Chapter 79 – [79] : [BONUS] – Nika!

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Inside the small town, Dalton and the villagers brought out all their stored food supplies.

Drum Kingdom existed in perpetual winter, leading to a dietary preference for hot foods—creating a scene reminiscent of a hot pot gathering back on Earth for Rowen.

Snow fell heavily outside the windows, while inside, everyone enjoyed delicious food. With Luffy and Usopp acting as lively entertainers, the atmosphere was cheerful.

Nami and Vivi sat on either side of Rowen.

With beautiful women beside him, the feeling was even more satisfying than the taste of the food itself.

This meal left Rowen thoroughly content. Seeing Rowen and his crew eat with such satisfaction brought smiles to the faces of Dalton and the others. For a time, hosts and guests thoroughly enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere.

However, Vivi, seated beside Rowen, didn’t eat much, lost in thought.

That phrase Nami said… telling her to be brave—what did she mean?

Vivi stole glances at Nami on Rowen’s other side. Nami was laughing happily, looking no different than usual.

Vivi naturally understood the relationship between Nami and Rowen. During their voyage, she and Nami had become good friends, and Vivi had learned about Nami’s past struggles.

Knowing Nami’s history made Vivi feel Nami was even stronger than herself.

Although Vivi carried the burden of her entire country’s safety, she at least had her father, the King, to shelter her. She also had people like Igaram, Chaka, and Pell, who acted like uncles.

But Nami—had shouldered the fate of Cocoyasi Village entirely alone.

To save her home, Nami endured working for the Fish-Man who murdered her mother right before her eyes, drawing charts while also acting as a pirate thief to earn the 100 million Beri ransom.

Yet, despite all that, those very Fish-Men intended to use corrupt Marines to steal all her hard-earned money, forcing her to draw charts for them forever.

The one who ended all that—was Rowen.

And when they first met, Rowen had decided to help her partly because her expression of despair reminded him of Nami’s.

Vivi felt incredibly envious.

But because of that, even as she gradually realized her own feelings for Rowen, she hesitated to confront them. She had already received so much help… Nami had encouraged and supported her… How could she possibly compete with Nami for happiness?

Until… just before arriving at Drum Island, Rowen’s words made it impossible for Vivi to ignore her heart any longer.

Vivi understood she couldn’t deceive herself anymore. Like the old saying goes—Love Like A Storm: Fierce and Fleeting

And because of that… Nami noticed her feelings. Yet Nami wasn’t angry; she even encouraged her to be brave.

Looking at Nami, who seemed perfectly normal, laughing happily, Vivi pressed her lips together. ‘Does Nami mean—I also have a chance?’

Regarding this aspect, Vivi felt no particular objection; as the princess of Alabasta, the concept of polygamy wasn’t entirely foreign or shocking.

But what surprised Vivi was Nami’s apparent… generosity?

That was the only word Vivi could think of. Nami’s words really did sound like encouragement… but Vivi couldn’t possibly ask Nami directly to confirm, could she? Besides, the ultimate decision—rested with Rowen.

Vivi’s mind was a whirl of confusion.

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“What are you thinking about, Nami?” Rowen leaned closer, whispering softly near her ear.

Even Nami had noticed Vivi’s feelings; how could Rowen, with his now Apex Purple Observation Haki, be unaware?

And Rowen had also ‘HEARD’ Nami’s encouraging words to Vivi using his Haki.

It wasn’t that Rowen deliberately eavesdropped on their private conversation; Nami’s actions seemed almost intentionally designed to let him know.

Rowen wouldn’t pretend ignorance or let the situation become ambiguously awkward. He looked seriously into Nami’s eyes.

“You heard, didn’t you? With your Observation Haki,” Nami replied, a mischievous, impish smile playing on her lips.

Rowen looked fondly at her, though a metaphorical black line appeared on his forehead. ‘Nami definitely let me overhear her conversation with Vivi on purpose.’

“The sea… is free, right?” Nami whispered playfully near Rowen’s ear.

That was Nami’s stance.

Rowen had saved her, told her the sea was free.

Through their time together, she had fallen in love with him. For Vivi, who had similar experiences and was now being saved by Rowen, to fall for him too—Nami wasn’t surprised at all.

Whether Rowen chose to accept Vivi’s feelings was his decision. Nami wouldn’t create any obstacles.

Rowen was also free.

Not just Vivi—Nami also knew about Rowen’s promise with Kaya, thanks to Rowen himself. Rowen never hid anything from her. And Nami had sensed Kaya’s feelings back in Syrup Village; in fact, it was partly because of Kaya that Nami started to confront her own feelings for Rowen.

What Nami would do—was stay by Rowen’s side, regardless of his choices, as long as Rowen still needed her, still loved her.

The sea was vast; surely it was vast enough to hold the love of different girls for the same man?

