Chapter 62: Freedom is a Word That Keeps You Young!
A few days later.
World Government Member Nation, Drum Kingdom.
This Winter Island, where winter reigned year-round, was once known as the 'Medical Kingdom' of the Grand Line.
But ironically...
Today, this nation once famous for its medical prowess had only two doctors left.
"AHHHHHHH!"
In a giant treehouse outside the town of Cocoa Weed.
A blue-nosed reindeer wearing a pink hat was running in circles, screaming in panic.
"Hey, Chopper... glug, glug... You idiot tanuki, what are you making all that noise for?"
Inside the room, an old woman dressed in remarkably fashionable clothes and sunglasses was drinking a bottle of plum wine.
"I'm not a tanuki! I'm a reindeer!"
Chopper glared and retorted, but immediately remembered why he was panicking.
"Doctor Kureha! They're gone... the Rumble Balls I just finished improving... they're all gone!"
He said anxiously.
"Ah, those little things," Doctor Kureha said nonchalantly. "Maybe a mouse ate them?"
"Impossible! I clean the house every day! There are no mice! It must be a thief... I know! It must be Wapol! He knows I want revenge for Doctor Hiriluk, so he sent someone to steal them!"
Chopper huffed angrily.
As he spoke, he remembered the quack doctor Hiriluk who had died two years ago because of him, and burst into tears.
"What are you crying for? Pathetic!"
Kureha shook her head. "How many times do I have to tell you? Hiriluk made his own choice. His death has nothing to do with you."
"As for Wapol..."
Even the eccentric and bold Kureha's tone darkened at the mention of the name.
Wapol—the tyrant ruling this country.
It was his decree banning doctors that had reduced this once-prosperous nation to its current state.
"Forget it, forget it."
Seeing Chopper still sniffling, Kureha sighed and put down her bottle. "I'll help you look. If we don't find them, we'll go beat up that bastard Wapol together."
She comforted him like a child.
But in her heart, she knew this country couldn't resist Wapol.
Even if Wapol was a tyrant, he was a legitimate king of a World Government member nation, protected by the Government.
Unless an outsider was willing to take the blame... the price the citizens would pay to overthrow him was simply too high.
"Mm!"
Chopper, unaware of Kureha's thoughts, cheered up instantly just because she offered to help.
The master and apprentice began searching the house.
Just as they were rummaging...
RUMBLE!
A massive tremor nearly knocked them off their feet.
"It sounded like it came from the main peak..."
Chopper clutched his hat, ears twitching.
He and Kureha exchanged a look, then rushed out of the treehouse.
And then...
"EHHHHHH!?"
Chopper's eyes bulged, his tongue unrolling like a spring.
Kureha took off her sunglasses, her eyes filled with disbelief.
They were looking at a massive snow-capped mountain.
The 'Drum Rockies'—the center of the Drum Kingdom.
Atop the central peak sat a massive black castle, Wapol's residence.
But now, Chopper and Kureha saw... the castle was collapsing!
To be precise, it looked as if some colossal blade had sliced through it repeatedly. The entire castle was cut into countless pieces, fragments raining down the mountain!
BOOM!
Even from this distance, the dull roar and the shaking earth told the human and the reindeer... this was real!
"The... the castle..."
Chopper was stunned.
Kureha reacted quickly. "Chopper! Get the sleigh! We're going to check it out!"
Chopper nodded, instantly transforming into a sturdy reindeer and running behind the treehouse.
Moments later, he returned pulling a sleigh. "Let's go, Doctor Kureha!"
"Idiot! We're doctors! A doctor going out without a medical bag is like a soldier without a weapon!"
Kureha scolded him.
But just as she turned to go back inside for her bag, she froze.
"What's wrong, Doctor Kureha... Eh!?"
Chopper turned his head curiously, then froze as well.
Because they both saw...
Someone was standing at the door of their treehouse.
He wore a Rat Mask, was dressed in black, and was currently leaning against the doorframe, taking off a pair of gloves.
"Good day to you both."
A calm voice came from under the mask.
"Wh-wh-who are you!?"
Chopper instinctively hid behind Kureha, stammering.
"...You're hiding backwards," Nezumi pointed out. "Your body is sticking out."
