The Going Merry glided toward the snowy shore, cutting through the icy waters as the mountains of Drum Island loomed high in the distance. Snowflakes danced in the wind, blanketing the island in white. The chill crept through the ship's wood and into the bones of every crewmember aboard.
"Finally… land!" Usopp cried, teeth chattering as he huddled under three scarves. "Now we just need to find a doctor before Nami explodes from that fever!"
Luffy hoisted Nami carefully in his arms, her face flushed, breath shallow. Sanji walked beside him, a rare sternness in his eyes, his jacket flaring in the wind. Vivi stood close, wrapped tight, glancing back with concern.
"HALT!"
Dozens of men emerged from behind snow-covered trees and rooftops, rifles and makeshift weapons aimed directly at the crew. Their clothes were thick, patched with fur and cloth, their faces hard and weathered.
"You will turn around immediately and leave this island at once!" the leader barked, stepping forward with an angry glare. "This island doesn't accept pirates!"
"We're not here to cause trouble!" Vivi shouted, stepping forward. "We have a very sick friend! We just need a doctor—please!"
"Yeah right!" another villager spat. "Don't think that old pirate trick will work on us! You come to steal or burn—go back to whatever filthy sea you came from!"
Usopp ducked behind Sanji, hands shaking. "T-this isn't looking good…"
"Talk about a bad first impression," Sanji muttered, lighting a cigarette with visible irritation. "These guys are worse than the weather."
Without warning, gunshots rang out.
Bang!
Sanji's eyes narrowed in a flash. With a swift pivot, he spun on one foot, the bullet narrowly missing his temple as he ducked low with a graceful sweep.
"They opened fire!" Usopp screamed from behind a barrel of snow, diving for cover.
Sanji's cigarette snapped in his mouth as his heel slammed into the snow. "Alright, that's it—!"
His voice was low, burning with fury, leg already igniting with tension.
But before he could move, Vivi rushed forward, ignoring the pain in her shoulder, and threw her arms out in front of him.
"Sanji! No!"
He froze, breath misting in the cold air, jaw clenched tight.
Sanji jumped in front of Vivi, but it was too late—she cried out, staggering as a bullet grazed her shoulder, splattering red across the white snow.
"VIVI!" Luffy shouted, setting Nami down gently behind cover.
Sanji's cigarette dropped into the snow, his eyes flaming with rage. "You bastards…"
He moved to charge, but Vivi's voice rang out through the chaos.
"STOP!"
Despite the pain, she forced herself to stand between them and the villagers, clutching her shoulder, blood seeping through her gloves.
"Please… please… we're not enemies. We're just asking for help," Vivi pleaded, voice trembling but strong. She dropped to her knees in the snow, bowing low. "Please… she's burning up. We don't want a fight. We only need a doctor."
The wind was silent.
The villagers exchanged glances, hands still clutching their weapons, but their expressions began to soften. One elderly man in the back stepped forward.
"…She bowed. A pirate… bowed?" he muttered, stunned.
Another whispered, "They're serious…"
The village leader stepped forward, lowering his rifle slowly. "You… you're really not here to attack us?"
Luffy didn't move, his eyes locked with the leader's. "We don't hurt innocent people. But if anyone else touches my crew again—"
"Luffy," Vivi said weakly, reaching for him.
He gritted his teeth but said nothing more.
The leader sighed and raised a hand. "Lower your weapons."
The villagers obeyed, some still tense, but no longer aiming.
"Take her to the clinic," he said, pointing toward a path leading into the snow-covered village. "We'll escort you. But if this is a trick…"
"It's not," Luffy said plainly. "Thank you."
Usopp finally exhaled. "Oh, thank the sea gods…"
The villagers surrounded them—not as captors, but as a guarded escort—leading the Straw Hats toward warmth and hopefully, a cure.
Blizz stood near the bow of the ship, arms crossed as he stared up at the snowy peak of the mountain ahead, cloaked in white mist.
"Finally, the sixth member… or I guess the seventh now," he muttered with a soft chuckle, thinking of how quickly their crew had grown.
He tilted his head, debating silently. Should I go with them? There's not much danger in the island, and getting up that mountain shouldn't be a problem if Luffy and Sanji team up.
