บท 111: "The Ascent of Determination and Unyielding Resolve"

The Going Merry sailed on towards Drum Island under a blanket of snow, the wind crisp and biting. Though the crew was usually lively, today the ship was quieter, with each member lost in thought or worry. Nami, their navigator, was seriously ill and in need of urgent medical care. Raja, utilizing his medical knowledge and magic, had placed Nami in a stasis-like state to stabilize her until they could reach Drum Island, where they hoped to find a doctor.

Meanwhile, Raja observed the rest of the crew. He knew they couldn't afford to let their guard down on the Grand Line; it was a sea filled with dangers and powerful foes. They needed to grow stronger. Raja gathered the crew and made an announcement, his tone unusually stern.

"Everyone, training starts now," he said. "Luffy, Sanji, Zoro—your training will be divided into stages, and each of you will master a unique fighting style that suits you."

The announcement raised a few confused expressions, but Raja continued, unfazed. He explained each crew member's training regimen:

Luffy's Sun Breathing Style: Raja would teach Luffy a unique breathing technique, inspired by the sun's raw power, which would enhance his stamina, speed, and strength. The first stage of Luffy's training involved running laps with a sea-stone collar around his neck to increase his resilience.

Sanji's Fire-Wind Combination Style: For Sanji, Raja developed a mix of Fire Breathing and Wind Breathing. This would enhance Sanji's kicking speed and create intense flames with each strike, giving him both speed and an explosive edge in combat.

Zoro's Beast-Earth Style: Zoro's training combined the strength of Earth Breathing with the ferocity of Beast Breathing. This training would hone his swordsmanship and allow him to unleash devastating blows with the grounded might of the earth and the feral instinct of beasts.

The crew looked at each other, excitement and anticipation in their eyes. They dove into their respective training routines, each one pushing themselves harder than ever before. Raja made sure they had everything they needed, providing equipment, advice, and motivation when their energy waned.

Onward to Drum Island

Despite the training, the crew couldn't ignore Nami's worsening condition. Each day, Raja checked her over and made adjustments to keep her stable, but he knew they needed proper medical help. Nami's fever spiked one evening, her breathing shallow as her friends stood by her side, concern etched on their faces. Raja spoke up, "We're almost there. Hold on a bit longer, Nami."

As they neared Drum Island, Vivi took care of the Eternal Pose to keep the ship on course. Usopp and Luffy, usually bouncing with excitement, were unusually subdued. Usopp took the opportunity to share his dream of visiting Elbaph, the legendary land of giants, and Luffy's eyes sparkled as he imagined the adventure.

But their light-hearted chatter was interrupted by a sudden, chilling sight. Zoro, who had been training intensely, spotted something unusual in the water—a man standing on the surface as if it were solid ground.

"Hey! Guys, look at that!" Zoro shouted, bringing everyone's attention to the figure. It was a strange sight, to say the least, and it unsettled the entire crew. But before they could process the mystery, an unexpected assault hit them like a storm.

The Bliking Pirates' Arrival

The Bliking Pirates boarded the Merry, led by none other than Wapol, their voracious captain. Wapol's strange powers made him an immediate nuisance, as he devoured anything in sight—including parts of the ship itself—thanks to the Baku Baku no Mi (Munch-Munch Fruit) that allowed him to consume and merge with anything.

Watching Wapol gnaw on the ship sent Luffy into a fury. "Oi! That's our ship!" he roared, launching himself forward with his Gomu Gomu no Rocket. In a powerful strike, he sent Wapol flying back into the ocean.

The Bliking Pirates, realizing their captain had been tossed overboard, scrambled to retreat. "Make sure you remember this name!" one of them yelled as they fled, but their words were little more than echoes across the water as the Straw Hats breathed a sigh of relief.

"Not the best timing," Sanji muttered, looking back at Nami, still unconscious in the cabin.

Arrival on Drum Island

Finally, after navigating through the cold, unforgiving waters, the Going Merry reached Drum Island. However, their arrival was met with hostility; the villagers, suspicious and fearful, greeted them with drawn weapons. Sanji, quick to defend his friends, prepared to fight back, but Vivi stepped in and calmed him down.

"We're not here to hurt anyone. We just need help for our friend," Vivi pleaded, but the tension was thick in the air.

