Chapter 21: Division of Labor
The crew slept until evening, only beginning to stir as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Finally, Joseph and Roy could rest. The others, now awake, took over watching the boat. Only Ace remained dead to the world, completely unfazed by the noise everyone was making.
"I see an island!" A cheer rose from the deck. Roy, who had managed only three hours of sleep, shook himself awake. Finding an island meant they could rest on solid ground, which was always more comfortable than the ship.
"What? An island?" Joseph asked, his eyes half-open.
"Yeah, they're saying they see one. I'm exhausted, but sleeping on land is better than sleeping at sea." Roy yawned widely.
"You'll get used to it. We've all survived the terrible currents of the Reverse Mountain. A little rocking is nothing." Joseph smiled.
"Let's go check if there's a town. We've run through our supplies, and now that we have money, everyone can relax a little." Joseph rolled out of his hammock.
"Right." Roy nodded, pulled on his clothes, and walked out of the cabin. Ace had finally woken up and was standing at the bow, peering out at the sea.
"Lights—a lot of them," Joseph said, joining him. "It should be an island with a proper town. Our luck is holding."
"Everyone, gather round!" Joseph called out, clapping his hands.
The crew looked over. Joseph smiled. "We made a big score yesterday, and now we've found an inhabited island, probably with a town. So, I've divided up the funds. Everyone will get their share; there's more than enough here for you all to enjoy yourselves on the island."
"Woohoo! Brother Joseph is the best!" Mouse was the first to scamper over, grinning.
"Alright, line up, everyone gets theirs." Joseph handed out the allocated money pouches. He and Thomas received the largest shares, but no one objected.
They all understood the two men's vital roles. One was the doctor, the other the chef.
A pirate who never saw battle could still die in the vast ocean without medicine or proper care. The doctor had to ensure the ship was always stocked.
The chef was just as crucial. Firewood, rice, oil, salt—it all cost money, not to mention the ingredients themselves. Without food, they wouldn't last long at sea. The chef was also in charge of fresh water; you couldn't rely on rainfall in the Grand Line. If the weather turned foul, it might not rain for a year, and that was a real possibility.
After them, Jerry and Taft received larger purses. As the shipwrights, the ship's upkeep fell to them. Replacing ropes and canvas, repairing the cabins—it all required materials.
"Ace, you'll go with Kim and Thomas to buy food," Joseph directed. "Roy, Giger, and I will get the medical supplies. The rest of you are responsible for ship materials and fresh water. Since Thomas's group is large, they'll handle the fresh water. It shouldn't cost too much."
Joseph was the crew's de facto quartermaster, and he arranged everything with practiced efficiency. Soon, everyone was carrying a heavy bag—except for Roy and Joseph, whose loads were lighter. Medicinal herbs weren't heavy, though some of the specialized equipment required careful handling.
With everything settled, their ship finally made for the dock. But the moment they pulled into the harbor, every light on the island winked out at once, plunging the entire landmass into darkness.
"They've spotted us. Reef the sails and dock on the shore. Let's go take a look," Joseph said.
The crew disembarked. They crossed the coast and entered the town, only to find every door shut tight and the shadowy faces of people watching them nervously from behind curtained windows.
"It seems we won't be getting anything done tonight," Joseph said with a sigh after looking around. "We'll find a place to rest and try again tomorrow."
"Let's find a tavern," Taft suggested with a grin. He was a heavy drinker, and reaching shore was his only chance for a proper bender. On the ship, where they had to be ready for a fight at a moment's notice, no one dared overindulge.
"The 'Old German Tavern,' right here," Ace said, pointing to a nearby building where a light still glowed. A sign hanging outside bore the name.
Ace pushed the door open and walked in. Inside, only an old man was wiping a glass behind the bar.
"Hello, boss. Do you have any food and drink?" Ace asked, smiling as he took a seat at the counter.
"We do," the old man replied. Though advanced in years, he had a sturdy build that hinted at a life of experience.
"Bring it out for us," Ace said, tossing his money pouch onto the bar.
The bartender caught it deftly, opened it, took out a gold coin, and bit it. He smiled. "First time I've seen a pirate pay up front. You're a funny kid. Wait here, I'll get your food and drink. This is enough to buy every bottle in the place."
"Thanks, boss," Ace grinned.
He turned back to the crew. "It's on me!"
"Fine by us," Joseph laughed. "But if you need to buy supplies later, you'll have to come borrow from me."
"Hahaha!" The crew's laughter echoed in the quiet tavern.
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GIVE ME STONES