I do not own One Piece
It's owned by Oda
I just own Jou and my other OC's
Enjoy!
One Piece: Jou's Adventures: Alabasta Arc Pt.37
The Pirates and Princess eyed the villagers aiming their rifles straight at them. Each and every one of the villager's had an anxious and ready face to protect their village.
"People!" Luffy announced. "Well, that was easy."
"Yeah, nice..." Said a meek Usopp. "But they don't seem too friendly."
"That and not too happy that we're here," Jou said. A tall, muscular man walked up. He gave a sort of vibe like as he were the leader of the village all these people were from. He also had quite the stern look as stared at the Pirates.
"I'll only say this once!" He announced. "Your kind is not welcome here! Leave immediately!"
"We only came here to find a Doctor!" Luffy reasoned.
"We have someone who's sick!" Vivi reasoned after.
"You'll have to do better than that!" Shouted a villager. "We won't fall for that old trick!"
"This is our island!" Shouted another. "We won't let any filthy Pirates land here!"
"Raise anchor and leave now!" A third called. "Or we'll blow you and your ship out of the water!"
"That's great," Sanji said sarcastically. "We barely said "hello" and they already hate us."
"Get outta here!" Another shouted and also fired a shot right at Sanji's foot.
"Look out!" Warned Usopp.
"That was a big mistake!" Growled the cook. Sanji started stomping up to the villager.
"Sanji, stop!" Vivi shouted as she grabbed Sanji to hold him back. The villager being startled fired his gun and hit Vivi. The 5 male Pirates all had looks of horror and anger for what just transpired. Vivi's body fell and hit the deck.
"VIVI!" Luffy shouted. The villager that shot seemed to ponder what he had just done.
"HEY!" Jou shouted up at the villager. "WHAT THE HECK IS YOUR PROBLEM!? SHE DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING TO YOU! HELL, NEITHER OF US HAD DONE ANYTHING TO ANY OF YOU! YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO SHOOT HER!" The villagers aimed at Jou. Jou ignored them as his eyes stopped on the man who was the village leader who stared back.
"WHY, YOU!" Roared an angry Luffy.
"READY!" A villager shouted as other's got their respective guns ready. "AIM!" Jou got his red chain ready, Zoro thumbed up one of his swords, Usopp had his slingshot, Sanji stood ready in front of Vivi. Luffy gave out a roar as he started running. Out of nowhere, Vivi got right back up and wrapped her arms around Luffy's waist.
"No, stop it!" Vivi pleaded. "Fighting is not going to help anything!" She kept her arms around Luffy. "I'm fine, Luffy! It only grazed my arm!" She let go the straw hat and placed her hands on the deck. "It's all right, we won't land!" She bowed down her head. "But can you please call us a Doctor? Our friend is dying from a serious illness; I'm begging you! Please help us!"
"Vivi...?" Luffy said.
"You're not fit to be the Captain of this ship, Luffy!" Vivi said. "Not everything can be fixed by rushing to fight start a fight!" Luffy visibly saw a small graze on Vivi's shoulder that bled a just a bit on Merry's deck. "We can't get into a fight here! Think about Nami! What would happen to her?"
"Yeah," Luffy agreed. "Right. I'm sorry about that." He looked straight up at the villagers. "Please, help us! Call a Doctor!" He as well got down on his knees and bowed down. His straw hat falling off his head. "Our friend needs you!"
Everything was quiet for a second as the villagers looked down at the Pirates. The village leader also stared down at them.
"I'll show you to our village!" Said the village leader. "Follow me!" He turned and started walking. The other villagers turned away as well and followed.
"See?" Vivi smiled at Luffy. "Just ask politely."
"Yeah, you're incredible, Vivi." Said Luffy. Vivi smiled at the compliment.
-O-
The village leader followed by the other villagers led, Luffy Jou, Vivi, and Usopp through the snow on the island. Sanji was carrying Nami on his back. Zoro stayed aboard the Going Merry with Carue.
"There is one thing I feel I should warn you about though..." Said the village leader. "The only Doctor we have here is actually a witch."
"Huh?" Usopp said. "A witch?"
"You've gotta be kidding me," Sanji said. "Everything about this island is messed up. What do you people call this weird place anyway?"
"Actually this land still doesn't have a name," The village leader explained simply.
"An Island without a name?" Said, Vivi. "I didn't know that was possible."
"That does sound quite strange," Jou said. "Every island should have a name. Guess there's a reason why this place doesn't?"
"AAAAAGH!" Screamed Usopp. "A BEAR!" There was a large grey bear walking on its hind legs toward the group. It was carrying a pickaxe. "Hurry everyone! Pretend to be dead!" Usopp falls over into the snow.
"A Hiking Bear," The village leader said. " He poses no threat." The bear walked past the group of Pirates and villagers. "Don't forget to bow. It's proper manners." Everyone walking past the bear bowed as the bear bowed as well.
After walking a bit more they made it to the village. The villagers in it were walking on the snow-covered ground. There were even buildings and animals walking around too."
"This is the village where we live," Said the village leader. "Its name is Bighorn."
"Look at all the weird animals walking around everywhere," Luffy said.
"Yeah, this is snow country," Usopp said.
"Look, Nami!" Sanji said. "We made it to a village with people. We're here."
"Thanks for the help everyone," The village leader said to the others. "If you're not a guard you can return to your work."
"Are you completely certain that you'll be alright here by yourself?" A villager asked.
"They are Pirates," Said another.
"I believe these people mean us no harm," Said the village leader. "It's my hunch anyway. You can trust me on that." The villagers discussed amongst themselves they decided the Pirates looked harmless.
"Alright, Dalton!" Said a villager walking away with the others. "We'll leave them to you!"
"You mean those men weren't your land security forces?" Vivi asked Dalton.
"No," Dalton said. "They're just ordinary citizens."
"I see," Jou said. "It's good of them to want to help you defend a place they call their home."
Dalton nodded and walked. "Come to my house for now." He said.
"Hey!" Usopp called. "Look over there, Luffy! It's one of those Hiking Bear's!"
"Another one?" Luffy said turning around. It was actually just a tall, round-bodied woman making her way to the village. As she walked by Usopp and Luffy bowed.
"Hello, Dalton!" The woman said. "I heard that some Pirates landed on the island. I hope everything's alright."
"Yes, everything's fine," Dalton said. "There's nothing to be worried about."
"Just want you to know, Dalton!" Said an old man. "I'm looking forward to the election in two days! Everyone I've talked to said they are going to vote for you!"
"I'm sure you're not serious about that," Dalton said. "I'm just an ordinary citizen. That's all."