Then again… maybe I should stay here and train. Alone time on the ship doesn't come often, and I could use the silence to clear my head… focus.
Blizz glanced back toward the others, still loading supplies for the trip to the mountain. Maybe Zoro should go instead. He's got the muscle, and if there's any trouble, he'd handle it fast.
He smirked. "Yeah. With Zoro, that fight would be over in seconds. This isn't exactly a war."
Then he paused, thinking more seriously now.
Still… if anything unexpected happens up there, and I'm not there to help…
He closed his eyes for a moment, took a breath, and then opened them, more focused.
"I'll talk to Zoro," he said quietly. "I'll stay back and keep an eye on the ship. Just in case."
"You're planning to stay?" Blizz asked, already knowing the answer.
Zoro gave him a sideways glance. "Someone needs to watch the ship. We can't leave it wide open."
Blizz shrugged casually, but his voice carried a firm undertone. "That's exactly what I was thinking. Which is why I'm staying."
Zoro blinked. "You?"
"Yeah," Blizz replied, planting his hand on the hilt of his weapon, eyes scanning the snowfall. "I'm not just standing guard for fun. But you… you should go."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
I've got a gut feeling something might go wrong up there," Blizz said, arms crossed. "I can handle the ship. You should go with them."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"
Blizz nodded. "Yeah. It's Nami, after all."
Zoro didn't need more than that. With a small grunt, he turned and started walking toward the others without another word.
Blizz smirked slightly and leaned back against the railing. "I'll hold it down here."
Karu gave a soft quack beside him, the only sound left as the snow fell quietly around them.
Blizz stood on the surface of the water, the snowy landscape behind him slowly fading into a misty veil as the ship became a distant speck in the fog. He was alone in the cold, with only his thoughts and the rhythmic sound of the water beneath his feet. As he focused on his breathing, his mind drifted to the progress he had made.
Sign speed…
He raised a hand and began to form the hand seals for a basic Fire Bullet Jutsu. A stream of flame shot out from his palm and sizzled into the air. He watched it fade into the distance, his fingers still pressed together from the seals.
It's getting better…
Blizz was growing more efficient with each passing day. His chakra control had improved exponentially, and the amount of time it took to form the necessary seals for a technique had significantly decreased. He could feel the energy coursing through his veins, more refined and streamlined than ever. The hand seals, once slow and cumbersome, now seemed almost automatic. His body moved naturally with the flow of chakra.
"I've come a long way…"
He looked out across the water, feeling the chill of the air cutting through his thin shirt. The sea, though vast, seemed peaceful—almost like a mirror reflecting his progress. But peace wouldn't last long. They were heading into Arabasta soon, a desert where water would be as precious as gold.
I need to get stronger. I need to learn new jutsu.
Blizz clenched his fists, a determined look crossing his face. His thoughts were already on the next steps—his next set of techniques to master. He couldn't afford to waste time.
"Water Jutsu…" he murmured. "I need to learn Waterfall Jutsu and Water Prison Jutsu, for starters."
He moved to the edge of the water, his feet moving in fluid synchronization with his chakra. As his hands came together to form the hand seals, he focused on creating a new technique—one that would prove essential in the coming days. The Waterfall Jutsu. It was a versatile technique that would allow him to create a waterfall or summon water to sustain them in a dry and arid environment.
The hand seals came effortlessly as he imagined the technique in his mind. Water began to swirl around his palm, and with a forceful thrust, a stream of water shot out from his hands, spraying like a waterfall, cascading down in a beautiful, yet controlled flow. He held the water aloft for a moment, making sure it would last before releasing it back into the sea.
"Not bad… but I need to get it more controlled. If I'm going to use this in the desert, it has to be perfect."
Next, Blizz moved on to the Water Prison Jutsu. The technique required more concentration, but he had worked on it enough to get the basics down. As he focused, he imagined encasing an opponent in a sphere of water. His fingers blurred through the hand seals, and soon enough, a swirling water orb appeared in front of him, rising into the air like a floating bubble. He kept it hovering, its form translucent and fragile.
