On Crown Island, bathed in the sunset's glow, a battle had ended.
Chopper and Mobambi stood stunned, awestruck by their allies' strength, almost fearful.
Yet Luffy and Kiri turned back, nonchalant, as if it were nothing.
"Chopper, you're hurt. You okay?"
"Uh, yeah. Just tired."
"Good."
Luffy's distinctive shishishi laugh accompanied his smile.
Post-battle, no fear lingered. His innocent grin, so carefree, hardly seemed that of a pirate. No malice at all.
As the fight ended, animals began rising, weary and wounded but checking the scene. Some couldn't stand, yet all looked toward Chopper and Mobambi.
Who would be king? That question weighed on them.
Mobambi, aware of their gazes, hesitated, unsure what to say, unable to address Chopper, now standing on his own.
Chopper's eyes were on Luffy and Kiri, his earlier shock replaced by a proud smile, no trace of fear.
That made it harder for Mobambi to speak. Words stuck in his throat, his face pained.
As Chopper noticed Mobambi's distress, a new voice called from afar—their crew.
"Oi! You guys okay?"
"Usopp and the others!"
"They came looking for us."
Luffy and Kiri waved as Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, Vivi, and Karoo approached, stopping before them.
Chopper, concerned for Mobambi, stayed put, watching his crew. Their presence reaffirmed: these were his nakama, chatting joyfully despite everything.
"Finally found you. That tremor helped, or I'd still be lost."
"Thanks to Mr. Bushido's wandering…"
"My fault, huh?"
"Who else? Can't tell directions yet walks off alone!"
"So many animals… we're not gonna get eaten, right? We're safe?"
"Relax, they're fine."
"Probably."
"Probably!? Are they dangerous!? Run, guys!"
Their arrival turned the scene lively.
Vivi sighed at Zoro, who bristled, only for Sanji to agree, redirecting his anger. Usopp, spooked by Kiri's casual remark, shouted, while Luffy laughed heartily.
The earlier tension felt like a lie.
Their banter eased the air, surprising the animals.
"And the enemy?"
"Gone. Luffy blasted him."
"Thanks to Zoro getting lost."
"Shut up! You're not much better!"
Zoro snapped at Luffy, sparking playful teasing from the guys, minus Vivi and Karoo.
"Crappy Marimo."
"Idiot Marimo!"
"Lost Marimo."
"Three-Sword Marimo."
"Wait, Luffy, three-sword's not an insult."
"Four-Sword Marimo."
"Why add one? Look, if you call a sea cucumber a sea cucumber, that's just—"
"So you all wanna get sliced, huh?"
Zoro, trembling, drew his swords, radiating menace.
The four scattered, shouting.
"Line up! I'll cut you all down!"
"Zoro's pissed!"
"Run!"
Like kids, they ran and yelled, hardly pirate-like. The animals and Mobambi stared, dumbfounded. Even Chopper, laughing, wondered if they were really pirates.
Vivi smirked; Karoo clapped his wings in delight.
These pirates weren't bad—that much was clear.
Butler, assumed a pirate, wasn't one, prompting Mobambi to rethink his views on pirates.
This gave him courage to finally speak to Chopper, his face serious yet tinged with sadness.
"Hey, Chopper… you're leaving with them?"
Startled, Chopper turned. Mobambi pressed on.
"Pirates might not all be bad. But you're an animal, our friend. You don't have to be king—just stay here forever if you want."
"Mobambi, I can't."
His face was calm, blood-matted fur and all, smiling without hesitation.
His sunset-lit smile seared into Mobambi's memory, who realized he couldn't stop him.
"I'm Luffy's crew. There's so much I don't know, adventures to have. I want to go with them."
"Yeah… okay."
"But even if I can't stay, we're friends, right? Leaving won't change that. I'll never forget today."
"…Yeah."
Tears welled in Mobambi's eyes as he bit his lip, nodding.
Seeing him, Chopper nearly cried but forced a smile, letting out his ehehe laugh.
The crew, no longer rowdy, watched quietly, sensing the moment's weight.
Luffy felt a tug at his foot. A raccoon held his straw hat, bowing in apology despite the language barrier.
Luffy accepted it gladly, donning the hat with a cheerful grin.
All issues resolved, their purpose on the island fulfilled.
"Thanks," Luffy said to the raccoon.
No need for thanks, but it felt right. No anger remained. The hat was unscathed, and the raccoon's wounds suggested it protected it fiercely. Gratitude for that, too.
Relief washed over them.
Then, a massive shadow loomed overhead—a giant bird.
"Whoa, big bird!"
"That's the one that snatched Chopper, starting all this…"
Luffy muttered; Usopp sighed. Everyone was safe, but it had been a wild adventure. Seeing the bird brought back the exhaustion.
The Bird of Selection circled above.
Suddenly, it dropped something onto Mobambi's head—an old crown.