-O-
"You can use that bed over there," Dalton said to Jou, Vivi, and Sanji. "I'm going to warm the place up." He started getting a fire ready in the fireplace. The others put Nami into the bed.
"I guess I should introduce myself," Dalton said. "My name is Dalton. I'm the Captain of the Island Security Squad. Please forgive our... less than friendly welcome."
"It's alright," Jou said, arms folded over his chest. "It's understandable why you were hostile to us since we're Pirates. Really, it's no big deal."
"Thanks," Dalton nodded in understanding; he turned his head to Vivi. "Excuse me? But may I ask you a question?"
"Huh?" Vivi said.
"It's just that... you look familiar to me for some reason." Dalton squinted his eyes.
"N-No!" Vivi said startled. "I just have one of those faces I guess! Anyway, can you tell us more about this Doctor? Or Witch if that's what she is? Nami's fever's gone up to 107!"
"How long has she had it?" Dalton asked with concern.
"She's been like this for several days," Jou said. "We've tried almost everything to get her better but so far nothing's worked." Jou sighed in irritation.
"Her fever just keeps getting higher," Vivi said.
"I see," Dalton said. "She'll likely die if it get's any worse."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Jou thought as he stared down at Nami.
"Yes, but we have no idea what the illness is much less how to treat it," Vivi said. "We don't know how to help her."
"We've got to find a Doctor as soon as possible!" Sanji said. "Any Doctor will do! Where is this Witch of yours!"
"The Witch..." Dalton said. "Do you see those mountains outside there?"
"Yeah," Sanji said. "I noticed them earlier." He turned to face the window and was met with the face of a snowman. Luffy and Usopp were outside playing in the snow.
"Supermassive Snowman!" Luffy exclaimed about his creation.
"And the feared snow beast Snowzilla!" Usopp exclaimed after. The two standing on their creations.
"Get in here before I kill you!" Sanji shouted at them.
-O-
"Those mountains out there are known as the "Drum Rockies"," Explained Dalton. "Look closely. Do you see the castle on top of the tallest one? The one in the middle."
"Castle?" Usopp repeated.
"That castle has lost it's King," Dalton said.
"Yeah, I see it up there," Sanji said staring out the window.
"What's so important about the castle?" Vivi asked.
"Let me guess..." Jou said. "That's where the Doctor is, huh?"
"That's correct," Said Dalton. "Doctor Kureha. She's the one who people here call a Witch."
"What!?" Exclaimed Sanji. "Of all places why does she have to live on top of a mountain? We need to call her here right now! Nami needs her help!"
"I'm sorry but I'm afraid there's no way to contact her," Dalton said.
"Huh?" Sanji turned to Dalton. "You can't be serious!?"
"Tell us about Doctor Kureha?" Jou asked. "What's she like?"
"Her skills as a Doctor are quite impressive actually," Dalton said. "However, she's an eccentric old woman. She's nearly 140 years old now."
"140?" Sanji questioned. "No wonder she doesn't get around much."
"Oh, and one more thing," Dalton said. "She likes pickled plums."
"What happens when people here get sick or injured?" Asked Vivi. "Doesn't she help them?"
"She comes down from the mountain whenever she feels like it," Said Dalton. "She looks around for patients, she treats them, and before she leaves she takes whatever she wants from their houses as payment."
"She doesn't sound like a very nice lady," Usopp chimed.
"It kinda sounds like she's a Pirate," Luffy said.
"But how is a woman as old as she is capable of getting down that mountain?" Vivi asked.
"It's an odd rumor around here," Dalton began. "Several of the villagers claim that they've seen her at night. Riding a sleigh of some kind through the sky. They see a silhouette when the moon is out. That's the reason that she is thought to be a witch. There are others who say they've seen her with a strange creature. A creature that none of them recognize."
"See!?" Usopp freaked. "I knew it! A snow monster! Where there's snow there's gotta be snow monsters! I knew there'd be one! I don't wanna run into one!"
"Doctor Kareha is the only Doctor we have," Dalton said. "But she's still a woman I would prefer you stay away from. All we can do is wait for the next time she decides to come down the mountain."
"Really?" Vivi said.
"No, dammit," Sanji muttered. "We can't wait here for that long. Nami is getting even worse as we speak."
"Hey, Nami?" Said Luffy as he tapped Nami on the face a few times. "Nami? Wake up now?"
"Luffy, you idiot! What are you doing to her!?" Shouted all 3 of Vivi, Sanji, and Usopp. Nami opened her eyes slowly.
"She's awake," Jou said.
"Here's the thing," Luffy told her. "The only way to see the Doctor is to climb the mountain. So we're gonna have to climb the mountain."
"Are you crazy?" Sanji asked. "What about Nami? How do you expect to get her up there?"
"Easy," Luffy said. "She'll ride on my back."
"Hmm?" Jou hummed. "I see. Let's try it."
"You're agreeing to this?" Sanji said to Jou.
"I am." Jou nodded. "It's the only way for Nami to get better. Hey, Luffy?"
"Yeah?" Luffy said.
"I'm going with you," Jou said. "You'll need all the help you can get. Also, when you go, will you trust me to carry Nami?"
Luffy nodded. "Yeah. Okay, Jou. You can come with me and carry Nami too."
"Thank you, Captain," Jou nodded.
"That's only going to make her even worse!" Vivi argued.
"What's the problem?" Luffy said. "I thought we needed to hurry."
"We do but you and Jou will never make it up there!" Vivi said. "Look at how steep and tall that thing is!" She pointed a finger at the mountain.
"We can do it," Luffy said.
"Maybe you or Jou can but climbing that thing will be way too hard on Nami!" Sanji argued.
"Look, even if we fall or something we'll land in snow," Luffy said.
"That doesn't matter! A fall like that will kill even a healthy person!" Vivi said.
"Seriously, Luffy!" Usopp said. "She has a really bad fever! It's so high she's almost dying! Don't you understand that!?"
"Shut it!" Jou said as everyone turned to him. "Look! As of right now, I'm willing to accept any kind of crazy ideas! But as far as I'm concerned this is as good as it gets! We're gonna get Nami up that mountain no matter what!"
"Jou!" Vivi said. "Were you even listening!? There's no way you can get up that mountain!"
"We won't know until we try!" Jou argued. Nami made a noise like she was trying to say something as everyone turned to her.
"I need to get over this thing..." Nami managed to say. "And quickly. We need to hurry. For Vivi."
"Exactly," Jou nodded. He stepped right over to the bedside and knelt next to Nami. "Nami, I'm gonna be the one carrying you. Will you trust me?" He put his arm up with his hand out and gave her a smile.