The sea—is free, isn’t it? Nami looked intently at Rowen, her smile bright and genuine.

Rowen understood Nami’s meaning.

He smiled and gently patted the back of her hand. The feelings of a good girl like Vivi—Rowen certainly wouldn’t disregard them.

But Nami’s understanding and acceptance… made Rowen love her even more deeply.

Rowen cherished Nami dearly; that affection wouldn’t change, no matter how many other girls’ hearts he might capture in the future.

Nami felt the warmth from Rowen’s hand, her smile becoming even brighter. Though she didn’t have Observation Haki, she could understand Rowen’s meaning.

Nearby, Vivi watched Rowen and Nami whispering, blinked curiously, feeling incredibly anxious. Her intuition told her they were talking about her. But without Haki, she couldn’t hear their words.

And she couldn’t possibly ask them directly about such a thing!

However, seeing the smiles on both Rowen’s and Nami’s faces reassured Vivi somewhat. ‘It probably… isn’t a bad outcome, right?’

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“By the way, Rowen, who are we actually looking for as our ship’s doctor? Uncle Doctor and the others need to stay here and contribute to their country. Are there any other doctors here?” Luffy, having finished eating, asked, folding his arms and tilting his head thoughtfully.

“Are you looking for a ship’s doctor?” Dalton inquired.

“Yeah! Uncle, do you know if there are any other doctors around?” Luffy grinned hopefully.

“All the doctors here were driven out by Wapol… except for Doctor-20,” Dalton replied automatically. Seeing the disappointment on Luffy’s group’s faces, Dalton paused, then added, “However… the castle on that snowy mountain—Wapol’s former castle—there’s a doctor living up there. But that doctor…”

Dalton decided not to withhold information from the benefactors who had saved their country.

When Luffy and the others heard this doctor was over 130 years old, their eyes widened.

“SUGEEEEE! Let’s go check it out, Rowen!” Luffy exclaimed excitedly, jumping up.

“Well then, we’ll take our leave,” Rowen stood up, smiling at Dalton.

“That snow mountain path is treacherous, and there are dangerous creatures! Let us prepare and escort you up!” Dalton quickly offered.

“No need. We’re not taking the mountain path,” Rowen replied with a smile.

Dalton looked confused.

“White Blow——!” Rowen activated his Smoke-Smoke Fruit, enveloping the crew in smoke, then used smoke propulsion to lift them into the air.

Although this method consumed significant stamina, Rowen’s physique had reached the Pale Gold tier. Plus, the snowy mountain wasn’t actually that high in terms of vertical distance. Rowen’s current stamina could handle the exertion.

“Then, we’ll leave our ship in your care, Mr. Dalton,” Rowen called down with a smile.

“Leave it to us!” Dalton replied earnestly.

FWOOSH!

Driving the Smoke-Smoke Fruit

at full power—Rowen propelled the group upwards towards the mountain peak with powerful jets of smoke.

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Cling! Cling!

A reindeer pulled a sleigh, seemingly running through the air. But upon closer inspection, a rope connected the sleigh and reindeer to the snowy peak above.

On the sleigh sat a woman—white-haired but full of vigor, bearing a striking resemblance to a witch.

Soon, the reindeer pulled the sleigh onto the summit, arriving before the castle.

“We’ve arrived, Doctorine,” the reindeer spoke, startlingly human-like.

“Chopper, go get me some plum wine to warm up! Heh heh heh heh!” Dr. Kureha let out her signature witch-like cackle.

“Yes, Doctorine,” Chopper nodded obediently.

WHOOSH!

Just then, accompanied by billowing smoke, a group of people shot up from below the mountain peak. The man in the center had his limbs completely transformed into smoke, using it to carry the others.

“M-MONSTER!!!” Chopper screamed, his eyes bulging as he transformed from his reindeer form into his hybrid ‘Heavy Point’ form—the small, tanuki-like appearance he usually showed people.

“Calm down, Chopper. He’s just like you—a Devil Fruit user. Is that… a Logia?” Dr. Kureha, having lived for so long, naturally knew about Logia fruits, observing Rowen calmly.

“Devil Fruit user?!” Chopper blinked.

Born with a blue nose, ostracized by his parents, then further exiled from the herd after accidentally eating the Human-Human Fruit—He tried to integrate with humans in his human form but was treated as a monster.

This was the first time he had seen another Devil Fruit user like this!

Someone whose entire body could turn into smoke!

‘He really is a monster!’ The timid Chopper felt terrified.

“A talking tanuki!”

“No wait, he was a reindeer just now!”

The crew stared wide-eyed at Chopper.

“A talking tanuki that can walk on two legs! How interesting—Hey! Be my comrade!” Luffy, instantly fascinated by this strange creature, beamed, extending an invitation loudly.

