This is the 17th chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.
Wapol's Return!
Winter Island
In the middle of the forest, the pack of Lapahns bounces up and down repeatedly, but with that much amount of force, they're causing the avalanche. Sanji and Ventus widen their eyes with horror while Luffy just look at them with obliviousness.
"Geez, they've really done it now! This isn't good!" Sanji said, swore those Lapahns.
"What? What are you talking about? What isn't good?" Luffy questions. "What's going on with the bunnies?"
"We've got to run! Now!" Ventus shouts with a reply.
"We're running again. Where to?" Luffy asks, watching the snow slowly slides down, but the snow is going faster.
"A-Anywhere! As long as it's far away from here!?" Sanji exclaims with panic.
"Why?" Luffy asks again as the pack of Lapahns hop out of the way while the snow flows down the slope faster.
"Because there's about to be an avalanche, that's why! Now move!?" Ventus shouts as he, Sanji, and Luffy starts running from the avalanche.
"Damn those stupid overgrown bunnies, I'm gonna kill them!" Sanji cursed the Lapahns.
"Get in line!" Ventus said with anger. "Cuz' I'm gonna turn them into rabbit stew when this is all over!?"
"What are we supposed to do? How do we get away from all this snow?!" Luffy shouts with a question.
"No clue! All I know is that the first priority is Nami! The second priority is Nami! And the third priority is Nami! Got that, Luffy?!" Sanji exclaims with panic. "Protect her even if it kills you!"
"Either way, Nami's safety comes first! Got it?!" Ventus added.
"I got it! But how do I do that?!" Luffy shouts with a question.
Sanji and Ventus quickly observed the surroundings, hoping to find a place high enough to get out of the avalanche and their situation.
"Over there, head for that cliff!" Sanji announced as they look at the direction where he saw the cliff.
"You sure about this?!" Ventus asked, having a bad feeling about going up there.
"Just shut up and run! We need to get us high as we possibly can!" Sanji said, running to the cliff with Ventus and Luffy following them. "It's coming!"
Sanji, Ventus, and Luffy rush towards the cliff when the avalanche is getting closer. Soon as the avalanche is about to get them, Sanji, Ventus, and Luffy jumped and manage to land on the top of the cliff.
"Good, we made it up just in time." Sanji said.
However, Sanji spoke too soon because they're not high enough to get away from the avalanche and they were forced off.
While every people from different town have heard of Wapol's return, they gathered their weapons as they head towards Bighorn to help Dalton fight against Wapol and his group. Anna is leading them to Bighorn since she manages to pick up tracks coming from Dalton, but there were hoofprints that's clearly not a horse.
"Hey Anna, aren't we supposed to get to Gyasta town where the witch is?" Usopp questions.
"That'll have to wait because with Wapol returns, we're gonna have to help Dalton fight." Anna told him. "He's gone that way."
"Then that's we're going." Shanise stated as Anna returns to the sleigh as she whipped the leather reigns, making the mountain rams to move.
"And besides, if they make it to the castle, it'll take them a couple of hours to get up there. The Drum Rockies are very high up to climb, it'll take a couple of miles to climb." Ivan added. "With Ventus, he'll be able to climb with his dragonic trait."
"But still, Nami is running out of time pretty quickly. If they make it up there to the castle and the doctor isn't there, they'll just turn around and leave." Usopp protests.
"We realize that, but they'll get there, and Kureha may have beat them to it if nothing else." Shanise stated. "You gotta have a little faith in them, Usopp."
"Well, if we have faith in him, then can we-"
"Usopp, I appreciate it if you shut your mouth and let us worry about Wapol." Anna interrupts, punched his chin. "At any rate, if we make it to Bighorn, we should be able to give Dalton a hand."
"But why? Won't they get lost in the middle of the forest?" Vivi asks, feeling worried.
"There's no need to worry, Ventus can track them, and he already put those dogs to shame." Shanise assures her. "The least we can do is help Dalton and try to buy Ventus and the others enough time for them to get to the castle."
