Ch. 37- Nami Falls Ill

One Piece © Oda

Blizzard, Monkey D. Aika, Kumi, Kovar, and Monkey D. Star © Me

Shade © Gakuto1991

"Luffy actually guessed who the real one was based on instinct?!" Usopp questioned.

"You know...I'm almost not surprised," Nami smiled.

"That moron," Zoro grinned. "He may not look it, but he can be pretty smart, sometimes."

"Yes, indeed!" Brook agreed.

"Sometimes, I think he's got better instincts than me," said Blizzard.

However, the Straw Hats' conversation was soon interrupted by the thunderous sound of Brogy, bawling his eyes out, forcing them to cover their ears. Luffy, Past Nami, and Vivi weren't too far off, either. In fact, Brogy was crying so much, he practically made a giant lake with his tears and there was even a rainbow in the sky.

"Even his tears are huge!" Past Nami groaned as she held her hands over her ears.

"They're like a waterfall!" Past Zoro added, not bothering to cover his ears at all.

"Look at that!" Luffy exclaimed. "It's a rainbow!"

"Urrgh...my ears...!" Vivi winced while Carue quacked in agreement.

"I know how Brogy feels...!" Past Usopp sniffled.

"Why was Mister Brogy crying?!" Aika asked. "He's alive, right?!"

"He's alive," Usopp started, "but he really thought that Dorry was killed!"

"Wait...was killed?" Franky repeated. "What are you talkin' about-"

All of a sudden...Dorry just sat up, much to everyone (except for the present incarnations of the ones who were there) to gape in shock.

"Urrrgh..." Dorry groaned. "I guess I passed out, there..."

"Dorry?!" Brogy asked with tears forming in his eyes, again...this time of joy rather than loss. "But...but how can this be?!"

"Dorry!" Vivi cheered.

"Pops, you're okay!" Luffy exclaimed.

"EEEEEEEEEEEHH?!" Chopper questioned. "HE'S ALIVE!"

"But how is that possible?!" Aika asked.

"Guuuh...it...it must have been the weapons," said Dorry, as if to answer her question.

"The...the weapons?" asked Past Usopp as he wiped his tears away. "Oh...I get it, now!"

"Even weapons forged in Elbaph get worn out," Dorry explained, "in a battle between giants that last a whole century!"

"Thank the heavens for that," Brook said.

"Yeah, I'm glad that Mr. Dorry is okay," Aika smiled.

"Yeah...me, too...!" Franky sniffled.

"I never doubted Dorry for a second," Usopp said. "After all, he is a mighty warrior of Elbaph!"

"...You were screaming, just like Luffy was," Nami pointed out.

"Hey!" Usopp shouted while the others laughed.

"This is amazing...!" Past Usopp whispered. "It's truly a miracle!"

"...Yeah," Luffy smiled while Past Zoro chuckled.

"Gebababababa!" laughed Brogy as he tightly hugged Dorry. "I'm so glad you're alive, my old friend!"

"Gegyagyagya..." chucked Dorry with tears in his eyes, despite still being in pain. "Please, Brogy...don't hug so hard. My wound still hurts, you know."

"What miracle?" asked Past Zoro. "Your weapons hadn't been cared for over the last century and neither have their owners."

"That's true," Chopper said. "I guess it's because of that Brogy wasn't able to land a fatal blow on Dorry, after all. Thank goodness for that."

"Shishishishishi!" Aika giggled. "Yeah, good for them! Mr. Brogy and Mr. Dorry look so happy!"

"Gebababababa!" laughed Brogy. "What a glorious day! I give thanks to the great Gods of Elbaph!"

"Hmph!" Dorry scoffed. "Are you that proud of yourself for just knocking me out?"

"Fool!" Brogy replied as he gave Dorry a friendly punch in the arm. "That's not what I meant!"

"Ouch!" cried Dorry. "You hit my wound, Brogy! That hurts!"

Soon, the two were standing up and glaring at each other.

"You looking for a fight this time?!" Brogy questioned.

"Maybe I am!" Dorry yelled. "This time, I'll be the one to knock YOU out!"

"YOU'RE AT IT AGAIN?!" Past Nami questioned while Luffy just laughed.

"I guess even if best friends fight," Kumi began, "they're still best friends in the end. In a way, they're like Zoro and Sanji!"

"We are not best friends!" Zoro and Sanji barked.

"Ha!" Franky laughed. "Sounds like something best friends would say to me!"

"They won't admit it," Nami smirked, "but they really do care for each other."

Robin chuckled in amusement. "Yes, they do."

A little while later, the group was back at Dorry's "house", with Dorry himself leaning against the giant fossil with his torso wrapped up in bandages.

"Gebabababa!" laughed Brogy. "You little people saved our lives. We want to repay you."

"Gegyagyagyagya!" cackled Dorry. "We completely forgot about the bounty on our heads!"

"They were pirates?" asked Chopper.

"Oh, yeah!" Usopp answered. "Dorry and Brogy were both captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates! But...because of their duel, they kind of haven't got back to being with their crew since they started fighting. Some of them are actually still out there, thinking they either died or got lost."

"Wow," Aika said. "I wonder if they know that they're okay."

"Well...two of them know, now, at least," said Usopp. "Kashi and Oimo."

"Kashi and Oimo?" Aika repeated.

"Who are those guys?" asked Blizzard.

"You'll see later on," Usopp replied.

"...They only came to this island because of me," said Vivi, rubbing her arm in guilt, but Past Nami suddenly pinched her on her cheek. "O-ow! Nami!"

"Stop with the self-blaming crap," Past Nami said.

"Yeah, don't blame yourself, Vivi," said Past Usopp, munching on a rice cracker along with Luffy and Carue. "Here, have a rice cracker."

"Yeah, they're good," Luffy replied.

"Where did you guys get those?" Past Nami asked.

"Here, Nami, have one!" Luffy said as he held out to the navigator, who sighed before she smiled and took it from him. "My point is, Vivi...no one here is mad at you, so don't go thinking we are, okay?"

"How sweet of you, Miss Nami," said Brook.

"Yeah...thanks for cheering her up," Sanji smiled.

"Well, I had to," Nami said. "After all...I kinda knew how she was feeling, considering what I've been through."

"I see," Robin smiled. "No wonder you and her connected so well."

"Yeah," Nami smiled back.

"All right, you guys!" Luffy called out. "Let's have a rice cracker party!"

"Yeah!" Past Usopp cheered. "Hey, Nami! Do a dance for us!"

"Hell no, you perv!" Past Nami yelled before she smacked the sniper on the head.

"Ow!" Past Usopp cried.

