Chapter 772: Strawhats vs Flying Fish Pirates

“Let's go,” Luffy said. “Gomu Gomu no Pistol,” Luffy said as he stretched his arm back and then launched it forward towards Camie. His arm went through the air and wrapped around Camie. Luffy pulled himself forward and pulled Camie from Marco, Gyaro and Tansui grasp. Luffy also grabbed Pappag and took them away.

“He is a Devil Fruit User?” Marco questioned.

Luffy held Camie and Pappag and went towards Hatchan`s cage. He jumped of it and leapt forward. Luffy landed on land.

“Luffy chin,” Camie said.

“Alright I got them back,” Luffy said with a smile on his face.

“Straw Hat,” Hatchan said. “Thank you,” he added.

“Zoro cut the octopus`s ropes and the cage,” Luffy ordered.

“Sure,” Zoro responded as he touched the hilt of the sword.

“Straw Hats, you have already sprung the trap,” Hatchan said. “The Flying Fish Riders have you surrounded,” he added.

“Charge,” Duval ordered. At that moment, the Flying Fish Pirates riding their fish motor bikes moved up.

“Whether it is from the sea or the sky, we are ready for them,” Luffy said with a smile on his face.  “We are going to beat them all,” Luffy remarked. “You guys, prepare for battle,” Luffy stated with a smile on his face.

“Damn it,” Marco said. “ We need to get Camie,” he added.

“Get back Camie,” Hatchan shouted. He was worried about her.

“Go Luffy,” Camie said as she raised her fist in the air.

“Now, come Flying Fish,” Luffy said as he took his position.

The surface of the sea exploded as dozens of Flying Fish Riders breached the waves. Their giant, winged steeds beat their fins. They lifted them high into the air.

"There they are,” one of the riders shouted. "The Straw Hat brats! Sink their ship and grab the mermaid,” he added.

From their high-altitude vantage point, the riders reached into their satchels and pulled out heavy, spherical bombs with sputtering fuses. They threw the explosives down towards the deck.

"Target the mast! Burn them out,” one shouted.

Nami gasped. "They're dropping them right on us,” Nami said.

"Not on my watch," Sanji remarked. He had been leaning against the railing. He spun his leg and kicked all the cannon balls into the air.  He sent them whistling back up toward the sky.

"What?! He’s kicking them back?!" a rider screamed as he pulled his flying fish into a panicked bank.

The bombs hit the formation of riders and erupted in a series of mid-air fireballs. Smoke and charred fish scales filled the air as the attackers scrambled to stay airborne.

“Too dangerous,” Usopp said. “That was close,” he added.

“Pull in the sail,” Nami ordered.

Meanwhile, the remaining Flying Fish Riders looked down. “Everybody, dive, “ he ordered.

Luffy stretched his arm out like a whip. "Gotcha!" Luffy roared, as his hand clamped onto the tail of the giant flying fish.

"Dive! Now," the pirate screamed as the flying fish tucked its wings and plummeted straight into the ocean.  Luffy refused to let go and  he was yanked off the ground and dragged deep into the ocean.

"Luffy!" Chopper shrieked. Without thinking, Chopper vaulted over the railing to save his captain. A second later, a loud splash echoed as the reindeer hit the water and immediately went limp.

Brook stood by the mast. "Oh no! Chopper-san! Luffy-san! I will save you both,” he said as he jumped off the ship. Brook hit the water and lost his strength.

"YOU IDIOTS!" Nami screamed.

Franky looked at them sinking. “What are they doing?” he asked as he dove into the water. Nami dove in right after him as she swam toward the sinking trio.

Franky grabbed Luffy by the collar and tucked Chopper under his arm, while Nami grabbed Brook’s bony hand and hauled him toward the surface. Franky and Nami got them both out and threw them onto the deck of the Thousand Sunny.

The five of them collapsed onto the deck. They were soaking wet and gasping for air. Luffy, Chopper, and Brook lay in a row. They coughed up seawater.

"I'm so sorry," Luffy wheezed.

Chopper let out a weak sob. "I'm sorry,  I forgot,” he said. “I just wanted to help,” he added.

Franky stood over them. “What are you all doing?” he questioned. “We are in the middle of a battle,” he said.

Brook laid on his back. "I have caused you all such trouble. My deepest apologies,” he said.

Nami sat on the deck. She was hunched over and panting heavily. "You three,” Nami panted. "You’re all hammers,” she said. “We’re in the middle of a battle,” she remarked.

Luffy just gave a weak, sheepish grin. "Shishishi... thanks, Nami,” he said.

"Don't 'shishishi' me,” Nami said as she slapped Luffy in the face.

The water erupted near the base’s edge as Marco, Gyaro, and Tansui surfaced. Their eyes were fixed greedily on Camie.

“There she is,” Marco sneered.

“She’ll fetch a fortune at the auction,” Tansui added.

At that moment, Zoro leapt from the railing of the Thousand Sunny. While mid-air, he drew Shusui. Zoro then sliced through the heavy iron bars of the suspended cage. The metal groaned and shattered. It exploded outward as the structure collapsed.

Hatchan tumbled out and landed in the water. His six arms were finally free of their chains.