I have to be able to trap someone in this…
As he worked, he kept thinking about what else he could do with water. Water Slicer, he thought, remembering the technique. That would be the next step after he got the basics down. A high-pressure stream of water that could cut through just about anything.
"I've got a lot to learn…" Blizz muttered, stepping back onto the solid water beneath him. "But I'm getting closer."
For now, though, his main focus would be on controlling the Waterfall Jutsu and Water Prison Jutsu. They were versatile and could be used in both offense and defense. Plus, in a place like Arabasta, with its unforgiving heat and arid landscape, water would be a precious asset.
He took a deep breath, his hands forming the seals again. This time, he pushed his chakra further, trying to harness a stronger flow of water to create a more concentrated waterfall.
As the water began to cascade from his palms, Blizz grinned.
This is only the beginning.
But he knew there was more to learn. Much more. His speed, his chakra control—these were only foundations. The true power came with understanding his limits, expanding them, and mastering each element. And in the desert that lay ahead, water would be his weapon.
Blizz took a step forward, his feet still standing on the water's surface, feeling a new sense of confidence surge through him. The desert and its dangers loomed ahead, but he knew that with the right techniques, he would be ready.
But there's also lightning…
The thought of lightning jutsu crossed his mind, and he knew that mastering lightning would be crucial. He'd have to be careful though; using lightning on the water was a double-edged sword. He'd have to keep his distance, focus on striking upward rather than across the water's surface.
"Alright…" Blizz said to himself, focusing his chakra. He began to form the hand seals for the Lightning Jutsu, preparing himself for the challenges ahead. "One step at a time. First water. Then lightning."
But first, the basics needed to be mastered. The battlefield of Arabasta was closer than ever, and Blizz couldn't afford to be unprepared.
Blizz had been training for hours, pushing his body and chakra to their limits. His focus was sharp as he honed his skills in the art of Water and Lightning Jutsu, each technique becoming more fluid and precise with time. But as the cold wind brushed across the sea, a nagging feeling gnawed at the back of his mind.
Zoro… If he's gone up that mountain with them…
Blizz stopped mid-training, his foot still hovering above the water's surface. He let out a frustrated sigh, his fingers twitching as his thoughts raced.
Vivi, Usopp, the villagers… If something goes wrong up there, they'll be in danger. Wapol's lackeys… they're unpredictable. I can't leave them to fend for themselves.
He turned sharply and began walking back toward the ship, his feet tapping lightly on the water, each step echoing as he moved with purpose.
I can't let them handle things on their own. If they're in trouble, I need to be there.
The journey wasn't long. The icy chill in the air began to intensify as Blizz moved closer to the base of the mountains. The towering cliffs loomed in front of him, but something was off—there was a distant sound, an echo of chaos, faint at first but growing louder with every passing moment.
Screams…
Blizz's heart quickened as he pushed forward, his mind calculating the situation. He had a sinking feeling he was too late. The peaceful village he had glimpsed earlier was now engulfed in turmoil. As he got closer, the sounds of shouting and clattering weapons filled the air.
Damn it, they've been attacked.
With one final leap, Blizz cleared the mountainside and reached the edge of the village. What he saw before him froze his blood.
Several villagers were bound, held captive by a group of armed men—Wapol's lackeys. They sneered as they kept the terrified villagers at bay, taunting them with crude jabs and cruel words. Vivi and Usopp were among the captives, tied up and kneeling on the ground. Vivi's face was stained with dirt, but her eyes were still filled with determination.
Blizz's eyes narrowed.
I should've known…
Without another second wasted, Blizz jumped high into the air, his legs propelling him like a powerful cannonball. As he rose, he formed a seal in mid-air, his chakra swirling and growing at an intense rate. He focused on his target—the group of Wapol's lackeys.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" Blizz roared.
The fireball exploded from his mouth, a massive sphere of flame roaring with power as it tore through the air. It grew larger and larger, illuminating the surroundings with a fiery brilliance. It collided with Wapol's lackeys, who didn't even have time to react before the flames engulfed them, turning the area into a fiery inferno.
The explosion was deafening, and the heat could be felt even from a distance. Wapol's men screamed as they were consumed by the fire, their weapons falling to the ground in a chaotic crash. The flames didn't just scorch them—they obliterated them, leaving nothing but smoldering remains.
