This is the 20th chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.
Chopper's Past: Dr. Hiriluk, the Quack
Winter Island, Castle
Chopper is in the laboratory, checking Nami's DNA for the countdown of the bacteria from the Kestia. Luffy is still looking for Chopper so he can ask him for becoming a pirate.
"Day 3, subject's bacteria countdown by 70%." Chopper muttered, looking through a microscope.
Until, the door opens as Luffy entered the room with a laugh, causing Chopper to trip over a box and accidentally threw many of the flasks and beakers in the air as he catches them between his antlers and hooves.
"Whoa, amazing." Luffy said with a big grin. "You are cool, monster, but what happens if I do this?"
Luffy walk closer, starts tickling him which Chopper is trying not to laugh.
"W-What do you think you're doing?" Chopper questions, but Luffy keeps tickling the poor reindeer. Chopper is trying not to laugh and not to drop the medical equipment.
"That's funny." Luffy said with a laughter along with tears in his eyes.
"Shut up! Get out of here!" Chopper demands with a tick mark on his head.
"Come on, let's you and me be friends." Luffy suggests, leans closer to him. "Please? I really really really do like you, you know."
It got Chopper shocked of what Luffy told him and he's loosened his grip of his medical equipment.
"You...like me?" Chopper asks.
"You'd make a great pirate." Luffy told him, but Chopper somehow managed to place the medical equipment back in its place.
"Did you soaking up your head while you're ran on the ice or something? I don't want to be a pirate or your friend, see?!" Chopper exclaims, refuse to become a pirate as he holds a beaker filled with purple chemical. "Seeing Ventus is enough-"
"Look, little guy, you gotta say you'll be my friend. My crew will love you." Luffy told him, but Chopper ran out of the lab. "Hey, wait!"
"Why would I want to be friends with you?! Are you making fun of me?!" Chopper shouts, rushing down the stairs, accidentally tripped and flung his beaker as he lands on the head against the ground, causing him to catch the beaker with his hind legs. Luffy burst with a laugh, thinking it's funny for Chopper to fall off the stairs.
"I think you're the funniest guys I'd know. Oh yeah, we're gonna be great friends." Luffy exclaims.
While at the infirmary, Ventus was very angry at Sanji for calling Chopper a monster which the cook forgets that he has a keen sense of hearing because of his dragon trait. So, Sanji managed to apologize and telling him that he has no idea that Chopper is friends with the young Dragoon, though he appreciates that, but he's not the one who apologizes to. Sanji even forgets that Chopper is a reindeer who ate the Devil fruit when Ventus mentions about it. Sanji prepared a meal for the young Dragoon for him to regain his strength since the magic and climbing up on the mountain, but he also prepared a meal for Nami.
"I've prepared this meal for you, Ventus." Sanji told him, placing the food on the table. "You'll need your strength in order to use magic."
"Did you even ask Dr. Kureha for using her kitchen?" Ventus questions with deadpan expression. "She won't like it if you use it without her permission."
"Since when do I need permission?" Sanji counters with a question, raise his eyebrow.
"We're in someone else's castle, and we need to ask permission first before we do anything else." Ventus told him, crossed his arms.
"He's gotta point, Sanji." Nami agrees to Ventus' statement. "We're in Dr. Kureha's castle and you need to ask her before using the kitchen."
"Nami, I've prepared this extra nutritious and fortifying meal for you. So, we can get a healthy smile back on that beautiful face of yours." Sanji offered, went goo-goo eyes, causing Ventus to sigh with annoyance.
"Thank you, Sanji." Nami thanked him.
"Of course, although, you're as heartbreakingly gorgeous as ever despite your painfully ordeal." Sanji compliments with a blush.
"Hey you, I don't recall you asking for permission to use my kitchen." Dr. Kureha said, entered the infirmary with a scowl on her face.
"Told you." Ventus added, earned a glare from Sanji.
"Madam, I've made a dish for you as well." Sanji told her, turns his head to her. "It's supposed to make you look years-"
Dr. Kureha then hits Sanji in the back, sent him flying and smack against the wall as he then lands on the floor.
"I'm not a madam." Dr. Kureha told him. "I'm a swinging, single, still in a prime of youth. Don't forget it."
"Not a day over a 139, right?" Nami asks with a nervous smile.
"Should've kept your mouth shut, Sanji." Ventus warned him, finished his food.
"Shut it, Ventus." Sanji groaned in pain.
"DOCTRINE! SAVE ME FROM THIS LUNATIC!" Chopper yelled in panic, causing Ventus to turn to the reindeer being chased by Luffy.
"Wait! Hold on! Come back!" Luffy demands.
Ventus then brings out his tail to grab hold of Luffy, threw him out of the infirmary. Chopper then took his chance to jump into his arms for protection.
"Ventus! Help me!" Chopp begs as Ventus' tail vanishes.
"Ventus! As you Captain, I order you to give me the monster!" Luffy ordered, making one fatal mistake when he called Chopper a monster.
"What...did you...call him?!" Ventus growled at Luffy with anger.
"Crap, he's mad." Sanji muttered, quickly stood up.
"I called him a monster. Why?" Luffy questions, confused.
"You moron! You're making it worse!" Nami yelled with white eyes and shark-like teeth. "Ventus is getting angry! Didn't you even realize that?!"
"What? What did I do?" Luffy asks.
"Ventus overheard us earlier, he was angry about us calling Chopper a monster!" Sanji shouts seriously. "And in case you didn't know, he and Chopper are friends!"
Luffy doesn't even know about Ventus made friends with Chopper. Before Luffy could say anything stupid, Ventus spews fire at him, making him yell and run out of the infirmary. Luffy got back inside since he's cooled down because of the snow.
"HEY! WHY'D YOU-"
Luffy didn't get the chance to finish his mid-sentence when Ventus beats him up into a pulp, leaving his face beaten with bruises and bumps.
"If you ever call Chopper a monster again, I will have no problem of wrapping you around like a pretzel and buried you deep in the snow." Ventus warned him with anger.
"(I'm sorry, real sorry. Please, don't ruined my face anymore.)" Luffy pleads with a muffled tone.
