Chopper raced through the castle, searching for Dr. Kureha.
He darted from room to room, wondering where she'd gone. This was his home—he knew every corner. If he kept looking, he'd find her.
He spotted her in the operating room.
Panting at the doorway, Chopper called out, "Doctorine, I need to talk."
"Yeah?" Kureha turned, her expression oddly cold.
Unfazed, Chopper's voice bubbled with excitement, brighter than usual. "I'm going to be a pirate!"
"What?" Kureha's eyes narrowed.
"I'm heading out to sea! I'll be their ship's doctor, traveling the world with them!"
"Don't be ridiculous!" she bellowed.
Her sudden shout startled Chopper, his shoulders jerking. In all their time together, she'd rarely raised her voice. Kureha wasn't one to anger easily, yet here she was, roaring for no clear reason. Chopper's confusion was understandable.
Whenever she'd scolded him before, there'd been a cause—something he'd done wrong, something to reflect on. But today? Nothing. He couldn't grasp why she was so furious.
Was she… rejecting his dream of becoming a pirate?
He'd expected her support, but her words shook him, his excitement giving way to shock.
"A pirate?" Kureha snapped. "Do you even know what they are?"
"I-I do! They're not like Wapol. They're good people, and they called me their friend—"
"You don't know a thing! Pirates are human scum—rulebreakers who can't live honestly. They hurt people. They kill."
"Not them!" Chopper protested. "They wouldn't do that!"
"But that's what pirates are! Don't talk so lightly when you know nothing!"
Her voice grew louder, sharper. Chopper's unease lingered, but his resolve hardened in defiance.
"I taught you everything about medicine," Kureha said. "And now you'd betray that?"
"That's not what I—" Chopper stammered.
"Then stay here! You've got a grand castle to live in—what's missing? Most people would kill to live here, but they can't. So why leave?"
"Because that's not enough! I want to be a pirate!"
"Pirates are worthless! You'll be a corpse in no time!"
"I don't care!" Chopper shouted, his voice breaking.
Kureha matched his volume. "Don't get cocky! A reindeer at sea? Never heard of such nonsense!"
"I am a reindeer! But I'm also a man!"
"You know nothing about the sea! You're just a starry-eyed kid hyped up on being 'friends.' The ocean's not that kind!"
"I don't need to know everything now! I'll learn with them!"
"You'll die before you get the chance!"
Kureha yanked a knife from her waistband and hurled it with force. It sank into the doorframe beside Chopper.
He yelped, staring at the blade buried deep in the wood. Kureha pulled more knives from under her coat, gripping them expertly between her fingers, her voice colder than ever.
"What can you do as a pirate?"
"I can save my crew's lives! I'll be their cure-all! I'll protect them!"
"Medicine isn't that simple! You think you can save lives with talk? Are you chasing that quack's delusions?"
Chopper froze, stung. "No… it's not a delusion. The Doctor's research worked!"
Another knife flew, embedding near his hooves. His body trembled, but he stood his ground, teeth gritted. Kureha, gripping multiple knives, seemed to take offense at his defiance.
"I won't allow it!" she roared. "If you're so set on this, you'll have to go through me!"
"Doctorine… why—" Chopper's voice cracked.
"A crybaby like you, calling yourself a man? Don't make me laugh!"
Another knife soared, this time aimed to hit. Chopper dodged instinctively, rolling across the floor with a scream. Kureha didn't relent, flinging more blades as he scrambled.
She was serious—deadly serious.
Terrified, Chopper bolted, screaming as he fled through the castle. Kureha pursued, her speed and stamina belying her age, chasing him with relentless vigor.
Villagers moving cannons outside caught sight of them. Chopper wove through them, dodging flying knives. Among them was Dalton, helping despite his injuries, watching thoughtfully.
Chopper reached the entrance, burst through the front door, and veered aside to grab his sled.
Transforming into his beast form, he pulled the sled, racing toward his new crew, no longer hesitating. He sensed Kureha closing in, her angry shouts echoing.
He didn't look back, his heart aching. Why won't you understand, Doctorine? The Doctor's words weren't lies. That day, his belief became real—to save this country!
The sled glided across the snow, kicking up flurries as Chopper reached the castle's front. Moments later, Kureha stormed through the gate into the courtyard.
Outside, the Straw Hats waited. Luffy and Usopp were playing in the snow, Zoro sat exhausted, his strength sapped by the cold, and Nami stood nearby. They were too distracted to notice at first.
"Done! The Snowman Who Fell from the Sky!" Luffy cheered.
"Pfft, amateur. Behold my masterpiece: the Snow Queen!" Usopp boasted.
"Awesome!" Luffy gasped.
"Hey, isn't that Chopper? Looks like he's being chased…" Nami muttered.
Her words snapped Luffy and Usopp's attention to the approaching reindeer—and Kureha, her face terrifying as she hurled knives. They gaped.
Chopper didn't slow. "Everyone, get on the sled! We're heading down the mountain!"
"What?!" the trio shouted.
