This is the 16th chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.
The Doctor Called A Witch, Kureha!
Winter Island, Forest
As Luffy, Sanji, and Ventus ran as fast as they would take to Dr. Kureha, the snowstorm is picking up fast and the blizzard is blowing violently. Apparently, they're in for the rough terrain and the Lapahns are lurking around in the forest which they need to be on guard in case if they run into those carnivorous rabbits.
"It feels like it's gotten a little colder, the winds picking up too." Luffy stated.
"What do you expect? We're in the middle of snow and we're in the Winter Island." Ventus told him. "Besides when it comes to the territory, there will be danger ahead."
"He's right, there's no telling what we're about to get ourselves into." Sanji agrees to the young Dragoons statement, turned his head to Luffy as he points the feet. "Also, why don't you think about putting on some real shoes, even seeing your shoes like that is painful."
"No way! This is my police." Luffy refuses, but mispronounce the last word.
"Your police? I think you mean policy." Sanji corrects him.
"Yeah, that's it." Luffy said.
Ventus sighed with annoyance but caught a scent as he sniffs the air. He recognizes that scent, but the Lapahn was actually a cub lurking next to the tree. Ventus was about to warn them, but Luffy beat him to it as he spoke.
"So anyway though, did you know this people in snow countries never sleep at all?" Luffy asks, leaving Ventus and Sanji confused.
"Why?" Sanji inquires.
"Because if they do, they'll freeze to death." Luffy answered.
"That's the stupidest answer I've ever heard, Luffy." Ventus said without looking at him.
"Yeah, don't be an idiot! Everyone has to sleep sometimes." Sanji points out, agreeing to Ventus.
"It's the truth! Someone told me a long time ago!" Luffy remarked when the baby Lapahn hop towards the other tree, then leaps after them but missed and got hit by the snow.
"Who? Usopp?" Sanji asks.
"No, I heard it in the pub from my village." Luffy stated as the baby Lapahn got out of the snow while try to catch its prey again, chasing after them. Ventus can tell that the young Lapahn isn't going to give up.
"Guys, we should-"
"Alright then explain this, what is that Dalton guy have a bed for?" Sanji questions when the baby Lapahn leaps in midair.
"I guess that's a good point." Luffy said as Sanji ducks down while running, making the baby Lapahn missed again and took a bite out of the tree, crushing it with its teeth and leaving the tree tumble down. "Hey, maybe it's from when he dies."
"That's ridiculous!" Sanji retorts when the tree crashes down into the snowy ground in front of the three, causing them to leap over and making the baby Lapahn even furious. "Okay then, did you know this, women in snowy countries have skin that's as smooth as silk?"
The baby Lapahn has had enough as it chases after them again, try to attack which it causes the three to dodge frequently and made it missed while crashes into the snow.
"How come?" Luffy inquires.
"Isn't it obvious? Here, I'll explain." Sanji said as he starts explaining. "When you get cold, you rub your skin to warm it up, right? It's always freezing cold in snowy countries like this. So, the women keep rubbing their skin all the time and becomes all white and silky smooth."
"Okay, but then, how come its white?" Luffy inquires, dodging the baby Lapahn.
"Because the snow." Sanji answered as he, Luffy, and Ventus dodged the baby Lapahn. "It's constantly falling all over, so it dyes their skin white."
"Geez, you're really dumb. Did you know that?" Luffy stated, didn't believe him.
"Yeah, give me a break, like you're really one to talk!" Sanji retorts.
Just as the baby Lapahn was about attack one of them, Sanji is about had enough.
"YOU'RE BECOMING A PAIN IN MY ASS!?" Sanji yelled with a tick mark on his head, kicking the baby Lapahn and sent it flying.
"Really, what was with that thing?" Luffy questioned.
'I'm actually feeling sorry for that cub.' Ventus mentally thought with a sweat drop.
As soon as they continue to head towards one of the Drum Rockies, the snowy terrain is getting to grow even more tough for them to run.
"Nami, just hang in there a little bit longer, we're going to get you a doctor, alright?" Sanji told her.
"The snow is getting deeper around here." Luffy stated.
"Hey Luffy, try to run smoothly will ya?! You're just making it harder on Nami!" Sanji warned him, berates the rubber captain.
"We're in the middle of the snowy terrain, it'll get much rougher by running." Ventus told him.
Sanji was about to argue, but stopped when they saw the pack of Lapahns blocking their path.
"What are these things?" Sanji asked.
"Well, they're big and they're white...So they must be polar bears!" Luffy guessed.
