One Piece: From Ninja To Pirates

Chapter 389: Chapter 389: Battle in the Deep Sea, the Spirit’s Cry!

"Boom!"

As Noah moved, the massive chains attached to it began to sway, easily smashing the mountains below!

"Hurry, dodge!"

"Ah!"

Some Fish-men who couldn’t dodge in time were struck by flying debris and lost consciousness on the spot.

The other Fish-Man race members who narrowly avoided the attack looked up at the sky in terror, fearing they might be hit next.

"Damn that Vander Decken..." Hody, gripping the chain, gritted his teeth and said, "He actually dares to betray me..."

At this moment, Hody’s heart was filled with rage!

But when he saw the Straw Hat Pirates below, his expression changed.

"If Noah crashes down directly, these humans will surely die.

That way... he could easily kill these powerful humans!

Thinking of this, Hody’s eyes grew excited.

"Sha-ha-ha-ha-ha! You really did a good thing, Vander Decken!"

After laughing wildly, Hody began climbing upward rapidly.

"Princess Shirahoshi is truly a brave person..." Nami’s expression grew complicated as she watched the figure moving farther away.

"Yes."

Nico Robin also nodded in agreement. To go to such lengths... this princess’s character is truly beyond reproach!

"Alright, with him there, Princess Shirahoshi will be fine." Zoro, who remained calm throughout, lowered his head to look at the surrounding enemies and said, "Let’s clear out these enemies first."

Clearly, Zoro believed Meiser could handle the massive Noah!

"That’s true, then let’s..."

Before Nami could finish her sentence, she noticed that Hody, who had been on the battlefield moments ago, had disappeared.

"Huh?"

"Hey, where did that guy named Hody go?"

He was just in front of Luffy earlier, how did he suddenly vanish?

Upon hearing Nami’s words, the others also showed puzzled expressions.

Right, where did he go?

At that moment, Usopp raised his hand and pointed toward the massive chain now floating in the air, saying:

"He’s in the sky!"

"On that huge chain!"

Judging by his position... he’ll probably reach the sea soon.

"On the chain?"

Hearing Usopp’s words, the others also turned their gaze to the chain. freёwebnovel.com

Then, Perona exclaimed in surprise, "Could that guy be planning to attack Princess Shirahoshi in the sea?"

It wasn’t impossible.

"What?!"

Sanji immediately bristled. That bastard actually plans to attack Princess Shirahoshi?

Unforgivable!

Thinking this, Sanji used Moonwalk to fly into the air, clearly intending to attack Hody.

"Eh?!" Chopper stared at Sanji in shock. "How is Sanji flying too?"

This guy hasn’t eaten a Devil Fruit either.

How is he doing this?

"Isn’t this the same move those CP9 agents used when we encountered them two years ago?" Usopp exclaimed in surprise.

If he remembered correctly, this technique was called Moonwalk.

"That’s right, it’s CP9’s technique," Nico Robin nodded.

Recalling those events from two years ago, a look of emotion surfaced in Nico Robin’s eyes.

If it weren’t for her crewmates back then, she probably wouldn’t be living as happily as she is now.

Thinking of this, warmth filled Nico Robin’s heart.

"Hey, Sanji, wait!"

"Luffy?"

Hearing this, Sanji, who had flown halfway into the air, looked down at Luffy in confusion. "What’s up?"

"I’ll handle Hody. You take care of the plaza," Luffy shouted.

Sanji in mid-air thought for a moment, then nodded. "Got it. But... Luffy, there’s seawater up there. Are you sure you want to go?"

Right now, Meiser is with Shirahoshi and might not notice Luffy’s situation in time.

What if... "Seawater, huh..."

Luffy pondered for a bit, then turned to Jimbei. "Is there water inside the ship too, Jimbei?"

"I don’t know," Jimbei shook his head. "But since that guy Decken is a Devil Fruit Ability User, I imagine there’s enough air inside for him to move around."

After saying this, Jimbei lowered his head and took out a Bubble Coral from his pocket, handing it to Luffy. "Take this with you."

"Once you enter the sea, immediately use the bubble to protect your body."

"Alright, I understand."

Luffy nodded, taking the Bubble Coral, then stretched out his arms to grab Sanji in mid-air, clearly intending for Sanji to throw him upward.