"Yeah," Nami smiled lightly. "I... trust you, Jou. Let's go." She brought out her own hand and clasped it around Jou's. Vivi, Sanji, and Usopp and even Dalton were all surprised that Nami even agreed to be carried up a mountain.
"It's a deal," Jou smiled.
Luffy smiled. "Now that's what I'm talking about. Leave it to us!"
-O-
"I can't believe this!" Usopp complained. "Now our Look-out and Navigator are as crazy as our Captain!"
"You know, you're in no shape for a trip like this Nami," Sanji said.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Vivi asked concernedly.
"If it's me and Luffy looking after her, it'll be fine," Jou said. "Nami will be fine."
"Hey, old guy!" Luffy called to Dalton. "Gimme some meat for the road!"
"Meat?" Dalton asked.
"Right!" Sanji said. "I'm coming too!"
"Remember, Luffy?" Usopp said. "You're going to get Nami a Doctor not to go on an adventure and play in the snow!"
"I know, I know!" Luffy said.
"Is it tight enough, Vivi?" Jou asked.
"Just hold still a second," Vivi said, she was tying a cloth around Jou so Nami could stay on his back. "I just need to make sure that this is tight enough."
"Good," Jou nodded. "Cause as of right now, I don't want Nami leaving my side."
"Okay, you're all set," Vivi said. "I'm going to wait for you here. If I came with you guys I'd only get into the way."
"Yep, me too!" Usopp said.
"Now you just hold tight to Jou," Luffy said to Nami. "Okay, Nami?" She said nothing. She had her arms draped over Jou's shoulders.
"Don't worry, I got her," Jou said.
"Oh, and Jou..." Luffy said. "Don't drop Nami."
"I won't," Jou said.
"You better not!" Sanji snapped at Jou.
"I just said I wouldn't!" Jou snapped back.
"I guess your set on going," Dalton said. "I'm not going to try to stop you but I will ask you to at least climb up from the other side. That way you can avoid the Lapahn's that are on this side," Dalton suggested.
"What are Lapahn's?" Jou asked.
"They are fierce carnivorous rabbits," Dalton explained. "If you run into a pack of them, you're as good as dead."
"Huh!?" Said Usopp and Vivi.
"Really?" Luffy asked. "Well, we gotta get up there. We'll be just fine. Right?" He turned to Jou and Sanji.
"Yeah, fine," Sanji said.
"Of course," Jou said, adjusting Nami on his back.
"You can't be serious!?" Dalton reasoned. "Do you know how easily those things can kill you?"
"Nah!" Luffy said and began running with Jou following after with Nami. "Now, hurry it up, Jou and Sanji! Before Nami dies!"
A tick pulse made it's way to Sanji's head. "Don't say stuff like that, you idiot! Do you wanna jinx us!" Shouted Sanji.
"Hahahaha!" Luffy laughed.
"Well boys, let's get up there so that doesn't happen!" Jou said. The three went off on their journey to Doctor Kareha. Dalton, Usopp and, Vivi watched them run off.
"Are you sure they'll be alright?" Asked Dalton.
"Well, it's not really those 3 we need to worry about," Usopp said.
"Nami's the one in trouble," Vivi said. "I just hope her strength can hold out long enough. She's getting sicker by the minute."
Dalton began walking inside his house. He turned back to Vivi and Usopp.
"Why are you standing there?" He asked them. "Come on inside. It's cold out here."
"Oh no, that's really okay," Vivi said. "I want to stay out here."
"Me too!" Usopp said. Even though he was bundled in a snow jacket he was visibly shivering. Dalton only looked at the two until he smiled. He closed the door to his house.
"I see," Dalton said. Vivi and Usopp watched Dalton just sit down cross-legged in the snow. "Well, in that case, I'll join you." He smiled at them. The two were surprised until they both returned smiles to him.
All 3 of them were going to await Luffy, Jou, and Sanji's return to get Nami well again.
-O-
Jou, Luffy, and Sanji were running through the snow toward the mountain where Doctor Kareha is. The snow fell around them as the wind blew.
"It feels like it's gotten a little colder!" Luffy said. "The winds picking up too!"
"So, why don't you think about putting on some real shoes!" Sanji said. "Even seeing your feet like that is painful!"
"No way!" Luffy told him. "This is my police!"
"Your police!?" Sanji asked, raising a brow.
"You mean "policy" right, Captain?" Jou said.
"Yeah, that's it!" Luffy said. Unknown to them, they were being watched.
"So, anyway though..." Luffy said. "People in snow countries never sleep at all."
"Huh? Why?" Sanji said.
"Cause if they do they'll freeze to death," Luffy said.
"Don't be an idiot!" Sanji scolded. "Everyone has to sleep sometime!"
"It's the truth!" Luffy reasoned. "Someone told me a long time ago!" One of the Lapahns Dalton talked about jumped at the 3 but they avoided it.
"Who?" Sanji inquired. "Usopp?"
"It could've been Usopp," Jou said. "Usopp will tell anything to anybody. Whether it's a lie or not."
"No!" Luffy said. "I heard in a pub in my village."
"Alright, then explain this!" Sanji said. "Why does that Dalton guy have a bed for?" Another Lapahn jumped out at them but it missed again biting down on a tree.
"I guess that's a good point," Luffy said. "Maybe it's for when he dies!"
"That's ridiculous!" Sanji said. One the Lapahn's bit down on a tree. The tree started falling down to the group but it lands in front of them.
"Jump, you guys!" Jou said as he and the other two jumped over the fallen tree.
"Okay then..." Sanji said.
"Huh?" Luffy said.
"Did you guys know this?" Sanji began. "Woman in snowy countries have skin that's as smooth as silk."
"How come?" Luffy asked.
"Okay, this I have to hear?" Jou said, shaking his head. "Enlighten us, Sanji? Why do woman in snowy countries have skin as smooth as silk?"
"Isn't it obvious? Here I'll explain." Sanji said. "When you get cold you rub your skin to warm it up, right!?" A few more Lapahns jumped at them but they ended up dodging them. "It's always freezing cold in snowy countries like this when the woman keeps rubbing their skin all the time and so it becomes all white and silky smooth."
"Okay, but how it's white?" Luffy asked.
"Because! The snow!" Sanji said. Lapahns jumped out at them at different directions, each of them dodging a swipe. "It's constantly falling all over. So it dyes their skin all white."
"Geez, you're really dumb!" Luffy said. "Did you know that?"
"Sanji, everything you just said just sounds ridiculous," Jou said.
"Oh yeah?" Sanji said. "Do you know anything that's better?"
"Maybe?" Jou said. "Let's see?" He thought as he ducked under a swipe from a Lapahn. "People in snow countries use frozen ice as weapons."
"Really!?" Luffy asked in surprise.