"Polar bears don't have long ears, you dumbass!" Ventus shouts with white eyes and shark-like teeth.
The three are looking at the pack of Lapahns, but the young Dragoon looked at the baby Lapahn, the same baby who got kicked by Sanji and they're really mad. One of the Lapahns leap in midair as it was about to pounce them, causing the three to leap back and make the Lapahn missed.
"Seriously, how can it move like that? Is it a gorilla?" Sanji asks sarcastically.
"Not gorilla, they're Lapahns." Ventus told him. "They're the same Lapahns that Dalton have warned us about. And it looks like the cub brought the whole pack."
"What do you mean by...Wait..." Sanji said when he was about to ask, realize what Ventus is talking about. "You mean to tell me that the cub I kicked earlier brought them here?"
"WHY THE HELL ELSE ARE THEY HERE?! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO KICK THE CUB IN THE FIRST PLACE!?" Ventus yelled at the chef with white eyes and shark-like teeth. "And the worst part, they're pissed off."
It would seem the young Dragoon is right, the pack of Lapahns are pretty angry when the baby Lapahn brought the whole pack, surrounding them and blocking their path which the atmosphere is growing intense. Nami is trying to tell them something, barely even talking which it got Luffy's attention.
"What?" Luffy asks, earned Sanji and Ventus' attention.
"Hurry...Alaba-"
"Just rest, never mind that." Luffy assures her. "We'll worry about it later, okay?"
"She's not even worried about her own life." Sanji muttered, turned to the Lapahns. "Just hang in there a little longer, Nami. Let's get going, we have to make to the castle where the doctor lives and quickly."
However, the pack of Lapahns aren't moving an inch, making Sanji scowl and Ventus dilated his eyes in a dragon as he growls at them, causing the Lapahns flinch a bit.
"If you move out, we won't have any trouble." Ventus growled with his dragonic tone. "Otherwise, I shall kill your entire pack if you don't."
But, the leader of the Lapahns won't take heed of his warning for granted as it takes the first step.
"They're coming." Luffy told them.
"Yeah." Sanji agrees. "Listen Luffy, I don't want you to fight these guys, alright?"
"Why not?" Luffy asks.
"Because Nami will be able to feel every move you make. She's too sick to be able to handle something like that, it would be too much." Sanji explains seriously. "She could die."
"He's right Luffy, any movement you make and Nami will die." Ventus added.
Until, the pack of Lapahns roared as they charge after them while try to attack them with their maul.
"Geez, okay, then I won't fight them at all." Luffy said as the leader charge after them. "But then, what can I do?"
Luffy ducks down, dodging the leader of the Lapahns attack as it lands on the snow.
"Just dodge." Sanji told him, dodging their attacks while Ventus dodge and counters with his lance. Luffy dodges the leaders' attacks. "Dodge. Dodge and run. But don't retreat."
"Seriously?!" Ventus exclaims with annoyance. "Ring of Thorns"
Ventus repels the Lapahns with the wind, pushing them back along with the slash wounds.
"That's a little difficult!" Luffy shouts with shark-like teeth when one of the Lapahn goes after Sanji.
"Flanchet Shoot" Sanji counters by delivering a snap kick in the stomach, pushing the Lapahn back. Luffy dodges the attack again which it's very hard for him not to fight back.
"Vorpal Thrust" Ventus cuts the Lapahn with an upward blow, follow with the downward strike and backward lunge.
"Damn! In this snow, I can't get my footing well enough to land a solid kick." Sanji cursed when he, Luffy, and Ventus are being surrounded by the pack of Lapahns.
"Speak for yourself, you're not the one holding Nami!" Ventus shouts, readied his lance.
But the pack of Lapahns notice their pack were knocked out and some are wounded as they twitch their ears, coming after them all at once.
"THEY'RE ATTACKING ALL AT ONCE!" Luffy yelled with panic.
"For now, head for the woods! Sanji and I will cover you!" Ventus shouts the rubber captain as he ran into the woods. "Tornado"
Ventus generates the snowy wind as it pursues the pack of Lapahns, blowing them away as he and Sanji rush into the woods to catch up with Luffy.
"Go left! We'll head to the mountain!" Sanji shouts as they turn left to head toward the mountain. "We need to get rid of them somehow! It would take us hours to fight them all off, but how do we shake them now?! For bunnies, these guys are tough!"
"We're at their territory, Sanji, the Lapahns has the advantage in numbers." Ventus told him as one of the Lapahns is about to attack Luffy. "Puncture"
Ventus charge after it as he flings it upward, knocking it out in the process.
