The Polar Tang glided beneath the waters of the New World as usual, in pleasant, relatively warm weather. Of course, it was colder inside the submarine, but the crew was accustomed to it. Familiar metal corridors, pipes, ventilation and a pleasant coolness, like the end of spring in the North Blue.

You were new to this crew. You came from the New World, and the captain himself had recently recruited you. You performed your duties well, but...you still feel like Ikkaku wants to throw a wrench at you while you're fixing pipes at the first opportunity. Well.

It was morning. You emerged from your cabin in your crew suit and went to the Polar Tang kitchen. The rest of you were slowly waking up and getting ready for breakfast. You sat down and, once most of the group had gathered, began to eat with them. But something didn't feel right. There weren't the usual two adventurers: Penguin and Shachi. You thought they'd be here soon, but time passed, and nothing happened. Finally Law got up, about to go to their cabin to see why they weren't coming, when one of them appeared in the doorway.

Penguin adjusted his hat and sat down at the table with you, starting to eat. Without Shachi. This struck you as odd, because ever since you joined, the duo had seemed inseparable. You decided to ignore it for now and listen to the crew's conversations. But after a moment or two, someone spoke.

-Where's Shachi?-Uni asked.-He should be here by now.

-He didn't want to get up-Penguin said, adjusting his hat.

-Why?-Ikkaku asked him, but he just shrugged. He was different this morning.

You just accepted it, but Law had his suspicions as captain and doctor. He got up from the table and started to leave when Penguin stood up, trying to stop him.

-Try it, and I'll cut you to pieces. I can see something's not right here.- The captain shot him a sharp look, quickly ending his unprompted protest.

He went straight to the two of them's cabin. You, on the other hand, simply finished breakfast with the crew. But no matter how many questions they asked Penguin, he wouldn't answer.

Breakfast was almost over and you were helping with the dishes while the others finished their meal when Law returned with a distinct scowl on his face.

-Why didn't you tell me he had a fever?-he threw the question straight at Penguin, shocking the crew.

-He had a fever!?-Clione and Uni they exchanged glances with a hint of concern.

So that's why he didn't come. You froze at the news as you heard Penguin's feeble attempts to explain to Law why he was hiding it. You got worried and finally couldn't help but ask.

-Can I take him breakfast, Captain? After all, he wasn't with us when we ate.-You asked hesitantly. You were new, after all, so it was unclear if he would let you, but he nodded.

-Sure. Bring some water too. I'll take care of "keeping the crew's health information secret" from the ship's doctor. -he said, looking sharply at Penguin. He was screwed.

You nodded and went to their cabin. You knocked softly, but received no response. Again, still silent. You stood there, unsure whether to go in, until Penguin returned from a lecture from the captain. He was surprised that you hadn't come in yet, but he let you in.

The cabin looked like yours and another crew member's. A bunk bed, a dresser, a wardrobe, and two desks. Just a few personal touches. You placed the food, a glass and a jug of water on one of the desks, looking at the sick man.

-Is he okay?- You asked.

-The captain apparently gave him something to reduce the fever.-Penguin said and sat on the bed.

Sick, as sick as it gets, lying in bed. The iconic sunglasses, covering the eyes, are present, of course, and the killer whale hat too. Just a slightly sleepy, sick, and absent aura and face. That's all.