He barreled toward them, showing no sign of stopping. They scrambled to act.
"I don't get it, but let's do it! Luffy, I'm injured—help!" Nami called.
"Got it! Haha, run!" Luffy laughed.
"Wait, where's Zoro?!" Usopp yelled.
"Here," Zoro said, half-buried in snow.
"You're napping now?!" Usopp snapped.
"Fell over. Carry me?"
"Idiot!"
Luffy scooped up Nami and leapt onto the sled. He reached for Usopp, who'd spotted Zoro collapsed in the snow. Grabbing Zoro's collar, Usopp was yanked by Luffy's stretched arm as the sled launched into the air.
It skimmed along the ropeway's cables, Chopper deftly balancing on the thin line. The sled teetered precariously but held. Usopp and Zoro, dangling in midair, screamed, their cries echoing through the mountains, drowned out by Luffy's wild laughter.
They looked like they were flying.
Perhaps this was the origin of the "flying witch" rumor. The sled, bathed in moonlight, glowed with an ethereal beauty.
They escaped Kureha's pursuit.
She stopped, watching the sled shrink into the distance. Her expression was complex—neither joyful nor sorrowful, neither hateful nor fond. Unable to voice her feelings, she stood silent, no longer throwing knives or cutting ropes. There was no need.
With a sigh, she shook her head. "Was that goodbye enough?"
Dalton approached, favoring his injuries. He didn't meet her eyes, respecting her space. "Just a pet you were caring for, getting adopted, huh?"
Kureha smirked, arms crossed, her gaze softening as she watched the distant sled. "I don't do sappy."
A tear slipped down her cheek. She hid it behind sunglasses, turning away as she shouted to the villagers moving cannons. "Hurry up! They'll sail off if you dawdle!"
"Y-Yes, ma'am!" came the nervous reply.
Kureha grinned wickedly, pleased. She glanced at the sky. The full moon glowed, snow falling gently—a perfect moment.
The villagers lined up cannons in front of the castle. Chopper must have reached the ship by now. It was the ideal time to celebrate their departure.
Kureha recalled a man's words.
"Listen, Kureha. This powder…"
A foolish, talentless doctor's life—his legacy.
"This is my answer after thirty years."
"It's what you wanted, right? Even if you were here, it'd be this moment," she murmured, glancing back.
The preparations were complete. Only one task remained.
"Ready, you brats?!" Kureha's voice rang out.
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Fire!"
At her command, the cannons roared, launching their payload skyward—not for attack, but to trigger a miracle. Dalton, confused, looked up. Kureha smirked.
"What's this, Dr. Kureha?" he asked.
"Just watch."
A faint pop echoed as the payload burst. The sound carried across the island, drawing eyes skyward.
The Straw Hats, now at the Merry, turned to look at Drum Rock. Chopper stepped off the sled, the others following, watching the sky in wonder. Sanji, Vivi, Igaram, Karoo, Zoro, and Silk were on deck, all gazing upward.
The change was gradual, transforming the impossible into reality.
"Is this your belief, you old quack?" Kureha whispered.
"See? This red powder isn't just dust. It clings to the snow in the air, turning it a vivid…"
"Woooah!" Chopper cried, tears streaming down his face, unstoppable.
He knew what it was—the culmination of his beloved quack doctor's life work.
Hiruluk had once said that seeing a mountain of cherry blossoms cured his incurable disease. From then on, he'd flown a skull-and-cherry-blossom flag for every illness.
The sky turned pink.
Perhaps the moonlight amplified the glow. The red powder, launched by the cannons, mingled with the snow.
"WOOOAAH!" Chopper roared.
"It makes the snow fall pink!"
Cherry blossoms bloomed on Drum Rock.
The snow, dyed pink, fluttered down like petals, showering the island. Its beauty left onlookers breathless, awestruck.
In that moment, Drum Island's history shifted. A troublesome doctor had created the impossible.
Some might never know it was his doing, and that was fine. But those who'd never forget his legacy—Kureha, Chopper, Dalton—bore witness to his earnest medicine. Though he lacked skill, his vision healed hearts.
Kureha lifted her sunglasses, her face clear of tears, radiant with pride. She looked at the blossoms and whispered, "Go on, you foolish son."
The Merry sailed onward, the island's cherry blossoms glowing behind it. On deck, under the moonlight, the crew held a rare winter flower-viewing party.
Sanji's feast lined the deck, and the usual chaos ensued. Luffy and Usopp gorged and laughed, Zoro drank while Silk leaned on him, Sanji flirted with Vivi, Igaram protested, and Karoo ate obliviously.
Chopper leaned against the wall, watching. Silk sat beside him, hugging her knees.
He looked pensive—perhaps lonely, lost in thought, or savoring the moment. Silk hesitated to interrupt.
Nami approached, smiling, and handed Chopper a light blue rucksack. He stared, stunned.
"My… my rucksack?" he stammered.
"Found it on the sled. Yours, right?" Nami asked.
"But how—"
"You didn't pack it? Then… I get it."
Nami's smile spoke volumes. Chopper clutched the rucksack tightly, understanding. Kureha had opposed him to push him out, to set him free.
He lowered his head, silent. Silk, smiling gently, offered him a glass of juice. Their eyes met.
"Here," she said.
"For me?" Chopper asked.
"Yup. It's a party—enjoy it like them."
Chopper took the glass, sipping the sweet orange juice made from Nami's tangerines, a Sanji specialty. He liked it. Looking at Silk, he said earnestly, "Thanks… this is good."
"Right? Sanji made it from Nami's tangerines," Silk said. "Sanji's the blond guy with swirly brows. Bit of a flirt, but he's kind and loyal. He and Zoro bicker a lot, but that's probably a sign they're close."
"Huh," Chopper said, scanning the deck.
Everyone did their own thing, lacking unity but brimming with joy. Having never had friends, Chopper wondered if this was what companionship meant. It felt… fun.
Luffy caught his eye and grinned, bounding over with Usopp. "Yo, Chopper! Having fun?!"
"Pirates throw parties! You pumped?!" Usopp added.
"Uh, yeah," Chopper mumbled.
"Nah, you're not hyped enough!" Usopp said. "Time for the ultimate party trick! Ready, Luffy?"
"Yup!"
They turned, then spun back with chopsticks stuffed in their noses and mouths, making ridiculous faces. Nami sighed, Silk chuckled, and Chopper blinked in surprise. Luffy and Usopp struck dramatic poses.
"This is the party secret!" Usopp declared.
"Try it, Chopper!" Luffy laughed.
"Don't teach him that! It's just dumb pranks," Nami groaned.
"It's funny, though," Silk said.
"You're too soft on them," Nami warned.
Nami sighed, exasperated, but the duo's laughter didn't falter. She glanced at Chopper—and gasped. He'd stuffed chopsticks in his nose and mouth, his expression deadly serious yet comically absurd.
Luffy and Usopp roared with laughter, clapping. Silk giggled, and even Nami cracked a smile. No point fighting it.
Chopper watched the chaos—Zoro grumbling as Silk leaned on him, Sanji flirting with Vivi, Igaram scolding, Karoo eating. It was disorganized but happy.
"Zoro, grab that plate," Silk said.
"Do it yourself," Zoro snapped.
"I'm all weak from the snow."
"Don't care. Stop leaning."
"I'll fall if I don't!"
"Then fall."
"You're harsh, Zoro. Kinda ruthless."
"Shut up. You're the last person I wanna hear that from."
"Why?"
"Ugh, you're annoying…"
Zoro's gruffness belied his patience, tolerating Silk's antics. Chopper turned to Sanji, who was sweet-talking Vivi while Igaram intervened.
"Vivi-chan, these blossoms are nice, but you're far more—" Sanji started.
"Sanji-san! Stop hitting on Vivi-sama!" Igaram barked. "I'm her guard!"
"Buzz off, old man! I'm talking to Vivi-chan!"
"She's a princess! Show respect!"
"Pirates don't care about that! I live for love!"
"Enough, both of you!" Vivi sighed, exasperated.
"Quack!" Karoo chirped, ignoring them.
The noise was relentless, but Chopper found himself enjoying it. Between Nami and Silk, with Luffy and Usopp clowning nearby and Nami's shouts ringing out, he sat with chopsticks in his nose, feeling oddly at ease.
"I…" he murmured, Nami and Silk catching his words. Hesitant but brave, he smiled purely. "This is the most fun I've ever had."
His childlike joy warmed them. They knew he'd fit in.
Luffy, laughing hysterically, stood and grabbed a mug, shouting, "Alright, everyone! Another toast! To winter's cherry blossoms and our new crewmate!"
"Another? We just did one!" Nami groaned.
"So? It's more fun!" Luffy grinned.
"I'm with Luffy!" Usopp cheered, raising his mug. "Grab your drinks, meat, whatever! Our captain's leading the toast!"
Some laughed, others groaned, but they gathered. Silk, still collapsed, whined, "Captain, Zoro ditched me. Help."
"You're hopeless," Luffy said.
"Says you!" Zoro shot back.
"Both of you are," Nami sighed. "Hurry up."
Luffy helped Silk up, and the crew assembled, save for Chopper. Luffy turned. "What're you doing, Chopper? Get over here!"
"Me too?" Chopper asked.
"Duh! You're one of us now!"
Chopper stood hesitantly, but Silk took his hand, pulling him into the circle. With everyone holding glasses or mugs, Luffy beamed.
"To winter's cherry blossoms and our new crewmate! Cheers!"
"Cheers!" they roared, clinking mugs.
Spills and stains didn't matter. The feast was about eating, drinking, and revelry.
Chopper felt he truly understood pirates now—not through specifics, but through the raw joy of living freely, laughing, crying, and shouting as they pleased, like his days with Hiruluk.
He laughed from his heart, embracing the freedom of the moment.
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