"Nice job, Ventus." Sanji praises him as the young Dragoon catches up. "Good thing you came along cuz' we need a lot of help we get in order to get Nami to a doctor."
Soo as Luffy ran ahead, both Sanji and Ventus are working together fighting against the pack of Lapahns.
"Sanji! Ventus! We can go up for here!" Luffy shouts, informing them.
"Right, go on!" Sanji said when they saw one of the Lapahns about to pounce.
"Wanna give me a lift." Luffy said as he, Sanji, and Ventus bounces up to get to the higher ground.
"This should be high enough to help us avoid those wabbits." Ventus said out loud with a pun.
"That's not funny, Ventus!" Sanji shouts.
Luffy thought it was funny, but relieved to hear that as he look at the pack of Lapahns, stick his tongue which they prove the young Dragoon wrong as they leap high in midair.
"Did you really have to taunt them?!" Sanji scolded at Luffy as they panic and run. "Head for the top of the mountain!?"
Winter Island, Bighorn
Meanwhile, Usopp, Vivi, Anna, Shanise, and Ivan have been waiting for hours which the three have been taking for quite some time because of the Lapahns. Thus, the blizzard is picking up very harshly.
"The snow is really starting to pick up, huh?" Usopp asked.
"Yes, we better hope Ventus and the others made it out alive. I'm getting worried." Anna nods with concern.
'Nami, please just be okay.' Vivi thought, pray for Nami's well-being.
Dalton couldn't help but notice the Straw Hat pirates are missing a doctor for the crew which it was very foolish because of Luffy didn't think about having a doctor on the pirate crew.
"Tell me something, who are you guys?" Dalton questions, earned their attention.
"Why do you ask that?" Usopp counters with a question.
"Your group have only ten people traveling the Grand Line on the ship without a doctor. It seems incredibly reckless." Dalton points out with an explanation. Usopp is about to say something, but Ivan beat him to it.
"In case you forgot, we're pirates. That's the reason you point guns at us in the first place, remember?" Ivan retorts. "We may be a small group, but we manage to get out alive with pure luck."
"Well, you need to realize luck will bound to run out." Dalton points out.
"That and Luffy didn't think about recruiting a doctor for our crew." Anna told him. "Not even my ointments or remedies could even help Nami's illness."
"And that's the reason why we're here to find a ship's doctor. We were really hoping we'd find one here on this island, but we're not expecting the doctor living in the castle." Shanise added.
"Well, she's all we have." Dalton said. "You guys certainly seem to be much different than the pirates we're used to."
"Hello, Dalton! I was looking for you." The woman greets, approaching them when Usopp gasp as he bows to her, causing Anna, Ivan, and Shanise to sweat drop.
"Oh, what can I do for you?" Dalton inquires.
"I heard the newcomers were for Dr. Kureha." The woman informed him.
"Yes, but Ventus and his friends are taking the sick person to the castle up at the mountain." Dalton told her.
"Oh, that's too bad. Because I've heard the doctor is in Cocoa Weed right now." She explains.
A moment of silent came to an end by the Dalton and the Straw Hat pirates when they've heard Dr. Kureha is currently in Cocoa Weed.
"SHE'S WHERE?!" They asked with a shout.
"SO, NAMI AND THE OTHERS HAVE ALREADY PASSED HER?!" Usopp yelled, creating echoes of his voice.
Winter Island, Cocoa Weed
At the restaurant called Stool, the little boy was crying really loud, causing the disturbance of his father's customers. They're getting annoyed of his crying which it comes to a breaking point they had enough.
He's a short boy with tan skin, slightly unkempt brown hair and black eyes. He wore a gold coat with white fur lining around the collar and cuffs, blue pants, and brown boots.
"Come on, we've had enough of this crying already. Just make him stop, it's driving me nuts."
"Yes, I'm sorry." He apologizes as he approaches the boy. "Hey, Tamachibi, what's wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?"
The respond from the boy is more crying which it's annoying the customers even more.
"You need to stop crying and tell me what's wrong!"
But, Tamachibi only cries more which the crowd can hear it from the outside and the customers are getting more upset.
"You're upsetting the customers! Tamachibi, say something! If you don't stop crying, you're going to go to your room!"
Dr. Kureha came with a blue nose reindeer named Tony Tony Chopper.
Dr. Kureha is a slender woman and in her prime with a well-wrinkled face and a long white hair. She wore a white shirt with a pink cherry blossom on the front and green sleeves and borders, a purple blazer with a yellow line along the shoulders and down, a purple pants with a pink design on the left leg, bracelet and rings on her left hand, and black boots. She also has a pair of small sunglasses that, when they're not over her eyes, she wears on her forehead even when she's using glasses.
