Amid the lush wilderness of Crown Island, a rocky clearing stood starkly bare. Countless animals gathered there, clustering around a massive cave, their faces etched with sorrow. It was a scene akin to a funeral, mourning the death of a single creature.
Inside the cave, a human boy named Mobambie stood beside a crow named Karasuke, both roughly the same height. Mobambie, clad only in a loincloth, bore a large scar across his chest, his red hair tied back in a wild, fittingly feral look. Karasuke, with black feathers and a colorful, spiky crest, sported oversized sunglasses, an odd accessory for a bird.
Mobambie and Karasuke were among the few on the island who spoke human language.
Before them lay the motionless body of Kirinlion, curled tightly. The "Animal King," his golden fur once gleamed under sunlight, his intricate, sturdy horns a symbol of unmatched strength. His roar had inspired hope and victory in allies and struck fear into foes. Leading from the front, he'd made Crown Island impregnable—the greatest king in its history.
But now, Kirinlion had passed, fulfilling his lifespan in eternal rest. In recent years, he'd grown still, content to gaze over his peaceful realm. Who could have wished for or imagined the death of such a legendary king? The island's animals were steeped in grief, their hope for tomorrow dimmed.
Mobambie and Karasuke, staring at Kirinlion's body, were equally heavy-hearted.
"Kirinlion…" Mobambie whispered, voice weak.
"It can't be helped," Karasuke said, trying to comfort him. "He lived long enough. I bet he had no regrets."
Despite his odd appearance, Karasuke spoke human words fluently, a quirk unquestioned on the island. But Mobambie's expression remained clouded. Kirinlion had been kind to all, treating everyone—high or low, even the island's sole human—as equals, like friends. He'd raised Mobambie, a king whose gentleness was a point of pride even against human nations.
This wasn't just the death of a king but of a parent. Mobambie bit his lip, unable to voice his grief. Karasuke, understanding his pain, could offer little more.
What would become of the island? Kirinlion's greatness amplified their fears. Without him, repelling threats or resolving conflicts seemed impossible. Recent troubles—elders injured, horns stolen by unknown intruders—only deepened the crisis. His death at such a time was crushing.
"Let's go, Mobambie," Karasuke said. "The others want to see him too."
"…Yeah," Mobambie nodded.
They left the cave, passing animals waiting their turn to pay respects. The somber mood was palpable, and neither knew what to say. Moving to an open area, their unease grew, compelling them to speak.
"With the elders hurt and now Kirinlion gone… what'll happen to Crown Island?" Mobambie asked.
"No clue," Karasuke replied. "The Forest Guardians tried to stop them, but they're struggling."
"Why is this happening…?"
"Shouldn't have let humans on the island. If Kirinlion were younger…"
They sighed in unison. The island's troubles stemmed from human intruders, injuring elders and stealing horns without taking lives. Animals had sought Kirinlion's aid, only to find him at the end of his life, bidding farewell instead of fighting.
Stopping at a white-rock clearing, they saw more animals, their faces grim under the clear sky's incongruous brightness. Gazing from a high ridge, Mobambie and Karasuke felt the weight of their loss. The island lacked a king, and a new one had to be chosen.
Could anyone succeed Kirinlion? The Forest Guardians, though formidable, couldn't match even his weakened state. The elders, aged and timid, lacked the strength to fight. No one on Crown Island seemed worthy of his legacy. Mobambie, doubting his own worth, frowned.
"We need a new king soon," he said. "Who could it be?"
"No idea," Karasuke replied. "With the elders injured and those humans here, it's tough."
"No way—" Mobambie stopped, looking up.
A massive bird loomed overhead. Noticing it, the animals cried out.
"The Selector Bird!" one shouted.
"Did it choose the next king?!" another gasped.
"Look, Karasuke! Something's falling!" Mobambie pointed.
Something plummeted from the sky, accompanied by a piercing scream of terror that echoed across the clearing. All eyes followed.
A loud thud shook the ground. The figure, face-first in the dirt, lay still, sparking fears of death.
Mobambie, Karasuke, and the surrounding animals stared, speechless, at the strange creature—a reindeer in a pink hat, clutching a pirate flag. Even on Crown Island, home to oddities, this was unprecedented. Their curiosity was insatiable.
