Cursed Seas and Slashing Tides

The Resilient Reindeer

Nami slowly opened her eyes, groggy and disoriented, finding herself in an unfamiliar room. The walls were adorned with ancient-looking skeletons, giving the space an eerie atmosphere. Strange chemical utensils lined the tables around her, bubbling with unknown liquids. She quickly sat up in bed, her heart racing.

"Who's there?" She asked, eyes scanning the dimly lit room.

A small figure stepped into view—a humanoid reindeer, peeking nervously around the corner of the door. His big round eyes widened as soon as she spoke, and he jumped back, startled. He silently stood by the doorway, hiding his hands behind the frame, but leaving the rest of his body completely exposed.

“I can still see you, you know.” Nami remarked, raising an eyebrow at the peculiar sight.

The reindeer blinked, now only showing half his face from behind the door.

“A little too late for that.” Nami said, staring at him in confusion. “Who are you?”

“S-Shut up! Y-You damn woman!” The reindeer stammered, his voice shaky but surprisingly defiant.

Nami's eyes widened in disbelief. “It talked!” She muttered.

An old woman then entered the room, her voice raspy yet warm with laughter. “Heehee! Looks like your fever's gone down quite a bit, Missy. You happy, pappy?”

Nami blinked, still trying to gather her thoughts. "Who are you?" She asked cautiously.

“The name's Dr. Kureha. You can call me ‘Doctress’ if you like.”

Nami’s gaze swept the room once again, realization slowly sinking in. “You’re a doctor? So, this place is…”

Kureha chuckled, interrupting her. “You want to know the secret to my youth?” She asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Nami held up her hands. “No, I never asked.”

Ignoring her, Kureha continued. “Well…you’re in the castle atop the mountain. Lucky you, huh?”

Nami’s thoughts returned to her crew. “There were three people with me. Do you know where they are?” She asked, her voice tinged with worry.

“They’re sleeping in another room. Real tough boys, those three.” Kureha replied nonchalantly.

Relief washed over Nami, but her heart still raced as the doctor explained her illness. “You had a bad case of Casha.” Kureha said. “If you hadn’t been treated in two days, you’d be dead. Lucky I was around.”

Before Nami could respond, a sudden commotion erupted from the corridor outside. The sound of stomping feet and frantic shouting grew louder, until a small reindeer came barreling past the door, followed closely by Luffy and Sanji.

“Calm down, Luffy! I have to season him first!” Sanji yelled, arms reaching for the fleeing reindeer.

“But the meat isn’t stopping!” Luffy cried, trying to take a bite out of the poor creature.

“Leave the raccoon alone!” Ryomen’s voice joined the chaos as he raced after them, his expression equal parts concerned and exasperated.

“I-I’m not a raccoon!” The reindeer wailed, tears streaming down his face.

With a flash, the reindeer transformed, his small body shifting into a much larger, more muscular form. He glared at the group, voice booming. “And I’m not your food!” With a single swing, he sent both Luffy and Sanji crashing to the floor.

As the dust settled, the reindeer glanced at Ryomen, who stood a few paces behind.

“I tried to help…” Ryomen mumbled, looking away awkwardly.
…