Snow fell silently, swallowing sound, leaving only the gentle lapping of waves against the Merry. Kiri sat beneath the mainmast, Karoo beside him, both wrapped in a blanket, gazing at the island. Their breath vanished in the freezing air, the cold biting even through layers. Staying on deck was risky, but someone had to keep watch, and Kiri wanted the open air.
The island was eerily quiet, its grandeur tinged with loneliness. Kiri hugged Karoo tighter. "Usually so noisy, huh? Must be the snow."
"Quack," Karoo replied, as if agreeing. They understood each other, huddling against the cold, waiting for their crew.
The empty deck ached in Kiri's chest, stirring memories of loss and solitude. The silence and cold amplified it. Leaning on Karoo, he let his guard drop, eyes wistful. Nobody was watching. He didn't want this ship to end up like his past—empty, lifeless. His recent restlessness gnawed at him: a secret deal with Law, a duel with the Giant Warrior Pirates, an unclear bond with Wendy. Since entering the Grand Line, he'd been acting on his own, driven by duty and obsession, haunted by old promises.
Closing his eyes, he reminded himself: the ship was moving forward. Alabasta, and reunion, were close.
"Cold…" he shivered, gripping Karoo, who accepted it without protest.
Silence returned, almost painful. Bored but with nothing to do, they sat, time dragging.
Then, a powerful flapping broke the quiet—a massive bird. Kiri and Karoo looked up. A human-sized eagle landed on the ship's rail, casually preening. Uninvited, it acted at home. "Yo, chilly today, huh?"
"It spoke," Kiri said flatly.
"Quack?!" Karoo squawked, stunned not just by the eagle's speech but Kiri's nonchalance.
"Didn't expect my wings to freeze," the eagle said. "Snow's rough. Couldn't live here."
"Humans struggle too," Kiri replied.
"Feel bad saying it, but this cold makes you appreciate blankets. Feathers in 'em, though—kinda weird for birds, right? Still, can't beat the cold with just these." The eagle fluffed its wings.
"Hm, true," Kiri nodded, unfazed, while Karoo gaped.
The eagle chatted like an old friend, its low voice suggesting maleness. Kiri matched its casual tone, creating an odd scene where Karoo alone was baffled. "Mind if I rest my wings? Long flight."
"Go ahead," Kiri said.
"Solo travel's freeing but lonely sometimes. You're pirates, right? Must be fun with buddies."
"Got experience?" Kiri asked.
"Nah, just imagining."
"Thought so."
Kiri leaned further into Karoo, smiling softly. "Talking bird's rare. Karoo's smart but doesn't speak."
"World's big," the eagle said. "You get weirdos like me."
"Traveling alone?"
"Yup. Wake when I want, go where I please, sleep when I'm bored. Free life."
"Sounds nice."
"You tried it?"
"For a bit. Gets lonely."
"Yeah, I feel that. But I hit towns, meet ladies." The eagle grinned. "You've got friends, though."
"Now, yeah. Been through a lot."
The eagle studied Kiri, intrigued. "You're weird. Most freak out when I talk, but you're chill. First time, maybe."
"I'm shocked, just don't show it," Kiri said.
"Don't look it."
"Hard to read my face."
"Fair. Just glad for a chat."
The eagle laughed, but Kiri stayed wary. A talking bird was a Grand Line oddity, but not necessarily friendly. He guarded his thoughts, suspecting it could exploit any slip.
The Den Den Mushi rang. Kiri glanced at the eagle. "Mind?"
"Nah, do your thing," it said.
Kiri answered. "Sanji?"
"Kiri, it's Sanji. Need to talk."
"Waiting, top chef. What's up?"
Kiri kept the eagle in his peripheral, wary of eavesdropping but playing it cool. "Situation?"
Sanji explained: one eccentric doctor, a "witch," lived atop Drum Rock, a 5,000-meter peak. The crew was splitting up—Usopp and Igaram fixing the ropeway, Zoro and Silk checking villages. Sanji asked if Kiri could fly to the castle.
"Snow's a problem," Kiri said. "I'd fall."
"Your weakness, huh?" Sanji sighed. "Too risky?"
"I'd fly," the eagle interjected.
Kiri blinked, mildly surprised. "Sanji, ever seen a bird speak human?"
"What? A parrot?"
"Nope, speaks clear. One's here now."
"What the hell?"
"It's big, could carry people," Kiri said, eyeing the eagle. "You'd take us to the castle?"
"Sure, got nothing else going," the eagle said.
"There's your ride," Kiri told Sanji. "But I don't trust it."
"No shit," Sanji growled. "You're suggesting we use it?"
"If we're desperate. It's a gamble."
Sanji hesitated. "You sure?"
"Your call. I'm not there."
"A talking eagle… no humans around?"
"Just me."
"Damn it. Fine, send it here."
"Got it."
Kiri hung up, eyeing the eagle, which preened, seemingly amused. He didn't trust it, but the crew's trust in each other would handle it. The eagle met his gaze, clearly entertained.
Outside Dalton's house, Sanji waited, uneasy about Kiri's plan. A talking eagle? Trustworthy or not, Nami was his focus. Usopp and Igaram were at the ropeway, Zoro and Silk scouring villages. Time was tight, and the crew worked seamlessly, each trusting the others.
Luffy emerged, unusually quiet, his eyes serious. "Sanji, the eagle here? The big one Kiri mentioned?"
"Not yet."
"Why's a bird talk?" Luffy wondered.