Seconds passed before it stirred. Shaking, it pushed itself up, revealing a blue nose—likely a reindeer. Rubbing its bruised face, it groaned.
"Ouch… hit my face…"
"You—" Mobambie started.
Chopper, noticing the crowd, froze. Countless animals and a half-naked boy stared at him. Startled, he jumped up, backing away.
"W-What is this place? Who are you?!" he stammered.
"You were brought by the Selector Bird, right?" Mobambie said, stepping closer. "That means you're the new king, doesn't it?"
"Huh? What? What?!" Chopper retreated further.
"Our king died. You came to take his place, right? To be the new king?"
"Wait a second—"
"Please, save this island!" Mobambie pleaded. "Our elders are hurt, our friends too, because of humans—pirates—who came from outside."
"Pirates…?" Chopper echoed.
"You're the king, right? The new Animal King?"
"No, wait! I'm—"
Mobambie pressed closer, forcing Chopper to back up until he tripped over a large, sharp rock. Sitting on it, the pointed tip jabbed his backside. Instinctively transforming into his human form, he stood tall and roared.
"OWWW!"
"The king?! He's the king?!" Mobambie exclaimed.
The scream, born of pain, was mistaken for a regal declaration. Chopper's transformation into a towering human form stunned Mobambie, who wasn't thinking clearly in the chaos.
Clutching his backside, Chopper collapsed. Mobambie, beaming, turned to the crowd. "Everyone, listen! He's our new king! The Selector Bird chose the next Animal King!"
"What?! Really, Mobambie?!" Karasuke gasped.
"No doubt! He said so himself!" Mobambie insisted.
"Ow… owww…" Chopper whimpered, trembling, tears streaming.
The animals, initially skeptical, became convinced. He was the king—a rare creature like Kirinlion, transforming from small to human-like. Roars and cries filled the air, celebrating and welcoming their new leader.
"Hooray! A new Animal King! The island's saved!" one shouted.
"No more fear of humans! Pirates are done for!" another cheered.
"Ow… owww…" Chopper groaned, oblivious to the jubilation.
The Going Merry reached the island, missing its captain and vice-captain. Chopper's abduction and Luffy and Kiri's failure to return raised alarms. The crew, trusting their strongest members wouldn't vanish without reason, organized a search party, proposed by Sanji.
Standing at the bow, gazing at the island, Sanji lit a cigarette, exhaling smoke. With Kiri absent, he often took charge. The crew accepted this, and he didn't mind—someone had to lead for the sake of his nakama.
But it wasn't easy. The crew was prone to acting freely, hard to control. Unlike Kiri, Sanji prioritized the women's safety. After assessing the island's dangers, he turned to the others.
"They're not back, so they must've reached the island and gotten into trouble," he said.
"Could they have fallen into the sea?" Usopp asked.
"If so, rescuing them's tough. But you saw them fly straight, right? This island's in their path, so they're likely here."
"Hope so…" Usopp muttered.
"If they're on the island, Luffy might be off adventuring, refusing to return," Sanji added.
"True. And Kiri's way too soft on him," Usopp sighed, arms crossed.
Sanji shifted his gaze to Nami and Silk. "We'll pick a team to find them. Nami-san, Silk-chan, you're recovering. Stay on the ship to be safe."
"I'm fine now. Totally healthy," Silk protested.
"Save it, Silk," Nami said. "Let's rest while we can."
"Exactly, Silk-chan. I'd love to pamper you forever," Sanji swooned.
"You're derailing the plan," Usopp snapped.
Sanji's cool-headedness faltered around women, a flaw only his crew could counter. Silk, reluctantly agreeing to stay, thought it over. With everyone on deck, planning felt easier.
"So the rest go search? We'll be fine," she said.
"No way I'm leaving you two alone," Sanji said. "I'll stay to protect you. Vivi-chan, you stay too. I won't let any lady get hurt."
"That's too much of your opinion," Usopp said.
"I fully oppose that," Igaram added sternly.
"Idiots, I'm thinking of everyone's strengths. Where's your proof I'm biased?" Sanji retorted.
"Look in a mirror. You'll see a lovesick face," Usopp said.