Nami, Sanji, and Chopper are scared of Ventus' rage, feeling sorry for Luffy, then again, the rubber Captain brought it up to himself since he made a big mistake because of calling Chopper a monster in front of Ventus. Which to the young Dragoon, calling a monster is an insult.
"Also, what makes you think that I will just give Chopper to you?" Ventus questions when Chopper jumps onto his arms.
"He's going to be our crew and be our friend." Luffy answered, leaving Ventus raise his eyebrow.
"Is it true?" Ventus inquires, turned his head to the reindeer.
"I didn't say I was gonna do that!" Chopper replied frantically.
"Sure you did." Luffy said.
"Okay, this trail is leading us nowhere." Ventus said, playing the peacemaker. "How about you both tell me what exactly happen while I was keeping eye on things in the infirmary?"
Luffy and Chopper told Ventus exactly what happened and as it turns out, Chopper didn't say anything about joining them as a pirate.
"You see? He said he'll be our crew!" Luffy said with a grin.
"WHERE IN THAT STORY DID I/HE SAY ANYTHING JOINING YOU/US?!" Ventus and Chopper shouts in unison, showing white eyes and shark-like teeth.
"When I offered him a position." Luffy told him.
"That's where?!" Nami and Sanji shouts in unison with annoyance.
"Look Luffy, you can't force people to join us. If Chopper doesn't want to go, that's that, he won't go." Ventus points out.
"But he's-
Ventus then growls in his dragonic tone, scaring Luffy which his face is pale as a sheet of paper.
"I mean, he's cool." Luffy quickly said in a frightened tone.
"But that doesn't mean we can force people to join us." Ventus refutes, using his tail to toss Luffy out of the way. He then carries Chopper out of the room.
"Hey! Wait! Where are you going with him?!" Luffy demands, sat up.
"None of your business." Ventus told him, but Luffy follows him.
"Then, you will have him join us." Luffy suggests.
"Not a chance. Besides, Chopper already said he doesn't want to come with us." Ventus refuses, turns his head to Chopper. "Right?"
"That's right." Chopper nods, looking at Luffy. "Even though, I want to be with Ventus again, but I refuse to become a pirate!"
"But being-"
"One word out of your mouth and you'll be swimming in the frozen waters." Ventus warns him, causing Luffy to fright once more as the young Dragoon then left, leaving the rubber Captain alone.
While Ventus is carrying Chopper somewhere, Dr. Kureha, Sanji, and Nami can hear them which it's loud enough. Dr. Kureha knew that Luffy is being selfish which it's something that he'll never understand what being a friend means.
"Friend, huh? If he only knew what 'friend' means to someone who's been through like Chopper has." Dr. Kureha muttered, sighed. "Poor guy."
Nami and Sanji look at Dr. Kureha since they have a right to know about Chopper, and how the two know about him. Dr. Kureha look at them for a few seconds, turns back to where Ventus, Chopper, and Luffy left.
"When Chopper was out there on his own, there was only one human that he really opened up too. That man was Dr. Hiriluk, he was a crazy quack, but he named Chopper and called him his son." Dr. Kureha explains as she then tells about Chopper's past.
Winter Island, 6 years ago
6 years ago, at Winter Island, formerly known as Drum Island, the group of Wapol's soldiers are running around the village in the middle of the snowy night, searching for the quack named Dr. Hiriluk. Though, neither of them has luck of finding him when they stop and look for Dr. Hiriluk.
"Hey! You! Stop!"
"Where'd he go?"
"Beats me, he disappeared."
"Crazy quack! We've got to get him! Those are Lord Wapol's orders! Now move out!"
"Right!"
They then run, looking for Dr. Hiriluk in the village. Unknown to the soldiers, Dr. Hiriluk is hiding behind the building, waiting for them to leave.
Dr. Hiriluk has a long gray hair arranged in four standing outs, one to each side, one from behind, and one at the top, which it covered by his black hat that resembled as a cross, a goatee, and a moustache. He wore a mottled pink pants, black coat, green winter boots with white straps, and a green shirt with golden cross buttons. He's holding a medical case that has a Jolly Roger with cherry blossoms.
Soon as the Wapol's soldiers are gone, Dr. Hiriluk coughs a bit, wipes it out of his mouth when he saw blood he coughed up.
"Damn." Dr. Hiriluk cursed, knew that he doesn't have time left.
At the house, one of them is fallen ill and they're getting worried since a man needed help.
"You can't go on like this, we have to call a doctor."
"We can't! There are no doctors left to call. Except for the 20 MDs who belonged to Wapol."
"If we have to beg Wapol on our knees to help, then that's what we have to do. I'll go get them!"
"You don't need Wapol's charity." The voice of Dr. Hiriluk stated as the soot comes out of the fireplace, earned their attention when the soot clears, revealed the quack came out of the chimney all covered in soot. "I'll examine him."
"Hiriluk!?"
It got the sick man panicked when he saw Dr. Hiriluk as he sat up.
"No! I'm fine, it's just a cold! Besides, the last bunch of patients you've treated ended up getting a whole lot worse!"
"Now there's no need to be shy with your doctor, I'd just developed a wonder new all-purpose drug yesterday." Dr. Hiriluk told him, ignoring his protesting which led his family panicked as he placed his medical case on the edge of the bed, opens it up and go through with it. "You're a lucky man, now shut up."
Soon as Dr. Hiriluk placed the gun on the stool, it got the man panicked even more as the quack turns his head to a gun.
"Huh? Oh, that's not the kinda gun you think it is." Dr. Hiriluk stated, looking through his case. "It's a tranquilizer gun for patients with severe pain."
"I'm going to get the soldiers."
Soon as the woman and her daughter left the room, Dr. Hiriluk manage to grab hold on the syringe that has green extract.
"Please, go! If you want money, I'll be glad to pay!"
Though, Dr. Hiriluk ignores his pleas, and he didn't even care about the money because he only wanted to help him.
"I don't take money from sick people, I just want to help you." Dr. Hiriluk stated as he injected him.
