The power of the Baku Baku Fruit turned its user into an omnivore, capable of devouring grass, stone, even iron.
And, apparently, humans.
Wapol, thought defeated, stirred. Before their eyes, he consumed Musshuru, the grotesque sound of chewing chilling the air.
To Chopper, an animal by nature, the sight of a human eating another was unthinkable, revolting.
Wapol finished quickly. As he turned, his body began to transform, the sickening grind of flesh and bone amplifying the horror.
His form grew larger, the Wapol House evolving further.
"The ultimate evolution—"
Smoke billowed from his mouth, signaling the transformation's end.
He turned slowly, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.
"Complete! Baku Baku Factory: Musshuwapol! The strongest form!"
Arms spread wide, Wapol laughed maniacally.
His body retained Wapol's core but bore Musshuru's peach-colored bobbed hair, draped in a hippo's pelt. His massive, towering frame, armored in tin, echoed the Wapol House's durability. The specifics of his change were unclear, but the act of consumption was undeniable.
Two humans had fused into one.
The true terror lay not in his appearance but in his dual powers.
Devil Fruits were limited to one per person; eating two meant death. Yet Musshuwapol wielded both the Baku Baku and Noko Noko Fruits, a miraculous fusion that defied nature, creating a single, perfect entity.
Chopper, still kneeling beside Luffy, hadn't grasped the full horror. The subtle shift eluded him, but he knew this wasn't something to ignore. Stunned, he stared as Wapol's laughter grew.
"Ha ha ha! I should've done this from the start! My hag brother couldn't use his powers right, but I'll make better use of them!"
Chest puffed out, Wapol eyed the exhausted duo and Kureha in the distance, sneering as he spoke.
"You're the first to humiliate me this much, you hags. So, you're sentenced to death! No mercy now… I'll purify this island with my power."
"What are you planning…?" Chopper stammered.
"Ha ha! I'll use my brother's ability—the Fatal Bomb, the spore explosive that once plunged this island into terror. That'll end it all."
Chopper's face stiffened with shock. Wapol had claimed this nation as his own, yet now he spoke of destroying it entirely.
It was madness.
Chopper shot to his feet, shoulders trembling with rage. "Are you serious?! There are countless people here!"
"So what? They're all rebels who defy me!"
"That won't make you a king!"
"It'll purify this nation! Those who won't obey me can die!"
"That's insane… You're no king…"
"Shut up, monster! You've got no right to speak! A non-human like you dares lecture me?!"
Wapol's gaze shifted to the castle, landing on the tower with the broken window—the Bliking Cannon's resting place.
Sneering, he glanced at Chopper, his anger replaced by indifference. Chopper was a trivial concern now; his focus was on annihilating the island.
"All I need is the Bliking Cannon. Once I eat it, it's over."
"No way! I won't let you!"
"Ha ha ha! Listen to this monster yapping! Talking big to a king, huh? Fine, I'll let it slide. You've only got minutes to live."
Mushrooms sprouted from Musshuwapol's boots—the Noko Noko Fruit's power. With a bounce, he leaped skyward, his inhuman strength propelling him toward the tower.
"Stop me if you can! If you can catch me! Ha ha ha!"
"Damn it! If I could use the Rumble Ball… Jumping Point could—"
Musshuwapol dove headfirst into the tower, his broad shoulders smashing through the wall.
Chopper hesitated. Should he risk the Rumble Ball again? The drug's effects wouldn't be reliable so soon, but to stop Wapol, he might have to gamble.
A hand grabbed his arm.
Luffy, breathing heavily, looked up.
Their eyes met, and Chopper's mind went blank. Luffy looked on the brink of death, yet his gaze burned with unyielding strength.
"Chopper…" Luffy rasped.
"What's wrong?"
"I've… got a request."
His faint plea carried weight. Without hesitation, Chopper nodded.
Inside the tower, Musshuwapol stood before the Bliking Cannon. Eating it would transform him into Musshuwapol Cannon, unstoppable, the ultimate king.
Stroking the cannon, he grinned, reveling in his power.
"My hag brother couldn't kill properly, but his Fatal Bomb has value. With this cannon, no one can beat me. Not even the Four Emperors!"
Drunk on his newfound strength, Musshuwapol lingered, savoring his vision.
"With this power, I'll build the ultimate kingdom. Citizens will obey, rebels will be executed—an ideal nation—"
His reverie was cut short.
Something crashed through the window, shattering glass. Musshuwapol screamed, scrambling to the doorway.
"What's that?!"
Backing away, he saw the intruder—Luffy, collapsed, barely able to kneel. Thrown by Chopper, he'd reached the tower in this battered state.
Recognizing him, Musshuwapol relaxed, striding over with mocking confidence.
"Well, if it isn't the half-dead guy. What, here to stop me? Ha ha ha! Good luck with that body!"
His steps were almost a skip, taunting as he loomed over Luffy, hands on hips, laughing.