With that, they continue to head towards Bighorn so they can help Dalton fight against Wapol.
Winter Island, Bighorn
While most of the Straw Hats are heading back to Bighorn while the other Straw Hats are running for their lives to get away from the avalanche, Wapol is eating many of their homes and properties. Soon as he finished eating while the people are hiding, he spoke.
"That was delicious!" Wapol yelled, satisfied with his hunger as his men applauded. "Listen closely, citizens, everything in this country can't be made into my snack if I wanted to be! Because I am a great man! Do you know why I'm great?! Kuromarimo, explain to them the reason!"
"Of course, you're the greatest man in this country because you are the King, your highness." Kuromarimo explains, bowing to him.
"That's right! Exactly right! So, if I want to eat a house, I expect it to be served to my liking!" Wapol announces.
"Yes sir!"
"Hey, hippo-brain! When you're stuffing yourself with every damn junk, I've got some information for you." Musshuru told his brother with a rude comment.
"What now?" Wapol demands.
"A report say that the Straw Hats are setting out for Drum Castle after they arrive, ya tin-headed moron!" Musshuru explains.
"You better show your King some respect, Musshuru." Kuromarimo warned him.
"You shut up, I can say whatever I want, ya puff-balled idiot!" Musshuru retorts, making Kuromarimo snarled.
"Is there a reason why would they do that?" Wapol questions, earned his attention.
"They're taking a sick woman up the mountain to see the doctor! What the hell else we're they go?!" Musshuru explains.
"What? Reall? That was a dumb idea. No one lives there now, especially not a doctor." Wapol said, laughing at the Straw Hats assuming stupidity.
"Laugh it up all you want, cuz' Dr. Kureha is living in the castle." Musshuru told him, making him stop laughing.
"What did you say?! That woman is living in my castle!" Wapol shouts with shock. "How dare she mock me in such a way?! Kick her out! I'll eat her up along with the Straw Hat, that'll show them! Men, we're going back to the castle!"
"Actually, there's more if you quit making an announcement." Musshuru said, earned his attention. "One of the Straw Hats, the boy with a spear, he defeated the pirates that we escaped from and gain the amount of popularity on this island."
That got Wapol really mad when he heard of Musshuru's report. He even remembered the time when Ventus saved Dalton from prison, fight his way out of the castle, and fought against Wapol's men, Chess, Kuromarimo, and Musshuru at the village all on his own.
"What was that?! How dare he made a mockery out of me?! He humiliated me the last time that brat came here!" Wapol shouts with anger. "I see what he's trying to do without anyone to explain it. Trying to take my throne, eh? I'll do more than just eat him up! I will not let my throne be taken by that freak!"
"I don't think so!" The voice of Dalton said.
Everyone looked at the one who spoke and saw Dalton, charging at Wapol and cut him with a spade.
"Who is that?" Kuromarimo demands with his eyes widen.
"Ugh! He caught me! I'm gonna die!" Wapol whines with panic, rolling over the snow repeatedly.
"It's Dalton!"
"I came to see you dead! So, that really suits me just fine!" Dalton said with a scowl.
"Dalton, you bastard..." Chess cursed with anger as he and Kuromarimo readied their fighting stance. "It's a shame that you're still alive."
"You just injured your own King..." Kuromarimo added.
"He shouldn't be difficult to fix, after all, we live an advanced medical nation with almost two dozen well-qualified doctors to serve his every need." Dalton told them, making Kuromarimo realize what he means.
"Yeah that's right, 20 MDs Emergency Medical Unit prepare! Heal him!" Kuromarimo ordered the 20 MDs.
Just then, the 20 MDs appeared as they approach Wapol, beginning their operation with the King.
"Wow! For a minute there, I was sure I was gonna die for a minute there." Wapol stated.
However, they were wondering why Dalton would remind them that they have their countries 20 MDs.
"This is a perfect example of our situation. You receive all medical attention that you can possibly need, while your citizens have to suffer without a doctor." Dalton told him. "It's wrong!"
