Chapter 122: Troubling News Arrives
The icy winds swept across the towering Drum Rockies, carrying with them the crystalline sparkle of freshly fallen snow. At the summit stood the imposing figure of Dalton, his fur-lined cloak billowing behind him. Beside him was Dr. Kureha, the eccentric yet brilliant physician, bundled in her patchwork coat and sipping from a steaming mug. The palace loomed behind them, its walls glinting in the winter sunlight, a stark contrast to the wild, rugged landscape.
"You know, Dalton," Kureha began, her voice laced with dry humor, "when you win this election and become king, you might want to move into the palace. You would finally stop looking like a nomad herding sheep on these mountains."
Dalton scratched the back of his head, his expression sheepish. "I have not decided if I want to live there. The palace feels... too grand for me. I have always been more comfortable with the people."
Kureha smirked, taking another sip from her mug. "Oh, please. You are going to be a king, not a shepherd. Act like it. Besides, someone needs to keep this place from falling apart. Who better than the big, noble Dalton?"
Dalton chuckled nervously, rubbing his chin. "I suppose you have a point, but..."
Before he could finish, a familiar voice called out.
"What is this about being a king?"
The two turned to see Luffy strolling toward them, his wild black hair and straw hat standing out starkly against the snowy backdrop. He looked as casual as ever, hands behind his head, his carefree grin warming the chill air.
Dalton sighed. "Oh, Luffy. It is... a complicated matter. I might be elected king of this island."
Luffy tilted his head, his brows furrowing. He already knew the answer. He had known since Dalton first mentioned elections. But he asked anyway. That was what people expected. "Elected? Kings are not elected by the people. They are chosen."
Dr. Kureha raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. "And who do you think does the choosing, monkey boy?"
Luffy blinked, then scratched his head. He knew exactly how it worked. He had read about it. He had seen it in the anime. But he played along. "Uh... someone strong? Or maybe someone with, like, a big shiny crown?"
Kureha laughed, a sharp bark of amusement. "Wrong. He is chosen by the people, kid. A king who serves his people is chosen by them. That is how it works here."
Luffy's eyes widened in understanding, and he nodded. He already understood. He had always understood. "Huh. Okay, you have got a point. That is pretty smart."
Kureha raised her mug in mock toast. "Of course it is smart. I said it."
Luffy's grin returned, but his expression grew curious. "So, Dalton, if you are going to be king, does that mean you will have a queen?"
Dalton froze mid-thought, his face turning a shade of red that rivaled the setting sun. "A q-queen? I have not thought about that..."
Kureha seized the opportunity, her grin wicked. "Oh, good question! Every king needs an heir, and every heir comes from a queen. So, Dalton, when are you planning to get hitched?"
Dalton stammered, holding up his hands. "I-I have not thought about anything like that in a long time. My focus has been on the people and protecting the island."
"Come on," Kureha teased, poking him in the ribs with her bony finger. "What kind of king are you planning to be? You will need someone to keep you in line. And an heir does not just magically appear, you know."
Luffy, enjoying the conversation, chimed in with a wide grin. "Yeah, Dalton! You could have a little prince running around, just like those stories about kings and knights and stuff. Sounds fun, huh?"
Dalton let out a long sigh, his face buried in his hands. "I really have not given it any thought. And now I am starting to regret this whole 'king' idea."
Kureha cackled, patting him on the back. "Do not worry, big guy. You have got time. But do not wait too long. Those heirs do not make themselves!"
Luffy scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Hey, if you do get a queen, what kind of person would you want? Someone who can fight? Or maybe someone who can cook really good food? Oh, or someone super smart, like a doctor!"
Kureha gave him a sidelong glance. "Are you trying to hint at something, kid?"
Luffy laughed, waving his hands. "No, no, I am just saying! Dalton seems like the kind of guy who needs someone strong to keep him grounded. I am not just talking of physical strength mind you. There are other kinds of strengths."
Dalton, feeling cornered, groaned. "Can we change the subject, please? I think I have had enough talk about queens and heirs for one day."
Kureha raised an eyebrow. "Suit yourself, but do not come crying to me when the people start asking about it. A king without a queen is just... sad."
Luffy chuckled, patting Dalton on the shoulder. "Do not worry, Dalton. If you ever need advice, I am your guy. I do not know much about queens, but I am great at getting females!"
Dalton shook his head, a reluctant smile breaking through his exasperation. "Thanks, Luffy. I will keep that in mind."
As the three stood there, the sun began to dip lower, casting a warm orange glow over the snowy peaks. Despite the teasing, a sense of camaraderie filled the air, a bond forged in their shared love for the island and its people.
The wind howled as the sun began its descent, painting the Drum Rockies in hues of orange and purple. Dalton, Dr. Kureha, and Luffy stood atop the mountain, their conversation on kingship hanging in the crisp air. Suddenly, the mechanical clatter of a ski lift broke through the serene atmosphere.
Dalton turned toward the sound, his eyes narrowing. The lift creaked to a stop, and out poured a group of armed villagers, their faces pale and frantic.
"Dalton!" one of them shouted, his voice cracking with urgency. "Dalton, we need you!"
Dalton stepped forward, his brows furrowed. "What is wrong? What happened?"
The villager, clutching a makeshift spear, panted heavily as he explained. "It is Wapol! He has returned! We saw him fighting the group of pirates earlier. They were going at it near the river, but then... then he fled! He is gone, but we do not know for how long!"
Before Dalton could respond, two figures emerged from behind the group, stepping out into the light. Zoro and Johnny strode forward, their clothes dusted with snow and their expressions grim.
