"High fever, rapid weakening, accompanied by mild chills... If this log isn't mistaken, it closely resembles a disease called Kashikia Fever, also known as the Five-Day Fever.
"The log records that this illness has appeared in certain specific seas of the Grand Line. It strikes quickly and severely. If timely and effective treatment isn't received, the outcome is poor."
Luffy quickly scanned the log's records, his expression growing increasingly grim.
The symptoms described matched Nami's condition perfectly. Moreover, it clearly stated that treating this disease required specific medicine and skilled medical treatment; ordinary fever reducers were completely ineffective.
The log also mentioned several essential herbs that were simply not stocked on the ship.
"This really is trouble..."
Luffy's brows were tightly knit together, almost forming a knot.
This sense of powerlessness made him extremely agitated.
People's constitutions were different. Nami clearly wasn't like them, the combatants. Forget illness; even if she were starved to skin and bones, a single meal could restore her. That wasn't the case here.
Seeing Luffy's expression, Nami instead gave a weak smile, trying to lighten the mood. "What's with your eyebrows getting all curly like Sanji's... so ugly... Does this illness look really bad?"
Her voice was as faint as a wisp, lacking its usual vigor, but her eyes remained fixed on Luffy, watching what he was doing.
Luffy tried to use a lighter tone. "A bit more troublesome than a regular fever."
His mood was already terrible, and the constant prompts from the Plan kept ringing in his ears.
[Warning, ability development time has arrived. Please begin Devil Fruit ability training immediately...]
What kind of timing is this?
Normally, he could tolerate it a bit, but Luffy was the type who could be tough on himself, yet always put his nakama first.
Right now, that voice was pure noise.
Luffy's face suddenly contorted fiercely as he roared inwardly, "GET LOST!"
He abruptly curled up, relying on his rubber-man characteristics.
A man has to be ruthless to himself! Today, even if I'm pushed to the absolute limit, Nami comes first.
Who do you think I am?
I'm the man who's going to be the Pirate King!
He had the impression this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.
Perhaps only strong willpower during special moments had an effect. The warning sound abruptly ceased. Immediately after, the characters changed in a rare occurrence:
[Special condition detected. Possesses the spirit of a Pirate King. Conqueror's Haki proficiency +100]
[Special condition detected. Possesses the spirit of a Pirate King. Conqueror's Haki proficiency +100]
[Plan behavior modifying]
[Training plan amending]
[Resolving the event will grant additional reward time]
Hmph. This damned, twisted thing just needs to be scolded, doesn't it?
Sometimes, Luffy really felt this "Damned Plan" had a masochistic streak.
Couldn't it just learn to adapt on its own?
Regardless, this wretched Plan had finally done something decent for once! The immediate priority was finding a doctor. Moreover, the ship desperately needed a proper, professional doctor.
Luffy didn't have time to dwell on these changes. The urgent task was to make Nami feel better.
He had to monitor her temperature constantly, or she'd overheat.
Luffy rummaged through the medical kit and found a thermometer. He lifted a corner of the blanket and slipped the thermometer under Nami's arm.
The cold glass touch made Nami shiver involuntarily, trapping Luffy's hand as she let out a nasal protest. "Mmm... annoying... don't put cold things in here..."
This weak, helpless tone was a world apart from the usual Nami who stood with hands on her hips calling him an idiot captain.
But a doctor doesn't listen to a patient's protests.
As a result, Nami held on and wouldn't let go, and he couldn't do anything about it; the physical advantage was clearly hers.
After a while, when her grip loosened slightly, Luffy took out the thermometer and held it up to the light. His heart sank.
The mercury column pointed to a frightening height.
Just then, Merry came in carrying porridge and some herbs.
The herbs had fever-reducing and cooling properties. Even though he knew they might have limited effect on Kashikia Fever, they could at least make her more comfortable.
But before that, he needed to warm her stomach. Otherwise, if she took the herbs on an empty stomach, even if the fever broke, her stomach would feel awful.
"Nami, sit up and have some porridge, then take the medicine."
Nami seemed to lack even the strength to open her eyes, burying her head deep into the pillow, mumbling a refusal. "Don't wanna move... no appetite..."
Her voice even held a hint of a whine now.
Luffy knew this wouldn't do. A fever made it even more critical to replenish fluids and energy. He leaned down, gently supporting Nami's back with one hand to help her sit up a bit, while his other hand picked up the bowl of porridge.
Nami seemed to understand her own condition too. After a moment's hesitation, she struggled to prop herself up slightly.
This simple action made her shiver.
Luffy quickly wrapped the blanket tighter around her, letting her lean steadily against his chest.
Nami nestled against him like this, taking small sips of the warm porridge from Luffy's hand, then reluctantly swallowing the crushed herbal mixture he offered.
Her body was burning hot, her exhaled breath carrying a scorching heat. But leaning against Luffy, she seemed to find a sense of security, her brow relaxing just a little.
She regained a bit of strength.
"Bring me my notebook," Nami said, pointing to the desk.
Luffy stretched an arm to get it and flipped through it.
It was full of all kinds of navigational knowledge.
Extremely detailed.
Including various nautical charts for after entering the Grand Line.
The climatic characteristics of different places.
The notebook was densely packed with all sorts of knowledge, along with daily sailing logs. While Luffy had been training hard, Nami, as the navigator, hadn't been idle either.
"It summarizes the characteristics and patterns of weather phenomena. With your learning ability, you should be able to grasp it quickly," Nami said to Luffy. "Before I recover, I'm leaving this bunch of idiots on the ship in your care."
There was a bit of another meaning in her words.
"Hey, I'm one of the ship's idiots too, you know."
Nami's pretty eyes narrowed. "Not just an idiot, but a pervert too."
"That description should fit Sanji."
Nami instinctively snuggled a bit closer into Luffy's chest. "Anyway, this is your responsibility as captain... I'm leaving myself in your care too, okay?"
Before Luffy could even answer, Nami had already closed her eyes and fallen asleep.
The herbs contained sleep-inducing properties, but because she was uncomfortable, she was in a half-asleep, half-awake state, her brow furrowed as if searching for something in her dreams.
When weak, one instinctively seeks something to depend on.
The "Cat Burglar" always presented a strong, reliable front—she had no choice, given the crew of problem children she sailed with.
But she also wanted to rely on someone.
And the familiar scent from the warm heat source close to her body was enough to make Nami lower all her defenses. Gradually, she began to murmur in her sleep.
Luffy heard some familiar names.
Bellemere, Nojiko...
And an unfamiliar woman's name, Carina it seemed. Even in her dreams, Nami was telling her to pay back the money.
Luffy, of course, knew all too well how obsessed Nami was with money.
***
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