The Marines, the World Government, and pirates alike had all set their sights on Tony Tony Chopper. As multiple factions entered the fray to compete for him, the once-overlooked Drum Island rose to prominence once again.
So—who was closest?
The answer was clear: the Straw Hat Pirates. Their ship was already sailing through nearby waters, on the verge of arrival.
This winter kingdom, locked in perpetual snow, would one day be covered in blooming cherry blossoms. The vision revealed by the mysterious screen made everyone on board believe it without question.
"We're actually going to get a reindeer as our doctor—and he can transform like that? That's so cool!"
Monkey D. Luffy hopped excitedly across the deck in his winter clothes. To him, gaining a new crewmate was pure joy. With a doctor onboard, no one would have to fear illness again.
"Doctor Chopper… his future achievements are truly limitless."
Igaram couldn't help but sigh in admiration. If someone like that could be recruited to Alabasta, how wonderful it would be.
But thinking of the rebellion tearing his homeland apart, his heart felt like it was being cut by knives.
Out on deck, Roronoa Zoro continued practicing his swordsmanship, largely uninterested in the screen. Still, if that reindeer doctor joined them, he would naturally take on the role of protecting him.
After all, the rest of the crew… weren't exactly reliable.
Either they lacked strength—or common sense.
He absolutely couldn't let Luffy and Usopp lead the poor little doctor astray.
Inside the cabin, Nefertari Vivi was taking care of Sanji and Nami.
Both had likely been bitten by some unknown insect back on Little Garden.
Sanji had been bitten on the neck, while Nami was bitten on her right arm. Now both were suffering from a mysterious illness—burning with fever, delirious, and muttering incoherently.
Beneath the Going Merry, as it sailed forward across the sea, no one noticed—
A submarine-capable pirate ship was silently following them toward Drum Island.
"I never expected such an extraordinary figure to appear in my kingdom."
A grotesque, bloated man sat in the captain's seat, chewing on metal weapons as if they were snacks.
This was Wapol—a user of the Munch-Munch Fruit.
"Your Majesty, a doctor of that caliber must be brought under your control. Drum Kingdom will flourish again under your rule."
The one flattering him was Chess, one of his subordinates—a jester-like archer.
"That reindeer… looks familiar. Isn't it the one Dalton let go?"
Kuromarimo recalled the strange reindeer that used to follow that "quack doctor."
If Dalton hadn't intervened back then, that creature would have died long ago—never becoming the figure now displayed on the screen.
But now…
Such a person could influence the future of the seas.
Would he come back for revenge?
After all, Dr. Hiriluk had died at their hands.
That kind of hatred wouldn't simply disappear.
"Your Majesty," Kuromarimo continued coldly, "Tony Tony Chopper is a threat. We killed his master. Even if he doesn't seek revenge, his future pirate companions certainly will."
"I suggest we eliminate him now."
Wapol stopped chewing, gripping the remains of a blade in his hand, thinking.
He wasn't stupid.
Between them lay a blood feud.
Unless Chopper lost his memory, he would never serve them.
Handing him over to the World Government might bring benefits—but it could just as easily invite disaster later.
Even Dalton, once loyal to him, had turned against him over killing a mere quack doctor.
Since encountering Chopper, Wapol's life in Drum Kingdom had gone downhill.
It was as if fate itself opposed that little monster.
And to make things worse—
Chopper was always with that witch, Dr. Kureha.
A constant irritation.
"Follow the Straw Hats' ship. We deal with them first—then settle accounts with Kureha and that reindeer."
"Drum Island belongs to me. Forever."
"Hahahaha!"
Wapol laughed arrogantly, not taking Monkey D. Luffy seriously at all.
What were they compared to the Blackbeard Pirates?
Around him, soldiers and doctors knelt, shouting:
"Long live King Wapol!!"
Meanwhile, atop Drum Rockies castle—
In his small human-beast form, Chopper spun happily in circles before Dr. Kureha.
This naïve little reindeer was experiencing, for the first time, the joy of being praised.
His happiness practically overflowed from his face.
"Doctor… I really did it. In the future, I finally created a universal medicine… I didn't let Hiriluk down!"
He believed everything the screen showed—without a trace of doubt.
But Kureha didn't share his joy.
Her face remained grim from beginning to end.
She wasn't jealous of his future achievements—on the contrary, she was proud.
But now she understood something else:
The importance of the Rumble Ball.
That little invention could completely overturn the limits of Zoan Devil Fruits.
For others, it might be a blessing.
For Chopper—
It was danger.
"Chopper… looks like we'll have to leave this place again. Let's hide at our secret base."
Kureha had already sensed it.
Just like when the Blackbeard Pirates invaded before—she had avoided Doc Q's search.
And now, they would have to run again.
Chopper was used to this kind of life.
Back when he lived with Hiriluk, they were constantly chased, forced to hide for long periods.
"Okay, Doctor! Let's pack up and leave right away!"
To him, Kureha was both mentor and mother.
He trusted her completely.
Still, a small doubt lingered in his mind—
Why did she seem so tense… almost afraid?
Wasn't being recognized by the world… a good thing?
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