Arrival: Wano
Neo sighed as her head and shoulders rose and fell in sync to Bepo's breathing. Her eyes were locked up on the fluffy white clouds floating lazily on the warm breeze. Her hand was rubbing her stomach as her mind wondered if she looked as fat as she felt. "Penguin?"
"Yes?" Penguin, sitting on the railing near his sister, cast her a quick glance before turning his attention back to his fishing line.
"Do I look as fat as I feel?" Neo asked.
"No, of course not. You look very beautiful," Penguin said.
"I look like I swallowed a beach ball." Neo traced her finger around her stomach.
"You're not that big," Penguin said.
"Then half of a beach ball."
Penguin glanced over at her.
"I really am fat, aren't I?" Tears pooled in her eyes.
"No, you are not," Penguin said. "You only feel that way because of your pregnancy."
Neo pulled Law's hoodie up. Her stomach poked out for them to see. "Cora is really growing though. A bit faster than I figured he would."
"That just means he's healthy," Penguin said.
"Ye-" Neo gasped. Something in her stomach tapped against her. Her heart jumped.
"What it is, Neo?" Penguin asked just as Law warped to the deck.
"Something happen!" Neo said. "I don't know what it was!"
"Calm down, love." Law knelt down and stroked her hair.
"Calm down?" Neo looked up at him. He was smiling, his eyes shining. "Why are you smiling?! Something just happened! It was-"
"It was Cora kicking," Law said.
"It was…" Neo blinked. Her eyes dropped to her stomach.
"Was it really?" Penguin scrambled off the railing. Leaving his pole propped up on the railing he ran over to them and dropped to his knees. His eyes locked onto her stomach.
"Law?" Neo asked, keeping her eyes down on her stomach.
"It was. I felt it, too," Law said.
Neo's heart soared. She met Law's eyes. A smile bloomed over her lips as her heart raced with joy. "That was him. It was really Cora. He's kicking me now."
"He's old enough." Law nodded.
Neo squealed. Her placed both hands on her stomach to see if he would kick her again. "When will it happen again?"
"Probably not for a while," Law said. "He's still very young."
Neo nodded but still waited for another kick.
Law chuckled.
"She's so cute," Penguin said. The sound of his pole scraping against the railing pulled his and Law's eyes. The pole was about to go over the edge. He dove for it. His hand wrapped around it just before it could fall over the side. He pulled up a decent size fish. "That was close."
"Very. Neo wouldn't have been happy if you fell overboard," Law said.
Penguin snickered. "I'm not sure she would have noticed."
"She would have noticed," Law said. Clicking of familiar sandals drew his attention. Kin'emon stepped outside with a stern look on his face. "Something wrong?"
"There is something I need to inform you and Lady Neo about," Kin'emon said. "And that Archer fellow brought up the subject of where to dock your sub. We have a map of Wano if you wish to see it."
"Of course." Law nodded. He jabbed Bepo in the leg with his sheath to wake him up.
"Huh? What is it?" Bepo lifted his head. His eyes drifted to Neo. "Is she okay?"
"She's fine. Cora just kicked her," Law said.
"Really?!" Bepo sat up, careful to not jostle Neo. His eyes locked onto her exposed stomach.
"Neo," Law said. She didn't respond.
"She's so beyond cute when she's focused like that," Penguin said. "I think she's excited that Cora is kicking now."
"I think that's an understatement." Law took Neo's hand. "Come on, love. I need you to stand up now."
Neo's body followed his lead as he led her and everyone else inside.
"Bepo, find the elementals and have them meet us in the navigation room," Law said.
"Aye, Captain." Bepo headed off on his own.
"I'll put this in the kitchen and be right there." Penguin waved his fish then broke off as well.
The remaining few headed on down the stairs. A few passing crewmates gave Neo curious looks before they reached the fifth floor. Stepping into the navigation room they were met with the smell of ink and mapping papers. Sensing the change Neo looked up. "Hm? I thought we were outside. When and why are we in Bepo's navigation room?"
"We were," Law said. "I brought you inside because we have some things to discuss with Kin'emon."
Neo looked at the samurai. "About what?"
"Let's hold off on that until the others get here," Law said.
"Oh, okay. Hey, guess what, Kin'emon." Neo smiled. "Cora kicked me!"
"Wonderful new, Lady Neo." Kin'emon returned her smile.
