The Path to Lost Island: Ryu’s Return

The Going Merry glided over the waves, with the Straw Hat crew standing on deck, basking in the thrill of escaping yet another encounter with the Marines. But the Marines weren't done with them yet; on the distant horizon, Commodore Nelson's fleet was amassing, with Eric at the forefront, eager to secure the legendary millennial dragon, Ryu, for his own sinister ambitions.

Eric clenched his fists, barking orders as he prepared to follow the Straw Hats. "If they think they can escape with the dragon, they've got another thing coming," he muttered to himself. He held his hand up, halting a subordinate who was ready to report to Commodore Nelson. "No need to bother the Commodore with trivial details," Eric sneered. He knew the value of dragonite—a mineral that would make him the most powerful man in the world.

Meanwhile, back on the Going Merry, Luffy leaned over the edge, staring at Ryu, who was now nestled in the cart the crew had rigged up for their journey. "So, Ryu, are we getting close to Lost Island?"

The dragon lay curled, eyes half-closed. Raja had cast a protective spell around the cart, securing him during their journey. Apis, however, was distracted. She carried a bowl of steaming soup, its aroma wafting over to Ryu, who was gently roused from sleep.

"Oh no!" Apis yelped as the bowl tipped, spilling hot soup across Ryu's scales. The dragon stirred fully awake, giving a low growl that startled everyone.

"Oops…" Apis winced, "Sorry, Ryu! But maybe that'll jog your memory?"

Ryu's eyes blinked open wider, his nostrils flaring. He pointed his snout to the east, seeming to remember a direction he had long forgotten. "East of Warship Island," Apis murmured, translating his intention. "Lost Island is to the east!"

The crew, invigorated by the newfound clue, turned their gaze toward the horizon. But as Luffy squinted into the distance, he noticed something strange—a dense, swirling mist, appearing like smoke, looming just beyond them.

"What's that?" Luffy asked, pointing. Before anyone could answer, the mist engulfed them, and suddenly, it felt as if they'd sailed into another world entirely. An eerie fog thickened, wrapping around the Going Merry like a silent predator. The ropes securing Ryu's cart snapped under the pressure of a sudden gust, sending Ryu lurching toward the edge of the ship.

"Hold on!" Nami cried, steering the ship into the oncoming storm. Raja quickly seized the loose ropes, securing them with his psychokinesis. Luffy grabbed Ryu with a stretched arm, pulling him back into place just in time.

"This isn't just any fog!" Raja shouted over the howling wind, his eyes scanning the mist for any signs of danger.

In the middle of the chaos, Usopp's sharp eyes spotted an island through the storm. "Look! There's an island over there!" he shouted, pointing toward a jagged outline emerging through the mist. The rest of the crew squinted, barely able to make out its shape.

"Could that be Lost Island?" Zoro asked, though no one was certain.

Nami gripped the helm, her instincts honed. "Let's head toward it. If nothing else, it might give us a bit of shelter from this storm."

The Going Merry veered toward the mysterious island, slicing through the murky waters and landing ashore. They quickly secured Ryu, and as they made landfall, Apis took in their surroundings, her eyes widening at the surreal landscape. This island wasn't marked on any map, and its hidden nature was likely why it had remained undiscovered.

"This is… different from anything I've ever seen," Apis whispered as they trekked up the island's mist-covered paths. But Ryu seemed uncertain, as if unsure this was truly his home.

"Let's keep going," Luffy said, ever determined.

They climbed the steep mountain that loomed above them, reaching a building with a dragon emblem engraved on its stone walls. Apis' eyes lit up with recognition. "Wait… this looks familiar!"

Examining the wall, she spotted a small, pendant-shaped indent in the stone. She reached for the pendant around her neck and, with a trembling hand, inserted it into the hole. Just as she turned it, the ground rumbled beneath them.

"Uh-oh…" Zoro muttered. In a sudden quake, the stone floor collapsed beneath their feet, sending them tumbling into a dark, echoing cavern below.

They landed in a vast underground chamber, the ceiling painted with images of Sennenryu—millennial dragons—soaring through the skies. Luffy looked up in awe. "Whoa, look at those paintings!"

As they gazed around the room, Apis' heart sank. "I thought this was the Dragon's Nest… but it's not," she whispered, disappointment heavy in her voice. Nami, however, scrutinized the images.

"I think this is… the royal court," Nami speculated, recalling Bokuden's story of an ancient place where dragons once lived.

