Chapter 119: The Former Drum Kingdom
The tension in the air remained thick as the burly man finally lowered his weapon and stepped forward. His heavy boots crunched against the icy ground, drawing the attention of the Straw Hats. He took a deep breath before speaking.
"My name is Dalton," the man said, his deep voice carrying a tone of sincerity. "I apologize for the way we greeted you. This is the Grand Line, and only fools would not be cautious of pirates. You understand."
There was no response from the Straw Hats, their silence heavy as Luffy's lingering aura of intimidation still pressed down on the villagers. Dalton, unfazed, continued, "I will escort you to Bighorn. It is a nearby town where you can meet with a doctor."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the overwhelming presence emanating from Luffy vanished, as if a storm had suddenly subsided. The villagers collectively exhaled in relief, their tense shoulders dropping.
"You have made a wise choice," Luffy said calmly, his piercing gaze softening as he turned his attention to Vivi, who was still crouched on the ground clutching her shoulder.
"What hit you?" he asked, his voice now laced with concern.
Vivi winced but managed to answer, "It is just a scrape on the shoulder."
Luffy nodded, his expression unreadable. "I will go get Nami." Without another word, he turned to Sanji. "Carry Vivi and follow this man," he ordered.
Sanji immediately knelt down and helped Vivi to her feet, careful to avoid jostling her injured shoulder. Meanwhile, Luffy disappeared below deck. Moments later, he reappeared, carrying Nami on his back, wrapped snugly in blankets. Her face was pale, and the fever had not subsided.
"Zoro, Johnny," Luffy said, his tone firm, "stay behind and watch the ship. Karoo, you will come with us. Yosaku, you too."
Zoro and Johnny nodded, both silently standing guard as the group began to disembark. Karoo waddled after them, his oversized feet leaving comical prints in the snow.
Dalton looked at Luffy once more, his face unreadable. "I apologize again for the hostility," he said. "But understand, this island is going through a great deal of change, and pirates are often the cause of that."
As they started walking down the snow covered path, Yosaku, his voice tinged with curiosity and nerves, asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Dalton hesitated for a moment, his breath visible in the frigid air. "Until less than a month ago, this island was under the rule of a tyrant king named Wapol," he began. His tone grew darker as he continued. "A group of pirates attacked us. They called themselves the Blackbeard Pirates. They were only five in number, and the king, foolish as he was, underestimated them. He led the charge against them with all the kingdom's forces."
Dalton stopped walking and turned to face the group, his expression grim. "The power of their captain, Blackbeard, was like a god descended upon us. The things he could do defied understanding. Wapol and his entire cabinet, cowards that they were, fled the island, taking with them all the soldiers and every doctor in the kingdom."
Even Sanji, who usually masked his emotions well, looked disturbed. "If he took all the doctors, then who is this doctor we are going to see?"
"There is only one left," Dalton replied. "Dr. Kureha. She is an odd one, though. Skilled, yes, but most of the townsfolk refer to her as a witch."
The group continued their journey through the snow, their boots sinking into the deep drifts with every step. The cold air bit at their faces, and the world around them was painted in shades of white and gray.
As they walked, the silence of the snowy landscape was occasionally broken by the sight of unusual animals. At one point, they encountered a massive polar bear sitting solemnly in their path. Dalton immediately bowed low, motioning for the others to do the same.
"Bend down," he whispered urgently. "These bears are sacred here. Show respect, or we may not live to see the town."
The Straw Hats exchanged uneasy glances but complied, bowing as low as they could without dropping Vivi or disturbing Nami. The bear regarded them for a few moments, then ambled off into the forest without a sound.
"Sacred bears?!" Yosaku hissed as they straightened up. "What kind of place is this?"
Dalton did not answer, only urging them onward. They passed other strange sights. Deer with antlers that glowed faintly in the dark. A pack of wolves that howled hauntingly in the distance. Trees that sparkled as though dusted with diamonds.
Finally, the silhouette of Bighorn appeared on the horizon. The town was small but bustling with activity, its wooden houses huddled together as if for warmth. Smoke rose from chimneys, and the sound of hammers and saws echoed faintly.
As they entered, a few townsfolk greeted Dalton warmly.
"Dalton! The elections are coming up soon!" one man called out. "You have got my vote!"
"I will be voting for you, too!" another woman chimed in.
Luffy raised an eyebrow. "Elections? What is that about?"