Neo nodded. Releasing Law's hand she stepped over to the transponder snails. They were already awake and moving towards her. She held out her hands for them to climb upon her. "Hey, little guys. Did you hear the news? Cora kicked me! Isn't that exciting?! I am very happy he's kicking now!"
"You called for us, Captain?" Topaz asked.
Neo turned to find her, Kailen, Healer Zinnia, Bepo, and Penguin walking into the room. She squealed. "Cora kicked me!"
"That's great!" Kailen hugged her.
"Wonderful news," Healer Zinnia said. "I'm glad to hear it. I hope you weren't too scared."
"I was a little bit. I didn't know what it was. But Law did." Neo walked over to Law and slipped her hand in his. "He's such a good boy."
Law rolled his eyes at the others chuckling at him.
"I can't wait for him to be here," Bepo said. "It's going to be so weird but fun to have a baby on the sub."
"He'll get here soon enough," Penguin said. "But I'm excited, too!"
"All right. Settle down now," Law said. "Kin'emon said we have some things to discuss."
"About what?" Neo asked.
"I wish to speak about the country of Wano again," Kin'emon said. "As you all know Kaido has Wano under his control. Because of his and the Shogun Kurozumi Orochi's rule a lot of horrible things have happened to the country. The island is nothing but a wasteland. Twas about a year ago, under the Beast Pirates rule, most of the country became the wasteland it is today due to the pollution caused by the weapons factory. Only the Flower Capital remains prosperous and healthy, else where it is not. We will be living in this for some time. I worry for the safety of all the elementals we have here, especially Lady Neo and your child." He looked to the healer. "What say you of all this?"
Healer Zinnia pushed her glasses up before tucking her hands into her pockets. "Well, we've never really been around toxins or any kind of pollution so I can't say for sure what will happen to us. What I can say is the princess has the solar crystal. I'm sure we'll be fine as long as she is able to use it. If not then we can move away from the island. It might not be the best choice to separate the crew but it also might be the only one we have." Her gaze slid to Neo. "We must keep your child in mind, Princess."
"I know." Neo nodded. "As long as we remain close enough to the crews I'll be fine with it. But let's not jump to conclusions yet. Let's see how the island pollution affects us first."
"Of course, Princess," Healer Zinnia said.
"Then let's not dwell on that until we get there," Kailen said. "Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?"
"Indeed." Kin'emon pulled out a map and rolled it out on the table. "We have been able to form a map of what Wano basically looks like. It is not identical as we haven't been there in…"
"Something wrong?" Law asked when the man didn't continue.
"Forgive me." Kin'emon bowed his head. "There is quite a lot we have yet to tell you, friends. And some of it you will find rather difficult to believe. But that will have to wait until we arrive at Wano. There's something you all must see for yourselves."
"I take it we're going to try and figure out where to stash the sub?" Penguin stepped closer to the map.
"Indeed. There is a cove here." Kin'emon pointed to the map. "It's very close to where we shall be taking residence. You much keep in mind of the dangers that surround Wano. The waters around our home always suffer from terrible weather, with strong, unusual winds that cause the clouds and ocean's waves to take a swirling shape. The water flow is unique. The sea currents are clear like that of a mountain river, yet they act in reverse to one, pulling seawater closer to the land."
"And the creatures in the surrounding waters?" Neo asked.
"They are not safe to eat. There are also gigantic koi and human size octopus live in these waters," Kin'emon said. "I have no fear of them. I have seen what you can do with animals, Lady Neo."
Neo giggled. "I love them. I'm sure they will listen to me. That with my ability over the water we should be able to get right up to the island with no trouble."
"That also depends on how the pollution affects us," Topaz said.
"Indeed." Kin'emon nodded.
"Are you sure the sub will be safe there?" Penguin asked.
"Sticking the sub in a cove would be the logical choice, especially since no one would be expecting us to come there. I'm sure the waters around the island give the people there enough security to think they're safe from outside attacks," Law said. "However, there's still the possibility the sub could be discovered. The paint stands out rather well against earth tones of cove rocks."
"That's true, but not if we hide it in the island," Kailen said.
"In the island?" Bepo asked.
"I can drill a hole in the cove where we can put the sub. I believe the island will be thick enough so the cave we create won't cave in. Depending on how it goes I'm pretty sure I can create stairs that go up to the surface of the island. If we're lucky it will go right to the place where we will be staying. That way the crew can go back and forth between the sub and the island," Kailen said.