"How?" Sanji asked.
"Easy, they use icicles as weapons," Jou said. "All they need to do is sharpen them up and then there you go. A makeshift knife."
"Jou, that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard," Sanji said.
"At least mine's more believable than your woman with silky skin story," Jou deadpanned.
"It's true!" Sanji argued. Another Lapahn jumped straight at Sanji but the cook retaliated by kicking the rabbit creature into the air. "YOU'RE BECOMING A PAIN IN MY ASS!"
"Really?" Luffy said. "What was up with that thing?"
"Who cares," Jou said. "The faster we get to the witch doctor the faster we can get Nami help."
"Nami!" Sanji said. "Just hang in there a little bit longer! We're going to get you to a Doctor, alright?"
"Jou, how's Nami?" Luffy asked.
"Hmm?" Jou hummed as he looked over his shoulder to look at Nami. "She seems to be alright." She was still breathing. That was enough for him. As the 3 continued running the snow started to get deeper.
"The snow's getting really deep around here," Observed Luffy.
"Hey, Jou!" Sanji said. "Be more careful with Nami when your running!"
"That's what I'm trying to do!" Jou replied. "By the way, thanks, Mom!" Jou said with sarcasm.
"Shut up!" Sanji snapped angrily. The teens stopped in their tracks and noticed an obstacle in front of them. Well, more like a lot of obstacles. A whole herd of Lapahns was right in front of them. Full grown ones and even babies.
"What are these things?" Sanji asked bewildered.
"Well, they're big and they're white," Luffy said. "So they must be Polar bears?"
"No, they're the Lapahns Dolton warned us about!" Jou said. "Remember, he talked about "carnivorous rabbits"?"
"Hmm?" Luffy thought. "No. I don't remember."
"Yeah, doesn't ring a bell," Sanji said.
"Morons," Jou muttered about his shipmates. One of the adult Lapahns jumped to attack the group.
"LOOK-OUT!" Sanji called in warning.
"Scatter!" Jou called after. They easily evaded the beast that jumped at them. It slammed its large paws into the snow.
"Seriously!?" Sanji said. "How could it move like that!? Is it a gorilla?"
"No!" Luffy argued. "No, it's a polar bear!"
"You both are wrong again!" Jou said. "They're called Lapahns. They're the beast Dalton told us about."
"Oh, yeah, you're right," Sanji said. "Well, there sure are a lot of them!" Luffy stepped up next to Sanji. Nami made a sound like she was trying to speak.
"Hmm?" Jou hummed in question looking behind himself at her.
"Hurry..." Nami managed to say. "Ala-ba..."
"Hey, now..." Jou said calmly. "Stay calm and rest. We're gonna get you help then we can head to Alabasta."
"She's not even worried about her own life," Sanji smiled.
"That's our Navigator," Luffy smiled.
"Just hang in there a little longer, Nami." Said Sanji. "Let's get going. We have to make it to the castle where the Doctor lives and quickly. Move it." Sanji told the Lapahns. "Ya damn bunnies." The rabbit creatures only looked down at them.
"They're coming," Luffy said.
"Yeah," Sanji said. "Jou, don't fight them."
"I know," Jou agreed. "If I tried to fight Nami will get hurt."
"Exactly," Sanji said. "Leave this to me and Luffy."
"OK, I'm counting on you guys to cover me. And Nami." Jou said.
"Of course," Luffy said, cracking his fist. The Lapahn roared and charged with the others. The first Lapahn tried to swipe at Jou. Jou carrying Nami on his back was able to avoid the different strikes that came his way.
"Flanchet Shoot!" Sanji delivered a kick straight into the stomach of the Lapahn. The beast flew backward onto the snow.
"Gum-Gum Pistol!" Luffy rammed his fist straight into the face of the Lapahn knocking it back. Jou ducked a final swing from the Lapahn attacking him and jumped skidding on his feet in the snow.
"Damn!" Sanji cursed. "In this snow, I can't get my footing well enough to land a solid kick!" The other Lapahn's looked down at the two Lapahn that were knocked out by Sanji and Luffy. All of them jumped into the air to attack the Pirates.
"They're attacking all at once!" Luffy warned.
"Let's get the hell out of here!" Jou shouted. He dodged a swipe at the Lapahn attacking him before.
"Jou, head for the forest!" Sanji shouted. "Luffy and I will cover you and Nami!" Jou started running into the forest followed by Luffy and Sanji after dodging a few Lapahn's running for them.
"Which way?!" Luffy asked.
"Go left!" Sanji said. "We'll head to the mountain! We need to get rid of them somehow!"
"We could try to keep fighting!" Luffy suggested.
"That'll take too long!" Jou said.
"It will take us hours to fight them all off!" Sanji said. "But how do we shake them now! For bunnies these guys are tough! We're in trouble!" A Lapahn made it's way next to Jou.
"Uh, guys?" Jou said. "I need some help over here!" Both Luffy and Sanji together punched and kicked the Lapahn down respectively.
"Jou, you and Nami alright?" Luffy asked.
"Yeah, we're good." Jou nodded and adjusted Nami on his back. More ran at them to attack.
"Jou, get going!" Sanji ordered. "Luffy, give Jou and Nami cover!"
"Right!" Luffy said. "C'mon, Jou!"
"Right behind you, Captain!" Jou said. He followed Luffy up to a cliffside of a small mountain.
"We can get up there to escape!" Jou said.
"Yeah," Luffy said. "Sanji!" He called to the Cook who knocked away another Lapahn. "We can go up from here!"
"Right!" Sanji said. "Go on!" A Lapahn jumped out of nowhere and roared at the group.
"Pardon me!" Jou said as he jumped and used the Lapahn as a trampoline. Sanji and Luffy followed as well doing the same. Making it on top the small mountain. They stared back at the horde of snow rabbits all snarling at them.
"Heh!" Luffy stuck his tongue out at them. The whole horde of Lapahn's roared and jumped to attack them.
"Did you really have to taunt them!?" Sanji asked.
"Sorry!" Luffy said.
"Hurry, guys!" Jou shouted. "Head for the mountain! Fast!"
-O-
"Did we lose them?" Luffy shouted over the snow and wind.
"No," Sanji said. "It doesn't look like it."
"All right," Luffy smiled. "I guess we lost 'em, huh?"
"Uh, guys?" Jou said, nodding his head in a direction. Sanji and Luffy followed where he was looking and saw more Lapahn's staring at them from afar.
"They don't give up!" Luffy shrieked in disbelief. The Lapahn's started to hop up and down. "Why are they jumping up and down?"
"Well, they are rabbits..." Jou said. "Rabbits hop."
