As Chopper kept running, the sun began to dip, bathing the island in a crimson sunset.
"Haa, haa...!"
"Stop! Hand over the King's Treasure!"
Butler, who should've been felled by Usopp's sniper shot, pursued relentlessly. His face and hair were soot-stained from the blast, yet he ran with surprising vigor.
He was tougher than expected.
Despite the long chase, he showed no signs of collapsing.
They were now scaling a barren, rocky hill at the island's center. Chopper, exhausted and in his hybrid form, stumbled with unsteady steps. Butler wasn't faring much better, but his goal kept him resolute.
As they neared the hill's crest, Butler hurled his weapon, tripping Chopper's legs.
"Agh!"
"Got you! Finally cornered!"
Butler caught up, pinning Chopper down by the neck. In his glee, he forgot his fatigue. The moment to seize the King's Treasure was at hand, his eyes and face alight with joy.
"Zeh, haa, you made me work for it. But now it's mine—the King's Treasure!"
"Ugh, let go...!"
"A beast daring to order me? With this, no one will defy me... With my genius mind and infinite power, I'll conquer the world!"
Grinning with genuine delight, Butler grabbed Chopper's antlers.
At that moment, someone caught up, perfectly timed.
"Stop! Let him go!"
"Who's that...?"
Butler turned to see Mobambi standing higher up, clutching a golden antler and carrying more on his back with vines.
He shouted at the stunned Butler.
"That's not the King's Treasure! The real one... is this!"
"What!? But he's the Animal King—wait, a fake!?"
Shocked, Butler released Chopper and stepped back.
Chopper, drained and coughing, could only crawl and look up at them. He was stunned by Mobambi's arrival and puzzled by his intentions. Above all, the golden antlers Mobambi held were clearly the true King's Treasure.
This only heightened the risk of the enemy seizing it.
Despite his fear, Mobambi shouted, legs trembling but forcing himself to act to save Chopper.
"You want this, don't you? Come get it! Take it if you can! But leave Chopper alone—he's not the real Animal King!"
"Perfect! You think a kid like you can do anything!?"
"Shut up!"
Mobambi turned and ran. But Butler, quick to react, grabbed his weapon and threw it.
He'd learned the trick. No stopping now.
Mobambi, distracted by the antlers, tripped and fell, scattering Kirin Lion's antlers from the impact.
Too late to react.
Butler rushed over, looming above him, raising a golden antler in one hand.
Mobambi was shocked by the theft, but what froze his body and mind was the strange weapon in Butler's other hand—an axe adorned with bells and leather, like a tambourine.
He recognized it.
It was tied to his most horrific memory—the weapon that scarred his chest.
Mobambi's eyes widened, unable to move, barely squeezing out words.
"Tch... that's..."
"Hm? Oh, that scar. You're my friend's son, aren't you?"
"Friend? Liar! Why would Dad be friends with a pirate?"
"Pirate? Don't be absurd. I'm no pirate."
"What...!?"
Stunned, Mobambi watched as Butler spread his arms grandly and declared:
"I am Count Butler! The greatest ultra-genius in human history—inventor, zoologist, and treasure-hunting prodigy! With this unparalleled intellect, I'll conquer the world! For world peace, one genius king is enough!"
"Not... a pirate!?"
"Don't be foolish! A genius like me, a pirate? Never!"
Butler lifted the golden antler in his left hand, gazing at it rapturously.
Bathed in the sunset's glow, it shimmered with eerie, captivating allure.
"Eat this, and I'll gain infinite power. The King's Treasure is mine...!"
"If you're not a pirate, why did you kill my dad!?"
"Because he hid its location. Respecting animals' feelings? That idiotic, washed-up scholar! Why can't they see it's wasted on lowly beasts? This power belongs to brilliant humans!"
"That's Kirin Lion's antler!"
"So what? It's mine now!"
With that, Butler bit into the antler.
Mobambi's cry came too late as Butler's sturdy teeth crunched through it. Finishing it with a crackling sound, he eyed the remaining antlers.
"Not enough. I'll eat them all and make this power mine...!"
"Stop! It's not yours!"
"Shut up! Stay out of it, fool!"
"Waah!?"
"Mobambi!?"
Mobambi lunged at Butler's waist to stop him but was struck down to the ground.
Chopper rushed to him, helping him up.
Mobambi was unharmed, but Butler had already acted.
Crunching through the antlers one by one, he steadily claimed the legendary power. Before the horrified pair, he devoured them all, swallowing with a loud gulp.
The transformation began instantly.
Butler's body swelled visibly, evolving into something inhuman.
