Night had wrapped the Going Merry in a quiet, uneasy stillness.
Nearly everyone was gathered in the same room as Nami, sleeping in shifts or simply refusing to leave her side. The lantern light flickered softly against pale faces. Her breathing was shallow, skin burning with fever despite the blankets piled on her.
Only three figures remained on watch outside—Sanji, Gem, and Yosaku—silent silhouettes against the cold night air. The ship was anchored, unmoving, because Luffy had ordered it so. Sailing blind at night without Nami wasn't bravery; it was stupidity.
Luffy knew how to navigate. He understood currents, stars, and general flow. But Nami… Nami didn't navigate the sea. She listened to it. She sensed pressure changes before clouds formed, felt wind shifts before sails snapped. Whatever sense guided her wasn't something charts could teach.
So the ship waited.
Luffy himself slept on a reclined beach chair formed from cloud, hovering just above the deck. For once, his expression was peaceful.
Drum Kingdom.
After Vivi told him about it—the winter island of doctors, miracles, impossible cures—something inside him finally loosened. Not hope. Certainty. Nami would live. That was non-negotiable.
He hadn't told the others yet. Morning would be soon enough.
The next sound Luffy registered wasn't wind or waves.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Wood striking wood.
He cracked one eye open, then the other, sitting up slowly. The sky outside the cabin window was still dark, tinted blue with early dawn.
"Who's up this early…" he muttered.
He planted a foot on the cloud. It lifted smoothly, obeying without a word, drifting him toward the door. Walking felt unnecessary. Also cold.
The door opened soundlessly, and the winter air bit into his skin.
Luffy shivered.
For once, he buttoned his coat.
"Someone pissed off the temperature gods," he thought.
Another thud echoed.
He turned and spotted Usopp on the starboard side, nail clenched between his teeth, hammer rising and falling as he patched yet another section of the ship's hull—the damage left behind by Wapol's absurd appetite.
"You're up early," Luffy said, stretching as he stepped down from the cloud.
Usopp didn't stop hammering. "Can't just wait around. This ship's been through hell." He paused, wiping sweat from his brow. "We need to get out of here fast, Captain."
Luffy nodded. "We've got a plan. Once everyone's awake, Vivi and I will explain."
Usopp's shoulders eased just a bit. "Good."
Footsteps approached.
Yosaku and Gem shuffled toward him, eyes half-lidded, movements slow with exhaustion. Above them, Sanji climbed down from the watchtower, wrapped in a poncho, cigarette unlit for once.
"You three look like zombies," Luffy said.
"Worth it," Yosaku muttered.
"I'm awake now," Luffy said. "Go rest. We'll sail soon."
Gratitude crossed their faces instantly.
Sanji hesitated. "Want breakfast, Captain?"
Luffy smiled. "I've got it. Sleep."
Sanji finally nodded and headed inside.
Luffy turned back to Usopp. "Coffee?"
Usopp grinned weakly. "You're a hero."
The kitchen was quiet.
Luffy filled the kettle, lit the stove, set out two cups. He leaned back against the counter, arms folded, listening to the faint creak of the ship and the distant cough of waves against ice.
The kettle whistled.
He poured, stirred, inhaled.
"…Yeah," he murmured after the first sip. "This works."
He handed Usopp his cup and climbed onto the Going Merry's figurehead, careful not to spill his own. He sat there, steam curling into the cold air, watching the horizon lighten inch by inch.
That was when his coat vibrated.
Purupurupuru.
Luffy sighed softly, set his cup down, and pulled out a small Den-Den Mushi—its shell scarred with three familiar claw marks.
He smiled and answered.
"Hey."
"LUFFY!" Shanks' voice exploded through the snail, loud, cheerful, and very drunk.
Luffy winced. "You sound like you've been drinking for twelve hours straight."
"Twelve? That's insulting!" Shanks laughed. "Sleep is optional! Booze is eternal!"
Luffy snorted. "You don't call the secure line just to brag. What's wrong?"
There was a pause.
Then—
"Ace is in Paradise."
Luffy's smile vanished.
Three hours later, the deck buzzed with tense motion.
Nami's condition hadn't improved. If anything, the fever had worsened. Nojiko stayed by her side, Vivi helping with cloths and water. Usopp continued repairs. Johnny scanned the horizon. Mikita and Marianne secured ropes with practiced efficiency.
Zoro stood behind Luffy, silent as a shadow.
Sanji, Yosaku, and Gem were still asleep—earned rest.
"Captain," Zoro said. "Where to?"
Luffy folded his arms against the railing. "Is everyone ready?"
"Yes."
Luffy turned.
"All right. Listen up."
Everyone gathered. Vivi and Nojiko stepped forward.
"Vivi told me something important," Luffy said. "About the island Wapol's chasing."
"Drum Kingdom," Marianne said quietly.
Luffy nodded. "A winter island. Best doctors in the Grand Line."
Shock rippled through the crew.
"Winter!?" Johnny shouted from the mast.
Luffy continued calmly. "Grand Line islands fall into seasonal types—summer, spring, autumn, winter. Each has its own stable climate."
Vivi stepped in smoothly. "That's why the seas between them are chaos. Sixteen possible weather transitions."
Usopp's jaw dropped. "That's insane."
"And still incomplete," Luffy added. "The Grand Line doesn't care about rules."
"Raise anchor," he ordered. "We'll talk while moving."
The ship lurched forward.
Nojiko approached quietly. "Will we make it in time?"
Luffy placed a hand on her shoulder. "She's not dying. Not here. Not ever."
Zoro walked up, scowling. "Where's the cook?"
"Sleeping."
Zoro snorted. "Weak."
Luffy didn't bother responding.
Vivi's voice cut in. "I'll cook."
Zoro blinked. "…You?"
"Yes!" she snapped.
Moments later, Zoro was on the floor with two swelling lumps on his head.
Luffy leaned toward Nojiko. "She's terrifying."
Nojiko laughed softly.
The Going Merry cut through the cold sea, sails full, purpose set.
Straight ahead—toward snow, steel, and salvation.