"Hahahahahaha!" Luffy laughed. "Wow, Usopp! Your eyes almost came outta your head!"

"Moron..." Past Nami muttered.

"Hey, Nami! Smack him again!" Luffy said.

"That Luffy," Blizzard said. "Always trying to have fun wherever he can."

"Shishishishi!" Aika giggled. "That's my Big Brother for you!"

"Doesn't it take a year for the Log Pose to set here?" asked Past Zoro. "If that's the case, we're in trouble."

"We are indeed, small swordsman," said Brogy.

"Isn't there anything you big guys can do for us?" Luffy asked.

"Are you kidding?" asked Dorry. "Even we can't control a Log Pose, boy!"

"Then...how are we going to get back to Alabasta...?" Vivi asked, worriedly.

"Ah, don't worry, Vivi," Luffy grinned. "We'll work it, one way or another!"

"Nami~! Vivi~! Thank goodness you're both safe! ...Oh, and you idiots, too."

"Oh, no..." Zoro muttered as he saw Past Sanji enter the scene.

"And cue the Eternal Knight of Love, saving the day," Sanji smirked.

"Oh! Hey, Sanji!" Luffy greeted.

"You jackass!" Past Usopp yelled. "Where the hell were you when you needed you most?!"

That's when Past Sanji's eyes fell upon Dorry and he gawked comically in shock.

"What the-?!" he questioned. "Is this guy, Mr. 3?!"

"No," Luffy replied. "His name's Dorry."

"Oh," Past Sanji muttered.

"Wait a minute!" Past Nami said. "Sanji, how'd you know about Mr. 3?!"

"Ooh!" Past Sanji chirped with hearts in his eye. "Nami, you look good!"

SMACK! Past Nami slapped him across the face at that statement.

"...Uh..." Sanji muttered before he chuckled nervously while Nami glared at him. "My bad."

"It is a rather good look for you, Miss Nami," Brook noted, only for both Nami and Sanji to smack him in the skull.

"SHUT UP, YOU PERV!" they both yelled.

"OW!" Brook cried. "Yohohoho! How HARSH!"

"Huh?" Chopper muttered as he took a closer look at Past Nami's stomach...or rather, at the odd-looking bruise near her navel. "Nami...what happened to you there?"

"...Oh, right," Nami said. "That was where I got that weird bug bite. I thought it was nothing at first, but...well, you know what happened next."

"...Oh..." Chopper realized.

"Wait, what do you mean?" asked Aika. "What happened to you, Big Sis Nami?"

"You're gonna see soon enough, honey," said Nami.

After a while, Past Sanji explained where he had been all this time.

"What?!" Vivi questioned. "You talked with Mr. 0, himself?!"

"That's right," said Past Sanji. "He thought I was Mr. 3."

"And you told him that we were all dead?!" Vivi asked.

"Yep," Past Sanji said, proudly. "That's pretty much what I told him."

"Well, Baroque Works may be off our trail, for now," said Past Usopp, "but we're still stuck on this miserable island!"

"Stuck?" Past Sanji asked before he held up an Eternal Pose. "What do you mean, 'stuck'? Why would we be marooned here now that we have this?"

Everyone gaped in disbelief at what he was holding, causing Past Sanij to sweatdrop.

"Uh...did I miss something?" he asked.

"That's an Eternal Pose to Alabasta!" Past Nami exclaimed, wearing Past Sanji's jacket to cover up her exposed upper torso. "Sanji, you found one!"

"That means we can get outta here!" Past Usopp cheered.

"YAHOO!" Luffy hollered. "Way to go, Sanji!"

"Oh, Sanji, thank you!" Vivi exclaimed as she hugged Past Sanji. "I almost lost hope!" She then gave him a big kiss on his cheek, causing him to blush as red as a tomato and steam to come out of his ears.

"...Uh...no problem...!" Past Sanji slurred with hearts in his eye, again. "Just doing what I can to help...!"

"Aww, that's so cute!" Aika and Kumi cooed.

"Haa..." Sanji sighed, pleasantly. "Such bliss..."

"To be kissed by a princess," Brook said. "I must say, I'm quite jealous of you, Mister Sanji!"

"Yeah, kudos to you, bro!" Franky added with a thumbs-up.

"All right!" Luffy exclaimed as he held up some more rice crackers. "Rice cracker party time!"

"Hey, wait a minute!" Past Usopp called. "We only got three rice crackers!"

"The party can wait, Captain," said Past Nami, although she still took a rice cracker, anyway. "We need to leave, now, while there's not a moment to lose!"

"By the way, Moss-head," said Past Sanji. "You didn't forget about our hunting contest, did you?"

"Oh, that?" asked Past Zoro. "Yeah, I won. I bagged a giant rhino with three horns."

"A rhino, huh?" Past Sanji repeated. "I hope it's edible."

"Wait, what hunting contest?" asked Chopper.

"Oh, yeah," said Zoro. "The cook and I had a little competition to see who could bag the biggest animal on the island? I found a rhino with three horns and I think the cook found some puny lizard."

"Puny?!" Sanji repeated. "It was huge! Even bigger than your big, fat head!"

"...Zoro, when you say 'rhino with three horns'," said Robin, "I think you really meant a triceratops."

"Triceratops, rhino," Zoro shrugged, "it's the same difference."

"Hey, you giant guys!" Luffy said as he put his hat on his head. "We gotta go now!"

"Oh?" Broggy asked. "You all seem to be in a hurry."

"While it is sad to see you leave," Dorry began, "we won't stop you. I hope you're able to save your kingdom, young princess!"

"Thank you very much," Vivi said while she bowed her head, gratefully.

"Those guys were really cool," said Chopper.

"You got that right, Chopper," said Usopp. "I consider it an honor just watching those two duke it out." He then grinned, proudly. "That's exactly the kind of man I wanna be."

"Well, Usopp," Aika began, "even if I say so myself...you really are a strong warrior in your own way!"

"Yeah, you have your moments," Zoro said. "You're pretty brainy, for one."

"And you're a master shot, too!" said Chopper.

"Aww...shucks, you guys," Usopp said, scratching the back of his head. "I mean...I know I'm pretty good, but it's still nice to hear it!"

"Yeah, we know," Nami smiled.

"See ya later, giant guys!" Luffy called as he walked away. "Try not to kill each other until we see you again!"

"Master Dorry! Master Brogy!" Past Usopp exclaimed. "Goodbye for now! One day, I will also go to Elbaph and be a proud warrior, just like you two!"

And with that, the group headed off to the Going Merry together.

