After a few leisurely days on Sky Island, purchasing some items, and Luffy finding some uniquely shaped gold which he refused to leave with Orochimaru, everyone boarded the going merry and returned to the original Gate of Heaven, docking to the side.
Luffy lay limply on the going merry's sheep figurehead, his voice drawn out in reluctance.
"Ah... are we going down?"
"Indeed, it's hard to say goodbye when it's time to go down," Sanji sighed, puffing on his cigarette.
Zoro: "Time to say goodbye to the white sea."
Chopper swung on the railing like a swing, "Sky Island was really fun!"
Orochimaru held Conis's hand, very solemnly, "Conis... if Eneru comes back, make sure he remembers to find me in the Blue Sea..."
Nami's forehead twitched, and she dragged Orochimaru by his collar onto the going merry, "Conis-chan, don't mind him... he's talking nonsense. Eneru will never come back! Absolutely never!"
At the ark's speed, Eneru should have already entered outer space by now. Whether he was alive or not was unknown. Then he shook his head, he must be alive, otherwise, if the Rumble-Rumble Fruit reincarnated, there would be another victim.
"Then we will be riding the descending Liu Yun. Please furl the sails and hold on to the ship, everyone," Conis's father bid farewell to Luffy and his crew, reminding them of precautions for leaving Sky Island.
Luffy sat excitedly in his special seat, "Next, we're starting a new adventure, going back to the Blue Sea!"
The going merry gradually left the Gate of Heaven, rushing down along the swift Liu Yun.
Conis shouted from the shore, "Mina-san!! You are rapidly descending!! Be careful!!"
"?????? Descending????" The group looked back at Conis, confused.
(O ∆ O)!!!!! Instantly, the going merry shot out, plummeting rapidly.
"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!!!!" Screams rose and fell... Orochimaru, floating in the air, was a bit dazed. He quickly flapped his wings, almost forgetting that he could fly.
An octopus flew out from the clouds, its giant tentacles wrapping around the going merry, like a huge hot air balloon, slowly descending.
Orochimaru flew a circle around the octopus hot air balloon. How magical. How did an octopus become a balloon in this world?
The Sky Island under the setting sun glowed orange. The sound of the golden bell carried through the clouds. Orochimaru was immersed in this tranquil moment, flying beside the Merry, letting his snake clone capture this scene. It was indeed beautiful.
Everyone lay on the deck, enjoying this rare quiet time.
Of course, it wouldn't be quiet for long. Soon, Luffy transformed into a monkey and started climbing up and down. They were about to return to the Blue Sea. Orochimaru raised his arm, sniffed himself, and felt like he was starting to smell. Before landing in the Blue Sea, he should take a bath.
Sanji stared blankly upwards.
"What's wrong, Sanji?" Nami looked up, puzzled.
Sanji framed the octopus with his hands, observing it carefully, his voice a little hesitant.
"No... maybe it's just my imagination."
"Hey!! This isn't good!!!" Zoro's panicked voice came, and everyone looked at him tensely, only to see Zoro yawn a bit blankly, then turn over and continue sleeping. "What... just a dream."
"I'll kill you!!! You scared me to death!" Sanji and Nami started roaring at Zoro.
It's unknown how long they drifted. Orochimaru was sprawled in his self-made bathtub, enjoying a delightful bath... indeed, a peaceful life was more comfortable.
Just as he was sighing, the going merry suddenly began to plummet rapidly, crashing into the sea with a loud bang. Orochimaru was stunned. I only left a short while ago, didn't I... how did the ship crash??
He got up and wiped off the water vapor from his body, only to hear the blaring of sirens. Searchlights from all directions shone on the going merry. At this moment, Orochimaru couldn't help but think of the dirty words of Blue Star people... he, Orochimaru, wanted to curse.
"If nothing unexpected happens, then something unexpected has happened." Orochimaru's face was gloomy as he stepped in the dirty water. He only had time to wrap a piece of rag around his waist, thankfully there was a belt to secure it. Otherwise, he wasn't sure if he would destroy this Marine Base. (As usual, the picture is in the comments, if not, it's been swallowed. If it's really not there, check the circle. Melancholy, smoking.)
His bath was for naught. In his haste, everyone scattered, and he didn't know where he had flown to. Looking at the dark surroundings, the walls covered in vines, was this the underground of a fortress?
Orochimaru leaned against the wall, intending to explore deeper. A wave of weakness washed over him. Orochimaru was a little surprised, Sea Stone? This fortress was not simple. The underground passage was actually built with Sea Stone. It seemed the entrance should be a confidential place.
Inside the office, Jonathan, the commander of G8 Fortress, had his legs propped on his desk. A chessboard lay on the table. He leaned back in his chair, rocking and muttering to himself.
"Straw Hat Luffy, plus Pirate Hunter Zoro, first mate Orochimaru, the woman with countless arms, and the furry monster should also be their accomplice.
Anyway, there are eight of them."
Jonathan speculated, thinking about the items on the going merry.
"Among them are a highly skilled chef, a knowledgeable ship doctor, perhaps even a historian, and an experienced Navigator.
Thinking of the hot water in that private room, Jonathan paused.
"Without accident, there should also be an unclothed Scientist. Judging by the clothes in the room, it's good, that should be a man."
At this moment, Orochimaru, lost underground, felt his patience wearing thin. Was it really that hard for him to just go out and change his clothes? The snake clones sent out to scout gradually returned. A map appeared in his mind. Orochimaru accelerated, running in one direction, he should be getting close.
In the room, Jonathan ate the dishes on his plate, sighing contentedly, "Hmm... it tastes as good as rumored, it's fantastic, it completely lives up to my expectations."
"Oh, it does," Luffy, pretending to be a Marine opposite him, chewed on something and responded with narrowed eyes.
Jonathan looked at the gradually decreasing meatballs on his plate, expressionlessly spearing one and not letting go. Luffy couldn't pull it, and bounced back onto the floor due to his rubber hands.
"Stingy! I'll just eat one!"
Jonathan stood in front of Luffy.
"Straw Hat, I want you to answer one question. I can't figure out your purpose. What are you doing at this fortress?"
Luffy stood up, holding his leg, "I just fell from the sky and ended up here, but I really like it here. The food is delicious, I'm so lucky." As he said this, Luffy suddenly heard the cabinet begin to vibrate, and with a bang, the wardrobe door was kicked open. Orochimaru walked out, stretching.
"Finally out..." He turned to look at Jonathan, who was confronting Luffy.
"Excuse me, could I borrow some clothes?" Orochimaru politely looked at the Marine.
"You can..." Jonathan looked at the man wrapped in rags, pointing to the open wardrobe, "The place you came out of is the wardrobe, there are coats inside."
"Thank you."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"