"But, why are are they?" Luffy wondered. "Maybe they're grouchy because they're hungry?"
"I don't think so?" Sanji said but realized. "Wait a second?" Sanji's eyes widened in horror. "Don't tell me? Oh no?!" His cigarette dropped right of his mouth. "Geez, they've really done it now." Everything started to shake which was being caused by the Lapahns.
"I just about asked why you were so worried, Sanji?" Jou said. "But now I know what they were jumping."
"Yeah, and it isn't good." Sanji grimaced.
"What?" Luffy asked. "What are you talking about? What isn't good? What's going on with the bunnies?"
"We gotta run, Luffy, Jou!" Sanji said.
"I know!" Jou said.
"We're running again?" Luffy asked.
"Anywhere!" Sanji said. "As long as it's far away from here!"
Why?!" Asked Luffy.
"It's an avalanche!" Jou said. "We gotta go!"
"Yep!" Sanji agreed. "Run!" Behind them was a giant mass of snow and rocks rapidly making its way toward them. Luffy screamed as he ran with Jou and Sanji.
"Damn those stupid overgrown bunnies!" Sanji cursed. "I'm gonna kill 'em!"
"How do we get away from all this snow!?" Luffy shouted.
"Just run for now!" Jou yelled. "That's the only plan we have right now!"
"All I know is the first priority is Nami! The second priority is Nami! And the third priority is Nami!" Sanji listed. "Got that, you guys! Protect her even if it kills you!"
"That's a plan I can understand!" Jou said as he was the one carrying Nami.
"Me too!" Luffy said.
"The snow's coming down way too fast!" Jou said. "I really don't want any of us getting buried here!" Looking around, Sanji saw a cliff sticking out of the snow. "Sanji! Whaddya got!"
"Over there!" Sanji pointed. "Head for that cliff!"
"Why?" Luffy questioned.
"Just run!" Sanji ordered. "We need to get as high as we possibly can!"
"It's our best bet!" Jou called out. "Here it comes!" Jou, Luffy, and Sanji ran as fast as their legs could carry them to avoid the approaching snow. They needed to hurry or else the snow will become their grave. When they were halfway there they all leaped up and managed to avoid the snow. They all landed on the cliff safely with no trouble.
"Good," Sanji said. "We made it up here just in time." As soon as that comment was said more snow made it's way to them, their cliff was not high enough to avoid the avalanche. "Oh no! We aren't high up enough!"
The snow quickly made an impact on the group of teens. All three screamed as they were blown off the cliff.
"Oh, crud!" Jou yelled as he was in the air. "This isn't good!"
"I know!" Said Luffy was right next to Jou. "Now what?"
"Uh...?" Jou said looking around. During the avalanche, he caught sight of some falling trees. "Bingo!" He nodded. "Yo, Luffy! Use your powers to grab hold of one of those trees! We can use it as a sled!"
"Oh, right!" Luffy nodded. "Good idea!" Luffy threw his arm to one of the trees and was able to grasp it. He grabbed Jou and Nami and got them over and onto the tree.
"Perfect!" Jou said with relief but realized. "Hold up! We don't have Sanji with us!"
"Where is he!?" Luffy said and looked around for the blonde cook. Jou looked around as well. After turning around in different directions he saw Sanji screaming as he was being carried away by the snow.
"There he is!" Jou pointed. "Get him quick!"
"Sanji!" Luffy shouted. "Grab a hold!" He grabbed Sanji's hand pulling him out of the snow and onto the tree.
"Thanks for that, guys!" Sanji said.
"No problem!" Jou said
"Yeah, sure!" Luffy said. "But what now!? Even if we don't sink in the snow we're just gonna keep flying down this mountain unless we do something about it!"
"No way!" Sanji said. "I'm never gonna let that happen! We've come all this way and we were almost to the base of the mountain just feet away from the Doctor!"
"This is just gonna take us longer to get the Doctor at this rate!" Jou said. "This was my idea to grab the tree but it was the only thing I can think of at the moment!"
"This is all because of those damn bunnies!" Sanji cursed. "Next time I see them I'm gonna turn them into a big bowl of stew!"
"Oh, rabbit stew!" Luffy said in awe. "That sounds good!" Around the trio, the Lapahns appeared also sliding down the mountain on tree's as well.
"Who knew rabbits could be quite skilled!" Jou gulped. One of the Lapahns jumped at the group and swiped at them. A few more made more attacks on them making them dodge.
"What do we do!?" Luffy panicked.
"The only thing we can do at the moment!" Sanji said.
"Oh yeah!?" Jou asked. "And what's that!?"
"SLIDE FASTER!" Sanji Added. The pirates kept their pace down the mountain with more of the Lapahns slashing at them. "What is their problem!? Seriously!?"
Jou and Luffy each ducked a swipe from a Lapahn. Sanji avoided the razor-sharp teeth of another.
"I really hate to be the bearer of bad news but there's something blocking our way!" Jou yelled. There was a big rock sticking out of the snow and the pirates on the tree were on a collision course into it.
"AAGH!" Screamed Luffy. "A ROCK! WE'RE GONNA CRASH!" They kept speeding down the mountain all the snow trailing behind them with all the Lapahns on their tail as well.
"If we crash into that rock we're toast!" Jou thought. "Luffy's in front so he could see if he can punch it or maybe we could jump over it! No! That wouldn't work! This tree is the only thing keeping us up and out of the avalanche! I don't know!? Maybe-"
"Jou, get down!" Sanji shouted.
"Huh, why?" Jou wondered.
"Just do it!" Sanji ordered.
"O-Okay!" Jou ducked himself down.
"Guys, what do we do!?" Luffy asked unsurely. Instantly, Sanji used his foot to punt Luffy straight into the air Luffy went flying off the tree.
"WHOAH!" Screamed Luffy. "JOU! NAMI! SANJI!" He screamed as he went flying.
"Wha-! Sanji, why did you do that!?" Jou shouted in confusion. "Why did you-!?" Jou stopped as Sanji grabbed Jou by his winter jacket and threw him into the air. "Wait! Sanji!"
"Ladies get treated gently!" Sanji said with a smile. "You know that, right Jou? So, take good care of her!"
"SANJI!" Jou shouted as he watched Sanji crash right into the rock and go flying off into the avalanche with all the Lapahns. Jou was airborne in the sky as he watched all the snowfall to where Sanji and all the Lapahns were.
"Jou!" Luffy shouted.
"Luffy!?" Jou said looking around. He saw Luffy hanging from a cliff.
"Here, grab hold!" Luffy threw his arm over to Jou. He grabbed Luffy's arm as he was pulled toward him.
"Luffy!" Jou said. "You gotta grab Sanji! And quick!"
