Chapter 40: Kingdoms ruled by Pirates
"We are going to Drum Island which also lies in the Cold Mountain Region so yes, we are moving toward the correct direction." Zack nodded his head and walked toward Nami's room.
There was Vivi taking care of her while Valentine was standing on the side. She hadn't mixed well with the crew and that was good for him. He didn't want to break her heart if she can't join the crew in the future.
After all, no one knows how Luffy's mind works.
Vivi looked at him and asked, "Are we going in the right direction?"
Zack nodded his head and said "I might not be as talented as her in direction but I am not like them to get lost while moving in a straight direction. By the way, how is her condition?"
"Her temperature is rising quickly. Her fever might be just a minor side effect but still due to pill her condition is stable . We still don't know what this disease might do to her." Vivi clenched her fist in frustration.
"Don't blame yourself! Even if we hadn't met you, we would've still gone in the same direction. And, with you here, at least I feel secure about her. Luffy doesn't have any idea and being sick nor does Zoro or Usopp."
"And, Sanji is someone whom I can't trust when it comes to women. I need to be outside in case the ship moves away from the correct direction." Zack patted her shoulder and spoke.
"Hey, what about me? I am also here." Valentine got frustrated when Zack didn't count. Although she wasn't part of the crew, she wasn't their enemy now.
"I need your help with my training. So, you can't be here." Zack said.
"Zack, can you not do that kind of training now? Nami is sick and if something happens to you, it would be troublesome." Vivi also began to understand his devil fruits' weaknesses and strengths, so she didn't want him to lose the bet right now.
Zack smiled and shook his head.
"Don't worry, I am not planning on training with my devil fruit. I just want to do regular exercise."
Vivi sighed with a breath of relief.
"Humph! I am not your weight equipment. And, I also saved your crew. You can't treat me like that." Valentine stomped her foot on the ground and shouted.
"Yeah! Yeah!" Zack chuckled while pushing Valentine out of the room. After she left the room,. She had no choice but to help him.
Vivi also chuckled and looked at Nami. Her fever was the least of her problem. Now, she was feeling pain in her body. She really wished Zack could come to her bed and sleep with her.
Normally, she doesn't get sick but this time, it was severe. And, because of how frustrating and painful it was, she couldn't help but feel the need for the closest person.
And, currently, that person was Zack. But, she couldn't bear to ask Vivi to leave especially when she was doing so much for her. In the end, she decided to simply forget about it.
Slowly, they were approaching Winter Island. It was the second day after they left Little Garden. But, they were still in a serious hurry. Zack was trying to move their ship as soon as possible.
Around lunchtime, it was heavily snowing outside. Zack and Sanji were inside the cabin with Nami, Vivi, and Valentine. Suddenly, they heard some gunshots outside.
Zack frowned as he didn't know why someone was disturbing the ship. Just as he walked out, he saw dozens of soldiers wearing warm fur coats and holding guns in their hands.
They were pointing guns at everyone who was outside and there was a man bigger than a car standing on the edge of the ship, chewing meat. But once he finished chewing meat, he started chewing the sword.
Seeing this, Zack stuck out his tongue with a painful expression.
'Damn! I almost forgot that this guy even existed. He is probably one of the worst creations of Oda but then again, Oda wouldn't create a crocodile-level villain just before showing character.'
'Well, I will let Luffy handle things. I don't even know if I hate this guy. Wait, I do hate his trash talk.'
While Zack was busy thinking, suddenly, one of the guards shot at him. It only left a mark on his shoulder but Zack was stunned for a moment. He couldn't believe that he was sunk so deep into his thoughts that he forgot about the enemies.
Not just him even Zoro and Sanji were surprised. Luffy would've been surprised but his head was already inside Weapon's mouth. After Luffy sent him flying with his Bazooka, Wapol's crew left.
"What happened?" The first one to ask with Zoro. It wasn't because he was worried about Zack's injuries rather he didn't understand why Zack got injured in the first place.
"Nothing! I just got lost in some thoughts after seeing that man." Zack shook his head and chuckled.
"You got injured by them?" Luffy tilted his head in confusion.
Hearing his words, Zack punched his head.