"Well, that was one hell of a time, we had," said Past Nami, "but I NEVER wanna do it again."

"Ah, come on, Nami!" Luffy said. "Where's your sense of adventure?"

"At home," Past Nami answered, sarcastically.

"Well, whatever," Luffy shrugged. "It was still fun! Shishishishi!"

"Maybe to you," Past Nami muttered. "But...thanks for saving us, Luffy...and Usopp, too."

"You're welcome," Luffy smiled.

"No problem," Past Usopp grinned.

QUAAAACK! Carue squawked, feeling left out.

"And of course, you too, Carue," said Vivi, petting her feathered friend on his neck, which caused him to smile, proudly.

"You know," Nami began, "looking back on what Luffy was thinking, earlier, when we were in the wax...he sounded terrified."

"He did come close to losing us," said Zoro. "I can't say I blame him."

"But damn, Luffy sure can hide his emotions well," said Sanji.

"I never heard Luffy sound so scared, before," said Chopper. "At least not mentally."

"It's because Luffy doesn't want us to see him being afraid," said Robin. "Right, Zoro?"

"You took the words right out of my mouth," said Zoro.

"Oh, look!" Luffy called, drawing the current Straw Hats' attention. "There's the Merry!"

As everyone got on board the caravel, Past Zoro and Past Sanji were fighting over their respective quarries: a triceratops and a T-Rex.

"Take a good look, dumbass!" Past Sanji shouted. "My lizard is bigger than your damn rhino!"

"Look again, Deadeye!" Past Zoro retorted. "My rhino is bigger!"

"Who cares?" Luffy asked as he put on a spare vest. "They both look tasty."

"STAY OUTTA THIS!" Past Zoro and Past Sanji yelled.

"Really, you two?" Nami asked. "You really are like those two giants, always fighting about every little thing!"

"If that's a case," Zoro said, "maybe Dartboard and I should duel for a hundred years."

"Maybe we should," Sanji glared at him. "Bring it on, Moss-head. I'll be waiting."

"Are you serious?!" Usopp questioned. "By the time you get to 100 years, you'll both be bones!"

"I don't think that's such a bad thing!" Brook added. "Yohohoho!"

"Because you're all bones!" Aika exclaimed. "That's funny, Brook!"

Brook soon dropped to the ground, sulking.

"Aika...you can't do that..." he groaned.

"Oops," Aika said. "Sorry Brook."

"Hey, how long are you guys gonna keep bickering?!" Past Nami asked, now wearing a light blue shirt. "Just cut them both and load as much as you can onto the ship! It's time set sail!"

"Yes, Nami, my dear~!" Past Sanji exclaimed.

"Hey, Usopp, you agree with me, right?" Past Zoro asked. "Isn't mine bigger?!"

"Huh?" Past Usopp asked. "Oh...yeah, I don't really care."

"Can't you two just call it a draw?" asked Vivi.

"There's no such thing as a draw in a contest!" Pasto Zoro and Past Sanji yelled.

"Seriously, you guys?" Blizzard muttered in annoyance. "Talk about a couple of prudes."

"What's a prude, anyway?" Kumi asked.

"Ah, I'll tell you when you're older," Blizzard replied.

"Hahahahaha!" Franky laughed. "Still as lively as ever, I see!"

Soon, the Past Straw Hats cut up the dinosaurs that Past Sanji and Past Zoro had caught, loaded their meat into the storage room, and sailed through the jungle, heading towards the east side of the island.

"Hey," Luffy said. "Can't we carry some more of that meat?"

"No," Past Sanji said. "That's all the ship can hold. What are you tryin' to do, sink us?"

"No...I'm just hungry," Luffy replied before he looked up and gasps. "Hey, guys, look! It's the giants!"

Sure enough, there were Dorry and Brogy up ahead with their backs turned to the ship.

"They must have come to see us off!" Past Usopp exclaimed.

"That was nice of them!" said Aika.

"Those giants sure know how to be polite, huh?" asked Franky.

"Uh...actually," said Usopp, "that's not the only reason they were there."

"What do you mean?" asked Chopper.

"Yeah, what happened?" asked Kumi.

"You'll see," said Usopp.

"There's one big reason," Brogy began.

"Why you little people can't reach the next island," concluded Dorry.

"Huh?" Luffy muttered.

"You risked our lives to defend our honor," said Dorry.

"Now, no matter what," Brogy continued.

"We will not allow another enemy to trample on our friends' pride!" Dorry exclaimed.

"Have faith in us!" Brogy shouted. "Sail straight onward! No matter what happens, just keep going straight!"

"Hmm!" Luffy nodded. "Got it! We'll keep sailing straight ahead!"

"What are they talking about?" asked Past Zoro.

"Beats me," Past Sanji answered.

"It's time to say goodbye," said Dorry as he and Brogy stood up, both holding their respective weapons. "I hope we meet again."

"As do I," Brogy agreed.

That's when Past Nami noticed something emerging from the waters ahead, causing everyone else to look up and see that it was...an enormous goldfish!

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEHH?!" Chopper, Aika, and Kumi shrieked.

"What the hell?!" Blizzard questioned. "A giant goldfish?!"

"IT'S HUGE!" Brook cried.

For some strange reason, Usopp didn't look all that surprised (compared to his past counterpart, at least).

"Hey," said Sanji. "How come you're not freaking out like you usually do."

"Believe it or not," Usopp began, "I made up a story about a giant goldfish to Kaya when I used to visit her."

"Ah, I know this type of goldfish," said Robin. "It's called an Island Eater. In fact, it's droppings are often mistaken for land masses."

"You mean people actually walked on its poop?!" Franky questioned.

"Eww~!" cried Chopper and Aika.

"TMI," Kumi muttered. "Too much information!"

"Kumi, I couldn't have said it better myself," said Blizzard.

"KYAAAAAA!" Past Nami shrieked. "SOMETHING HUGE JUST CAME OUT OF THE SEA!"

"IT'S A SEA MONSTER!" cried Vivi.

"USOPP, QUICK!" Past Nami called. "TURN THE RUDDER OR WE'LL BE EATEN ALIVE!"

"A...a giant goldfish...?!" Past Usopp muttered. "I...I think I might have heard of something like this, before...!"

"USOPP, DID YOU HEAR ME?!" Past Nami yelled. "I SAID TURN THE RUDDER!"

"N...no!" Past Usopp yelled. "We're...we're sailing straight ahead! Right, Luffy?!"

"Mm," Luffy nodded with his usual devil-may-care grin. "That's right!"

"Are you all crazy?!" Franky questioned. "You're gonna sail right into that thing's mouth?!"

"Pretty much," said Zoro.