"Where is he!?" Luffy asked.
"Still down there!" Jou said nodding his head over in that direction where the snow was falling.
"I see him!" Luffy said. "Here! Climb me and get on the cliff!"
"Fine!" Jou said. With Nami on his back, he climbed right over Luffy to get onto the cliff.
"Sanji!" Luffy shouted to the Cook. "Next time you do something like that!? Warn me!" He stretched his arm over to Sanji to grab his hand. But instead, he grabbed one of Sanji's snow gloves. "Sanji!" Luffy shouted in fright.
"Oh no..." Jou had a look of fear on his face.
"SANJI!" Screamed both Luffy and Jou.
-O-
The avalanche has finally ended. Luffy was still hanging from the cliff as Jou along with Nami were on it already. Luffy climbed on the cliff with his Look-out and sick Navigator. Jou untied the cloth around his body that kept him and Nami together and laid her down on the cliff, her head resting in his lap.
"Jou, how's Nami?" Luffy asked. "Is she alright?"
"I think so?" Jou said. "I'm letting her rest a bit from all that commotion." He looked out toward the snow. "But, Sanji..." He saw Luffy begin to take off his jacket and put it over Nami. "Luffy? What are you doing? You'll freeze without that!" Jou argued.
"Nami's cold," Luffy said. "She need's it more than I do right now."
"Sure, but..." Jou said.
"I'll be right back," Luffy said. "I'm gonna go find Sanji."
"Let me come with you," Jou said. "I can help you find him."
"No!" Luffy said. "Right now, someone needs to look after Nami and that job is yours, Jou. Remember? You promised her you'd get her up the mountain and that's what your gonna do, right?"
Jou's eyes widened at his Captain as he brought his eyes over to Nami. He gave Luffy a nod.
"Aye, Captain," Jou said.
"Good," Luffy said. "Nami, I'm sure you're cold but just hang in there a little longer." Luffy took off his straw hat and placed it on Nami's body. "Listen, hang onto this for me. Jou's looking after you right now. I'll be right back, okay?" Luffy jumped into the snow to search for Sanji leaving Jou and Nami.
"Nami, once Luffy finds Sanji..." Jou said. "We'll all find that Doctor together. I... I don't think live with myself if something happened to you. So just hang on... for me." Jou's eyes widened at what he just said.
"Did I just say that out loud?" Jou said. "I mean, I care about Nami. I really do... but, could I possibly have...?" Jou thought as he stared down at Nami.
-O-
Covered in the snow, there was a small lump trying to push its way out of it. Jou, Nami tied to his back stepped up to it. He reached into the snow and pulled out a Lapahn baby by its fur. The baby shivered in Jou's grasp until it finally noticed him. He and the baby both stared at each other. The small Lapahn seemed afraid that then it growled at him showing its teeth to show it was not afraid, Jou didn't react, he only gave it a blank stare.
He softly dropped it in the snow and walked with Nami on his back. The baby Lapahn seemed to want to attack him but instead calmed itself down and looked over and saw a large paw sticking out of the snow. It crawled up to it and tried to pull it out. The Lapahn that was stuck was most likely its parent.
The more it tried to pull the parent out, it just couldn't do it. It tried digging with its paws became too cold. It cried as it was trying dig out the parent. He heard footsteps and saw Luffy with Sanji draped over his own back.
The little Lapahn stood to stand guard and tried to look menacing towards Luffy. Luffy kept walking and stopped in front of the Lapahn staring at it. The baby kept glaring as it stood guard of the large paw of the parent.
Jou walked up next to Luffy. Both stared at the Lapahn baby as it snarled at them both. They both reached toward the baby as it braced itself and covered its head. The Lapahn baby opened its eyes and saw that they pulled its parent out together, one holding each arm. The baby's face brightened up in a smile.
Jou and Luffy started walking away. The pulled out Lapahn was watching the two Pirates walk away as its child hugged it. The Pirates each carrying a crewmate spot the castle.
"Luffy... there it is," Jou said. "We're almost halfway there."
"Yeah," Luffy said. "Nami, Sanji... we'll get you there, don't worry. You just stay alive. Both of you."
"FOUND YOU!" An angered voice shouted. "Now, I'll make you pay, you damn Straw Hat's!" Stopping right in front of them on their white Wooly Hippo was Wapol, Chess, and Kuromarimo.
"What the...?" Luffy said. "Who're you guys?"
"Dammit..." Jou cursed. "They're those guys we ran into before we found this place."
"I've had enough of you Straw-hats!" Shouted Wapol. "I'm getting rid of you for good this time! I'm gonna chew you into little pieces and then spit you out!"
"Move it!" Luffy said.
"Yeah..." Jou said. "Get outta the way."
"Heh, I don't think so!" Wapol said. "Why would I wanna do that? I have no intention of making it easy for you two and those half-dead friends to get away from here!"
"Tch, jackass..." Jou muttered. "Luffy? C'mon, let's just go ignore them and go around them."
"Yeah," Luffy agreed as he and Jou started walking around them.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Chess yelled at them.
"Ah, got it," Wapol said. "Hey, Chess! I thought of a new law to celebrate my return! Write this down! Anyone who ignores the King will be executed!" He pointed right at Luffy and Jou as they kept walking away through the snow. "Those four are guilty! Chess! Kuromarimo! I want them punished immediately! Deal with the 2 unconscious ones first since they're ignoring me the most!"
Both Chess and Kuromarimo jumped into the air to attack.
"What did he say!?" Luffy growled. Chess and Kuromarimo ran at Luffy and Jou.
"I got the woman on that one's back!" Chess said as he was going to Jou and Nami.
"I'll take the man!" Said Kuromarimo as he was going after Sanji. The puffball's around Kuromarimo's hands grew spikes out of it. "Prepare for Marimo's Surprise!" He went to punch Sanji on Luffy's back. Luffy dodged quickly to avoid Sanji being hit.
Chess fires an arrow at Jou. Jou quickly evaded it to avoid Nami being it.
"Luffy, we can't fight!" Jou said.
"I know!" Luffy said irritated.
"I know it sucks!" Jou said. "But, right now we need to look after Nami and Sanji. C'mon, run!" Luffy followed Jou to where the mountain was.
"You're gonna regret this later!" Luffy shouted at the assailants. "Don't follow us!"
"What cowards," Chess said. "It's no use!" He fired a few more arrows at the two. They both managed to evade them even by carrying their friends on their backs.
"It's time they learned..." Wapol said. "What a battle in the snow is like."
-O-
Luffy and Jou kept dashing through the snow. Luffy looked over his shoulder to check if they were being followed.
"Huh, there's no one?" Luffy said.