"Don't do it! Please, I'm too young to die! Stop!"
But it's too late, Dr. Hiriluk already injected him and it got the man subdued, but his skin is turning green and then croaked like a frog as he leaps out of the house, breaking the windows and escape from the quack.
"Huh. Okay, I got to admit, I wasn't expecting that. I must've made a mistake with the ingredients somehow; guess I shouldn't have used frog extract." Dr. Hiriluk muttered, looking at the syringe, turns his head to the sick man. "Uh sorry there, my mistake."
"Hiriluk! Are you in there?!"
Soon as Dr. Hiriluk heard the sound of Wapol's soldiers, he jumped out of the broken window to escape from the soldiers. They told him to stop, but Dr. Hiriluk keeps running from the soldiers, notice the bridge and saw Dr. Kureha sitting on the rails of the bridge, drinking some wine.
"Are you happy now, quack?" Dr. Kureha asks with a smirk, leaving Dr. Hiriluk walking towards the bridge while trying not to pay attention to her. "The Doctor Hunt has reached its final stage; I hear that you and I are the only ones left in this country. Wapol has his hunters desperately looking for us everywhere and even if they weren't you outta be a pariah in this country since you're the worst quack of them all."
Even though, Dr. Hiriluk knew that Dr. Kureha is right since he's the worst doctor because he has no medical knowledge. He then stopped and spoke.
"I'm not gonna get caught by some fool doctor hunt." Dr. Hiriluk stated, turned his head to her with a glare. "And one day, I'll end up saving this country with medical science."
"Yeah right, I think you mean destroy this country." Dr. Kureha corrects him.
Wapol's soldiers found two people at the bridge as they stop.
"Look, there are people on the bridge."
"See ya around, quack." Dr. Kureha said, left the bridge.
"Not if I see you first, you thieving sawbones." Dr. Hiriluk retorts, left the bridge.
Then, Wapol's soldiers went after them at the bridge, but they weren't even able to find them at the bridge and Wapol won't like it when they told him about it.
At the forest, Dr. Hiriluk managed to escape from the soldiers and left the village. He walks through the forest, tried to get through the harsh blizzard.
"Those tin-soldiers aren't gonna capture me, I'm gonna go on, helping this sick and the injured." Dr. Hiriluk muttered but stops when he saw Chopper in a bloody mess and lying on the snowbank. He walk towards him. "Looks like you've been shot, we need to stop the bleeding right away or you're dead."
Chopper looked at Dr. Hiriluk with an angry look on his face.
"Don't worry, I'll save you." Dr. Hiriluk assured him, placing his case on the snowy ground.
Chopper remembered being chased by the villagers in the forest when they saw him as a monster. He then look at the quack slowly, thinking Dr. Hiriluk is here to kill him.
"Actually, you're pretty lucky, because I just created an ointment three days that even works on broken bones." Dr. Hiriluk told him when Chopper remembered tried to run, but being shot by the villagers and collapses down to the snowy ground. "Just what are you anyway? You don't look like a human being, you must be that yeti everyone is talking about in the village."
The moment Chopper saw that gun from Dr. Hiriluk's hand, he stood up in anger as he sock him in the face and slams him down to the snowy ground, making him lose his tranquilizer gun. Chopper then let out a roar, but panted heavily of his wounds, seeing Dr. Hiriluk knocked out as he walks away.
"How dare you...who do you think...you're dealing with creature?!" Dr. Hiriluk grunts with a shout, pulled himself. "Hey, wait!"
Chopper stopped as he turned his head to the quack, seeing him naked and his hands raise up, except his hat is still on.
"I PROMISE, I'M NOT GONNA SHOOT, SEE?!" Dr. Hiriluk yelled at him, tried to convince him. "MY NAME IS HIRILUK, DR. HIRILUK, AND I WANT TO HELP YOU!"
Chopper thought that Dr. Hiriluk is crazy for stripping himself naked while convince him, but he passed out, collapsing down to the snowy ground. Dr. Hiriluk put his clothes back on since Chopper is at his limit from running as he dragged him up to his home at the Drum Rockies.
The next day, Chopper slowly opened his eyes and sat up, looking around the area when he saw some bookshelves full on books, a machine, tubes, flasks, and beakers on the desk, next to it was Dr. Hiriluk on a chair, covered in a blanket as the quack sneezes. He then placed his hooves on his head, noticed there were bandages on him, meaning that Dr. Hiriluk bandaged him up a while ago. His stomach then growls, causing him to blush with embarrassment as he saw a bread and a glass of milk, getting out of bed as he head towards the food, starts eating the bread as tears began to flow down.
It was the first time that someone treated him out of kindness and Dr. Hiriluk was the very first human being who treated Chopper with kindness. The quack woke up and saw Chopper eating, surprised that the reindeer said a few words.
"Wait, you can talk?" Dr. Hiriluk asks, earned a nod from him but the reindeer's expression turned into sadness. "Why have you kept silent?"
"I thought you'd hate me if I talked." Chopper answered sadly. "When I talk to humans the other day, they shot at me. You see, people think I'm a freak for that."
"So you can talk, so what?" Dr. Hiriluk scoffed. "Even children learned to talk, I don't see what so damn special about it."
Chopper was surprised that Dr. Hiriluk didn't even care if he's a freak or not since he bandaged the reindeer up, but the quack looks at his work that's about to blow up.
"AAAAHHHHH!? RUN CHOPPER!?" Dr. Hiriluk yelled in pain, leaving Chopper confused.
But it's too late as the chemical explodes, sending Chopper and Dr. Hiriluk out of his home as they crash down to the snowy ground.
"Aw! I thought for sure that would work." Dr. Hiriluk whines, looking at his home and knew that his experiment failed. "Hey, Chopper, are you okay?"
Chopper sat up, but the rock knocked his head and collapse down to the ground. Dr. Hiriluk turned to Chopper and spoke.
"Well, at least your head was bandaged to begin with, right?" Dr. Hiriluk rhetorically questions, chuckle a bit when the rubble knocked him out.
"Hey, did you call me Chopper?" Chopper questions, turned to him.
