Dalton awoke as the setting sun painted the clearing sky, its light filtering through thin clouds and gentle snow. The storm had calmed.
Supported by villagers, he sat up in bed, his face pale but breathing steady.
Clutching his head against lingering fatigue, he scanned their faces. "Ugh… I… Wapol and the others…"
"You okay, Dalton? Don't push yourself," a villager urged.
"What happened to Wapol?"
His first question, sharp with urgency, was about Wapol. Duty outweighed his own condition, and Dalton's intensity hinted at reckless determination.
The villagers hesitated, caught between concern and his unwavering gaze. As their leader, he commanded respect, making resistance futile.
"Chess and Kuromarimo are captured," one answered. "Treated, but locked in the warehouse."
"Wapol's gone. Headed to the castle, they say."
"I see…"
Muttering, Dalton moved to climb out of bed.
Villagers lunged to stop him. "No, Dalton! You're badly hurt!"
"And Musshuru's poison—Isshi-20 treated you, but you're not healed!"
"You need rest. Going out like this—"
"I have to end this," Dalton interrupted.
His hand trembled on the bed's edge, the other clutching his chest in pain. Yet his eyes held no doubt, resolute and unyielding.
"Wapol's fall is my responsibility. I clung to the late king's will, hoping he'd change, but I was too soft. I should've been stricter."
"Dalton, no!"
"It's not just your fault!"
"Wapol's actions are his own. You don't have to bear this alone!"
"I have to settle this… with my own hands."
Dalton strained to rise, his effort heavy with resolve. The room grew somber, the villagers' protests fading into silence.
Then, one man offered his shoulder. Surprised, Dalton watched as others joined, supporting him, grabbing weapons, opening doors—acting not from a plan but from instinct to aid their leader.
They'd accepted his resolve.
Smiling, they spoke up. "If you're going, I'm with you, Dalton."
"Me too."
"No way we're letting you go alone!"
"If you fight, we fight. This isn't his country anymore—it's ours!"
"Everyone…"
He couldn't tell them to stop; he was the one in most danger. Unable to halt their fervor, Dalton bowed his head in gratitude.
With them, this nation could be reborn. He believed it.
The group rushed out, preparing to move, scattering in all directions. Dalton, leaning on shoulders, followed slowly.
"Hurry! Before Wapol and Musshuru do something!"
"Is the ropeway fixed?"
"Just got word it's done. Took a while, but it's ready."
"All able men, grab weapons and head to the ropeway! Today, we take Wapol down!"
The village buzzed with new energy, a stark contrast to its past. This was the foundation of a new nation.
Surveying the scene, Dalton smiled, tears welling up.
As the sun set and a full moon peeked through the shifting sky, Nami stirred in a room within Drum Castle.
"Mmm…"
Her heavy eyelids lifted, consciousness returning slowly. The ceiling came into focus.
Her body felt heavy, but lighter than before. A lingering fever and fatigue lingered, yet something was different. Touching her forehead, she found a damp towel.
The room was warm, no chill despite the snow outside. A small sound drew her attention.
Beside her bed, a small figure worked at a table—not human, but child-sized, covered in fur, with hooves and antlers. Bandages wrapped its body, and it mixed medicine with precision, wearing a pink hat pierced by antlers.
Nami stared, silent, intrigued.
A doctor, perhaps? The towel suggested so, but the appearance was bizarre.
Curiosity got the better of her. Sitting up, she spoke. "Who're you?"
The figure—Chopper—jumped, toppling the table. Books, bottles, and tools crashed, some shattering. He pressed against the wall, staring at Nami, who gaped at his appearance.
"Y-You're awake? Is your fever okay?"
"You talked?!"
"GYAAAH!"
Startled by her shout, Chopper fled to another room, crashing into things. The sound of breaking objects echoed. Nami clamped her mouth shut, regretting scaring him.
Waiting, she saw Chopper peek from behind a wall—except he hid backward, body fully visible, hands on the wall.
Their eyes met. He didn't adjust.
Hesitantly, Nami pointed out, "You're… hiding wrong, aren't you?"
Chopper froze, realizing his mistake. Slowly, he shifted, concealing his body, peeking cautiously. Nami looked puzzled.
It was clumsy, almost endearing, as if he didn't know human norms.
"You're slow… and still not hidden," she teased.
"Sh-Shut up, human! And… is your fever okay?"
"Much better than before. Where is this? And who are you?"
"This is… Drum—former Drum Castle. No name now."
"A castle, huh? And you?"
"I'm… Tony Tony Chopper. A doctor."
Chopper's timid introduction intrigued Nami. Strange, but communicative. She continued, unfazed.
"You treated me? Thanks."
"N-No big deal! I don't need thanks, idiot! Jerk!"
