Snow blanketed the sea like a shroud as the Going Merry fought against biting winds and crashing waves. The temperature had dropped sharply overnight. Ice clung to the rails and ropes, forming jagged edges that shimmered with each roll of the ship. The Straw Hats braced themselves against the cold, their breath visible in the frosty air. Every gust of wind felt like knives against their skin, and each wave threatened to tip the ship off its course. Frost crackled with every step, and the deck groaned beneath layers of freezing sea spray.
Zoro clutched the helm, muscles tense, eyes narrowed to slits. His hands were numb on the wheel, but he didn't waver. "The storm's getting worse. We won't last long without cover." His voice was steady, but urgency laced his words. The snow stung his cheeks, but he kept the ship steady, guiding it like a stubborn beast.
Sanji emerged from below deck with a fresh pot of hot water, steam rising in tendrils into the frigid air. He wore extra coats, but the cold still seeped through. "I've done all I can for her, but her fever's not breaking. She keeps drifting in and out." His face was pale, and there was frustration in his tone—he was a cook, not a doctor, and Nami's worsening condition was eating away at him. His hands trembled slightly as he clutched the pot.
Luffy paced the deck with sharp, restless strides, fists clenched at his sides. Snowflakes clung to his shoulders, melting into his clothes. "We're going to find a doctor," he said through gritted teeth. "We have to." His voice lacked its usual carefree tone. It was heavy, raw, the concern for his navigator cutting through even the numbing chill.
Usopp stood on the prow, squinting through snow-speckled binoculars. His teeth chattered, but he didn't stop scanning. His fingers trembled, both from cold and anxiety. "C'mon... something's gotta be out there... any island... any shape..." he mumbled. Ice crystals had formed around his goggles, but he didn't dare blink.
Then he froze. His posture straightened, breath catching. "I see land! Dead ahead!"
Luffy rushed forward, eyes wide. "Really?!"
"It's big—cliffs, trees—looks like a mountain punched straight out of the sea!" Usopp shouted, lowering the binoculars with a shaking hand.
Zoro turned the wheel slightly. "Let's head straight for it."
Below deck, Nami stirred beneath heavy blankets. Her face was ghostly pale, her breathing shallow. Sweat beaded across her brow, and her lips were dry. She murmured unintelligible words in a dreamlike haze, her body wracked with chills. Sanji was back at her side in a second, gently wiping her forehead with a damp cloth.
"You'll be okay," he whispered. "Just hang on." His voice cracked, and he clenched his jaw to hide the fear in his expression. He looked at her as if willing her to survive by sheer willpower.
As the ship drew closer to the coastline, the fog began to lift, revealing snow-capped peaks and towering trees dusted white. A steep cliffside formed a partial wall along the shore, looming like an icy fortress. The island looked untouched by time, wild and frigid, its silence both inviting and foreboding. The air grew still, muffled by the snow, as if the island itself was holding its breath.
A small dock lay ahead, half-buried in snow, a few old posts sticking up like skeletal fingers from the frozen sea. The structure creaked as waves lapped at its edges. Beyond it, dark forests loomed and mountainous terrain curved upward into the clouds.
Luffy stood at the bow, his hat gripped tightly in his hand. "Get ready. We dock here." His voice was resolute. He turned back to the others. "We carry Nami to the island. We find a doctor. Whatever it takes."
Suddenly, a long, low horn sounded from within the mist. The sound was deep, metallic, and ominous.
The Straw Hats turned as one.
From the fog emerged a dark vessel, its metal hull armored and marked with the emblem of a crown with jagged teeth. The ship towered over the Going Merry, its sharp prow slicing through the water like a blade. The snow parted around it as it advanced like a predator.
Zoro's eye narrowed. "Another ship?" He moved instinctively toward his swords, his expression cold.
Usopp stammered, backing away from the rail. "I-it's huge!"
Luffy's eyes darkened as the ship loomed closer. On its deck stood a man with a round belly, pink armor, and a curling mustache—Wapol.
Wapol laughed arrogantly, his voice booming across the waves. "Looks like someone else wants MY island back." His soldiers lined the railings, weapons in hand. They stood rigid, their eyes locked on the Straw Hat crew.
Luffy didn't flinch. He stepped forward slowly, placing his hat back on his head.
His voice was quiet but firm. "That guy picked the wrong day to show up."
The snow howled louder, as if echoing his words.
To be continued...
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