An Important Call (III)

The avalanche didn't really harm me. I jumped on a high building even before it hit the city.

As I looked at the town buried in snow, I realized something very important.

"I need to get out of this ship."

The ability of the Straw Hats to attract attention was unlike anything I've ever seen. And I don't want to make myself known to the world right now. When I come back, I'll make it count—but not now.

How do I hide my identity?

'Big News' Morgans can somehow get information from anywhere in this world. A disguise won't be enough. I need a mask. But I'd need one that could survive a fight without blocking my vision. A bit impractical, but what choice do I have?

Maybe I'll be that masked guy saying cringe-worthy lines like, "If you want to see my face, defeat me first!" Ugh, the thought alone made me shudder.

So cringe! I need to come up with a better line than that.

The story progressed as it was supposed to. I didn't see any real reason to intervene. So, I went to the adjacent town to do some shopping. I prefer to wear a kimono, as it doesn't necessarily restrict my movement that much. But kimono isn't really something you can get on a winter island. Even my previous clothes had to be made custom made. My height has also increased, so I can't really use my previous measurements.

Well, if I'm not wearing a kimono, then I'd prefer some casual. I can mix a couple of styles of clothes to make that happen.

In the mirror, I catch a glimpse of the look. The wrap-around top drapes over my shoulders, dark and simple, giving me freedom to move. Over it, I've added a fitted vest with hidden pockets, almost like armor, bringing that warrior edge. The pants are loose but taper at the ankle, pairing well with my high-top boots, worn and ready.

Then there's the black mask, with only a subtle, eerie smile. It's creepy, like a faceless man grinning back. Most of my clothes are black to match, and the leather strap across my chest feels like a modern sword belt.

My new appearance freaked Usopp out so much, he started mumbling something like,

"Go away, demon." 

Zoro wasn't that much bothered. Supposedly, he went to get some training in the cold water and got lost. After he came ashore, he got swept up in the avalanche.

Well, that's just Zoro being Zoro.

After another hour of drama, we started going up on the castle using the cable car. It was really slow, but the view was nice. In the middle of the ride, Wapol flew away. Ah, Wapol getting beaten up always brings a smile to my face.

At the top, Luffy took one look at me and blinked.

"Oi, Zoro! Who's that weird guy behind you?"

Didn't this already happen once before?

And why is Chopper shouting, "Monster! Monster!"

Is this mask really that scary? Or are they just weird?

I didn't really care. But seeing the current situation, I thought it was best not to wear this mask. Not until I leave the Straw Hats that is.

Later, I found a quiet moment with Dr. Kureha to show her my scars. They'd healed well, but a second opinion never hurts. She inspected them with a grim expression.

"Who treated you? I should break their spine!" she said.

I laughed. "Trust me, they had zero medical knowledge. They did what they could, and it saved my life."

After a moment, she seemed satisfied. "I'll take your word for it. Your skin's scarred, sure, but no lingering damage in the bones or muscles. It's like they were destroyed and rebuilt."

"Sounds about right. No permanent injuries, then?"

"No."

"Is there any way to get rid of the scars?"

"I have a cream, but it'd take a decade," she replied dryly.

"What about the Ope-Ope-no-Mi?"

She raised an eyebrow. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come on, Doc. You've been around long enough to know about it. My guess is you knew the last user."

Her silence told me I'd guessed right.

"No threats intended. I'm only asking because I know the current user."

She seemed to relax, studying me. "What's he to you?"

"A nakama. Just tell me—can the Ope-Ope-no-Mi remove scars?"

She nodded. "Yes, it could."

That was all I needed. I rose to go. "Thanks, Doc. And by the way, your 'pet' will be fine."

She blinked, surprised. "How would you know? You're not even part of their crew!"

"True, but I know them. They're good people."

She looked at me, curious. "Why tell me this?"

"I don't really know. Maybe it's because I'm about to see falling cherry blossoms for the first time, or maybe it's because I'm remembering what I felt when I left my own home. I don't know. But I know this, Doctor, a change is coming in this world. And your 'pet' will be one of the key players. He's going to help a lot of people. Just give him the goodbye he deserves. Not the one you want it to be."

Dr. Kureha's expression softened; she understood. She planned to chase Chopper away with her strange brand of tough love, but having left home myself, I knew how much a final memory can matter. As I turned to go, she called after me.

"How do you know about the change coming in this world? Do you see the future?" She asked sarcastically.

I laughed, "Not quite. I just know a thing or two, that's all."

She chuckled, and as I left the castle, I heard her muttering to herself,

"Pirates! Doesn't matter what era—they're all annoying. Hey, soldiers! Ready the cannons!"

As we headed down in the sleigh with Chopper pulling us, I felt like a pirate version of Santa Claus. Reindeer pulling a sleigh—couldn't get more obvious than that. The boom of a cannon sounded behind us, and the sky bloomed into a pinkish hue. Seeing the amazed faces around me, I thought to myself,

Healing the Heart. You weren't wrong about that, Dr. Hiriluk.