Chopper: "Eh!?"
Seeing this, Kureha sighed helplessly.
She pulled a bottle of wine from somewhere, uncorked it with her teeth, and took a swig. "Glug, glug... Stranger, you don't look like a patient... What do you want?"
"Indeed."
Nezumi nodded slightly. "I'm here to buy something from Doctor Chopper."
"D-Doctor!?"
Hearing this, Chopper's fur stood on end.
It was the first time anyone had called him 'Doctor.'
"Y-you... don't think calling me that will make me happy, you bastard~"
He said the words, but his goofy grin and wiggling body betrayed him completely.
"Buy something?"
Kureha wasn't joking.
She took another sip, quietly shielding Chopper with her body. "We are doctors, not merchants... We have nothing to sell you."
"No, you do."
Nezumi shook his head.
He extended his hand. In his palm lay a few yellow pills.
"Rum... Rumble Balls!"
Chopper bristled. "So it was you... Mmph!"
He wanted to say more, but Kureha clamped a hand over his mouth.
The old woman stared at Nezumi. "You want these?"
"Specifically, the formula."
Nezumi nodded. "A drug that can alter the transformation wavelengths of Devil Fruits... A genius invention. Useful for our organization."
He was exaggerating for effect, but the praise was genuine.
The Rumble Ball really was a genius invention—not only could it alter Zoan transformations, but later on, it could even force Minks into Sulong form during the day.
"To receive such praise... my idiot son is honored."
Chopper was practically dancing with joy now, but Kureha nodded grimly. "And what do you intend to trade for it?"
She exhaled a cloud of alcohol fumes, shifting Chopper slightly behind her.
"Berries? Treasure? Or... our lives?"
From this position, she could throw Chopper to safety at any moment.
But hearing this, Nezumi laughed. "Don't be so tense, Doctor Kureha. Although our reputation isn't great lately, we aren't bad people."
Before Kureha could respond, he reached out again under her watchful gaze.
"And rather than Berries or treasure, I think you'll prefer this..."
As he spoke, he produced an object.
It was a human head.
Deep purple hair, a massive mouth, eyes wide open in disbelief at his own death.
Clearly, both the pupil-constricting Kureha and the muffled-screaming Chopper recognized him.
It was the tyrant of the Drum Kingdom... Wapol!
"So the castle was you..." Kureha whispered.
Nezumi didn't deny it. "I know you have a grudge against him, and I know the situation in this country."
He hefted the head—or rather, one-fifth of a Wapol. "This is my trade item—this country's freedom."
He stated the inevitable transaction softly. "I will take this head and let the world know Wapol died by my hand... The World Government won't trouble you for it. You can choose a new king."
"..."
Kureha fell silent.
She lifted her bottle again, throwing her head back for a long swig.
"This deal... I accept on Chopper's behalf."
She made the decisive choice.
"A wise choice."
Nezumi's voice seemed to carry a smile.
"Then, I will return in half an hour for the formula."
The words fell...
Vmmm!
He took a step, a phantom door appeared, and he vanished.
"Mmph mmph mmph!"
Seeing this, Chopper's eyes widened even further.
"Stop panicking. A guy like that is obviously an ability user—just like you," Kureha said, releasing Chopper.
"Hah... hah... Doctor Kureha, do you know him? He actually killed Wapol! And my Rumble Ball formula..."
Chopper fired off questions like a machine gun.
Then...
"Too many questions!"
BONK!
Kureha punched him on the head.
Ignoring Chopper's cries of "It hurts!", the old doctor put her sunglasses back on.
"Don't ask so much. The less you know about dangerous guys like that, the better."
She said.
Yes—that signature mask, that overwhelming power and pressure.
It was enough for her to guess that he was a member of that organization making waves recently. The third member!
"If people find out about this, the world is going to shake again, isn't it?"
Kureha murmured, lifting her bottle again.
But she realized it was empty.
"Whatever."
She shook her head.
Then, she turned to look at the distant Drum Rockies.
The world shaking... what did that have to do with her?
What mattered was—the shadow over this kingdom was gone.
"'Freedom'..."
She smiled. "Sounds like a word that can keep you young forever."
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