Belated Warmth

"Zero."

"I'm here."

"Where are Luffy and the others?"

"Mm, they should be on the island by now. Don't worry. Once your condition stabilizes, we'll regroup with them."

"Okay."

Only then did Nami realize that, at some point, she and Zero had started holding hands. The warmth from his palm made her want to freeze time right here and have these moments alone with him.

Zero also sensed the intimate atmosphere between them. He simply placed his right arm over Nami's shoulders and let her lean against his chest. His strong chest made her feel safe once again.

But when Zero lowered his head, he could just see the fair, rosy skin beneath Nami's clothes, and his heartbeat could not help speeding up.

Nami seemed to sense his breathing suddenly grow heavier. She raised her head and looked at him in confusion. Their eyes met at once, and a sensual atmosphere spread between them.

Zero could not hold back.

He kissed her.

"Mm?"

Nami's eyes widened. She had not expected Zero's sudden move, and her body stiffened slightly. But after the initial awkwardness passed, she gradually went from passive to proactive, wrapping both arms around Zero's back.

Their breaths grew heavy. Zero felt Nami's softness, sweet with a faint fragrance, and could not help wanting to explore more. While one arm held Nami tightly, his other hand slid up from her waist—

Just as the two were getting carried away, an ill-timed voice sounded from inside the room. "What are you doing?"

They immediately stopped. Nami hid in Zero's arms, her cheeks so flushed they seemed about to drip with moisture. Zero looked displeased as he turned around and saw Chopper entering with medicine. How did I forget to lock the door?

Chopper seemed to have no concept of what men and women did together. He only assumed they were doing something he did not understand. Without asking further, he walked over, intending to have Nami take her medicine properly.

But the next moment, he saw how red Nami's cheeks were and thought her illness had flared up again. He hurriedly drove Zero away and examined her. Only after confirming that she was fine did he clap his hooves in relief.

"How strange. Her fever's obviously gone down, so why is her face still so red? Is there some illness I don't know about?"

Nami could only smile awkwardly. When Chopper turned away, she shot Zero a resentful glance. Zero answered with a mischievous grin, making Nami recall what had just happened. Even her ears began to burn.

Hmph, this jerk!

At that moment, Nami noticed Chopper acting strangely. His blue nose twitched, and he looked out the window with a serious expression. Zero also dropped his frivolous look and followed Chopper's gaze.

Nami: "Chopper, Zero, what's wrong?"

Chopper: "That's Wapol's smell."

Nami: "Who?"

Knowing that Nami had probably not encountered Wapol yet, Zero told her about their earlier run-in with him. He also said Wapol had likely come here to reclaim his castle. After all, he had once been the king here, though he was not exactly beloved.

Realizing that something bad might happen next, Chopper prepared to report Wapol's arrival to Kureha. Zero told Nami to rest well before following him outside.

Not long after, the two men and one reindeer arrived at the castle gates. Wapol stood there with his two subordinates, loudly announcing his arrival.

Kureha warned Wapol that since he had abandoned this country, he should not return. Wapol arrogantly declared that it was his kingdom, and he could come and go whenever he pleased.

"Why is it you again?"

Hearing that voice, Wapol finally realized that the person before him was the one from that pirate crew who had effortlessly subdued him and thrown him into the sea.

If he had not run into Dalton, Luffy, and the others, perhaps Wapol's mind would still have been clear. But by the time he got here, only three of them remained, their numbers greatly reduced, and he had already been seething with anger. The moment he saw Zero, that anger exploded!

"You bastard! You dared to throw me into the sea last time! This time, I'll make you feel Wapol's wrath!"

As he spoke, Wapol opened his huge mouth wide enough to swallow a person whole and leaped toward Zero. But the next instant, a pair of stretched arms suddenly appeared from behind and grabbed him in midair!

Wapol: "?"

"Gum-Gum, Swing!"

Luffy hurled Wapol into the air, sending him crashing heavily to the ground. Then he jumped down not far in front of Zero and greeted him with a smile. "Zero, so you're here too! Where's Nami? Is she okay?"

Though surprised that Luffy had appeared here, Zero paused for a moment before replying, "Nami's fine now. There's a doctor here who can cure her illness."

Luffy: "That's great!"

Zero: "Yeah, hahaha!"

After Luffy appeared, the rest of the crew followed one after another: Sanji, Vivi, Usopp, and Little Red Sparrow, who had just landed on Zero's shoulder. Everyone had gathered once more.

They also asked Zero about Nami's condition. Upon hearing that she was out of danger, they all relaxed. Sanji especially would have rushed off to see Nami immediately if Wapol and his men had not yet been dealt with.

"Chirp!"

Little Red Sparrow rubbed affectionately against Zero's cheek again, chirping from time to time as if complaining that he had left it behind. Zero could only stroke its body a few times before it finally calmed down a little.

Dalton also arrived, already transformed into his bull-man form. However, he seemed to be in poor condition, with thick bandages wrapped around his body. Clearly, his severe injuries had not yet healed.

"Zero, who are these people?"

Hearing Chopper's question, Zero answered with a smile, "They're my companions! See that guy who can turn into rubber? He's our captain—Monkey D. Luffy!"

Chopper blinked, then turned and saw Luffy staring at him in astonishment. "You can talk!"

Zero: "Luffy, this guy's called Chopper. He's a doctor! And he's pretty strong too!"

Hearing that, Luffy suddenly darted over to Chopper's side and looked at him eagerly. "You, come be the ship's doctor for our pirate crew. What do you say?"

Chopper: "..."