"It's wrong? Show some respect! I am still your King, Dalton!" Wapol reminded him with a scowl.
"He's right, you shut your mouth if you know what's good for you." Kuromarimo added, agreeing to Wapol.
"The four of us, including you were in a highest position among Wapol's men. We were his loyal servants, or have you forgotten?" Chess questions, causing Dalton to clench his fist when he was reminded of that.
"I haven't forgotten." Dalton said. "It's true that while you're making our people suffer, all I can do is stand there as one of Wapol's men and watch as you ruined our country. I have to accept responsibility for that. So Wapol, let's leave this country together, we can't stay in the land we betrayed any longer."
"No Dalton! Wait! You didn't do anything wrong!"
"He's right, you're the only one in the government who tried to protect us! You're the only one who fought for us while he was destroying the kingdom!"
"You stood up for us!"
Of course, the villagers convinced Dalton he did nothing wrong and that he should stay while Wapol and his men leaves.
"Ha! You should've died, Dalton and your post as Captain of the Drum Kingdom Security Guard!" Wapol mocked with a laugh. "I don't know how you all survive in this country without any doctors."
"You're right about that." Dalton agreed. "I would've died in that cell if it wasn't for Ventus."
"Ventus?" Wapol repeats in confusion.
"His full name is Ventus Starwind, he's the son of the former Dragoon, Merida, and the Dragon King, Starblaze." Dalton explains. "He was there for us when we needed him, unlike you. While you were gone, he fought and defeated the Blackbeard pirates all on his own. Even though, it's only been nine months and we all had faith in him."
"Nine months?! I was gone for less than a year!" Wapol exclaims. "And Ventus is his name! That damn brat humiliated me during my reign!"
"That's right, he did humiliate you when you've made a grave mistake for making him angry. He stopped coming after the nine months that you left us because of his circumstances. And now that he's back, he already knows that you're here." Dalton stated. "The least I can do is buy him some time to weaken you, just enough for Ventus to finish you off!"
"Oh stop dreaming, like that would happen." Wapol said with a smug smile. "I ate the Munch-Munch fruit. A freak who wields a spear means nothing to me. I'll just eat him up anyway."
"You're welcome to try, but will be different if you know what he's capable of." Dalton remarked. "And also, our country is internationally acknowledged for its development in medicine, but that renown is nothing more than a cheap charade. No one could guess that they're actually only 20 doctors who were shut up doing research in the King's own lab. And that all the other doctors have been exiled from the country, leaving the citizens to suffer."
"Yes!" Wapol exclaimed, making his mood instantly positive. "Anyone who get sick or injured must come and beg for their life if they want help! And if I feel like it, maybe I'll lend them the 20 MDs services. If they want to stay alive and healthy, all they have to do is obey me, their King! This way, no one will dare challenge my rule and that is the perfect way to govern the country."
"THIS ISN'T REAL GOVERNING WAPOL AND YOU AREN'T A REAL KING!?" Dalton yelled, snapped.
"Well, you certainly speak your mind, Dalton." Wapol said, had enough of him. "Now kill him! I want you to shoot your former Captain!"
Wapol's men aim their guns, point at Dalton which they made a mistake as his form begins to change.
"As usual, you don't understand a thing I'm saying." Dalton growled. "I served your father before you and he was always a good man and a fair ruler. I hope you might come to resemble him one day, but I see now that was a lot of a wishful thinking."
That got Wapol's men scared when he saw Dalton in a bison-hybrid form.
"Not good! He's using the Ox-Ox Fruit!"
"He's in his bison form!"
Just then, Dalton charges after his former comrades as they fire at him which he dodges by leaping in midair. The soldiers only missed, shooting the buildings instead.
'No mercy! Even to my ex-soldiers!' Dalton thought, leaping after his former comrades as he twirls his spade around. "Fiddle Bam"
With the amount of speed, Dalton swiftly slashes multiple soldiers without breaking a sweat, knocking out in the process.
"Amazing! He's so powerful!"
"So this is the kind of power the Zoan-type Devil Fruit will give?!"
