This is the 25th chapter. I don't own the series of One Piece.
Hiriluk's Cherry Blossoms! Miracle in the Drum Rockies!
Winter Island, Castle
Few hours later after Ventus went inside of the castle with Chopper, the reindeer need some time alone to think when he's outside sitting on the top of the roof. Chopper is thinking about Dr. Hiriluk and Dr. Kureha having a disagreement about the cherry blossoms in the middle of winter. Though, Dr. Hiriluk won't give up that easily because he'll save this country by medical science and those blossoms saved him decades ago, but he didn't get the chance to save them when he's on the brink of death because of the Amiaduke mushroom and commit suicide by drinking the failed medicine. He also remembered Dr. Hiriluk told him the reason why he raises the skull and crossbones as a challenge to all the diseases of the world, symbolizes his belief that nothing is impossible by raising the pirate flag, he vow to fight just like the pirates. He then told the reindeer that he has got to go to sea, if he does, he'll realize just small how problems are.
When he finished remembering of Dr. Hiriluk's words, he spoke.
"Doctor, I..." Chopper muttered sadly, looking at the pirate flag.
Until, Luffy's arms stretches up at the top of the room which it got Chopper's attention when he saw the rubber Captain launched himself up with a goofy grin on his face. It got Chopper's face paled as he then ran around at the castle while Luffy chases after him.
Ventus can hear the screaming from Chopper running away from Luffy which it got him shook his head with annoyance. The villagers wrapped Musshuru around with a cloth and placed him somewhere away from the castle. Anna, Zoro, Usopp, and Vivi walk towards the young Dragoon. Even Shanise and Ivan knew Musshuru is killed by the hands of Ventus.
"Hey Ventus, is that guy Musshuru these guys are carrying?" Anna questions curiously.
"Yeah he is. And that's not all." Ventus answered, showed the Devil fruit to them. "I manage to find a Devil Fruit that's been around here recently."
"Wait, a Devil fruit? What's it doing here?" Zoro questions surprisingly.
"Perhaps I'll explain. You see, when the Devil fruit user dies between either of the fight or tried to have more than one Devil fruit powers, it'll turn back into a fruit." Ventus explains. "There are many unknown methods of how it happen or why."
"Wait, so when you killed Musshuru, it'll turn back into a Devil fruit?" Vivi asks.
"Pretty much, but it's still unknown since not many would ever eat the Devil fruit nor would even try to research about them, either." Ventus explains.
"Okay, but what kind of fruit that Musshuru guy used? The one that you're holding?" Zoro questions.
"This is called the Spore-Spore fruit, this fruit allows you to create and control deadly spores." Ventus told him. "Musshuru was the first who ate that fruit and manage to create those deadly mushrooms while Wapol ate the Munch-Munch fruit."
"Munch-Munch fruit?" Vivi repeats.
"Yes, that fruit is the most annoying one and Wapol ate it, have the ability to stretch open his to a large size of his mouth, strength his digestive system, and hardens his teeth so he eat anything, including buildings." Ventus explains. "Not to mention he can produce weapons from any kind of materials he ate."
It got Usopp pondered for a few seconds, then remembered a while back when Wapol ate the part of the Going Merry.
"Now that you mention it, Wapol ate the knife and some of the part of our ship." Usopp muttered. "Huh, it's no wonder his teeth didn't break. And I thought Luffy ate a lot."
"He does, but Wapol is more uncouth than Luffy." Anna points out.
"So, what are you gonna do with it? You gonna eat it or what?" Zoro asks seriously.
"Nah, I'd rather not." Ventus shook his head. "My dragon lineage and my lance mastery is enough. I don't need the Devil fruit for my goal, I'd rather use my own capabilities in order to achieve that."
"Spoke like a true man. And a wise choice." Zoro said with an impressed smirk.
Suddenly, Dr. Kureha walk towards the young Dragoon with a smirk on his face, extends her hand.
"Since you're not going to eat the Devil fruit, I'll take it for medical fee." Dr. Kureha suggests with a cackle. "And don't worry, I won't eat it. I'm gonna place in that treasure chest and keep it locked up, that's all."
The four were a bit skeptical about Dr. Kureha's suggestion, but Ventus trust her, give the Devil fruit to her. However, Zoro widen his eyes when he recognizes the doctor.
"Hey! I recognize her! You're that damn old hag from before-"
Dr. Kureha then beats Zoro to a pulp and knocked him out, leaving him a massive bump on his head. It got the villagers, including Vivi, Ivan, Shanise and Usopp, except Anna, Dalton, and Ventus, really scared of her insane strength.
"You should've kept your mouth shut, Zoro." Ventus told him.
"Yeah, maybe I should." Zoro agrees with a groan.
While at the outside of the castle in the front entrance, Nami and Sanji were hiding from Dr. Kureha so they won't get caught when she's out of bed a while ago.
"Nami, you really should stay and have your illness completely treated." Sanji suggests seriously.
"Be quiet." Nami whispered with a serious expression on her face. "If I don't escape from her now, we won't be able to set sail for two more days. You know how worried Vivi is, we need to get her to Alabasta."
"Quit all this grumbling and get back to the medical ward. Move it! RIGHT NOW!" Dr. Kureha yelled, kicking the wall and break it as Nami and Sanji yelled in panic with white bloodshot eyes and shark-like teeth.