Blizz landed softly back on the ground, his eyes cold as he surveyed the damage. The villagers were still bound, but no longer in immediate danger. His clone Jutsu had warned him of the possible threat, and now, he'd made sure it was handled.
Vivi and Usopp looked up, both visibly relieved as they saw the smoke rising from the remains of Wapol's lackeys.
Vivi, Usopp, and the villagers were still kneeling on the ground, relieved but shaken. Blizz walked over to them, his face serious but calm.
"You guys alright?" he asked, crouching down to help untie Vivi and Usopp's ropes.
Vivi nodded, wiping dirt from her face. "We're fine now, thanks to you. That was… incredible."
Usopp, who had been staring wide-eyed at the fiery destruction, slowly stood up and shook his head in disbelief. "Man, you're like a walking disaster, Blizz. How do you always show up at the perfect time?" He scratched his head, giving Blizz a goofy grin. "Do you just wait until we're in danger and then pop up out of nowhere? Or is it all just some crazy coincidence?"
Blizz smirked, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Well, that's for me to know and for you to figure out."
looking over at the scorched earth where Wapol's men had once stood. "Man… that was crazy! I don't know how you do it, Blizz, but I'm glad you're on our side."
Suddenly, the peace was shattered by frantic screams from the villagers.
"Dalton! Dalton!" a few of them cried, their voices full of panic. "Where is he? Where is the doctor?!"
Blizz furrowed his brow, noticing several villagers frantically searching through the snow that had piled up on the outskirts of the village. His attention sharpened immediately.
"What's going on?" he asked, stepping toward them.
One of the villagers looked up, his face pale with fear. "He was buried in the snowstorm! Dalton was outside helping to clear the snow, but we lost track of him. We think he's trapped under it somewhere!"
Blizz cursed under his breath. He'd hoped things would have been calmer by now, but it seemed that danger was still lurking around every corner. Without wasting another second, he sprinted toward the villagers, his eyes scanning the snow-covered ground.
He crouched near the first pile of snow and began shoveling through it, his hands moving rapidly. "We need to dig him out, fast," he muttered to himself, his mind already calculating the best way to clear the area. He was no stranger to tough situations, but this felt like it was getting worse by the second.
A few villagers scrambled to help, but their efforts were disorganized, and time was running out.
As the snow was moved aside, a small voice pierced the air. "We found him!" a villager shouted.
Blizz rushed to the source of the cry and saw them pulling Dalton from the snow. His body was limp, but his chest still rose and fell in shallow breaths.
"Is he alive?" Blizz asked, crouching down beside him.
One of the villagers nodded, looking both relieved and scared. "Barely… but we think he's alive. We need to carry him."
Blizz didn't wait for any more words. "Help me carry him inside ," he said,
Blizz didn't wait for any more words. "Help me carry him," he said, grabbing Dalton's shoulders and lifting him up.
Then, just as they reached the edge of the square, a voice called out.
"Wait! Stop!"
One of the doctors stepped forward, an older man with graying hair and tired eyes. "We're doctors from Wapol's regime," he said, his voice strained, but there was a clear regret in his eyes. "But we don't work for him anymore. We've had enough. We've seen the suffering, and we can't stand by any longer."
Blizz eyed them with skepticism. He could tell these men were experienced, their hands steady even in the midst of all the chaos. But the fact that they'd once worked for Wapol didn't sit well with him. Still, something about their demeanor gave him pause.
"We know we can't undo the damage we've caused," the older doctor continued, his voice low. "But we're here to help. We want to make things right. Let us treat your friend."
Blizz exchanged glances with the villagers. It was clear they were just as hesitant as he was, but there was no time for distrust. Dalton needed help, and these were the only doctors available.
Blizz sighed, stepping back slightly. "Fine," he said, his tone cautious but allowing. "But if you make one wrong move, I'll take you out myself."
The older doctor nodded solemnly. "Understood."
The group of doctors immediately set to work. One of them moved to Dalton's side and began checking his pulse, while another examined his breathing. The rest unpacked medical supplies, setting up a small field station in the snow. They worked quickly but efficiently, their expertise undeniable.
