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The Strongest Frost Loli (196)
🕑 Added 2025-02-17 17:00:19 +0000 UTCChapter 196 - Tourist Trap
While the Straw Hats had a multitude of questions, Komurasaki’s gentle suggestion, “Let’s chat over dinner,” persuaded them to take their seats. Dishes, each more extravagant than the last, began arriving at their table. As Luffy reached for the nearest plate, Nami stopped him.
“Perhaps you could enlighten us as to why we’re here? You seem to know Robin, but we’re completely in the dark.”
“Certainly. It’s quite simple, really.”
Komurasaki had simply wanted to see Robin, and since the opportunity presented itself, she had invited Luffy and his crew along as well. The lavish meal was her way of welcoming them. Though, she hadn’t prepared it herself.
“Please, eat your fill. The food here is exquisite.”
“Really? Dig in!”
“Hold it, Luffy!”
“What!?”
Luffy’s right hand was restrained by Nami when he attempted to grab a dish with his left, only to be stopped by Usopp. His face fell at the repeated delays.
“This food looks expensive! What if they make us pay!?”
“We wouldn’t dream of charging Robin’s friends.”
“Don’t worry. She’s not the type to make us pay.”
“R-really?”
“Just curious, how much is this… per person?”
“Around 200,000 berries.”
“200,000!?”
The Straw Hats had roughly 50,000 berries left. Even with Robin’s hidden stash of jewels, it wouldn’t be enough to cover the meal. Nami, Usopp, and Sanji’s postures stiffened at the mention of the exorbitant price.
“As I said, there’s no charge. It’s all on the house… or rather, on the company expense account.”
“I can practically see George’s eye twitching…”
Apparently, this wasn’t Komurasaki’s personal expense account. Robin, remembering the long-suffering man in charge of Twilight’s finances, winced. Though, for an organization like Twilight, this was pocket change. Especially considering Komurasaki’s position. She likely dealt with far larger sums regularly. Her sense of scale was probably skewed. Besides, Skypiea was currently functioning as a Twilight resort. No one would question internal expenses.
“Expenses… well, as long as we’re not paying…”
Usopp released Luffy’s hand, and Luffy, ignoring all table manners, began devouring the food. Komurasaki, seemingly unfazed by the pirate’s lack of decorum, elegantly sliced a piece of meat and savoured the flavor. Seeing her eat, the others, except Luffy, cautiously began their meal.
“There’s someone I wanted you to meet, Robin. I was planning a surprise, so I didn’t mention it when I invited you. But when I contacted them, they said they were busy and would come later.”
“Someone… you want us to meet?”
“Yes. They’ll join us when they’re free.”
The Straw Hats, enjoying the meal, savoured every bite, especially Nami, mindful of the price. The dishes, featuring Sky Lobster and other local delicacies, impressed even Sanji. He made a mental note to speak with the chef later. The Sky Fish dishes, unavailable in the blue sea, were a particular highlight. As the Straw Hats ate, Komurasaki turned to Pedro and Zepo.
“You two have been excellent guardians for Robin.”
“Robin’s resourcefulness has saved us more often than not. It hasn’t been solely our efforts.”
“There were a few… dicey situations.”
“Is that so? I’m glad you’re all safe.”
“It’s an honor to have you concerned for our well-being, Princess.”
“Wait! You keep calling her ‘Princess.’ What’s that about? Is she royalty?”
Nami, having swallowed her mouthful, pointed her fork at Pedro. Pedro, seemingly uncomfortable with the question, glanced at Zepo and Komurasaki. Zepo, also hesitant, looked at Komurasaki.
“Well, she is a princess, in a sense… but I’ve been asked not to divulge any details.”
“If Pedro and Zepo are calling her ‘Princess,’ she must be royalty of the Mink Tribe, right?”
“Komurasaki’s clearly not a mink, you idiot swordsman!”
“What did you say, you damn cook!”
Ignoring Sanji and Zoro’s bickering, Komurasaki answered briefly.
“My family has a long-standing relationship with the Mink Tribe. My father, in particular, had close ties, so… it’s a force of habit.”
A vague answer, designed to avoid revealing too much. The Straw Hats seemed satisfied, but Komurasaki’s attention had shifted to Chopper.
“That mink is far more intriguing… are there other minks venturing out to sea, besides Pedro and Zepo?”
“Oh, Chopper’s not a mink. He’s a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user.”
“I see…”
Chopper’s adorable appearance had captivated Komurasaki. She fidgeted slightly, clearly wanting to pet him, but refrained, afraid of appearing rude. Chopper, oblivious to her gaze, was too engrossed in his meal to notice.
***
After the meal, Komurasaki accompanied them outside. It had been eight years since Robin had left with Pedro and Zepo. Komurasaki seemed genuinely happy to see her again. They shook hands, and Komurasaki bid them farewell.
