Snow fell in soft sheets over the silent village, blanketing rooftops and erasing footprints from just moments earlier. The Straw Hats couldn't shake the image of the figure that had vanished into the forest, its presence lingering like a question mark in the cold air.
"We're being watched," Luffy repeated calmly, brushing the snow off his shoulders.
"Watched? By what?" Usopp exclaimed, his voice rising in alarm. He whirled around, eyes darting to every shadow. "You saw those eyes, right? That thing had antlers! That's not normal!"
Zoro's hand instinctively moved to his sword hilt, eyes narrowing. "Could've been some kind of animal… or something smarter."
Sanji stepped in front of Nami protectively, lighting a fresh cigarette. The flicker of flame cast a brief glow across his focused expression. "Whatever it was, it didn't attack. That's enough for now."
Robin, standing quietly near the window, her arms crossed, spoke with a calm tone. "It was intelligent. I saw hesitation in its eyes. It wasn't just an animal."
They followed the creature's trail for a short while, weaving between frosted trees and snow-capped stones. But the storm returned swiftly, as if nature herself was working to hide the stranger's path. In minutes, the tracks vanished under fresh powder.
"Tch. Snow's too thick," Zoro muttered.
"Figures. Creepy mountain, creepy weather, creepy horned spy," Usopp grumbled.
Luffy knelt down where the prints had ended, then stood. "Let's go back. They'll come to us."
The crew returned to the village and settled into the house where Nami lay. The wind picked up outside, and the shutters rattled against the cold. Inside, Sanji started a small fire in the corner hearth using scraps of dry wood, carefully fanning it to life.
Zoro dragged a wooden table across the door and wedged it shut with a heavy beam. "Won't stop a bear," he muttered, "but it'll do for the wind."
Usopp, wrapped in every scarf he could find, set up makeshift traps near the windows—buckets tied with string, pans rigged to clatter if nudged. "If anything moves, we'll hear it. Probably."
Robin found a book half-buried under a collapsed shelf, brushing off the snow and leafing through it absently. "Seems the villagers left long ago… no medical supplies, no signs of recent life."
Luffy sat beside Nami's bed, his hands folded, eyes unusually still. "We'll find help," he said softly. "Just hold on."
As the hours crawled by, they took shifts resting. Sanji refused to leave Nami's side for long, regularly dampening a cloth to place on her forehead. Zoro dozed with one eye open, leaning against the wall. Usopp snored in a heap of blankets, his traps forgotten. Robin kept to the shadows, rereading the local book and glancing occasionally toward Nami with concern.
Outside, the storm whispered and howled, blanketing the world in white. Then, when night had fully fallen and the village lay still, a shadow moved.
From the snowy hills, a pair of small hooves padded silently across rooftops. A figure climbed to the upper window of the house and peered in through the frosted glass. It hesitated. Then, with a soft creak, the window opened, and the visitor slipped inside.
The reindeer moved with surprising grace despite the bag slung over his shoulder. His hooves tapped quietly against the wooden floor as he crept closer to Nami's bedside. His blue nose twitched nervously.
"I shouldn't be doing this," he muttered to himself, ears drooping. "But… she needs help."
He set the bag down gently and began pulling out small vials, herbs, and tools. With practiced movements, he checked Nami's temperature, pulse, and breathing. He mixed a small powder into warm water and carefully poured a few drops between her lips.
"There… that should help lower the fever," he whispered, glancing toward the others. His eyes widened as he saw Sanji sleeping on the floor, back resting against the bedframe. Robin's silhouette was just beyond the fireplace, her face obscured by her hair as she seemed to doze while seated.
"Just a little more…" he murmured, fidgeting with the pouch of herbs in his hands. A flicker of worry crossed his face. "This blend needs exact timing... I hope it's right."
Chopper pulled out a tiny notebook and flipped through a few pages, scanning diagrams and notes. His eyes locked onto one particular entry—"High fever: 38.5°C and above — remedy blend #7. Night application preferred."
He applied a balm to her wrists and adjusted the blankets over her body with tender care. He looked around again, then added a second blend to a small pouch tied to her pillow—a slow-release herbal agent to help circulation.
He stood slowly, about to slip back toward the window, when a creak of floorboard froze him in place.
Luffy shifted in his sleep, his eyes still mostly closed, but his voice broke the silence.
"...Hey," he mumbled, barely louder than a breath. "Who are you?"
Chopper's eyes widened. He remained frozen, unsure whether to flee or explain.
Luffy opened one eye briefly, but his expression was unreadable. A flicker of recognition passed behind his gaze. He slowly closed it again and shifted slightly under his coat.
"...A dream?" he muttered vaguely, letting his voice trail off with a faint trace of amusement.
Chopper hesitated, then quietly gathered his things. He slipped back toward the window without another sound, disappearing into the storm.
Behind him, Luffy lay motionless, the corner of his mouth barely curling into a knowing smile.
To be continued...
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️