"Too late now," Robin said with a gentle laugh. "Don't be so frightened. We don't mean you any harm. Didn't we just save you a moment ago?"
"I don't need humans to save me!"
The little reindeer clung tightly to the tree trunk, gritting his teeth.
"I, I'm a monster! Aren't you afraid of me?"
"How do you look like a monster?" Robin tilted her head. "You look like a very normal little… tanuki?"
"I'm a reindeer!!"
"Ah, my apologies," Robin said with a bright smile. "But either way, you're very cute. How could anyone be scared?"
"C-C-Cute?!"
The little reindeer instantly puffed up, fangs showing.
"I'm NOT cute! I'm a fierce monster!"
But then his face turned red and his whole body trembled like a noodle.
"E-even if you compliment me like that… I won't be happy, okay?!"
"Ah, wait, no! I'm a monster! The kind that eats people!"
He suddenly remembered what he was supposed to say, made a scary face, and bit his own tongue from nervousness.
"Uu, !!"
Tears welled up as he clutched his mouth.
Robin massaged her temples.
"Yes, yes. A man-eating monster."
Shanu just nodded casually. Noticing Chopper's hollow-looking belly, he crouched down and took out a red bean bun from his pocket.
He split it open and wiggled it slightly in front of him.
"Here. Hungry? Want some?"
A rich sweet aroma spread through the air.
Chopper's eyes locked onto the bun instantly, round as plates.
His mouth opened subconsciously, following the movement of the bun.
Sweet food!
His absolute favorite!!
And after running around gathering herbs, he really WAS starving. But,
"I-I don't want it!"
He snapped his head away, though his hoof reached forward involuntarily.
"Don't think you can tempt me! I'm a fierce monster! Monsters don't eat human food!"
"Really? Then I'll put it away."
Shanu shrugged and pretended to withdraw it.
"Shame. I was gonna ask where Doctor Kureha lives. Guess we'll just find her on our own…"
"W-Wait!"
Chopper panicked, leaping forward, then screeching to a halt, staring warily.
"W-why are you looking for Doctor Kureha?"
"To get treated," Shanu said calmly.
He stopped suppressing the virus in his body, his skin turning blue and purple like bruised fruit.
"See? Poisoned. Heard all the doctors on this island got run out. Only that old, "
"Don't call her old!!"
Chopper exploded, but then hesitated.
He sneaked a glance at Shanu's complexion.
"…Is it really serious?"
"It's fine. I won't die," Shanu said cheerfully. "But if it doesn't get treated, I might just stay like this forever."
Chopper stared for a few seconds, then grabbed the red bean bun and shoved it into his mouth.
"Mmf… Follow me!"
He turned and ran toward the forest edge, then spun back with a glare.
"But! If you guys try to hurt Doctor Kureha… I really WILL bite you!"
"Relax."
Shanu followed with a smile, handing him another bun.
"If we meant her harm, why would we help you chase off those soldiers earlier?"
That… was true.
Chopper calmed down a little, munching while leading the way. His tiny hoofprints dotted the snow like delicate plum blossoms.
Robin chuckled softly.
"Captain, you're surprisingly good with children."
"No choice. Started practicing when I was young," Shanu shrugged.
"But mostly? It's just because this little guy is too kind. Even when he doesn't trust humans , when he sees someone sick, he still wants to help."
The wind howled, carrying his voice clearly. Chopper's ears twitched; he heard every word.
…Strange humans.
They weren't scared of him, and they complimented him so openly.
He couldn't help it; the corners of his mouth rose. His face warmed. Then he jerked his expression back to "serious."
…B-but that doesn't make me happy at all!!
They soon crossed the entire town.
The snowstorm was fierce, so they moved quickly. Shanu only paused briefly to buy Robin a winter coat at a clothing shop.
As captain, Shanu wanted to pay, but all the Berries he had were burned to ash by Akainu earlier.
Not a single coin survived.
So Robin ended up paying herself.
Once they entered the forest across the river and walked through a few turns, a treehouse appeared in the distance, lights glowing warmly through its windows.
"We're almost there. That's Doctor Kureha's house. Remember, she's very old, but she has the mindset of a young girl. She HATES being called, "
Chopper stopped talking, and walking.
Shanu looked up. Their footsteps had disturbed a herd of reindeer nearby.
When they saw Chopper, they all let out uneasy growls, ready to charge.
But because two tall humans stood beside him, the herd hesitated, then turned and fled.
Chopper's expression dimmed.
"…They don't like me."
"Why? Because of your blue nose?" Robin asked gently.
"…Yeah."
Chopper's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Ever since I was little, I stopped being like a reindeer… but I wasn't human either. Everyone said I was a monster. Later I learned to read… and found out I ate a Devil Fruit by accident. That's why I turned into something everyone hates…"
"A Devil Fruit, huh…"
Robin finally understood.