"Luffy, please be very careful of Hody," Jimbei said with a serious expression. "In the deep sea, the abilities of the Fish-Man race and humans are worlds apart."

If the two of them fought in the ocean... Luffy would definitely be at a disadvantage!

As for why he wasn’t going into the sea to pursue Hody himself...

First, this was Luffy’s request. Second... if he left now, the effect of this operation would be lost, so he had to stay here.

"I understand," Luffy nodded, then looked up at Sanji in the air. "I’m counting on you, Sanji!"

"Got it!"

Sanji nodded, then closed his eyes to think about how much force he needed to successfully throw Luffy into the space between Fish-Man Island’s Double-Layer Bubble.

Too much force, and Luffy would fly into the open sea; too little, and he wouldn’t reach the chain. He had to control it just right...

After a moment of thought, Sanji opened his eyes. "Alright, let’s go!"

"I’m coming too!" Merry, who had flown over, grabbed Luffy’s shoulder. "Take me with you!"

"Merry?"

Luffy looked at Merry in surprise, clearly not expecting the little one to join him in the sea.

"Hey, little one, that’s no joking matter," Jimbei quickly interjected. "The pressure in the deep sea is unimaginable. Once you..."

Jimbei didn’t finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant.

The pressure in the deep sea is terrifying. Once Merry enters the deep sea, given her physical condition, she could very well die instantly.

"Hey, Merry, Jimbei is right." Usopp also ran over, looking at Merry with an excited expression as he said, "The deep sea is very dangerous, so you shouldn’t go."

"I know what you’re worried about, but my body can withstand the pressure of the deep sea." Merry said, "We tested this long before going to the Sea Forest."

Though she didn’t know how it worked, she could indeed do such things now.

Jimbei: ?

Usopp: ?

Wait, why would this little one even test something like that?

Wasn’t she afraid something might happen?

"Did that really happen?"

In response to Usopp’s question, Nami replied, "It really did happen."

Upon hearing this, Usopp fell completely silent.

So it really did happen?

Meanwhile, Jimbei looked at Merry with a shocked expression and said, "Such a small body can withstand the pressure of the deep sea?"

"I suppose this is what you’d expect from a Ship Spirit."

It seems legendary beings like Ship Spirits shouldn’t be judged by common sense.

"After all, I am a Ship Spirit." Merry smiled, then said seriously, "Besides... my abilities should be able to help Luffy in the sea, so..."

"Please let me go with you, Luffy!"

She didn’t know how strong the Fish-Man race was in the deep sea, but if Hody could capture Zoro in the deep sea, he might be able to give Luffy trouble!

So... she had to go!

Perhaps sensing the determination in Merry’s eyes, Luffy fell silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright, let’s go together."

With that, Luffy looked up at Sanji and continued, "Sanji, I’m counting on you!"

"Got it!"

Sanji, with a cigarette in his mouth, looked at Luffy with a deep gaze and said, "But you better remember to protect Merry and bring her back alive, got it?!"

"Okay!"

Luffy nodded seriously. Even if Sanji hadn’t said it, he would have done so.

This time, Sanji didn’t say anything more. Instead, he forcefully launched both Luffy and Merry into the air.

With Merry here, there was no need to worry about strength or anything like that.

After all... Merry had the wind!

"Air Force: Rubber SHOOT!"

"Whoosh!"

Propelled by Sanji’s strength, the two of them shot out like arrows, reaching the bubble of Fish-Man Island in just a few breaths.

Then, they passed through it without any hindrance!

"Pop!"

"We’re already in the space between the bubbles." Luffy, observing their surroundings, said, "But why hasn’t the speed slowed down?"

He originally thought Sanji would only fling them near the chains, but they still hadn’t stopped?

"Sanji probably didn’t deliberately control his strength because he considered my presence." Merry, clinging to Luffy’s shoulder, shouted loudly, "Don’t worry, we won’t fly out!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a gust of wind appeared around Luffy and Merry, forcefully bringing the two of them to a halt.

Then, Merry used the power of the wind to carry both of them to the chains, which were very close to the sea.

"Get ready, Luffy."

Looking up at Merry in the air, he said with a serious expression, "We’re about to enter the sea."