Chopper has an appearance of a reindeer with a blue nose and black eyes. His left antler is braced at the base of the metal plate. He wears a large pale red/pink fuzzy top hat with a sideways medical cross and a maroon pair of shorts. He's on Walk Point with a saddle on his back.
Both Dr. Kureha and Chopper heard the crowd whispering to each other, talking about her and the reindeer. As well as hearing Tamachibi crying which his father has enough.
"That's it! I've had enough of this!"
"Well, well, doesn't sound like a very nice father in there." Dr. Kureha said, rubbing Choppers back. "If a child is crying uncontrollably, chances are something is wrong, and he doesn't know what."
Chopper is aware of what Dr. Kureha is telling him, leaving her cackle like a witch as she spoke.
"Stay there for now, Chopper." Dr. Kureha ordered him as she placed her hand on the door. She then punches the door, breaking it. It got their attention when they heard the door breaks. "So sorry about that."
"It's you!"
The customers are frightened when Dr. Kureha and Chopper went inside of the restaurant, which Tamachibi is still crying.
"So, are you kids happy?" Dr. Kureha asked with a smirk, lifting her sunglasses up, revealed her brown eyes with a cackle. It causes the customers to leap back in a scared reaction.
"DR. KUREHA!?"
"Anyone want my secret in staying young?" Dr. Kureha questions when the customers shook their heads frantically.
"NO! WE'RE FINE! THANK YOU!"
"I believe she's really 140 years old!?"
That got Dr. Kureha threw the fork at a wall that he's leaning on, centimeters away from his face which made him scared.
"I'll have you know, I'm only 139." Dr. Kureha corrected him. Her attention went back to Tamachibi. "Shall I treat the boy?"
"Wait, what?! He's fine!" He exclaimed, hugging his son. "He isn't sick or hurt or anything! Really!?"
"Oh, well then, excuse me, doctor." Dr. Kureha said with a smirk on her face, leaving them speechless as she and Chopper turned away. "Let's go, Chopper."
Just as Dr. Kureha and Chopper were about to the leave, the owner changed his mind and spoke.
"Wait, please come back!"
When the owner begged them for helping his son, it got Dr. Kureha and Chopper stopped in their tracks and began working with their patient. Chopper place the bucket of hot water along with the towel on the chair. Dr. Kureha lay Tamachibi down on the table while placing the medical case next to him.
"It's my hands...They hurt..." Tamachibi complains.
"Your hands? Alright, how's this?" Dr. Kureha asked as she placed her thumb on his leg and pressed it, causing the boy to scream in pain and the people flying comically. "You see? Now you forgotten all about your hands hurting."
"WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT?! WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!"
"Are you happy? You're happy? Good. Now stay nice and quiet." Dr. Kureha ordered as she placed her glasses on, ignoring the father. "And you should calm down, I only touched his leg and I did it very lightly."
"I heard a terrible noise."
Dr. Kureha then took the boy's pants off, notice the swollen on his legs.
"He has pain in his hands and legs." Dr. Kureha explains seriously. "He doesn't have a fever, the swollen here on his leg is from a purulent inflammation and it doesn't look good. By now, the bone is surely infected. Chopper, bring me some antibiotics."
Dr. Kureha is getting a scalpel out of the bag while Chopper is going to get the antibiotics.
"Um, doctor, is he alright?"
"The key to curing this disease is treating it before it can get too strong. Don't worry, he'll live." Dr. Kureha assured him, spinning the scalpel. "However, he did almost die."
"WHAT?! ALMOST DIED!?"
"We're gonna do a little operation, okay?" Dr. Kureha told him, making him and the customers feeling uncomfortable and the boy crying.
"Wait! Aren't you gonna use any anesthesia?!"
"This is the anesthesia." Dr. Kureha said, ignoring the father and holding Tamachibi up, only to have his head hit by Chopper's antler.
"WHAT THE HELL!?"
After the operation is finished, Dr. Kureha placed the boy on a couch with his legs bandaged.
"Now see how easy that was." Dr. Kureha said, putting her medical equipment back in the medical bag. "That's it for the treatment, where the part you need me for anyway. The rest is up to you. Just make sure he rests and keep his legs tightly bandaged. Once their bandaged, keep them iced down, do you understand?"
"Yes." He complies after Dr. Kureha tossed the roll of bandages to him.