"That would be nice." Neo rested her head against Law's shoulder. "Knowing me I'll get home sick. I still haven't recovered from being away from home and the crew while being on Punk Hazard. Being able to go to the sub so easily would make being in Wano a lot easier."
"And a lot less stressful," Law said. "Plus, when you go into labor you'll want to be in the sub and not in some strange place."
"I second that. We need to make the princess as stress free as possible," Healer Zinnia said. "I will not recommend taking the princess far away from her home until after she has the baby."
"You really think I'll have Cora while we're in Wano?" Neo asked.
"I believe so." Healer Zinnia nodded.
Neo's hand went to her stomach. "That soon, huh?"
"Then it's settled." Law looked at Kailen. "Will you need help making the stairs and tunnel?"
"If I do Healer Zinnia can assist me," Kailen said. "Neo won't have to worry about that."
"Just don't stress yourself out. This sounds like a really big job," Neo said. Worry built up in her chest. She took a deep breath to make herself relax. Kailen would be fine.
"It'll be all right, Neo." Kailen gave her a reassuring smile. "If the task is too much we can always stop for a while then start again."
"Okay. Wait. What about food? If the country is in such bad shape how will we survive?" Neo asked. "I have my crystals and can make fruits and vegetables."
"We'll figure that out as we go," Law said. "The crew might just have to tighten their belts."
"Fine. But I won't let them go hungry." Neo gave Law a stern look. "I won't let our babies starve. If they want something we will get it for them."
"All right, Neo." Law kissed her hair. "Don't get upset. It'll work out just fine."
"It had better. But until we arrive in Wano I'm going to make my babies a lot of good healthy meals," Neo said. She headed for the door. "Let's see. What do we have? Pizza. Well, that's not a healthy food but it sounds really good right now. And pies. Not healthy either but it also sounds good."
"She's going to turn us into fat ticks." Penguin watched Neo leave the room.
"You're going to love it," Bepo said. "I hope she makes a lot of fish dishes."
"Should someone supervise her so she doesn't over do it?" Topaz asked.
"That might be best," Law said. "I'll keep an eye on her through our bond but someone should be with her. She's already stressing out over being in Wano and missing the Straw Hat crew."
"I'll watch her," Kailen said. "I'll get a few of the Straw Hats to help. Their presence in the galley might help her relax."
Law nodded.
Kailen nodded back then left the room.
…
"Corn fritters! Those sound really, really good right now!" Neo said. Going up the stairs, she looked down at the floor. "I'm really going to miss walking around on you every day, Polar Tang. It was difficult being away from you while on Punk Hazard. I hope we don't have to stay in Wano for that long. Surely Luffy and the others will arrive not long after we arrive. But then I have no idea how long it will take them to get to Whole Cake Island, save Sanji, and then get to Wano." She released an aggravated growl. "Let's see. It's been a few days since we left Zou. Nami said it would take a couple weeks to get to Sanji. We'll probably be in Wano for a while before they even arrive. We're going to have to find jobs or something to do while we wait for them. Hopefully we'll all be able to stay out of trouble while we're waiting." She proceeded up the stairs. "I wonder how bad the pollution on Wano really is. If it's that bad then we might sense it before we get there."
"Talking to yourself again I see."
Neo looked up to find she had made it to the galley without realizing it. Basil was smiling at her from the sink. He was busy cleaning up some fish the crew had caught. Or maybe it was Penguin who caught them. She couldn't remember. "I guess it doesn't matter."
"What doesn't matter?" Basil asked.
"Oh, sorry, I was talking to myself." Neo smiled. "I've been a bit distracted. Cora kicked me."
"Really? That's great. No wonder you're distracted," Basil said.
"Yeah. But I'm also distracted by trying to figure out how long we're going to be at Wano before Luffy and the others show up," Neo said. "Kin'emon just informed us about the island. It's polluted because of the weapons factory."
"Is that going to cause problems for you?" Basil's eyes dropped to her stomach.
"We don't know and won't really know until we get there. Apparently the elementals have never dealt with pollution on Wano." Neo walked over to him. "It's also got me worried about the animals there and what the crews are going to eat. I figured we could make up a lot of healthy foods and some snacks to fill them up before we get there."
"I don't see why not," Basil said. "We could also keep some food around the sub for the crew to eat. We're going to have a tough battle a head of us."