Sister Shirahoshi will soon bring Meiser into that connecting corridor leading to Ryugu Palace, and... this ship is also about to enter the sea!

"Alright, I understand."

Luffy, holding the bubble coral in his mouth, nodded and then handed it to Merry, saying, "Here, take this."

Merry is not a Devil Fruit ability user, so she won’t lose her strength upon entering the seawater. Therefore, it’s most appropriate to give this to her. freewёbnoνel.com

"Okay!"

Merry didn’t refuse either, reaching out to take the bubble coral.

Then, she looked up at Shirahoshi, who had already entered the connecting corridor, and said, "With Meiser there, Sister Shirahoshi shouldn’t have any problems."

"So, all we need to do here is take down Hody."

"I know." Luffy nodded.

Even if Merry hadn’t said it, he knew what he had to do.

After all... his goal had always been just that!

A moment later—

Whoosh!

A massive chain broke through the second bubble and entered the sea, carrying Luffy and Merry along with it.

"Ugh..."

The moment they entered the sea, Luffy’s body began to gradually lose strength, and his hands involuntarily let go of the chain.

"Mer..."

Gurgle gurgle gurgle~

Buzz

The next moment, a bubble appeared around the two of them, successfully protecting them.

"Phew... we’re safe now." Merry said, letting out a long sigh of relief.

Luffy also relaxed, then turned to look around and asked, "Did you see that guy Hody?"

"No."

Merry shook her head. "I’ve been looking for him since we flew up, but I couldn’t find his location."

He might have already entered the sea.

"Is that so..."

Luffy thought for a moment, then looked up at the Noah in the distance, growing farther and farther away, and said, "In that case, let’s first—"

Before Luffy could finish his sentence, as if sensing something, his pupils suddenly contracted.

Then, he turned to look behind him and said, "Hody..."

"So... you really have already entered the sea." Merry, who had also noticed Hody, immediately furrowed her brow and said, "No wonder we couldn’t find you."

If she had spotted Hody on the chain, she could have taken Luffy and knocked him down from mid-air.

That way, even if it didn’t kill him, it would at least rob him of the ability to pursue Meiser!

What a shame...

"Although I don’t know how you little thing can fly, to prevent any accidents, I entered the sea ahead of time." Hody sneered.

The moment he saw Merry appear in mid-air with Luffy, Hody abandoned his earlier plan and decisively entered the sea to wait for the two of them.

This way... he wouldn’t be knocked down by their attacks!

"Don’t worry about this guy." Merry turned to Luffy and said, "Let’s head to the ship first."

Fighting the Fish-Man race in the sea is too much of a disadvantage, so it’s better to go to the ship with Luffy first.

"Okay!"

Luffy nodded, then swung his hand out of the bubble, intending to grab the massive chain high above.

But unfortunately... Luffy in the deep sea simply couldn’t manage such a feat.

"Damn it, I can’t grab it..." Luffy said with a grim expression.

The strength in his arm would quickly dissipate in the deep sea, so... even if he touched the chain, he wouldn’t be able to hold onto it and pull himself and Merry over.

Seeing this, Hody immediately burst into hearty laughter.

"Sha ha ha ha ha!"

"Can’t even move freely in the deep sea... you humans truly are the lowest of creatures~" Hody laughed mockingly. "In the deep sea, you probably couldn’t even beat a child of the Fish-Man race."

"And now, I’m going to make you lowly creatures who dare defy me regret it!"

"Sha ha ha ha ha!" At this moment, Hody felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction, clearly convinced he had Luffy and Merry completely at his mercy.

After all... in his view, the Fish-Man race was invincible in the deep sea!

"Damn it..."

Luffy, having retracted his arm, looked at Hody with a serious expression and said, "Looks like I’ll have to take you down right here."

"Hey hey hey, what nonsense are you spouting?" Hody sneered at Luffy. "Human, do you even know where you are?"

A mere human claiming he could take him down in the deep sea... it was nothing short of a joke!

"You..."

"Gomu-Gomu Pistol!"

Without giving Hody a chance to continue speaking, Luffy threw a punch.

But unfortunately... it didn’t hit Hody.

"Sha ha ha ha ha!"

