Right now, the rest of the Straw Hat crew were exactly on the deck.
It's just that the difference from usual was that everyone carried large and small ferocious scars on their bodies.
Zoro's body was wrapped in bandages, especially the slash mark on his chest that almost ran across his entire body, which still oozed terrifying bloodstains even though it had clearly been treated.
One of Sanji's legs was wrapped in gauze, looking at first glance as if it had been broken.
Reiju right now was clutching her shoulder and leaning to the side—even though her physique as a Germa modified human made the injuries on her relatively lighter, the traces of being almost near death still couldn't be hidden.
And apart from these three, the current "main combat forces" of the Straw Hat crew, the condition of the rest of the people was also very bad—Nami, Usopp, Franky, and even Chopper, who was currently treating them, were all covered in bandages.
"I-It's okay!"
But right now, before Chopper could reply, Usopp, usually the most cowardly, spoke up.
He pressed the bandages on his body that were still oozing blood, his eyes red: "Didn't we already say it, just casually treat injuries and stuff like that, as long as we don't die—now is not the time to worry about such things!"
It had to be said, he, whose dream was to become a "brave warrior of the sea", really had a bit of a warrior's shadow in his appearance right now.
Especially the resolve carrying tears in those eyes: "Luffy... that guy Luffy... has been captured, they're going to publicly execute him!"
"W-Well said, Usopp!"
And right now, Zoro, who was lying to the side, also barely sat up amidst Chopper's exclamation.
"These minor injuries will heal after a sleep—but if we even lose our captain, even if we heal our injuries, there's no place for us on this sea!"
"Hey, how much further!?"
"...No no no, Zoro, with your current condition, if you sleep you'll only die on the spot, absolutely unable to wake up—so lay down obediently! You bastard!"
Chopper rarely had veins popping on his forehead.
"Cough cough..."
At the same time, Franky shook his head.
"Don't forget, our ship is the Thousand Sunny—a ship that can still escape even after being cut in half when facing such a monster."
"Even damaged to this extent, its sailing speed will absolutely not lose to most pirate ships!"
He didn't know what he was proud of, but Nami to the side nodded, confirming his words: "We... have arrived."
And following his words, Chopper and Brook also expectedly saw the island appearing on the sea surface in the distance.
That was an island they had once set foot on, an island where they had gained companions.
That is...
Grand Line, Cactus Island, Whisky Peak.
"Brook..."
And watching that gradually approaching island, Nami's words were somewhat apprehensive at this time.
"Are you sure that Miss 'Root' of The Zodiac will be willing to help us save Luffy?"
Her words at this time also clearly stated the reason the Straw Hat crew appeared here.
Yes.
Not long ago, after successfully resolving the issue with Luffy's fruit awakening.
They had restarted their journey anew.
At that time, Rayleigh was working on incorporating Amazon Lily into the Aster and had headed to Amazon Lily.
And Luffy and the others agreed with him to wait and rendezvous in the sea area near where the Sabaody Archipelago used to be—according to Shakky, pirates had already established a "New Sabaody Archipelago" nearby, which had coating workshops on it.
But exactly not long after Luffy and Rayleigh separated, an accident occurred.
"That man..."
Nami would not forget that person—that red-haired man who called himself "Shamrock".
At first, Luffy mistook the other party for "Red-Haired" Shanks, as they were said to look exactly alike.
"Shanks, how did your arm heal?"
Luffy even asked such a question at the time.
But then, what greeted the Straw Hat crew... was that terrifying sword named "Seven Deadly Sins".
That guy's first strike directly bisected the "Thousand Sunny", which was made from the wood of the Treasure Tree Adam.
And in the subsequent battle, the other party displayed overwhelming combat strength even more so.
Zoro, Sanji, and Reiju were almost killed in the first strike, only barely surviving relying on the cover of their companions.
And subsequently, Luffy displayed his newly mastered "Fruit Awakening" ability, transforming into a pure white posture to fight the other party.
"Nami—take everyone and go first, I'll catch up in a bit!"
Leaving such words, Luffy vanished into the horizon with Shamrock.
He never came back.
And the rest of the Straw Hat crew barely managed to retreat piloting the Thousand Sunny.
By the way, the place of trial Chopper went to on the Aster was "Neverland"—relying on his inherent animal characteristics, although Chopper failed to complete the trial mission of defeating the dojos on the eight islands and obtaining the "badges", he gained the recognition of the Mythical Beasts and obtained a bottle of the Fountain of Youth in the center of the island.
He originally planned to use this bottle of the Fountain of Youth as his research material, but now it became a life-saving item.
Relying on that bottle of the Fountain of Youth, the Straw Hat crew managed to preserve their lives.
Then, they heard the news announced by the World Government that they would conduct a "public execution" on Luffy.
Subsequently, they chose to come here.
"She will agree, Robin-san is a kind person..."
And after hearing Nami's words, Brook's words were also solemn.
"If she is unwilling, I will kneel and beg her, and then offer my panties to her..."
"Who would want that kind of thing!?"
"Is now the time to joke around? You idiot skeleton!"
The Straw Hat crew complained as always.
But clearly, right now whether it was Brook or the others complaining, their words carried tense emotions.
Yes.
After hearing that Luffy was about to be publicly executed, the Straw Hat crew naturally made the decision without any hesitation—they were going to save Luffy.
But the problem is, the crushing defeat facing Shamrock earlier had already proven the facts.
Relying solely on them is not enough—they know this clearer than ever now.
The Marines, the Star Hunters Unit, plus the World Government... who the opponents capable of fighting against these behemoths are, no one on the sea today doesn't know.
The Zodiac—this is their only choice.
