Chapter 85

"It's decided, sail towards Drum Island!" Ron gave the order.

"Huh?" Nami asked, "But we have enough supplies to go straight to Alabasta!"

"Yes, Captain Ron!" Vivi interjected, "There's an emergency in Alabasta... Can't we hurry?"

Vivi was deeply concerned about her country's situation and hoped to return soon. When she heard that Ron wanted to stop at Drum Island, she couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

"Don't worry, Vivi," Ron reassured her. He couldn't afford to miss the opportunity to consume the devil fruit, even for Vivi's sake.

Though Ron cared about the girls, his personal development was paramount. He believed that only by being strong could he ensure their safety and happiness.

"Alright..." Vivi sighed, reluctantly accepting Ron's decision. "Since it's your decision, I'll go along with it."

"You're the captain and your word is law!" Nami looked at Vivi, then at Ron. Although she found Ron's decision strange, she was obligated to follow his orders.

"What's that guy thinking?" Mikita whispered to Marianne, puzzled by Ron's behavior. (T/N: I'll use their real names from now on, and only use their code names when necessary.)

"Hey, get to work, don't you want to eat?" Tashigi interjected, instructing Mikita to adjust the sails.

"Why do I have to do that again?" Mikita protested.

"Because you're a prisoner!" Tashigi replied, then turned to Marianne. "You, go clean the kitchen!"

"Okay!" Marianne gave Mikita a sympathetic look before complying.

"Why am I always stuck with outdoor chores while she gets kitchen duty?" Mikita grumbled.

"She's a child; you're an adult!" Tashigi shrugged off Mikita's complaint and assigned chores as she saw fit.

Except for Ron, the ship's crew consisted entirely of girls. Nami was in charge of navigation, Kaya and Apis provided companionship, and Vivi was a guest on board. Mikita and Marianne did the menial work and Makino and Nojiko ran the kitchen.

As Ron gazed thoughtfully out to sea, Nami announced the approach of a storm and advised caution.

Heeding Nami's warning, the Merry sailed on.

Two days later, they arrived near Drum Island. Ron, usually reserved from sailing duties, watched the ocean with a serious expression on his face.

"Why aren't you resting?" Nami asked, curious about Ron's sudden interest in sailing.

"Cough... Well..." Ron cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment. "How much longer until we reach Drum Island?"

"Soon; we're already close," Nami replied, checking the map and her wristwatch compass. "We're heading straight for Alabasta, and Drum Island is on the way. It should be right ahead. Look, there it is!"

Nami pointed to a distant dot on the horizon, indicating the island.

"Head for it!" Ron instructed with a smile. "I'm about to devour that devil fruit!"

"Have we arrived at Alabasta?" Kaya approached with a cheerful expression, accompanied by Apis and Marianne. Marianne clutched a rag, a remnant of her earlier task in the kitchen.

"Not yet. Why the rush?" Ron flicked Kaya's forehead playfully.

"People are watching!" Kaya clasped Ron's arm, reveling in their connection. She was aware of her special status as Ron's partner and was proud of it.

Ron shook his head in amusement. "How's your medical training going? Have you finished the book I gave you?"

"I finished it!" Kaya beamed, her eyes gleaming.

"Then let's put your knowledge to the test!" Ron smiled.

"Whatever you throw at me, I'm ready!" Kaya declared confidently. She was a medical prodigy, absorbing information quickly and mastering it effortlessly.

"Huh?" Ron turned his attention to the sea, where a smaller ship was gradually materializing.

"What's going on?" Nami and Kaya looked at Ron, puzzled by his sudden shift in focus.

"That!" Ron pointed at the approaching ship.

"Huh? Something's out there!" Nami exclaimed, sensing a presence.

"It's a ship!" Koya observed as the ship approached.

"It looks like a pirate ship!" Nami noted seriously.

"Go towards it!" Ron smiled. "That's my target."

"But don't we have to go to Drum Island?" Nami asked, confused by Ron's deviation from their course.

"No, my destination isn't Drum Island. It's..." Ron pointed at the pirate ship. "That ship!"

"Do you know the people on that ship?" Nami asked, surprised by Ron's intentions.

"No, but follow my orders and approach it!" Ron ordered.

"Alright, Captain. We'll do as you say," Nami agreed and adjusted the ship's course towards the pirate ship.

Meanwhile, aboard the pirate ship, a man with wild hair turned to his companion. "Your Majesty, a pirate ship is approaching!"

"Huh?" The man, addressed as Your Majesty, paused his frenzied eating and put down a piece of wood he'd been chewing. "A pirate ship, you say?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," his subordinate confirmed.

"Excellent! Prepare to feast on it!" he declared eagerly, this being none other than the former king of the Black Drum Kingdom, Wapol.