"Right. We'll definitely need to have some good meals before we go into battle," Neo said thoughtfully. "So we should stalk up on some fish for them before we get there."
"Does this mean the sub is going to remain close to us? Or are we staying on the sub?" Basil asked.
"We're going to put the sub into a cove," Neo said. "Kailen and Healer Zinnia will drill out a spot to hide the sub. They're planning on making stairs up to the place where we can come and go from the sub."
"I see."
Just then a few crewmates wandered into the galley. Neo looked at them. "Hey, guys. Cora kicked me today! And when you have time can you catch some more fish?"
"Cora's kicking?"
"That's exciting."
"Sure thing, Neo. We'll do that right now. And congrats on Cora kicking you. If that's not a weird thing to say."
"Thank you so much, guys. I want to make sure you all have a good meal before we have to fight," Neo said. "Though I hope it will still be a while before that happens."
"I'm sure it will," Basil said as the crewmates left the room. "Other than all that how are you doing? Is your stress level staying low?"
"It is. The exercises Healer Zinnia has me doing are helping me relax," Neo said. She moved around the kitchen, looking at their spices and other foods. Her hands started grabbing things from the cabinets. "I think I'll make some cookies. Oatmeal cookies sound really good right now. And they're healthy, too. She also told me I was doing fine and she's considering going ahead and starting lamaze classes soon. Oh, I almost forgot. We also have the back up plan of living off Wano during that time if we have to. So basically it's a wait and see game."
"That's understandable," Basil said. "I'm glad you're all working on this before we get there."
"Hey, Kailen told us what was going on," Usopp said as he, Kailen, Robin, and Franky walked into the kitchen. His eyes fell to the counter where Neo was placing her cooking items. "So what are you making?"
"Cookies," Neo said. "Just those for the moment. I'll be making other things, too."
"Great. Would you mind if we help?" Usopp asked.
"If you really want to," Neo said. "You're guests after all."
"We'd love to help." Usopp walked over to the sink to wash his hands. "Though none of us are as good as Sanji."
"Kailen informed us of how you're stressing over the rest of our crew," Robin said.
"Yeah, well, that's me. I'm trying not to," Neo said. "Cooking helps. Though it also reminds me of Sanji. I'd like it if you all cooked with me."
"We would love to." Robin smiled.
"It'll be super fun!" Franky said.
"Where's Zoro?" Neo asked.
"He turned the offer down," Kailen said.
Neo wrinkled her nose. "Figures. But it's fine." A smile curled on her lips as her body filled with mischievousness. "I'll just have to make him pay for it later."
'Do I want to know what you're planning?'
Neo giggled.
'That's what I thought.'
"I can't wait to see that," Usopp said. "So where are the aprons?"
"Right here." Basil pointed to the drawer.
"Let's get started then!" Neo cheered.
"She's very motivated," Robin said.
"Almost like Luffy," Usopp said.
"I wonder if he rubbed off on her in the short time they've spent together," Franky said.
"Maybe a little bit," Basil said. "She has changed a lot, too. Most of the credit goes to the captain but I believe some of it goes to Cora as well."
Neo set about measuring the ingredients to her cookies. "You think so?"
"Makes me wonder how you're going to change when you have Cora," Usopp said.
"Think I'll change a lot?" Neo asked.
"I think you will," Franky said. "Moms can be very protective of their babies."
Neo hummed. "I am already protective of my family. They can defend themselves. And Cora is just a sweet and innocent baby. Babies can't defend themselves." Heat rose in her chest. Her eyebrows kneaded. "No one is going to touch our baby! I won't allow it!" Grabbing her mixing bowl she vigorously started stirring. "Kaido and his annoying little beastie pirates are not going to get away with what they have done!"
"She's scary," Usopp said.
"She's super amazing!" Franky laughed.
"I think she's lost in her own little world," Robin said.
Kailen sighed. "She's definitely changed. A lot."
…
"I think I ate way too much," Shachi moaned as he fell onto the table from his chair. Several crewmembers mumbled in agreement.
"I'm sorry. I guess I did go a little bit overboard." Neo eyes the remaining food that spotted the tables and counters. She also noticed the galley air was finally going back to normal. The cinnamon and others spices she had used her in cooking were finally fading away.
"It wasn't your fault." Tero leaned back in his chair. "They're the ones who chose to over eat. They didn't have to stuff their faces."