"Enough! I've had it with you pathetic so-called rulers! There can be no hope for a country where the king and his men are the first ones to abandon the people during the time of crisis!" Dalton snarled.
"Let's see how well you do fighting against the three of us." Kuromarimo said with a challenging smirk.
"Just give up." Chess suggests.
Dalton knew he wouldn't stand a chance against those three because he's outnumbered and he'll be beaten, but he won't give up without a fight.
"Dalton!"
He heard a voice that's coming from the outside of Bighorn, hearing the villagers are running.
"Dalton, wait!"
"We've come to help you!"
"Please, let us fight with you!"
"We're going to protect our country!"
Chess came up with an idea as he smirked and spoke.
"Remember, I've known you a long time." Chess stated, drew out three arrows as he readied his bow, aiming at the villagers. "And I know you well."
"No, don't!" Dalton shouts, realizing what Chess is planning.
"I know what your weaknesses are." Chess said.
"Gust Arrow" The voice of Anna fired her arrow, channeled with wind at Chess.
Chess widen his eyes with shock as the wind arrow hits him, knocked him out and made him fire the arrows up in the sky. Dalton turned his head when he saw Anna, Shanise, and Ivan arrived at Bighorn.
"Why are you three here? Where are the others?" Dalton questions.
"We thought you could use a hand for taking care of these guys." Anna answered, readied her arrow.
"Usopp keeps insisting we need to get to Gyasta which we made it the rest of the way by foot." Ivan added with annoyance.
Dalton can tell that these are very annoyed of Usopp's complaining, wondering how are they putting up with him. Wapol and his group are furious for their interference, and they recognize those Straw hat pirates. Until, they heard a rumbling sound that's loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Huh? What's that?"
"Is...that a...earthquake?" Wapol questions.
The rumbling is getting even louder, causing the island to shake which they're terrified of what will happen next.
Winter Island
Meanwhile, Usopp and Vivi are heading to Gyasta without Anna, Shanise, and Ivan because of his constant complaining about Ventus and the others not waiting for Dr. Kureha to arrive at the castle which they don't know if the young Dragoon would arrive at the castle. The problem is they don't know where they're going and having a hard time reading the map.
However, they stopped when they heard of the rumbling sound that causes the island to shake.
"What's this? Why is the ground shaking?" Vivi asks in confusion, but quickly realize why. "Oh no, Usopp! Is this what I think it is?!"
"An Avalanche!?" Usopp muttered in panic, bulging his eyes with his jaw dropped.
While on the other side of the forest, Zoro is doing a one-handstand to warm himself up.
"25,632...25,633..." Zoro said but stopped when he heard of the rumbling sound. "What's going on? What's all that rumbling?"
Zoro turned his left, seeing the avalanche is coming down at the slope which caused him to panic as the avalanche swept him.
Meanwhile, Ventus, Sanji, and Luffy were able to land on the top of the cliff which it's not high enough to get away from the avalanche.
"Oh no! We are not high enough!" Sanji exclaims with panic, causing the avalanche to push them out of the cliff and sent them flying.
Luffy and Nami were in the air while the latter on his back. Sanji and Ventus were caught in the avalanche, being buried in the snow while slides down to Bighorn.
"This isn't good, now what?" Luffy asks himself with panic, but comes up with an idea. "Oh right, I know."
Luffy lands on the tree and saw both Sanji and Ventus getting buried in the snow.
"Sanji! Ventus! Grab a hold!" Luffy ordered, stretching his arms to them as they both grabbed it and being pulled towards him.
"Thanks for that, Luffy." Sanji thanked him.
"Yeah, thanks." Ventus thanked him.
"Yeah, sure, but what now?" Luffy asks. "Even if we don't sink in this snow, we're just gonna keep flying down this mountain, unless we do something about it!"
"You can't be serious!" Ventus exclaimed.
"No way!" Sanji added. "I'm never gonna let that happened! We've come all this way and we were almost to the base of the mountain just feet away from the doctor!"
"Ventus! Can't you fly us up there?!" Luffy asks with a shout.
