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  Coby tinued running the vinegar-soaked cloth over Vivi's body, her skin still hot from the fever. He carefully wiped down her arms, then moved to her colrbone and neck. He reached her stomach, and finally down to her feet and legs. His eyes remained focused, sing for any signs of i bites.

  "What are you looking for?" Vivi asked weakly, notig his careful iion.

  "I believe something bit you on Little Garden," Coby replied, his voice matter-of-fact. "This sudden fever isn’t normal. I’m cheg for bite marks."

  Vivi oo tired to respond further. As Coby's hand reached her upper thighs, she bit her lip and turned her face away, embarrassed. "Don't look. It's embarrassing."

  Coby chuckled softly. "There’s nothing to be embarrassed about."

  Vivi weakly rolled her eyes. "Because it’s medical?"

  Coby shook his head, a smirk f on his lips. "No, because you have beautiful legs."

  Vivi got even redder. Her flushed skin, although mostly due to illness and partly because of embarrassment, caught Coby's attention. As he looked at the natural V between her legs, covered with short shorts, he felt a heat rising within him, but he pushed it aside. This wasn’t the time.

  His hand carefully climbed up her ihigh, searg for the cause of her fever. When he found a small redness he top of her leg, his expression darkened. "Bastard," he muttered under his breath.

  Vivi, notig his anger, asked weakly, "W-what happened?"

  Coby touched the spot gently, causio jolt slightly at the closeness. "A bug bit this sacred pce before I did," he said, frustration clear in his voice.

  Vivi blinked, her cheeks reddening further as she processed his words. "That’s... you..." She was too flustered to finish her sentence.

  Coby grabbed the vinegar-soaked cloth and pressed it against the bite, holding it there for a moment. Vivi fli the cold sensation but didn’t pull away.

  "It’s going to sting a bit, but this will help," Coby said, keeping his focus oask.

  Vivi nodded, her breathing steadying as the cool cloth eased the irritation from the bite. She still looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment.

  After pressing the bite with some alcohol, Coby removed the cloth and ha to her the oh vinegar. "Keep it on that spot for a while. It’ll help reduce the swelling."

  Vivi took the cloth, her fingers brushing against his. "Thank you, Coby."

  He stood up, grabbing a towel from the nearby shelf and tossing it over his shoulder. "I’ll get you some more water."

  As Coby headed for the door, Vivi called out softly, "Coby..."

  He paused, turning back to her. "Yeah?"

  Vivi looked at him, her eyes full of gratitude. "I... really appreciate everything you’ve done."

  Coby smiled. "Hehe. Don’t worry about it." As he left Vivi’s room, his expression grew serious. Her symptoms matched Nami’s illness from the ahat meant she had at most a week to live. They needed a doctor—fast. Uhe crew in the inal timeline, who had searched blindly, he knew a few clues to help. But there were a few things that bothered him.

  In the anime, Nami had gotten sick, and it was Vivi who put her kingdom aside to assist the crew. Vivi had been the one helping the crew while Nami was sick whenever she could, solidifying her bond with them. That’s how she became one of them. Now, with Vivi being the one who was ill, would the others accept her as deeply? Coby wasn’t sure.

  Sighing, he climbed to the upper deami was at the helm. "Nami, ge the course," he said.

  Nami looked surprised. "To where? The Log Pose still points at Little Garden, and we only have the Eternal Pose for Abasta."

  Coby nodded. "I know, but Vivi doesn’t have much time. I heard there’s a Doctor Isnd around here somewhere. It’s a winter isnd, so use your talent to feel the weather. Lead us to the winter zone, Nami."

  Nami bit her lip. She had talent for sensing the weather, but what Coby was asking seemed impossible. No one could accurately predict the weather in the Grand Line. Before she could voice her doubts, Coby came clently holding her face.

  "Nami, you do it," he said, kissing her softly on the lips. "I believe in you."

  Nami's heart warmed at his words. She nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "I’ll do my best."

  Coby then poio both the Log Pose aernal Pose. "Also, don’t just rely oo find the isnd. Pce both on a map and use them as reference points. The Log Pose points to Little Garden, which we know is southeast. Abasta is northeast from there. By using both, you figure out a general dire to the winter isnd."

  Nami looked at the passes, her eyes lighting up as the realization hit her. She jumped onto Coby's p. "You’re a genius, Coby!"

  Coby chuckled, shaking his head. He wasn’t a genius, just thinking from a different perspective. Still, he accepted her praise and kissed her again. "I’ll leave it to you. I o stay with Vivi."

  Nami nodded, sending him off. ade his way back to the girls’ room, fetg another bucket of cold water along the way.

  When Coby returo Vivi’s side, she was still lying on the bed, her breathing steady but weak. He dipped the cloth in the cold water agaily pg it on her armpit. The fever hadn’t broke, but her dition seemed stable for now.

  Vivi g him, her eyes half-lidded from exhaustion. "Coby... I am worried about Abasta."

  Coby held her hand. "Vivi, there's nothing to worry about. Although the situation is votile at the moment, people are still biding their time. Crocodile too is waiting for his agents. You heard it when we questioned Mr. 3."

  She gave a weak nod when she heard Coby say, "When we arrive, we will swiftly solve the problem. I promise."

  She smiled and closed her eyes, falling asleep, her hand still in his.

  Coby stayed by her side, his grip firm but gentle. He didn't let go, even as the ship rocked gently on the waves. Her breathing evened out, the rise and fall of her chest signaling that she was finally resting.

  After a while, Nami came ba, quietly approag the bed. She g Vivi, then at Coby, who hadn't moved.

  "How's she doing?" Nami asked, keeping her voice low.

  "Stable for now," Coby replied. "But we hat doctor."

  Nami nodded, still etched on her face. "We're heading in the right dire. I feel the temperature dropping slightly. We're close."

  "Good," Coby said. "Tell Luffy and others to keep their eyes open a me know if they see anything strange."

  Nami pced a reassuring hand on his shoulder before heading back to the deck.

  Hours passed, and the temperature tio drop, a clear sign they were nearing a winter isnd. Coby kept a close wat Vivi, making sure she stayed fortable.

  Luffy and the others visited Vivi a few times, clearly all worried. Coby let them stay for a few seds before sending them away. Finally, Nami returned with good news.

  "Coby, the weather's stabilized. We’re close to a winter isnd."

  Coby nodded. "Good. We hat doctor as soon as possible."

  He hoped to see ol's ship, or more accurately, the giant submari used. Coby wasn’t sure if they would still enter it, but so far, no sign. He had wao copy ol's ability, even though it would be expeill, if luck was on his side, ol would eventually find them on Drum Isnd.

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