Defeat the Warships!

"I brought Grandpa Bogdan's buns..."

After crossing mountains and ridges, the three arrived at a cave and heard Apis's voice coming from within. Luffy went inside first and asked who she was talking to.

When the three saw the scene inside the cave, they could not help but stare in surprise. There was actually a flying dragon covered in green fur. It must have been the Millennium Dragon from Lost Island that Bogdan had mentioned!

However, no one knew how long this Millennium Dragon had lived. It was clearly very old, and it showed no reaction upon seeing Luffy and the others, as though it had become extremely weak.

Zero was somewhat disappointed. The difference between seeing it in the anime and seeing it in person was still quite large. At the very least, the creature before him differed somewhat from his imagined image of a dragon.

For some reason, Luffy, the social expert, was actually able to sense the Millennium Dragon's thoughts. As for why Apis could communicate with it, it was because she had eaten a Devil Fruit.

Zero could not help sighing. As expected of Oda's favored son. He already seemed to be displaying the beginnings of the Breath of All Things once possessed by Pirate King Roger!

However, through their communication with the Millennium Dragon, they learned that its dream was to return to its homeland—the legendary Lost Island.

Later, Apis confessed why she had been captured by the Marines. It was because the Millennium Dragon had given her Dragon Armor, which she made into a necklace and wore. The Marines happened to spot it when they came ashore, leading to her later escape from the Marine fleet and encounter with Luffy and the others.

In the end, Luffy suddenly proposed taking the Millennium Dragon to Lost Island. Neither Zero nor Nami objected, or rather, that was what they wanted as well.

Everyone returned to Bogdan's home.

Roronoa Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, and the others were sleeping soundly, while Bogdan muttered in his sleep.

Not long after they returned, the islanders came to report that the Marines had sealed off Warship Island. After discussing it, they decided to take their companions to the cave.

When Roronoa Zoro and the other two saw the Millennium Dragon, their jaws dropped in shock as well. After all, a creature from legend had actually appeared alive before them. Anyone would have been astonished!

With the Marines surrounding Warship Island, time was of the essence. To transport the Millennium Dragon onto the ship, they split into two groups. Zero and Usopp would sail the Going Merry to the nearest point, while the rest were responsible for bringing the Millennium Dragon to the shore.

"Damn it, how did the Marines find the Going Merry? We clearly hid it!"

Behind a massive boulder, Usopp poked his head out to look at the Marines ahead. Just as he was about to discuss how to retake the Going Merry with Zero, Zero suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Usopp, I'll leave these guys to you!"

Faced with Zero's serious expression, Usopp panicked. "No way, right? There are so many Marines. How can I handle them alone...?"

"Haven't I taught you Armament Haki? Combat is always the fastest way to train! Besides, I'll be right here. Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you!"

Usopp swallowed. After a while, his gaze gradually turned firm.

That was right. Wasn't he going to become a brave warrior of the sea? How could he back down here!

Thus, Usopp nodded at Zero, pulled out his slingshot, and secretly moved to another concealed spot under Zero's approving gaze.

Bang!

Not long after Usopp hid himself, clouds of smoke suddenly exploded before the Marines!

"Who is it?! You, come out!"

"This smoke has chili in it—cough, cough, cough!"

"Cough, cough!"

Coughing spread from the smoke one after another. Some clever Marines ran out while covering their noses, but in the next moment, flames exploded before them!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Before long, the Marines were sprawled all over the ground, their faces streaked with blood and tears. They looked utterly miserable.

Zero walked out from behind the boulder while clapping. Usopp also emerged from his hiding place and came to Zero's side, looking completely different from the panicked state he had been in moments ago.

"Well, Zero? I took them out! Pretty impressive, huh? Hehe!"

"Yeah, very impressive. I thought you'd need my help, but I didn't expect you to handle them yourself. As expected of our ship's sniper! Hahaha!"

Usopp scratched his head, then said something that pleasantly surprised Zero. "Also, while I was shooting just now, I think I vaguely got a feel for Armament Haki. Maybe I can try developing some special ammunition in the future!"

"Not bad! Hahaha, keep it up!"

"Hehe!"

Afterward, the two boarded the Going Merry and sailed toward the agreed meeting point to rendezvous with their companions!

Unexpectedly—

"Zero, there are Marine warships ahead!"

Hearing Usopp shout at him, Zero noticed them too. Several warships had appeared before the Going Merry! Counting carefully, there were actually eight of them!

At the same time, a system prompt suddenly sounded in his mind—

"Ding! Side mission activated: Defeat 0/4 warships of the Marine Eighth Division. Reward upon success: 700 experience points, 70,000 Beli!"

"Interesting!"

Zero suddenly smiled. Usopp, beside him, seemed to sense that something was about to happen and could not help shivering.

Originally, he had wanted to sail around the warships and avoid unnecessary trouble. But now that the system had issued him a side mission, he had no reason to let them go!

With that thought, Zero said to Usopp, "Usopp, keep sailing the Going Merry. I'll deal with those warships!"

Before Usopp could agree, Zero had already leaped into the air. Using his simulated Moonwalk, he rapidly headed toward the Marine warships, leaving Usopp staring blankly at his retreating figure.

The Marines aboard the warships noticed Zero's arrival as well.

"Sir, what is that?"

"That is the pirate with a bounty of 50 million Beli—the Executioner!"

"That can't be possible! How can someone walk through the sky? Could he have eaten a Devil Fruit?"

"Quick, open fire! Shoot that pirate down!"

"Yes, sir!"

Under the command of the Marine officer aboard the ship, cannonballs flew toward Zero. The surrounding warships also opened fire on him, and the dense barrage instantly surrounded him!

Faced with such an attack, Zero drew Startled Dragon in midair and slashed several times at the incoming cannonballs!

Boom boom boom boom boom!

Azure sword light collided with the cannonballs, producing a series of violent explosions in midair. The sudden gale made the Marines aboard the warships clutch their hats tightly.

As they watched the situation in the air anxiously, a figure suddenly appeared above one of the warships!