On the sunny sea, dozens of navy warships formed a massive encirclement.
White sails bore the navy's emblem, and the decks were lined with neat rows of marine soldiers.
Nelson Loy, the East Blue Naval Admiral, was a portly, elderly man with a large build and a rough face.
Dressed in a luxurious and exaggerated admiral's uniform adorned with golden tassels and intricate badges,
he always sat in a massive chair due to his obesity.
He had developed an extreme interest in the "Dragon Bone Eternity," viewing it as the key to extending his lifespan, and was willing to do anything to obtain it, even abusing the navy's power.
Sitting in his massive chair, Nelson wore a cold sneer, clutching an ornate spyglass in his hand, his gaze fixed on the Going Merry ahead.
"The Straw Hat Pirates… and that Millennial Dragon, none of you will escape today," Nelson's voice was low and cold.
"Aim all cannons! If anyone lets them get away, I'll make sure they stay at the very bottom of the East Blue forever!"
On the Going Merry, Luffy stood at the bow, hands on his hips, his face full of excitement: "So many warships! Awesome!"
"Idiot! Are you planning to go head-to-head with the entire navy fleet?!" Nami yelled, looking distraught, "We should be trying to escape in this situation!"
"Escape? Are you kidding me?!" Zoro gritted his teeth, his hand on his sword hilt, watching the approaching navy fleet coldly.
"With so many people surrounding us, I can't back down now."
East Blue Admiral Nelson Loy ordered the fleet to open fire, and cannonballs rained down on the Going Merry.
The deafening roar and the waves stirred up by the exploding cannonballs made the ship sway violently, making it difficult for anyone on deck to stand steady.
"Hey! These guys are trying to blow us to smithereens!" Usopp screamed, clinging to the mast, "This is insane!"
Nami gritted her teeth, desperately manipulating the rudder: "If it weren't for my skills, you'd all be fish food by now!"
"Bang!" A cannonball flew straight towards the Going Merry.
"Don't let it hit the ship!" Lin Ning said coldly.
"Leave it to me!" Zoro roared, and his Wado Ichimonji slashed out a fierce sword light.
The cannonball was directly split in half in mid-air, scattering explosive sparks.
Luffy burst into laughter: "My turn!" He took a deep breath, puffed out his belly, and let the cannonball hit him, then bounced it back.
"Bang—" The deflected cannonball directly struck the mast of a warship.
"Tch! Don't steal my thunder." Sanji stepped onto the railing, leaped, and flicked his foot in mid-air.
A cannonball was directly kicked away by him, smashing onto the deck of another warship.
Despite the trio's best efforts, the opposing fleet was too numerous, and cannonballs kept coming non-stop as if they were free.
Lin Ning stood at the bow, holding his Fangtian Huaji, a cold glint in his eyes: "This is endless."
He took a deep breath, and his Conqueror's Haki instantly erupted.
Unlike previous widespread releases, Lin Ning precisely controlled this Conqueror's Haki.
All cannonballs approaching the Going Merry exploded in the air, as if blocked by an invisible barrier.
"Too strong!" Usopp watched dumbfounded, "Is this the power of Conqueror's Haki?!"
Lin Ning turned to look at Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, his tone low:
"Next, the three of you will destroy this entire fleet, and I'll guard the ship."
The trio froze, then an excited expression appeared on their faces.
"Really?" Luffy rubbed his nose, a grin of excitement on his face, "Sounds interesting!"
Zoro raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk on his lips: "I alone am enough!"
"All three of you go, consider it daily training!" Lin Ning's voice was devoid of emotion, "Act now."
The three exchanged glances, all showing a look of exhilaration.
Sanji was the first to act, stepping onto the railing and leaping into the air, kicking off with his legs and using Sky Walk to awkwardly tread through the air.
"Hey, Sanji, your Sky Walk isn't very practiced, is it!" Luffy shouted.
"Shut up! Don't disturb me!" Sanji roared, stumbling slightly but steadying himself, and charged towards the leftmost warship.
