The Sky Screen's presentation of Tony Tony Chopper had unfolded like a masterful performance, following the same captivating formula that had introduced Buggy the Clown to the world. First came the background—the tragic tale of an outcast reindeer transformed by fate—then the stunning revelation of his true potential. This deliberate pacing had become Kaito signature, building anticipation before delivering earth-shattering truths.
Across the world's oceans, Zoan-type Devil Fruit users watched in awe as Chopper demonstrated transformation after transformation on the ethereal display. Where they were limited to three basic forms—human, animal, and hybrid—this small reindeer had unlocked an unprecedented eight different transformation. The sight filled them with a mixture of inspiration and desperate envy.
The pattern was becoming clear to those who paid attention. The first figure revealed by the Sky Screen had been a pirate—Buggy the Clown, whose true strength Admiral Sakazuki had verified through painful personal experience. That verification had led to Loguetown's complete destruction and Buggy's astronomical 3 billion berry bounty.
Now the second figure was also a pirate, another member of the criminal destined to reshape the future. For the vast majority of law-abiding civilians across the World Government's member nations, this trend was deeply unsettling. Two revelations, two pirates—what did this say about the coming age?
But among the sick and desperate, a different sentiment was taking root. In a world where skilled doctors were rarer than treasure, where medical care was a luxury reserved for the wealthy elite, Tony Tony Chopper represented something unprecedented: hope.
The global healthcare system was brutally stratified. Nobles and wealthy merchants could afford the finest physicians, while common folk often died from treatable ailments simply because they lacked the berries for proper treatment. Some who did manage to see aristocratic doctors found themselves enslaved by medical debt, working their entire lives to pay for a single surgery.
Yet here was a doctor who charged nothing but cherry trees—a reindeer who had dedicated his life to healing regardless of a patient's ability to pay. Despite his monstrous appearance and pirate affiliation, desperate souls around the world began memorizing a single, precious piece of information: Drum Island, first half of the Grand Line.
The bounty poster shown on the Sky Screen had become a source of global ridicule. Fifty berries for a future legend? The amount wouldn't even purchase a decent newspaper. It was Buggy the Clown all over again—another catastrophic intelligence failure that made the Marines look incompetent in front of the entire world.
"How can we trust the Marines to protect us," civilians whispered in taverns and markets, "when they can't even identify the most dangerous criminals walking among us?"
Marine Headquarters, Marineford
The tension in the Fleet Admiral's conference room was thick enough to cut with a sword. Around the massive table sat the Marine's most senior officers, their faces reflecting varying degrees of embarrassment, anger, and frustration.
Vice Admiral Garp's booming laughter had filled the chamber moments earlier, the Marine Hero apparently finding something hilarious about their current predicament. His complete lack of situational awareness was legendary—and currently making an already volatile situation even worse.
"Garp," Fleet Admiral Sengoku's voice was dangerously quiet, "what exactly do you find so amusing? Are you laughing at the entire Marine organization?"
The legendary Marine gradually sobered, recognizing the genuine fury radiating from his old friend. Sengoku's face had turned an alarming shade of red, the veins in his forehead bulging with barely contained rage.
"The date on that bounty poster," Sengoku continued, his voice rising with each word, "shows it was issued during my tenure as Fleet Admiral. This intelligence failure reflects directly on my leadership!"
The room fell silent except for the scratch of Vice Admiral Tsuru's pen as she meticulously recorded every detail about Tony Tony Chopper. As the Marine's chief strategist, she was already formulating plans while her colleagues wallowed in embarrassment.
"Where is the head of our intelligence department?" Sengoku demanded, slamming his fist on the table hard enough to crack the wood. "This isn't just incompetence—it's criminal negligence that puts our soldiers' lives at risk!"
Within the hour, the intelligence department had been completely restructured. The former director found himself demoted to a desk job in East Blue, while his deputy was promoted with explicit orders to coordinate with the World Government's intelligence agencies. The Marine's reputation depended on never making such mistakes again.
"We need to discuss our strategy regarding Tony Tony Chopper," Vice Admiral Tsuru interjected once Sengoku's initial fury had subsided. Her tone carried the authority of someone whose tactical brilliance had shaped Marine policy for decades.
"This reindeer will join a pirate crew in the future, but nothing indicates he's inherently evil. I propose we attempt recruitment before he falls in with criminals. Setting aside the Blue Panacea for now, his Rumble Ball research alone could revolutionize our Zoan-type Devil Fruit users."
The strategic implications were staggering. The Marines employed hundreds of Zoan users throughout their ranks—from basic animal types among the enlisted men to the powerful Ancient varieties wielded by their elite officers. If each of them could access additional transformation points...
"My greater concern," Tsuru continued, "is that the Beast Pirates will undoubtedly move to recruit him. We may soon face one of the Four Emperors operating in our own territory."
The prospect sent a chill through the assembled officers. The first half of the Grand Line was Marine-controlled waters, their sanctuary where they could operate without constantly watching for Emperor-level threats. But if Kaido personally came hunting for Chopper...
Onigashima, Beast Pirates Stronghold
In the skull-shaped fortress that served as the Beast Pirates' headquarters, a very different meeting was taking place. The massive oni Kaido sat upon his throne, tears of joy streaming down his scarred face as he processed the Sky Screen's revelations.
"Tony Tony Chopper!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the cavern-like hall. "This is exactly what the Beast Pirates need! We've been waiting so long for someone like you!"
Before the throne, his three top commanders—the All-Stars—stood ready to execute their captain's will. King the Wildfire, his entire body wrapped in black leather and flames, stepped forward with characteristic efficiency.
"Lord Kaido, I volunteer to personally recruit this doctor. His research would benefit our entire organization."
King's Pteranodon Devil Fruit would allow him to reach Drum Island faster than any ship, but the distance from Wano to the first half of the Grand Line was enormous. Still, for a prize like Chopper's knowledge, no effort was too great.
Queen the Plague, the cyborg scientist responsible for the crew's biological weapons, was practically vibrating with excitement despite his typically lazy demeanor. "Think of the new toxins we could develop! The enhanced transformation possibilities! Lord Kaido, this could revolutionize everything we've worked toward!"
But it was Jack the Drought who voiced the obvious concern: "The first half of the Grand Line is Marine territory. They'll definitely try to reach him first. We'll need to send a significant force to overcome their home field advantage."
Kaido rose from his throne, his massive kanabo crackling with Conqueror's Haki as his emotions surged. The weapon's dark iron gleamed with the promise of violence, and every subordinate in the hall felt the oppressive weight of their captain's overwhelming presence.
"I'll go myself," the Emperor declared, his voice carrying the absolute authority of one who had never backed down from any challenge. "A talent like this deserves personal respect. Besides..."
A manic gleam entered Kaido's eyes as he contemplated the possibilities. His daily cliff-jumping ritual had long since ceased providing any meaningful training—his body had reached the pinnacle of physical development. But the Rumble Ball represented something new, a way to push beyond his current limitations.
He ate the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon—a mythical Zoan, and after getting the Rumble ball, he didn't know what form he would become.