"But it was so good," Shachi said.
"Don't worry about it," Law said. "It'll keep until the crew eats it."
"I just wanted you all to eat well." Neo sighed.
"We always eat well thanks to you and Basil," Penguin said. "You have nothing to worried about."
"I have plenty to worry about." Neo frowned. She shook her head. "But I will not allow it to get to me anymore."
"Good to hear," Bepo said, this eyes down on the last piece of fish they had. "Could I have another piece of fish?"
"Of course, Bepo," Neo said. Bepo snatched it right up and sunk his teeth into it. She yawned. "All that food is making me sleepy. Cora's sleepy, too." She crossed her arms over the table and laid her head on them. "Good night."
"Neo." Law sighed. "You could at least go to our room or the rec. room to sleep."
"Mhmm." Neo hummed.
Everyone chuckled.
"Come on, you." Law stood up. He guided her onto her feet before picking her up. Once out in the hall he warped her to their room. Using his still intact Room he moved the blanket out of the way before placing her down on his side of the bed. He then pulled the blanket over her, kissed her forehead, and then sat down at his desk and opened a book.
…
Neo opened her eyes to fussy crying of a baby. Sitting up she swung her legs off the bed and stood up. Her eyes fell upon the corner of the room, opposite of where she was sitting. There her crystal crib and the rocking chair sat. The fussy cries came from within the crib. Standing up she walked over to it and peered inside. There a baby laid. Her chest filled with warmth upon seeing the child. It was their baby. Hesitantly she scooped her hands under the baby's body and pulled him to her chest. He instantly stopped crying at her touch. "There, there, sweet baby." She walked over to the rocking chair and sat down. "Mommy's here. I've got you."
Cora snuggled up to her and fell asleep.
Neo opened her eyes to soothing warmth in her chest. The images of her holding their son played in her mind. Far too quickly it faded away from her awakening senses. She sighed, wishing she could have held the image longer.
"Something wrong?" Law asked.
"No, not really." Neo looked to find him at his desk hunched over a book. "I just had a dream of our son. He was crying and I held him then rocked him. It was so sweet."
Law smiled. A moment of silence passed between them.
"Hey, Law?" Neo asked. Her eyes wandered to the corner of the room where the crib and rocking chair sat in her dream.
"Yes, love." Law flipped to the next page of his book.
"I was thinking about something that I'd like to do before we arrive in Wano," Neo said. Sitting up she placed her feet on the floor.
Law continued to run his eyes over his book. "And what's that?"
Neo dropped her eyes to her hands. She fiddled with her fingers, unsure of what Law would think of her request. "If you wouldn't mind… I'd like to move the crib and rocking chair in our room." She looked up with he didn't response. She found him staring at her with a blank expression. "Sorry. Is that not what you want to do?"
"Neo." Law stood up and walked over to her. Taking her hands he pulled her up off the bed and into a kiss. "Love, you know you can do whatever you want. And if you're ready for them to be moved in our room then we will move them here."
"I'm sorry. I just got a little nervous," Neo said. "Even though I know we're going to have a baby I still have a hard time occasionally believing it's happening. Feels silly."
"It's not silly at all." Law kissed her again. "Would you like to get them now?"
Neo nodded. "I would. It's quiet now. It might be the only time we can do this."
Lacing his fingers with hers Law led her from their room and to the storage room down the hall where he had he crew store the items. Flipping on the light they walked over to the sheets covering them. They pulled them off.
Neo ran her fingers over their crystal forms. They were smooth and slightly cool to the touch. Her bedroom back on Luminous came to her mind. Again she wondered what her life would have been like if she had grown up with her people. Would she, as a baby, liked to have been rocked in this chair? Would she like her crib? Would she have cried until her parents or brother came and got her? A soft sigh passed over her lips. "Our son will have a good life."
"Of course," Law said. "Are you ready to move them?"
"I am." Neo nodded. Summoning a wind crystal she lifted the two items off the floor. They went back to their room. Carefully she moved them so she didn't bump them into anything despite knowing she couldn't damage them. She placed them down in the corner of the room, opposite from her stuff bear and Luminous corner. Next she engulfed her crystal's glow to the feet of the crib and connected it to the sub floor so it wouldn't topple over during times they would be thrown about by enemy fire or the waves. "Is that good? It looks like it's secured to the floor."
