Queen of the Pirates

The Emperor Cloud

It feels like hours before my lungs are full and no longer burning for air, but it is only a couple of minutes. Chestnut-head is moved into his house during that time, and Luffy carries me in his arms right as I feel good enough to move. Now all of us but Robin are in the man's house.

"Get me a cool wet cloth," Chopper orders as he stands on a chair to look over the passed out man. "And open all the windows!"

"What is wrong with him, Chopper?" I ask, leaning into Luffy's side as he places my feet on the ground. "It wasn't just fighting with Sanji that did this, was it?"

"The Bends," Chopper nods as he places the cloth Sanji hands him on the man's head.

"He's sick?" Luffy's arm wraps around my waist.

"What is the Bends?" Zoro asks.

"A condition divers can get," Chopper answers. "Not a chronic condition. Usually. When a diver comes up from deep water too quickly, the abrupt decompression causes air bubbles to form in blood and tissue. They expand and cause vascular system, muscle, and joint problems."

"An unnatural phenomenon then," Luffy turns us to look out the widow to see the sea.

"This man must have been deep diving day after day after day without enough time in between for his body to rest."

"But why?" Nami asks.

"I'm not sure, but it is dangerous. The Bends can be fatal in cases like this."

"Then we'll do everything we can to help him," I nod. "Whatever you ask of us, we will do it."

"I need some cool water, and make sure that the air is moving around in here."

"If that is what you need," Luffy untangles his arm from me.

There is peace and quiet for all of twenty seconds before the front door is flung open and the two monkey guys from earlier haver burst in.

"Boss, are you alright!?"

The whole room freezes as we look over at the men, but it is only for a moment before we all get back to the tasks that Chopper assigned to us. No matter who these two are to the man we are caring for, we can't let them stop us from properly treating the Bends.

"They've come to kill us!" Chopper screams as he hides behind my legs.

"What have you done with boss!?" Masira shouts.

"What are you even doing here!?" the other monkey brother shouts.

"We're giving him medical treatment, so go away," Luffy nonchalantly says.

"Are you stupid!?" Usopp screams. "They aren't going to listen to reason! Those two are savages! We have to escape right this instant! Out the window everyone!"

The two monkey brothers look at each other before bursting into tears. "That's so nice!"

"They listened!" Usopp crashes into the wall as he trips over his own feet in shock.

"Enough excitement in the house," I motion for everyone to head outside. "Let's leave Chopper to tend to your boss."

It doesn't take long for us all to exit the house as Nami and Sanji hang back to assist Chopper. Zoro and Usopp take a seat next to the door while Luffy grabs my hand to drag me to the tree-stump table where Masira and his brother are sitting. Luffy catching them up on all that has happened as best he can.