*The Second Day After The Seasonal Storm.*
Winter Island.
The wind was colder than usual this morning, but Zino and his group were already up and ready. After spending the previous day scouring every inch of the island for signs of Alvida, Zoro, and the others—only to come up empty—Zino had made a decision.
"We're heading to Alabasta," he declared.
The others—Kaya, and Mikita nodded in agreement. It made sense. Vivi was from Alabasta, and if the other missing crewmates had any destination in mind, it would be to support their princess.
There was just one problem: they didn't have a ship.
The only available vessel nearby was Wapol's ship, which had been left docked near the cliffside. However, that particular ship was a submarine, a type of vessel none of them knew how to operate. As for Wapol's crew, they were no longer a threat. Dalton, the former royal guard and now village leader, had personally overseen their capture. They were locked away in the town's makeshift prison, awaiting judgment.
Seeing their frustration, Dalton made a suggestion. "You could try the old royal castle," he said. "If I remember correctly, there was another ship docked there—one used during the Drum Kingdom's diplomacy days."
Zino perked up at the idea. "That'll do."
So, on this chilly morning, Zino, Kaya, and Mikita set off toward the castle at the summit of Drum Rock, the towering mountain that loomed over the entire island like a frozen guardian. It was a long journey, but their spirits were high.
That is… until Zino started licking snow off the trees.
"Zino! Enough!" Kaya scolded, grabbing him by the coat as he tried to stuff another handful of snow into his mouth.
"But it's delicious!" Zino mumbled, cheeks full. "Tastes like powdered sugar!"
"You're going to freeze your insides!" Kaya snapped, dragging him back to the path.
Mikita chuckled as she walked behind them. "Honestly, he's more trouble than a hungry toddler."
Eventually, they reached the base of the towering mountain where the castle stood. The clouds hung low, hugging the icy cliffs. The slope was steep, and there was no path leading up.
Thankfully, luck was on their side—they had *not* encountered any wild Lapahns, the giant snow rabbits that roamed the area.
Mikita stared up at the castle perched on the peak. "So… how exactly do we get up there? There's no cable car like in the old days."
Zino cracked his knuckles. "We climb it."
Kaya blinked. "Climb?!"
But before either of them could protest, Zino swept both girls up—one arm around each of their waists. "Hold on tight."
And then, with a sudden burst of strength, he launched into the air using Geppo, the Sky Walk technique.
Step by invisible step, Zino bounded upward, the cold wind whipping past their faces as the ground shrank below. Kaya squealed in surprise, clutching his coat tightly, while Mikita laughed, enjoying the rush.
It wasn't long before the snowy ledge of the mountaintop came into view. With a final leap, Zino landed softly on the edge.
They had arrived at the Drum Castle.
The castle loomed ahead—an ancient, towering structure etched into the snow-capped peak like a relic from a forgotten era. Its walls were caked with layers of frost, and its tall spires reached into the gray sky like icy fingers clawing through the clouds.
Zino set Kaya and Mikita gently onto the snowy ground. "Alright," he said, brushing snow off his coat. "Let's find that ship."
They began making their way toward the castle gate, boots crunching over thick snow. As they reached the shadow of the front courtyard, Zino cupped his hands and called out.
"HELLO? ANYONE HERE?!"
His voice thundered across the empty landscape.
But what came next was far more than just an echo.
Kaya and Mikita stumbled back as a strange pressure filled the air. Their ears rang. Mikita clutched her head, and Kaya swayed slightly. The air shimmered faintly around Zino, the snow at his feet vibrating with a strange force.
"W-what was that?" Kaya asked, steadying herself.
Unbeknownst to him, Zino had just released a sliver of Conqueror's Haki—uncontrolled and raw. The power burst out with his voice, amplified by his natural Wind Element, creating a resonant sound that rang across the peaks like a massive bell tolling doom.
He didn't even realize he had done it.
Miria had once said that Zino possessed the latent will of a king, but he hadn't learned how to control it. And with no one in the crew who had Conqueror's Haki, let alone could teach it, he remained unaware of its full danger.
The effects, however, were immediate.
From across the mountains, the tremor of sound shook the snow. A low rumble began… then intensified. A moment later, huge sheets of snow started shifting—then collapsing. Tons of packed snow slid down the slopes in growing waves, forming a massive avalanche.
In the distant valley below, the townspeople heard the thunderous roar.
"AVALANCHE!!" someone screamed.
Panic spread like wildfire. The villagers ran for shelter, grabbing children, pulling carts, diving into reinforced bunkers. Snow crashed down from the high cliffs, an unstoppable white wave swallowing the landscape.
Despite the fear, the townspeople moved quickly. This wasn't the first time they'd faced such a disaster. Drum Kingdom was a winter island, after all—avalanches were part of life. But this one felt different. Bigger.
Stronger.
After a while, the avalanche stopped. Dalton, half-buried in a drift near the edge of town, emerged with a grunt, coughing snow from his mouth. He looked toward the mountains, dread growing in his eyes.
"What caused this…?" he muttered.
He squinted at the peaks—and a sudden realization struck him.
"Oh no," he gasped, smacking his forehead. "I forgot to warn them!"
He turned to the other villagers. "Someone check the castle! Make sure the three of them are safe!"
Then he muttered under his breath, "Please, let them be okay… and please tell me Zino didn't provoke the witch."
Dalton stared toward the towering mountain, anxiety tightening his gut.
There was a reason few dared approach Drum Castle. Not because of ghosts, or traps, or the cold…
But because of her.
The legendary and feared doctor who once ruled this mountain with iron will and herbal medicine.
The witch doctor.
And if Zino's thunderous greeting had woken her from her peaceful isolation, the avalanche might be the least of their problems.
...
Back atop the mountain, Zino stood still, listening to the eerie echoes of his own voice bouncing off the frozen cliffs.
At first, he assumed the reverberation was due to his Air Element—a technique that often gave his voice more range and power. But something about this was different. There was an unfamiliar resonance in the air, a strange pressure that made his skin prickle.
"…That wasn't just air," Zino murmured to himself, eyes narrowing. "What is this… aura?"
Before he could analyze further—
"WHO THE HELL IS SHOUTING THIS EARLY IN THE MORNING?!"
A raspy but forceful voice exploded from the direction of the castle gates. The sound of rapid, heavy footsteps followed, crunching across the snow-laced ground.
From the castle emerged an old woman with sharp, gleaming eyes and a wild glint that made her presence larger than life. Her fashion was unusually youthful—tight pants, a cropped coat, and pink-tinted sunglasses perched on her nose. Despite her age, she moved with the energy of someone decades younger.
Dr. Kureha.
Behind her, peeking nervously from the gate, was a peculiar figure—a small reindeer standing upright, half-hidden, half-curious, with a blue nose and wide eyes.
"What now…" Zino muttered under his breath, blinking at the bizarre duo.
Kureha scanned the group like a hawk, and her eyes locked immediately onto Zino. "Which one of you screamed loud enough to wake the damn mountain goats?!"
Without hesitation, both Mikita and Kaya raised their hands and pointed straight at Zino like loyal citizens reporting a criminal.
Zino stared at them, betrayed. "Seriously?"
Kureha cracked her knuckles, storming forward. "Boy, are you tired of living? Do you want me to inject a gallon of anesthesia straight into your eyeball?"
"Whoa, whoa, let's calm down!" Zino raised both hands defensively, smiling awkwardly. "We come in peace. That shout was... unintentional."
"Peace?" Kureha barked. "You think *that* sounded like peace? You nearly started an avalanche!"
In fact it did!
Zino scratched his head. "Yeah… about that…"
"And how the hell do you know who I am?"
Before Zino could respond, Kaya stepped forward quickly, eyes sparkling at the mention of "doctor." She bowed respectfully. "Our deepest apologies, Dr. Kureha. My friend didn't mean to cause any trouble. We didn't realize shouting would—uh—cause such an uproar."
At the same time, she subtly nudged Zino in the ribs, whispering sharply, "Bow. Now."
Zino let out a sigh and gave a shallow bow, doing his best to look genuinely apologetic. "Sorry. For real."
Dr. Kureha didn't seem impressed. Her sharp gaze remained fixed on him, as though she were reading his entire life story through his posture.
"Boy," she said slowly, voice laced with suspicion, "did the people down below tell you anything about me?"
Zino straightened up slightly. "I heard them mention your name in passing."
"I see," Kureha said, her tone cautious. "So, are you here for my help, or are you after my medical knowledge? Don't waste my time."
"Uh… neither, actually." Zino scratched the back of his head, glancing toward the castle. "We're just here for a ship."
"A ship?" Kureha blinked. "Not for treatment? Not even to ask about healing herbs or rare medicine?"
"Nope. Just the ship," Zino confirmed with a sheepish smile. "Dalton said there might be one here, at the castle. Ours was wrecked, so we're hoping to borrow it. Is that possible?"
Kureha's answer was blunt and immediate.
"No."
"…Eh? That fast?" Zino looked stunned. "You don't even want to hear our side? Or negotiate a price?"
"I said no." Kureha crossed her arms. "No is no."
Mikita leaned toward Kaya and whispered, "She is still angry about that shout."
Zino held up his hands. "Wait, come on now. Can't we at least try to talk it over? One chance—just one."
Kureha narrowed her eyes and studied him for a long moment. Then, with a sigh, she relented slightly. "Fine. Let's see what kind of bargain you think you're capable of offering. Impress me."
Zino paused, thinking for a second. Then he calmly said, "I defeated Wapol's crew."
The words hung in the cold air like a sudden slap.
"…What?" Kureha asked, brows twitching.
"Also," Zino added, "I killed Wapol."
Silence.
Kaya and Mikita turned to look at him, stunned that he would just drop that bomb so casually.
Kureha's expression shifted from skeptical to dead serious. She took a slow step forward, her eyes now examining Zino more critically.
"You killed that cowardly tin-can king?" she asked, her tone low. "You're not bluffing?"
"I don't bluff about murder," Zino said honestly. "He was trying to enslave the people of the Winter Island. I didn't think twice."
Kureha was quiet for a moment longer before she slowly exhaled through her nose. "Well. That changes things."
Chopper, still hiding behind the door, peeked out more curiously now.
"Wapol was a plague on this land," Kureha said. "And while I don't condone senseless killing, I won't shed tears for that worm."
"So… does that mean we can have the ship?" Zino asked hopefully.
Kureha tapped her foot, clearly thinking. "If what you said is true, then you've done this country a favor. I'm not generous—but I'm not unfair."
She looked at Zino with sharp eyes. "Very well. You can *inspect* the ship. Whether you can take it depends on its condition… and if you can convince me you won't sink it in a week."
Zino grinned. "Fair enough."
"Don't get cocky." Kureha pointed a finger at him. "And don't shout again. Next time, I will test that anesthesia threat."
"Yes, ma'am," Zino replied quickly. "No shouting. Promise."