"It's perfect." Law bent down to inspect the feet.
Neo stepped closer to the rocking chair. She stared at it for a moment before sitting down in it. Pushing on her toes she rocked herself and Cora. "Think he'll like being rocked?"
"I'm sure he will," Law said.
"It's really soothing." Neo continued to rock herself.
"I'm sure it is." Law walked over to his desk. He grabbed a book and walked back over to Neo and handed it to her. "Here you go."
"Cora's baby book?" Neo took it.
"An important event happened today," Law said. "Wouldn't you like to write it down?"
"Of course! I can't believe I forgot about it!" Neo opened the book and penned in the day and time Cora first kicked her. "I'm so glad you're here to help me remember this stuff. I can't believe I had forgotten about it."
"One of the many reasons I'm here for you." Law went back to his desk.
Done with the book she tucked it beside her leg and continued to rock herself. "This really is nice and soothing." She yawned. "I think I'm going to fall asleep."
"Well, after cooking all day and night I'm surprised you haven't slept already," Law said.
"I didn't cook that much." Neo puffed up her cheeks. "And it hasn't been all day and night."
"You cooked about everything we had in the galley." Law smirked at her.
"Oh!" Grabbing the baby book she stood up.
"Leaving so soon?"
"I am. You're being a meanie." Neo placed the book on his desk before kissing his cheek. "But I'll make you make it up to me later. Right now I want some tea. Would you like some?"
"No thanks."
Neo nodded and left the room. Making her way back to the galley she stretched out her body to help get rid of the tiredness that settled in her body from rocking. The galley was quiet when she entered it. Basil had already cleaned the remaining mess up and was probably in his room. Enjoying the rare moment of solitude and quietness she made her tea, poured two mugs and then headed to the rec. room. There she found Robin was reading another book. "I though you might be in here. I brought you some tea."
"Thank you, Neo." Robin took the mug from her.
Neo sat down. Pulling her feet under her she blew into her mug. The two settled into comfortable quietness.
A couple hours passed before a few crewmates and a couple other Straw Hats wandered into the room to start a game of poker. Neo watched them play while curled up in a blanket. Her eyelids started to flutter closed when a sudden heaviness settled over her entire body. Anguish cries of nature suffocating from pain pounded her mind. She gasped and grabbed her head.
"What is it, Neo?! What's wrong?! Are you hurt?! Is it the baby?!" Usopp jumped from the chair he was sitting on. His chair hit the floor with a thud.
"Calm down, bro," Franky said. "Panicking doesn't do anyone any good."
"Neo? Are you all right?" Robin placed her hand on Neo's back.
"N-no. I mean I'm fine." Neo gulped in air. Her body trembled. "It's Wano. I think."
"Wano?" Usopp asked.
"The island and the animals are choking." Neo wrapped her arms around herself. "Law."
Law warped into the room. He sat down beside her, pulling her to his side. "I'm here."
"I feel like I can't breath," Neo said. "Wano… the island and animals… it feels like their live force is being squeezed out of them."
"Should we get the healer?" Archer asked.
"I'm already here." Healer Zinnia walked into the room.
"Great. But you don't look all that well either." Archer eyed the pale skin of the healer.
"I'll be fine. Right now we need to get the princess into the infirmary," Healer Zinnia said. "I need to monitor her and the baby."
Law nodded. Pulling Neo into his arms she warp to the infirmary with the healer. He placed her down on the bed while Healer Zinnia pulled out crystal patches.
Healer Zinnia lifted Neo's shirt and placed the patches on her stomach then chest. Beeping filled the room when she activated the monitor. "Trying and relax, Princess."
"I'm trying," Neo said. "It's just so hard."
"I know." Healer Zinnia nodded. "The pressure is strong. I'm surprised I'm still on my feet. And most likely it's going to get worse the closer we get to Wano. Use your solar crystal if you need to."
"So that's it," Law said.
"Yes." Healer Zinnia nodded. "Or so I assume. It's the first time I felt this. I can also feel some strange sensation of animals. I'm not sure how to explain it."
"That'll be the zoan devil fruit users," Neo said. "They always feel a bit strange compared to normal animals. You'll adjust to it."
"I see." Healer Zinnia nodded.
"There you are," Penguin said. He walked into the room with Topaz arm over his shoulders. "Topaz is sick or something."
