Coco: Hey, everyone~ Good to be seeing you again. As you can see the One Piece streak is still going on strong, which is why I'm here with not just one chapter, but two chapters. Not much to say today besides that, so shall we just get into the story?


Wren jogged through the small woods near the castle as she was closing in on where Musshuru had landed. It didn't take her long to find him, but she had sent him pretty far. Said man was sitting up in the snow and sputtering some from his mouth.

"Hmm, and here I thought that one hit might have killed you," Wren said casually.

Though it would see as if him and his brother are sturdier than Wren gave them credit for. Maybe he'd last longer than she thinks he will as well.

Musshuru, who was quick to jump to his feet, turned to glare at Wren. The woman didn't seem too frightened by his glare, which only angered him more.

"Woman, I don't think you know just who you're dealing with," Musshuru said. "Not that is matters. I'm going to have fun with you anyway."

He said this with a sinister grin before launching himself forward. He threw out his arm, which was now spinning rapidly towards Wren.

"Spin Drill!" Musshuru shouted he aimed at Wren's chest.

Wren simply blocked his attack with her blade before pushing him back. He wasn't done, however, as while he was in the air, he sent a volley of attacks at her.

"Shade Dance!" He called out as needle-like, purple-colored shades of light came raining down at Wren from his hair.

Wren deflected the attacks with her blade and the longer she remained untouched the angrier Musshuru became. He didn't slow down on his attacks, however. He threw out a few punches and kicks that Wren dodged or deflected.

'Why can't I land a hit?!' He thought in frustration. 'No one should be this efficient at evading attacks! No matter who they are!'

Wren finally gave a sigh, which had Musshuru faltering for a moment as he landed a few feet away from her.

"I was hoping you would be a bit more of a challenge." Wren told Musshuru honestly. "I need a warm up before we reach our next destination. Though I suppose it can't be helped."

"Don't be so cocky, Woman," Musshuru told Wren. "You might be able to dodge my attacks, but even the strongest of warriors can't withstand the poison caused by my spores! Now take this: Snow Spore!"

Musshuru sent a way of dark spores at Wren who didn't even try to dodge as she raised her hand. She took a deep breath. She needed to concentrate and call forth the magic within her. She felt her hand heat before a burst of flames came forth and swallowed up the spores to burn them to harmless ash. Musshuru looked at Wren in shock as the young woman looked down at her hand after the air died away.

"That wasn't as much firepower as I hoped for." She said more to herself than Musshuru. "I am certainly out of practice."

Though that wasn't surprising considering how long she's gone without performing magic. She used it for the simple things, but definitely not in combat.

"Just what the hell are you?" Musshuru asked. "A devil fruit user?"

Wren turned her attention back onto Musshuru who finally seemed a bit unsure and maybe even a little scared of the woman.

"No, I am not." Wren said. "For what I am…well, it's a bit complicated. Though I suppose you could say…I'm a monster."

She said this with a not-so-friendly smirk that caused Musshuru to stiffen. He could almost feel her bloodlust. She had the intent to kill him, and if he didn't find a way to take control of this fight, he might actually die.

"Monster or not, I won't lose to you." Musshuru said. "I will get my poisonous spores into you, and that will be the end of you!"

He charged towards her again. Wren had to give it to him or not being afraid at least. Many would have given up at this point. Though she didn't wish to drag things out any longer than necessary, so it was time to end things. Musshuru was going to use the Spin Drill once more, and he didn't seem to be playing around this time as he was aiming for Wren's head. However, the attack never reached her as in the blink of an eye, Wren was behind the man. Her sword, which was held out to her side had blood trickling down the blade.

Musshuru blinked wondering what happened before letting out a cry of pain as his arm fell to the ground beside him. He clutched the nub left behind as blood was pouring from the wound. He slowly turned to look at Wren as she was glancing over her shoulder at him.

"Sorry, but I don't have the patience to play around any longer." Wren said as she turned to face him. "I'm also not the merciful type."

