Village.
Under Dalton's leadership, everyone arrived at his residence, a small house with a fireplace.
"Then it's up to you, Mr. Dalton. If there is any trouble, please bring us together immediately."
The militiamen said goodbye and returned to their respective homes.
Dalton has a great reputation here, and the people of the village welcome him with a smile.
After dealing with the excited residents, Dalton finally led everyone into the house.
"What does this election mean that I hear people talking about?"
As soon as they entered the house, it became much warmer.
Dalton made everyone a cup of hot tea and heard Usopp ask this question.
"As I mentioned before, a few months ago, a group of pirates called Blackbeard landed, and at that time, the king abandoned the country and fled to sea as soon as he heard about it. So, there is no king on this island now."
He explained in a low voice.
"The so-called election is to choose a new king."
Upon hearing this, the Straw Hat Crew frowned.
Vivi was even stunned, and angrily gritted her teeth, saying, "Is this considered a ruler of a country? He actually abandoned his people and fled!"
In her opinion, it was simply irrational. A king who couldn't protect his people didn't deserve to be called king.
Luffy, on the other hand, could understand this girl's feelings.
This little girl dared to infiltrate Baroque Works at the age of 14, living up to her status as a princess and the words she spoke at that moment.
The king's name is Wapol, and this country used to be called the Drum Kingdom...
Perhaps influenced by Vivi's words, Dalton unconsciously said a few more words: "It used to be one of the top medical countries in the world, but this person drove out all the doctors in the country for the sake of his own government, leaving only 20 people to serve him. "
"And if the citizens want medical treatment, they will have to beg him."
"This is outrageous! How can someone like that actually be a king?!"
Vivi was so angry that she clenched her fists.
"Wait, doesn't that mean there are no doctors here now!?" Usopp discovered a loophole.
"No, there's still one, Dr. Kureha."
Dalton pointed out the window and whispered, "Can you see the three mountains? The middle one is the king's palace, and that old witch is living there now."
Sanji squinted his eyes and stared for a moment. Through the thick snow, he could barely see the shadow of a castle.
"How can we get up there with such height? Even if we use Geppo, we will run out of strength halfway..."
There should be some kind of ski lift or climbing facility, right? After all, it is the king's palace, there must be a convenient way to climb the mountain.
"I go." Luffy smiled and said, "Kaya, I'll take you upstairs, as for you guys...stay here for now."
"Ah, Luffy, it's your decision." Zoro sat to the side, holding a cup of hot chocolate, nodding calmly.
Dalton immediately said, "If you want to go up the mountain, it's best to go from the back of the mountain. If you go up from the front of the village, you will find Raban..."
Before he could finish, Kaya had already followed Luffy out of the house.
"What is Raban?" Nami asked curiously.
"It's a fierce rabbit."
"A rabbit? Then it's okay."
"No... it's a fierce thing..."
Dalton opened his mouth, but he saw that this group of people didn't have any feelings of panic and had great trust in Luffy.
Not to mention the small talk at home.
Kaya followed Luffy and walked towards the central peak, defying the wind and snow.
After leaving Syrup Village, the snow on the ground became thicker and thicker. With each step, she could even reach her knees.
Kaya, who was weak and sickly, had already started to pant and turn red in the face after walking less than a hundred meters.
Luffy had to turn around and said with a speechless face, "Let me carry you. If you walk alone, it will be dark when we get there."
Kaya blushed slightly, looked at Luffy who was already ready to carry her and, without being too shy, gently leaned on Luffy's back, with her hands around his neck.
"You're so light..." Luffy said in surprise, much lighter than Nami.
"Sorry..."
"Why are you apologizing?"
Luffy carried Kaya on his back and walked calmly.
"I'm causing you trouble again, Mr. Luffy."
"Indeed, how should I thank you?"
Kaya's heart raced, and suddenly she didn't dare speak anymore.
As they walked, in the wind and snow ahead, rabbit with red eyes and standing on its hind legs suddenly appeared.
The rabbit was big and had a very fierce expression.
"Mr. Luffy!" Kaya held him even tighter, feeling nervous.
Luffy continued walking without stopping, leaving footprints behind, and at the same time, his Conqueror Haki instantly intimidated the surrounding area for miles.
In an instant, all the creatures nearby fainted.
"Wow, amazing~" Kaya blinked her eyes. "Is this Conqueror's Haki?"
Having traveled from East Blue to the Grand Line, she didn't have a very clear understanding of Luffy's strength, only knowing that he was strong and formidable.
This time, witnessing Conqueror's Haki firsthand, she truly understood that Mr. Luffy was even more formidable than she imagined.
"When you recover, what do you want to do in the future?" Luffy smiled, so that the girl wouldn't feel bored, he decided to talk to her a little more.
"Plans for the future?" Kaya tilted her head and thought for a moment, then smiled slightly and said, "I want to become a doctor."
"Only those who have experienced the bitterness of pain can understand the importance of showing kindness to others. Kaya, you are a kind girl."
Kaya widened her eyes in surprise. Occasionally, Luffy would say something that struck a chord in his heart.
She felt a kind of understanding.
She covered her mouth and laughed, "Mr. Luffy, why did you want to take me to the Grand Line to seek medical treatment when we were in Syrup Village? I can't do anything on the ship, I'm really just a burden to you."
While saying this, she leaned her head on Luffy's shoulder and softly murmured:
"Mr. Luffy, you are really kind."
Upon hearing this, Luffy chuckled silently.
You see, if he were Usopp, Kaya would be a mother by now.
When the two arrived at the bottom of the mountain, the snowfall became heavier, and they could barely see the scenery just a few meters away.
Feeling the tremor in her back, the cold piercing through her coat, and the bone-chilling cold made Kaya's face red.
She raised her head slightly and looked at the mountain peak ahead.
The nearly vertical wall of the mountain extended upwards at a ninety degree angle to the ground, disappearing into the blizzard.
So high... If she were alone, she would have no idea how to get up there.
"Hold on tight."
With a single thought, Luffy instantly transformed into Gear fifth.
His hair turned into white flames, burning intensely.
Lying on Luffy's back, Kaya felt the cold disappear and instinctively held on tighter, seeking more warmth.
"So hot~"
(End of chapter)
Give me some power stones there you go~😉