"I've already told you, I can't carry more than one person!" Ventus shouts with white eyes and shark-like teeth.
"In any case, Luffy! You need to come up with way to stop all this right now!" Sanji demands. "It's all because of those damn bunnies! Next time I see them, Ventus and I are gonna turn them into a big bowl of stew!"
"Ooh, a rabbit stew? That sounds good." Luffy said, thinking about food when Sanji and Ventus notice the pack of Lapahns riding on the trees.
Next thing they knew, the pack of Lapahns tried to attack them which they manage to dodge, but more of them are coming.
"What do we do?!" Luffy asked with panic.
"What else?!" Ventus counters with a question.
"The only thing we can do at the moment...SLIDE FASTER!" Sanji answered the obvious.
Unfortunately, they weren't even able to outrun the pack of Lapahns because they kept following them while tried to attack them, causing them dodge their attacks. Ventus look ahead of them to steer their ride the two are dodging the attacks. When they all surround them, they saw a rock ahead.
"Luffy! Look out!" Sanji shouts.
"AAAAAHHHH! A rock! We're gonna crash!?" Luffy yelled with panic with his shark-like teeth.
"We can't that! Nami's on your back!" Ventus shouts when he noticed the Lapahns are going to attack them from behind.
Ventus brings out his tail to coil Sanji around his waist while grab hold of Luffy and Nami, sprouts his wings as he's about to get ready to take flight.
"Tornado" Ventus then cast the tornado from behind them, blowing the pack of Lapahns away while leaping up in the sky. Sanji and Luffy looked at the young Dragoon with surprised look, seeing him tried to get them to land on the rock safely. They then look at the pack of Lapahns getting crashed down into the snow, getting buried along with it. Ventus then lands on the rock along with Sanji and Luffy.
"You guys alright?" Ventus questions, panting heavily while having his tail and his wings disappeared.
"Yeah, thanks to you." Sanji answered, panting.
"Uh guys, the avalanche is heading to Bighorn." Luffy told them as he, Sanji, and Ventus watch the avalanche slopes down.
Winter Island, Bighorn
The villagers, Wapol and his men, Dalton, Shanise, Ivan, and Anna saw the avalanche heading towards Bighorn, causing them to panic.
"It's coming!"
"It's not stopping!"
"It's not stopping! The whole village will be swallowed up!"
"Get out of here!"
With that, the villagers and Wapol's men ran with panic, trying to get away from the avalanche. Wapol is on the White Walkie as he spoke.
"We're going!" Wapol shouts. "Chess! Kuromarimo! Get on!"
Musshuru however ran as fast as he could to get away from the avalanche, not waiting for them to catch up. Chees and Kuromarimo rush towards the White Walkie, getting on its back.
"Robson! Serious mode!" Wapol ordered, causing the White Walkie to extend his legs, making it long. His men gathered around, plead him to take them with him.
"Wapol, sir! Please! you have to let us ride too!"
"Get away from there! You could all find your own way out!" Wapol retorts, pushing them aside. "Robson, hurry! It's closing in on us!"
The avalanche is closing in on them while burying Wapol's men and it's going faster. It got their faces paled as the avalanche buried them and Bighorn. The avalanche then stopped, causing the dust to appear.
Winter Island
After the avalanche is over, Luffy, Sanji, and Ventus saw Bighorn got buried which it got them worried if their crewmates and Dalton made it out alive. Ventus then smell the air, seeing if he got their scent.
"You got anything, Ventus?" Sanji asks with worry.
"Yeah, seems Dalton and our crew made it out alive." Ventus nods seriously, sniff the air once more. "But Vivi and Ussop, they're buried in the snow."
"What?!" Luffy and Sanji exclaims.
"They're still alive and they're scent is faint." Ventus told them. "But I've got something else."
"What? What do you smell?" Sanji questions.
"Wapol, he and his group of followers are here." Ventus answered.
"You mean, that metal guy is here?" Luffy asks with shock.