"So is Kailen." Shachi walked in with Kailen stumbling beside him.
"I'm fine," Kailen said.
"As am I." Topaz pulled away from Penguin. "The pressure just caught me off guard."
"Healer Zinnia are you going to monitor them as well?" Neo asked.
"Of course." Healer Zinnia pulled out more patches. "I want to make sure you all stay healthy considering the battle you're about to go into. I'll been recording the data on how the pollution here affects us. That way we can have it for future reference if we have to deal with this again."
"Good plan." Kailen walked over to Neo. "How are you feeling?"
"A little better now," Neo said summoning her solar crystal. She spread it's healing glow over herself and the other elementals. "Though a little nauseous."
"Well, it feels like the island is still about two hours away," Healer Zinnia said. "Hopefully we'll all adjust better to it before we get there."
"I'm sure we will," Kailen said.
"What should we do until then?" Topaz asked.
"You can still do whatever you want. You know your bodies best," Healer Zinnia said. "Just listen to them."
"What about Neo?" Penguin looked to his sister. Worry etched over his face.
"She needs to stay here for a while, at least." Healer Zinnia pushed up her glasses. "I want to make sure this doesn't stress her and the baby out. Once I know for sure that everything is fine she'll be allowed to move around again." She turned to Neo. "Understand, Princess? If you need anything then have someone get it for you."
"Yes, ma'am, I understand." Neo relaxed into her pillow.
"I'll be in and out to check on you," Healer Zinnia said. "The others can come in as well as long as they won't get you excited."
"They won't do that," Neo said.
"Uh huh." Healer Zinnia crossed her arms and looked at Law. "I remember giving you the exact same order on Luminous yet someone constantly got your blood pressure up."
Law smirked. "She was fine then."
Penguin and Shachi chuckled.
"Well, she's not fine now." Healer Zinnia glared. "I expect you to be a doctor right now and keep her blood pressure low for her sake and the sake of your child."
"I won't do anything to hurt them," Law said.
"I'm sure you won't. Still watch how you touch the princess for a while." Shoving her hands into her pockets Healer Zinnia left the room. "I'll be back in a little while."
"And the clashing between healer and doctor continues," Shachi said.
"The eternal battle as long as Neo's around," Penguin added.
"If you're fine I'm going to return to our room." Law looked at Neo.
"I am." Neo nodded. "I'll call if I need you."
Law kissed her before leaving the room.
"Kailen, Topaz, I'd really like it if you'd stay with me," Neo said. "I want to make sure you two are fine as well."
"Of course, Neo," Topaz said. "We'll stay as long as you need us to."
"We weren't doing anything important anyway," Kailen said.
"Would you like us to bring you something?" Penguin asked. "A deck of cards, maybe?"
"That would be nice," Neo said. "I don't want to get bored in here."
"Then I'll bring one right back." Penguin left the room.
"See ya." Shachi waved and left the room too. "I'm going back training with the others."
A few minutes later Penguin came back in the room with a deck of cards in hand. Kailen grew them some flower chairs. They sat around Neo's bed. Penguin shuffled the deck before passing the cards out. The pirates picked up their cards.
"How's it going in here?" Robin asked a little while later.
Neo looked to the door to find Robin, Usopp, and Franky entered the room. "Hey, guys."
"You feeling better?" Usopp walked closer to the bed. "You had us worried there for a moment."
"We're fine." Neo nodded while rubbing her stomach. "And we're adjusting to the pollution of Wano. Well, more or less. Though I'm not sure if this pressure feeling will go away any time soon. It might stay with us as long as we're here."
"Here for a check up." Healer Zinnia walked in. She read the monitor before checking Neo's pulse. "Your pressure's up a little. I'll make some green tea for you."
"Thank you." Neo watched the healer leave before looking back at her friends.
"Hope we're not causing you stress by being here," Usopp said.
"Don't worry about it. You can come see me all you want," Neo said. "How are you all doing now that we're so close to Wano?"
"Honestly, I'm getting a little nervous now that we're this close." Usopp crossed his arms. "This is the first time we're doing something like this without Luffy. It feels weird."
"Our captain will make it here in no time," Franky said. "You'll see."
"He's probably having a lot of fun right now," Usopp said. "Though I don't envy him one bit."
"Or he's causing a lot of trouble for the rest of our crew," Robin said.