“I’ll be on this island unless something comes up, so call me if you need anything. I don’t think you’ll run into any trouble, but… please listen to your guide.”
“I’ll do my best. Thank you, Komurasaki. By the way, are Izo and Kawamatsu here?”
“They have their own duties. Besides, a bodyguard for a bodyguard is… redundant.”
They rejoined Conis, who had been waiting, and, with Luffy leading the way, resumed their sightseeing tour. Robin glanced back and saw Komurasaki still standing there, watching them.
“Robin.”
“Yes? What is it?”
“That woman… she seems… formidable.”
“…Indeed. I can’t gauge her strength, but… even eight years ago, she was incredibly powerful. Even Pedro and Zepo couldn’t touch her.”
“Pedro and Zepo couldn’t defeat her!?”
“Robin… you know we can’t harm the Princess, right?”
“Ah, that’s why…”
“Fufu… but she is very strong. She’s Kanata’s first disciple, after all.”
While Kaie and Chiyo had also received Kanata’s guidance, Komurasaki was the only one Kanata had personally trained, from the very beginning. Training under someone whose strength rivalled, or perhaps even surpassed, the Four Emperors was no easy feat. Robin, having witnessed it firsthand, understood the level of dedication and resilience it required.
Zoro’s concern stemmed from the sword at Komurasaki’s side, suggesting she was a swordswoman, or perhaps he had simply sensed her strength. Either way, they were unlikely to fight. They had no reason to become enemies.
“…”
Zoro glanced back at Komurasaki. A woman, a swordswoman, incredibly powerful. He couldn’t gauge her exact strength, but he knew she was formidable. Even a woman could reach such heights. That was all he needed to know. As a swordsman, he had a new goal. To surpass her.
***
“This is the Waver race track.”
Conis led them to a large arena where Waver races were held. Several categories existed, based on vehicle type, including an open class where all types competed. One category, in particular, caught their attention. The “Pirate Wild Rules” race.
“What’s this? ‘Wild Rules’?”
“Well… Waver races usually have strict regulations, but some… more enthusiastic racers find those… restrictive.”
Essentially, anything went as long as you crossed the finish line. Attacking opponents, sabotage, all were permitted. The winner took all. As long as racers passed the designated checkpoints, they were free to do as they pleased. The races were notoriously chaotic, but the prize money, depending on the wagers, was substantial, attracting a certain type of individual. Conis, it seemed, wasn’t a fan.
“Waver races are… more intense than I expected.”
“Don’t worry! The other categories have proper rules!”
“Yeah, I get that, but…”
As Conis and Usopp discussed the rules, Nami, observing the Wavers, felt a sense of familiarity.
“Luffy, doesn’t this look like the thing you found?”
“It does!”
Among the items they had salvaged from the wreckage was a similar-looking boat. It was probably a Waver. Though, a 200-year-old model was likely beyond repair. Hearing their conversation, Conis led them through a restricted area to the back of the arena. She seemed unconcerned about the “Staff Only” signs. They arrived at a room labelled “Engineering.”
Without knocking, she entered. A moustachioed man sat at a desk, sipping tea and watching a monitor.
“Conis? Belly button!”
“Belly button, Father! I have a favor to ask.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Belly button” seemed to be a local greeting. Pedro and Zepo, intrigued by the Sky Island customs, concluded it was similar to their own “Garuchu” greeting. Luffy, however, found it strange.
The moustachioed man, Pagaya, introduced himself as Conis’s father and a Waver race engineer. While some racers hired personal engineers, he primarily inspected the vehicles to ensure they complied with regulations.
Luffy explained their salvaged Waver.
“I see. Let’s take a look. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”
“Are you sure? It’s over 200 years old…”
“Dial shells, the components used in Waver engines, are made from fossilized shells. As long as the shell itself isn’t damaged, they function indefinitely. I can’t say for certain without examining it, but if the engine’s intact, it might still work.”
“Really!?”
“My father’s a former racer, and a current engineer. He knows everything about Dials and Wavers. He even won a championship once!”
“Wow! You’re amazing, old man!”
“Oh, it was a long time ago…”
Usopp and Luffy stared at Pagaya with newfound respect. Test rides were available near the race track. Intrigued, Luffy immediately volunteered. However, he was stopped by the staff.
“You need to wear this first.”
“What’s this?”
“A life jacket. Keeps you from drowning.”
It was a yellow inflatable vest. Luffy, after some struggling, managed to put it on. While it restricted his movements, it was mandatory, so he didn't complain.
“Alright! Let’s go!”
“Please be careful! They’re very difficult to control…”
Ignoring Conis’s warning, Luffy revved the engine and sped off. He immediately lost control, the Waver bucked and swayed before it flipped over and sent him tumbling into the water. As a Devil Fruit user, his strength vanished, and he went limp, but the life jacket prevented him from sinking. The staff fished him out and brought him back to shore.
