Chapter 263: Sailing

As Ben, Alvida, Zala and Raki headed towards the forest with the Miss Love Duck, Nojiko started to withdraw the ramp again. She was with Kaya, HQ, Mikita, Honey, Vivi, Marianne, Robin, Saphir and Conis on the Bridge. 

"Shall we set sail to rendezvous with the Strawhats?" Vivi's inquiry broke the silence aboard the ship.

"Indeed, it's the course we're taking," Mikita responded assuredly.

"Captain's recommendation is to join them for safety," Nojiko added.

"I'm particularly interested in the prospect of exploring any archaeological remnants on this island," Robin confessed with a spark of curiosity.

"Archaeological ruins?" Kaya asked.

"Yes, when drinking with Nami, she mentioned a fascinating detail—that this island was once on the land and it was knocked up 400 years ago," Robin elaborated, her words weaving a tale of mystery and wonder. Conis remembered this old story. 

"Ah, yes, I vaguely recall Ben mentioning something similar," Nojiko recalled, nodding thoughtfully as she pieced together the fragments of memory.

"We've heard rumors about the possibility of finding the legendary City of Gold here," Robin replied, her voice tinged with excitement and intrigue.

"Gold?" Marianne's eyes gleamed with anticipation at the mention of treasure.

"Sis,," Nojiko sighed. She knew Nami and her antics. She pressed a button and lowered the sails down. 

"Do you think we should inform Ben?" Vivi questioned, considering the implications of altering their course.

"Inform him?" Saphir echoed, seeking clarification.

"About our change in plans?" Vivi clarified.

"That is not needed. Ben always encourages us to be independent," Mikita asserted confidently.

"Our master is understanding. He won't object to our decision," HQ chimed in, expressing faith in her Captain`s support of their autonomy.

"Then let's go and see the ruins," Kaya said. 

"Do you know where they are?" Honey asked.

"Yes, I saw her map which showed it in the north," Robin replied. She added, "If we follow this river we will get close."

They all nodded. Conis wanted to see this place. Nojiko pushed the lever and the Miss Love Duck started to move down the river. They looked around and saw the river meandering around. In the distance, the air reverberated with the ominous sound of explosions, accompanied by dazzling flashes of light that illuminated the horizon like fleeting bursts of fireworks. The sounds of the explosion got more frequent. The light of the explosion got brighter and brighter. 

"These explosions are getting more and more," Saphir remarked.

"The battle must be raging," Mikita added. She thought for a second. "We should go and be on the deck incase of an attack," Mikita ordered.

"That is a good idea," Robin replied. 

"HQ, Nojiko, could you stay on the Bridge?" Mikita asked.

"Sure, we will keep the Miss Love Duck on the course," Nojiko replied. HQ nodded.

Kaya, Mikita, Honey, Vivi, Marianne, Robin, Saphir and Conis exited the Bridge and headed downstairs to the deck. As they all entered the deck, Saphir looked at the sky. She then looked in front of her and saw an explosion. 

"It is getting rough out there," Honey commented. 

Conis looked a little worried. Mikita noticed this. She put her hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Ben has given you a gift, he trusts you and that will protect you, believe in him," Mikita said. Conis looked and smiled at Mikita. She smiled.

"Pervert," Kaya teased with a playful smirk, earning a round of laughter from the group.

"Ben cares for us," Vivi chimed in. 

"Indeed, the Princess holds a special position in Ben's heart," Robin added with a knowing smile.

"We all have a special place in his heart," Mikita affirmed, her words echoing the sentiment shared by each member.

Turning their attention to Conis, Marianne's curiosity sparked a new conversation. "That fire on your back, Conis, does it hurt?"

Surprised by the inquiry, Conis paused for a moment before responding, "Not at all. It feels like a part of me, as if I've always had it," she explained.

"Solar Phoenix," Robin said. She thought for a second. 

"It sounds like a majestic, beautiful creature," Vivi said. 

"It does," Marianne added.

Conis looked nervous again but she shook her head. She remembered what Mikita said,that Ben gave it to her. "I know Ben gave it to me and I will treasure this but it's the feeling deep within," Conis confessed.

"We all have it but together we will push past it," Kaya said. 

Vivi nodded. "I also have a mythical zoan but sadly cannot use it," Vivi said.

"Yet," Mikita injected. She was not going to allow Vivi to feel down. 

"Captain does not mind and you are his princess and a very brave fighter" Robin complimented. 