Musshuru just fell to his knees feeling a dizziness wash over him from losing so much blood. Wren walked towards him, and Musshuru flinched every time the snow crunched underneath her feet.

"Leaving you alive could cause problems for me in the future if you get the foolish idea to come after me for revenge." Wren said. "I am a busy woman, so I don't have time for such idiocy. Besides, I highly doubt the world would miss someone who kills innocent people out of boredom."

Musshuru turned pale with his entire body shaking. He's never been so afraid in his entire life. He's always been strong enough to handle anyone who crossed his path. But this woman…this woman…No, this monster was in a completely different league. He flinched as Wren raised her sword.

'Is this really how I'm going to die?' He wondered as her sword was coming down.


Wren walked out of the tree line though paused when hearing shouting above. She looked up in just enough time to see Luffy send Wapol flying.

"Two flying hippos in one day," Wren commented casually. "What are the odds?"

Wren then looked to the small box as it popped out of the ground. It opened up as she was sensing several people just below the surface. Though while she was curious as to what was down there, she pushed those thoughts to the side when Zoro and Usopp, who was hiding behind the swordsman, came out of the box.

"Hey, what the hell are you doing?" Zoro asked Usopp in aggravation as the sniper was clinging to him.

"Uh, just walking your back." Usopp replied.

"Hiding behind me is more like it," Zoro growled as he tried to push Usopp away. "Why'd you even come if you're so scared?"

Wren shook her head at the pair with a sigh leaving her lips, which caught Zoro and Usopp's attention.

"Wren," They both said in unison as the woman walked over.

Though she kept a safe distance as a certain rubber boy, who slingshot himself from the castle, came barreling towards the boys. His shouting having both Usopp and Zoro looking up.

"Ah, Luffy!" Usopp shrieked.

"Luffy," Zoro gasped.

Luffy's eyes widened when seeing it was his friends who he was attacking, but by then it was too late as he came crashing into them and the ground. As they all went tumbling down, Wren watched them.

"These rookies are something else," Wren said though by the tone in her voice her words didn't sound like a compliment.

Vivi then appeared from the metal box as well with a confused look on her face when she saw the boys sprawled out on the ground and partially covered in snow. Luffy, who had been buried face first into the white fluff and managed to escape its cold clutches, laughed. He obviously wasn't even fazed. Not that Wren was surprised.

"Why'd you do that, moron?!" Zoro snapped as he sat up so quick the snow on him went flying.

"I didn't recognize you at first," Luffy explained. "I thought you were more of Big Mouth's guards coming to fight. Wow, I'm really surprised you guys came all the way up here. Well, not you, Zoro, but you, Usopp! Aren't you normally scared of doing stuff like climbing mountains?"

Usopp, who picked himself off the ground, laughed at Luffy's words before he started boasting about how he loved climbing mountains and about how amazing he was. The others, who were used to such behavior, ignored the young sniper, who didn't even seem to notice.

"Are Nami and Sanji alright?" Vivi asked Luffy.

Speaking of Sanji, Wren looked around seeing the blonde was nowhere to be seen. Kureha and Chopper, who was hiding several feet away behind some trees, were still outside, but not the cook. But when Wren took a moment to concentrate with her haki she could hear his voice inside with Nami. That must mean he was okay.

"Yeah, both of them are just fine." Luffy assured her.

Vivi smiled in relief since she had been really worried for Nami and Sanji. But if they were okay then all was well.

"So, what was that you were doing on top of the castle a few minutes ago?" Zoro asked as they all continued to ignore Usopp.

"Beating the crap out of the king." Luffy replied as Dalton joined their group.

It seemed many made their way up the mountain it would seem. Though Dalton, who seemed surprised by Luffy's words, did look a little worse for wear. Wren would say the man shouldn't even be moving.

"Oh…okay," Zoro said sounding a bit confused.