“What was that…? It was so wobbly…”
“Wavers are wind-powered, so the vehicles are designed to be lightweight. Controlling them requires extensive knowledge of the sea and its currents. With enough practice, you should be able to handle one in… ten years, perhaps.”
“Ten years!? That’s a long time!”
“There are also skate-type and board-type Wavers. The difficulty is roughly the same, though.”
“I want to try too! Is there an easier one?”
“More stable models are heavier, so they’re slower. They’re perfectly fine for leisurely rides, though.”
“Then I want that one! I want to ride that!”
“Alright, I’ll arrange it.”
Usopp had been horrified by the ten-year training period, but Chopper, relieved that there were easier options, relaxed. Catering to tourists seemed to be their specialty. Meanwhile, Nami, seizing the opportunity while everyone was distracted, had hopped onto Luffy’s Waver and, to everyone’s surprise, was handling it perfectly.
“She’s riding it!?”
“This is amazing!”
Her experience at sea had clearly paid off. She zipped across the water with a broad smile on her face. Chopper and Luffy, having acquired the slower, more stable models, joined her in laughing and splashing each other.
Sanji noticed the test area was enclosed which prevented access to the area beyond, where a dark, ominous cloud hung over a nearby island. He pointed, asking Conis about it.
“It’s quite a large enclosure. What’s that island with the dark clouds? Is it part of Skypiea?”
“That’s… well, it’s a restricted area.”
“Restricted? Because of the weather?”
“In a sense, but… it’s more than just bad weather. That island, under the dark clouds… it’s called Angel Island. It used to be our home. But two Devil Fruit users fought there long ago, and… well, it’s been like that ever since.”
“Devil Fruit users… caused that…? Is that even possible?”
“It is. I was very young at the time, so I don’t know the details, but the island is constantly bombarded by blizzards and lightning storms. There’s nothing there, just danger. That’s why it’s restricted.”
“I see…”
If Luffy heard about it, he’d undoubtedly try to go there, but there was nothing there except the remnants of a lost civilization. It would be a disappointing adventure, even for Luffy. Sanji, remembering something, asked another question.
“Shura mentioned another restricted area. What’s that about?”
“Right. I should probably explain that too.”
It was called Upper Yard. Another tribe of natives lived there, and unauthorized entry would result in conflict. There had been some… disagreements in the past, and the natives, forcibly removed from their land, held a strong grudge. Interfering would only cause more problems.
“A territorial dispute, then.”
Pedro summed up Conis’s explanation. Conis nodded. “God is trying to mediate, but a resolution has been elusive,” she said with a wry smile.
“God? There’s a god here?”
“‘God’ refers to the ruler, the leader of this land.”
Robin answered Zoro’s question, and Conis confirmed it.
“Because of these… sensitivities, Upper Yard is off-limits. You absolutely must not enter.”
“Is there a place here… that we absolutely must not enter…?”
Luffy, having just returned, overheard Conis’s warning. Sanji and Usopp exchanged horrified glances. They had just uttered the forbidden phrase.
“Wait, Luffy! You understand, right!? You can’t go there! Absolutely not!”
“Yeah, Luffy! Think about it! If they’re saying you absolutely can’t go, it means you absolutely can’t go!”
“Oh… a place I absolutely can’t go…”
Sanji and Usopp, desperately tried to dissuade Luffy, who, removing his life jacket, simply nodded vaguely. Zoro, knowing Luffy wouldn’t be deterred, shrugged. He wasn't going to stop him.
“Well, we can explore that later. Anything else?”
“This is the main leisure area, but there’s also a pool with waterslides powered by the Milky Road, a Dial shop selling various types of Dials, and a furniture store selling unique cloud-based furniture, unavailable in the blue sea.”
“All of that sounds fun! Nami, Chopper! Let’s go!”
“I want to play here a little longer!”
“Me too!”
“Fine, we’re leaving without you!”
Conis chuckled as Luffy dragged Nami and Chopper back to the ship while protesting loudly. The pool, the Dial shop, the furniture store. Several options. Then, Conis had an idea.
“You’re pirates, right? How about the Marine Science Museum?”
“What’s that?”
“It recreates various Grand Line phenomena using miniatures and exhibits. It’s educational and entertaining.”
“Huh! Sounds fun! Let’s go there!”
***
The museum, initially designed as an educational facility for children, had been opened to the public due to its… unique exhibits. It explained the various sea phenomena sailors encountered, using simple, easy-to-understand displays. Its existence was partly due to a research facility located on the Sky Island. One of its scientists was currently present.
“Welcome to the Marine Science Museum.”
“Doctor! You’re here?”
“My previous engagement ended. Honestly, she’s a handful. Enthusiastic, yes, but I have other responsibilities…”
A man with messy blond hair and long earlobes, bare torso except for a lab coat, greeted them with a sleepy expression. He was considerably taller than Luffy.
“I’m Enel. I’m in charge of this research facility. Call me Dr. Enel.”