"I wonder how you'll all get out of this," said Robin with an amused smile.

"Just watch, Robin," Usopp grinned. "You'll see what the true strength of two warriors of Elbaph can really do!"

"ARE YOU TWO INSANE?!" Past Nami questioned. "THIS ISN'T LIKE WHAT HAPPENED WITH LABOON!"

"Relax, Nami," said Luffy as he gave her one more rice cracker. "Here. Have a rice cracker!"

"I DON'T WANT IT!" Past Nami yelled, but still took it anyway. "FORGET ABOUT WHAT THOSE GIANTS SAID AND TURN THE SHIP AROUND!"

"Nami," said Past Zoro, nonchalantly. "It's best to just resign yourself."

"But...but...!" Past Nami whimpered with tears of fear in her eyes.

"Luffy!" Past Sanji called. "Are you sure we can trust those giants?!"

"Yep," Luffy nodded, casually.

"Are you serious?!" Vivi questioned. "Are you really going to sail straight into that monster's gaping mouth?!"

"IT'S TOO LATE!" Past Nami cried, and soon, the Merry was swallowed up by the goldfish, forcing the group into darkness.

"AAAAAAAAHH!" Chopper shrieked. "YOU ALL GOT EATEN!"

"Ah-ah-ah!" Usopp exclaimed. "Wait for it~!"

"Just keep sailing straight!" Past Usopp cried, even though he had tears in his eyes.

"YOU IDIOT!" Past Nami yelled. "WE'VE ALREADY BEEN SWALLOWED UP BY THAT THING!"

"You heard him!" Luffy shouted. "KEEP SAILING STRAIGHT!"

"But there's nowhere for you guys to go now!" cried Aika.

"3...2...1..." Usopp counted down. "Aaaaand...!"

"HAKOKU SOVEREIGNTY!" Dorry's and Brogy's voices both shouted, and suddenly, a giant hole suddenly pierced through the goldfish's head. On the island, both Dorry and Brogy had swung their weapons with such force that they had both broken in half. Not only that, but it was also enough to send the Past Straw Hats flying through the air. Not as far as a Coup de Burst, but just far enough.

"WHOA!" Aika exclaimed while Kumi gaped. "DID YOU GUYS SEE THAT?!"

"...I saw it, all right...but I don't believe it!" Franky gawked.

"My word...!" Brook whispered in awe. "That was...unheard of!"

"That's the power of two warriors of Elbaph," Usopp smirked. "Burn that image into your memory!"

"That was...awesome!" Chopper exclaimed.

"WHOO-HOO!" Luffy cheered. "WE'RE OUTTA HERE~!"

"...We're alive...?" Past Nami asked as she sat on her knees.

"Yeah, we're alive," said Past Zoro. "So pull yourself together, Nami."

"Need a hug to take your fears away, Nami?" Past Sanji asked.

"Thanks, but no thanks," Past Nami said, trying to get herself together.

"Don't turn!" Past Usopp exclaimed. "Just keep sailing straight ahead!"

"It's huge...!" Luffy whispered as he held his hat to his head. "So huge!"

"Yeah...!" Past Usopp said as tears fell from his eyes, either from relief or pride. "They cut right through that monster...that's the power of the warriors of Elbaph!"

Soon, the tiny pirate ship landed on the ocean's surface with a mighty splash, and all the while, they could hear Dorry and Brogy laughing in the distance.

"MAY GOOD FORTUNE ACCOMPANY YOU!" they both called out after the motley crew of pirates, and the memory soon faded to black, right then and there.

"You think Dorry and Brogy are still having their duel?" asked Nami.

"Who knows?" Usopp shrugged. "Maybe we'll meet again, one day!"

"I hope they eventually go back home to Elbaph," said Aika. "I bet a lot of people must miss them."

"That was quite an adventure we had there," said Zoro.

"Yeah," Sanji agreed, "but things were about to hectic again, real fast."

"What makes you say that?" Blizzard asked, but as if to answer his question, the memory returned, this time showing the Past Straw Hats on the Merry, sailing for Alabasta. Luffy was sitting on the figurehead, as usual, while Past Usopp stood at the railing, staring out towards the horizon. Past Sanji wasn't anywhere outside to be seen, so they assumed he was in the galley, making some food, and Past Zoro was seen swinging some weights up and down. Chopper was about to say something about that regarding Zoro's ankles, but then he spotted Past Nami, who was leaning against the mast. For some reason, she looked a bit tired. It wasn't too long before the others noticed, too.

"Hey, you okay there, Nami?" Franky asked. "Well...your past self, that is."

"...Remember that bite I got on my stomach?" asked Nami. "Well...that's what it was doing to me. At first, I just thought I was tired from everything that happened on Little Garden, but...boy, was I wrong."

Chopper opened his mouth to speak, but then he heard Past Usopp's voice call out to the others.

"Someday, you guys," the sniper said, "I swear...I'm gonna go to Elbaph...to the Village of Warriors!"

"Yeah! Sounds good to me!" Luffy exclaimed. "To the Land of Giants!"

Soon, he and Past Usopp began to dance and sing on the railing while Carue just ran around in circles. Past Nami just stared at them, tiredly, wondering where they got their energy from. Of course, Luffy and Past Usopp weren't being very careful and nearly fell overboard, had they not grabbed on to the railing fast enough.

"What a couple of idiots," Sanji muttered in annoyance.

"Can't you two learn to be more careful?" Nami asked.

"Uh...sorry?" Usopp apologized.

"Vivi, here," said Past Nami as she handed Vivi the Eternal Pose. "I'm still tired from what happened on that island. Can you keep an eye on the Eternal Pose for me?"

"Of course," Vivi nodded as she held the compass in her hands.

"...I bet you're relieved, right?" asked Past Nami. "Now you can finally go back home. That is, as long as we don't run into any more trouble along the way."

Nami had to mentally hit herself for that, for she knew what was going to happen not long after this.

"Yes," Vivi nodded. "I've got to get home and save my kingdom!" She then looked up at the sky with a serious expression. "...I will live...and I will return to Alabasta!"

"She's so determined," Robin said. "I can't help feeling bad for the things I've done to her home..."

"Robin, I think she forgives you by now," said Sanji. "Vivi's not the type to hold grudges forever...trust me, I know."

"Yeah," Nami nodded. "Stop being so hard on yourself, okay?"

"That's right, Aunt Robin!" Aika added. "Smile, like you always do!"

"Hmm-hmm..." Robin chuckled. "Thank you..."

"Don't worry, Vivi," said Past Sanji as he approached the two women while holding a plate of tarts. "You've got me!"