Having perfectly dodged Luffy’s punch, Hody sneered at him. "Straw Hat Boy, in the ocean, your fists are as slow as a snail’s!"

In the deep sea, he could now unleash the Fish-Man race’s greatest speed—a speed the current Straw Hat Boy simply couldn’t match!

"Fighting him here isn’t the way." Merry, releasing Luffy’s shoulder, floated up and looked toward Noah high above. "The priority is to get there first."

Only by reaching Noah, filled with air, could Luffy unleash his full power.

Luffy understood this too, but the problem was... they couldn’t get there!

"Sha ha ha ha, with me here, don’t even dream of it." Hody, appearing behind the two, sneered. "Just die obediently in the sea!"

"Sha ha ha ha ha!"

"Waiting around isn’t our style." Merry shouted, "Wind Vortex!"

As she spoke, Merry raised her hand and placed it outside the bubble, using the power of wind to create a miniature vortex.

Then, harnessing this force, she propelled the bubble forward, swiftly charging toward Noah high above!

"Whoa—What?!"

Watching the bubble propelled forward by the miniature vortex, Hody was utterly stunned.

Wasn’t that little girl a Devil Fruit Ability User? Why could she use her ability in the deep sea?

And what was with that vortex? How could it push the bubble forward without destroying it?

What in the world was going on?!

Seeing this, Luffy immediately lit up with excitement and said, "Great job, Merry!"

With this thing, they could quickly get inside that ship!

"I told you bringing me along would be useful," Merry laughed.

If she hadn’t followed Luffy, he would have been killed by Hody by now.

So... her decision to come along was right!

Luffy nodded very seriously, agreeing with Merry’s words.

If it weren’t for Merry, he really wouldn’t have been able to approach that ship.

Then, Luffy said, "Can we go any faster?"

"No."

Merry shook her head and said, "Increasing speed requires stronger wind output, which would damage the bubble. Then... we’d have to face the enemy in the open sea."

Although her abilities weren’t suppressed by the sea, fighting Fish-men in the ocean would still be disadvantageous, so Merry had no intention of doing that.

"Alright."

If Merry said so, what else could he say?

He could only hope that Hody wouldn’t catch up to them at this moment.

"Hmph, though I don’t know what’s up with this strange little girl, thinking you can rely on that power to shake me off in the ocean is just wishful thinking," Hody said coldly, staring at the bubble high above. "Don’t underestimate the Fish-Man race, you two!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Hody shot forward and caught up to Luffy and Merry high above in just a few breaths!

"Wh-what..."

Seeing Hody appear outside the bubble, Merry’s pupils instantly shrank to the extreme.

Was the Fish-Man race’s speed really this terrifying?

"Little thing, did you really think you could shake me off with this?" Hody sneered. "Too naive!"

With that, Hody raised the trident in his hand and thrust it forward, clearly intending to skewer both of them.

Seeing this, Merry immediately increased her ability output, making the bubble move much faster, successfully dodging Hody’s attack.

But because of the increased wind force, the bubble began to distort, looking as if it was about to shatter. This frightened Merry, who immediately reduced her ability output, stabilizing the gradually twisting bubble.

"Darn it, if only we weren’t in the deep sea..."

"Sha ha ha ha, now you understand why I said that, right?" Hody, who had caught up to them again, sneered as he looked at Merry and Luffy. "In the deep sea, human strength can never surpass the Fish-Man race!"

"Sha ha ha ha!"

As long as he wanted, these two could never escape his pursuit!

Sha ha ha ha! Then, Hody glanced up at the chains not far away and said, "But... I can’t let you keep rising. It wouldn’t be good if you got into Noah."

If there was air inside that could allow the Straw Hat Boy to move freely... then he’d be the one at a disadvantage!

Thinking this, Hody raised his right hand and grabbed a mass of water droplets, his muscles bulging as he clearly prepared to attack.

"Straw Hat Boy, Shirahoshi entering the sea is actually a stroke of luck for me!" Hody grinned viciously. "This way, I can finish you off without lifting a finger~"

"Sha ha ha ha ha~"

"Arrow-Shaped Shark!"

As soon as he finished speaking, countless needle-like streams of water shot from Hody’s hand, rapidly striking toward the bubble!