"Great," Jou said. "Now that we have no more interruption's we can finally get to the Doctor." Looking ahead the two caught sight of a pair of teeth in the snow. It was Wapol who chomped at the both of them.
Luffy and Jou dodged at the same time, jumping backward. Then, from either side, Chess and Kuromarimo were ready to attack from the air.
"Here's what a snow battle is really like!" Kuromarimo said. "Snow Powder Maker! The White Disguise!"
"Those two are so incredibly weak that just one shot should be enough!" Chess said aiming an arrow at Nami while Kuromarimo was going to attack Sanji.
"Now it's CHECKMATE!" Wapol's servant's said together.
"Dammit!" Jou cursed.
"NOOOOOO!" Luffy screamed. Appearing out of nowhere were 2 Lapahn that used their paws to swat Chess and Kuromarimo.
"The Lapahn...?" Jou said confused.
"Are they... helping us?" Luffy wondered.
"I'm... not sure?" Jou said.
"LAPAHN'S!?" Wapol shouted.
"Did those things just protect them...?" Kuromarimo said.
"That's impossible!" Chess said. "Lapahn's never formed bonds with humans! They're nothing more than wild beasts!" One of the Lapahn turned around to look at both Jou and Luffy. It seemed familiar as they stared back at it.
"It's that the Lapahn that we helped...?" Jou said to Luffy.
"It is," Luffy nodded. "There's no mistaking it."
"Then, that means...?" Jou said as he looked at the baby Lapahn clinging to the adult Lapahns back. It was the same one he pulled out before. Jou and the baby stared at one another. The adult Lapahn and the baby both flexed as if they were showing respect for helping them.
"Thanks a bunch!" Luffy smiled. "You guys saved us!" He started running.
"Yeah," Jou nodded with a grin. "We're grateful for the help! Thank you!" He started running off after Luffy.
"DON'T THINK YOU'VE ESCAPED YET!" Wapol shouted after the two. "ONCE I GET MY BROTHER YOU'LL ALL WILL BE DEAD MEAT!" More Lapahn appeared ready to protect Luffy and Jou as the two kept running.
"Did that big mouth just say he has a brother?" Luffy said.
"Yeah, I wonder he's like?" Jou said. "Anyway, hurry, Luffy! The Lapahns gave us a chance! Let's not waste it!"
"Yeah!" Agreed Luffy. "Hang on, Nami and Sanji!"
-O-
The 2 have finally made it to the mountain. With them finally, next to it, they get a good view of how tall it is. It was so tall you could say it reached up into the sky with how high up it was.
"This is it..." Luffy said looking up.
"Yeah..." Jou said also eyeing the mountain. "It's a lot taller up close."
"But the Doctor's up there," Luffy said sounding determined. "So we gotta climb it."
"Right," Jou gulped but narrowed his eyes.
"You got Nami, right Jou?" Luffy asked.
"Of course," Jou said. "I promised I'd get her up there. And I'm the kind of guy that honors my promises." Jou tightened the cloth around himself to make sure Nami was secure on his back.
"Alright, Nami and Sanji," Luffy said. "It's just a little further to go."
"Sanji isn't tied to you though..." Jou said. "How are you gonna...?" He saw Luffy put Sanji's coat in his mouth. "I guess that works."
"You know how to climb, Jou?" Luffy muffled.
"Yeah, used to climb mountains all the time with my Mom and a friend of mine," Jou said. "Not as tall as this though." Luffy nodded and took his sandals off and started climbing.
Jou nodded his head and began climbing as well still wearing his boots. He followed just a bit behind Luffy as they started clambering up. The wind and snow blowing in just from the side of them made it a bit hard but they still kept at it.
Jou, still had Luffy's winter coat still draped over Nami's shoulders until it got blown off by the wind.
"Jou!" Luffy screamed over the wind. "You still following!"
"Right behind you!" Jou called back. Each of the 2 struggled to climb the mountain. A lot of it was slick from all the snow so it was hard to get a good grip on the rock. Jou wasn't wearing snow gloves, just his black fingerless ones. He was not gonna lie but his hands were pretty cold. However, that wasn't gonna stop him from getting help for Nami.
Luffy still seemed to struggle too. As he climbed nice and steady up the mountain. His bare feet helped him gain more footing on the slick rock. He went to grab the surface of the rock and then scrapped his fingertips against it. Luffy screamed as it happened.
"Luffy!" Jou shouted worriedly. When Luffy screamed he opened his mouth and dropped Sanji from it. "Oh no! Sanji!" Jou shouted.
"SANJI!" Luffy shouted as he stretched his neck to catch the cook. He was thankfully fast enough to catch Sanji before the inevitable happened. "That was a close one." Luffy muffled as he held Sanji's coat by his teeth.
"Phew!" Jou breathed a sigh of relief. "You good, Captain? You got Sanji?"
"Yeah, I got him," Luffy said retracting his head back to his body. "It's okay! Keep going!"
"Okay!" Jou nodded and kept climbing up the rock.
-O-
The climb was still on for Jou and Luffy. Luffy had frostbite all over the entirety of his body. The tips of Jou's fingers were rather pink as well from the cold but that didn't stop him. It didn't stop either of them.
Luffy lost his grip and started down the mountain. Blood was trailing as he slid as he scraped them against the rock. He managed to stop himself.
"Luffy!" Jou yelled for his Captain. Luffy looked down at the bottom and looked at his Look-out.
"I'm okay, Jou!" He growled. "Just keep climbing!" Jou took his Captain's word for it and kept climbing up. This was the only way to get Nami well and in doing this he had to keep climbing.
Jou used every ounce of strength he had in him. No matter how much the wind blew he was still on his way up the mountain with his Captain in tow. It was at this time, with how hard the wind was blowing it blew Jou's blue beanie right off his head. With luck, he managed to catch it before it flew off.
In catching his beanie, Jou started sliding down the mountain.
"Jou!" Luffy shouted after him as Jou slid past him. Jou grit his teeth to fight down a yell as he scrapped his own fingers against the rock. Thinking quickly, he reached for one of his kunai hanging from his right side in a pouch. He quickly pulled out the kunai and jammed into the rock.
He hung from only his kunai blade from the rock.
"Jou!" Called Luffy. "Are you and Nami okay?"
"We're good!" Jou called up. "Don't worry about me! Go!" Luffy took his word for it and kept climbing. Jou placed his beanie in his mouth. His straight brown hair blowing in the cold wind. Now, using his kunai blade as makeshift climbing gear to get himself up the mountain.
He still followed behind Luffy as he climbed. Jou's brown-eyes filled with determination to get Nami up the mountain.
