Upon entering the waters if the Gradline, Drakon and crew couldn't help buy take in the scenery of what they saw. "So this is the grandline?" Ann said with softly.
Leon and Ella noded in unison ,Balloon just responded by raising one of its wings. Drakon, almost sensing a strange form of familiarity couldn't help but take it all in. Although this was short lived as a cannonball was fired there way. The cannonball splashed into the water mere feet away from the crew, sending a plume of spray into the air. Drakon's head snapped towards the source of the attack, his eyes narrowing.
"Incoming!" he shouted, his voice carrying across the water.
The crew quickly sprang into action, Leon and Ella rushing to assess the damage while Ann and Balloon scanned the horizon for any signs of the attacker.
"Where's it coming from?" Ann asked, her eyes squinting against the sunlight.
"Looks like a ship, maybe a mile or so off the port bow," Ella replied, her hand shielding her eyes as she gazed out to sea.
Drakon's grip on the helm tightened. "Get ready to return fire! We don't know what their intentions are."
As the crew scrambled to prepare for battle, the mysterious ship loomed larger on the horizon, its cannons still trained on the Grandline. The calm waters had suddenly become a battleground, and Drakon's crew was about to find out what lay ahead on this treacherous sea. As the Marine ship drew closer, its hull became visible, adorned with the insignia of the World Government's naval forces. The Marines returned fire with precision, their cannons blazing as they targeted the pirate ship.
"Those are Marines!" Ella shouted, her voice urgent. "We need to be careful, they're not here to play games!"
Drakon's eyes locked onto the ship, his mind racing with possibilities. "Prepare for evasive maneuvers!" he growled. "We can't take on their firepower head-on. Let's try to outmaneuver them and get out of here!"
The pirate ship dodged and weaved, trying to avoid the Marine's cannon fire. Ann and Balloon fired back, trying to find a weak spot in the Marine's defenses. The battle was intense, with both sides exchanging blows and trying to gain the upper hand.
"Captain, they're trying to flank us!" Leon shouted, his eyes fixed on the Marine ship's movements.
Drakon nodded, his grip on the helm tightening. "Adjust our course, let's try to cut them off!"
The pirate ship responded sluggishly, but Drakon's quick thinking and the crew's expertise allowed them to narrowly avoid the Marine's attack. The battle raged on, with neither side giving an inch.
Drakon's eyes gleamed with determination as he focused his mind. He could feel the water around him responding to his presence, its energy coursing through his veins. With a swift motion, he raised his hand, and a massive wave crashed down on the Marine ship, threatening to engulf it.
"Water Cannon!" Drakon shouted, unleashing a concentrated blast of water that shot towards the Marine vessel. The force of the attack was immense, sending Marines tumbling across the deck.
The Marine ship stumbled, its crew struggling to regain control. Ann and Balloon took advantage of the distraction, firing precise cannonballs that struck the ship's weakened hull.
"Keep pressing!" Drakon bellowed, his Water Devil Fruit powers surging with each passing moment. He summoned a swirling vortex of water, pulling the Marine ship towards the pirate vessel.
The Marines fought back, but Drakon's control over the water gave him a significant advantage. With a final, mighty gesture, he unleashed a colossal wave that crashed over the Marine ship, overwhelming its defenses.
As the wave receded, the Marine ship was left battered and broken, its crew forced to abandon ship. Drakon's pirate vessel emerged victorious, its crew cheering in triumph.
But Drakon's expression remained grim. "We've won this battle," he said, "but the Marines won't forget this defeat. We'll need to be prepared for their next move."
The crew's cheers died down as they saw the grim look on Drakon's face. They knew that this victory came with a price, and the Marines would not take kindly to their defeat.
"Captain, what's our next move?" Leon asked, his voice laced with concern.
Drakon's eyes scanned the horizon, his mind already racing with plans. "We'll make for a nearby island, repair any damage, and tend to our wounded."
Ann nodded, already moving to carry out Drakon's orders. "I'll get started on the repairs, Captain."
Balloon, still perched on the cannon, let out a triumphant squawk.
As the pirate vessel sailed towards the island, Drakon's thoughts turned to the implications of their victory. The Marines would not forget this defeat, and their next encounter would likely be even more brutal. Drakon knew that he and his crew would need to be prepared for anything if they were to survive in these treacherous waters.
The island came into view, its lush greenery and sandy beaches a welcome sight after the intensity of the battle. Drakon's crew worked swiftly to repair their ship while Drakon stood watch, ever vigilant for any signs of danger.
But as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the island, Drakon's instincts began to prickle. Something didn't feel right. He turned to Leon, his voice low and urgent. "Get the crew on high alert. I don't think this is over yet."
A short while. A woman with blue hair and a sassy attitude made her way to the ship. "Hello there. You fellas need any help?" She asked with a smile.
Drakon being cautious responded. "No, we're good."
The woman responded "Really? Cause from the looks of it you could use some assisted with the ship of your there's." She pointed at the ship. "I'm Zala and I run a café on this island. How's about you fellas come on over for a quick bite?"
Drakon's eyes narrowed slightly as he assessed Zala, her blue hair and sassy attitude a stark contrast to the typical island inhabitant. "Thanks for the offer, Zala," he said cautiously, "but we're not looking for trouble. We're just here to make some repairs and tend to our wounded."
Zala chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, I can see that. You've got some damage there," she said, nodding towards the ship. "But don't worry, my café's not about trouble. It's about good food and good company. You and your crew look like you could use a break. Come on, I'll hook you up with some of the best seafood on the island."
Drakon hesitated for a moment, weighing the pros and cons. But something about Zala's warm demeanor put him at ease. "Alright, thanks for the offer. We'll take you up on that," he said finally, nodding to his crew.
As they followed Zala to her café, Drakon couldn't help but notice the way she moved with a confident swagger, her blue hair bobbing with each step. He wondered what her story was, and what had brought her to this island.
The café was a cozy little spot, filled with the delicious smells of cooking seafood. Zala led them to a table, where she plied them with plates of steaming hot food. "Dig in, guys," she said with a smile. "You look like you could use it."
The crew dug in, savoring the flavors of the island's fresh seafood. For a moment, they forgot about their troubles, and just enjoyed the simple pleasure of good food and good company.
As they ate, Drakon couldn't help but notice the way Zala seemed to know everyone on the island. She greeted patrons with warm smiles and hugs, and they all seemed to adore her. He found himself wondering what her story was, and how she'd ended up running a café on this island.
After they finished eating, Zala sat down with them, sipping on a cup of coffee. "So, what brings you folks to our neck of the woods?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Drakon hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about Zala's warm and non-judgmental demeanor put him at ease. "We're pirates," he said simply. "We've been having some trouble with the Marines lately."
Zala's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't seem shocked or appalled."Well, You're welcome to stay on the island for as long as you need, just keep the pirate business out of my café, deal?"
Drakon smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Zala. "Deal," he said, extending his hand.
As they shook hands, Drakon felt a sense of unease dissipate. Maybe, just maybe, this island and its inhabitants would prove to be more than just a temporary refuge.