Chapter 390: Blizzards and New Resolve on Drum Island

His mission here was complete, but he hadn’t expected an unexpected bonus—he’d accidentally forced Luffy to reveal his Gear Fifth power.

If it weren’t for the fact that when Luffy activates Gear Fifth, that liberating voice echoes across the world and even saps his lifespan, he never would’ve let this chance slip by.

Hearing hurried footsteps from the distance, Luffy pushed himself up, his gaze locked onto Ye Fan’s departing figure, fists clenched tight. “The New World, huh? I’ll make it there.”

He never expected this mysterious man to come from the New World, let alone be so strong.

To be weak is to be guilty.

On these seas, only strength can uphold justice.

This hardship didn’t break Luffy, it only strengthened his resolve. He remembered well—Roger sailed around the entire Grand Line. There’s no way he skipped the New World.

“Luffy, are you okay?”

“Yeah, Luffy! Let’s get out of here.”

As Ye Fan slipped into the jungle, Sanji and Zoro rushed over, helping Luffy to his feet.

The moment combat on the island came to a halt, Karl’s copy—Ye Fan—knew the fight was drawing to a close. With a wave, he signaled Sanji and Zoro to get Luffy out safely.

Even Ye Fan hadn’t counted on this strange turn of events picking up unexpected rewards.

[Luffy, don’t rush it. You need more time to grow. The path ahead of you is still long!]

“We’re just letting them go like that?”

“Why so hasty?”

“The real fight’s only just begun.” —Ye Fan, 34th son of Karl.

…

Not long after the Merry left Little Garden, Nami’s eyes suddenly rolled back and she collapsed straight to the deck.

Luckily, Ye Fan reacted fast and caught her just in time, but the instant he touched Nami he could feel the burning heat from her skin. He gently laid her flat on the deck.

The sudden scare left everyone on edge. They crowded around Nami, worried sick.

Usopp, dabbling halfway as a doctor, hurried over to check on Nami.

“She’s burning up!”

The second Usopp placed his hand on Nami’s forehead, he jerked it back. The fever was so high it startled him, and his face went tense, afraid something serious was happening.

Snapping out of it, Usopp grabbed his tools and began checking her over again and again.

“Not good. Nami’s caught some kind of virus. Trouble is, I’m no real doctor…all I can do is try to ease her pain. Without the right medicine, I don’t know if she’ll pull through.”

After his examination, Usopp shared his grim conclusion. He quickly grabbed a towel and tried to bring Nami’s fever down.

Without knowing exactly what’s wrong, he wouldn’t risk any medication—one wrong move and the virus might spread even faster. There’d be no hope for her if it came to that.

“Luffy, it’s time to make a call.”

Under normal circumstances, their next stop would’ve been Alabasta. But with things the way they were, it was clear—they needed to find a doctor before going any further.

And just like that, everything was back on course.

“Yeah! No way we’re leaving a crewmate behind!”

Luffy looked at Nami’s miserable state. He clung to his hat, blaming himself deeply. If he hadn’t been distracted by those people, maybe Nami wouldn’t have…

Everyone saw Luffy’s decision coming.

That’s exactly why they were willing to stake everything to help Luffy become King of the Pirates.

“Johnny, bring the sea chart. Let’s see what island is closest.”

Now that the captain’s given the order, step one was to track down a doctor.

Gin took the helm while Johnny dashed below deck for the sea chart Nami had drawn. After pouring over it as a group, one thing was clear—the next island was Drum Island!

…

Half a day blew by, and soon snowflakes started drifting down from the sky and the temperature dropped fast.

“Brr—it’s freezing! Are we close to Drum Island or what?”

Even with their thick coats, Johnny and Yosaku were still shivering. When they heard Luffy’s comment from the goat-head throne, they shouted back, “No wonder you’re cold, Captain—look at you, still wearing summer clothes!”

They were right. Though the snow was piling up, Luffy was still in his red vest and blue shorts.

That’s just Luffy for you. No matter the weather, he always wore that same outfit.

“Oh, so that’s why!” Luffy smacked his left palm with his right fist, a look of sudden realization on his face.

Thunk!

“Hey, Luffy—catch! Your clothes.”

Ye Fan grabbed a thick, fleece-lined jacket with one hand, tossed it to Luffy with the other, then raised the telescope and scanned ahead.

With the temperature dropping fast, they had to be closing in on Drum Island.

In the original story, Drum Island was known for its never-ending snow. At this point, Blackbeard had probably finished his business here.

“I’ll let you go, for now. This isn’t the time for Luffy to face you just yet.”

“Awesome! Thanks, Ye Fan!”

Luffy didn’t hesitate. He threw on the jacket and instantly felt the warmth. “Ah—much better!”

“That’s Drum Island up ahead. Gin, pick up the pace.” After taking a good look at the horizon, Ye Fan could just make out a snowy island in the distance, though it was still far off.

“Yeah, yeah—there’s definitely an island up ahead!”

Hearing Ye Fan, Usopp scrambled up to the crow’s nest, looking through his own telescope for a better view.

Zoro sat on the deck meditating, Sanji was in the galley making ginger tea, and Vivi stayed at Nami’s side in her room.

The closer the Going Merry got to Drum Island, the colder it got. Snow piled up on deck. Ye Fan led Johnny, Usopp, and the others as they shoveled it away, making sure the ship didn’t get too heavy.

“There, Gin—straight ahead, there’s a path.” On Drum Island, a natural harbor had formed inside a gorge; if they went that way, they could dock safely inside.

Gin, manning the ship, also spotted the opening and steered them toward the gap in the cliffs.

Crunch, crunch, crunch!

Just as the Merry was about to enter the gorge, dozens—no, maybe a hundred—figures suddenly appeared on the snowy cliffs overhead. They all wore beast-skin clothes and leveled flintlock rifles down at the crew.

“Pirates! You’re not welcome here! Go back to wherever you came from!”

“What’s with this attitude? We’re here to find a doctor! Is there one on this island or not?”

Luffy didn’t care about details. He jumped up, eyes sharp, facing off against the crowd blocking their way.

Right now, keeping Nami safe was his top priority. Even though something had sped up their ship, there was nothing he could do—Nami’s fever only got worse, her whole body burning up.

Luffy was terrified that Nami might get even sicker. The fact he was even managing to talk things out with these people showed just how hard he was holding himself back.

The standoff lasted a few seconds before a burly figure emerged from the crowd. “Pirates, you’re not welcome here. Leave now.”

Drum Island had just survived Blackbeard’s attack. No way would they let pirates arrive and stir up trouble again.