"You look pretty happy for someone who doesn't care."
"I'm not happy, idiot!"
Was he bad at human interaction, or just inexperienced? Chopper's little dance at her thanks suggested the latter. His clumsy hiding hinted at limited human contact.
He seemed harmless. Nami shrugged, smiling, her fear gone.
The castle was eerily quiet. Snow fell outside, hinting at harsh weather.
Her crew's whereabouts nagged at her. "Hey, where's the guy who brought me here? Probably Luffy. It's too quiet for him—lost somewhere? Outside?"
"Oh, him? He's… sleeping."
"Sleeping? So carefree while I was dying."
"He's hurt. Well, not exactly hurt… but he's being treated."
"Treated? What'd he do?"
Nami leaned forward, worried. Chopper, unused to conversation, fumbled for words, hesitating. Silence stretched.
Shaking his head, he pivoted. "Anyway, he's fine! You shouldn't talk—you're not healed. Rest!"
"I'm okay. I feel better."
"No! You're not cured. 'Kestia' can be dangerous if you're careless."
"Kestia?"
"An extinct tick. If it wasn't us, you'd have no medicine."
"That bad, huh? Lucky we landed here…"
Relieved yet exasperated, Nami's gaze drifted. Unwilling to rest, Chopper gently pushed her back onto the bed, his touch surprisingly tender.
"Rest. He'll be fine."
"I know, but I've slept enough. Can't you chat a bit?"
"Uh… but…"
"I'll stay still."
Lying back, head on the pillow, Nami smiled. Chopper, hesitant but unable to refuse, pulled a chair and sat.
"Aren't you scared of me?" he asked.
"Scared? Why?"
"I'm not human, but I talk. I've got antlers, a blue nose… I'm not even a proper reindeer. A half-baked monster."
"Hmm. You think that about yourself, huh?"
Rolling to her side, Nami grinned mischievously. "Calling yourself a monster? That's some confidence."
"What's that mean?"
"Our ship's full of bigger monsters. You met Luffy, right? He's the worst of them."
"Him… yeah, I get it."
"Hm?"
"He took down my enemy. Poisoned, half-dead, but still…"
"So you cured his poison?"
Chopper nodded.
Nami couldn't grasp the details but sensed the gist.
"There's tons of monster-like people out there," she said. "Sailing brings all kinds of encounters. Meeting you is one of them."
"So you're not shocked…?"
"A little, sure. But I'm used to it now."
Nami laughed brightly, free of malice or fear. She didn't see him as human, yet spoke as if he were, with no discomfort.
Chopper fell silent, overwhelmed, eyes downcast as he mumbled. "He told me… to join his crew."
"Really? We need a ship's doctor. I'm all for it."
"Huh? Why?"
"Luffy chose you, right? He won't take no for an answer. Plus, you saved us. Seems fun."
Grinning childishly, Nami teased, "Our crew's all weirdos. A talking reindeer? Perfect fit."
"Uh…"
"Not like Luffy, but wanna join? You seem easy to talk to."
Rolling to her stomach, propped on her elbows, Nami peered at him. Her smile left Chopper speechless.
He'd expected rejection, not encouragement. This wasn't his plan—he thought she'd side against Luffy. Frozen, he couldn't respond.
Nami sensed he wasn't opposed, just conflicted. Like Luffy, she'd gotten to him.
Chopper opened his mouth to speak when—
BAM! The door flew open.
"Found you!"
"Eek!"
"Luffy!"
"Chopper! Be my crewmate!"
"GYAAAH!"
Luffy burst in, bandage-free, brimming with energy despite his ordeal. He charged, footsteps heavy. Chopper bolted, flinging open the opposite door and vanishing.
Luffy started to chase but stopped, spotting Nami awake. He grinned. "Nami! You're up!"
"Morning. What're you doing?"
"Shishishi, found a great guy, gonna make him join. Can you eat meat yet?"
"What?"
"If you can eat meat, you're cured, right?"
"What kind of logic…"
His odd concern amused her. Exasperated, Nami sighed. "Can't eat meat yet. Still a bit weak."
"What?! That's rough! Meat's the best!"
"We're not the same. It's fine."
"Rest up. I'll get Chopper to join."
"Fine, Captain. I'll stay put till I can eat meat."
"Good. Also, thanks for the save."
Nami settled back, pulling the blankets around her. Luffy turned, spotting Chopper hiding behind the door—backwards again, body exposed.
Grinning, Luffy charged as Chopper, startled, fled. "Be my crewmate!"
"GYAAAH!"
The chase resumed, leaving the room in a whirlwind.
Nami, rewrapping herself in blankets, sighed. Luffy must've been like this the whole time. He never let a chosen crewmate slip away, and this time was no different.