"You still kick butt," Saphir added. She gave a thumbs up. Vivi smiled.

"You are doing a lot for the crew," Kaya nodded to her close friend. 

At that moment, they saw a group of people with small wings travelling towards them. They were gliding on the river. They looked like tribal people who lived in the forest. Their attire was similar to Raki. In front of the group was a lean man with wings. He wore a red cap with two white stripes on it and four white feathers with black tips on the top. He wore a dark yellow robe that showed half his chest. He had a brown belt across his torso, which he used as a holder for his arrows and his bow. A dozen men with bazooka were behind the group leader. 

"They don't look like the people we fought yesterday," Saphir remarked.

"They look like they are Raki`s friends," Conis observed. She knew about the people living here before Enel. 

"So our friends," Marianne commented. 

The men aimed their guns at Miss Loved Duck and fired. Kaya transformed into her full beast form. Her long tail moved in the air. Her skin was a pale alabaster, and her hands had sharp claws. She had a pair of large, feathered wings that were opened up as she took to the sky. 

"Angel Beam," Kaya said as she held her hand out. She gathered energy into her palms and fired a one handed yellow energy beam at the cannon. The cannon and beam hit and they could see an explosion.

"Looks like they are not our friends," Robin said. She looked at the explosion. 

"Defend the Miss Love Duck," Mikita ordered. They all nodded and had a determined look. 

Suddenly a man jumped out from the black explosion. Mikita jumped from the deck of the Miss Love Duck, she kicked the man in the chest. The man got hit directly in this chest, near his heart and lost control as he fell down into the lake. Mikita opened her umbrella. "Featherfall," Mikita said as she reduced her weight to near zero. She was able to float gently in the air. She saw another man coming towards her. 

She held her hand out. It had a dial on it. She smiled. Mikita pressed a button. Her Axe Dial activitied and shoots an invisible air slash toward the man. It hit the man. There was a long cut on his body and blood started to gush out of the wound. The man went down and hit the river. 

"We should try to get their shooters on their feet," Honey said.

"We should, they will be useful,"Mikita agreed. 

"I am on it," Saphir said. She jumped in the river with her spear. She saw two men gliding towards her. She looked at them. She gripped her spear. "Bleu Whirlwind Jab," Saphir said as she began to spin her body. She held her spear out. Saphir hit the two men who tried to come for her. She struck them in their lower stomach. They both groaned as they fell into the river. 

Saphir smiled. She then divided into the river to retrieve the shooters. 

The man with the yellow robe aimed his bow. He pulled the string back and fired it. It went through the air at speed. It headed towards Vivi. 

Honey saw this. "Liquid Air Blast," Honey said as she held her hand. A torrent of purple liquid went towards the arrow and knocked it off course. 

Vivi saw this and nodded. "Thanks Honey," Vivi thanked her. 

"Just keep your eyes open," Honey remarked. Vivi nodded. Honey did think she was going to be okay but better safe. 

Vivi had worn the Shooters they had previously collected. "Do you know how to use it?" Marianne asked. 

"I think so," Vivi replied. She had a small conversation with Raki yesterday who told her some functions of these shooters. Vivi jumped into the river and pressed a button. She hit the river. She did not sink. She started to move and was wobbling around. She smiled as she was moving. 

Suddenly a bazooka cannon was fired at her. Vivi jumped out of the way. She got caught in the explosion wave and lost her balance however she quickly regained it. She looked at the men coming towards her. She took her Gero Gero gun out. She aimed her gun and pressed the trigger. A frog shaped bullet goes towards them and hits them. The explosion knocked them all out and they all fell into the river. 

Conis looked in horror over the fighting. It's wrong, she thought. 

The other 5 men regroup in a tree nearby, looking at the girl and their power. "Yotsubane, they are strong and have devil fruits," a man said. 

"Yes, they are," Yotsubane replied. He thought they must be with Enel. He thought again and they had no wings besides the one who was flying. He thought, are they people from the blue sea? There were rumours going around. 

"Inferno Strike," a man said from behind riding a bird. He held his javelin and the tip went red. A scorching blast of flames released from the tip. It went towards the five men and hit them in the back. 

Yotsubane saw this however it was too late. They all got hit from the attack. They were thrust forwards by the flames and they landed on the ground. Their bodies had burnt marks and all were conscious. 

The man flew on his bird towards the girls and smiled. "Easy prey," Shura remarked.