After arriving at the village, the crew didn't linger long. Everyone split up to buy supplies—after all, it would take several more days to reach Alabasta.
Sanji volunteered to stock up on food. Nami and Vivi headed off to browse the winter island specialty: marten furs.
That left Rainer with three others, planning to climb the mountain. Most other supplies had already been bought in Loguetown, so there wasn't much to worry about. Sanji would handle any extras at the marketplace.
"Here's the list. Sorry to trouble you again, Sanji."
"No big deal."
Sanji accepted the notebook, handing Rainer a cigarette in exchange. "When you're done up there, let's meet back on the ship."
"Fine. Oh, and pick up some Vitte liquor while you're at it. Here's the money for shopping—keep whatever's left."
"Wait a sec, Rainer—we want some too!" Nami, dragging Vivi along, turned back the moment she overheard.
"Dame!" Rainer scowled. "I just gave you treasure worth millions of Berries yesterday. Don't push your luck."
"Stingy!" Nami puffed her cheeks and stormed off.
Rainer: "…"
Stingy? If I let her hold the money, I'd be eating snow soup by now.
"Let's go," Rainer said, turning to Luffy and the others.
Luffy was already bouncing with excitement. "Charge!"
"Hold on—there's a problem!" Usopp blurted nervously. "That mountain's huge! How are we supposed to climb it?"
Luffy: "Eh? We'll just climb."
Zoro: "What else?"
Rainer: "Guess that's the only way."
Usopp: "…"
The silence was deafening.
"You lunatics! One slip and we'll die!" Usopp shrieked.
Luffy: "Eh? Will we?"
Zoro: "Isn't there snow to cushion the fall?"
Rainer: "Shouldn't be fatal."
Usopp: "…"
Silence again. Strike two.
"Sanji! Wait up—I'll help you!" Usopp bolted after him.
Rainer chuckled. "Guess it's just us three."
"Let's race to the top! Shishishi!" Luffy grinned.
"Oh? Sounds fun."
"Can we use our Devil Fruit powers?" Rainer asked curiously.
"Sure, right?"
"Wait, Luffy! He's planning to have the Red Ogre and Blue Ogre throw him up there!"
"What?! That's cheating, Rainer!" Luffy pointed, scandalized.
Soon, the three left the village behind, trekking through the snow-blanketed forest. Without the towering cylinder-shaped peaks as landmarks, it would've been easy to lose their way in the whiteout.
As for a certain eternal directionless swordsman, Rainer had wisely tied a rope to Zoro's waist, the other end in his own hand.
Not long after, the blizzard eased, and pale sunlight broke through the clouds, glinting painfully off the snow.
Animals stirred in the rare warmth. Before long, the group spotted a massive bear.
But something was strange—it walked fully upright, posture straight as a man, strolling casually with an ice axe in hand like a walking stick.
"This must be one of those Hiking Bears Dalton mentioned, right?"
Rainer recalled the man's advice and said, "Here it comes. Quick, bow politely."
As the Hiking Bear drew near, all three of them bent at the waist and nodded.
To their surprise, the bear returned the gesture with a bow of its own before continuing on its way.
This world really was bizarre. Rainer couldn't help but smile. Yep… setting sail was the right choice. Who could just sit at home reading newspapers with sights like this out there?
"Wahaha, that bear's hilarious!"
Luffy's eyes shone with delight. He turned to chase after it. "I've decided! He's joining our crew!"
Rainer felt a vein pop and yanked him back by the arm.
Slip—plop!
Dragging Luffy along, the group finally reached the base of Drum Mountain.
"Yosh! Let's start!" Luffy cracked his knuckles, staring eagerly at the sheer vertical cliff.
Zoro stripped off his shirt, twisting it into a cord to secure his three swords to his back.
"It's cold, but climbing will warm us up." Rainer also shrugged off his heavy coat, tying it around his waist.
"Let's go!"
"I'm ready!"
"Then begin!"
Luffy and Rainer surged upward immediately.
Zoro, however, took his time, smirking. "Two hotheads. Climbing's about endurance."
He'd soon regret it.
"Trying to pace himself, huh?" Rainer thought, glancing down at Zoro. He chuckled. "As if two Zoan users would ever run out of stamina."
But soon, Rainer too would realize how wrong he was.
An hour and a half later.
"Wahaha! I won!"
Luffy stood triumphantly atop the cliff, fists in the air, then lay flat to peer down at the chaos below.
"You bastard! How do you still have energy?!"
"This is too high—I'm dying here!"
"Then just die already, four-eyes!"
"Shut up and climb, moss-head!"
Both Rainer and Zoro were red-faced, veins bulging, clawing their way upward. Zoro trailed slightly behind, but Rainer's pace was clearly faltering too.
They were both on the verge of collapse.
Gritting his teeth, Rainer focused on the ledge just within reach. With Zoro breathing down his neck, there was no time for tricks.
He poured every last ounce of strength into his limbs.
"Uwaahhh—Ora ora ora!"
"Wahaha, looks like Rainer made it first."
Indeed, Rainer dragged himself over the edge, collapsing in victory. Barely, but victory all the same.
If the mountain had been ten meters taller, Zoro would have overtaken him. But his early pacing strategy had backfired.
Both lay sprawled on the snow, arms outstretched, gasping for air.
Unbeknownst to them, a small figure hiding near the castle wall watched curiously.
"What strange humans."
The figure had big, round eyes, a blue nose, and a red hat marked with an X.
Tony Tony Chopper studied the newcomers, whispering, "One with blond hair, one green-haired… huh? Where's the other one?"
He hadn't noticed—one figure had already crept up behind him, drooling with glowing red eyes.
"Kyahahaha… don't run, meat!"
"Waaahh! Help meee!"
At the scream, Rainer pushed himself up and turned. He saw the tiny creature sprinting desperately, legs spinning like wheels.
Luffy froze mid-chase, eyes bulging, jaw dropping.
"Th-that meat talked!!!"
Rainer quickly summoned undead to block Chopper's escape, while Luffy lunged in a flying tackle.
But before he could grab him, Chopper transformed into a towering humanoid form. Hands clasped together, he swung downward, smashing Luffy into the snow.
BOOM!
But ordinary blows couldn't hurt Luffy. He popped back up, stars in his eyes, and shouted:
"He transformed! He transformed!!!"
"Wahaha, I've decided! He's joining our crew!"
Rainer: "…"
He suddenly recalled Luffy's earlier excitement about recruiting the Hiking Bear.
…Could he actually be a genius?
"What's with all the racket?!"
From the castle gate, a loud voice rang out. Dr. Kureha stood there, bottle of liquor in hand, glaring at the three boys.
"Where'd these three brats come from?"
Uwaah! Save me, Doctorine! Chopper yelped pitifully, scurrying to hide behind her.