Seeing this, Luffy immediately lowered his head and pulled Merry up, shielding her in his arms.

The next moment.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"

"Pop pop pop!"

The struck Bubbles burst open, exposing both Merry and Luffy to the deep sea.

"Ah!"

"Urgh... Gurgle gurgle gurgle..."

The moment he entered the sea, Luffy felt a wave of despairing powerlessness, his body beginning to uncontrollably sink downward.

Seeing this, Hody immediately laughed heartily and said, "Sha ha ha ha, Devil Fruit users may be formidable on land, but in the sea, they’re nothing more than fish on a chopping block!"

"Straw Hat Boy, see? This is your true strength!"

"Sha ha ha ha!"

"With your power, you’ll never become the Pirate King!"

At this moment, Hody felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.

A mere human... could never be his match!

Just then, Merry, who had been held protectively in Luffy’s arms, emerged from his embrace. She raised her hand and used Bubble Coral to create a new bubble for the two of them.

Then, Merry took out Xiao Qing from her bosom and shouted, "Xiao Qing!"

"Hissss!"

Understanding what Merry intended to do, Xiao Qing transformed without hesitation into the shape of a bow and arrow.

Merry then raised her hand, aiming at Hody nearby, and decisively drew the bowstring!

Hody: !

Having witnessed the power of this move before, Hody immediately retreated a considerable distance, fearing he might be struck by her attack.

Seeing this, Merry breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to herself, Thank goodness... thank goodness this guy is afraid of this move.

Though she wasn’t sure if she could hit him in the deep sea, as long as she could make him hesitate, that would be enough.

"Cough, cough, cough—"

"I... I almost died..."

Hearing Luffy’s coughing, a flicker of concern immediately appeared in Merry’s eyes.

Without turning her head, she asked, "Luffy, are you okay?"

"I’m fine."

Luffy, lying on the bubble, wiped his mouth and then stood up, looking at Hody as he said, "But what about you? Are you hurt?"

After the bubble burst, he couldn’t even use Observation Haki, so he had no idea whether Hody had attacked Merry or not.

"I’m fine," Merry replied. "He didn’t take the chance to attack me."

Whether it was arrogance or something else, this guy named Hody hadn’t continued his assault after they entered the sea. Instead, he just stood there taunting them...

Fortunately, that gave her the opportunity to save Luffy with a bubble.

"That’s good," Luffy sighed in relief, then looked up at the increasingly distant Noah and said, "But we can’t keep going like this. We have to find a way to get up there."

"I know."

Though her weapon could intimidate Hody, she couldn’t maintain an attack while simultaneously moving the bubble upward.

At least, not until her body made contact with the sea.

As for directly using her ability inside the bubble?

Don’t be ridiculous—if she unleashed the Wind Vortex inside the bubble, it would burst first.

So... for now, they were stuck in this stalemate.

Should I use the Reverse Summoning Technique to summon Meiser here? Merry wondered silently.

If she summoned Meiser, he could probably take down their opponent quickly.

The thought made her tempted.

But then she remembered that Shirahoshi was with Meiser, and Merry hesitated.

If I summon Meiser here... would that villain Vander Decken take the chance to attack Shirahoshi?

If Vander Decken had made his move at that moment, Shirahoshi would have been done for, after all... that crybaby big sister is really weak!!

Moreover... she can’t rely on Meiser every time something happens, or she’ll never grow up.

Thinking this, Merry gave up on the idea.

"Then it’s up to the two of us," Merry thought to herself.

Afterward, Merry began pondering a solution to their current predicament.

"Staying in a stalemate won’t do us any good," Merry frowned as she thought. "After all, the Fish-Man race can stay active in the deep sea for long periods, while Luffy and I don’t have that ability...

In that case... we’ll just have to take a gamble!

With that in mind, Merry spoke up: "Luffy!"

"I’m going to make a move!"

Though he didn’t know what Merry intended, Luffy still grinned and replied, "Yeah!"

"Do what you gotta do, Merry!"

Even if the bubble might burst, even if they both might die here because of it—it didn’t matter.

At this moment, Luffy trusted Merry completely!

Hearing this, Merry felt a warmth in her heart, then said with firm determination, "Neither of us will die. Neither!"

"Yeah!"