After a few moments of tense silence, the doctor who had been checking Dalton looked up, a small sigh of relief escaping his lips.
"He's stable," he said, his voice calm but with a hint of exhaustion. "We've managed to stabilize him for now. He'll need more rest, but he should pull through."
The villagers, who had been holding their breath, visibly relaxed, and a murmur of relief passed through the crowd.
As Blizz stood back, allowing them to work.
The Going Merry gently rocked atop the icy blue sea as Drum Island faded into the snowy mist behind them. A light breeze carried the scent of salt and pine, crisp and refreshing after days of cold tension. The ship's sail flapped confidently as if celebrating along with the crew.
Luffy stood at the bow, arms wide open, scarf trailing behind him as he shouted, "WE GOT A DOCTORRR!"
Chopper, still overwhelmed, tried to hide behind the mast. "S-stop yelling! It's embarrassing!"
Everyone laughed. Even Zoro cracked a smile from his usual lounging spot by the railing. Usopp was perched on a barrel, sketching something that definitely did not look like Chopper, but he claimed was a "heroic portrait." Sanji brought out drinks and hot snacks, kicking off a little impromptu celebration.
Blizz stood leaning on the deck's edge, arms folded, eyes scanning the open waters—but a faint grin tugged at his lips.
"So," he said, half to himself, "the the seventh member already just four more to go"
Luffy grabbed Chopper by the arm and dragged him into the circle of friends gathered mid-deck. "Let's celebrate! Chopper, you gotta drink with us—"
"I'm not old enough!" the reindeer panicked.
"Then have juice!" Sanji said, tossing him a mug.
As laughter filled the air, a moment of quiet reflection drifted in.
Flashback: The Final Morning on Drum Island
Snow had still been falling that morning. Chopper stood outside the castle gates, looking back at the place he had spent so many painful and precious years.
Doctor Kureha, gruff as ever, had stood beside him, arms crossed.
"Go on, idiot reindeer," she said. "Stop wasting time."
Chopper shuffled awkwardly. "B-but… What if I mess up?"
Kureha rolled her eyes. "Then mess up. But mess up while moving forward. Those people need a doctor—and maybe you need them, too."
Chopper wiped his nose and nodded. "Thank you, Doctorine."
Kureha didn't answer with words—just hurled a snowball at his face before disappearing into the castle with a loud slam of the doors.
Back to Present
"Hey," Vivi said softly, stepping beside Chopper on deck, "are you okay?"
Chopper blinked, realizing his eyes were a little watery. He wiped them quickly and nodded. "Yeah. I'm… happy."
"I think the crew's better with you here," she said.
Chopper turned red, then muttered, "Don't say that, stupid!"
Everyone laughed again. Even Zoro chuckled, shaking his head.
"You guys are all idiots," he said, "but… at least now we won't die from a cold."
The celebration continued into the evening. Usopp told wildly exaggerated stories of how he saved Chopper from a dragon. Luffy kept asking Chopper to turn into different forms for fun. Sanji kept pushing snacks and cocoa at everyone. Vivi sat by Nami, who was finally healthy again, wrapped in a blanket with a warm smile.
Blizz, standing just outside the circle of chaos, leaned against the mast, arms crossed.
Zoro came to stand beside him. "You thinking about Arabasta already?"
"Yeah," Blizz said. "This peace is temporary."
Zoro nodded. "But it's real. Enjoy it while it lasts."
Blizz cracked a half-smile. "You too, swordsman."
Suddenly, Luffy shouted from the other side of the ship, mouth full of meat. "HEY, BLIZZ! Come join us!"
Chopper waved. "Yeah, come on!"
Blizz sighed but couldn't hide the smile as he walked over. "Alright, alright. But only for a little—"
Before he could finish, Usopp threw an arm around him and shoved a mug into his hand.
"To new nakama!" Usopp yelled.
Everyone cheered.
"To Doctor Chopper!"
"To the crew!"
"To the next adventure!"
The Going Merry sailed steadily into the evening light, the sun dipping low on the horizon, casting golden reflections over the sea. The laughter, the warmth, the unity—they were everything a pirate could hope for between battles.
And ahead, past the ocean's vast curve, waited Arabasta… and the war that would test them all.