"Don't look at me with those eyes when you even fall for an amateur hypnosis."
"He is not wrong, Luffy. You need to take things seriously. You almost got eaten by that man." Sanji threw the ash from his cigarette and spoke.
But for some reason, Luffy decided to completely ignore Sanji and instead looked at Zack.
"When will we arrive at that island?"
"Well, if we are lucky not to encounter anything on the way, we will reach there before evening." Zack replied at that place.
"That's great! I can't wait to ask a doctor to join our crew." Luffy excitedly raised his hands and shouted.
"By the way, do you have any idea about the person we need to get on our ship?" Zoro looked at Zack and asked.
"Nope! I only know that she has an apprentice. And, if it is her apprentice, then that person's dream shouldn't be any lower than any of you guys. I am not sure if that person wants to go out into the seas and become a pirate."
"But then again, Captain can even ask force you guys to join. I believe that Luffy can convince that person as well."
"Guys, we see an island outside." Usopp's voice rang inside the cabin and everyone except for Nami came out. There was a massive snow mountain on that island.
And, the entire island was covered with snow. They were surprised by the beauty of the snow.
"Let's drop anchor near the island." Zack spoke as the ship slowly moved closer to the island and they started raising the sails. Zoro dropped the Anchor at the sea.
"Pirates, don't you dare set foot on our island. Or else, we will shoot you."
"Yeah, our kingdom doesn't allow pirates."
"Go away!"
Suddenly, dozens of men appeared near the island with guns and pointed at them. Seeing this, Zoro was quick enough to hold the hilt of his sword but Zack stopped him and spoke.
"We are not here to fight or harm your island. We just want to meet Doctor Kureha."
Hearing his words, a man wearing a green coat while holding a gun stared at Zack and asked "What kind of business does a pirate like you have with her?"
"She is already 140 years old. Obviously, we can't ask her to become a pirate. One of our crew members has suffered from diseases that only she can treat so we are here to ask her to cure our crew member."
"Sir Dalton, don't listen to him! He is just a pirate. We can't trust the pirates." One of the men behind him shouted.
"Is that why you are letting your king become a pirate?" Zack asked with a cold smirk on his face. His words startled them but he bowed down and said.
"I am not here to make any trouble nor did I come here to anger you guys. Our cremates condition is very serious so we need to find doctor Kureha."
Dalton stared at his eyes for a moment and put down his weapon while raising his hand.
"Alright, you can come with me. I will guide you to her."
Hearing his words, the crew finally let out a big smile. Luffy looked at Zack and said "Amazing! You really convinced them"
"Hehe! I am a resourceful guy after all. Not to mention, not everything can be solved with violence." Zack felt a bit guilty about stealing Vivi's charm but that's what he was supposed to do.
If he remains on the sidelines, his existence would be no need. But, if he shines too much, it would be troublesome as well.
After Zoro decided to stay behind like in the original, everyone followed Dalton. He quickly introduced himself to others as they proceed and when they reached his house, Dalton sent his people to find out about Kureha.
Zack puts Nami on the bed. Her condition was deteriorating each minute.
"Dalton-san, where can we find doctor Kureha? I think it would be much better if we try to find her rather than waiting for her." Zack turned his head at him and asked.
Dalton rubbed his head and said "Why don't you wait for a moment? She lives at the top of the mountain and there is no other way to gather there except for climbing."
"Really? But, wasn't that supposed to be the castle?" Zack asked with a surprised look.
Hearing his words, Dalton embarrassedly rubbed his head and said.
"There is a ropeway that goes up to the mountain but it seemed to be broken. Unless we repair it, we can't go up there."
"Is that so?" Zack muttered. He was thinking about whether to choose the easy route or the harder route. If he ended up choosing the hard route, it would be reckless but may help them secure Chopper.
But, if they choose the easy route, it would be harder to convince Chopper. Zack didn't speak at once but rather waited.
"Dalton-san! Dalton-san! She isn't here and it seems like she won't be coming soon." A soldier rushed in while panting.
Hearing his words, their expression turned serious. Luffy walked near Nami and said, "Then, why don't we climb up there?"