"We took care of his henchmen," Zoro said, resting his hand on the hilt of one of his swords. "But the coward and his two lackeys disappeared in the chaos."
Johnny nodded, his swords slung over his back. "They ran like rats the moment things got tough."
Dalton's jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened. "Wapol... He has always been a coward, but this... this is different. He is scheming."
Dr. Kureha, leaning on her cane, scowled. "That pompous fool never knows when to quit. He is like a bad case of frostbite. Just keeps coming back."
Luffy had been listening silently. He already knew Wapol would come back. He had known before they ever landed on Drum Island. This was not news to him. But he acted like it was. "Wait a minute," he said, his eyes narrowing with manufactured concern. "Is this Wapol guy the same one who ran off when the Blackbeard Pirates invaded?"
Dalton nodded solemnly. "Yes, Luffy. That is him. Wapol, the former king of this island. He abandoned his people when we needed him most."
Luffy's face shifted into an expression of understanding. He already understood. He had always understood. "I see," he muttered. He walked to the edge of the mountain, his boots crunching against the snow.
From the edge, he gazed down at the vast, snow-covered island below. The villagers, Zoro, and Johnny followed him cautiously, their curiosity piqued. Zoro and Johnny flanked him, their eyes scanning the horizon.
"What are you thinking?" Zoro asked, his voice low and steady.
Luffy smirked. He already knew what he was going to do. He had planned this before they ever left the ship. "You guys already did the hard part, but I still owe Dr. Kureha for helping Nami."
He turned slightly, raising his voice. "Hey, Doc! If I get rid of this Wapol guy, does that count as payment for curing Nami?"
Kureha tilted her head, a sly grin spreading across her face. "If you can get rid of that walking pile of blubber, I will call us even."
Luffy's smile widened. He already knew she would say yes. He had seen this scene before. "Good to know."
He turned back to Dalton, his expression growing serious. "Since you know him best, what do you think Wapol is planning? What is his next move?"
Dalton folded his arms, his gaze hardening. "He is arrogant, but he is not stupid. He will want to reclaim what he thinks is his. This palace. If I were him, I would be planning to come here."
Luffy's smirk turned into a grin. He already knew that too. "Perfect."
He stepped closer to the edge, his boots pressing into the snow as he closed his eyes. The wind ruffled his hair as he stood still, listening to the world around him.
Johnny glanced at him, intrigued. "What are you doing? Can you sense them?"
Luffy shook his head slightly, his eyes still closed. He could not sense Wapol. Not yet. The villagers' energy was everywhere, and Wapol was still too far away. "Not yet. The villagers' presence is everywhere. It is hard to pick out anything unique with so many people nearby."
The group fell silent, their tension rising as they waited. Below them, the island stretched out in all directions, the quiet before the storm setting the stage for the battle to come.
Luffy took a deep breath, standing tall against the biting wind atop the Drum Rockies. He turned to the gathered villagers, his expression calm but resolute. "Do not worry. I will take care of that idiot Wapol and his lackeys. You have my word."
The villagers murmured amongst themselves, their faces a mixture of relief and unease. Dalton stepped forward, his broad frame casting a shadow over the snow. "You are not doing this alone," he said firmly. "I owe it to this island to stand against him. Let me fight by your side."
Before Luffy could respond, a soft crunch of snow drew his attention. A small figure pushed through the crowd. A blue-nosed reindeer with a doctor's bag slung across its body. The creature's wide eyes glimmered with determination as it stepped up beside Dalton.
Luffy blinked. He tilted his head slightly, pretending to consider. "Chopper?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of curiosity. He crouched slightly to meet its gaze. "Are you sure you want to come along?"
The reindeer did not answer with words, only nodding silently.
Luffy stared at it for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly as if considering something deeper. He was not considering anything. He already knew the answer. But he played along. "Hmm..." he muttered, then shook his head and stood. "Alright. Let us do this."
He turned to Dalton and Chopper. "I will meet you both at the base of the mountain. Be ready."
Dalton nodded, a look of quiet determination on his face. "We will not let you down." He motioned to the reindeer, and together they sprinted toward the ski lift. The villagers parted to let them through, watching as the pair climbed into the lift. The machinery groaned to life, slowly descending the mountain with Dalton and Chopper inside.
Luffy stood in silence for a moment, watching the lift disappear into the snowy distance. He already knew how this would end. He had seen it before. But he still had to go through the motions. He turned to Zoro, who was leaning casually against a nearby rock, arms crossed.
"Zoro," Luffy said, his tone lighter now. "Nami and the others are inside. She should be ready to go by morning."
Zoro nodded, his green hair catching the faint sunlight. "Got it. I will make sure everyone is ready."
Luffy smiled. He already knew Zoro would handle it. "Good. I am counting on you."
Before Zoro could reply, Luffy turned and walked to the very edge of the cliff. The villagers gasped, their whispers turning to shouts of alarm as they realized what he was about to do.
"Wait! What are you doing?" one of them cried.
"Are you insane?!" another yelled, panic rising in their voices.
Without a word, Luffy bent his knees and leapt off the edge of the mountain.
The villagers screamed in horror, their voices echoing across the peaks. They rushed to the edge, only to freeze in stunned silence as Luffy disappeared from view.
He fell for a moment, the wind screaming past his ears. Then he stretched his arms, grabbed a ledge, and pulled himself into a controlled glide. He was not flying. Like a certain toy by the name of Woody had once said, he was falling with style, angling himself toward the base of the mountain where Wapol would be appearing.
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