Neither he nor the Straw Hats understood, but a Bald Parrot squawked in shock, drawing all eyes.
Its task done, the bird flew off.
The parrot spoke with conviction.
"The Bird of Selection crowned you, Mobambi. You're chosen—the next Animal King!"
"Me?"
"A new Animal King is born! Mobambi is our king!"
As the parrot spread its wings and shouted, a roar echoed from the sea.
Undersea volcanoes erupted, encircling the island, seawater shooting skyward like a crown. Even as the water fell, steam held the shape.
This was why it was Crown Island.
Luffy's crew watched, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
The island's residents, led by the parrot, saw the crown as a blessing.
"Whoa! Awesome!"
"The island's blessing. It wants Mobambi as Animal King."
"Me, a king…"
"Maybe the bird called these pirates here to create a new king. Never happened before…"
"Good for you, Mobambi."
Chopper smiled warmly.
Mobambi, still uneasy, frowned.
"But can someone like me be king…?"
"You'll be fine. You're ready to be a great king."
"Why?"
"You risked your life for me, right? And everyone came for you. So many gathered for you alone. This island will thrive."
"Chopper…"
Mobambi's face broke into a smile, resolve firming.
"I don't know how far I'll get, but I'll try. Come back someday, okay? This place'll be so great, it'll shock you."
"Deal. It's a promise."
"Yeah, a promise."
They shook hands, sealing a single vow.
No contract, just words. All the more reason to keep it.
Countless animals bore witness, under the orange crown of the sunset.
Hours after the night-long feast, the crew stirred.
Barely rested, they began departure preparations at sunrise—a routine habit.
Crown Island, home to animals, forbade eating meat to avoid hostility. The feast had been fruit alone.
That morning, they loaded heaps of fruit onto the ship, but their greed—mostly Luffy's—left excess spilling across the deck. Sighs followed.
Usopp, tossing fruit onboard, yawned.
"Do we need this much? It's overkill."
"Chopper said we can't eat the animals here. Gotta stuff ourselves with fruit."
"Ever heard of eating in moderation?"
"Nope. Don't wanna."
"Listen—"
"No way."
"Moderation means stopping short of full. It's healthier—hey, don't run!"
Sensing a lecture, Luffy bolted to the Merry.
Usopp grumbled, but Luffy didn't return. As Kiri hauled a crate of fruit, Usopp turned to him.
"Kiri, tell Luffy about moderation."
"Why? Can't you?"
"Tried. He ran off, wild instincts or something."
"Guess it's hopeless. He's stubborn about food."
"Then carry this yourself…"
"He only cares about eating. Talking's probably pointless."
Kiri's wry smile showed his lenience toward Luffy, exasperating Usopp further.
Nearby, on a rocky shore by the sea, Chopper and Mobambi faced each other.
Though they'd promised to reunite, parting loomed. They'd talked plenty at the feast, reluctant to dwell on goodbyes.
"Chopper, I'll be a great Animal King. Come back, okay?"
"Yeah. I'll be an even cooler pirate by then. Promise."
"Promise."
They'd said all they needed last night.
One last firm handshake, smiling through the farewell.
No regrets lingered.
"Chopper, let's go! Get on!"
"Right!"
Releasing hands, Chopper dashed to the Merry, hopping onto the rear railing, looking back.
"Set sail!"
The Going Merry began to move.
Luffy, mid-task, ran to the stern.
Countless animals gathered—Karasuke, Bald Parrots, even the Forest Guardians who'd fought them yesterday, now orderly. Bandaged from Chopper's care, they wore gentle expressions.
In hybrid form, Chopper waved broadly.
Mobambi, at the forefront, waved back.
Animal cries mixed with Mobambi's shouts, parting with smiles.
For Chopper, it was unforgettable—his first island beyond Drum, first adventure, first friends. He yearned for their reunion.
The next journey already excited him.
Waving, he smiled at Luffy.
"Hey, Luffy."
"Hm?"
"Being a pirate… it's fun."
"Yeah. Piracy's fun."
Shishishi and ehehe laughs mingled as they grinned, staying until the island faded.
As it grew distant, Chopper lingered, gazing.
Then Usopp's voice rang from the deck, Luffy reacting first, dashing off.
"Oi, Luffy! Chopper! Too much fruit—fruit party for breakfast!"
"Yahoo! Party! C'mon, Chopper!"
"Uh, yeah!"
Luffy's footsteps thundered away. Chopper moved to follow but paused, glancing at the distant island, smiling.
"See you again."
Called by his crew, he hurried to the deck's center.
Luffy's cheeks were stuffed with fruit, inspiring Chopper to cram some in, too. Nami and Silk laughed at their puffed faces.
Chopper nearly choked but soon grinned.
The ship buzzed with joy, laughter unending.
This was his place, he realized happily.
No trace of his initial boarding nerves remained.
This was his first story.
The first step of his pirate journey.
-------------------------------
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