"That's your new name, Tony Tony Chopper, I picked it because I'd thought you look like you can chop down a tree with those antlers of yours." Dr. Hiriluk explains with a smile. "Cool name, huh? Anyway, that's what I'm gonna call you."
Dr. Hiriluk then burst with a laughter when Chopper muttered his own name, laughing as well. After a good laugh and the mess was cleaned up, Dr. Hiriluk and Chopper are walking out of the forest, heading to town.
"Now listen up, Chopper, always pay close attention to your patient's symptoms and give them proper treatment." Dr. Hiriluk told him as he and Chopper look at the town. "That's the way to save a persons life. Let's go, there are sick people who need my help."
Unfortunately, Dr. Hiriluk have made it a whole lot worse for the number of patients he tried to help which they threw him and Chopper out of the house, more likely forcing them to leave and have them make a run for it when Wapol's soldiers are chasing after them.
"Get outta here, you crazy quack!"
"I thought lizard eyeballs would work!" Dr. Hiriluk exclaims when he and Chopper run.
And again...
"Don't ever come back!"
And again...
"Get lost!"
And again...
"It's Wapols guards, run!" Dr. Hiriluk yells as he and Chopper run for their lives. "Chopper, it's time to use a decoy plan!"
"The what plan?" Chopp asks in confusion.
"Good luck, pal!" Dr. Hiriluk said, kicking Chopper right towards Wapols soldiers which they're wonder why he would kicked the reindeer.
After Chopper manage to get back at the Drum Rockies after Dr. Hiriluk, they start beating each other up with their fists.
"You almost got me killed, you maniac!" Chopper yelled in anger.
"So what?! You already cheated death once, you clumsy blue-nosed caribou!" Dr. Hiriluk retorts.
"I'm a reindeer and don't call me blue nose!" Chopper corrects him.
After few minutes of fist fight, they both feel exhausted as Dr. Hiriluk fell on a chair while Chopper fell on a ground, panting heavily.
"Doctor?" Chopper called him, earned his attention. "That's the first time I've ever fought with anyone."
"I can believe that, you have to have an opponent to fight." Dr. Hiriluk stated with a chuckle, stood up from his seat as he head towards the machine. "So, is it your first time for this as well?"
Dr. Hiriluk grabs hold of the large fuzzy top hat, tossing it to Chopper when it lands on his belly.
"That's for you, a gift as a memento of our making up." Dr. Hiriluk said to him, working on the machine and the chemicals.
Chopper was a little confused at first as he looked at the hat, started to shed tears when Dr. Hiriluk genuinely give him a hat as he puts it on.
"You know Chopper, that sometimes it feels the things were pretty rough, but try not to hold grudge against us humans, okay?" Dr. Hiriluk said to him, working on the chemicals. "This country is sick right now."
Chopper is wondering why the island is sick.
"The people and the King both suffered from a terrible sickness of the heart that conventional wisdom has it that there's no way to cure a sick country, but that's wrong. Once my invention has been perfected, this country will be as good as saved." Dr. Hiriluk explains with a smile, showing the round beaker filled with pink liquid to Chopper. "You see, there use to be a master thief who lived in a country in the Far West. He had a serious heart condition, he went to the greatest doctors he can find to receive treatment, but no one able to cure him. They told him he was going to die, frustrated and depressed, he'd passed by a certain mountain, there he saw something he had never seen before."
He then remembered the image of a trees full of cherry blossoms in the mountains.
"Blossoms! He saw cherry blossoms all the mountainside! And then, he went to see another doctor and got the shock of his life because he was told you're perfectly healthy!" Dr. Hiriluk exclaims with a smile on his face, leaving Chopper surprised. "He was cured, it was a miracle! Don't you see, but it also make perfect sense, medical speaking by changing his emotional state, he was able to change his physical state somehow too."
Dr. Hiriluk placed the round beaker on the stand, walking towards the Jolly Roger flag.
"And if that's true, there's no disease that can't be cured. Let them laugh at me, my medical skills will save this country yet. And that's why I raise this skull in crossbones." Dr. Hiriluk stated, slams his hand against the Jolly Roger flag. "As a challenge to all the diseases of the world!"
"Skull?" Chopper said curiously.
"This symbolizes my belief that nothing is impossible! I will save this country with my doctors skills!" Dr. Hiriluk told him with passion. "By raising this flag, I vow to fight just like the pirates do!"
Few months have passed since Chopper and Dr. Hiriluk are forming a strong bond. Dr. Hiriluk teaches him the philosophy of life and Chopper is healing a bit from his injuries, but the quack tried to help the people from the symptoms which it got worse and Wapols soldiers kept chasing after them. Of course, it can bring a question which it something that Chopper had on his mind.
"Doctor, what are pirates?" Chopper questions.
"Pirates?! They're dashing swashbucklers of the sea with great strength and the eyesight of eagles! Their voices echoed like rolling thunder!" Dr. Hiriluk answered with passion, smiled.
They were outside, watching the view of the island, the vast sea, and the snow melting. Dr. Hiriluk carries Chopper on the top of his shoulders so he could get a view.
"It's great to be a pirate, the most amazing people sailed the seas." Dr. Hiriluk explains with a smirk. "Chopper, someday you've got to go to sea. If you do, you'll realize just how small your problems really are in comparison to the vastness of the oceans. The island you were born on is like this, compared to the world."
Dr. Hiriluk then raise his hand at the ocean, making a round finger gesture.
"Really?" Chopper asks.
"No, it's smaller, like this." Dr. Hiriluk answered, making his finger gesture smaller. "Really."
They then burst with a laughter for a few minutes, calms down as the quack spoke.
"Your destiny lies beyond that shining sea." Dr. Hiriluk told him as Chopper look at the sea.
'The good times passed in a twinkling of an eye. And then, it finally time to say farewell as it always does in the end.'
One year later, Chopper is fully healed and Dr. Hiriluk unbandaged him since the treatment is complete as he spoke.
"It's taking a year, but your treatment is finally complete." Dr. Hiriluk said, stood up. "Your injuries are healed, Chopper."
