Snow swirled furiously as the five Lapahns advanced, surrounding Luffy, Sanji, and the fragile sled that carried Nami. The narrow trail behind them was nearly erased by the storm, and before them, the towering rabbits flexed their claws, ready to attack again. Their eyes glowed red in the whiteout, breath puffing like steam engines in the frigid air. The howling wind carried their guttural growls through the trees, intensifying the tension and quickening the thud of Luffy's pulse.
The lead Lapahn charged first, its massive paw slamming into the snow where Luffy had just stood. With quick reflexes, Luffy leapt high, spun midair, and delivered a punishing downward strike to its back, sending the beast crashing to the side with a yelp. Snow erupted on impact, scattering like a shattered wave. The shock of the blow left a brief silence, broken only by the wind.
Another lunged from behind. Sanji, already bloodied from blocking a strike moments earlier, turned with gritted teeth and launched a flaming kick, spinning as his foot collided with the creature's snout. It tumbled backward, but Sanji staggered slightly, his foot slipping on the icy slope. Blood trickled down his cheek, stark against the snow, and his breath came in short, fogged bursts.
"They just keep coming!" he hissed, panting. "We need to end this fast!"
"I know," Luffy growled. "Arlong—arise!"
From Luffy's shadow, the black mist erupted like a burst of ink. In an instant, a towering, shadowy form emerged—Arlong, fangs bared, eyes glowing with a cold, otherworldly light. The Lapahns froze mid-step. Even wild animals could sense the unnatural aura of death that surrounded the shadow pawn. The stark contrast between Arlong's dark, ghastly form and the pristine, snowy mountainside made him seem like a nightmare born of the forest itself.
Arlong didn't wait for a command. He lunged at the closest Lapahn, crashing into it with brutal force and driving it away from the sled. Claws and fangs clashed, and the air filled with growls and shrieks. The other Lapahns backed off momentarily, regrouping near the trees, their eyes darting between Luffy and the monstrous shadow.
One Lapahn tried a flanking rush from the ridge above. Sanji spotted it mid-leap and threw himself into its path, absorbing the blow and tumbling down the slope with it. Snow flew up like an explosion, and the sled rocked dangerously on the edge of the path.
Luffy darted back to stabilize the sled and caught a glimpse of Sanji crawling out of the snow, one leg slightly twisted, his breathing heavy. "You okay?"
"I've had worse," Sanji spat, tearing a strip of cloth from his coat and wrapping it tightly around his ankle. He hissed in pain but forced a smirk. "Just don't let them near her." Inwardly, Sanji gritted his teeth, remembering Nami's fevered face. He wouldn't fail her.
Luffy turned back toward the rabbits, eyes blazing with fury. "Get away from my crew!" he roared, punching the ground with a force that sent a shockwave through the snow. The earth beneath them rumbled, and a deep crack split the ice nearby. The Lapahns stumbled, startled by the quake and the surge of power.
Arlong growled, advancing like a silent predator. The Lapahns, finally sensing they were outmatched, backed away slowly before turning and retreating into the forest, leaving behind a trail of disturbed snow and broken branches. Their howls echoed faintly as they disappeared into the white.
Luffy exhaled slowly, then walked over to Sanji and helped him to his feet. "Thanks for holding them off."
Sanji smirked despite the pain. "You'd better carry the sled now. I'll limp behind you."
With Arlong standing guard a few paces ahead, they continued up the mountain. The wind howled louder now, and flakes fell faster—signs of a coming blizzard. The world around them faded into white, the trail disappearing beneath layers of fresh snow. The cold gnawed at their fingers and seeped into their bones.
Luffy dismissed Arlong with a nod, letting the shadow fade back into his body. "Good work," he murmured, quietly acknowledging the creature's loyalty. The snow quickly filled the spot where Arlong had stood, erasing any sign of his presence.
The path was even more treacherous now. Rocks had shifted from the impact of their battle. The snow was uneven, layered over hidden gaps and jagged edges. One wrong step could send the sled tumbling over a cliff. But neither hesitated. Each footstep was a vow—to reach the castle, to save Nami, and to protect the crew that had become their family. Luffy clenched his jaw, the image of Nami's pale face fueling every strained movement. Their breaths grew heavier, their movements slower, but their determination never faltered.
Far below, near the base of Drum Rock, Wapol's ship stood anchored in a frozen inlet. Soldiers were moving through the snow, scouring the area, their boots crunching over frozen earth and ice. Steam rose from the ship's chimneys, and the harsh bark of orders echoed through the icy forest.
"Over here!" one of them shouted, kneeling near a faint trail. "Footprints. Two people, dragging something."
Chess leaned down and examined the tracks. "And sled marks. They're headed up the mountain. Looks fresh. They're not far." He rose, brushing snow from his gloves, and signaled to the others.
Wapol stomped over, his breath fogging in the frigid air, face contorted in rage. "They dare enter my castle before me?" he bellowed. "No one touches what belongs to me!"
Kuromarimo loomed behind him, arms folded. "If we move now, we can catch them before they reach the summit. The storm might slow them down."
"Then what are you waiting for?" Wapol barked. "Prepare the sleds! Climb! I want them crushed beneath my throne!"
His troops rushed to obey, attaching ropes and chains to climb-ready sleds packed with supplies and weapon crates. The snow began to fall harder, obscuring their vision and muffling their movements. Ice formed on the edges of their gear, and even the soldiers' armor clinked with frost.
Chess adjusted his goggles and stared up at the peak. "This blizzard's no joke. We'll lose men on the path if we're not careful."
"Then let them freeze," Wapol sneered with a grin. He laughed darkly, rubbing his gloved hands together. "I'll warm my hands over their failure."
Kuromarimo's jaw tightened, but he remained silent, exchanging a wary glance with Chess.
The warlord mounted his transport sled, fur cloak fluttering behind him like a banner. He pointed toward the slope, eyes locked on the fading tracks ahead. "After them!"
The soldiers began their march, leaving deep prints in the snow as they followed the trail upward—toward the same mountain path where Luffy and Sanji struggled forward, unaware that danger now followed in their wake. The storm thickened, a wall of white descending upon both pursuers and pursued.
To be continued...
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