"I wouldn't doubt that." Neo smiled. "He caused a lot of issues on Punk Hazard and Dressrosa. Makes me wonder what trouble he's gotten himself into this time. I can't wait to hear about their time in Big Mom's territory." She gasped. Her eyes widened. "On second thought that sounds rather scary. I'm not sure I want to hear about it after all."
The pirates laughed at her quick mood change.
Neo laughed as well. "Well, I guess I'll decide that when they make it here."
"Get some rest." Robin headed for the door. Usopp and Franky waved before following the woman out of the room.
The remaining pirates went back to their game and enjoyed tea when Basil brought it in for them. They only paused when others came in to check on them. And Neo paused once to fawn over Cora when he kicked her before remembering the others were still with her.
"How are you feeling now?" Healer Zinnia asked.
"The pressure is still there but it's not as bad," Neo said. "Cora even kicked me a few minutes ago."
"That's a good thing to hear. Sounds like he's doing just fine. But we still have to be careful." Healer Zinnia read the monitor as Neo's heartbeat blipped across it. "We have no idea yet how this will affect us over a long period of time."
"We understand," the elementals said. A round of giggles filled the room.
"Very funny, children." Healer Zinnia smiled, shook her head, and left the room again.
"Shall we play another round?" Kailen waved the cards.
"Sure." Neo nodded.
Kailen shuffled then passed out the cards.
Thirty minutes later the elementals looked up from the game when a massive land mass presented itself to them.
"You feel that?" Topaz asked.
"Yeah." Kailen nodded.
"What is it?" Penguin asked.
"We've arrived," Neo said. Hands trembling she grabbed onto her blanket.
Just then Law walked into the room. A determined look set on his face while he held his sword on his shoulder. "It's time."
Neo stood up from the bed. She slipped her hand into Law's as they walked out of the infirmary and out onto the deck. Her mouth fell slightly open as they stared out at the massive island before them. As Kin'emon said violent storms swirled around the island, blocking ships from entering. Massive rock formations were scattered around the island. They towered over them with ominous shadows. Waves roses over fifty feet into the air before crashing back into the water. The pollution grew stronger. Her knees quaked. She leaned into Law to keep her balance. Her solar crystal appeared. It's glow spread out between the elementals. "Unbelievable. The storms are so strong. How is it possible Kaido and his crew can get to and from the island?"
"I'm sure they have a way," Law said.
"Dang it." Kailen leaned back against the sub wall. "The pressure of the pollution is insane."
"Your orders, Captain?" Bepo asked.
"Prepare the sub to dive," Law said. "We're going to proceed with the plan."
"So this is it." Neo tightened her hold on Law's hand. "We've finally arrived at Wano."
"Everyone back inside," Law said. "Bepo, tell Archer to get to the control room."
"Aye, Captain!" Bepo rushed back into the sub.
The other's quickly followed. Once inside Kailen grabbed the door and shut it with a clank.
Law and the elementals made their way down to the control room.
"I'm ready, Captain," Archer said as they entered the room. He sat down at the controls and started pressing buttons. "Get ready, everyone. We're diving."
"Are we even going to be able to get passed all those whirlpools?" Topaz asked. "They're so strong."
"I should be able to slow them down enough to get us through them," Neo said.
"You feeling up to it?" Law eyed the solar crystal.
"I can handle this." Neo looked at him.
Law nodded slowly.
"We're almost to the point where Kin'emon told you we're going to hide the sub," Archer said.
"Then keep the sub steady," Neo said. "I'll handle the rest."
"Sure thing." Archer guided he sub along a whirlpool until he got to the area Kin'emon told them about.
Neo drew in a slow breath. Exhaling she summoned several water crystals near the whirlpool. The whirlpool connected to her. She fed it her will to slow down while creating a stream flowing in the opposite direction. "Okay. Slip in."
"On it," Archer said.
A painful pulse in nature made Neo flinch. Her water crystals dimmed. The whirlpool grew in strength, pulling the sub towards it.
Tension settled into the room as the sub drew closer and closer to the whirlpool.
Growling Neo refocused her mind, pushing the pollution away from her thoughts. The whirlpool slowed down again.
Archer pulled the sub back into position. They passed the whirlpool. The room filled with a collective sigh.
"We made it," Bepo said. "That was so scary."
"So this is it," Neo said.
Law squeezed her hand.
Neo leaned into him, mentally preparing herself for what was coming next.