"Yeah, thank you, Doctor." Chopper thanked him with a smile.
"Well then, take care." Dr. Hiriluk said, turns and walk away, leaving Chopper confused and sand when the quack opens the door, pushed him out of his home. "On your way, have a nice life. I'm busy with my research. So hit the bricks, I'm no longer under any obligation to care for you!"
Dr. Hiriluk then close the door, leaving Chopper alone as he starts crying.
"Doctor! I swear, I won't cause you any trouble if you just let me stay with you!" Chopper pleads, banging the door. "I'll rub your shoulders every day! I'll make you tea and clean the house! Please, let me stay! I don't have any friends! I don't have anywhere to go! Doctor! Please! Can you hear me?! Doctor!"
Dr. Hiriluk ignored his pleas, but he just couldn't leave him out there in the forest alone, remembered the good times he and Chopper have been. He then heard a loud thud as he opens to door.
"Chopper!" Dr. Hiriluk shouts his name when he saw Chopper hurt himself on purpose by fallen against the tree stump.
"I hurt my head, I fell." Chopper told him, causing Dr. Hiriluk to sigh. "I'm injured!"
Dr. Hiriluk went inside to grab his gun, shooting at the ground which grazed on Chopper's face.
"But why, Doctor?" Chopper whimpered, shed in tears.
"GO! GO TO SEA IF YOU LIKE! GO ANYWHERE YOU WANT! JUST DON'T COME BACK!" Dr Hiriluk yelled, firing his gun at Chopper, not trying to hurt him but forcing him to leave. Chopper left with a cry and disappeared, leaving Dr. Hiriluk dropped his gun as he then starts crying. "FORGIVE ME, CHOPPER!"
After few minutes of crying, Dr. Hiriluk calms himself down and head to Dr. Kureha's home that is a tree.
"I'm dying." Dr. Hiriluk told her, looking at his blood from his hand.
"Yes, you are." Dr. Kureha agrees with a cackle.
"Tell me the truth, how many days do I have left?" Dr. Hiriluk demands.
"Excuse me, this isn't a charity award. You don't have the money to pay my fee." Dr. Kureha stated when Dr. Hiriluk points his tranquilizer gun at her.
"Tell me!" Dr. Hiriluk demands again, causing Dr. Kureha to look at him with a glare as she quickly beats him up while grabbing his gun.
"You can't kill a person with the tranquilizer gun." Dr. Kureha told him, tossed his tranquilizer gun at him. "Alright, I'll tell you, 10 days from now, you'll die. So, now you know."
"10? That'll be enough." Dr. Hiriluk replied with a smirk. "In two days, my research will be done. Nil completed. After failing for 30 years, I will make cherry blossoms bloom in this country."
"You mean, you've wasted 30 years research freaking cherry blossoms?" Dr. Kureha questions surprisingly. "That's what your big project has been? The same cherry blossoms you think saved your life back when you're a master thief?!"
Unknown to the two, Chopper is watching them while hearing about Dr. Hiriluk's fatal illness.
"That's right." Dr. Hiriluk answered, leaving Chopper shocked when the quack was actually the master thief.
"Damn, you idiot! This is a Winter Island where it's bitter cold year around, no cherry blossom will ever bloom here." Dr. Kureha points out.
"No! I was nothing but a worthless criminal, I'm on the very brink of death, but those flowers save my life and transform my existence." Dr. Hiriluk refutes. "Every human being in this world can be saved! And I'm going to prove it right here in Drum Island, the land where I was born!"
"Right, you do realize that what you're saying has no basis on medical science or any other field of science? And if you do get them to bloom, there's no medicinal use-"
Before Dr. Kureha finished her explanation, Dr. Hiriluk left since he just won't listen to any reason, and he doesn't have time left.
Dr. Hiriluk then heads back to his home, trying to get through the blizzard.
'Chopper, you and I are alike. So before I die, I'll at least teach you that nothing is impossible in this world. And that you can do anything if you try.' Dr. Hiriluk thought, promised Chopper he'll teach him before his death.
'However, the story of these two outcasts doesn't have a very happy tale ending.'
'I'll show you, the miraculous cherry blossoms!' Dr. Hiriluk mentally shouts as he continues to head towards his home.
'When he found out Hiriluk only had ten days to live, Chopper got very upset as you might imagine. It was only natural, but then he decided to take action. The only way he knew how...'
Chopper ran towards Dr. Hiriluk's home to try and find a cure since he overheard of the quack having ten days to live. He even remembered that Dr. Hiriluk would make cherry blossoms bloom, but got hit by a tree when he's got something on his mind which it got him snapped out his thoughts. Chopper then remembered back at the village when Wapols soldiers explain Dalton the reason why the guards went missing, telling him that the 20 MDs had them heading toward the mountain, picking up mushrooms which they're thinking that the mushroom can cure anything.
It got him an idea as he then headed towards Dr. Hiriluk's home to find something about the mushroom that can cure. Soon as he went inside, Chopper went through some books, but made a bit messy. Chopper found the book he's looking for as he goes over it from page-to-page, finally found a mushroom he's looking for, close the book, get his things, and left the Drum Rockies.
When Dr. Hiriluk went home, he looks at the mess Chopper made which he figured that it's the certain reindeer who made this made. After he cleaned it up, Dr. Hiriluk then begin working on the machine and his chemicals.
'I did a terrible thing to you, but at least you'll see my cherry blossoms, they'll be my last great work.' Dr. Hiriluk mentally thought as he then studies through the book while pouring three chemicals on the yellow chemical, explodes and the experiment failed.
Chopper continued to walk through the forest to find the mushroom, but he stumbled on a Hiking Bear as he bows to it. He then leaps over at the cliff while heading towards the river.
"Okay, one more time!" Dr. Hiriluk said, pouring the chemical on the other as it then explodes and sent him flying towards the snowy ground. "Dammit! I'm running out of time, I've gotta hurry!"