A smarter approach might help, but that was Luffy. She didn't bother stopping him.
As their footsteps faded, the room grew quiet. Nami glanced out the window, watching snow fall.
Being bedridden felt rare, nostalgic. Alone now, the empty room felt cold despite the blankets.
Noticing the open door, she saw snow piled inside the castle—a strange sight, not falling but settled, likely from the blizzard.
Surprised, she sat up. "Snow? Inside a castle…?"
A voice interrupted. "Noisy bunch. That straw hat's already up? Tough kid."
Turning, Nami saw Kureha entering, sipping a bottle, exuding calm confidence. Nami tilted her head.
"Who're you?"
"Secret to youth?"
"Nope, didn't ask."
"I'm a doctor. Name's Kureha. Call me Doctorine."
"A doctor? So that reindeer…"
"My disciple. Taught him everything."
"Huh. Cool."
Nami nodded, satisfied. Kureha closed the door, the room warming from the fireplace.
Touching Nami's forehead with one finger, Kureha smiled. "38.2°C. Not bad, kid. Fever's down. Happy?"
"You got that from one touch?"
"Heh heh, don't underestimate me. I've got more experience than your average brat."
Kureha sat, crossing her legs, her smile surprisingly warm. No hostility, and as Chopper's mentor, she seemed trustworthy.
"You and that kid, weird bunch. Not even fazed by Chopper?"
"I was plenty shocked. But I can't keep up with our captain if this throws me."
"Fair enough."
"By the way, thanks for the help."
"Not me. Chopper did the healing."
Kureha took a swig, then asked quietly, "Planning to take him with you?"
"You heard?"
"Overheard. Not mad. He's just a reindeer. Take him if you want."
"Really? He's your disciple."
"I'd stop him if I had a reason."
Leaning forward, eyes lowered, Kureha's smile was serene, almost resigned. "He's not a kid. He can choose his path. Probably already has."
"He bolted pretty fast. Saying no?"
"Heh heh, maybe one more push'll get him to cave."
Her words carried knowing weight. Nami grinned. "No worries then. Luffy's pushiness is unmatched. Once he decides, he'll make Chopper join."
"Sounds about right."
For a moment, Nami caught a flicker of loneliness in Kureha's expression, quickly replaced by a bright smile. Frowning briefly, Nami shifted topics. "If he joins, you'll let him go? He's not your patient, so it's on him. Otherwise, I'm stuck here ten days?"
"Ten days. Better get him on board."
"Heh heh. We'll manage."
Kureha's hearty laugh was cut by the door opening—opposite from Luffy's exit. Usopp, looking tired, and Kiri, with a soft expression, entered, spotting Nami awake.
Both grinned, relief evident.
"Hey, Nami's up!" Usopp said.
"Morning, Nami. Been a while. You okay?" Kiri asked.
"Yeah, sorta. Can't eat meat yet, though."
"Meat? What's that about?" Usopp blinked.
"Heard shouting. Luffy?" Nami asked.
"Weird standards," Kiri noted.
Nami chuckled, feeling lively despite her fever. Reuniting with her crew felt good.
Kureha stood, heading out. "Got things to do. Catch up, you lot."
"More work? Cannons are done, right?" Usopp groaned.
"I'll handle the rest. Nothing big."
Kureha paused by Kiri, staring. He met her gaze, a strange tension forming.
"Something?" Kiri asked.
"Saw a girl like you once," Kureha said. "Your face, but Straw Hat's personality. Stormed in, caused a ruckus like a typhoon. Old memory."
Her smile was warm, almost fond. Kiri, stunned, scrambled for words. "A friend?"
"Just saw her in passing. Not close. Just stuck with me."
Patting his shoulder, Kureha added, "Watch out. You'll make enemies—big ones—out there."
She left, closing the door. Silence fell.
Usopp broke it. "What was that? Someone like Kiri? You know her?"
"No…" Kiri mumbled.
"Like Kiri with Luffy's personality? What kind of monster is that?" Usopp said.
"Sounds like a headache. Even Chopper couldn't compare," Nami added.
"Chopper? The reindeer?" Usopp asked.
"You met him?"
"Just a glimpse. He ran off."
"Hmm. We'll talk later," Nami said, smirking.
Usopp and Kiri tilted their heads, intrigued by her knowing tone. Chopper piqued their interest, overshadowing Kureha's cryptic words.
They didn't consider it deeply. Kiri, from the East Blue, had lost his parents. They'd heard that before. The idea of a connection didn't cross their minds—coincidence, nothing more. Kiri, too, kept it private, his family now the Straw Hats alone.
In another room, dim and cold, Kureha lifted a small blue backpack. "Still alive, huh? The Will of D."
Her voice echoed in the empty space.
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