Wren supposed the man was a bit out of the loop. She was a bit curious as to why he was even here in the first place. She thought he stayed behind on the ship to keep an eye on things and train. But if Havel was still there with Karoo, things were probably fine.

"Wait, you mean that person I saw flying through the air was Wapol?" Dalton asked. "You beat him?"

"Yep, I sure did," Luffy said with his grin still in place.

Dalton's eyes widened even more at the news. Luffy didn't look like much, but he had managed to take down the tyrant who caused their island so much grieve and suffering.

"And what of his brother?" Dalton asked. "Did you take care of him as well?"

"No, Wren dealt with that guy." Luffy said with a shake of his head.

Dalton nearly fell over when hearing that before he looked at said woman who didn't even have a single mark on her. Not even a hair out of place. It was hard to believe she was in a fight at all based on her unruffled appearance.

"I didn't get to see the fight, but if she's back, I know it means she won," Luffy said confidently then looked to Wren. "You're okay though, aren't ya, Wren? Your wounds didn't reopen again, did they?"

His question had Vivi, Usopp, and Zoro snapping their heads over in the slightly older girl's direction. Well, she was older than all of them but Zoro, who was the same age, and Dalton.

"Wounds?" Zoro asked.

"Reopen again?" Usopp added.

"Oh no, Wren-san, are you okay?" Vivi asked walking up to the older girl.

She placed her hands over Wren's arms while looking Wren up and down for any injuries. Wren felt oddly touched by their concern even if it was unnecessary.

"I'm perfectly fine." Wren assured her companions. "Really there isn't a need for such a fuss."

Vivi still looked worried as did Usopp who also moved over towards Wren as well. As the two silently fussed over the woman, Dalton looked back to Luffy.

"And Wapol's two henchmen…what happened to them?" Dalton asked.

"Oh, well, the Reindeer beat them up." Luffy answered.

"What those two—a reindeer?" Dalton tried to understand.

Luffy didn't elaborate on the matter as he looked to Usopp who was poking at an annoyed looking Wren's side.

"Hey, Usopp, I made a new friend." Luffy said thus distracting Usopp from his prodding. "You gotta meet him! Get this—he's a reindeer!"

"A reindeer?" Usopp repeated looking confused.

"Reindeer…" Dalton murmured.

At that moment, Chopper shifted behind the tree he was hiding behind backwards causing the snow to crunch. Dalton's head jerked in his direction with his eyes widening at the sight of Chopper.

"It is you," Dalton said. "Blue Nose, you never gave up, did you? You still kept fighting. Believing in what this country could become."

Dalton knelt down onto his knees on the ground before bending over to bow deeply to Chopper.

"And now thanks to you, Drum Kingdom it can…finally be reborn." Dalton said as tears pooled in his eyes.

Soon all those who had been below came hurrying to the surface. Wren supposed some villagers had came along with Dalton and her companions in case Wapol was still around with his goons and older brother. Though they were soon distracted by the sight of Chopper with many of them gasping and sounding scared. Wren frowned at their words as many were calling Chopper a monster.

'Typical humans,' She thought.

"No, don't shoot him!" Dalton called out to the men.

His words were ignored by Usopp as the young man gave a scream so shrill it sounded as if it belonged to a woman.

"Ahh, it's a yeti!" Usopp screamed. "Somebody, shoot it!"

Chopper screamed in fright before taking off before someone could do as Usopp commanded. Said sniper grunted in pain when both Luffy and Wren hit him hard upside the head.

"You jerkface!" Luffy snapped at Usopp. "He's not a yeti, you idiot! He's my new friend!"

"That thing is your friend?!" Usopp asked.

He then whined when Wren grabbed his nose to give it a pinch and sharp tug.

"That thing is a reindeer named Chopper." Wren said. "And he happens to have feelings, which you have hurt."

"Yeah!" Luffy added. "You guys scared him so bad that he ran away! I'll bring him back so you can meet him, you jerks!"

