Another night passed with the gentle rocking of the Going Merry.
Tomioka opened his eyes in his small bunk; he was the only one in the cabin. Everyone else seemed to have gathered in Nami's room last night to keep her company, but he ultimately chose to return here.
It wasn't that he didn't care, but he wasn't used to sleeping with so many people at night, and a deep-seated reluctance to disturb them made him more accustomed to spending the long nights alone.
He sat up, trying 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 a bit smoother. But when Tomioka raised a hand to touch his forehead, the abnormally high temperature remained stubbornly persistent.
This strange condition annoyed him slightly.
He neatly tidied his bunk, put on his thick, dark coat, and pushed open the door.
As he passed Nami's room, he paused, gently pushing the door ajar to peer inside. The scene within made him silent for a moment.
Luffy was sprawled out asleep in the center of the floor, Zoro leaned against the wall, feigning sleep with his sword in his arms, Usopp was curled in a corner snoring softly, and Vivi was slumped by Nami's bedside, seemingly having just endured a sleepless night and now lightly dozing. A warm atmosphere, a mix of commotion and tranquility, washed over him.
They… had been here all along.
Tomioka gently closed the door, not disturbing the quiet.
Walking to the mess hall, he saw Sanji already busy in an apron, preparing breakfast for everyone. The warm aroma of food wafted from the pot.
"Morning, Tomioka," Sanji merely looked up briefly, then returned his focus to the frying pan in his hand, his tone carrying his usual greeting.
"Morning, Sanji," Tomioka responded softly.
Sanji pointed towards the dining table, where some neatly stacked cutlery lay:
"Perfect, Tomioka, could you do me a favor? I can't leave this spot right now. Could you go outside and check if our current heading is correct? The binoculars and the Log Pose are on the railing outside the door."
"Mm."
Tomioka nodded, asking no further questions, and turned to push open the door leading to the deck.
Whoosh—!
The cold, snowy wind immediately rushed in, invigorating him. The snow hadn't lessened; it was still just as cold. Tomioka walked to the bow of the ship, first confirming the direction of the Log Pose, which pointed steadily straight ahead without any deviation.
Then he picked up the cold binoculars, raised them to his eyes, and adjusted the focus on the horizon.
The view swayed in the lenses, and then… on the distant sea, a silhouette covered in a large amount of white stood quietly on the azure ocean.
An island… It must be the island with a doctor, as the woman called the vice-president said!
Hang in there, Nami!
This thought flashed quickly through his mind. He didn't even realize what he had done; his body had already turned, and he rushed back into the ship's cabin.
"I see an island!"
His voice was more urgent than usual, even carrying a hint of eagerness that he himself hadn't noticed.
"What?! Really?!" Sanji suddenly turned his head, his face instantly breaking into an expression of surprise. He immediately put down the spatula and set it aside.
"I'll go take a look too!"
He hurried past Tomioka, rushing towards the deck, but as he passed Tomioka, his steps paused slightly, and the corner of his eye caught a glimpse of an uncharacteristic fluctuation on Tomioka's usually expressionless face.
Sanji's lips curved into a meaningful smile, but he didn't stop, charging straight into the wind and snow.
This guy… it's the first time I've seen him so… rushed.
Tomioka, however, didn't notice Sanji's reaction. He had already turned towards Nami's room and pushed the door open. Everyone inside was startled by the sudden commotion.
Vivi also woke from her light sleep, raising her head with a tired and puzzled expression: "Mr. Tomioka? Why the rush? Did something happen?"
Luffy, still lying on the ground, opened his eyes and looked at Tomioka, while Usopp rubbed his eyes, shouting, "What happened, what happened?!"
Zoro, leaning against the wall… was still asleep.
Tomioka coughed twice, steadying his slightly ragged breath, his gaze sweeping over everyone, finally settling on Nami's still unconscious face, and said clearly:
"I see it! I see an island!"
These words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake!
"What! There's an island?!"
Luffy, who had been sleeping with his eyes tightly shut, suddenly sprang up from the floor, his eyes wide as saucers. He then practically scrambled on all fours to Nami's bedside and began shaking her shoulder.
"Nami! Nami! Wake up! You don't have to die! We see an island! There's a doctor!"
"Are you an idiot, Luffy! Nami is sick! You can't shake her like that!" Vivi shouted, both anxious and angry, quickly stopping Luffy's rough actions.
On the bed, Nami was awakened 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 tried to force a pale smile: "It's alright, Vivi… Thank you everyone for taking care of me recently…"
Then she took a deep breath, as if gathering strength to speak, her gaze slowly sweeping over each person, finally resting on Vivi. Her voice, though soft, carried a firm resolve:
"Everyone… After 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 fist: "Of course! We still have to go to Alabasta and beat up that crocodile!"
Usopp also patted his chest from the side, though his eyes were still a bit hazy, as if he hadn't fully woken up, "Leave the asking for directions to me! I'll definitely find it!"
Just then, Vivi lowered her head. Then, she suddenly looked up, a resolute smile mixed with sunshine blossoming on her face as she said:
"Thank you… Thank you everyone! But…"
She reached out her hand, trembling as she carefully pulled a Permanent Log Pose from her coat pocket. The needle within the glass dome pointed steadily in a direction entirely different from their current course.
"…Actually," her voice held a hint of an almost imperceptible choke, but she tried to maintain her composure, "the day before yesterday… Mr. Sanji already gave me a… Permanent Log Pose that goes directly to Alabasta. He found it in Small Garden… on one of the Baroque Works members."
"What?!"
Nami's eyes widened in shock instantly, and she struggled to sit up, her face filled with disbelief: "Vivi! What did you say?! Then why… why didn't we go to Alabasta immediately?! The people there… Igaram… and so many other people, they're still waiting for you! They need you!!"
If you enjoyed this chapter, add it to your library ❤️
Leave a Power Stone and a quick review if you can! ⭐