"Don't care," Sanji said. "Question is, can we trust it?"
"Yeah, true."
Sanji leaned against the wall, smoking, eyes closed. As the cook, his duty was clear: protect the women, guide the reckless crew. But Kiri's recent distance nagged him. "What do you think of Kiri lately?"
"Huh? What about him?"
"You know he's been off, rushing things."
Sanji exhaled, smoke blending with his frosty breath. "When Vivi got shot, he was ready to kill."
Clouds hid the sky, snow falling lightly—a minor chill for most, but deadly for a paper-man like Kiri. Luffy glanced away, thinking. He'd noticed Kiri's shift too, his tendency to stand apart, watching rather than joining. Since the Grand Line, Kiri had grown distant, a change Luffy must've seen but ignored.
"Baroque Works, huh?" Sanji muttered.
"Kiri's thinking of us," Luffy said, smiling faintly. "No need to worry. He hates seeing nakama die. I'll protect everyone, so he can relax with us."
"Croco—" Sanji started, but Luffy cut in.
"I'll beat Crocodile. It'll settle."
Sanji sighed. Luffy was trapped in the past, like Kiri. The cigarette burned short, unnoticed until Luffy pointed skyward. "Sanji, look! Kiri's bird!"
A massive eagle, larger than a man, landed on a nearby roof. It eyed Sanji. "You the top chef, Sanji?"
"It spoke!" Luffy gaped.
"Weird bastard," Sanji muttered. "You're Kiri's bird?"
"Yup. Heard your call with him. Just a wandering eagle stopping by. Nice to meet ya."
Luffy grinned, but Sanji scowled, wary of its fluency. "Why's a bird talk?" Luffy asked.
"Why not? Grand Line's weird," the eagle said.
"Birds don't talk," Luffy insisted.
"That's your problem," it teased.
"Dumb place to agree," Sanji snapped.
The eagle shrugged. "You want that mountain? I can carry two up there."
"Two?" Sanji frowned. "Why just two?"
"That's my limit. I'm tough, but not infinite."
"So, Nami-san and one other…" Sanji's ideal was him, Luffy, Nami, and Vivi for care, but two was the max. He hesitated, trust lacking.
Luffy spoke first. "I'll go. Take me and Nami."
"Luffy?!" Sanji grabbed him. "You nuts? We don't know this thing!"
"Kiri didn't stop it, so it's fine."
"He said don't trust it!"
"Really?" Luffy turned to the eagle. "You tricking us?"
"Nope. No reason to."
"See? He's cool," Luffy said.
"Your brain's too happy!" Sanji yanked Luffy close, glaring. "This isn't a game. Nami's dying."
"That's why we hurry," Luffy said.
"What if it wants to kill you? You're a wanted man. Nami could get hurt."
"But if we wait, she dies. Faster's better."
"I know that! But—"
"Guys, chill," the eagle cut in. "I'm not your enemy. Just a passerby. Killing you gets me nothing."
"You could be lying," Sanji snapped.
"Look at me. Just a bird."
"Birds don't talk!"
The eagle sighed. Sanji's distrust grew, but Luffy stayed firm. "Sanji, you want to save Nami, right? Faster's better."
"Kiri said it's my call because this thing's shady."
"Talking here saves no one."
"Then what?"
"Don't trust it. Trust me. I'll protect Nami."
Luffy's gaze was unwavering. "If it tries anything, I'll handle it. If it drops us, I'll climb. Nami won't die. I'll get her to the doctor."
"You're insane," Sanji said. "That's a sheer cliff, not a mountain."
"I'll do it. For Nami."
Sanji froze, speechless. Luffy's resolve silenced objections. His eyes, usually carefree, burned with determination. Sanji, weak to such conviction, couldn't argue. Scratching his head, he stepped back. "Fine. Time's short. But Luffy, protect Nami. One scratch, and it's three days without food—plus a beating."
"Shishishi, no worries. I need your cooking," Luffy grinned.
"And you, bird," Sanji growled. "Try anything, and I'll roast you."
"Scary," the eagle laughed. "I got it."
Sanji led Luffy inside. Vivi, hearing them, looked worried but softened at Luffy's smile. Luffy approached Nami, still unconscious, and gently tapped her cheek. "Nami, wake up."
"Luffy-san!" Vivi gasped.
"Don't!" Sanji barked. "Let her rest."
"Nn…" Nami's eyes fluttered open, hazy.
"Hey, the doctor's up the mountain," Luffy said softly. "I'm taking you. Hang on a bit."
"Okay… thanks," Nami mumbled, a faint smile forming. She raised a weak hand, and Luffy high-fived it gently, sealing their resolve.
Nami slipped back into sleep, her frailty spurring urgency. Luffy dressed her in winter gear, and Vivi tied them together to prevent falls. Sanji faced Luffy. "Nami's all that matters. One, two, three, four, five—Nami. Got it?"
"Yup," Luffy nodded.
"I don't trust that bird, but I trust you. Get her to the doctor. Save her."
"Bet on it. Nami's not dying."
Sanji stepped aside. Luffy, carrying Nami, walked out. The eagle waited on the ground, ready. Luffy leapt onto its back, grinning. "Let's go, bird! Save Nami!"
"Hold tight," the eagle said, soaring upward. Its wings beat powerfully, carrying two without faltering, climbing steadily. Another passenger might've been possible, but space was tight.
Sanji and Vivi watched, anxious, until the eagle vanished into the snowy sky.
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