He raised his right leg high and kicked down fiercely: "Diable Jambe!"
"Boom!" The warship's deck was directly kicked through, and the entire ship instantly tilted, the marine soldiers screaming and scattering, before the hull sank into the sea.
"Alright!" Luffy laughed loudly, then turned to Zoro, "Let's go too!"
"Hey, what are you trying to do?" Before Zoro could react, Luffy grabbed him, "Hey! Luffy! Don't mess around!"
"Gum-Gum Rocket!" Luffy laughed as he launched Zoro, who screamed in mid-air: "Bastard! I'll cut you down!"
Despite being caught off guard by Luffy, Zoro quickly adjusted, drawing his Wado Ichimonji from his waist.
He unleashed a massive slash in the air: "One Sword Style: Tiger Hunt!"
"Crack!" The warship's hull was directly sliced in half, seawater poured into the breach, and the entire ship rapidly sank.
"Looks pretty good!" Luffy grinned proudly, then used the power of his Gum-Gum Fruit to launch himself into the air above the main battleship.
He struck a fighting pose in mid-air and roared: "Gum-Gum Axe!"
Admiral Nelson, on the main battleship's deck, saw Luffy's extended rubber leg descending from the sky and turned pale with fright: "Stop him! Stop him!"
"Boom!" Luffy's extended leg heavily cleaved into the main battleship, splitting the entire ship down the middle, and it rapidly sank into the sea.
The remaining marine soldiers watched the main battleship sink in stunned silence, their faces filled with fear.
"Who are these three monsters?!"
"Retreat! Retreat!"
The remnants of the warship fleet quickly turned to flee, but under the pursuit of Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji, only a few of the dozens of warships managed to escape.
Just as the battle ended, the old Millennial Dragon on the raft suddenly let out a long roar.
The sound was deep and powerful, as if summoning something.
"What's wrong with it?" Nami looked at the old dragon on the raft with a puzzled expression.
"It's welcoming its companions." Lin Ning's gaze sharpened slightly, "Its voice can travel very far."
Before he finished speaking, countless giant figures appeared on the distant horizon.
A flock of Millennial Dragons flew in from the sea-sky boundary, their wings emitting a faint golden glow in the sunlight.
"So many Millennial Dragons?!" Usopp watched, dumbfounded, "Why did they all come?"
"They come here every thousand years." Lin Ning's voice held a touch of emotion, "This is their habitat."
With the arrival of the Millennial Dragons, the sea level began to change, the seawater slowly receded, revealing the Lost Island hidden beneath the surface.
Ancient stone pillars, ruined buildings, and patches of dragon bone fossils appeared before everyone, this relic seemed to have slept for a thousand years, and now finally saw the light of day.
The Millennial Dragons flew towards the Lost Island, some gently landing, others circling directly within the ruins.
Their roars were deep and long, as if celebrating their return to their homeland.
The old Millennial Dragon on the raft raised its head, looked at the Lost Island, and a hint of contentment flashed in its eyes.
It used its last ounce of strength to stand up. Apis stayed close by its side, tears streaming down her face:
"Don't die! Grandpa Dragon...!"
The old dragon lowered its head and gently nudged Apis with its nose, seemingly comforting her.
Finally, it lay down on this Lost Island, slowly closed its eyes, and stopped breathing.
Just then, a newly hatched small Millennial Dragon peeked out from behind a pile of stones, blinking its clear, big eyes at Apis.
She paused, then a relieved smile appeared on her face: "I understand, my mission is to protect this place, to protect you all."
Lin Ning and his group stood on the Going Merry, watching Apis, and Luffy waved, laughing: "Apis, goodbye!"
"Thank you all!" Apis's eyes were full of gratitude as she waved goodbye with all her might, "Have a safe journey!"
The Going Merry slowly sailed away from the Lost Island, heading towards Reverse Mountain, the entrance to the Grand Line.