"Now about my fee, I'm all out of trash bags and toilet paper. So, I'm taking all of those that you have along with all your food and plum wine. And addition to that, I'll be taking 50% of this restaurants assets." Dr. Kureha demanded, making everyone surprised. "Chopper, take it all to the sleigh."
"This is outrageous! You can't take half my assets!"
The people aren't too happy about Dr. Kureha's demands, told them not to be fooled by the doctor who takes the advantage of a sick person.
"YOU AREN'T A REAL DOCTOR AT ALL! YOU'RE JUST A WITCH!"
With that, Chopper is getting angry when they insulted Dr. Kureha as he growled at him.
"It's alright, Chopper, they're just a bunch of blabbering children." Dr. Kureha told the reindeer, assuring him.
"Old lady." Tamachibi called her, earned their attention. "The pain, it's all better now. Thanks so much."
Everyone, except Chopper and Dr. Kureha, was shocked to hear the disease is gone.
"Well, it looks like your son just gave me a nice tip." Dr. Kureha muttered with a small smile. "So, I'll reduce my fee to 49%."
"I'll pay your price. Thank you."
Just as when Chopper and Dr. Kureha were about to leave, the boy spoke.
"Please wait!" Tamachibi shouts, earned their attention.
"Want to know how I stay young?" Dr. Kureha asked.
"That's not it. I heard from a few kids from Bighorn. Our country's savior, he came back." Tamachibi told her, making Chopper and Dr. Kureha widen their eyes a little. "They saw a small group of pirates. One of them is sick."
"Is that right?" Dr. Kureha asks with a smirk. "I'm lowering it to 40%. That's as low as I can give you now."
"Yes!"
"And kid." Dr. Kureha called him. "This happiness you feel, don't you ever forget it. And thanks for the info."
Tamachibi smiled when Dr. Kureha and Chopper leaves the restaurant with a cackle.
Soon as Dr. Kureha and Chopper got everything ready for the sleigh after walking out of the bar, she placed a harness on him.
'So, he came back.' Dr. Kureha thought. 'How long has it been since we last saw him? Those dragons are very persistent on finding him, but we were able to fool them with the mixture of Ventus' blood, Lapahns, and the reindeer. Chopper may not like the idea of having him leaving and getting covered in blood, but it's the only way to get those damn dragons off the island and having him off of his tail. I bet he's relieved to hear that.'
"Doctrine." Chopper called her, earned her attention. "Do you think what the boy said is true?"
"Who knows? If he is here with the group of pirates and with one of them sick, if I know him, he's probably heading to the castle." Dr. Kureha stated. "Let's go, Chopper."
With that, the two head back to the castle to meet up with Ventus and the others since they're planning to head there.
Winter Island
Meanwhile in the forest, Dalton and the others are on their way to Cocoa Weed on a sleigh with mountain rams running.
"I'm sorry, this is my mistake." Dalton apologizes, earned their attention. "I was aware that the doctor had come to town from the mountain in the last few days, but I assume that she left and wouldn't be back for quite some time."
"Don't worry about it. This isn't your fault." Usopp assures him. "The problem here is how abnormally strong Luffy, Ventus, and Sanji are. Even if we go up the mountain and after them, there's no way we'd be able to catch up to them. If we are able to find the witch in this Cocoa Weed place, we just need to tell her to get back up the mountain as quickly as she possibly can."
"You're right, that's true." Vivi agrees. "We have no other choice."
"Forgive us." Dalton apologizes again. "Forgive this land for not having more doctors."
"You shouldn't be apologizing; this isn't something to apologize." Anna told him.
"She's right about that." Usopp agrees.
"Let's hurry." Dalton said, whipping the reigns as the mountain rams run faster to Cocoa Weed.
However, somethings been bothering Usopp, Anna, Ivan, and Shanise about Dalton, they knew that he's no ordinary citizen at all. Also, from the look on his face, he's got the face of a soldier which it would explain the group of the villagers are helping Dalton fighting against pirates in the first place.
"Dalton." Ivan called him, earned his attention. "You haven't told us who you are, yet. You don't seem like an ordinary villager, and with the way you're speaking, it makes me think you're a military officer."
"You're correct, I did serve this country." Dalton admits, knew that the former Baroque Works agent is right. "Under a former tyrant, Wapol."
It got them gasp with shock when Dalton told them her use to serve under Wapol, remembered how much of the former King became feared by his reign.
"I became the Captain of this countries Security Guard long ago during the time that Wapol and Musshuru's father ruled here." Dalton explains. "However, the time came when the King died and the ruler has been handed down to his son, Wapol. I thought he'd handed the rule down to Musshuru due to him being the eldest son, but he couldn't even care for the rule or the people. So, it's been passed down to Wapol. When that happened, this country changed."
