Luffy, told Nami's treatment was done, followed Dr. Kureha to her room. As the door opened, Chopper flinched beside the bed.
The reindeer's oddity struck Luffy—fur, antlers, yet bipedal, deftly handling medical tools with hooves. A doctor, undeniably. Luffy grinned, intrigued, but focused on Nami.
She slept, pale but breathing steadier. Relieved, Luffy asked Chopper, "She okay now?"
"Needs monitoring, but antibiotics are working. She'll improve," Chopper said. "Kestia's rare, thought extinct. Can't let our guard down."
Luffy nodded, watching Chopper place a damp towel on Nami's forehead. "You saved her. Thanks."
"N-No big deal!" Chopper stammered, tumbling off his chair, retreating. "Don't care for thanks, idiot!"
"You look happy," Luffy teased.
Chopper danced awkwardly, betraying his joy. His earnestness amused Luffy, who, assured of Nami's safety, shifted focus. "You're weird. Talking reindeer, bipedal, and a doctor."
Chopper froze, smile fading, eyes darting away nervously.
"Why's that?" Luffy pressed.
Kureha, from the corner, answered, "Obvious, isn't it? Just a reindeer."
"Huh," Luffy said.
"Not shocked?" she asked.
"Seen weirder," Luffy shrugged. Fishmen, giants, a millennium dragon, a talking eagle—Chopper was just another marvel.
Kureha, impressed, sipped her bottle. "Fearless fool, huh? What've you seen to match a talking reindeer?"
"Lots," Luffy said, eyes gleaming at Chopper. "You're a doctor, right? Join us. Be our ship's medic."
"What?!" Chopper gaped.
"We need a doctor. You'd save Nami again. Join my crew," Luffy urged.
"Why me?" Chopper asked.
"You're cool. Talking, blue-nosed, reindeer, doctor. Perfect," Luffy said.
"You're mocking me!" Chopper snapped, anger flaring. "I'm a blue-nosed, talking reindeer, not human! You wouldn't want me!"
"Not mocking," Luffy said, puzzled. "You seem nice."
"Liar! I'm a freak, not human or animal. You're lying!" Chopper shouted.
"I don't lie," Luffy insisted. "Usopp's the liar."
Kureha sighed, stepping in. "He's not just a reindeer. Ate the Hito Hito Fruit. Understands human and animal speech. Know what the world calls that?"
"Ability user," Luffy said.
"Monster," Kureha corrected, smirking.
Chopper bowed his head, clutching his hat. Luffy, smile gone, stared at Kureha, then Chopper, silent. The room stilled.
Kureha continued, "Shunned by reindeer and humans, alone since birth. You, a stranger, can't handle that."
"Then we're the same," Luffy grinned, stretching his cheeks. "I ate the Gomu Gomu Fruit. I'm a rubber man."
His skin stretched impossibly, shocking Chopper, who fell back. Kureha raised an eyebrow.
"W-What's that?!" Chopper yelped.
"Rubber. I'm a rubber man," Luffy said. "Not just me. We've got a paper man, a wind-blade woman."
His cheeks snapped back. "Reindeer, human, whatever. You saved Nami. You're the doctor I want. Join us."
Chopper hesitated, torn. "I… I…"
"Piracy's great," Luffy said. "Adventure, songs, feasts. You'll love it."
Luffy's enthusiasm overwhelmed Chopper, who couldn't fathom such acceptance. A monster, rejected by all, yet his heart raced—joy, perhaps? He looked away, conflicted.
"Come on, Chopper, join us," Luffy pressed.
"Shut up! I'm not becoming a pirate!" Chopper bolted.
"Hey!" Luffy chased, but Kureha stopped him.
"Hold it," she said, serious. "It's not simple."
"I need Chopper—"
"He's been rejected by family, humans, everyone," Kureha said, glaring. "Can you handle that?"
"Heard he was alone," Luffy said.