"Ahem!" Past Nami cleared her throat.

"And of course, Nami and...those guys," Past Sanji said before he offered the tarts to the girls. "Petit four? They're a specially made snack for the day. You also have the choice of coffee or tea."

"Oh, Sanji," Vivi smiled. "Thank you."

That's when Luffy, Past Usopp, and Carue appeared, drooling over the sweets, causing Past Sanji to glare at them both.

"Yours are in the kitchen," the cook told them, "now GO!"

And on that, the three gluttons hurried to the galley to get their sweets. Once they did, they began to gobble up as much as they could. Past Sanji soon came in to prepare drinks for the girls, but then, out of nowhere, they heard Vivi scream.

"EVERYONE! COME QUICK!"

"Huh?!" Luffy asked before he and Past Usopp went outside with stuffed cheeks. "What's wrong, Vivi?!"

"Something's wrong!" Vivi cried. "Nami just collapsed with a terrible fever!"

"WHAAAAAAAT?!" Past Sanji questioned. "NAMI'S SIIIIICK?!"

"WHAT?!" Aika cried, and soon, the group had gathered around Past Nami...who had collapsed on the deck, her face flushed a bright red, and a practical pool of sweat forming around her. To put it simply...she looked like she was about to die.

Almost instantly, the memory seemed to take on a shade of yellow...and Luffy was staring at Past Nami with this terrified look.

'...She...she looks like Mom...when she was about to...!'

"...Oh, god," Nami whispered in horror.

"...Seeing you like that must have reminded Luffy of when Star died," Usopp whispered.

"What happened to you, Miss Nami?!" Brook asked.

"Nami was bitten by a kestia tick," Chopper answered with his professional voice, though he tried not to panic himself. "They're mostly extinct, except on Little Garden because the climate there is the perfect environment for them to live in. It's an ectoparasite that feeds off the blood of mammals and birds and its bite has deadly bacteria. That bruise on Nami's stomach was where she got bitten."

"So...what happens when someone gets bit?" Kumi asked, worriedly.

"Well, infection usually sets in within 5 days after the tick bites you," Chopper replied. "The victim experiences intense pain, followed by gaining a fever of 104 degrees. After that, the victim begins to suffer from myocarditis, arteritis, and encephalitis...and then..."

"Then...?" Aika whispered.

"...Let's just say Nami wouldn't even be standing here, right now," Chopper said, grimly.

"...You mean she would've...?!" Aika asked.

"...Yeah," Nami said, sadly. "I would've been dead, long ago."

"...Damn...!" Franky cursed in disbelief. "To think a little bug could do that."

"There are lots of insects that carry diseases," Chopper replied. "Nami got lucky...she managed to get to us in time."

"Yeah, thanks to you, Chopper," said Zoro.

"Huh?" Aika asked. "What's Zoro mean?"

"Just watch, Aika," said Nami. "You'll see later."

Soon, the memory shifted, and Luffy was gently carrying Past Nami, bridal style until he laid her down on the bed and tucked her up under some blankets. Vivi took this time to put a damp cloth on her forehead and then take her temperature while Past Sanji (who was sobbing and biting on a handkerchief) and Past Usopp stood nearby, worriedly.

"Is Nami going to be all right, Vivi...?!" Past Sanji whimpered.

"Oh, get over yourself," said Zoro.

"For your information, I really was worried for Nami's safety, as a friend!" Sanji barked. "Jeez!"

"It must have been the climate," said Vivi. "One of the dangers you encounter upon entering the Grand Line is sickness caused by the extreme weather. Even the most notorious pirates who sail the seas can suddenly get sick and die. It's a common occurrence. Even the tiniest cold can kill you if you're not too careful."

"She's right," Chopper nodded. "Believe it or not, I've seen it happen on Drum Island, several times."

"So, wait," Kumi said. "People can really die from something as simple as a cold?! I thought that was a myth!"

"...Big Sis Nami..." Aika whispered, worriedly.

"Isn't there anyone here on this crew that knows anything about medicine?" asked Vivi...only for Luffy and Past Usopp to point at Nami while Past Sanji sobbed.

"...Wow," Nami muttered in irritation. "What was I, the nanny to these morons?!"

"To be fair, you did know more about medicine then we did," said Usopp. "I mean, look what you did for Johnny when he got scurvy!"

"Yeah, but I'm no professional!" Nami rebuked. "Chopper's the real expert!"

"Sh-shut up!" Chopper said, trying not to sound happy due to the seriousness of the situation. "Like saying that will make me happy!"

"Still," Robin began, "you were foolish to enter the Grand Line without a doctor."

"Well...maybe we should just give her meat and she'll feel better, right?" Luffy asked. "Or maybe tangerines, since she likes those! Right, Sanji? Right?"

"Well, I might be able to cook up something she could eat," said Past Sanji. "That's basic care you'd give any sick person. But it won't be enough to cure her. Up until now, I've taken extra care in providing Nami's and Vivi's meals with fresh ingredients. I always made sure they were well balanced and they had proper consumption of meats, fruits, and vegetables. Anything that's rotten or moldy..." He then points to Luffy and Past Usopp. "Goes to you."

"JERK!" Past Usopp shouted as he smacked the cook's hand.

"Oh, well," Luffy shrugged. "It still tastes good to me! Ahahaha!"

"He must really have an iron stomach," Nami said in annoyance.

"Sanji...you don't really do that, do you?" asked Aika, worriedly.

"That's messed up, man," Franky added.

"You better not try and feed me any crap!" Blizzard barked.

"Of course not!" Sanji replied. "I'm a cook, not a killer!"

"Oh, really?" Zoro glared. "Sure you haven't tried to rat poison in my food?"

"Enough, you two!" Robin scolded.

"Thank you, Robin," Nami said.

"Anyway," Past Sanji continued, "as long as I'm the cook on this ship, no one has to worry about basic nutrition. However, there are all sorts of special foods that are good for different diseases...but I don't know what Nami has."

"Well, then just feed her all of them," Luffy said.

"Oh, sure," Past Sanji grumbled. "That's a sure-fire way to get someone sick."

"That's his answer to everything, isn't it?" asked Usopp, incredulously.

"It comes from a good place, I know," said Nami. "At least he thought of giving me tangerines."

That's when Vivi removed the thermometer from underneath Past Nami's back, only to gasp in horror when she saw the temperature.

"104 degrees Fahrenheit?!" she cried.

"Well, I'm sure there's a doctor that can help us in Alabasta, right?" Past Usopp asked. "How much farther until we get there, Vivi?"