He then explains why there's only one doctor on the island because of Wapol come up with an outrageous law, exile the countries doctors and having keep 20 doctors in the castle, becoming their private physicians. Dalton was the only one concerned about everyone on the island when Wapol made an announcement. Wapol only cares for himself and no one else, telling him anyone who needs a doctor will have to grovel before him. If not, then he'll refuse any treatment, that way no one will defy him which made Dalton really worried about the people on the island.
"So, from then on, anyone who got sick or worse had no choice, but to throw themselves on Wapol's mercy and hope for the 20 MDs would treat them." Shanise summarize with a scowl.
"Yes and pay the excessive medical fees." Dalton added.
"So basically, Wapol was ruling the country by taking citizens lives and held hostage?!" Vivi stated furiously. "That's not ruling! What sort of king would do that?! That's tyranny!"
"That's what Ventus said when I told him." Dalton said. "He wanted to know why there's only one doctor on this country, so I told him everything. When he heard about Wapol's idea about the doctors, you don't want to know what he said at that time."
"Well, I'm curious." Usopp told him. "And besides, Ventus is our Quartermaster. And he's way more reliable than us. What did he say?"
"He said..."
'What?! This is not ruling! It's tyranny! That oversize tin-can only thinks nothing but himself!? If I ever see his again, I will burn his metallic body and turn him into a smelting pot!'
"Ventus really said that?" Vivi asked nervously.
"And worse." Dalton added.
"I never thought that he would say such a thing." Usopp stated. "I mean, sure he got mad in more than one, but never did I hear him say such a thing!"
"Wait a minute, is his eyes dilated into a dragon?" Anna questions.
"Yes, his eyes weren't like any other human and I recognize those eyes from anywhere. Not only he said those words, but he's really angry." Dalton explains. "Both Wapol and Musshuru have made a fatal mistake for coming to the village."
Dalton then explains that Wapol have grown furious about Ventus helping Dalton escapes while fighting the group of soldiers. Wapol sent his men, including Chess, Musshuru and Kuromarimo to find Ventus and kill him. He also explains when they found the young Dragoon, Ventus is getting even more angry, and something snaps as he fought against Wapol's men, massacring them in the process and beating the three without any remorse. Ventus have won the fight, but only for causing them to retreat with horror when they saw the burning anger inside of the young Dragoon.
That really got Vivi, Usopp, and Ivan even scared while Shanise and Anna were stunned of Ventus' action. Sure, Wapol made the biggest mistake, but it's really unheard of Ventus massacring his followers.
"After that, he simply left the village without saying a word to those villagers. The villagers were frightened of his power and rage, but they were grateful for he did." Dalton finished his sentence. "However, they accept him when I explain the villagers why he became enraged."
"And they're alright with that, after what you told them about his heritage?" Ivan questions.
"Yes, the villagers knew now that Ventus is half dragon because they're aware of him, the son of Starblaze." Dalton answered.
"Man, I'm scared of getting onto Ventus' bad side now after hearing his wrath!" Usopp exclaimed, clutching his stomach. "Ah! I think I came down with a I-don't-want-to-know-anymore-about-Ventus-disease!"
'There's no such thing.' Dalton, Anna, Ivan, and Shanise thought with a sweat drop.
Meanwhile at the river, Zoro splashed in the cold water which it's very low temperature to swim, causing him to shiver while crossing his arm around him to warm himself up.
"Ah! It's freezing out here! My whole body is beginning to go numb! I feel more like a popsicle than a human at the moment!" Zoro exclaims. "Of course, I have a lot of training to do, but if I really concentrate, I shouldn't be bothered by even the coldest temperatures!"
Zoro isn't the only whose cold, Karoo is shivering while trying to warm himself up by covering himself in a blanket.
"Hey Karoo, want to come in with me? It's a great way to get your little bird body in shape!" Zoro suggests.
It got Karoo shook his head frantically, not wanting to join him. He then notices Zoro is not here anymore, making his face paled and thinking that Zoro is drowning while his body temperature drops rapidly. Karoo then jump over the ship, heading towards the cold war. Zoro merged out of the water which Karoo didn't know that he went underwater, swimming.
"I didn't expect to see this many fish here. Well, I've got more to do." Zoro said as he continues to swim.
Meanwhile, Sanji, Ventus, and Luffy were able to get away from the pack of Lapahns which it gives them time to breathe.
"Did we lose them?" Sanji questions.
"I think so." Ventus replied. "We manage to get away, somehow."