"Knowing that, you still ask?" she challenged, sipping her drink. "His heart's scarred. He doesn't know what he did wrong or what to hate. Born with a blue nose, he thinks he's a monster."
Luffy listened intently. Kureha leaned close. "Take him if you want, but it's not easy. Can you heal his wounds?"
"Dunno. Haven't tried," Luffy said, grinning. "Being alone sucks. I know that. He needs friends. Healing's up to him."
"You're cold," Kureha said. "That's friendship?"
"I'll protect all my friends. Won't lose anyone," Luffy vowed, resolute.
Kureha blinked, impressed by his conviction. "You're impossible," she muttered, adjusting her sunglasses. "Chopper's caught a weird one."
"Gotta find him! Chopper!" Luffy ran out.
Kureha, amused, murmured, "Troublesome type. Interesting guy."
Luffy, shivering in the icy castle, rubbed his arms. "Damn, it's cold! Why's it freezing inside?"
Spotting an open door, he approached, snow blowing in. "Door's open. No wonder."
Barefoot in sandals, he felt the chill but moved to close it. Chopper's voice stopped him. "Don't! Leave it open!"
"Chopper!" Luffy grinned. "Why's it open? It's cold."
"Just… don't close it," Chopper said, tense, backing away.
"Why not?" Luffy asked, nearing.
Chopper hesitated. Luffy glanced up, spotting a nest of Snow Birds atop the door—parent and chicks, cozy. Closing it would destroy their home. "Got it," Luffy smiled.
Chopper flinched, warmed by Luffy's understanding. They stood side by side, gazing at the nest. "Weird spot for a nest," Luffy said.
"Dunno. It was there when I noticed," Chopper replied.
They watched silently, Chopper no longer fleeing. The parent bird flew off, and they tracked it, snow falling lightly.
Luffy's eyes caught the Jolly Roger atop the castle—skull with scattered cherry blossoms. He recalled a brother's tales of their beauty. "Why's there a pirate flag? You a pirate?"
"No," Chopper said. "It's… a doctor's flag."
"Doctor?"
"Dr. Hiriluk. Named me. Greatest doctor ever," Chopper said, gazing at the flag.
"He raised it for all diseases," Chopper added. "Said no illness is incurable."
"Not a pirate, huh?" Luffy said.
"No, but…" Chopper trailed off.
"Cool flag. I like it," Luffy said.
Chopper, shy but pleased, clutched his hat. "Really?"
"Where's this doctor?" Luffy asked. "Not the old lady, right?"
"He… died," Chopper said, voice heavy.
"Sorry," Luffy said, cutting him off gently.
"I loved him," Chopper said. "Couldn't save him, but I'll carry his dream. Become a cure for all diseases."
"You'll be a cure? Awesome!" Luffy laughed.
"Think I can?" Chopper asked.
"Sure, if you bet your life on it," Luffy said.
Chopper smiled, relaxing. "Maybe… Eh-eh-eh!"
"Weird laugh," Luffy chuckled, joining in.
They stood, watching the flag sway. Chopper, less guarded, felt understood.
"Inside," Chopper said, noticing Luffy shiver. "It's cold."
"Nah, Chopper," Luffy said, leaning close. "Join my crew."
Chopper jumped back. "Still on that?! I can't be a pirate!"
"Why not? Monster or reindeer, I want you as our doctor," Luffy said.
"Why?" Chopper stammered.
"You're a good guy. Isn't that enough?" Luffy said, pure and unwavering.
Chopper, stunned by such unprecedented acceptance, froze. Luffy lay in the snow, grinning up at him. "Come on, be a pirate. It's fun!"
"Fun?" Chopper echoed, wavering.
"Totally! Join us!" Luffy urged.
"No way!" Chopper shouted, bolting inside.
"I'm making you my friend!" Luffy chased, laughing.
They tore through the castle, yelling. "Wait! Join my crew!"
"Gah!" Chopper squealed.
"Noisy brats," Kureha muttered, amused.
-------------------------------------------
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