“I am free,” Hatchan gasped as he rubbed his bruised wrists. He looked up at the swordsman with wide, grateful eyes. “Thank you, Roronoa,” he said. “You saved me,” he added.

Zoro sheathed his blade with a sharp click. “Don't thank me. It was the Captain’s order,” he said.

Hatchan’s expression shifted from gratitude to a slow-burning rage as he turned toward the Macro Pirates. He remembered the mockery and the blows he had taken while bound. “Marco, Gyaro, Tansui, you all beat me while I was captured,” Hatchan growled as his six fists clenched tight.

“So what?” Marco spat. “You’re a failure of a fishman, Hachi,” he said.

“I don’t think so,” Hatchan roared. He wound back all his arms. His muscles bulged. “Takoyaki Punch,” Hatchan said as he slammed his fist into the faces of the Macro, Gyaro and Tansui. The impact was thunderous. Marco, Gyaro, and Tansui spat blood. Their eyes rolled back as they were sent flying backward.

“Hatchan!” Camie cried out. Her face lit up with joy.

Hatchan didn't wait. He leaped forward and his six arms reached out to wrap Camie in a massive, protective hug. “I was so worried for you, Camie,” he said. “I’m sorry I let them catch me,” he added.

“You’re safe now,” Camie sobbed into his shoulder, “The Straw Hats, they really are amazing,” she said.

High above the Thousand Sunny, the roar of beating fins grew deafening. A massive Flying Fish Pirate swung a spiked, oversized mace with terrifying speed. He aimed straight for the center of the ship.

"Look out," Usopp shrieked.

Sanji exhaled a sharp plume of smoke. His eyes narrowed. "If that mace connects with the deck, we’re going to have a hole in the hull. At this speed, we'll sink before we can even reach the lagoon,” he said.

"Luffy, I need your help," Sanji shouted as he dropped his cigarette. "I'll handle the rider, but you have to take care of that giant fish," he said.

"You got it," Luffy roared as he braced his legs against the railing.

With a powerful burst of speed, both Sanji and Luffy jumped high into the air.

The pirate swung his mace.

Sanji’s heel slammed into the head of the mace. The sheer force shattered the heavy iron into a cloud of shrapnel. His foot travelled forward and slammed into his face.

At the same time, Luffy took a massive breath. "Gomu Gomu no Ballon,” Luffy said as his body inflated into a giant, rubbery sphere. The flying fish slammed directly into Luffy’s soft, expanded stomach. The fish's momentum was completely absorbed. Luffy’s rubbery skin stretched to the limit and pushed the fish back.

Down on the deck, Usopp skidded to a halt. "They actually stopped it," Usopp breathed.

Luffy deflated with a long whistle of air and landed back on the grass. Sanji landed gracefully next to him, smoothing out his suit jacket.

“There are more,” Chopper said.

Brook slammed his bony fist against the wood. "I am disgraced," Brook wailed. "To think, my very first action as a member of this crew was to sink like a stone and wait for a lady to rescue me!,” he said. “I am so embarrassed,” he said.

Luffy tilted his head. "Are you okay now, Brook?” he asked.

"I am more than okay,” Brook replied as he suddenly sprang to his feet. "I must prove my worth. I cannot let my comrades carry my weight while I simply rattle in the wind. It is time to reduce the enemy's numbers,” he said.

With a sudden, explosive burst of speed, Brook jumped. He launched himself off the railing and soared toward a squadron of incoming Flying Fish Riders.

"What a jump,” Chopper yelled.

Brook tucked his cane-sword under his chin and produced his violin. His skeletal fingers danced across the strings that cut through the sound of the crashing waves. "Nemuriuta Flanc," Brook shouted. "Lullaby of the Soul,” he added.  The music rippled through the air in visible waves.

The Flying Fish Riders, who had been screaming battle cries just seconds before, suddenly felt their eyelids grow heavy.

"So sleepy,” one rider mumbled. One by one, the pirates slumped over in their saddles. Their giant flying fish also fell asleep and they dipped their noses down.

The riders and their fish dropped out of the sky and crashed into the water.

Brook landed in the water and started to sprint across the ocean.

“He is running on the water,” Usopp said.

"Brook is amazing!" Luffy shouted. “I want to ride one,” he said as saw a Flying Fish Rider. He snapped his arms back and launched them forward. His hand clamped firmly onto the tail of the flying fish. With a sharp tug, he yanked himself toward the beast. He soared through the air and landed squarely on the rider’s back.

Luffy looked at the rider’s closed eyes and then at the fish, whose eyes were also closed in a deep slumber. "Wait, they're already sleeping,” he said. Luffy started to shake the pirate by his shoulders. Without anyone at the helm, the flying fish took a sharp, steep dive. "Stop, wrong way,” Luffy hollered. The creature into a terminal nose-dive.

"UWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHH,” Luffy shouted as they streaked across and slammed directly into the building of the Flying Fish Riders. The wooden structure groaned and buckled as Luffy crashed through the roof.

Luffy groaned as he looked around. He saw a man. “You,” Luffy said as he got up.

Duval picked up his mask and put it on. “It seems you know me,” he replied.