"I've decided. Since you came, I'll make use of you. Before I fire the celebratory shot for my new Drum Kingdom, I'll crush your skull. How's that? Honored to be ended by a king?"
Leaning close, he taunted, then threw his head back, laughing.
Raising his foot, Musshuwapol aimed for Luffy's head. "Pay the price for defying me! Farewell—"
Luffy's glare stopped him cold.
A single, piercing look from a motionless man.
Musshuwapol's heart seized with fear. He screamed, stumbling back, falling on his rear.
Luffy's eyes weren't those of a dead man. On death's edge, they burned with life, a resolve Wapol had never seen.
It broke him.
It wasn't rational. Musshuwapol felt Luffy's strength, an indomitable aura.
Scrambling up, he had no fight left.
Luffy rose, legs unsteady, coughing blood, on the verge of collapse. Yet his gaze never wavered, fixed on Musshuwapol with fierce determination.
Gritting his teeth, he stepped forward.
His raised fist trembled, but it didn't matter. He'd decided not to let Musshuwapol escape.
With a powerful stomp, Luffy unleashed a devastating punch.
"RAAHHH!"
"Guh?!"
A dull thud as the blow struck Musshuwapol's gut.
"NNGH!"
"Gah?!"
A second hit to the cheek twisted his face, staggering him.
"RAAAAHHH!"
"GYAAAH! Stop—!"
A final uppercut to the jaw launched Musshuwapol skyward. His massive body crashed through the ceiling, embedding in the roof, his face exposed like a severed head.
Bleeding, barely conscious, he noticed the flag on the neighboring tower—cherry blossoms and a skull, fluttering silently.
The flag he'd mocked and tried to break seemed to stare back, radiating an unspoken pressure.
Fear overwhelmed him, though it might've been his imagination. His eyes were consumed by terror.
Unable to speak, he stared at the flag. Then, climbing the outer wall, Luffy appeared.
Musshuwapol screamed, more terrified of him than the flag.
Luffy stopped before him, slamming his fists together with a thud.
"GYAAAH! Stay away!"
"Hah… zee… Don't touch someone's skull flag if you don't have the resolve."
Luffy stretched his arms back, far beyond their limit, signaling his final blow.
Musshuwapol, understanding, panicked, babbling for mercy. "Wait! Think! I'm a king!"
"Gomu… Gomu…"
"This kingdom's part of the World Government! Attacking me is a global crime! The Navy will hunt you down! You think you'll escape?!"
Luffy paused, his voice calm. "Doesn't matter. King, god, big shot or nobody—it's all the same."
"What?!"
Luffy grinned—a mix of defiance, childlike glee, and madness. "I'm a pirate."
Musshuwapol trembled, unable to fathom such reckless conviction.
Luffy's arms snapped forward.
"Wait! I'll give you status, medals—!"
"RAAAAHHH!"
"Alright, vice-king—GYAAAH!"
The Gomu Gomu no Bazooka, charged beyond anything before, obliterated Musshuwapol. The tower's tip shattered as he rocketed skyward, vanishing from the island in moments.
Chopper watched silently, staring at the horizon where he disappeared.
The battle was over. The root of evil had been expelled.
Exhaling deeply, Chopper's tension eased.
Then he noticed Luffy, sliding down the roof, too weak to stand.
Gasping, Chopper ran, transforming into his beast form to reach him faster, then reverting to human form.
He caught Luffy, hugging him tightly. They tumbled, Chopper cushioning the fall, desperate to protect him. Luffy was unresponsive, consciousness gone.
Staring at him, Chopper saw his dire state—poison ravaging him, barely alive.
He had to act fast. Standing, Chopper sprinted toward the castle entrance.
Kureha, near the entrance, spoke as he approached. "You sure about saving him?"
"Huh?"
The sudden question halted Chopper. He needed to save Luffy, but her words demanded attention.
Puzzled, he stared at her.
"He's a pirate," Kureha said. "Not a good guy. He calls selfishness freedom, hurting others if needed. He's the opposite of a doctor who heals."
"Yeah…"
"This island's been hurt by pirates—Wapol, Blackbeard. Saving him risks more harm. He's a pirate, after all."
Chopper looked at Luffy's face. He knew what pirates were, and he didn't fully understand Luffy yet. He couldn't confidently deny Kureha's warning. But his resolve didn't waver.
"I want to save him."
"Even if it endangers this country? People could get hurt."
"He's not like that. And if he is, I'll stop him."
"Big words from someone covered in wounds."
"Maybe it's naive… but…"
Chopper met Kureha's gaze squarely.
"I won't abandon a life I can save!"
Kureha said nothing.
Biting his lip, Chopper ran, vanishing into the castle.
When he was gone, Kureha shook her head, exasperated, a faint smile forming.
Glancing at the clearing sky, she murmured, "Taking after his father, huh? What a hassle."
The blizzard had weakened, clouds parting. Snow might stop, and the full moon would shine tonight.