When Chopper made his way at the cliff, he saw the herd of reindeers. Apparently, Chopper is in no mood to fight them nor have time for talking since the herd of reindeers have loathed him for a very long time. Chopper ignores them, continuing to find the mushroom. However, the leader of the reindeer was enraged to see Chopper as he hits the reindeer, knocking him out. The leader of reindeer then charges after Chopper, but he got up and charges after him, butted each others heads.
"Nothing is impossible for a man who raises the pirate flag! Isn't that what I told ya, huh?!" Dr. Hiriluk shouts in frustration, pouring some chemicals on the yellow chemical. "I'll keep on fighting, just like the pirates!"
Chopper knocked out of the ground in a bloody mess and the leader of the reindeer is no better because his head is bloodied but knocked him out and sent him flying towards the snow. But Chopper didn't give up as he and the leader of the reindeer charge against each other.
Chopper managed to win the fight and walks away; he finally saw the mushroom he's looking for.
"I found it, the Amiudake mushroom, that's it." Chopper muttered happily, but looking around the area since getting that mushroom is very far. "But...how do I get across?"
Until, Chopper heard a sound as he turned his head, saw the enraged leader of the reindeer. Chopper knew that he won't get to claim the Amiudake mushroom that easily because this fight is going to get very ugly.
Later that night, Dr. Hiriluk is exhausted and more frustrated because of the numerous times he tried to make his research work and failed many times.
"Dammit!?" Dr. Hiriluk yelled, panting heavily. "I'm close...I'm so very close..."
He then heard a sound that's coming from the door which it brought his as he hid next to his bed, ready his gun. When the opens, it revealed Chopper in a bloody mess, bruised, lost an antler, and has a broken leg as he drags himself inside.
"Doctor, I'm sorry, I'm afraid I lost...one of your precious books." Chopper apologizes, leaving Dr. Hiriluk widen his eyes in shock when he saw a certain reindeer.
"Good lord, what happen to you?" Dr. Hiriluk asks, lowering his gun.
"Mushroom." Chopp weakly answered, showing the Amiudake mushroom to him. "Medicine."
"Is that...for me?" Dr. Hiriluk asks, knew what that mushroom is, drop the gun. "An Amiudake mushroom?"
"Please live." Chopp begs when the quack walks closer to the reindeer. "Please teach me to be a doctor, okay? I'll fight and I won't give up, just like pirates."
Dr. Hiriluk was touched by his kindness, kneel to his level.
"Chopper...I..."
"You think a reindeer can..."
Dr. Hiriluk then starts to shed in tears, crying as he hugs him.
"Of course...yes...yes...you'll be a wonderful doctor." Dr. Hiriluk accepts with a smile on his face.
"Doctor, I can't breathe." Chopper told him, trying to breathe.
"I know you'll be a wonderful doctor." Dr. Hiriluk said. "Cuz' you have such a kind heart."
Meanwhile at the castle, Chess and Kuromarimo were being summoned by Wapol and Musshuru since they wanted to know if they were able to find the doctors. Dalton is leaning against the pillar, listen to the conversation since he's getting worried about his people's well-being.
"Chess! Kuromarimo! Is hunting the doctors proceeding according to my plan?" Wapol questions the two.
"Yes, nearly all the doctors have been exiled, sir." Chess informed him.
"Nearly all?" Wapol repeats.
"What do you mean by that?" Musshuru demands with a scowl.
"There are two that still allude us, sire." Kuromarimo explains.
"That old crone, Dr. Kureha."
"And that crazy quack, Hiriluk."
"What did you say?!" Wapol shouts, but regain his composure as he come up with an idea. "I just had a great idea. Send a notice to the people: Tell them that the 20 MDs have all fallen gravely ill."
Dalton widens his eyes with shock, didn't like that idea Wapol came up which he's now getting even more worried.
While at the Drum Rockies, Chopper was now all bandaged up, made a soup for Dr. Hiriluk which he accepts it as he taste the bowl of soup.
"How's the soup? Good?" Chopper asks with a smile.
"BLEAAGH! This reeks!" Dr. Hiriluk shouts with disgust, making Chopper budging his eyes. "Low-living creature could eat this soup!"
"I'm sorry." Chopper apologizes sadly.
"Hey, don't worry about it. Good medicine never tastes good, you know. That just means it's working." Dr. Hiriluk told him with a shrug, smiled at the reindeer. "Thanks for the soup, Chopper."
Chopper then smiled as Dr. Hiriluk laughed, but stopped when he widen his eyes, looking at the round beaker that's glowing in bright pink. Chopper then looks at the round beaker, notice the bright pink glow.
"What's that?" Chopper asks curiously.
"I've done it." Dr. Hiriluk muttered, earned his attention. "I've finally done it. This is it."
He then walk towards the machine while looking at his work.
"This reaction, I've been waiting 30 years for this." Dr. Hiriluk said with a smile, turned to Chopper. "I've done it, Chopper! My research is a success! I was right all along! See that?! See that?!"
He then opens the door, feeling excited as he spoke.
"YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Dr. Hiriluk yelled happily, raise his arms. "I CAN DO IT! I CAN MAKE CHERRY BLOSSOMS BLOOM ON THIS WINTER ISLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNND!"
Chopper then smiled, seeing him happy of his research as Dr. Hiriluk placed him on the bed, getting his hat on and carry his case. He then walk towards the door, but stop for a few seconds, turning his head to Chopper.
"I'm going out, you stay put and rest." Dr. Hiriluk told him.
"Okay." Chopper complies.
"See you later." Dr. Hiriluk said as he then closes the door, leaving Chopper alone in the bed.
'Doctor was happy. Wow, I've cured a humans disease.' Chopper mentally thought with a smile, quietly laugh happily, but stops when Dr. Hiriluk opens the door.
"You're going to become a great doctor, I'll make sure of it." Dr. Hiriluk said to him, then closes the door again and left.
When Dr. Hiriluk made his way to Dr. Kureha's home, he spoke to her.
"You realize this entire country is a madhouse right now." Dr. Hiriluk stated with a serious expression.
"Yeah, I noticed." Dr. Kureha replied, knew the information. "Have you heard about the 20 MDs falling ill? What a croc. So, what brings you here today?"
