Chapter 392: A New Companion Joins Under Starry Skies

Ye Fan stepped inside, resting his hand on Nami’s forehead. The fever had dropped a lot since earlier, and only then did he let out a sigh of relief.

Even though she was cured here in the original story, you never know what could happen. If things had gone wrong, he would have needed to come up with another plan.

You really have to admit, Kureha’s medical skills are remarkable.

Living to 139 already made her one of the oldest people in the One Piece World. And Blackbeard probably came here hoping to find a way for a body to hold several Devil Fruits at once.

“Ye Fan, you’re here,”

Feeling a gentle touch on her forehead, Nami opened her eyes and saw Ye Fan’s face.

Nami hadn’t been unconscious this whole time. She’d been fully aware, just unable to speak, and could feel her friends’ care every step of the way.

It made her more certain than ever about the choice she’d made.

“Even if your fever’s leaving, you still need proper rest for the next few days. Looks like we’ll have to stay on this island a bit longer,” Ye Fan said.

He started to turn away, but—out of nowhere—Nami found the strength to grab his hand.

“No, I can’t afford to stay here too long. War could break out in Alabasta at any moment.”

“And don’t forget—the five hundred million Berries, too.”

Nami didn’t really care about the money itself. But as a fellow woman, she could feel Vivi’s panic deep inside, and it reminded her a lot of her own past.

Arlong had controlled Cocoyashi Village for more than ten years. If not for Luffy, she might still be under that disgusting fish-man’s thumb.

Besides, Vivi had been taking care of her this whole time. Now that she was getting better, Nami didn’t want to waste another moment lying around.

“No, your recovery just started. You can’t go out there yet. If your illness flares up again, not even a miracle would help,” Kureha warned, wobbling over from the wine cabinet with a bottle of beer in hand.

After taking a long drink, Kureha faced Nami. “Even though we’ve found a cure for this virus, if you run into something new out there, you might not be so lucky.”

The treatment worked, but if she caught a different, mutated virus, Kureha could do nothing.

“Yeah, Nami, let’s stay here and rest a bit longer,” Usopp chimed in. Between Nami and Alabasta, Nami’s life was way more important.

“A day or two won’t change much in Alabasta. Tens of thousands of soldiers can’t finish a war that quickly anyway.”

“No—really, I’m fine. I know my own body.” Nami smiled and glanced at Kureha. “Doctor Kureha, about the medical fees—this should cover it.”

With a flick of her right hand, Nami spun a key around her fingers, no one had seen where it came from.

“How did you… Why is that in your hand?”

The key’s sudden appearance left Kureha stunned. That was supposed to belong to Wapol, and it was the key to this castle’s armory. How could Nami have it?

“That’s impossible! How did you get the key to the armory?”

When the avalanche ended, Dalton climbed up from the opposite cliff. The moment he entered, he saw the key in Nami’s hands. As a Royal Guard, he recognized it immediately.

“No way I’m telling you, but if it works to pay the medical bill, I think that’s fair,” Nami said, sitting up and letting the key dangle.

Nami’s small stash had run dry with all the spending lately. And Kureha’s medical services? Beyond expensive. There’s no way she’d empty her last savings. But with this key, the problem was solved instantly. Kureha took it from her.

“Since you’ve got the key, I’ll let you off your medical bill,” Kureha declared.

Dalton watched in silence as Kureha tucked the key into her belt. He didn’t dare say a thing.

If he’d gotten the key, he could have rallied the people to defend the island. But now wasn’t the time to ask for it, and he had nothing to offer in exchange.

“Hey, Reindeer! Come be a pirate with us!”

Luffy’s shout echoed through the entire castle, and everyone couldn’t help but smile.

This was just Luffy’s way—he invited people onboard in the simplest, most direct manner.

He never cared whether you wanted to join or not. If he liked you, he’d pester you until you agreed.

“Is Luffy really going to pull this off?” Usopp said, worried.

Seeing Kureha’s medical skill made them want a doctor even more. But Kureha was just too old—even if she’d agreed, she wouldn’t have been a good fit.

So everyone’s focus turned to Chopper—Kureha’s brilliant adopted son, and a doctor in his own right.

“Don’t worry, that’s Luffy! There’s nothing he can’t do,” Ye Fan said, arms folded and brimming with confidence as he looked out the door.

Luffy’s charisma was on par with Roger’s, after all!

…

“Hey, Reindeer! Come sail with us!” Luffy finally cornered Chopper in a hallway nook.

Chopper kept his head down. In a tiny voice, he answered, “No way.”

“Why not? Sailing with us would be the best! Think how much fun it’d be!” Luffy pumped his arms with excitement, painting a bright future for Chopper.

“Because… because I’m a reindeer! I’ve got hooves, antlers, a big blue nose… Sure, I want to go to sea and be a pirate, but I’m not human, I’m a monster. I could never be your crewmate. But thank you, really—if you ever want to hang out or anything, just come find me.”

Chopper flailed his arms and poured every bit of his heart into his words.

He’d always been alone—a monster with no friends or place to belong.

But that wasn’t a problem for Luffy. “You’re not a monster. You’re my friend. Quit arguing, let’s go!”

…

Once things quieted down, Nami got herself together and stepped outside the castle, staring up at the star-studded sky.

Thump, thump, thump!

A heavy rumble of footsteps, then Chopper charged outside in reindeer form, dragging an enormous sled behind him.

“Everyone, hop on! Time to head down the mountain!”

Who knew how Luffy talked Chopper into joining the crew? It didn’t matter—it was just another example of their captain’s wild charm.

No one hesitated. They all leaped onto the sled.

“Chopper!”

A yell from behind made them turn. Kureha stood waving her massive iron hammer, hurling it at them.

The sled shot forward, dodging the hammer completely. Steel cables ran from the mountain to the ground, matching the grooves of the sled.

From far away, it looked like a reindeer was dragging them through the sky. Only then did they realize why villagers called Kureha a witch.