“I’m a reindeer! Bastard!” Chopper yelped, terrified, trying to hide behind Dr. Kureha but comically hiding the wrong way. Then, Chopper blinked again.

“C-Comrade?” Chopper stared blankly at Luffy.

“That’s right! We’re pirates! So? Wanna come sail the seas with us?!” Luffy grinned broadly.

“Idiot! Acting like I’m not even here!” Dr. Kureha fumed, kicking Luffy hard on the head.

The word ‘Comrade’ held too much significance for Chopper; Kureha didn’t want him reminded of painful past memories.

BONK!

Luffy’s head snapped back, his neck stretching absurdly long.

“M-Monster!!!” Chopper screamed again, utterly terrified.

“Shishishi! I ate the Gomu-Gomu Fruit! I’m a rubber man!” Luffy’s head snapped back to normal, grinning cheerfully at Chopper.

“You pirates—really are a bunch of monsters. What do you want here? None of you look sick,” Dr. Kureha stated gruffly.

“Hah! Granny, you must be the doctor, right?” Sanji asked, lighting a cigarette.

WHAM! Sanji was instantly kicked away by Dr. Kureha.

“I’m only 139 years young! Still in my prime!” Dr. Kureha snapped, veins popping on her forehead.

“139 years old?!” Nami and Vivi gasped. They expected her to be old, but seeing someone 139 years old with such vigor was still shocking.

“Hm? Are you asking for the secret to my eternal youth?” Dr. Kureha immediately grinned smugly.

“Nobody asked that!” Usopp retorted.

“May we come inside for a cup of tea?” Rowen asked Dr. Kureha politely with a smile.

“Follow me—” Dr. Kureha stared intently at Rowen for a moment, then turned and entered the castle.

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“So, why exactly are you here?” Kureha asked again inside.

“—Hey! Join us! You’re really interesting!”

That rubber brat was constantly pestering her foolish son, leaving poor Chopper completely flustered.

“Luffy, sit down,” Rowen stated calmly.

“Aye!” Luffy instantly felt a chill, sweat beading on his forehead as he snapped to attention and sat down obediently.

“W-Wow,” Chopper blinked, looking impressed by Rowen.

“We’re looking to invite a skilled doctor to join our crew as our ship’s doctor,” Rowen explained, smiling at Dr. Kureha.

“Oh? I have no interest in the sea. My youth won’t be wasted out there,” Kureha replied dismissively.

“No. We came to invite him,” Rowen clarified, pointing towards Chopper with a smile.

“EH?!!!” Nami and the others, along with Chopper himself, gasped in astonishment.

“He’s a doctor too?! Amazing!” Nami and Vivi exclaimed. Such an adorable creature was also skilled in medicine!

“You ate the Human-Human Fruit, didn’t you? How cute,” Rowen commented, looking at Chopper, who looked even more exquisite than a figurine up close, and chuckled.

“May I touch your beautiful fur?” Rowen added, gently petting Chopper’s fluffy fur, thoroughly enjoying the sensation he’d long wanted to experience.

“Y-You praising me won’t make me happy, you bastard!” Chopper wriggled happily, his eyes closing into cute crescents.

“Doesn’t hide his feelings, does he?” Nami chuckled, watching the adorable Chopper.

“How did you know all that? Know Chopper practices medicine, and know he ate the Human-Human Fruit?” Dr. Kureha asked, staring intently at Rowen.

“Let’s just say I have a special connection to Devil Fruits. The fruit within him told me,” Rowen replied with a smile.

“SUGEEE! Rowen! Devil Fruits can talk?!” Luffy, also a Devil Fruit user, stared wide-eyed.

“Of course. Powerful Devil Fruits, especially Mythical Zoans among the animal types, often choose their own users,” Rowen explained casually, picking Chopper up like a plush toy and holding him, smiling at Luffy.

“The Devil Fruit you ate… isn’t it the same? Just like Chopper’s—the Human-Human Fruit,” Rowen stated calmly.

“Human-Human Fruit?!” Everyone stared wide-eyed.

“The same as me? Human-Human Fruit?” Chopper stared back, his eyes widening dramatically, filled with turbulent emotion. For Chopper, born different and ostracized, the desire to find commonality with others was immense. Rowen’s words struck a deep chord within him.

“Don’t be ridiculous. There’s only one of each Devil Fruit,” Dr. Kureha countered.

“Yeah, Rowen! I ate the Gomu-Gomu Fruit!” Luffy protested.

“There’s only one base Human-Human Fruit, yes. But there are many Mythical Zoan models within the Human-Human Fruit category,” Rowen clarified with a smile.

“Ever heard this name? Human-Human Fruit – Mythical Zoan – Model: Nika.”

Rowen’s words made Dr. Kureha’s pupils constrict sharply.

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