So, they chose to come here.
"Brook said something very correct."
As the Thousand Sunny docked, and the Straw Hat crew supported each other as they walked down from the Thousand Sunny, Zoro spoke in a low voice: "If they don't agree, even if it means kneeling, even if it costs my life, I absolutely must beg them..."
"What do we need your life for?"
But before Zoro finished his words, he heard a casual female voice coming from behind.
"!!!"
The Straw Hat crew instinctively turned their heads, and then saw a beauty slowly walking out from outside that familiar bar not far away.
And behind her, a group of people also walked out—among them was an okama wearing a swan headdress, a cold-faced assassin, and a man in a trench coat wearing sunglasses.
"Miss... Miss Robin! You're really still here!"
"And Mr. 2, Mr. 1, Mr. 3—everyone is actually here!?"
And Brook naturally recognized them instantly.
Yes, exactly Nico Robin and the assassins of Baroque Works appearing here right now.
"Brook, I told you, right? When outside, you must use codenames. I am 'Root'."
Robin shook her head helplessly.
But then, she chuckled softly: "Moreover, we're not the only ones here."
And following her words, the door behind her opened again.
And this time...
"What a coincidence, Brook."
Dragon, wearing a Dragon mask, also walked out from inside the bar.
"!!!"
Thus, the expressions of the Straw Hat crew also changed drastically.
Clearly, even though they came here to ask for help, they never thought they would actually see "Dragon" here.
After all, as far as they knew, the highest executives of The Zodiac had already returned to that Ark after the Aster appeared on the sea, and each of them had to manage one of the Twelve Places of Trial.
So their original plan was only to come here to see if they could find Robin, who was "Root", a subordinate of Dragon.
But now, Dragon actually appeared here, and...
"You guys are..."
Looking at the large and small bags in the hands of Mr. 4 and Mr. 5, Brook said somewhat hesitantly.
"You came just in time. The leader has issued a summons order—all members of The Zodiac will head to the Aster. This stronghold was originally going to be abandoned."
Robin said with a smile.
"Summons order?"
Hearing this, the Straw Hat crew also looked at each other in dismay.
Could it be that The Zodiac is going to have some big movement recently?
But quickly, they came back to their senses—what they needed to care about right now was not the movements of The Zodiac, but...
"Mr. Dragon, my captain, Luffy he..."
Brook looked at Dragon with a solemn expression.
But before he finished his words, Dragon had already interrupted him: "No need to say it, I know what you're going to say."
While speaking, beneath the mask, Roy's gaze also looked at the Straw Hat crew.
"Speaking of which, it's quite a coincidence... the matter you're going to talk about is also exactly the reason the leader summoned us."
"By the way, the leader also has some questions he wants to ask you."
"!!!" *N
The members of the Straw Hat crew are naturally not stupid. Right now, after hearing Dragon's words, they instantly realized the meaning of his words.
"Some questions he wants to ask me?"
And Brook's eye sockets widened even more right now.
"Mm, on one hand, it's about how exactly your captain was captured."
"On the other hand, it's what you mentioned to me before... the matter of that 'Princess Gloriosa'."
Dragon didn't hide anything.
Thus, Brook was also stunned on the spot.
And at the same time...
"You... you mean, you guys are planning to go..."
Nami spoke somewhat unbelievably, her words carrying obvious pleasant surprise.
"Mm, let's set off first and talk in detail later—by the way, go find Sheep to treat your injuries."
Dragon waved his hand: "In your current state, you guys can't save your captain!"
"Y-Yes!" *N
Thus, the Straw Hat crew was naturally overjoyed.
And after saying all this, Dragon also turned his head to look at the people of Baroque Works.
"Then, the next task is in your hands."
"Rest assured!"
Mr. 2 Bon Clay also blew a kiss after hearing this: "It's just delivering a few letters, we can complete such a small matter easily!"
"...I don't think it's that simple of a matter."
And Mr. 3 rolled his eyes at his colleague after hearing this: "Two Four Emperors, Wano Country... in the current situation, just heading to the New World would be very dangerous, right?"
As they spoke, the Straw Hat crew also kept quiet and listened silently.
Two Four Emperors?
Wano Country?
Delivering letters?
And the more they listened, the more confused they became—is it related to Luffy?
But clearly, they also knew that it wasn't their place to ask about this kind of thing.
"Then, wishing you all a smooth journey."
Dragon smiled and didn't say much more: "Root, you bring Brook and the others and follow... I'll head back to the Aster first."
"Yes!"
And as they spoke, the Straw Hat crew saw Dragon leap into the air.
The next moment...
"Roar!"
A low hum sounded, and a giant dragon soared into the sky.
"Eh!?" *N
Although today, the abilities of The Zodiac are no longer a secret on the sea.
But seeing Dragon transform into a divine dragon for the first time, the Straw Hat crew couldn't help but collectively let out exclamations.
"It's a dragon!"
"Unbelievable!"
"Just like the legends, a red giant dragon!"
"Ah, my wounds!"
"Don't make such big movements!"
Amidst such exclamations, only Brook looked at that massively extreme crimson dragon body above the sky, somewhat hesitant.
Because although Dragon's massive body had already vanished into the clouds right now, almost unseen.
But in that fleeting glimpse just now, Brook still saw—on Dragon's massive crimson dragon body, some changes seemed to have occurred compared to the appearance he had seen and even ridden on before.
That was some kind of stronger, more ancient, more profound ability.
"Mr. Dragon's ability..."
He muttered, somewhat unbelievable.
"What's wrong? Brook?"
"Ah? Oh, no, no... perhaps it's just an illusion."
☆☆☆
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