"I'm not sure," Vivi answered, "but it'll take us at least a week, at best!"

"So she's sick," Luffy said. "Is it really that big a deal?"

"I don't know," Past Usopp and Past Sanji replied as they tilted their heads. "I've never been this sick."

"What kind of people are you?!" Vivi questioned. "A fever of 104 degrees is catastrophic! Whatever this disease is, it's possibly life-threatening!"

Upon hearing that, the boys in the room (and Carue) began to shriek.

"YOU MEAN NAMI'S GONNA DIE~?!" Luffy screamed as he stomped his foot on the floor while Past Sanji was wailing like a baby and Past Usopp and Carue were running around, screaming their heads off.

"YOUR SCREAMS AREN'T HELPING!" Vivi yelled.

"WE HAVE TO FIND NAMI A DOCTOR BEFORE SHE DIES~!" Luffy screamed.

"Wait!" Vivi called. "Everybody, just calm down, please!"

"...Listen...!" Past Nami wheezed, causing all commotion in the room to stop. Soon after, the navigator sat up, to everyone's surprise.

"Yay, she's cured!" Luffy cheered, only for Past Usopp to smack him in the back of his head.

"SHUT UP!" he yelled.

"Big Sis?!" Aika asked.

"Nami, you shouldn't sit up like that, especially in your condition!" Chopper cried. "What were you thinking?!"

"...You'll see why," Nami answered, grimly.

"...Luffy," Past Nami said. "Listen...there's a newspaper in my desk...can you grab it and give it to Vivi, please?"

"Newspaper?" Luffy repeated before he went over to the desk, opened up a drawer, and took out a folded up newspaper. "You mean this?"

"Yeah," Past Nami nodded, weakly. "Give it to Vivi..."

"Okay," Luffy said before he handed Vivi the newspaper.

Needless to say, Vivi was horrified by what she had found: 300 thousand soldiers had defected from Alabasta's royal army and joined the rebels. The royal army was once 600 thousand men strong while the rebels had 400 thousand, but with half of them going to rebel's side, that meant that the royal army was now outnumbered and outgunned. Vivi was horrified in knowing that if they clashed, many lives would be lost. What made it worse was the fact that Past Nami found out about this three days prior and hid it from Vivi because she didn't want to cause her to worry.

Robin couldn't help feeling guilty. Sure, she didn't exactly give Crocodile what he wanted, but she still played a part in tearing apart Vivi's home. Watching this memory only reminded her of her sins.

"You understand, right, Luffy?" asked Past Nami.

"Right," Luffy nodded. "It sounds bad."

"That's because it is," said Past Nami. "I'm glad you're starting to take this seriously."

"But Nami," Past Usopp started, "you need to see a doctor!"

"I'm fine," said Past Nami, trying to get out of bed. "The thermometer must be broken or something. I mean...who ever heard of having a temperature of 104 degrees? It's stupid. I was probably just having heatstroke or something. I don't need to see a doctor." She then got up and headed out the door, although she wobbled a bit. "We need to stick to the plan...and sail straight for Alabasta."

"But...but Nami," Luffy said. "You're not-"

"Thanks for worrying about me," said Past Nami, "but I'm fine. Really." On that, she headed out.

"...She's not really better, is she?" Luffy asked.

"I don't think so," said Past Usopp, "but Nami's always gotta be so damn stubborn."

"Usopp was right, though, Nami," Chopper said. "You really should've seen a doctor, first!"

"I know," Nami replied. "I was just more concerned about helping Vivi than myself! I mean...she was finally going home and then this happens!"

"But Big Brother was really worried about you," said Aika. "Everyone was!"

"You really should've thought of yourself, first, Miss Nami," Brook pointed out.

"I know that, now," Nami said as she held her arm. "I'm sorry..."

"Hey, don't sweat it," Usopp assured. "You only did what you thought was good for Vivi. We can't really blame you."

"But you still should've rested," Zoro said.

"Oh, really?" Nami asked, skeptically. "Says the one who won't listen to Chopper when he says you need bed rest?"

"That's different," Zoro glared.

"...I have to stop this," Vivi spoke as she sat on the floor on her knees, tightly gripping the newspaper. "I have to stop the war at all costs...or it will mean the end of Alabasta as we know it! Crocodile will completely take over the kingdom!" She then shoved her face into the newspaper. "Not only do I have to get home alive, but as soon as possible! I've got to get home or a million of my people will kill each other in a senseless war!"

"Whoa, a million people?!" Luffy questioned.

"...Vivi," Past Sanji said, sadly, "you carry a heavy burden on your shoulders."

"You see?" asked Nami. "That's why we had to hurry."

"...I understand," Chopper began, "but still, Nami...your health comes first! Please try not to do that again...please?"

"Please, Big Sis Nami?" Aika asked.

"...Of course," Nami smiled. "I'm sorry."

"Hey, you guys!" Past Zoro's voice called from outside. "Come outside! Nami says it's time to get to work!"

Soon, Past Usopp, Past Sanji, and Carue walked outside, but Luffy seemed hesitant for a moment.

"Luffy?" Past Usopp asked. "You coming or what?"

"...Yeah," Luffy replied as he followed him out.

'...Nami needs to see a doctor...she needs to or she's gonna die...!'

Nami felt her heart clench. She did feel bad for Vivi, but she felt even worse for Luffy since she was looking at his memories, now. It was bad enough when his mother died from sickness. Now he found Nami in the same state and it was beginning to hurt him, too. She felt like she was forcing him to go through what he had to as a child and back then, she didn't even know it until now.

Soon, the group was outside and saw Past Zoro standing up on the upper deck.

"Listen," he said. "We're gonna make a turn south."

"I don't take orders from you, Moss-head," said Past Sanji.

"Ah, just shut up and get to work already," said Past Zoro. "Hoist the sails and catch the wind to port. Nami's orders."

"What's going on, Nami?" asked Past Sanji as he looked at Past Nami, who was still wobbling, dizzily. "The sea's calm and the sky's clear."

"...The wind," Past Nami said. "There's...a big wind coming...up ahead...I-I think..."

That's when Luffy suddenly went up and put his palm on Past Nami's forehead, only to quickly pull it away, as if he had gotten burned.

"Your head's on fire!" he shouted. "We have to get you to a doctor!"

"I told you, I don't need to see a doctor!" Past Nami shouted. "This is my normal temperature!"

"Nami, please, be reasonable," said Past Sanji. "I know you wanna help Vivi, but if you overexert yourself-"

"Sanji, I said I'm fine!" Past Nami barked.

"Nami, maybe you should go back to bed and-" Past Usopp started, only to get cut off.