"It is nothing," Dalton said quickly, brushing off the question.
He led them to his home, a modest but sturdy cabin near the center of town. Inside, it was warm and inviting, a fire crackling in the hearth. Dalton immediately set about preparing places for Vivi and Nami. He laid Nami on his bed, covering her with extra blankets, while Vivi was given a comfortable spot on the couch.
Dalton then opened a chest and pulled out several thick winter coats. "Here," he said, handing them out. "These should help."
The Straw Hats accepted the coats eagerly, realizing only now just how cold they were. The warmth of the cabin was a welcome reprieve, but the weight of Dalton's words, and the promise of meeting the so-called witch doctor, lingered in their minds like the chill of the snow outside.
Dalton wasted no time tending to Vivi's wound. His experienced hands worked quickly, cleaning and bandaging her shoulder with practiced ease. As he stepped back to inspect his work, his eyes widened with recognition.
"You... You are Princess Nefertari Vivi of Alabasta, are not you?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
Vivi's face paled. "H-how do you know that?"
Dalton did not answer immediately. Instead, he walked over to his coffee table and retrieved a folded newspaper. "I was not certain before, but this confirms it. I have seen you before at the Reverie, and your father's reputation precedes him." He handed her the paper. "You should see this."
With trembling hands, Vivi took the newspaper and began reading. Her eyes darted across the page before widening in shock. Her hands shook as the paper fell from her grip and onto the floor.
Sanji quickly picked it up, his expression darkening as he read the headline aloud:
"Over 700,000 Rebels Prepare to Storm Alubarna! A Coup d'état for the Ages Expected to Clash with Over a Million Soldiers!"
The room grew silent as the weight of the news settled over everyone. Tears rolled down Vivi's cheeks, her voice breaking. "This... This cannot be happening."
Luffy stood quietly, watching her. He did not offer any words of comfort. He already knew about the rebels. He already knew about the numbers. He had known before they ever left Whiskey Peak. But he could not say that. He could not explain how he knew. So he said nothing. He just watched.
Instead, he turned to Dalton and asked, "What is the situation with the doctor?"
Before Dalton could respond, the door slammed open, and a townsman rushed in, panting heavily. "Dalton! Someone spotted Dr. Kureha up north, but she has already left the town!"
Dalton nodded at the man. "Thank you for letting me know." He turned to Luffy, who looked as though he had expected this. "This means she is already on the move again."
Dalton led the group outside into the cold, snow-covered streets. Pointing toward the horizon, he gestured at the massive drum-shaped mountains that pierced the sky.
Dalton then turned to Luffy, his expression serious. "On the tallest peak of those mountains lies the castle where Dr. Kureha lives. She rarely comes down, except when she feels like it. It is not easy to get there. The weather alone is brutal, not to mention the dangerous animals lurking along the way."
Luffy adjusted his straw hat, his eyes narrowing. He was not going to climb. He was not going to walk. He was not going to wait.
"If she is up there, I will go. I will carry Nami and launch us both."
Dalton's jaw dropped. "Launch? What are you talking about?"
Luffy did not explain. He simply turned and walked back inside the house.
Inside, he moved to the bed where Nami lay, still wrapped in blankets, still pale, still burning with fever. He could see the sweat on her brow. He could hear the shallow rasp of her breathing. She was getting worse. He did not have time to argue. He did not have time to explain.
He crouched down and lifted her carefully, blankets and all, settling her against his chest. She was lighter than she should have been. The fever was eating through her. He could feel the heat radiating from her skin even through the layers of fabric.
He carried her outside.
The cold hit them both. Nami shivered, a small, weak motion, and Luffy tightened his grip.
Usopp raised his hand sheepishly. "I was just about to suggest that you go ahead."
Dalton hesitated, glancing at the unconscious Nami in Luffy's arms. "It is dangerous. Even for someone like you. The mountain is treacherous. The winds alone can knock a man off his feet."
Luffy did not respond. He had already made his decision.
He crouched down to Vivi's level, Nami still pressed against his chest, and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do not worry. Everything will be fine. I promise."
His words carried a warmth that made Vivi nod, though her tears still flowed.
Luffy stood and turned to Dalton. "Let us get moving. Time is wasting."
Dalton sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Very well. I will take the others through the longer but safer route. But be careful. This island is not forgiving."
Luffy walked back inside the house, preparing to retrieve Nami properly while Dalton began gathering supplies for the journey ahead.