The impact echoed through the inlet, sending tremors through the rock walls. Snow cascaded from ledges above, and a thick dust cloud choked the cove. Chunks of shattered rock clattered onto the deck of the Going Merry and slid across the icy planks, mixing with shards of frost and melted snow. As the smoke and debris settled, a suffocating stillness enveloped the scene. The Merry creaked beneath the pressure, but miraculously, the ship had held. The sails fluttered weakly, and the icy deck shimmered under the returning snowfall.
Luffy stood like a statue at the bow, face shadowed by his hat, unmoved by the shockwave. His coat fluttered in the fading gust, snowflakes gathering on his shoulders. His eyes, sharp and unreadable, remained locked on the receding shape of Wapol's ship in the distance. His silence was louder than any shout—he had already made up his mind.
"Tch. Not even a scratch," Zoro muttered, lowering his swords, though his stance remained tense. "Lucky."
On the enemy ship, Wapol scowled, teeth clenched behind his curled mustache. "Hmph! Count yourselves lucky this time! But this island will be mine again!" he shouted, stamping his foot like a petulant child denied his toy.
With a flourish, he snapped his fingers. Cannons were pulled back and soldiers scrambled to obey. The vessel groaned as it turned slowly, disappearing into the snowstorm like a specter. Only the sound of creaking wood and the retreating churn of water hinted at their departure.
Zoro sheathed his swords but didn't relax. Usopp, still huddled near the mast, finally exhaled. "He's gone... for now," he said, rubbing warmth back into his arms. His breath came in shallow gasps, and his face had gone pale with tension.
"Then we don't waste time," Luffy said, turning sharply. "We're heading out."
The Straw Hats sprang into action with practiced urgency. Sanji hoisted Nami's sled carefully, making sure her blankets stayed snug. His jaw clenched every time he saw her pained expression. Zoro slung packs of supplies over his shoulder, testing the weight. Usopp, still shaking slightly, adjusted his goggles and brought up the rear. Despite the cold, despite the danger, no one hesitated.
The cold worsened with every step. Snow thickened beneath their boots, forcing their legs higher. Wind lashed their faces without mercy, pulling at scarves and burning any exposed skin. Trees loomed on either side, their branches weighed down by ice. The trail was narrow and treacherous, winding through jagged rock outcroppings and uneven slopes. Even Zoro's footsteps began to slow, the conditions challenging even for him.
Nami's condition deteriorated quickly. Her breathing was shallow and irregular, cheeks flushed dangerously red. Sanji stopped every few minutes to check her forehead, muttering under his breath and casting anxious glances toward the mountain.
"We'll find someone," Luffy repeated, eyes forward, jaw set. His voice was quiet but firm, a vow spoken aloud. Each time he said it, the others seemed to gain a little more strength.
Zoro, leading the group, used his swords to cut away frozen brush. His breath came in visible puffs, and his brows were furrowed with focus. He didn't speak, but his blade carved a path forward like an unspoken promise.
Usopp stumbled frequently, cursing the deep drifts and heavy snow. "This place is a nightmare," he groaned. "Even monsters wouldn't live here."
"Then we'll find the one that does," Luffy replied without missing a step. His confidence carried them.
Hours passed in silent determination. The sun, a faint smudge behind thick gray clouds, sank toward the horizon. Shadows stretched across the mountainside. Every breath they took felt heavier, and every step slower. The temperature plummeted further. The only sounds were the crunch of snow, the creak of sled runners, and the howl of distant wind.
Finally, they reached a small village nestled between two cliffs. The roofs sagged under the weight of snow, and the paths were untouched by recent footprints. Wooden homes stood quiet and cold, their windows fogged, their doors swinging open in the wind. Snow had invaded the interiors, and frost clung to every surface like cobwebs.
Zoro surveyed the surroundings with caution. "Looks like everyone left in a hurry," he murmured. The lack of fire or smoke was unsettling. Not even a dog barked. Usopp glanced around nervously, his breath visible as he muttered, "Creepy... even ghosts would freeze here."
Sanji found the sturdiest-looking building and gently laid Nami down inside. The house was empty, but still dry. He wrapped her in blankets, tucking them tightly around her body. He pulled off his gloves and pressed a hand to her cheek. Her fever was worse.
"She's burning up…" he muttered, worry etched into every word. His voice cracked as he added, "She won't last long like this."
"There has to be someone here," Usopp said, peering into the dim corners. "A doctor... a villager... anyone." He opened drawers, searched shelves, found nothing but dust and memories.
Luffy stood at the doorway, eyes fixed on the mountains above. The sky was growing darker, and snow was beginning to fall again. A slow, steady fall like the ticking of a clock.
"We go higher," he said. "Someone lives up there. I know it."
Zoro and Sanji exchanged glances but didn't argue. They began gathering their gear again, checking that Nami was secure.
A subtle crunch—snow shifting—caught Luffy's attention. He turned his head slightly, scanning the tree line with sharpened senses.
At the edge of the trees stood a figure, barely visible through the swirling snow. Short, round-bodied, with small hooves pressed into the snow, and wide eyes watching from the shadows. Its breath steamed in the cold, and its antlers twitched with alertness. A moment earlier, faint rustling and the sound of branches snapping had hinted something was near.
Before anyone could react, the figure turned and bounded away into the woods, its silhouette vanishing into the snowfall. Snow kicked up in its trail.
Luffy's mouth curled into a small smile.
"...We're not alone."
To be continued...
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