"Alright, I guess we lost them, huh!" Luffy said with a smile.
"Nope, we haven't yet." Sanji informed him, causing the two look at the pack of Lapahns behind them at the top of the hill.
"They don't give up!" Luffy exclaims.
Apparently, the pack of Lapahns decided not to attack them, but they begin to jump up and down which their landing is heavy. Ventus is starting to put two-and-two together, realizing what they're doing.
"Why are they jumping up and down?" Luffy asked.
Ventus look around their surroundings, seeing they're in the avalanche zone.
"No way..." Ventus muttered. "Don't tell me that..."
"What Ventus?" Luffy questions.
"We need to run!" Ventus exclaims.
"Where?" Luffy asks again.
"Anywhere is fine." Sanji replied, getting the same idea that Ventus is having. "Just get away from here!"
"THEY'RE GONNA START AN AVALANCHE!" Ventus yelled in panic as he, Sanji, and Luffy ran like their lives on the line.
Meanwhile, Chopper is pulling the sleigh, on their way to the castle and hoping to see Ventus since they haven't heard from him for nine months.
'Ventus, if you're really came back and have a sick person with you, Doctrine will help. I'm hoping I get to see you again.' Chopper mentally thought, both happy to hear of the young Dragoons return and hoping to see him.
Zoro is walking in the snow when he reaches the surface a while, still shivering in the cold.
"AH! Dammit! I got carried away and swam for too long!" Zoro cursed, looking around the snowy area. "Oh, where am I now? And where's the ship? This is great, I'm no way of telling where I am with all this snow everywhere!"
But it got Zoro's attention when he saw Chopper stopped as the reindeer and Dr. Kureha looking at him.
'Who is this human? And why is he not on a coat? Better yet, why is he all wet?' Chopper mentally questions, wondering why is Zoro not covering himself up and wet.
"I'm saved! Hey, old lady, sorry to bother you, but do you think you can drop me off at the village nearby or something?" Zoro pleads, walking towards Dr. Kureha as he look at her attire. "Whoa! What are you doing dress like that in this weather? I've seen some weird old ladies in my day, but...but you...you're..."
Dr. Kureha gestures Zoro to come closely, waving her finger as he leans closer.
"Careful how you talk to me, little boy." Dr. Kureha warned him, punching him and sent him flying. "And 139 years old, I'm still young and strong. Let's go, Chopper, that boy is clearly some kind of freak."
With that, Dr. Kureha and Chopper left Zoro on the snowy around and not dropping him anywhere.
"COME BACK HERE!?" Zoro yelled with white eyes and shark-like teeth. "The hell was her problem, damn old hag!"
Until, the blizzard is blowing which causes him to cover himself up while shivering.
"It's cold!" Zoro exclaims with a grunt. "I'll freeze to death before long! Alright, I guess for now I'll do some strength training to get myself warmed up a bit."
Meanwhile, Wapol and his men lands on the island after firing at the group of villagers as he laughs.
"We have arrived at last!" Wapol shouts with a laugh, smiled. "After all this time, I've returned to Drum Kingdom! I'm finally home!"
The group of villagers didn't get the chance to fire at them because his men were able to overrun them.
"Hah! We're they trying to be a real military?" Chess questions with a mockery.
"Bunch of idiots and amateurs. What we're they thinking, shooting at us like that." Kuromarimo added.
"They don't think at all, they're not worth a crap for be in the military." Musshuru mocks.
Wapol's expression turned into serious expression, looking the Drum Rockies.
"Oh my dear Drum Island, your towering majesty has grown even more beautiful in my absence." Wapol shouts. "Chess, is the castle alright?"
"Yes, it looks just as good as when we left it." Chess confirms, looking through the binoculars. "It's perfect."
"What are waiting for? Let's go home boys." Wapol said with a laugh, smiled. "I'm done being a pirate. Hah! I'm gonna be king again. Onward, Robson!"
As his men went ahead, Wapol's White Walkie, Robson, refuse to go forward.
"Huh? Robson, move! Why are you just standing there?!" Wapol demands, smacking its back. "Hey, get moving already!"
"Wapol! We have a problem!"
"What's a matter now?" Wapol questions, not in a mood for bad news when he saw one of men rush towards him.
"The pirates! The ones from the other day, their ship is over there!"
"What?!" Wapol shouts, furious of the Straw Hat pirates. "Not them! What are the Straw Hat pirates doing in my country?! How dare they come here and pretend to not even know about it?!"
Wapol remembered Luffy uses the 'Gum-Gum: Bazooka', sending flying towards the sea.
