At the harbor, Tashigi waved toward the departing ship, reluctant to say goodbye to the "sister" who was her age and shared the same love for swordsmanship.
Kuina encouraged her: women could also become Grandmaster Swordsman, true strong warriors. Tashigi was deeply moved, her determination firmer than ever, though her eyes filled with reluctance to part.
"That's… the adventurers' 'Miracle Ship'?" A sudden voice behind startled Tashigi.
"Smoker, sir! Why are you here?"
"Because of you, idiot—you've been gone forever and didn't come back!"
"S-sorry! I ran into some new friends on the way," Tashigi apologized quickly.
"Smoker, sir, do you believe in miracles? Today I met someone who looks exactly like me!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"'Miracle'? That's what you call them? They're the adventurers sailing the 'Miracle Ship.' They're the ones who fought with Vice Admiral Garp," Smoker said, his face stern.
"Huh? They were the ones who fought Vice Admiral Garp…?"
"Stupid! You talked to them for so long and didn't realize?" Smoker snapped.
"S-sorry!"
Aboard the Gale,
"Wonderful! This ship is incredible! Whoa—the kitchen is amazing! I love it here!" Carmen had been shouting nonstop since boarding.
"Then let's welcome Miss Carmen, the renowned chef, as our new crewmate! Cheers!" Leno raised his glass of juice high.
"Welcome aboard, Carmen! Cheers!" ×3
"Oh~!"
"Wow, this food tastes amazing, Carmen—you're incredible!" Nami said, cupping her cheeks with joy.
"Mm-hmm, it's so good. We're lucky to have you join us," Nojiko agreed.
"Mm-hmm! Delicious!" Kuina added.
"Ohohohoho~! Don't worry, from now on all meals are in Carmen's hands!"
"Thank you, Carmen—you're the best!"
"Now that we're all shipmates, no need to be so formal anymore."
"Hahahaha!"
A few days later—
"There it is, the 'Light of Guidance'! The entrance to the Grand Line is right at the end of that light!" Nami shouted excitedly, pointing toward the lighthouse.
Everyone rushed to the rail to look ahead.
"Wait. Before we head into the West Sea, I need to bring one more crewmate on board—a ship doctor. I'll stop the ship above Reverse Mountain. Once I'm back, we'll depart for the West Sea!" Leno decided. He'd been planning to recruit Chopper eventually—why not now?
Drum Island, also known as the 'Sakura Island,' was perpetually snow-covered, a famous medical sanctuary at the start of the Grand Line.
Leno asked around for Dr. Kureha's residence, learning she now lived at the foot of a distant mountain. Notices plastered everywhere, and the hurried faces of townsfolk, told him the truth:
The ruler Wapol had already begun expelling doctors.
At her home—a house built within the hollow of a giant ancient tree—Leno knocked, but the owner wasn't inside.
Inside, two voices spoke:
"Doctor Kureha, does this mean we can't treat people anymore? They say doctors aren't allowed in this country now!"
"Idiot. We'll just treat people secretly, as long as no one finds out."
"Eh? Is that really okay?" Chopper gasped.
"Stupid boy, as long as we're—hm? Who's this brat at my door?" Dr. Kureha, perched atop Chopper's back, spotted Leno.
At the sight of a human, Chopper instantly transformed into his tiny form—classic "Chopper Hiding Technique"—and scurried behind Kureha's legs.
"Don't tell me, brat—you've come to beg for my secret to eternal youth?"
"No, no. Actually, I came here for him," Leno said, pointing at Chopper.
Chopper froze. This human pointed at him—said he'd come for him! His fur stood on end, trembling violently.
Kureha's eyes narrowed. "Brat, why are you looking for my stupid son? He's never harmed anyone."
"You misunderstand. I came specifically to invite Chopper to be our ship's doctor!" Leno quickly explained.
"Oh, and by the way, we're adventurers sailing around the world."
"So it's you. I remember now—the ones with the 'Miracle Ship.' But my stupid son hasn't mastered his craft yet. He couldn't possibly handle being your crew's doctor," Kureha refused.
"Please don't refuse so quickly. With Wapol banning doctors, life here will only get harder. Do you want him to spend his life hiding from the world? What happens if, one day, you're not here anymore? Besides… doesn't he long to see the outside world?"
Kureha fell silent, staring at the nervous Chopper.
Then Chopper stepped forward. "You… you want me as your ship doctor? But I'm a monster! Look—my nose is blue, and I'm a talking reindeer! Would you really want a monster as your doctor?" His words made Kureha's heart ache.
Since birth, he'd been rejected for his blue nose, beaten bloody by his herd. Later, after eating the Devil Fruit, humans also rejected him—called him a monster, hunted him. His life had been unbearably tragic.
"Monster? Hahaha… that's what you call a monster?" Leno suddenly transformed into his dragon form, towering over five meters tall, his aura terrifying.
"Ahh! A monster! Dr. Kureha, save me!" Chopper screamed, eyes bulging, falling on his rear before scrambling back behind Kureha.
Returning to human form, Leno smiled. "Chopper, don't be afraid. You're not a monster. You're a Devil Fruit user, just like me. Out on the sea, there are countless others: some turn into magma, some into birds, some even into… snot. The world is vast—anything is possible.
Join us, Chopper. Let's sail together, explore the wide ocean, and see the beauty of the world. You've always wanted to, haven't you? Stop hesitating and come with us!"
Kureha cursed inwardly. 'This brat really knows how to talk.'
Leno pressed further: "Dr. Kureha, you know my strength. I can protect Chopper. And my crewmates will look after him too—they're all good people."
After a long pause, tears welled in Kureha's eyes. "Chopper… go with him. See the world. A son must leave someday—he can't cling to this old woman forever."
"Doctor…" Chopper's eyes brimmed with tears.
Leno stepped forward. "Dr. Kureha, do you need me to take care of Wapol for you?"
"No need. That fool can't handle me yet. But brat—take care of my stupid son, or this old lady will never forgive you!"
"Don't worry. I promise! Let's go." Leno picked Chopper up. With a crackle of thunder, the two vanished.