All this time she had been wondering if he was a Mink, or why he was here…
"Specifically, the Human-Human Fruit."
Shanu spoke up.
"You've gone through a lot because of it, right? A lot of pain?"
Chopper nodded automatically.
"I can guess most of it," Shanu said.
He crouched down and gently patted Chopper's head.
"As a reindeer, you were rejected. As a human, you were driven away.
That kind of double loneliness… must've hurt a lot."
His hand was warm and steady. Chopper unconsciously relaxed.
"But listen, little guy, "
Shanu met his watery eyes.
"None of that pain is the fruit's fault. And it's not your fault. The real problem is the narrow-minded people and the ignorance of this winter island."
"Out on the sea, Devil Fruits are treasures countless people dream of. Getting one means you were chosen by fate. Most people would kill just to have what you have."
He laughed.
"Though… I still don't know what a normal person would gain from eating the Human-Human Fruit.
But anyway, "
He tapped Chopper's forehead.
"Look at yourself. If you were just a normal reindeer, would I talk to you like this? Have emotions like a human? Learn medicine? Chase after a dream? All of that is the fruit's gift."
Chopper stared blankly up at him.
Those eyes held no pity. No false comfort. No fear.
Only genuine warmth. Pure and simple trust.
Just like Doctor Hiriluk's eyes back then…
"Chosen by… fate?"
Chopper whispered.
"Me? Someone like me… deserves that?"
"Why are you STILL calling yourself a monster, idiot!"
Shanu grabbed both of Chopper's cheeks and lifted his head.
"Come on, your ability is just turning between human and reindeer. Big deal!"
"If that counts as a monster, my ship is full of them.
Smoke-men, fire-men, lightning-men…
And the one who just joined, look!"
He turned.
Robin smiled softly and activated her power.
With a rustle, dozens of arms sprouted across her body.
"GYAAAHH!! A REAL MONSTER!!"
Chopper leapt behind Shanu.
"And me too," Shanu said darkly.
A chill ran up Chopper's spine.
He looked up,
And the friendly big brother had become a four-meter-tall muscle giant.
"Ah… a… ah…"
He trembled violently.
"Don't scare him too much," Robin reminded.
"Yeah yeah."
With a puff, Shanu returned to his normal slender form.
"See? Fake stuff."
He spread his hands.
"Just a little trick from Life Return. Now your transformation doesn't seem so scary, right?"
Chopper stared at him, then at Robin, who gently dismissed her many arms.
His eyes sparkled.
All the loneliness he had been holding in, burst. He burst into tears.
"Uuuu…uuuuwaaa…"
He shook uncontrollably, clutching his medicine basket, crying like a heartbroken child. Warm hands touched his head.
"Why're you crying now, little guy?" Shanu sighed.
Chopper bawled even harder, then jumped into Shanu's arms and wiped all his tears and snot onto his clothes.
"UWAAAAAA!!"
Robin smiled softly at the scene.
Snap.
Shanu gently patted Chopper's back, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the tree house in the distance… and the shadow of someone peeking out.
Doctor Kureha, obviously. Tch. That old hag's been spying on us forever, hasn't she? Just watching me help coax her patient… how about coming out to welcome your guests for once?!
He stood up, walked to the tree-house door, and knocked loudly:
"Hey! Old hag! Quit sneaking around! Open up and welcome your guests already! The beautiful swordswoman brought meat!"
"Who're you calling an old hag, you rude brat?!"
With an outraged screech, the wooden door flew open, along with a flying kick. Shanu caught it easily, and the two immediately started brawling in the background, rolling through the snow and throwing up a storm.
"Big sis… you're actually a swordswoman?" Chopper wiped his tears and whispered to Robin.
"Nope." Robin smiled warmly.
"Captain separated those words completely."
So it was: beautiful, swordswoman, and meat?
Chopper suddenly understood, then suddenly froze.
"Eh?"
Drum Island , Highest Peak
The tallest mountain of Drum Island stood 5,000 meters above sea level.
And at its summit sat a massive castle, the royal palace of the Drum Kingdom.
Outside, the blizzard howled. Inside, it was as warm as spring.
"Fi–five hundred and forty million Berries?!!"
Wapol, round as a balloon, was lounging on his throne and chewing gold-plated silverware.
Upon hearing the soldier's report, he froze, metal shards spilling from his open mouth onto the floor.
"Are you sure you didn't read it wrong?! That pirate called Shanu… actually came to this country?!"
"It's absolutely true, Your Majesty!"
The one-armed squad leader knelt, bawling:
"Look at my wrist! That guy's 'Swordsman' title, he really lives up to it! He swung so fast I couldn't even see it… just one swipe and, "
"Shut up!"
Wapol suddenly flipped the dining table and paced anxiously before the throne, metal boots thudding.