"I have a favor to ask-"
"I refuse. Anything else?" Dr. Kureha interrupts with a question.
"I haven't even asked it yet." Dr. Hiriluk told her with annoyance, give her the bag full of pink dust.
"So, what is this dust supposed to be?" Dr. Kureha questions, looking at the dust.
"That dust is 30 years of my life. It's the discovery I've been searching for, it'll treat this countries sickness and it'll cure it." Dr. Hiriluk explains, raise his fist with passion.
"You just wasted 30 years of your life, nicely done." Dr. Kureha sarcastically compliments, wiping the dust with her shirt. "Anyway, why are you showing it to me?"
"I wasn't able to make enough dust, there's no time." Dr. Hiriluk explains. "I want you to make cherry blossoms bloom for me."
"Nonsense, why should I-"
"I'm not finished." Dr. Hiriluk interrupts, rush towards her. "I want you to teach Chopper about medicine, he wants to be a doctor more than anything."
"Are you mad?!" Dr. Kureha exclaims when she saw Dr. Hiriluk beg to his knees. "Why would I-"
"He may be a reindeer and a freak, but I know he'll make a great doctor." Dr. Hiriluk interrupts again, begging. "He's a good person with a kind heart. He risked his lifeto make medicine for me. Please, help him become a doctor."
Dr. Kureha have had enough of him, angered by his favors and request for them to be completed for free.
"You sure got a lot of nerve, you quack! Why should I take care of your half-baked research and your weird pet?!" Dr. Kureha demands, walking towards him. "You know me, I'm not the type to get all sentimental just because someone has a short time to live. Now get out of my tree!"
Dr. Kureha then kicks him out of her home, shuts the door with a slam.
"Yeah, I know. We've known each other for a long time." Dr. Hiriluk muttered with a sad smile, chuckled a bit. "Goodbye."
With that, Dr. Hiriluk then left and it'll be the last time he'll be visiting her. Dr. Kureha then lay on the recline bed, looking at the small bag of pink dust while thinking about what Dr. Hiriluk have told her.
"This doesn't seem like you, Hiriluk, to give up so easily." Dr. Kureha muttered, wondering why would Dr. Hiriluk ask her for favors, but she then realized why. "No, he couldn't mean..."
While at the village, the people who are injured gathered at the ropeways when they heard the announcement from Wapols soldiers.
"What do you mean?!"
"20 MDs are ill?!"
"Who's rigged the countries people?"
"At least give us medicine!"
Dr. Hiriluk rush towards the ropeways as fast as he could.
"It's no good talking to us, we're just telling you. Don't-"
"Everyone get out of my way! I said move it!" Dr. Hiriluk yelled, carrying his bombs when the injured people looks at him with panic as the quack threw the bombs at the soldiers.
"That guy is insane!"
Dr. Hiriluk then points his gun at the soldier, making his face pale.
"Head for the ropeway, then the castle." Dr. Hiriluk demands.
While at Dr. Hiriluk's home, Chopper heard the door opened, seeing Dr. Kureha as she spoke.
"Where's that damn fool Hiriluk?!" Dr. Kureha demands with a serious expression, causing Chopper to panic as he try to find a place to hide. "For crying out loud, you don't have to hide, I know all about you! Now where that quack ran off too?! Dammit talk!"
"D-Doctor got better, so he went to town. That's all." Chopper answered.
"Better?" Dr. Kureha repeats, walk towards him with her hands placed on her hips. "He can't get better, his condition can't be cured by any treatment known too modern medical science."
"That's not true!" Chopper denies, showing the Amiudake mushroom to her. "Look at this! He's all better now, because I gave him this to eat."
"It can't be." Dr. Kureha gasped with shock and her face pale, now understands why Dr. Hiriluk is in a hurry.
"This is an all-purpose medicine. So, he's fine now." Chopper told her, leaving Dr. Kureha very angry. "He said he felt like he was full of energy. Doctor said he was going to teach me to be-"
Dr. Kureha then punches Chopper in the face angrily, sent him flying and crashed against the crate. Chopper was shocked that Dr. Kureha punched him, but the reason is that she's angry as she looked at him.
"What was that-"
Before he could ask, Dr. Kureha grabbed him and punched him again, sent him flying against the bookshelves.
"YOU STUPID FOOL!?" Dr. Kureha yelled at him angrily. "Don't you know?! That mushroom...it's poison...Once you eat, you're dead half a day."
Chopper was confused at first why Dr. Kureha punched him, but now he sees her crying when she told him about the Amiudake mushroom is poison and it left him shocked. She then collapses down to her knees.
"That's why that idiot came to me and-"
"That can't be true. I checked in one of Doctor's book." Chopper interrupts with disbelief, refuse to believe her. "Though, I guess I lost the book somehow. It can defeat all diseases."
Chopper then remembered Dr. Hiriluk next to the Jolly Roger flag and remembered what the quack told him.
"That's right, there was skull right next to the Amiudake mushroom and doctor said he got better." Chopper stated when he remembered the skull right next to the mushroom. He then stood up with anger. "There's no way he'll die! You're lying to me!?"
While at the ropeways, Wapols soldier is taking Dr. Hiriluk to the castle which the quack didn't realize that Wapol is up to something sinister.
"Stop dawdling! Hurry up! I haven't got any time left to waste!" Dr. Hiriluk demands, almost to the brink of death.
While back Dr. Hiriluk's home, Dr. Kureha spoke to Chopper since he has the right to know.
"He was touched by the kindness in your heart, the skull in that book means poison, understand?"
"Liar!" Chopper shouts, refuse to believe her.
"No, remember it! There is no known medicine in this world that can work for all-diseases, that's why doctors exist." Dr. Kureha told him.
"But I-"
"Listen, you can't save people with just kindness! If you really want to save them, you need medical skills and the training to use them!" Dr. Kureha interrupts, try to reason with him. "Without that, you can't save anyone!"
Now, Chopper begins to understand why Dr. Kureha explain to all of the reason why there's no all-purpose cure to help people and why doctors/medics exists. Even after all the trouble Chopper have been through have made Dr. Hiriluk even worse because the Amiudake is a poisonous mushroom, and the quack is now dying because of it. It left him devastated with all his heart as he cries.
"You poor fool." Dr. Kureha muttered, picked her sunglasses up as she puts it on with sorrow.
While at the castle, one of the soldiers came to throne room to inform Wapol and Musshuru.
"Lord Wapol, Musshuru, Hiriluk is heading towards the castle."
"It worked." Wapol said happily, mockingly laugh. "Fool!"
He and Musshuru then laughed when Dr. Hiriluk is about to be here in the castle, leaving Dalton shocked.
'Is he serious?! Why? What for?!' Dalton mentally questions.
While at Dr. Hiriluk's home, Dr. Kureha grabs the wine and spoke.
"He'll never return to this house." Dr. Kureha told him. "I guess he chose the castle to be his tomb."
It got Chopper shocked and even more sad when Dr. Hiriluk is about to die in the castle as he rush out of the house, heading to where the quack is going.
While at the castle, Dr. Hiriluk made it to the castle as he spoke.
"I DEMAND THAT YOU TAKE ME TO THE PATIENTS! I'VE COME TO SAVE THE 20MDS!" Dr. Hiriluk demands with a yell, but shocked when he saw 20 MDs are stilll alive. He then saw Wapol, Musshuru, Chess, Kuromarimo, Dalton, and the group of soldiers. "What?!"
"You idiot! Don't you get it yet, it was a trap! The 20 MDs are fine as you can see!" Wapol shouts with a mocking smirk, laughing. "The only life in danger here is yours, Dr. Hiriluk!"
Dr. Hiriluk now understands why Wapol pulled that trick and he fell into a trap, but Dalton is wondering why the quack is here.
'Why did he come here?' Dalton mentally questions.
"Guards, ready!" Wapol ordered as the soldiers readied their guns, aiming at Dr. Hiriluk.
"So that was it." Dr. Hiriluk muttered, collapse to his knees as he cried out. "God, then none of them are sick. I was afraid this was a national crisis, but no...luckily, it was just a trick."
It left Dalton shocked along with the 20 MDs, seeing Dr. Hiriluk cried in joy and genuinely concerned.
"Ha! If it really was a national crisis, I wouldn't want someone like you." Wapol mocks. "Ignore his babbling, execute him!"
"Save your bullets. You don't have what it takes to kill someone like me." Dr. Hiriluk said, stops them from firing when he raises his hand, leaving Wapol confused. "Hey...When do you think a person dies? When a bullet from a pistol pierces his heart? No...When he's attacked by an incurable disease? No...When he eats a deadly poisonous mushroom soup? No! A man dies when people forget him..."
It now left Dalton crying in tears, touched by his words as Dr. Hiriluk poured the failed medicine on the cone.
"Even if I should disappear right now, my dream will come true. And when it does, the citizens sickness of the heart will be cured as well." Dr. Hiriluk stated, looking at Dalton. "You're crying, why Dalton?"
"Is it true for a country?" Dalton questions sadly.
"Yeah, it the will to do it is passed on." Dr. Hiriluk replied.
"Come on, Dalton, why are you crying?" Wapol questions, laughing with a mockery.
"Very shortly, a monster will be coming. He's my son! Please, don't hurt him." Dr. Hiriluk pleads, doesn't want Chopper to die. 'Don't worry, Chopper, your mushroom won't kill me.'
Dr. Hiriluk then remembered the good times with Chopper as he raise his failed medicine.
"I've had a marvelous life!" Dr. Hiriluk shouts happily as he drank it.
'Goodbye, quack.'
"Thank you, Chopper!"
And with his last words, Dr. Hiriluk died in a huge explosion before the mushroom could kill him, leaving Dalton extremely shocked and devastated. When Chopper arrived at the castle, he was too late to save his father-figure, became shocked to the core as seeing his death. Wapol then laughed at his demise.
"He blew himself up! What an idiot!" Wapol mocked, laughing.
Chopper became enraged as he roared in pure rage, turning into a human form. He then charges after Wapol, leaving the soldiers frightened of his form.
"STOP!" Dalton yelled as he stops him in his bison hybrid form, overpowers him. "Leave, leave here at once! If you can't even defeat me, you can't possibly defeat them! I apologize for those who had the nerve to laugh at Hiriluk's death!"
Then, Chopper stopped himself for struggling, seeing Dalton is feeling sincere about Hiriluk's death.
"Without enough strength, you'll only die in vain." Dalton told him. "Don't waste your life. Don't sacrifice it for this country. Please..."
Wapol became furious for letting Dalton leave Chopper alive as the reindeer left the castle with Dr. Hiriluk's hat.
"You let him get away!?" Wapol shouts.
"Just shut your mouth! The only man who cared enough to try to cure this sick country has just died while you laughed!" Dalton retorts. "Even while everyone else has just gave up in despair, this kind doctor intends to save us all and died for it!"
"So what if someone like that dies?!" Wapol said without care as Dalton turned to him.
"I've seen the path this country should take, it should just die out! As long as we stay here and can't be rebuild because...even if medical care progresses, even if medical reserch goes on...There is no medicine that can cure fools!" Dalton shouts in pure anger.
"I let you have your say and...All you've done is made me angry!" Wapol growled with anger, had enough of Dalton.
While down at the outskirts, Chopper placed the hat at the top of the wooden stick as a tomb for Dr. Hiriluk, cried in sorrow. Dr. Kureha sees the reindeer waving the pirate flag.
"Please! Please teach me how to be a doctor! You've got to teach me how to become a doctor, you've got to!" Chopper pleads. "I'll become the all-purpose medicine! I'll become a doctor who can cure anything! You'll see! I'll even cure this country! I'll do anything you ask of me, but I've got to become a doctor! Because I know there's no disease, no illness in this world that can't be cured!"
With his pleas, Dr. Kureha knew Chopper really want to become a doctor and she decided to accept Dr. Hiriluk's favor.
"Call me Doctrine, from now on." Dr. Kureha told him.
With that, Dr. Kureha takes him in under her wing and teach him to become a doctor.
That's it for the 20th chapter.