His muscles bulged with grotesque sounds, shredding his clothes as his frame grew massive. Golden fur enveloped him, sharp antlers sprouted from his head.
A monster.
His once-small body loomed over them, stout but packed with animalistic muscle, complete with sharp fangs and claws.
The King's Treasure's power was real.
His transformation settled with a deep exhale.
His consciousness was no longer human.
Power surged through him, a euphoric sensation.
Nothing was impossible now. Unlike his frail human past, this overwhelming strength transcended reason, almost unbelievable. Yet it fueled his ego, turning him into a beast.
"Haa... I feel it. Tremendous power."
He clenched his hands, sharp claws gleaming. Nothing seemed unbreakable now.
This was the power of a king.
His long-held ambition felt within reach. With his genius mind and animalistic prowess, he was the ultimate being.
He roared skyward, a sound neither human nor animal, echoing across the island like a herald of doom.
"Incredible! What is this power!? Just an animal's antler, but with this, no one can stop me—!"
"Wait."
His triumphant words, spoken while marveling at his palms, were cut off by a voice from behind.
Chopper, transformed, stared at him.
"Got something to say, reindeer? Nothing foolish, I hope?"
"Nothing foolish."
Adjusting his hat firmly, Chopper spoke without hesitation.
"Those antlers aren't yours. They don't suit you."
"Oh? But I've eaten them. What now?"
"I won't let you become king."
He reached into his hat, pulling out a small pill. Holding it between his hooves, his eyes burned with resolve.
"If someone like you became king, everyone would suffer. I can't let you go."
"So you'll fight me?"
"Exactly."
Mobambi, head bowed in despair, looked up in shock at Chopper's back. His tone held no trace of a lie.
He was serious about fighting.
"Didn't I say it before? Right now, I'm the Animal King!"
Mobambi was speechless. The lie exposed, the antlers stolen, yet Chopper still clung to the ruse. Why? His eyes widened.
Surely, Chopper was protecting him—the island, or perhaps Mobambi himself. Risking his life for someone he barely knew.
In that back, Mobambi saw the shadow of the old king.
Kirin Lion was like this too. Strong, but even against overwhelming foes, he never fled. For his friends, his land, he'd stake his life.
Mobambi felt ashamed, tears welling up.
He was only a burden. Wanting to help, yet doing nothing.
Through blurry tears, he focused on Chopper's brave figure.
Butler's face twisted with anger.
"That's right. You made me waste time. Fine, I'll test my power on you first!"
"Rumble."
Chopper crunched the Rumble Ball, ready to move.
Three minutes to settle it.
As he prepared to charge, Butler's sudden roar froze him.
"GOAAAAH!!"
His body halted against his will. Not by choice—the sheer sound conjured images of death, fear locking his muscles.
That pause let Butler move first.
In an instant, he closed in, swinging awkwardly but powerfully, knocking Chopper flying.
No time to defend.
In hybrid form, Chopper took massive damage, tumbling across the ground.
"Chopper!?"
"Shut up, brat! After I kill him, you're next! UOOOOH!!"
Butler charged, clearly overconfident.
He'd never been athletic, with poor reflexes and no fighting experience—punching hurt his own fists.
Now, one blow split Chopper's forehead, drawing blood.
He ran gleefully, closing in on Chopper as he struggled to rise.
"Not done yet! This kingly power is more than that!"
"Haa, Jumping Point!"
Transforming, Chopper leaped high. Butler, caught off guard, looked up.
Mid-air, Chopper shifted again.
Back to hybrid form, deliberately choosing a weaker-looking state.
"Brain Point. Diagnosis Scope."
He clapped his hooves, peering through them at his foe.
Butler stopped, waiting below, sneering at the descending Chopper, certain of victory with no escape.
Power overflowed. With this strength, no one could withstand his punch. He believed it fully.
As Chopper plummeted, Butler swung his fist hard, aiming to crush him.
The punch landed, sending Chopper flying at unnatural speed.
But upon hitting the ground, he stopped abruptly, standing casually.
At the last second, he'd shifted to Guard Point, his thickened fur absorbing the blow and crash.
Rising in his bizarre, puffed-up form, he eyed Butler calmly.
Butler's face contorted.
"What!? How are you standing!?"
"Useless. You just stole someone else's power. You can't be strong like that."
"Don't mock me! I've gained ultimate power! You're nothing...!"
"I found your weakness. I'll take you down...!"
Switching to Walk Point, Chopper charged forward, suppressing his fear.
Feeling underestimated, Butler roared in fury.
"Take me down? Impossible! Feel my power!"
He rushed to meet Chopper.
As they closed in, Chopper shifted to Arm Point for close combat.
Butler's wild punch came, telegraphed and clumsy—a novice's strike revealing his inexperience.
