Not long after, the surrounding temperature began to drop.
Luffy, now acting as navigator, quickly determined with Vivi that there was a Winter Island nearby. According to Robin, Drum Island was a Winter Island, so they should arrive soon.
The sea wind was strong, and everyone had put on thick, warm clothes.
The expressions on everyone's faces were somewhat gloomy; no one was in the mood for fun and games.
Before, Usopp would probably have started a snowball fight with Carue already. Luffy might have been doing some cold-resistance training with Zoro at this moment.
"I can feel it," Merry pointed in a direction.
Luffy stretched his arm up to the lookout post.
Looking out, the sea was still a vast expanse of white with snow falling, but soon a small black dot appeared faintly in the distance.
After a while longer, the island's appearance gradually became clear. It was an island blanketed in snow, with huge, towering mountains visible in the distance.
The Going Merry soon reached Drum Island's port.
"Everyone, we've reached our destination!"
"Hurry and find a doctor for Miss Nami!"
But as soon as the Merry docked, they were surrounded by a group of wary citizens holding rifles. The air was filled with cold and a hint of oppressive tension.
"Pirates! It's a pirate ship!"
"Get out! We don't welcome pirates here!"
Usopp hurriedly stepped forward, waving his arms. "Wait, don't shoot! We have a sick person on our ship! We need a doctor! We're here to find a doctor!"
"It seems the 'Doctor 20' Incident left deep scars on this country," Robin observed the expressions of the citizens, speaking softly to Luffy. "They have a deep-seated hostility towards pirates."
Pirates were unwelcome anywhere, for no particular reason. That was simply their reputation. Could pirates ever have a good reputation? If they did, they wouldn't be pirates.
In this world, communication between kingdoms and islands relied on newspapers, the contents of which were selectively filtered by the World Government before being presented.
The one person who could slightly let the world know the truth, the president of the World Economic Journal, Morgans, often didn't dare oppose the World Government either.
At least, not until Morgans believed he had an absolutely massive story.
"I mean no harm. I just need a doctor. A doctor who can treat Kashikia Fever... or even just give me some herbs," Luffy said, looking around. "I'm willing to pay."
The citizens looked at each other. It was the first time they'd seen a pirate with such a friendly attitude. But the word 'doctor' seemed to touch a raw nerve for some. In the crowd, someone's finger trembled nervously, and Bang! a shot went off accidentally!
The bullet whistled toward Luffy.
Luffy's face turned cold. He didn't even dodge, merely reaching out with lightning speed and snatching the bullet out of the air with pinpoint accuracy.
He looked toward the person.
Uncontrolled... an awe-inspiring aura surged from Luffy. It wasn't the release of Conqueror's Haki, but the oppressive pressure born from countless life-and-death battles made everyone present feel their breath catch.
"Stop!"
A deep, male voice rang out.
A tall, resolute-looking, muscular man stepped out from the crowd. His body rapidly expanded, his muscles bulging, horns sprouting from his head as he transformed into a half-man, half-bull form. It was the captain of Drum Island's guard, Dalton.
Just now, sensing the immense pressure emanating from Luffy, he had activated his ability without hesitation:
"Zoan, Ushi Ushi no Mi, Model: Bison!"
"Mr. Dalton!" The citizens seemed to relax upon seeing Dalton. He was the pillar of stability for Drum Island. They had already decided to elect Dalton as the island's king.
"Don't be reckless," Dalton said as he walked forward. The closer he got to Luffy, the more he felt the mountain-like pressure.
This Straw Hat kid is strong!
Dalton instantly made the judgment.
This island had previously been plundered by pirates, brought to the brink of destruction. That was by a crew known as the Blackbeard Pirates.
Facing that Blackbeard pirate, Dalton had also been utterly powerless.
This Straw Hat kid gave him a similar feeling.
But contrary to his expectations, even though they had fired first, Luffy did not immediately retaliate.
He just looked at Dalton again, earnest and sincere. "My nakama is sick! We need a doctor!"
Dalton looked at the unmistakable urgency in Luffy's eyes, then at the orange-haired girl on his back, her face flushed and her breathing faint. His tense expression softened slightly.
He reverted to his human form and said gravely, "Follow me."
The other citizens didn't dare say a word.
Catching a bullet bare-handed? Even Dalton couldn't do that.
They could only pray these pirates weren't evil at heart. Such was the sorrow of the weak.
In Dalton's simple but warm home, he handed out hot tea to Luffy and the others, his gaze complicated as he looked at Nami, whom Luffy had carefully placed on a bed, still unconscious.
Along the way, Dalton had explained the country's current state and the former King Wapol.
"That guy who can eat anything?" Usopp remembered him well.
"You've encountered him?"
Dalton immediately stood up, his expression darkening. "I've heard he's been active in the nearby seas, seemingly always ready to return and plunder this country."
Everyone looked at Luffy.
"Well... I was in a bad mood at the time, so I sent them to feed the fish," Luffy said with a casual laugh.
If a Devil Fruit user fell into the sea and survived, it would be a miracle of fate.
Dalton couldn't help but give Luffy a few more appraising looks. He made it sound so simple.
"In any case, only one doctor remains in our country now."
Dalton's expression was also complicated when he mentioned the sole remaining doctor. "She lives on that highest snowy mountain over there. Dr. Kureha is her name. But people here call her the Witch."
"The Witch?" Luffy thought the name sounded pretty cool.
"She should be in that castle now. However, she has an eccentric quirk. The payment she demands for treatment is often what the patient or the one seeking help values most. Also, the path up the mountain is now completely blocked by heavy snow. It's very dangerous..."
Before he could finish, Luffy had already wrapped Nami tightly in a blanket, securely strapped her to his back, and fastened her in place.
Time was of the essence.
In this world, there was no path that couldn't be walked.
"Sanji, Usopp... I leave things here to you. Purchase any necessary supplies. If there are enemies, wait for me to return."
Zoro remained guarding the Going Merry.
Vivi and Robin's physiques weren't suited for a long, arduous trek. "Nami is in your hands," Vivi said, looking at him with worry.
"Be careful," Robin said.
Luffy nodded.
He faintly sensed a lingering aura, that of a very powerful enemy.
But there was no time to deal with that now.
***
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