"Hard to look at," Zoro added.
"What, Mosshead?!" Sanji snapped, storming toward Zoro.
They glared nose-to-nose, as usual.
"You think you're in a position to talk? I'm staying because you're unreliable," Sanji said.
"Huh?" Zoro growled.
"Knocked out by a sneak attack? Pathetic. I'd have stopped it."
"What'd you say…?"
"Sanji, I was there too…" Silk interjected.
"No worries, Silk-chan! It happens!" Sanji said, smiling at her before glaring back at Zoro.
"Can't even protect one lady? Some 'world's greatest' dream," Sanji taunted.
"Says the guy who thinks he can handle it," Zoro shot back.
"So you admit you're useless?"
"I'd have won head-on. Want proof?"
"Losing and making excuses? Is that a swordsman's pride?"
"Tch—" Zoro clicked his tongue.
He knew his weakness. The world wasn't forgiving enough for excuses like carelessness. In a life-or-death struggle, such words were unacceptable. He had to be stronger, even against ambushes or overwhelming odds. His grim expression showed he understood.
Sanji's jab was both a taunt and a push to improve. Silk, softer than usual, intervened. "That's enough. We need to find Luffy and Kiri."
"Yeah, I know, Silk-chan," Sanji said.
"Hmph," Zoro grunted.
They broke their stare, turning away. Their bickering was nerve-wracking, but not born of hatred—or so the crew hoped. Silk, unfazed, shifted the mood. "If there's trouble, hurry. This island might be dangerous. Sanji, go too. We'll be fine."
"But, Silk-chan, I'm worried about you both—"
"Then how about this?" Vivi cut in. "Igaram, stay with them."
"Vivi-sama?!" Igaram wailed, as if struck by despair.
His shock at being left behind as her guard was understandable.
"Vivi-sama! I must protect you! I know guarding them is important, but why me?!"
"I know, Igaram," Vivi said. "But I'm not a child anymore. I can't always be protected. I said that when I infiltrated Baroque Works."
"But—!"
"I need to get stronger. I'll be fine—I've been training with this crew."
Vivi's smile held no doubt. Unlike her tense, fearful days infiltrating Baroque Works, she now showed no trace of fear. She'd grown, shaped by each island they'd faced together.
Igaram understood and wanted to support her, but his worry was genuine. He couldn't bear the thought of her getting hurt. Torn between letting her go and his protective instincts, he wavered.
Nami sighed, stepping in. "Respect her choice sometimes. Overprotection isn't always best."
"But…!" Igaram protested.
"Trust Vivi. She's stronger than you think," Nami said.
Silenced, Igaram realized excessive worry could be disrespectful. He decided to let her go. Catching her smile, he choked up. "Thank you, Igaram."
"Be careful! Call me if anything happens—I'll come running!" he said.
"Hehe, of course," Vivi replied, humoring him.
The plan took shape. Usopp spoke confidently. "Alright, team's set. Be careful out there. No injuries."
"Idiot, you're going too," Sanji said.
"I'd love to, but I've got a severe case of 'Can't-Enter-Island Disease'—"
"You say that every island. Move it," Sanji cut in, grabbing Usopp's collar.
Zoro and Vivi started disembarking, and Vivi glanced back amid Usopp's protests. "GAAAH! Wait! My legs are shaking! No way this wild island's safe! Luffy and Kiri aren't back—they're probably fighting some giant beast!"
"I think so too," Zoro said.
"I'll die! Giant anacondas, monster hedgehogs!" Usopp wailed.
"You die when you die. Early or late, it's not scary," Zoro said.
"My own crew's gonna kill me?!" Usopp cried.
"Karoo, come with us?" Vivi asked.
"Quack?!" Karoo squawked.
"You're why Igaram can stay. You'll come, right?"
"He looks terrified…" Silk noted.
"Sweating buckets," Nami added.
Vivi's earnest trust left Karoo no room to refuse. Trembling, he nodded and followed her off the ship.
Thus, the search party—Zoro, Vivi, Usopp, Sanji, and Karoo—set foot on the island, venturing into its dense forest toward its heart. The journey was far from easy, with Usopp and Karoo's fearful clamor echoing as they braced for enemy attacks.
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