Looking skyward, Kureha spoke to no one. "Your fault, quack doctor. He's grown up fine."
Snow fell slower, softer. Kureha, arms crossed, let out a small huff.
Then, something odd caught her eye—a flapping object, a bird made of paper, tattered and faltering, shedding pieces as it flew.
Two boys rode its back—one frantic, the other limp.
"We made it! It's right there! Come on, Kiri, hold on!"
"Gonna crash…"
"Please, just a bit more! You can rest when we land! Look, someone's there!"
"Usopp, can't you take over…?"
"How?! You're the only one who can control it! Almost there!"
"Ugh, I'm nauseous…"
"There's a doctor! You'll be fine! Just puke!"
The noisy pair approached unsteadily, landing on Drum Rock's peak. The impact disintegrated the paper bird, spilling the boys into the snow.
Usopp rolled, stood, and clasped his hands skyward, tears streaming as he celebrated survival.
Beside him, Kiri lay buried in snow, motionless.
"Oh, God, thank you for keeping us alive! Life's amazing!"
"Ugh, exhausted. That blizzard came outta nowhere…"
"Thanks, Kiri! You didn't give up, and we didn't die! You're awesome!"
"Sure."
"But man, when the weather turned, I panicked. A little snow's fine, but it was chaos—huh?"
Usopp noticed Kureha again—a woman before a grand castle, elderly yet vibrant. The rumored witch?
She met his startled gaze with a smile. "Secret to youth?"
"Nah, didn't ask."
Her friendly tone surprised him. She didn't seem dangerous, and Usopp relaxed. Kiri, still down, relied on his ears to follow.
"Hey, lady, got a question—"
"Watch your mouth. I'm a spry 130-something."
Usopp's question was cut off. Apparently, "lady" wasn't polite enough.
He glanced at Kiri. "Guess I ticked her off."
"Age is taboo for women, I hear. Best avoid it," Kiri mumbled.
"Yeah."
Nodding, Usopp adjusted his approach, ignoring Kiri's prone state. Kureha stood, hands on hips, listening.
"Seen a guy in a straw hat, carrying an orange-haired girl?"
"Yeah, they're here. Being treated."
"For real?! Luffy and Nami are safe!"
"Your crew?"
"Yup. Same pirate crew. Luffy's our captain."
"Then you should know—your captain's being treated too. Took some poison."
"What?!"
Usopp's eyes widened. Kiri, limp, shifted his face in the snow.
Unfazed, Usopp pressed, "So, the king and his brother…?"
"No worries. Your captain sent them flying."
"Luffy did?"
"He's being treated for the poison now. My disciple's on it, so he won't die."
"Good… that's a relief."
Usopp sighed, glancing at Kiri. "Everything's sorted."
"You sound happy," Kiri said.
"Nah, I'm pissed we missed the action."
Relief washed over Usopp. Luffy needed treatment, but Nami was recovering, and Wapol and Musshuru were gone, blasted away by Luffy. Safety was assured.
Kiri, chilled by the snow, voiced a calm question. "Good to hear. But, uh, mind helping me up? I'm freezing."
"Oh, right, forgot."
"You're kinda harsh."
Grinning apologetically, Usopp grabbed Kiri's shoulder, pulling him up. Brushing snow off his face, Usopp finally relaxed, though Kiri's wet clothes kept him immobile.
Leaning on Usopp, Kiri settled. Their eyes met Kureha's, who seemed to pause, her demeanor shifting briefly with surprise before masking it.
Kiri frowned, puzzled, as she smiled. "Rare guests. What a coincidence."
"Huh?"
"Nothing. Your friends with those two? Does your captain have cash?"
"Pretty sure he's broke."
"Treatment fees," Kiri noted.
"Crap, forgot to give him money…"
Realizing they were being billed, Usopp panicked, but Kiri stayed calm.
"Kiri, you got cash?"
"Spent it."
"On what? We didn't stop anywhere… wait, the bird?!"
"It was falling apart. Needed emergency repairs."
"What a waste. How much you got left?"
"Zero."
"Seriously…?"
"It's fine. Just my allowance. The ship's funds are safe."
"So how do we pay here?"
"Get someone to bring it."
"Why do you think we came here?!"
Kureha, overhearing their lack of funds, sighed. Money wasn't her priority. Instead, she made a new demand.
"Figured as much. Come with me."
"What's up?"
"Payment alternative. I need hands to move cannons from the armory."
"Cannons? Why?"
"No whining. Work, or pay up."
Usopp and Kiri exchanged glances.
"…Guess we're moving cannons," Usopp said.
"I can't move, so you're on your own," Kiri replied.
"What?! That's cheating!"
"I did the hard part getting us here. Give me a break."
"That was an emergency!"
"Still can't move."
"Ugh, I want a devil fruit…"
As Kureha walked off, Usopp, grumbling, hoisted Kiri onto his back, trudging toward the castle.
The threat was gone, but their struggles continued. Feeling like the short end of the stick, Usopp sighed heavily.
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