Ryu's low rumbling voice brought their attention back. He seemed transfixed by the ceiling paintings, his gaze following a flight of birds. Understanding dawned in Apis' eyes as she translated Ryu's memories. "It's not here. The Dragon's Nest… it's east of Warship Island."

Suddenly, a mocking laugh echoed through the chamber. Eric stepped out from the shadows, grinning triumphantly. "Ah, so that's where the Dragon's Nest is. East of Warship Island."

Luffy clenched his fists, immediately on guard. "You again! What do you want?"

"Nothing much," Eric sneered, "Just the dragon and its secrets for myself."

Enraged, Luffy launched a punch that shattered the wall, creating an opening to the outside. He motioned to Apis and the others, "Get out of here! I'll take care of this guy!"

But Eric wasn't about to let them go easily. He lunged at Zoro, his eyes flashing with determination. Zoro grinned, pulling out his swords. "Finally, some action!"

The two clashed fiercely, steel against steel, each trying to get the upper hand. Their swords met with sparks as Eric attempted to overwhelm Zoro. But Zoro's resolve only intensified as he matched Eric blow for blow. Soon, Eric realized he was outmatched and fled toward Ryu's cart, still determined to capture the dragon.

"Get back here!" Zoro shouted, racing after him. Raja quickly cast his "Magic-Magic Slip" spell, causing Eric to lose his footing and stumble off the cart.

Meanwhile, Luffy and the others had managed to maneuver Ryu and Apis to the Going Merry, securing their escape route. As Zoro scrambled onto the ship, Luffy stretched his arm out, pulling him aboard just as the cart landed beside them.

But they weren't safe yet. Emerging from the storm, they found themselves caught within an invisible barrier created by the island's unique mirage, which had kept it hidden for centuries. As the Going Merry sailed through, the Marines stationed outside watched in disbelief as the ship materialized from thin air.

"Report to Commodore Nelson! They're trying to escape!" one Marine yelled.

Eric, undeterred by his fall, boarded a nearby Marine ship, ordering the fleet to pursue the Straw Hats. Commodore Nelson, however, had other plans. He ordered the fleet to form a chain barrier, cutting off all possible escape routes for the Straw Hats.

Onboard the Going Merry, the crew watched as Nelson's fleet blocked their path. Zoro, grimacing, muttered, "Looks like they're not going to let us through."

"Well then," Luffy said, cracking his knuckles, "Let's make our way through."

As the first barrage of cannonballs came hurtling toward them, Luffy sucked in a deep breath, inflating his body. "Gum Gum Balloon!" he shouted, bouncing the cannonballs back at one of Nelson's ships. The impact sent shockwaves through the water, momentarily breaking the formation.

But Nelson wasn't about to back down. "Bring out the Big Elimination Cannon!" he ordered.

Usopp quickly aimed their own cannon, timing his shot perfectly. As the enormous cannon prepared to fire, Usopp pulled the trigger, sending a cannonball directly into the muzzle of Nelson's weapon. The resulting explosion sent debris flying, disabling another of Nelson's ships.

Seeing an opportunity, Luffy stretched his arms toward one of the ships, shouting, "Gum Gum Crossing Bridge!" He formed a bridge with his rubber arms, allowing Zoro and Sanji to cross and board the Marine ship. The pair leapt into action, taking down Marines left and right as they cut the chains connecting the ships.

Back on the Going Merry, Raja noticed Eric sneaking onto the cart holding Ryu and Apis. With a determined grin, Raja cast another spell, sending a wave of energy to knock Eric back. But Eric persisted, grasping at the cart.

"I won't let you take the dragon!" Eric spat, lunging once more.

Raja met him head-on, this time sending him sprawling backward with a casual flick of his wand. With one last shove, he sent Eric flying off the cart and into the sea, his enraged shouts swallowed by the waves.

As the last of Nelson's fleet lay in ruins, Luffy, Raja, Zoro, and Sanji regrouped on the Going Merry, each of them beaming with victory. They set sail, leaving the battered Marines and the treacherous Eric behind.

Apis clung to Ryu, smiling through her tears as she watched the horizon. "Thank you, everyone… for helping us find the way."

Luffy grinned, giving her a thumbs-up. "We're just getting started, Apis. There's a whole world out there waiting for us!"

With the Grand Line still on the horizon, the Straw Hat Pirates celebrated their hard-fought victory, their journey evermore thrilling, the bonds between them only growing stronger.