"The very same." Ventus nods. "But with that avalanche, it'll buy us enough time to get to the castle."
"Maybe, but it won't hold him for long." Sanji agrees. "We have to keep moving."
With that, Luffy, Sanji, and Ventus starts walking towards the snow to get up to the mountain.
Winter Island, Bighorn
While back at Bighorn, the snow is starting to fall apart, making a big hole and revealed to be Wapol munching the snow, but he tasted something bad as he spits out Chess and Kuromarimo from mouth.
"Oh, it was you guys in there, no wonder it had such a disgusting taste." Wapol said.
"Get the hell off of me, ya damn metal-headed oaf!?" The voice of Musshuru yelled, pushing Wapol out of the way. "Are you trying to squish me, ya ass?!"
"Show your respect to your King!? You don't talk to me that way!" Wapol retorts with a shout.
"Like I give a damn if you're a King! I can say whatever I want!" Musshuru shouts back.
Wapol then had enough as he was about to fight, but restrained by Chess while Kuromarimo restrains Musshuru. They knew the two didn't get along for a long time during the time in the castle and at sea. All the two ever did is argue and swore each other, even they fight against each other. Wapol then turned starts to realize who cause the avalanche.
"Damn them! I won't let them get away with this!?" Wapol hissed with anger.
"Who are you talking about?" Kuromarimo asks with confusion.
"Them! I'm talking them, of course!" Wapol answered.
"But who do you mean by them?" Chess questions.
"Try be more specific, ya moron!" Musshuru said with annoyance.
"You told me earlier that some of the Straw Hats headed up towards the mountain, isn't that right?" Wapol counters with a question, grew enraged. "Then this happened! They have a grudge against us, there's still mad about what happen! So, they climbed up there and started an avalanche!"
They began to understand what he's talking about, but apparently, the Lapahns are the ones who started the avalanche which he's jumping to conclusion.
"So, they were the ones who caused it?" Chess questions.
"Those sinister Straw Hat pirates caused the avalanche?" Kuromarimo added with a question.
"That's right." Wapol answered, motioned his hand. "Well boys, let's go! We'll see if those stupid sea loving sailors know anything about fighting in the snow! While we're at it, let's save Ventus for last, this is the last time he humiliated us!
Winter Island
After climbing up out of the snow and a little while of walking in the snow, they heard a familiar sound. They look and saw the Lapahn cub tried to get the adult Lapahn out of the snow.
'Guess one of those Lapahns got buried in the snow.' Ventus thought.
The Lapahn cub growled at them, warning them to back off while tried to protect the adult Lapahn. For some reason, Ventus feel like he's in that situation once before, but similar. Ventus then walk towards the Lapahn, but the cub kept growling. Sanji is about to stop him, but Luffy raise his arm, telling him not to interfere. Though, the cook is about to protest but seeing Luffy's serious expression as he then look at the young Dragoon, realize the reason why he's helping the Lapahn.
Ventus stopped walking, seeing the Lapahn cub is protecting the adult. He then extends his hand, causing the cub to whimper as he pull the adult Lapahn out of the snow. They then continued their way towards the castle, ignoring the Lapahns.
"You know those bunnies are going after us again, right?" Sanji questions.
"They won't." Ventus told him. "The Lapahns are gonna be busy getting their kin out of the snow."
They then saw the castle up close at the top of the Drum Rockies, getting close as Luffy spoke.
"We'll get you there, don't worry." Luffy said to Nami. "You just stay alive."
As soon as they were about to head towards the castle, Ventus sniff the air which he caught Wapol's scent along with Chess, Musshuru, and Kuromarimo heading their way.
"Guys, we've got company." Ventus warned them, causing them to nod when they heard the sound coming from behind them.
"Found you!" Wapol shouts with anger. "Now. I'll. Make. You. Pay. You. Damn. Straw. Hats!"
Ventus, Luffy, and Sanji stopped when they saw Wapol and the others block their path. They then stare at Wapol and the others since the atmosphere is getting intense because time is against their side, and they don't have time to fight them.
That's it for the 17th chapter.