"Shut up and turn the ship, already!" Past Nami yelled. "I keep telling you, I don't need to see a doctor!"

"...But...Nami..." Luffy said, worriedly.

"What's with that sad look?!" Past Nami questioned. "Get going!"

"...Okay..." Luffy muttered as he turned to leave, but then, Vivi came outside with a determined expression.

"Everyone!" she called. "I'm sorry...but I need to ask a favor from all of you! I know this is gonna sound selfish of me after everything you've done for me, already...but my country is in grave danger and I've got to get back to it, right away! There's not a moment to lose!"

"...Vivi..." Chopper whispered.

"So...I want you to sail this ship at full speed," Vivi continued, "and head straight for Alabasta!"

"...Of course, we will," Past Nami smiled, weakly. "We promised you..."

"But...but Vivi!" Luffy said. "Nami's sick!"

"I am NOT Luffy!" Past Nami argued. "Stop acting like a worrywart!"

"I know, Luffy," Vivi said, "which is why I say...let's look for an island with a doctor, as fast as possible!"

Luffy gasped silently at this.

"If we want to get to Alabasta," said Vivi, "then we need to get Nami well, as fast as possible so we can get there faster!"

The Straw Hats, both past and present, all smiled at the princess's words.

"Absolutely!" Luffy answered. "This ship can't go any faster without Nami!"

"Are you sure you're okay with this, Vivi?" asked Past Usopp. "What about your people, Vivi?"

"I am sure, Usopp," said Vivi, "which is why we need to get Nami better, and fast!"

"Hmph!" Past Sanji grinned. "Well said, Vivi."

"...You've got a big heart," Past Zoro smirked.

"Thank you for your concern, Nami," said Vivi, "but please...don't push yourself for my sake!"

"...Vivi," Past Nami said, weakly. "I'm sorry...I guess I'm not fine after all..."

"Thank you, Vivi!" Aika exclaimed.

"That girl is truly a saint...just like Miss Nami...!" Brook said.

"Yes, they both are," Robin smiled.

"Guuuh...I ain't cryin'...not at all!" Franky sobbed as he wiped his eyes.

"Vivi's pretty amazing, huh?" Kumi asked with a bright smile.

"She sure is," Sanji smiled. "Why do you think I fell for her?"

"You mean aside from her figure?" Blizzard quipped, only for Sanji to shove him in the side. "Heheheheh! Relax, I'm kidding!"

"WHOA!" Luffy cried as he pointed at a humongous cyclone!

"AAAAAAAAAAAHH!" Past Usopp (as well as his present-day self and present-day Chopper) shrieked.

"Dammit...it's a cyclone...!" Past Nami cursed before she suddenly fell on her knees, but luckily, Vivi managed to catch her while Luffy and the rest of the boys worked to get away from it as fast as possible.

"Nami!" she cried. "Just hold on! I'll get you to bed, okay?!"

"That's one huge cyclone!" Franky exclaimed.

"It was a lucky thing I managed to sense it, despite my condition," said Nami. "Otherwise, we would have sailed right into it!"

"Wow, Nami! That's amazing!" Chopper exclaimed.

"Indeed," Robin agreed. "Not many people can sense cyclones right away."

"What can I say?" asked Nami. "I guess I got the gift."

The memory had shifted, revealing Luffy, Past Sanji, and Vivi, the two of them now wearing coats, indicating that the crew had sailed into colder weather. Past Nami was lying on her bed, seeming more feverish than before. Chopper couldn't help but feel worried as he watched her condition, estimating that at least 2 days had passed since her symptoms first showed.

While Vivi stood nearby with concern, Past Sanji looked like he was trying to be calm...but Luffy? He looked...well...uncertain, for lack of better word.

"Are you sure she's not just hungry?" Luffy asked, which earned annoyed glances from Past Sanji and Vivi...but the Straw Hats could also see that they, too, were uncertain. Perhaps they felt that Luffy was being in a bit of denial himself.

"Maybe we should try and feed her a bunch of meat!" Luffy exclaimed. "That always makes me feel better!"

"Oh, Luffy..." Nami whispered. She knew he meant well, but still, sometimes he could give her such a headache.

"Of course, he'd think that," Usopp muttered.

"Seriously, does that idiot have any idea what he's talking about, half the time?" asked Sanji.

"Sometimes, I wonder that myself," Blizzard added.

"Shut up, Luffy," Past Sanji muttered. "This is no time for jokes."

"Come on, Nami, cheer up!" Luffy said before he began to take parts of his face like his ears, his nose, and his chin, and twist them up like a circus balloon and began to make a silly face.

"Did he seriously think that would work?" asked Franky.

"It works for me, sometimes!" Aika answered with a giggle.

"...Pffft...!" Nami buzzed her lips before she slapped her hands over her mouth.

"Wait...you really think that's funny?!" asked Zoro. "If I saw that, I'd freak the hell out!"

"...It's just...I know he doesn't really get a grasp of what's happening," said Nami, "but he can be sweet, sometimes. Look at what he tries to do for me."

"He can be sweet, sometimes," Robin smiled.

Unfortunately, Past Nami gave no reaction, whatsoever, to Luffy's horror.

"No change...at all...!" he gaped. "...Oh, I know! What if we just throw a bunch of water on her!"

That comment proved to be the final straw for Past Sanji and Vivi, who promptly knocked him to the other side of the room, where a picture frame soon fell on his face, knocking him out cold and causing the memory to fade to black.

"Luffy really doesn't know how fever works, do they?" asked Chopper.

"Isn't that what you did when I had a fever, once?" Aika asked.

"Not exactly, honey," Robin replied. "What we did was soak you in the bathtub for a bit, and then put you back to bed."

"If Luffy threw water on Nami in her condition, he would've killed her," said Chopper.

"Oh..." Aika said, worriedly.

Soon, the memory returned, but this time it showed a different room full of hammocks made entirely of ropes, a couch, and a coffee table. This was obviously the Men's Quarters of the Merry, and for some reason, it was completely empty...but Luffy was sitting up against the left side of the couch, hugging his knees and having his hat over his eyes. However, the Straw Hats noticed something unsettling: they could just make out tear stains on Luffy's cheeks.

"...Was Luffy...crying?" Usopp asked with concern.

"...Wait a minute," Sanji realized. "I was wondering why he hadn't shown up for breakfast that morning."

At that moment, Vivi came walking in, perhaps coming to look for Luffy until her eyes fell upon him.

"Luffy?" the princess called as she walked up to him. "Hey, you know it's breakfast, right?"

Luffy looked up at her, revealing his tear-stained cheeks and his puffy, red eyes, causing Vivi to gasp.