Luffy took off running after Chopper while shouting at him. It was just like how they were acting when in the castle earlier today. It had kind of annoyed Wren in the beginning, but she found a smile coming to her face as she heard Luffy shout at Chopper to come back.

"That boy is crazy," She said with a slight chuckle. "But perhaps that isn't a bad thing."


Wren looked up at the night sky as she walked along the edge of one of the castle's ledges. She was currently looking for a certain blue-nosed reindeer as she wished to speak with him before they departed, which should be soon as Nami managed to get Kureha to not only drop the medical fees but also more or less agree to let Nami leave her care early. Wren turned around the corner to see Chopper sitting on the edge.

"I thought I sensed you up here." Wren said.

Chopper jumped in shock while nearly toppling over, but Wren managed to catch him before he could fall towards the ground.

"My apologies." Wren said. "It wasn't my attention to startle you."

She sat Chopper down. She then sat down beside him while crossing one leg over the other. Chopper looked towards her as Wren looked up at the sky.

"Have you made your decision yet?" Wren asked. "Will you be going with us or remaining here? You know you wish to go out to sea."

Chopper looked down knowing that was true, but he already decided that he couldn't leave this island. He couldn't sail on a pirate ship with humans…reindeers weren't meant to travel the seas like humans. He was just some freak…he didn't belong with them.

"I can't." Chopper said. "Monsters like me don't belong on pirate ships."

Tears came to his eyes as he spoke. His body even shook as he tried to hold them back. Wren sighed quietly.

"If you think you're a monster then I must be the devil." Wren said getting Chopper to look up at her in confusion, but she didn't elaborate as she went on. "Monster or not, Chopper, you have the right to see the world just as much as anyone else. Besides, Luffy wishes to have you on his crew. If he cared about the fact you weren't human, he wouldn't be so persistent on having you join. He's still calling for you even now."

Wren glanced down to where Luffy was indeed still screaming, and Chopper looked over at Luffy as well.

"I…I can really go out to sea?" Chopper asked as he looked back to Wren. "Even though I'm a reindeer?"

"If that's what you wish." Wren said with a nod. "However, as I said before, I am not pressuring you to make the decision to join. I, myself, am not a member of the crew—just a temporary passenger."

Wren then said no more as she patted him on top the head before she pushed herself off the ledge to head towards the ground. Chopper gasped watching her drop with wide eyes. Wren landed on the wall going around the castle then jumped down from it to land on the snow-covered mountaintop, which had Chopper sighing in relief when seeing she landed safely.

"Wren, there you are." Luffy said grinning at Wren. "Have you seen the reindeer?"

"Sorry, Luffy," Wren said. "I haven't been able to find Chopper."

"Dang it." Luffy said pouting. "I want the reindeer to join us!"

Wren kind of guessed that already. Luffy has been chasing poor Chopper nonstop almost all day trying to convince him to join.

"Come on, Luffy, why don't you just give it up?" Usopp asked. "We've been tracking him forever, and he's still hasn't shown up."

"He's not interested in becoming a pirate." Zoro said. "You're just going to have to accept that."

"No, that's not true!" Luffy insisted as he pointed towards Zoro. "I want the reindeer to be a pirate with us!"

"Just because you want something doesn't mean it's going to happen!" Zoro snapped.

Wren had to hold back a snort as Luffy just stuck his tongue out stubbornly at Zoro, which had the swordsman growling in aggravation. Luffy then returned to calling for Chopper as Wren sensed Chopper moved from the ledge. She glanced back and up to see he was indeed off the ledge and now in front of them a few feet away.

"Reindeer guy!" Luffy exclaimed happily when seeing Chopper.

As Chopper and Luffy faced each other, Wren glanced over at the opened gate doors to see Vivi and Nami dragging out Sanji who was still unconscious. Looks like it was finally time to head out, so Chopper would have to give his final answer.

"Hey, you're going to come on our ship, and be a pirate with us!" Luffy said as he continued to grin. "Okay?"

