Looking for balance

38. Passage of arms

Thanks to KumaZura for proof reading this chapter.

***

"Island! It's an island!" The captain yelled at the top of his lungs, drunk with joy.

The crew immediately gathered on the foredeck to see the impressive outline of their next destination looming on the horizon. The air was still cold and the climate had stabilized towards winter temperatures but they weren't extreme. Grabbing his binoculars, Usopp confirmed the snow wasn't invading the place although the inhabitants were warmly dressed.

"Provisions are still quite high and the island is considered quiet, we can relax," Nami informed them. "It's free time for everyone."

At these words, enthusiasm intensified among the crew members and by the time they disembarked, the navigator had given everyone a small allowance for their personal expenses. Franky wanted to stay on the Sunny to tinker with a new invention, but the others didn't hide their pleasure and they quickly dispersed in the city. This is how Sanji and Chopper decided to visit the fruit tree plantations in greenhouses, Nami and Robin made off towards the stores, Luffy led Brook and Usopp towards a confectionery merchant on the port and Zoro ventured alone into the streets looking for a bar despite the general disapproval.

***

"I think I'm gonna be sick," Usopp winced, holding his stomach. "I ate too much candy..."

"What are you talking about? You hardly ate anything!" Luffy wondered, swallowing yet another marron glacé with appetite.

"I have to agree with our long-nose friend," Brook sighed beside them. "Eating so much sugar in such a short time doesn't work for me either..."

The three friends hadn't left the port, preferring to raid the confectionery merchant who had rarely made such good deals in such a short time. Then they had sat on the small wall that separated the city from the ocean not far from the Sunny. In this way, they could hear Franky hammering hard on a piece of metal. It was still cold, but the sun was warming the atmosphere a bit.

"We spent everything," The sniper grumbled, trying not to move too much as he searched his pockets. "I wanted to buy gunpowder..."

"And I wish I could buy some new strings for my instruments," The musician added. "It's amazing how things tend to wear out after fifty years..."

"There are still pralines and chocolates, you want some?" The captain showed them, putting the bag under their noses.

Brook turned away, groaning, and Usopp felt nausea rising up his stomach. Seeing their greenish looks, Luffy burst out laughing and stuffed the treats in his mouth once more while his two friends were taking large breaths thanks to the invigorating air.

***

Zoro turned up on a new street. Or what is the same as before? Regardless, there was no liquor store in sight and it annoyed him. Only lots and lots of clothing stores wherever he was looking. Clusters of people wrapped in warm clothes were crowding the pedestrian streets and they were pushing and shoving because of their bulky bags stuffed with new things.

Finally, the fencer shrugged and decided to go back up the stream of people until he would get out of this hell. He would find it.

"Hey, Zoro, are you looking for new clothes?" The mocking voice of Nami suddenly asked behind him. The swordsman turned around and frowned. Together with Robin and their arms already full of bags, the two young women were gazing at him, smiling quietly.

"I was walking around," He growled, resuming his way.

"Of course you are!" The navigator kept on, loud enough for him to hear her despite the surrounding noise. "I was sure Sanji would be a good influence on you and you'd pay attention to your wardrobe after a while!"