Buzz—the next moment, the arrow in Merry’s hand became dazzlingly bright, its aura turning terrifyingly intense.

"This feeling..."

Hody, targeted by the arrow, immediately sensed a threat of death.

Would he die if hit by this arrow?

How could that be?

How could a mere human little girl accomplish something like that?

Yet his instincts told him—if struck, he would die!

Though it felt incredibly frustrating, Hody still chose to follow his gut, retreating and putting distance between himself and Merry, afraid of being hit by this attack.

"Though I don’t know what’s going on, as long as I can dodge her attack, it’ll be fine," Hody thought to himself.

And after dodging... it would be her time to die!

Thinking this, Hody’s eyes turned fierce.

As if understanding Hody’s thoughts, Merry shouted, "Trying to dodge my attack?"

"Then give it a try!"

"Arrow of Wind!!"

As the words fell, Merry released her fingers and shot the glowing green arrow.

Whoosh

The moment the arrow passed through the bubble, it began to radiate a dazzling light, followed by a terrifying whirlwind forming around it!

Buzz

Seeing this, Hody’s pupils shrank to the extreme, and without hesitation, he unleashed his fastest speed, darting sideways.

The next moment—

Whoosh

BOOM!!

The terrifying Arrow of Wind struck a Sea Beast not far away, instantly blasting a huge hole through its body!

Roar...

The struck Sea Beast let out a mournful cry, then rolled its eyes and lost consciousness.

"What a terrifying attack..." Hody said with a grim expression.

If that had hit him, wouldn’t it have turned him into a bloody mist?

Thinking this, an overwhelming killing intent arose in Hody’s heart.

This little girl must die!

Realizing Merry’s threat, Hody immediately resolved to kill her.

Then, he turned and charged toward the area where Merry and Luffy had been.

And at that very moment, he noticed something was off.

"They actually abandoned the bubble?"

Watching Merry desperately charging upward while gripping Luffy’s arm, she clearly intended to rush into Noah while Hody was dodging the attack.

"What a decisive human..." Hody remarked with admiration.

At this moment, even he, an extremist of the Fish-Man race, had to admit that the little girl named Merry was remarkably decisive.

If they continued moving with bubbles, they would never catch up to Noah.

But if they abandoned the bubbles, they could quickly charge toward that ship...

Hiss... Wait, that’s not right!

Isn’t this little girl a Devil Fruit Ability User? Why can she still use her ability in the sea?

Looking at the little girl bursting with power, Hody’s eyes instantly filled with shock.

He couldn’t understand why she could still use her ability under such circumstances.

Was that even reasonable?

"Could it be that this little girl isn’t a Devil Fruit Ability User?" Hody muttered with a frown.

But if she wasn’t a Devil Fruit Ability User... why could she use that special power?

Although he didn’t understand how it was possible, Hody realized that she could indeed use her ability in the sea.

"Forget it, never mind," Hody shook his head. "I’ll just finish her off first."

After all, she was only human. Even if she could use her ability, she couldn’t possibly outpace him in the deep sea after he had consumed a large amount of Energy Steroids!

Thinking this, Hody sneered coldly.

Then, his body moved, swiftly charging toward Luffy and Merry, clearly intending to eliminate them before they reached Noah!

"Sha ha ha ha ha!"

Meanwhile, Merry was doing her utmost to move upward.

"Luffy, you must hold on!" Merry cried out in her heart.

As long as they reached a place with air... that guy named Hody would be no match for them!

’We must get in!!’ Merry screamed inwardly.

As for Luffy, who was being dragged by Merry, he was also doing his best to hold his breath, clearly not wanting to cause her any trouble.

But... for someone like him, a landlubber, this was incredibly difficult.

"Gurgle gurgle gurgle..."

Hearing the commotion below, Merry gritted her teeth, thinking, ’Hold on, we’re almost there!

As long as we reach Noah, we can...

"Where do you think you’re going?"

Merry: !

Seeing the Fish-man who had appeared beside her, Merry’s eyes flashed with a trace of terror.

Had he caught up to them so quickly?

How could his speed be this terrifying!

--Enjoying the story? Want more Chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance Chapters.

Just search for "LegendaryTL" on Patreon!"

Thanks!