In a dramatic moment, Vivi was shot by a villager while trying to mediate. Luffy's temper flared, and he prepared to retaliate, but Vivi stopped him, reminding him that not all conflicts could be solved with fists. Luffy's anger faded, replaced by admiration for Vivi's courage and wisdom. He apologized to the islanders, and after a brief exchange, they agreed to help.

Dalton, a large man with an aura of authority, emerged from the crowd. He introduced himself as the island's security captain and offered to lead them to the village of Bighorn, where they could rest and receive medical assistance. He also gave them crucial information about the island's unique climate and its infamous witch doctor, Kureha, who lived high in the Drum Rockies.

The Ascent to Drum Castle

Nami's fever remained dangerously high, reaching 42°C, and time was running out. Determined to help his friend, Luffy insisted on climbing the mountain to find the witch doctor. Sanji decided to accompany him, showing his unwavering loyalty to both Nami and his captain.

Raja prepared for the climb with Luffy and Sanji, conjuring a magic carpet to speed his ascent to the mountaintop with Nami, while Luffy and Sanji followed by scaling the steep, snow-covered slopes.

With Nami securely on the carpet, Raja floated ahead, his eyes steely with resolve. He knew every second counted and that Drum Island's notorious Lapahns—giant, hostile rabbits—posed a serious threat. He briefed Sanji and Luffy on the dangers of the Lapahns and advised them to avoid unnecessary conflict to keep Nami safe.

As they ascended, Sanji noticed the silhouettes of several Lapahns approaching. "Just what we needed—overgrown rabbits with bad attitudes," he muttered.

"Think you can handle them?" Luffy grinned, cracking his knuckles.

But Raja's voice echoed from the carpet above, "Focus, Luffy! Nami's life depends on this!"

Reluctantly, Luffy kept his punches in check, but the Lapahns weren't giving up that easily. A particularly aggressive one lunged at Sanji, who quickly unleashed a powerful kick, "Flanchet Fire Shoot!" he called, sending the Lapahn flying into the snowbank.

The journey up the mountain tested their endurance. The cold was relentless, biting into their skin, and the climb was treacherous. Luffy and Sanji pushed forward, driven by their loyalty to Nami and a shared determination to see her healed.

Meeting Doctor Kureha

At last, they reached the mountaintop where Drum Castle stood, stark and intimidating against the snowy landscape. Raja, already there with Nami in tow, turned to the other two and gave a nod of approval. "You did well. She's stable for now, but she'll need immediate care."

Doctor Kureha, a lively yet eccentric figure who looked nothing like the usual healer, welcomed them with a surprising level of hospitality. She quickly assessed Nami's condition, clucking her tongue as she prepared her medical equipment.

"High fever, severe chills—she's got more than just a common illness. Looks like you were smart enough to put her in stasis, whoever did that," she acknowledged with a nod toward Raja. He returned her smile, impressed by her perceptive nature.

Kureha immediately got to work, pulling out a vial of herbal concoctions and a set of sharp, metallic instruments. "This will take a bit of time. The rest of you—make yourselves useful and fetch me supplies," she commanded.

Sanji sprang into action, scouring her storeroom for the items she listed, while Luffy fidgeted anxiously, unable to stay still. Raja stayed close to Kureha, assisting her where he could and marveling at her unusual methods. Her knowledge of medicine was as vast as it was unconventional, and Raja made mental notes of her unique remedies, impressed by the depth of her expertise.

A New Understanding

Hours passed, and the crew waited with bated breath as Kureha finished the treatment. She applied a cooling compress on Nami's forehead and finally took a step back, sighing. "She'll be fine now. But keep her warm and let her rest. No more sailing until she's fully recovered."

Luffy's eyes glistened with relief as he grinned, shouting, "You hear that, Nami? You're gonna be okay!"

Nami, still weak but smiling faintly, whispered, "Thank you, Luffy. Thank you, everyone."

As Kureha packed her tools, she looked over the crew and, with a knowing smile, said, "You all have something rare—a bond that's hard to break. Just remember, the Grand Line won't go easy on any of you."

The weight of her words settled over the crew. They had come far, but the journey ahead was fraught with unknown dangers and challenges.

The blizzards outside began to calm, and the world around them turned quiet as snowflakes drifted softly to the ground. Luffy, Sanji, and Raja exchanged a glance, each understanding that this experience had solidified their resolve even further.

They'd overcome this hurdle together, and they would face whatever else the Grand Line had in store for them—no matter what it took.