The fireplace in the room dispelled the winter chill. Nami leaned against the headboard, her face still somewhat pale, but her spirits clearly much improved.
The door swung open, and Luffy was the first to rush in.
He brought with him a lingering chill, with some snow still clinging to the brim of his hat that he hadn't brushed off, wearing his usual carefree grin:
"Nami! It's done! We sent that Wapol flying!"
Following close behind was Vivi, who quickly reached the bedside in a few steps. "Nami, it's so good to see you finally. How are you feeling? Is your body okay?"
"Long time no see, Vivi. I'm much better now." Nami smiled and nodded, then waved her arm deliberately as if to prove her condition.
"Though I'm still not at my best, the fever has subsided."
As she spoke, her gaze swept over the faces of those entering the room one after another—Luffy, Vivi, Zoro, Sanji, and finally Giyu who came in last. Almost everyone was here, though Usopp hadn't arrived yet.
"Where's Usopp?"
Sanji, who had been leaning by the door and had already put out his cigarette, glanced outside and laughed. "That guy suddenly showed up and saved Vivi and that Dalton just now."
"He's feeling pretty full of himself right now, probably bragging about something to them outside."
Nami listened as her companions discussed the battle outside the castle, talking about how they had driven away a country's big villain just like that.
Suddenly, she looked out the window, then at Vivi who was concernedly watching her by the bedside, and finally at Giyu leaning against the wall.
"Giyu, how are you feeling now? Can you move?" Nami asked.
Giyu felt the flow of breathing within his body. "No problem."
"This guy is definitely not 'no problem'—he was moving so fast earlier it was unbelievable. Speaking of which, you devil woman, why don't you ask how I'm doing?"
Zoro sat on the floor, polishing his blades, remembering again how she'd calculated interest when he wanted to buy a sword, feeling like he was being treated differently.
But Nami just smiled at Zoro. "Hehe~ Oh, don't mind it. Well, if we're all feeling much better, we need to set off quickly."
"The situation in Alabasta is probably worsening with every passing second."
Vivi, being the princess, was momentarily stunned but immediately shook her head. "No, your physical conditions aren't something you can judge just by how you feel. What did the doctor say? What did she tell you?"
"Three days. She said we need at least three days."
"That's right, Nami. You know we need three days, yet you say that!"
Seeing Vivi's helpless expression, a sly smile suddenly curled at the corner of Nami's mouth. Everyone was puzzled by her smile, with Zoro even commenting that it looked too sinister.
"Speaking of which..."
Nami deliberately drew out her words, grinning mischievously at everyone. "Haven't you all noticed? That reindeer... no, Chopper. He really, really wants to become a pirate!"
This statement was like a stone thrown into calm water.
"Shishishishishi..." Luffy immediately burst into his trademark laughter, as if he'd been waiting for this all along.
Zoro crossed his arms, the corner of his mouth curling up almost imperceptibly. "Oh, that guy. I see."
Sanji's face also showed a knowing smile: "Miss Nami is truly clever."
Only Vivi looked completely bewildered, as everyone else seemed to understand the situation implicitly. She then turned to look at Giyu - thankfully, it appeared she wasn't the only one who hadn't grasped what was happening.
[Manual of Interpersonal Relationships (Trial Version)]
[Target: Vivi]
[Status: Confused, somewhat comforted]
[Hobby: Karoo]
[Suggestion: Just maintain your current expression]
Giyu leaned quietly against the wall, watching as everyone suddenly began sharing knowing smiles, and Vivi was staring intently at him. A trace of confusion flashed through his eyes.
Was there something on his face...
"CHOPPER!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!!!"
After his loud laughter, Luffy turned and rushed out of the room like a whirlwind, his booming voice echoing through the corridor and resonating throughout the entire castle.
Before long, struggling sounds could be heard from outside.
Luffy strode back into the room with the small reindeer tucked under his arm, flailing desperately.
"Let me go! What do you want from me!" Chopper's four small hooves kicked wildly in the air, his face filled with panic.
Having eaten the Hito Hito no Mi, his intellect was extraordinary - he could learn medicine from Dr. Kureha and even invented the Rumble Ball himself, breaking the Zoan-type's three-transformation limit.
His panic came from being able to guess why the other was bringing him here. His panic also came from not knowing what he should do.
Luffy placed Chopper in the center of the room, unusually restraining his typically exuberant smile. With hands on his hips and standing straight, his expression showed a seriousness Chopper had never seen before.
"Listen, Chopper." His voice was clear and powerful. "This is my pirate crew, the Straw Hat Pirates."
He pointed at himself, "My name is Monkey D. Luffy, the man who will become the Pirate King!"
Then, that brilliant, sun-like smile reappeared on his face as he extended his hand toward the bewildered Chopper, issuing the invitation with the simplest yet most sincere words:
"Become my nakama!"
Chopper froze completely.
His large eyes blinked, his first reaction being to find somewhere to hide as usual. But looking around, the room was filled with people - there was nowhere to escape.
Chopper shook his head nervously, his words stumbling from excitement:
"A...although I'd really like to...but...but I can't!"
He lowered his head, his voice growing softer: "I'm a monster...I can't be human's nakama...but, thank you very much for inviting me..."
Zoro couldn't take it anymore. He raised his hand to cover half his face and sighed helplessly, "I've really had it with you, saying that again."
He stepped forward to stand beside Luffy, and under Luffy's puzzled gaze, reached out to pinch his cheek, then pulled hard to the other side. The rubber cheek instantly stretched far out.
Zoro demonstrated to Chopper in this most direct way: "You're a monster? Then what is he? A big monster?"
After saying this, he released his grip.
Snap!
Luffy's cheek snapped back sharply with a crisp sound. Rubbing his face, he looked at Zoro: "Why use me as an example!"
Chopper froze once again, staring blankly at Luffy who was rubbing his cheek, then at Zoro whose expression said this was completely normal. His large eyes gradually welled up with tears until his vision began to blur.
"I..."
Chopper wanted to say something more—perhaps about his blue nose, perhaps about his hooves, perhaps about any "flaws" he believed prevented him from becoming a true companion.
But Luffy didn't let him continue. He stretched out his hand toward Chopper again.
"Life at sea is really exciting, you know!"
"Come on, Chopper!"
These words completely shattered the last of Chopper's hesitation and defenses.
He placed his small hoof into Luffy's warm palm. With all his strength, through choked sobs yet with absolute clarity, he cried out:
"Okay...!"