Update: The Vote is Decided!
First off: Thank you to everyone who voted and shared your thoughts! After four days, the results are in:
🏆 Navigating the Grand Line's Horrors – 21 votes
🔹 Naruto: The Simulation Paradox – 12 votes
The One Piece fanfic has taken the lead, so I'll be focusing 100% of my effort into this story until its completion! That means more frequent updates, deeper plot development.
To those who voted for Simulation Paradox, don't worry! While it's going on hiatus for now, your support means the concept might return in the future (maybe even with a fresh twist?).
To celebrate (and apologize for the wait), Chapter [52] is LIVE right now—plus a BONUS chapter drops later today! Consider it a thank-you for your patience and passion.
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BOOOOM!
The sound of splintering wood and shouting Marines filled the air as a rotund officer went flying over the railing of the warship, his arms flailing wildly before he hit the water with a spectacular splash.
On the deck of the Going Merry, Nami, Lucas, and Usopp watched the scene unfold with varying degrees of amusement.
"W-Woah! Did Luffy just punch that guy into next week?!" Usopp yelped, his long nose twitching in disbelief.
Nami smirked, resting her elbow on the railing. "Looks like they wrapped things up faster than expected. Not bad for a bunch of idiots."
Lucas crossed his arms, his sharp eyes scanning the Marine ship. "They had an advantage—Marine wasn't going all out. They wanted Apis alive."
Usopp immediately puffed out his chest, striking a dramatic pose. "Ah, but let's not forget the real reason we won! My brilliant leadership as Captain Usopp struck fear into their hearts!"
Nami and Lucas exchanged a glance before sighing in unison.
"Sure, Usopp," Nami said dryly. "It was definitely your terrifying presence that made them hold back their cannons."
Lucas smirked. "Yeah, nothing to do with them trying to avoid blowing up the kid they were after."
Apis, who had been quietly standing nearby, flinched at the mention of her capture. Her fingers tightened around the railing, her gaze drifting toward the distant horizon.
Nami noticed and softened her tone. "Hey, don't worry. You're safe now."
Apis gave a small nod, but her usual cheerfulness was muted.
Lucas clapped his hands together. "Alright, enough standing around. Let's go pick up the others before the Marines decide to regroup."
With a quick adjustment of the sails, the Merry glided smoothly toward the damaged warship.
As the Merry pulled alongside the Marine vessel, the Straw Hats' victory became even more apparent. The deck was littered with unconscious Marines, their uniforms singed and their weapons scattered.
Sanji was the first to spot them, his eyes instantly transforming into hearts as he leapt onto the Merry with a suave flip.
"Nami-swaaan~! Your beauty outshines even the morning sun!" he crooned, twirling before landing gracefully in front of her.
Luffy, meanwhile, was sprawled across the figurehead like a discarded ragdoll, his stomach growling loud enough to rival a seaking's roar.
"Sanjiiii... fooood..." he moaned, his limbs dangling limply.
Zoro, ever the opportunist, had already claimed a sunny spot on the deck, his three swords resting beside him as he dozed off mid-stretch.
Nami rolled her eyes. "You three are hopeless."
Usopp grinned. "Hey, at least they won!"
With the crew reunited, the Going Merry cut through the waves, leaving the battered Marine fleet in its wake. The sea stretched endlessly ahead, the promise of adventure humming in the salt-kissed breeze.
Later, as the ship sailed smoothly toward their next destination, the crew gathered below deck. Nami had spread a map across the table, her finger tracing their route toward the Grand Line.
"Alright, next stop: Reverse Mountain," she announced.
Sanji placed a tray of sandwiches on the table, the aroma making Luffy lunge forward—only to be yanked back by Nami's fist.
"Wait your turn, idiot!"
Apis, who had been sitting quietly, finally spoke up. "Um... where should I go now?"
Nami blinked. "Oh, right. You mentioned your hometown earlier?"
Apis nodded. "Battleship Island. It's shaped like... well, a giant warship."
Nami scanned the map before tapping a small island near the edge of the East Blue. "Here. It's not too far out of our way."
Apis hesitated, her fingers twisting in her lap. "If it's too much trouble... you can just drop me off nearby. I-I'll find my way."
Lucas frowned. "No way we're leaving a kid to fend for herself."
Sanji lit another cigarette, exhaling slowly. "Kid's got guts, but the Grand Line's no place for her."
All eyes turned to Luffy, who was currently trying to shove three sandwiches into his mouth at once.
"Luffy," Nami said flatly. "We're taking a detour. That cool with you?"
Luffy swallowed with an audible gulp. "Huh? Oh, yeah! An island shaped like a ship sounds awesome!"
Apis's face lit up like the dawn. "R-Really?! Thank you!" She jumped up, nearly knocking over her chair in excitement. "You guys are the best!"
The crew exchanged grins. Sure, they were pirates but if helping a kid get home was part of the adventure, then so be it.
As the Merry approached the island, the unique shape of Battleship Island came into view, a massive jagged landmass that truly did resemble a warship jutting out of the sea.
The villagers, dressed in rugged, seafaring attire, gathered on the shore, their expressions wary as they spotted the pirate flag.
"Pirates...!" one muttered, gripping a fishing spear tighter.
Apis rushed to the railing, waving both arms. "Everyone! It's me, Apis!"
The villagers gasped. "Apis?! What are you doing with pirates?!"
"They saved me from the Marines!" she called back.
Usopp struck a heroic pose. "Fear not, citizens! We are the noble kind of pirates!"
The villagers exchanged skeptical glances, but the sight of Apis safe and unharmed eased their tension.
An elderly man with a long, white beard shuffled forward. "Apis, child... Your home's been taken over by Marines. Stay with me tonight."
Luffy tilted his head. "Who's that? A chef?"
Apis giggled. "Grandpa Bokuden isn't a chef, but his meat buns are the best!"
Luffy's eyes turned to stars. "MEAT BUNS?! LET'S GO!!"
Bokuden's hut was small but warm, the scent of herbs and smoked meat thick in the air. As the old man kneaded dough for the promised buns, the crew settled around the hearth.
"So," Nami began, resting her chin on her palm. "Why are the Marines so interested in this place?"
Bokuden's hands stilled. "No treasure here. Only a legend."
The crew perked up, legends were their specialty.
"They say our ancestors came from a lost kingdom, sunk beneath the waves a thousand years ago," Bokuden murmured, his voice low and gravelly. "On that island lived creatures called Millennium Dragons. Their bones... the 'Dragon's Bone'... could grant immortality."
Sanji exhaled a stream of smoke. "Fairy tales. Marines don't mobilize over stories."
Bokuden's gaze darkened. "Unless they've found proof."
Luffy, who had been half-listening while eyeing the steamer, blinked. "Dragons? Like, real dragons?"
Zoro, who had been dozing, cracked one eye open. "Sounds like a hassle."
Apis groaned, flopping onto the floor. "Grandpa always does this. Once he starts, he never stops."
True to her word, Bokuden's tale spiraled into layers of myth within myth, a story that looped like a snake eating its own tail. The crew's initial interest waned as the old man's voice droned on, the fire's warmth making eyelids grow heavy.
Somewhere between "ancient ruins" and "cursed tides," Luffy's head hit the table with a thud, snoring loudly. Zoro was already asleep, leaning against the wall. Even Nami struggled to keep her eyes open.
Only Lucas remained alert, his fingers tapping against his knee. "Immortality, huh...?"
Outside, the wind howled, carrying with it the faintest whisper of wings.