Dodging easily, Chopper slipped under the arm and advanced.
Butler's bloated belly loomed before him, and Chopper struck fast.
His iron-breaking hooves, powered by enhanced strength, slammed in hard.
Butler gasped, doubling over, clutching his stomach.
Seizing the moment, Chopper jumped, aiming for the sinister antlers.
"Carving Hoof—"
"Guho, hao...!?"
"Cherry Blossom Rozeo!"
He struck the antlers' base. They creaked but were too sturdy to break.
The weakness was the antlers.
Originally human, Butler had no antlers. Eating Kirin Lion's antlers gave him unnatural power, centered in the new growths.
Break them, and he'd win.
A punch hit Chopper, sending him flying.
"Damn you! That hurt like hell!"
"Uwah...!?"
"I won't forgive you! Stop underestimating me!"
Rolling across the ground, Chopper stood and charged again. Butler rushed to counter.
The weakness was clear. Even if struck repeatedly, breaking the antlers first would end it.
Chopper charged with reckless resolve.
"Uoooh!"
"KWAAAH!"
He knew he wasn't strong.
But he wanted to be—to protect someone.
Chopper's hooves hit Butler's body, striking the antlers during his pained flinch. But their durability left openings, and Chopper was knocked back.
The back-and-forth dragged on.
Despite the power gap, both had strengths and flaws.
Chopper could pinpoint the weakness and strategize, but the antlers' toughness slowed him. Butler had overwhelming strength but lacked skill or experience to wield it.
The stalemate stemmed from Butler's inability to master his stolen power.
Still, if it continued, the outcome was clear.
Both took damage, but Chopper's accumulated on his body, while Butler's was on the antlers.
Chopper was battered, skin torn, bleeding, yet kept moving. As a doctor, he knew his dire state but refused to stop.
Mobambi, watching in anguish, wanted to look away but couldn't. He wouldn't avert his eyes.
Chopper was knocked back again, blood scattering as he rolled. The ground was a grim mess.
Butler panted, visibly tired—not just physically. He was shaken by Chopper's relentless defiance despite his "ultimate" power.
Why wouldn't he die?
That fear sapped his stamina steadily.
Chopper rose shakily.
Here it was again—knocked down, yet standing. No end in sight.
Butler, losing composure, stepped back, his inexperience evident.
"What is he!? Why does he keep getting up...!?"
"Haa, haa... I may be a fake king. But I want to save them."
"Ugh, Chopper..."
Mobambi couldn't hold back tears.
Chopper, on the verge of death, still fought to save the island and him. He wasn't a fake— he was Mobambi's king, if only for a moment.
"I can't abandon them... I just want to protect my new friends!"
"I don't care what you think! It's over! These invincible antlers will kill you!"
(This is it...)
The Rumble Ball's limit neared. Chopper braced both arms at his waist.
Enraged and irrational, Butler lowered his head, aiming to gore Chopper with his antlers.
The final chance.
Both charged, no tricks, straight-on.
"Chopper!!"
Mobambi's scream echoed as the distance closed to zero.
Chopper swung both arms, hooves striking the antlers swiftly.
"Carving Hoof... Diamond Rhombus!"
Both antlers cracked slightly under the blow.
The accumulated damage wasn't wasted. No matter how tough, they could break. He was sure— as he was knocked back.
The punch didn't gore him, but it sent him soaring.
Mid-air, the Rumble Ball's effect faded, reverting him to hybrid form.
As Chopper fell, Butler caught him easily with one hand, grinning with newfound certainty of victory.
"You made me work... but it's over."
"No, Chopper...!"
"Ugh—"
Chopper was at his limit. Consciousness fading, the Rumble Ball's toll and repeated blows made it a miracle he was awake.
Further resistance was impossible.
Butler flashed his sharp claws, grinning smugly.
"Stupid move. Join me, and I'd have spared you."
"Let Chopper go!"
"No way. He defied me. Execution, now!"
"You have no right!"
"I do. I'll take this island before world conquest, become the true Animal King. With the Horn Eaters, it's easy."
"No one will accept that!"
"Acceptance doesn't matter. Obedience does. Shut up and listen, you dim-witted beasts!"
"Don't... mock everyone!"
Mobambi's trembling stopped.
He stepped forward, facing Butler fearlessly.
"Let Chopper go! You'll never be the Animal King! Chopper is the real king!"
"Then once I kill him, I'm next..."
"Stop! Stop it—!"
Butler raised his arm, claws aimed at Chopper's throat.
"STOP IT!!"
Mobambi's scream rang out.
At that moment, the island shook with a tremor.
-------------------------------
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