Want to read ahead? Join in my Patreon for only $7 to get early access to all upcoming chapters!
> > Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations < <
•───────• · · ─ ·✶· ─ · · •───────•
Chapter 88: Drum Island
After half a day of sailing.
Near noon, a pure white island, as if carved from ice and snow, came into view.
As the Going Merry continued to approach the island, the temperature dropped noticeably, inch by inch. The sea breeze, which originally carried a salty scent, was now mixed with fine snowflakes. Scattered thin ice began to appear floating on the sea surface.
The Going Merry gradually entered the coastline, approaching the snow-covered land.
"Wow! It's a white island! There's snow everywhere! It's totally a snow island!" Luffy was the first to scream in excitement, his rubber arms clutching the railing as his body almost leaned completely out.
"It's gotten so cold, though. It went from summer to winter in an instant." Usopp hugged his arms, his teeth chattering slightly.
"Hurry and put on the fluffy coats. Nami prepared them in Loguetown." Sanji handed out the coats one by one, selecting a delicate pink fluffy coat for Ganyu.
"Miss Ganyu, please take care to keep warm."
Ganyu took the clothes. Seeing the color that was overflowing with girlish vibes, the corner of her mouth twitched.
"Thanks."
In fact, she wasn't afraid of the cold at all. But since this was a kind gesture from a companion, she had to accept it.
"Luffy, there's no time for you to go on an adventure this time!" As they neared the shore, Sanji was worried about Vivi, so he reminded Luffy. "We are here to find a doctor to treat Vivi!"
With Luffy's personality, if he wasn't warned in advance, he would likely wander off as soon as he landed. If he caused trouble, it would very likely affect their search for a doctor for Vivi.
"Yeah, I know." Luffy nodded honestly for once, indicating he had listened.
However, his gaze remained fixed on the island. His eyes gradually brightened as if he had seen something.
"Someone... someone is coming!"
He suddenly raised his hand, pointing excitedly toward the shore.
On the vast white snowy plain, a row of moving black dots appeared abruptly, surging toward where their ship was docked at high speed.
Zoro narrowed his eyes and observed for a moment, his brows knitting together.
"They don't look very welcoming."
The newcomers were a group of local residents wearing bulky but thick fluffy coats. Leading them was a burly man in the prime of his life with a resolute face, carrying two weapons crossed on his back.
They quickly assembled on the shore, forming a sparse human wall. Every gaze cast toward the Going Merry was filled with undisguised vigilance and cold hostility.
"Pirates! Get off this island!"
The resolute man in the lead was the first to shout, his voice sounding exceptionally clear and cold in the air. At the same time, he raised a rifle. Although the muzzle wasn't aimed directly at them, the threat was self-evident.
"That's right! We don't welcome you!"
"Get out of this island!"
"Otherwise, we'll sink you!"
The residents behind him were also indignant, waving their weapons and chiming in one after another, trying to scare off these uninvited guests who had intruded into their home.
This was the first time the Straw Hat crew had encountered such distinct and unanimous hostility. The atmosphere on the deck became somewhat heavy, and everyone's expressions darkened.
Luffy thought for a moment, then opened his mouth, attempting to explain his purpose.
"We have a sick person on our ship. We're here to find a doctor!"
However, this reason clearly couldn't move these residents who held a prejudice against pirates.
"Hmph! Save that trick for fooling children!"
"You cunning and cruel pirates. Once you land, you'll definitely reveal your true colors and rob our town!"
"Exactly! We will absolutely not fall for it!"
For a moment, the rebukes and angry curses from the shore became louder, and countless people cast hateful glares at them.
The Straw Hat crew gradually realized that the residents of this island hated pirates to the extreme.
Under normal circumstances, if they encountered such unfriendly treatment, they would likely turn around and leave rather than ask for a snub. But the current situation was different.
Vivi's condition was critical, and her life hung by a thread. They had to find a doctor on this island who could save her!
Luffy had promised Igaram that he would return his Princess safely to Alabasta. A promise made must be kept.
So...
"Please! We really are... just here to find a doctor." Luffy lowered his head, his tone carrying a trace of pleading. "Please help us."
Seeing this scene, the members of the Straw Hat crew on the deck were all stunned. They hadn't expected the usually carefree Luffy to act so mature at a time like this.
Ganyu was even more gratified. Looking at the boy in the straw hat bowing slightly before her, she felt extremely satisfied. It was precisely because of his courage to take responsibility at critical moments that he was the captain of this pirate ship.
On the shore.
The resolute leader scrutinized Luffy for a long time. The expression on his face was like a frozen sea, showing no fluctuation.
He spoke slowly, his voice still cold and hard.
"Pirates, we will not let..."
However, his words came to an abrupt halt halfway through.
His gaze inadvertently swept across the deck and met the calm gaze of the blue-haired, horned girl.
In that instant, an indescribable, vast, and formless pressure, like a glacial tide, slammed into him from more than ten meters away. It rushed from the top of his skull straight to the soles of his feet, causing a layer of cold sweat to instantly break out on his back. His body trembled uncontrollably.
He understood the meaning the girl wanted to convey: If you don't agree, you will die.
He himself might not fear death, but the citizens behind him, who had just barely caught their breath from a disaster, could not withstand any more storms...
Therefore, after thinking for a moment, with cold sweat streaming down his face, he changed what he originally intended to say.
"...I'll take you to the village."
...
Just like that, in a subtle and tense atmosphere, the Going Merry docked at the island's simple pier.
The group discussed quickly and decided to leave Zoro and Vivi's pet duck, Carue, to guard the ship.
Everyone else would go ashore.
Luffy carried Vivi on his back, securing her with a rope over her quilt. The group followed the man's footsteps and entered this island shrouded in ice and snow.
"This island is called Drum Island."
Along the way, the man introduced the name of the country and his own name.
His name was Dalton, the current captain of the civilian guard. He claimed to be a man with heavy sins.
"As you can see, this is a... country that has lost its king."
"Your country has no king? Did something happen?" Usopp asked while wrapping his fluffy coat tighter around himself.
The further they went inland, the lower the temperature seemed to drop. He felt like his nose was about to freeze off.
"Because this country has effectively been destroyed. And the ones who caused this result were a group of pirates."
Dalton's footsteps landed steadily on the snow, making a crunch, crunch sound.
His figure appeared exceptionally heavy in the snowy field.
•───────• · · ─ ·✶· ─ · · •───────•
Support this Fanfict by leaving Positive Review, Comments, and Power Stones. For Advance Chapters:
Visit > Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations