Another night passed with the gentle rocking of the Merry.
Giyu opened his eyes on his small bunk. The cabin was empty—everyone else had apparently gathered in Nami's room last night to keep her company, but he had ultimately chosen to return here.
It wasn't that he didn't care; he just wasn't used to sleeping with so many people at night. Deep down, a certain reluctance to disturb others made him more accustomed to spending the long nights alone.
He sat up and tried to slowly regulate his breathing.
Cough—Cough—
The coughing... seemed to have lessened.
The uncomfortable friction in his lungs had indeed eased considerably, and his breathing was smoother. But when Giyu raised his hand to touch his forehead, the abnormally high fever remained stubbornly persistent.
This strange condition left him slightly irritated.
He neatly tidied his bunk, put on his thick dark coat, and pushed open the door.
Passing by Nami's room, he paused and gently pushed the door ajar to peer inside. The scene inside made him fall silent for a moment.
Luffy was sprawled out asleep in the center of the floor, Zoro leaned against the wall with his sword in a light doze, Usopp curled up in a corner snoring softly, and Vivi was slumped over Nami's bedside, having apparently stayed up all night and now sleeping lightly. A warm atmosphere, mingling both liveliness and tranquility, washed over him.
They... had been here all along.
Giyu quietly closed the door without disturbing the peace.
Entering the dining area, he saw Sanji already wearing an apron and busy cooking breakfast for everyone, the warm aroma of food wafting from the pot.
"Morning, Giyu," Sanji merely glanced up briefly before focusing back on his frying pan, his tone carrying its usual greeting.
"Morning, Sanji," Giyu replied softly.
Sanji pointed toward the dining table where some stacked tableware was placed:
"Perfect timing, Giyu. Could you do me a favor? I can't step away right now. Go check if our course is correct outside—there's a telescope and Log Pose on the railing by the door."
"Mm."
Giyu nodded without further questions, turned around, and pushed open the door leading to the deck.
Whoosh—!
The icy snow-laden wind immediately rushed in, refreshing his spirits. The snow hadn't let up; it was still bitterly cold. Giyu walked to the bow and first confirmed the direction of the Log Pose—steadily pointing straight ahead without any deviation.
Then he picked up the cold telescope, raised it to his eyes, adjusted the focus, and looked toward the horizon.
The view shook in the lenses, and then... on the distant sea, a silhouette heavily covered in white stood quietly against the blue ocean.
An island... it must be the island with doctors that woman called the Vice President mentioned!
Hold on, Nami!
The thought flashed through his mind. He didn't even realize what he was doing—his body had already turned around and he quickly rushed back into the cabin.
"I see an island!His voice was more urgent than usual, carrying a trace of impatience he himself hadn't noticed.
"What?! Really?!Sanji whirled around, his face instantly lighting up with surprise. He immediately set down his spatula.
"I'll go check too!"
He brushed past Giyu and rushed toward the deck, but as he passed by, his steps faltered slightly. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Giyu's usually expressionless face now seeming unusually unsettled.
Sanji's lips curled into a meaningful smile, but he didn't linger, charging straight into the blizzard.
This guy… it's the first time I've seen him so… frantic.
But Giyu paid no attention to Sanji's reaction. He had already turned toward Nami's room and pushed the door open abruptly. Everyone inside was startled by the sudden commotion.
Vivi, jolted from her light sleep, lifted her head with a weary and confused expression. "Mr. Giyu? Why the hurry? What's going on?"
Lying on the floor, Luffy, though still with his eyes closed, raised his head to look at Giyu. Usopp rubbed his eyes and shouted, "What's happening? What's happening?"
Zoro, leaning against the wall… was still asleep.
Giyu cleared his throat lightly, steadying his slightly ragged breath. His gaze swept over everyone before finally settling on Nami's pale, unconscious face. His voice was clear as he announced:
"I saw it! I saw an island!"
His words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake!
"What?! There's an island?!"
Luffy, who had been lying with his eyes shut, shot up from the floor, his eyes wide as saucers. He scrambled on all fours to Nami's bedside and began shaking her shoulders.
"Nami! Nami! Wake up! You don't have to die! We saw an island! There's a doctor now!"
"Are you an idiot, Luffy? Nami is sick! You can't shake her like that!" Vivi yelled, both frantic and furious, quickly stopping Luffy's rough handling.
On the bed, Nami was roused by the violent shaking and noise, slowly opening her eyes.
Her gaze was still weak and unfocused, but seeing everyone gathered around her bed, she managed a faint, pale smile. "It's alright, Vivi… Thank you, everyone, for taking care of me lately…"
Then she took a deep breath, as if gathering strength to speak, her eyes slowly scanning each person before finally resting on Vivi. Though her voice was soft, it carried a firm resolve:
"Everyone… once we reach this island, remember to ask about the way to Alabasta. We can't delay any longer…"
Hearing Nami's words, Luffy immediately nodded vigorously, clenching his fists. "Of course! We still have to go to Alabasta and beat up that Crocodile!"
Usopp, though still looking a bit dazed as if not fully awake, patted his chest beside them. "Leave asking for directions to me! I'll definitely find the way!"
At that moment, Vivi lowered her head. Then, she suddenly lifted it, her face breaking into a smile that was both radiant and resolute.
"Thank you… thank you, everyone! But…"
She reached out a trembling hand and carefully retrieved an Eternal Pose from her coat pocket. Inside the glass casing, the needle pointed steadily in a direction completely different from their current course.
"…Actually," her voice carried a barely noticeable tremor, though she tried to keep it steady, "the day before yesterday… Mr. Sanji gave me an… Eternal Pose that leads directly to Alabasta. He found it on Little Garden… from someone in Baroque Works."
"What?!"
Nami's eyes widened in shock as she struggled to sit up, her face etched with disbelief. "Vivi! What are you saying?! Then why... why aren't we heading to Alabasta immediately?! The people there... Igaram... and all the other citizens are waiting for you! They need you!!"
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