31. The Ice Thaws

CHAPTER 31: THE ICE THAWS

Goku lay unconscious, the remnants of the fierce battle with Admiral Aokiji still vivid in the minds of those who witnessed it. Sanji and Zoro had carefully carried him to a small house in Cocoyashi Village, where a doctor was working on thawing out Nami and Usopp.

The doctor, a tall man with graying hair and a kind face, was meticulously supervising the thawing process. Nami and Usopp were submerged in a large bath filled with warm water. Villagers poured bucket after bucket of warmer water over them, ensuring a gradual and safe increase in their body temperatures.

"This will take time," the doctor said, his voice calm and reassuring. "We need to raise their temperature slowly to prevent shock."

Nojiko watched anxiously, her eyes never leaving Nami's face. "Thank you, Doctor," she whispered. "We couldn't have done this without you."

Johnny and Yosaku stood nearby, their expressions grim but hopeful. They had only been briefly sailing alongside the Straw Hat crew, but this was the first time they had faced such an overwhelming enemy. Aokiji's power was unlike anything they had encountered before.

As the hours passed, the ice encasing Nami and Usopp began to melt. The water in the bath turned cold, but the villagers continued their efforts, replacing the water with fresh warm buckets. The doctor checked their vital signs frequently, nodding in approval as he noted their gradual improvement.

Finally, the last of the ice melted away. Nami and Usopp lay unconscious but alive, their bodies no longer encased in the deadly frost. The doctor examined them closely, his experienced hands checking for any signs of lasting damage.

"Their body temperatures were dangerously low," he said, looking up at Nojiko, Johnny, and Yosaku. "But they should be fine. With a bit of rest, they should wake up by tomorrow morning."

Nojiko sighed in relief, tears welling up in her eyes. "Thank you," she said again. "I'll stay with them tonight."

Johnny and Yosaku nodded. "We'll go check on Goku," Johnny said. "The doctor should come with us. He'll need to see how the captain is doing."

A few minutes later, they arrived at the small house where Goku was resting. Sanji and Zoro were inside, deep in conversation. Goku, though weak and covered in bandages, managed a smile when he saw his friends.

"Johnny! Yosaku!" Goku greeted, his voice weak but filled with warmth. "Good to see you."

"Good to see you too, Captain," Johnny replied. "We've brought the doctor with us."

The doctor stepped forward, introducing himself. "I'm Dr. Nako. I'm the same doctor who helped Nami and the fella with the long nose before."

Goku, Sanji, and Zoro introduced themselves with their full names and roles in the crew. Dr. Nako nodded, acknowledging each of them. "I've already examined Nami and Usopp. They're stable and should recover by morning. Now, let's see how you're doing."

Goku sat up, wincing slightly from the pain. Dr. Nako checked his pulse, examined his injuries, and nodded approvingly. "You've already healed significantly. Just a few hours of rest should help with the fatigue."

"Thank you, Doctor," Goku said gratefully. "We couldn't have done this without you."

Dr. Nako smiled. "It's the least I can do. You've ended the suffering of this village. We owe you our thanks."

At that moment, Gin walked in carrying a large sack of food the size of a full-grown human. He placed it down with a loud thud, shaking the entire room. "Isn't this too much food for one person?" he asked Zoro, who simply smiled knowingly.

Zoro turned to Goku. "It's a starter," he said, laughing.

Sanji nodded in agreement, though he shared Gin's concern. "Zoro had me prepare this, but I still think it's too much for one person."

Goku, despite his exhaustion, grinned. "Well, it's a starter," he said seriously. He jumped from the bed, ripped open the sack, and began devouring the food with astonishing speed.

The others watched in shock as Goku ate the mountain of food. Zoro continued to laugh, enjoying their reactions. "I told you," he said between laughs.

Johnny and Yosaku were too stunned to react. They had seen Goku's incredible appetite before, but it never ceased to amaze them.

***

Meanwhile, far out at sea, a lone bicycle glided across the ocean, ridden by a tall, lean man. Following a trail of ice only wide enough for one wheel, Admiral Aokiji pedaled effortlessly, the cold not bothering him in the slightest. On his wrist, a transponder snail buzzed to life.

"How was he?" a voice asked from the other side.

"He has potential," Aokiji replied, his tone thoughtful.

"I don't care about potential," the voice demanded. "Will he be able to do what we need from him? Will he be strong enough?"

"Yes, he will be strong enough. He just needs some better challenges in the meantime," Aokiji answered calmly.

"What do you propose?" the other voice asked.

"I might have a subordinate who will be perfect for the task and push him," Aokiji suggested.