"Nami..." Jou breathed. It was a bit hard with all the wind blowing. "I promised you I'd get up the mountain. Even if it's the last thing I do. I can't let you die. I... I won't ever let that happen. I care about you too much." Jou growled as he brought himself another step up the mountain.
Jou, as he climbed, brought himself to thinking in his own thoughts.
"I can't believe I just that out loud? It's almost like I'm pouring my heart out to her?" Jou thought. "Though, when I think about? Lately, I have been thinking about Nami a lot. I even sometimes can't help but stare at her. I sometimes feel butterflies in my stomach and my heart pounds whenever I gaze at her. I even have this sudden urge to protect her whenever we get into danger. I admire her too. She's confident and also brave when she wants to be. She's smart, she's kind, and can be gentle as well. She's fun to be around and if I'm being honest she's... beautiful. I remember thinking that about her back on Cocoyashi. I admit, I sometimes can't take my eyes off of her."
Jou thinking all of these thoughts thought of a very logical conclusion as to why he thinking about all of this.
"I see it all clearly now..." Thought Jou. "I can't believe I have been blind to it all this time. I mean, I've always known, I just haven't had time to really think about it. I... I have feelings for Nami."
Jou looked behind himself to look at Nami. She was still breathing. Her face flushed from her sickness. Just staring at her gave Jou more strength to help her. The girl he cares deeply for up this mountain to the Doctor.
Since he was stuck in his thoughts he didn't realize how far he managed to get up the mountain. He was almost to the top. Luffy made it right before he did. Luffy placed Sanji on the flat surface and reached his hand out.
"Jou!" Luffy screamed. "Take my hand!"
Jou hurried and climbed up high enough so he can reach his Captain. He used his free hand to reach up and grab Luffy's hand. They grasped hands as Luffy struggled to pull both Jou and Nami up.
Jou and Nami finally made on the top of the mountain. Jou fell on his face next to Luffy. Nami was laying on Jou's back. Jou placed his blue beanie back on his head and brought his head up to look at his Captain. Luffy had frostbite all over his body. Jou didn't look too bad though his face was a bit blue and his fingertips on his left hand were bleeding.
"Heh heh..." Jou laughed. "We made it, Luffy."
"Yeah," Luffy nodded tiredly. "We made it, Jou."
"See that, Sanji..." Jou looked at Sanji who was still unconscious. "And Nami..." He stared at Nami from behind him. "We... made it." Jou finally collapsed. He past out from exhaustion. His face falling into the snow.
Luffy watched Jou tumble over. The straw hat then turned his head to a giant white castle. It's white appearance went well with the snow of the Winter Island.
"We're here..." Luffy breathed. "Doctor..." Luffy himself finally fell over unconscious next to Jou.
-O-
"The both of them climbed this mountain?" Kureha, the witch doctor said. "That's almost 3 miles of sheer rock to go up!?" She looked down at Luffy. "His entire body is on the brink of frostbite. What was he thinking dressing up like that for such a climb? Draw some hot water and throw him into it."
Her reindeer assistant Chopper opened up Sanji's shirt. He examined his wounds.
"This guy is bleeding a whole lot," Chopper said. "He has 6 broken and a spinal fissure." He said drawing his small hooves across Sanji's body. "Can I operate on him, Doctorine?"
"Hey, Chopper?" Kureha said. "Come take a look at this one over here." She nodded her head to Jou.
"Him?" Chopper said. He kneeled down to check Jou out. "He looks okay but..." Chopper picked up Jou's left hand with his hooves. "The tips of his fingers are bleeding pretty badly. He scraped them against the rock."
"Put some antibiotic cream on them and then bandage them up," Kureha said. She picked up Nami off of Jou's back and examined her.
"Apparently the most critical of our 4 patients is this girl," Kureha said. "This one's dying."
"Does she have an infection?" Chopper asked.
"Yes," Kureha answered. "And the infection isn't from anywhere on this island." A hand grabbed Doctor Kureha's arm. Both she and Chopper saw it was Luffy. "Don't worry, boy!" She told Luffy. "I'll make the bleeding kid, the boy with the hurt fingers, and the sick girl better. You can rest easy, alright?"
"Th-th-those 3 are my friends, o-okay?" Luffy shivered through his words. Chopper's eyes widened at what Luffy said. Friends.
"I figured that kid..." Kureha said. "I'll save them so don't worry. Chopper! Let's begin treatment!"
It's a long one. Well, it's the least I can do for being away from this story for a while. Hope everyone liked it. Musshuru is still gonna appear but that's gonna be when Wapol arrives at the castle.
I tried to incorporate him when Wapol and his cohorts attacked Luffy but I didn't do it so he'll appear a bit later.
Now, then, reviews...
Hawkeye: And Chopper is here! I love his little happy dance when someone compliments him! Chopper man episodes, huh? I'm actually not sure. So we'll have to see about that.
Drakedragon297: Hold up! Wait a minute! I need to find Jou so he can read this! Jou! Jou, come here!
Jou: What do you want, Author?
Here, come and read Drake's review.
Jou: *reads review* O_O Jou's expression after reading)
By the way, Jou. In the story, you have now finally realized you have feelings for Nami so I think it's time you go and confess to her.
Jou: I... I... * sigh* I need a drink.
pokemonking0924: Glad you liked that little talk they had. Jou and Musshuru are definitely gonna have their fight.
JackofBlades2000: Jou did react a little bit and yeah the villagers were only scared plus they had a run-in with Blackbeard.
Jou: Wait! Wait! Wait! Who's Blackbeard!?
An awful, despicable person.
ShadowUzumaki55: I think it'll be a while until the Straw hat's head back to East Blue. Though, when Jou and Nami do get together they are going to have a date.
Jou is fighting Musshuru from movie 9. It's mainly because I want to Jou to fight someone since he spent half the time on Little Garden on the wax cake.
Hopefully, Jou and Ran's meeting will as amusing to you as it will be for me!
Jou: Excuse while I contemplate on my life and decisions...
Reggielive101: I'm really glad you enjoy it. I hope I'm doing a good job with the romance. The amnesia thing was a suggestion from a reviewer. Can't remember who said it though...
Speaking of personal arcs, Jou will have two of them. The first one will be right after the Skypiea Arc and the other will be sometime during the time skip. Hope you continue to read on!
1jesus: Glad you like it. A High School of the Dead story? I mean, I could. That's a pretty good anime. The OC paired with Rei Miyamoto? That seems doable since I could pair up Takashi and Saeko. Well, we'll have to see if I do it in the future. Thank you.
Okay, hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. And Jou finally realizing his feelings for Nami as he climbed the mountain. Now, I wouldn't say he's in love with her or anything but it'll get there.
Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter.
I'll see you guys next time.
Later!