"Huh! What kind of crazy idea is that? There is no way Nami-San can survive through such a situation." Sanji immediately rejected the idea and shouted.
"Not if she doesn't suffer any external injuries. We don't have any other chances. We can't wait long. It has already been the third day. We must reach there by evening." Zack finally made a decision and spoke.
"Hey, are you serious? Nami-San can't even move. What if Luffy makes a mistake? This isn't a simple matter." Sanji still wasn't convinced so he continued to change their mind.
"Captain...…" Suddenly, Nami's voice rang from the bed. Everyone turned their heads at her as she smiled at Luffy and said.
"I can trust you, right?"
Luffy slowly smiled and said "Of course"
"Vivi, help Nami put on some warm clothes. And, also tie her to Luffy. Sanji and I will go with him in case anything serious happens." Zack asked Vivi while tossing some warm clothes from Dalton's shelf to her.
Vivi helps Nami wear those clothes over her jacket and then, she ties her with Luffy.
"Alright Zack, let's go!" Luffy said with a serious expression after Vivi tied Nami to him. Zack was thinking of taking Luffy's position but he doubted his endurance.
Luffy is a true monster when it comes to endurance. If he isn't killed, he will simply continue. And, on this island, there is no one that can truly kill him, not even the weather.
After they left, Usopp couldn't help but look at Dalton.
"Your king's name was Wapol, right? Why did he become a pirate? Isn't it good to remain a king?"
Hearing his question, Dalton and Vivi both were surprised. Vivi looked at Dalton thinking of her own situation.
Dalton sat down on the snow and sighed.
"He is not a king. He is just a coward who got his position from his family. When the pirate attacked our kingdom, not only did he cowardly run away but also took the doctors from our kingdom otherwise you mightn't even go to that mountain."
"Our people don't have much strength and due to constant weather disasters, doctors were our main resources but now they are gone, it would be even harder for us."
Hearing his words, Vivi clenched her fists and shouted "How could he do this to his own people? A king isn't supposed to run away because of pirates. And, why didn't he ask for Marine's help? Aren't you paying off the money to the government?"
Dalton shook his head and said "The pirates didn't stay for long. And, as I just said, he was a coward. Instead of fighting back, he chose to flee. But, you guys encounter him on the way. It seems like he is coming back."
"What do you plan to do now?" Usopp asked.
Dalton stood up while holding his gun and said "I will face him. I won't let him torture this kingdom and the people anymore. Even if I don't have the strength, I will do everything to protect my people."
When Usopp heard his words, a strange scene flashed in front of him. He couldn't help but remember the time when Zack faced off against the pirates to keep those pirates at bay until Luffy and Zoro.
He clenched his fists and just when he was thinking about something, Vivi spoke.
"But Dalton-san, he has a crew of hundreds of people with guns. You can't face him by yourself. Besides he might not return to the kingdom after all he is already a pirate."
Usopp shook his head and said "Vivi, you are thinking of him too lightly. Do you really think a guy who abandoned his kingdom for the sake of safety wouldn't come back to claim his kingdom?"
"More importantly if he doesn't get a bounty, he isn't officially a pirate in the eyes of marines, especially in his case. That means as long as he returns, he can continue becoming the king of this land."
Hearing his words, Vivi clenched her fists and gritted "That bastard isn't worthy to become a king. A king never leaves his people to suffer."
Usopp sighed and slowly a bright smile appeared on his face. He patted Vivi's shoulder and said.
"The only way to stop him from becoming the king is by forcing him to leave the kingdom. Besides, I want to ask you something. Do you think a pirate flag can change the kingdom?"
When he asked this question, Vivi was startled. Dalton was also confused for a moment. But, Vivi quickly realized something and her eyes widened.
"Usopp-san, you aren't thinking of that, are you? No way, this kingdom is under the authority of the World Government, There is no way the World Government would let a pirate flag protect the kingdom. Wouldn't this be exactly the same as slapping the face of world government?"
Usopp suddenly shouted as he asked.
"Then, what about your kingdom and this kingdom? One is almost falling into the hands of a pirate and another is already ruled by a king who became a pirate. Did the world government help you in any way?"
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