"I…I want to." Chopper said honestly. "But…I don't think I can."

"Sure you can, Reindeer!" Luffy insisted. "It's a whole lot of fun!"

"That's not a very good argument!" Usopp, who was building a snowman, pointed out.

Chopper looked down at the ground as his little body shook while tears threatened to collect around his eyes.

"But…I'm not a human. I'm a reindeer. I've got antlers and hooves." Chopper said. "Don't you see? I even have a blue nose!"

Chopper then glanced at Wren as he remembered what she had said to him before he came down here. Could someone as different as him really…really go out to sea to be a pirate?

"I do wish to be a pirate." Chopper said. "I really do, but—

"Shut-up!" Luffy interrupted as he threw his arms up into the air. "Let's go!"

Chopper's eyes widened once more, and the tears started to roll down his cheeks as the others—besides, Zoro and Sanji—smiled.

"Most people don't make friends by telling people to shut up." Zoro grumbled.

Wren, who was standing near him, hummed as she placed her hands on her hips.

"Yes, that's true." Wren agreed. "However, Luffy is far from being like most people."

Zoro snorted with a roll of his eyes because that was the understatement of the year. Chopper then finally let loose his tears completely as he cried up into the sky.


Wren sat at the edge of the mountain away from the others as they were waiting for Chopper to say his goodbye to Kureha. Honestly, she had tried heading back to the ship already, but Nami had insisted that they stay together. Wren was just ready to get off this island. She's endured it long enough in her opinion.

"Hey, Wren, is everything okay?" Usopp, who just finished putting together the ropeway with Luffy, asked as he walked over. "You've been kind of quite ever since we came here."

Luffy followed Usopp over to Wren and both boys plopped down on either side of the young woman.

"It's nothing really," Wren said with a sigh. "I'm just not fond of this kind of weather. I'm ready to be somewhere warmer is all."

Usopp tilted his head feeling like there was more to her somber mood than that, but he didn't push it. Wren was still getting used to all of them after all, and she didn't really join up with them because she wanted to. She joined as a favor to her father, and he knew she didn't trust humans much based on what Vladimir had told him and Vivi.

—FLASHBACK—

"Left in ruin?" Vivi repeated Vladimir's words. "What do you mean?"

Vladimir, who was still continuing his treatment on Nami, gave a small sigh with a troubled look coloring his expression.

"Over fourteen years ago, I lived happily on the island known as Era in the North Blue." Vladimir said. "I had a well going practice and I had my wife and Wren. Things were peaceful, but then one day pirates attacked the island after hearing rumors about Wren and her special abilities. They wanted to take Wren and exploit her for her gifts, and along the way they took several Fae as well, which included Wren's mother."

Usopp and Vivi's eyes widened when hearing this. So, Wren wasn't just a mage…she was part Fae as well. Now, Usopp understood what Vladimir meant when he said Wren was unique.

"We tried to fight back against these pirates." Vladimir said. "But as I'm sure you can guess; things didn't end well. The entire kingdom was sent up in flames. Many people lost their lives. I lost the use of my legs…but even more tragic, I lost Wren and my wife—Aibell. And during her time as a prisoner to those pirates, Wren suffered…she was only a child, but they showed no mercy. She never told me all the details, but I didn't need her to do so to know what she went through was nothing less than hell."

Vladimir's free hand clutched the fabric of his pants as his entire body shook in anger. Brise looked at her mage in sympathy as her own eyes seemed to water. She remembers the day those pirates attacked as well—vividly in fact.

"So, that's why Wren doesn't trust humans or like them very much." Usopp said. "But who could blame her after going through something like that?"

"This world can be a very, very dark place," Vladimir said. "And Wren saw some of its darkest parts at a very young age, and it's my fault for not being strong enough to protect her or Aibell that day. That's why…that's why I wish more than anything for Wren to find kind, strong friends she can rely on. I wish she can someday find people she can trust…people that she will let into her heart, so she won't be so lonely anymore."