"Good. Now return to headquarters and proceed as normal. You will be called when your services are needed." With that, the transponder snail shut down.

Aokiji continued to ride along the icy trail until he put in another call. The transponder snail buzzed, and a low, growling voice answered. "This is Captain Smoker."

***

Goku hovered above Cocoyashi Village, the sun rising behind him and casting long shadows across the sleepy town. His meditation had been intense, replaying the brutal defeat at Admiral Aokiji's hands. He realized that many adversaries in the Grand Line would possess powers similar to Aokiji's, powers that rendered physical attacks useless. He needed to find a way to counter these devil fruit abilities, perhaps a secret technique hidden somewhere in the Grand Line. However, for now, his only option was training.

Goku opened his eyes as the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, filling him with renewed determination. He had to become stronger, not just for himself, but for his friends and the journey ahead. As he prepared to descend, he noticed Nojiko walking through the empty streets below, carrying a large tray with a pair of covered plates.

Without a moment's hesitation, Goku flew down, landing lightly behind her. Nojiko jumped, nearly dropping the tray. "It's just me," Goku said, chuckling at her reaction.

"You scared me!" Nojiko exclaimed, her hand over her heart. "A guy who took down a fishman by himself with minimal effort and fought an admiral head-on. You are extremely dangerous."

Goku was a bit surprised by her words but simply smiled. "Indeed I am," he admitted. "But I don't go around attacking people for no reason."

Nojiko relaxed, her shoulders lowering. "How are Nami and Usopp doing?" Goku asked, concern evident in his voice.

"They just woke up," Nojiko replied. "I was asked to bring them some soup. Sanji made it."

"Let's go then," Goku said, taking a step alongside her.

They walked through the quiet village, the early morning air crisp and refreshing. As they approached the small house where Nami and Usopp were recovering, the sound of birds chirping filled the air. The house was modest, with a wooden door and a thatched roof, blending seamlessly with the surrounding buildings.

Inside, Nami and Usopp lay in bed, propped up by pillows. Their faces were pale, but they were awake and alert. Zoro and Gin sat nearby, keeping watch over their friends.

"How are you feeling?" Goku asked, stepping into the room with Nojiko.

Nami managed a weak smile. "I've been better," she said, her voice hoarse. "But I'm alive, thanks to you all."

Usopp nodded in agreement. "I thought I was done for," he admitted. "But you guys saved me."

"We're a team," Zoro said, his voice steady. "We look out for each other."

Nojiko set the tray down on a small table by the bed and uncovered the plates. The aroma of Sanji's soup filled the room, and both Nami and Usopp perked up at the sight of it.

"Sanji made this for you," Nojiko said, handing them each a bowl. "Eat up, it'll help you recover."

Nami and Usopp took the bowls gratefully, savoring the warm, nourishing soup. As they ate, Goku, Zoro, and Gin sat with them, the conversation turning to their recent battle.

"How did you manage to fight Aokiji?" Usopp asked, looking at Goku with wide eyes. "He's an admiral!"

Goku leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "It wasn't easy," he admitted. "Aokiji's powers are incredible. My usual attacks didn't work on him because he could turn into ice and reform at will. I had to use my Ki to protect myself, but even that wasn't enough. I realized I need to find a new way to fight enemies like him."

"Do you think there's a technique out there that can help?" Nami asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I believe so," Goku replied. "The Grand Line is full of mysteries and powerful techniques. There must be something that can help us fight against devil fruit users."

"We'll find it," Zoro said confidently. "We'll get stronger and keep moving forward."

Goku nodded, his determination renewed. "For now, we need to focus on our training. We have to be ready for whatever comes next."

As the conversation continued, they shared stories of their past adventures and their dreams for the future. Laughter filled the room, and for a moment, they could forget the dangers that awaited them. But soon, Goku's thoughts returned to their need for training.

He stood up, turning to Zoro and Gin. "Zoro, Gin, come with me to the Going Merry," he said, his tone serious.

Zoro raised an eyebrow. "What's up?"

"It's time we begin our training," Goku replied, a determined look in his eyes.

Zoro and Gin nodded, understanding the importance of what lay ahead. As they left the room, the sun continued to rise, casting a warm glow over the village. The journey to the Grand Line would be long and dangerous, but they were ready to face it together.

As they approached the Going Merry, the ship that had carried them through a few adventures, Goku couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The training would be grueling, but it was necessary. They had to be prepared for the challenges that awaited them in the Grand Line.

Together, they would become stronger. Together, they would face whatever came next. And together, they would achieve their dreams.

[A/N: Read 15 chapters ahead available on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels]