33: Chapter 33 Arriving at the Drum Kingdom, the Tragedy of Winter Island's PastAfter a long journey of several consecutive days, the Straw Hat Adventure Group finally arrived at the Drum Kingdom, the magnificent winter island!
The Drum Kingdom is an island shrouded in bitter cold.A blanket of snow seems to obliterate all life.Millennia of unbroken snow have transformed the island into a world clad in silver, and the biting cold even reaches the vast seas nearby.The island's name, "Drum Island," stems from the towering peak shaped like a musical instrument, the "drum," that rises to the sky.
Speaking of which, the Straw Hat Pirates didn't encounter the White Steel Pirates' Walpo attack on their way to the Drum Kingdom.It seems that even though the worldline has been altered, the world's convergence is still somewhat evident.But it doesn't matter.If they didn't encounter Walpo at sea, Luffy would definitely not let him go if Walpo returned.After all, who could allow a super-powerful fruit, the Swallow-Swallow Fruit, which is severely underrated in the original story, to be possessed by a heinous scumbag, who then developed it into a useless fruit?
The Straw Hat Adventurers prepared their winter gear to withstand the severe cold and were about to dock the Golden Merry at the port, but just like in the original story, they encountered an obstacle:
"Outsiders!Your journey ends here.You are not welcome here!Now, return to where you came from!"
A man in thick cotton clothes led a large group of people holding various weapons, standing on both sides of the port in the snow-covered world, intending to prevent the Straw Hat Adventure Group from landing.
"What?Are you going to fight with this attitude?" Zoro was a little unhappy.
Luffy waved his hand and bowed politely, "Hello, Mr.Dalton, Captain of the Drum Kingdom Army!I am Monkey D.Luffy, and they are my companions.We are not here to harm this country, but to visit Dr.Kuleha.Please give us a favor.We are not pirates."
Dalton, the Kingdom Army captain, dressed in a heavy cotton coat and armed, shouted, "You're not pirates?Why should I believe you?And you actually said you wanted to visit that witch, Dr.Kuleha?Who are you?This place, this country, was recently devastated by the Blackbeard Pirates.There's nothing left now!"
"Blackbeard Pirates?" Nami asked Luffy in a low voice after hearing the word.
"The Blackbeard Pirates are a notorious pirate group led by Marshall D.Teach.His predecessor was one of the subordinate forces of the Whitebeard Pirates led by Edward Newgate, one of the four sea emperors of the New World.However, some time ago, Marshall D.Teach led his men to rebel against the Whitebeard Pirates.After that, they burned, killed, looted, and committed all kinds of atrocities on this sea." Luffy briefly introduced this group of notorious people.
"We are deeply sorry that your country has unfortunately suffered such a disaster.If we can provide some help within our capacity, we will do our best.Mr.Dalton, we are not pirates.If possible, please regard us as the navy's righteous partners." Luffy said politely again.
"Navy?Is the navy coming?We are a member of the World Government!" There was a commotion in the crowd.
Having said that, Dalton naturally can no longer use guns against the Straw Hat Pirates.If they are really related to the navy, or are really the navy, then the Drum Kingdom can no longer bear the blow of breaking with the World Government!
"In that case, then follow me!" Dalton ordered everyone to lay down their weapons, and then took the Straw Hat Adventure Group to his place and hosted a banquet for everyone.
The Straw Hat Adventurers left Zoro to guard the Golden Merry and sat around the fire with Dalton, talking to each other.
Luffy asked at the right moment: "This country seems to be dead.Did something happen?"
Dalton said, "Alas, this story started a long time ago.As you can see, the island is in a state of panic and no outsiders are welcome.This is because the attack by the Blackbeard Pirates some time ago made the country's already depressed state even worse.There are several towns scattered across the island, such as Cocoawit, which was destroyed by the Blackbeard Pirates, the town of Roberu, and the northern lakeside town of Kesda where Dr.Kuleha originally lived.These towns are the main residences of the people on the island.The king, who symbolizes the ruler of a country, lives in a huge castle on the top of the highest mountain, Magnetic Drum Mountain.
The snowfields and forests outside of human territory are home to the animals, where the brutal weather and harsh environment foster the beasts' ferocious vitality.
As a member of the World Government, this kingdom was once renowned as a medical powerhouse on the Grand Line.However, approximately twenty years ago, the Drum Kingdom, governed by the diligent efforts of the previous king and his ministers, maintained peace and stability.However, the previous king's doting on the youngest prince, Wapol, led to his increasingly unruly behavior.
As the then-captain of the kingdom's army, I felt a sense of worry.However, unknown to everyone, a seed of evil was quietly sprouting, poised to bring great disaster to the kingdom.
After the previous king's death, Wapol ascended the throne as the new king of the Drum Kingdom.Assisted by his cold-blooded advisor, the already unethical officer Black Morimo, and others, he began a brutal and dark reign.Every day, they devised new tyrannies to oppress the people of the kingdom.
Among them, the most notorious tyranny is the "Doctor 20 Plan".In order to satisfy his own selfish desires, Wapol selected 20 of the best and most obedient doctors from the kingdom.Doctor, and banish or kill all other doctors.This makes [Doctor 20] the only medical resource in the kingdom, and he only serves the king.
When ordinary people sought medical treatment, they had to kneel down and beg the king for mercy.Wapol's source of amusement was the pleading faces of those people.This cruel "Doctor 20 Plan" led to the decline of the Drum Kingdom's reputation as a medical power.Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Drum Kingdom would plunge into an even harsher abyss under Wapol's rule.
However, the kingdom's fate was altered by an uninvited group.Just recently, the great pirate Marshall D.Teach led his men in an attack on the Drum Kingdom.Faced with the overwhelming might of Blackbeard, the scoundrel Wapol chose to desert.Abandoning the defenseless civilians, he fled to the sea with the Kingdom's troops, establishing the White Steel Pirates.
The Drum Kingdom was destroyed, but the people applauded, because the fall of the castle flag also meant the end of Wapol's tyranny.
But the fate of this country is far from over!As the king, Wapol's desertion makes me completely furious!I have made up my mind to rely on my own strength to defend this country from now on!If Wapol dares to return to Drum Island again, I will definitely drive him out with my own hands!
Dalton recounted the kingdom's past sorrows, and by the end he was filled with righteous indignation and high spirits.
"When I was a child, I met Wapol once in the world memory.That bastard beat me without any explanation!He also had an argument with my father, King Cobra!" Vivi said at this time.
Luffy and the others were filled with righteous indignation after hearing this: "So, what do you need us to do?If necessary, if Wapol dares to make a comeback, we will assist you in bringing justice to it!"
Upon hearing this, Dalton sighed and said, "We're content with your promise.Aren't you going to visit Dr.Kuleha?She lives in seclusion on Drum Mountain!"
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