Our New Adventure

The yagara bull charged through the flooded streets of Enies Lobby, waves crashing under its massive weight, as the combined forces of the Thorn Pirates and the Galley-La Company clung to its saddle. Wind lashed at my face, salty and sharp, stinging my half-healed wounds. Etan and Bliant flanked me, Paulie at the reins, his jaw tight, his eyes locked ahead.

We were barreling toward the heart of the chaos—toward the others, toward the fight. Luffy wasn't with us—he had gone off on his own, blazing his own path like the storm he is—but the rest of the Straw Hats were close, tangled in the chaos of Enies Lobby.

Up ahead, a swarm of Marines was closing in fast, and among them, a pack of dog-mounted soldiers emerged. Paulie cursed under his breath.

"Hold on!" he shouted, tossing five ropes down toward the advancing group. "Grab on here!"

The Straw Hats caught the ropes quickly, and Paulie yanked with his Devil Fruit-enhanced strength, dragging them high into the air and into the saddle with the rest of us. They landed with varying degrees of grace—Zoro with balance, Nami with grit, Chopper with a squeak.

Sanji dusted himself off, adjusting his tie. "Thanks, though you could've let us have a little fun first."

Paulie rounded on him. "You idiot! Don't forget the reason you came here! Save your energy for the real fight!"

Sanji sighed, nodding. "You're right. We'd be here all day with all those enemies."

The bull let out a thunderous bellow, smashing through an alleyway and into another street. Marines scattered like flies. Another bull crashed into the scene, protecting us with its bulk.

Chopper shouted, "Oh no! They're going to jump on top of the bull!"

"What?!" Nami cried.

"Can't this thing go any faster?!" Chopper pleaded.

Paulie looked over his shoulder. "Hey, cook!"

Sanji blinked. "Yeah?"

"Take the reins. Here!" Paulie passed them off to Sanji.

I raised a brow. "Wait, what are you—"

Paulie leapt toward the back of the bull with ropes flaring. His crew moved to follow, climbing and taking positions.

"When you see them," Paulie said to the Straw Hats, "pass along a message for me: 'You're all fired.'"

Zoro smirked. "You got it."

The Marines on their dogs leapt. Paulie met them in midair. "Not so fast!" he roared, ropes snapping out to catch them.

His crew jumped too, engaging with a practiced rhythm.

I turned to Etan and Bliant, heart pounding.

"We can't leave them to face this alone," I said.

Etan grinned, rising. "I was hoping you'd say that."

Bliant nodded. "Where you go, I go."

They jumped first, vaulting from the saddle.

I turned to the Straw Hats. "Stay safe. And keep Luffy from doing anything too reckless."

Nami blinked. "Wait—you're leaving us?"

"Can't let the Galley-La boys face this alone. But don't worry. We'll see each other again. Promise."

Zoro gave a nod. "Stay safe."

"You too, mosshead," I smirked.

"Wren-chan!" Sanji wailed, hearts in his eyes. "Be careful, my goddess!"