"Luffy?" she asked as she got down on her knees with him like he was a five-year-old child. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"...Is Nami really gonna die?" Luffy asked.

"...Oh, Luffy," Vivi said as she put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "No...of course she's not. We just need to find her a doctor and she'll feel better, that's all!"

"...But what if the doctor can't help her?" Luffy asked. "What if we still find a doctor...and Nami still dies? ...Just like my..." He then bit his lip and looked away from Vivi, whose eyes went wide.

"...Yes?" she asked.

"...Like my Mom..." Luffy whispered. "She died when I was just a kid...and on my 6th birthday...!"

Nami tried her damnedest not to go into tears herself. It made sense for Luffy to feel that way. After all, Star went to the doctor at the last minute and help came too late for her. Now he was afraid the same thing would happen to Nami...and he didn't want to go through that grief, all over again.

"...I'm so sorry, Luffy," whispered Vivi. "I didn't know you had lost your mother." She then put a hand on Luffy's hand in an attempt to comfort him. "I lost mine, too. She passed away when I was a little girl."

"...I'm sorry," Luffy said, somberly.

"...Luffy," Vivi said, "I know it's hard for you right now...seeing Nami this way must bring back some really bad memories for you."

"Yeah..." Luffy muttered...but then Vivi pulled the Straw Hat Captain into an embrace, which seemed to surprise him a bit, more so because of how awkward it seemed, but then he gently returned the hug and gave a soft, shuddering sigh.

The Straw Hats, especially Sanji, had to smile at how caring Vivi was. If that was the cook's past counterpart, he would've kicked Luffy in a jealous rage. He was actually a bit glad he wasn't there at the time.

"What a sweet moment between friends...!" Franky sniffled.

"That was really nice of Vivi to cheer Luffy up like that," said Kumi.

"Yeah," Chopper smiled.

"Feel better now?" asked Vivi.

"Yeah...thanks," Luffy replied.

"Of course," Vivi answered as she pulled away. "Now Luffy...I know you're a little upset about Nami...but you have to be strong. You're the captain of this crew. Your friends need you now more than ever. If you lose hope, then so will they...do you understand?"

Luffy only sat there, a rare look of contemplation on his features before he nodded his head.

"I get it," he said. "I'll try and be strong, Vivi."

"Good," Vivi smiled. "Now...you should go and eat something. You won't be of any use to anyone if you're hungry."

Luffy opened his mouth to argue, but his stomach chose to answer for him by giving off a deep growl.

"That always seems to be Luffy's problem," said Sanji. "Every time something upsets him, he won't eat unless somebody tells him to."

"I wish he wouldn't do that, honestly," Nami said. "That just makes us worry about him, more."

"Yeah," Aika agreed, sadly. "I don't like it when Big Brother gets all sad like that."

The memory shifted, once more, and this time, it showed Luffy, Past Usopp, and Past Zoro outside on the deck. While the swordsman and sniper had on tightly wrapped blankets, Luffy was only wearing his usual outfit while the snow fell gently around them.

"Hey," Aika said. "How come Big Brother never wears a coat?"

"That...is a very good question, Aika," Nami answered.

"You think it has something to do with the fact that he's rubber?" asked Robin.

"No, I think it has more to do with the fact that he's too stupid to know how cold it is," Zoro said.

"And yet YOU would jump into a freezing river," Sanji quipped.

"I was training!" barked Zoro.

"Why does that not surprise me?" asked Blizzard, incredulously.

"Zoro, are you sure Luffy's the idiot and not you?" Kumi inquired.

"Watch it, mutts..." Zoro warned.

"Hey, Zoro!" Luffy called up to Past Zoro in the Crow's Nest. "You see any doctors yet?!"

"Luffy, you can't be serious..." Past Usopp muttered.

"...Maybe it's me," Past Zoro said as he put down a pair of binoculars, "but...I think I see a guy standing on the water, out there!"

"What?" Robin asked in confusion.

"A guy standing on the water?" Nami asked. "Even I have to admit that's farfetched."

"Not too farfetched!" Brook exclaimed. "You can actually do that, you know! You just have to keep one foot from sinking before the other! That's what I do!"

"Not everyone has a light body like yours, Brook," said Sanji.

"Someone standing on the water?" Past Usopp asked. "That's impossible, Zoro!"

"Then...what's that out there?" asked Past Zoro, prompting Luffy and Past Usopp to look up and see, to their surprise, that there was actually a man standing on the ocean's surface. He looked like some kind of jester with a zigzagged mouth and had a large bow and a quiver of arrows strapped to his back.

Luffy and Past Usopp were in such disbelief, they actually rubbed their eyes just to make sure they weren't seeing things. As for Chopper, however, he gasped upon seeing that man before his expression soon grew angry.

"Chess...!" he hissed.

"You...wanna play chess...now?" asked a bewildered Aika.

"Chopper, you know that guy?" asked Blizzard.

"I sure do," Chopper replied. "He's one of...his men."

"His?" Kumi asked. "Okay, that's a bit vague..."

"Boy...it sure is chilly out today, isn't it?" asked Chess, and after a moment, Luffy and Past Usopp both sneezed.

"...Actually, it is pretty chilly, isn't it?" Luffy asked.

"Yeah, it is pretty chilly out here," Past Usopp agreed.

"...It is?" asked Chess, which caused Luffy, Past Zoro, Past Usopp, and Chess himself to gasp.

"...Okay," Franky said. "What was that all about?"

All of a sudden, the water underneath Chess's feet began to rise, taking everyone by surprise. As the water dispersed, something began to take shape before the group...and it was soon revealed to be an enormous ship with a white hippopotamus wearing a huge crown, and the Jolly Roger also had a crown on its head and what looked like a metallic jaw while licking its lips.

Chopper gasped, instantly recognizing the mark before he growled with every hair on his body standing on end before he yelled out a single name...

"WAPOL!"

TO BE CONTINUED...

Wapol: MAHAHAHAHAHA!

Blizzard: Wait, who's that?

Chopper: Wapol was the former king of Drum Island before he abandoned the country!

Wapol: I want you idiots to take me to Drum Kingdom, immediately!

Past Sanji: Drum Kingdom? Never heard of it.

Wapol: *chomps on the Merry*

Usopp and Past Usopp: AAAAHH! MERRY!

Aika: Why is that guy eating everything?!

*After a while, the Straw Hats are sailing toward Drum Kingdom*

Luffy: Look! I see an island!

Dalton: Turn your vessel around and leave, right now...

Chopper: Dalton?!

Next time: The Nameless Kingdom