"Damn it! Damn it! Why would a big-shot pirate of that level come after a tiny country like ours?!"
"Your Majesty!"
Minister Chess rushed forward.
"The important thing now is strengthening the castle defenses! We can't be careless, rumor says even a Marine Admiral couldn't, "
"Defenses? Defenses my ass!"
Wapol slapped him aside.
"Idiot! You think a pirate of that level is as easy to deal with as those quack doctors?!"
"You! Prepare everything to head toward the port! Everyone, move! We're sailing out immediately! We hide at sea for a while, then come back when the danger's gone!"
"Eh?!"
The ministers all froze.
"What're you waiting for?! Weapons, food, doctors, bring EVERYTHING! Don't leave a single thing for the peasants! Move!! Everyone meets at the castle gates in one hour!"
The soldiers finally snapped out of it and rushed around in chaos.
When only Wapol's closest ministers remained, he suddenly turned back, chomped down the throne in one bite, and kicked open the hidden door behind it.
"That guy must be after the treasure I've been saving! Muhahaha! Good thing I prepared already!"
He bounced into the treasure vault like a massive ball, rolling through piles of gold and jewels. Then he opened his modified steel jaws wide and began devouring everything in sight.
"Your Majesty!" Chess cried at the doorway, horrified.
"You're eating the entire treasury?!"
"Muhahaha! Of course!!"
Wapol bellowed through mouthfuls of gold.
"My Munch-Munch Fruit can digest a whole castle, what's a little treasure?! I'll spit it all out at sea later, not a single coin missing!"
Before long, the whole treasury was empty.
"Your Majesty!"
Captain Dalton finally couldn't endure it anymore. His massive frame blocked the castle gate.
"You can't abandon the people like this! Even if we can't defeat this incoming pirate, as king you should at least, "
"Get lost!"
Wapol slapped him aside, annoyed.
"That quack doctor who died months ago, you already disobeyed me once when you defended him. Didn't you spend enough time in the dungeon? Still dare to block me now?"
Dalton staggered back, blood on his lips, but still spread his arms wide.
"At least leave half the doctors behind! You've already exiled every doctor in the country, if you take the last twenty with you, "
"Not my problem!!"
Wapol grinned, raising his boot and kicking Dalton hard in the gut.
"Peasant lives aren't worth comparing to MY health! Chess! Kuromarimo! Teach this idiot a lesson!"
Left: Minister Jess
Right: Royal Secretary Kuromarimo
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The two rained blows and kicks down. Even transformed into his bison form, Dalton was outnumbered and fell to his knees, vision darkening.
All he could do was watch Wapol's back as the king walked out the castle gates.
Faintly, he heard the one-armed squad leader fawning:
"Your Majesty is wise! This traitor doesn't know his place, how dare he think peasants matter, he should be, "
"You shut up too!"
Wapol grabbed him by the throat and lifted him.
"Useless trash! You led so many soldiers and couldn't even catch a blue-nosed monster! Because of you I still haven't found that old hag Kureha!"
"Y–Your Majesty, !" the squad leader gasped.
"Go die with your broken arm!"
Wapol tossed him off the cliff like garbage.
"AAAAAHHH, !!"
His scream faded into the abyss.
The soldiers trembled and worked even faster, loading food and weapons and following Wapol onto the cable car.
Stop…
Please stop…
Dalton used every last bit of strength, but still couldn't rise. Through his blurry vision, the figures grew farther and farther away.
He wept in fury.
Abandoning the country was already bad enough, but taking every doctor and weapon, too…
This king was beyond salvation.
Port
"Muhahaha!!!"
At the harbor, Wapol stood proudly on the deck, slapping his swollen, treasure-filled belly.
Inside it was the wealth of an entire kingdom, plenty for him to squander at sea!
"Hurry! Faster!"
Chess and Kuromarimo urged the soldiers.
Suddenly, a doctor in uniform slowed and frowned.
"Do you hear something?"
Something?
The deck fell silent.
Everyone listened. Amid the howling wind, a strange sound was approaching, fast.
BOOM, POP!!
"It came from the sky!" someone shouted.
"Look!!"
Everyone, including Wapol, looked up.
A massive black silhouette was dropping from the heavens, rebounding through the air with explosive shockwaves, compressing and releasing the atmosphere itself.
"What IS that?!" Wapol shrieked.
The figure slowed, landing lightly on the snow-covered shore opposite the ship.
The storm parted, revealing,
A towering giant of a man.
Dressed in black, wearing a fluffy bear-ear hat, holding a huge Bible.
Six to seven meters tall, calm, gentle, but overwhelmingly powerful.
"Just as expected of a nation of medicine."
Seeing the deck full of doctors, the huge man looked genuinely pleased. He bowed his head slightly toward Wapol with a warm smile:
"Arriving at the port and immediately finding so many doctors… how wonderful."