—END OF FLASHBACK—

Usopp and Vivi haven't told the others about what Vladimir had said. Both had a feeling Wren wouldn't appreciate them knowing. But Usopp knew that if Luffy, who looking at Wren with an unreadable expression, knew that he'd try all the harder to get Wren to join their crew. Usopp wasn't opposed to the idea. He liked Wren and thought she'd make a great addition to the crew, but he felt that if Luffy got any pushier that Wren would just up and leave.

"Usopp, why are you looking at me like that?" Wren asked breaking the sniper out of his thoughts.

Usopp flinched looking at Wren with wide eyes when he saw her curious look.

"N-no reason!" He said. "Just lost in thought is all."

Wren gave him a look that clearly showed that she didn't believe him one bit.

"You say I've been acting odd, but I've caught both you and Vivi looking at me with such troubled looks on your faces." Wren said frowning. "Something either of you wish to say to me?"

Usopp gapped not sure how to respond, but it seemed as if he was saved as shouting from the castle distracted everyone. As Wren looked back, her frown deepened.

'Why is Dr. Kureha on a warpath now?' She wondered as Chopper, who was in his walking point and pulling the sleigh behind him, came barreling from the castle.

Chopper called for the group to hurry and climb into the sleigh, and when seeing the angry Kureha running their way and throwing weapons, they were quick to do as told. Wren sat herself next to Vivi and Nami while helping the two keep Sanji securely in the sleigh as Chopper took them off the mountain using the ropeway. Luffy was flying like a flag behind them and laughing his head off as Usopp held onto Luffy tightly, so they wouldn't lose the young captain. Zoro was shaking his head at the two of them as he was leaning against the opposite side of the sleigh.

It didn't take long to reach the bottom, and Chopper didn't pause even for a moment as he kept going. They traveled across the snowy ground through the trees with the winter winds whipping against their faces. Wren was just glad they were finally getting ready to leave this place.

"That was fun!" Luffy said with a laugh. "Hey, Reindeer, can we do that again?"

"You idiot, we don't have time for that!" Nami snapped.

Luffy pouted at her words because he really wanted to go down the mountain a second time.

"Woo, I thought I was going to die." Usopp said.

Wren chuckled at the sniper before looking to Sanji when the blonde finally stirred.

"Huh, where am I?" He asked. "What's going on?"

His eyes fell onto Wren and he was quick to sit up while ignoring the twinge of pain in his back. He placed his hands on her shoulders as he looked her over.

"Wren-chan, are you okay?" Sanji asked. "How did things end with that mushroom guy? Did he hurt you?"

Wren shook her head at the blonde. He just didn't seem to get it. She could take care of herself.

"Of course, I'm okay." She said as she sat back and crossed one leg over the other. "As for Shroom-san, I took care of him. Now, you should really calm down before you stress your injury again."

Sanji still looked a bit worried, but before he could ask for more details, the sound of cannon fire entered the air. Chopper brought the sleigh to a halt while turning back to look at the castle in concern. He shrunk into his human-deer hybrid form and walked around the sleigh to stare up at the castle. As the cannon fire continued, Wren's brow quirked wondering what could be going on. A few moments later the sky lit up and Wren and the rest of the crew's eyes widened in surprise.

Pink snow started to fall and cover the tallest mountain of the Drum Rockies, but the snow looked more like falling cherry blossoms as they danced around the trunk-shaped mountain. It was truly a beautiful sight. So beautiful that Wren began to smile in awe alongside the others. She was so taken in by the sight that she didn't even realize she leaned back into Sanji who was sitting behind her and watching the sight himself. He glanced down at her and found himself smiling when he saw the genuine happy smile on her face. In front of them, Chopper cried up to the skies as if a pain he has held onto for so long…was finally set free.


Coco: Okay, time for the next chapter! It'll be the official end of the Drum Kingdom Arc, so we can finally move on into Alabasta :D