"Does he not even care?! I had a very painful recovery!" Wapol yelled with anger. "You, go kill those pirates now! I demand it!"
"Um, actually, the ship is empty, sir."
"Empty?" Wapol repeats.
"We don't know where they went."
"You want to be executed?!" Wapol growled, making one of his men frightened with fear.
"Our apologies, Wapol, please forgive him." Chess apologizes to the former King.
"This man is just a useless subordinate." Kuromarimo added, earned his attention.
"Chess! Kuromarimo!" Wapol called them.
"We took the liberty of inspecting the footprints that led away from the ship and we have some information." Chess explains.
"Indeed. It looks as if the footprints were heading toward Bighorn." Kuromarimo added with a smirk.
"Very good. That was absolutely brilliant." Wapol praises with a smirk. "In that case, we're heading on to Bighorn. We'll stop there to fire a salute to the restoration of Drum Kingdom!"
With that, Wapol and his men are heading to Bighorn, but unknown to them, one of the villagers is still alive and heavily wounded, running to Cocoa Weed to warn Dalton.
Winter Island, Cocoa Weed
Soon as Dalton and the others arrived to Cocoa Weed, they saw the wooden door is broken. He figured it was Dr. Kureha's doing which she has a bad way of greeting the customers. However, they informed Dalton that Dr. Kureha have finished her operation and left.
"Wait, what are you telling us? You mean the witch left this town just a few moments ago?" Usopp questions. "Oh, you've gotta be kidding me! This is ridiculous!"
"She left after she made my sickness all better." Tamachibi explains, leaving Vivi look at Dalton. The manager walk towards them and spoke.
"If you're looking for the doctor, she's already left."
"Do you know where she's heading after she left?" Anna questions.
"Well, my son told her about Ventus' return so he might be heading back to the castle."
"Are you sure? I heard from somebody else that she was heading for Gyasta."
"Gyasta?" Dalton repeats shockingly.
"Where's that?" Ivan questions.
"If we're going to Gyasta from Bighorn, we go at the opposite direction that we went to come here." Dalton explains.
"Oh great, we already past her?!" Usopp exclaims.
"Ice-skating is very popular there." Dalton muttered.
"What does that have to do anything?!" Usopp shouts, complaining.
"Calm down, Usopp." Vivi cuts in, tried to assure him. "We need to get going to that town. At this point, we really don't have any time to lose."
"She's right, it's no use complaining since time isn't our side." Anna agrees.
"Yeah, you're right." Usopp accepts reluctantly, sighed in defeat.
The moment he said that, an injured man came through the doorway.
"Dalton!"
Soon as he called, earned their attention when they him breathed heavily and wounded.
"I found you at last!"
"Esgar, but I thought you were standing watch today." Dalton recalled.
He then lost his balance and fell. Dalton noticed this and his injuries as he caught him before he hit the ground.
"What's the matter?! I can tell that you were badly injured! Tell me, what went wrong?!" Dalton demands.
"Every watchmen except for me...they've all been killed, Dalton..."
"What?!" Dalton exclaims.
"This thing...this submarine sailboat, it came out of nowhere...Then they'd attacked us...They killed every one of the watchmen...We couldn't stop them..."
"Who are they? I don't understand!" Dalton questions, tried to find out who's responsible for killing the watchmen. "Please explain this!"
"V-...Ventus..."
When they heard that name, they quickly assume that it was Ventus who attacked them.
"Where's Ventus?! Is he still getting the sick person to the doctor?! He promised...That he'll defeat him when he comes back..."
'He? Don't tell me...'
"What's wrong?" Usopp asks.
"It was them?" Dalton questions, figured it out who's behind this.
"It was Wapol! Wapol and his men...They came back!"
That warning caught every people, except Dalton, Usopp, Vivi, Shanise, Ivan, and Anna, panicked. At that information, Dalton quickly grabbed his weapon and left the restaurant, grab his horse to get to Wapol as fast as possible. Anna and the others quickly left the restaurant while try to follow him to Bighorn because she can track him.
'I'm going to settle this once and for all!' Dalton thought, decided to fight Wapol on his own. 'I don't want Ventus to worry about us since he has his crew to worry about! However, I don't know if it can really be called justice. I maybe just as guilty as you are, but you're the one who will be punished!'
Dalton began to change, physically turn into a bison as he jumped off the horse and continued his way to Bighorn.
'Just wait, I'm coming for you, Wapol!' Dalton mentally shouts as he head towards Bighorn to settle with Wapol once and for all.
That's it for the 16th chapter. Sorry about the delay.