"Remind me to never get on her bad side." Ivan said with his body trembling in fear.
"Only if you say one word and get beat up the same as Zoro did." Shanise warned him, turns to Ventus. "Speaking of, did you tell the doctor about Nami and Sanji were hiding?"
"I didn't, Dr. Kureha lived in the castle longer than me." Ventus answered. "And even I did, I'm pretty sure Nami will get mad at me."
They couldn't help but agree, already saw how often Nami can get mad, mostly at Luffy and Usopp. They then went inside of the castle, leaving Zoro pouts with a scowl and Usopp making a big snowball, making a snowman.
Soon as they went inside of the castle, Dr. Kureha places the Devil fruit inside of the chest, locked up and place it inside of the vault so it won't fall into the wrong hands and never be used. She then turns to Dalton and spoke.
"Dalton, surely you would know where the key to the arsenal is." Dr. Kureha states. "Isn't that right?"
"The arsenal. Why do you need to get in there?" Dalton questions in confusion, leaving Nami widen her eyes in realization.
"That's really none of your business, now is it?" Dr. Kureha retorts, drinking the wine.
"Wapol always carried that key with him, to keep it secured. In which case, the key was likely blown into the sky with him." Dalton explains.
"Oh really? Is that so?" Dr. Kureha asks with disappointment, earned a nod from him. "Well, that's a shame."
"Doctrine." Nami called her, earned her attention when she noticed the navigator sat up. "Think we can talk about your fee for treating our crew. Could you wave it? Oh and, could you go ahead and discharge me right now as well?"
It got Dr. Kureha scoffed with a scowl on her face, not liking the deal as she placed her hands on her hips.
"Is that a joke? Because you know better than that by now, girlie." Dr. Kureha states. "For my medical fee, I already placed the Devil fruit inside of the vault, so it won't fall into the wrong hands, not even yours. Also, I will be taking all of the cargo and money you have on that ship of yours. And you will stay here and recover for two more days."
"Wait, a Devil fruit?" Nami repeats in confusion.
"The one Musshuru used, Spore-Spore fruit. Ventus was able to kill him and retrieve that fruit." Dr. Kureha explains. "The reason why I put it in there is because I don't want anyone get any funny ideas about eating it."
Nami then understands which it would explain why the villagers are dragging the dead body down to the castle and bury it somewhere while having the Devil fruit locked it up. Even Vivi knew about it because of Ventus' explanation as she turns her head to the navigator.
"Nami, she's right, you know. You need to complete your treatment." Vivi suggests, agreeing with Dr. Kureha which it got Nami grinned.
"I'm fine, I don't even feel like I'm gonna die anymore." Nami states which it's not convincing.
"That isn't exactly very a convincing reason." Vivi told her bluntly when Nami showed the key from her finger, leaving the princess of Alabasta surprised.
"The key to the arsenal." Nami said with a smirk. "This is what you need it, yeah?"
"How did you end up with that key?!" Dalton exclaims with shock.
"If that's truly the real one, how'd you get a hold of it?" Dr. Kureha questions with surprised expression on her face.
"I stole it." Nami answered, not telling her that Ventus actually stole it. It got Dr. Kureha scoffed with annoyance, walking towards her.
"You've certainly got some guts, trying to negotiate with me like this. You really are an unbelievably frustrating little girl, you know?" Dr. Kureha said with an annoyed scowl, leaving Nami chuckled nervously. "Okay then."
With that, Dr. Kureha agrees as she swipes the key from Nami, put her blazers on and about to leave the room.
"You don't have to pay my doctor's fee, but that's as much as I'll agree to." Dr. Kureha told her. "As a doctor, I can't allow you to leave in good conscience. Not for two days."
"Wait a second! In that case, I'm afraid we don't have a deal!" Nami shouts with a glare, extends her hand. "Give it back!"
"Listen here, girl!" Dr. Kureha shouts back, turns to her and point her finger at the navigator, leaving the two flinched. "I have to leave you alone now and go take care of a few things. If you look at the back room, you might find a dresser with one of coats in it and it's not exactly like I'm posting any guards on you. Also, don't even think about trying to escape."
The villagers were confused, wondering why would Dr. Kureha let Nami have winter coats for her if she's in no condition to leave. Dalton knew what the doctor is up to, putting two and two together.
"You guys, come with me, I have some heavy lifting for you to do." Dr. Kureha ordered.
With that, the villagers complied to her order as they left the medical room and head down to the main hall, leaving Vivi, Nami, and Dalton alone.
"Did she really just tell us to steal her coat and sneak out?" Nami inquires curiously.
"I think so. It's what sounded like to me." Vivi confirms, feeling suspicious of Dr. Kureha which Dalton is also feeling the same way.
Later that night, Chopper is feeling worn out because of being chased constantly by Luffy which is being persistent of having the reindeer as part of his crew. Though, the only reason is because of Chopper's transformation and not the medical knowledge.
"I sure have been running in a long time, and I came before I even realized it." Chopper muttered, pants heavily. "I don't here that rubber guy anymore. Looks like I finally shook him, I guess. This is for the best. I can't leave this place, I just can't. Looks like a full moon tonight."
When Chopper looked at the full moon, the voice of Luffy spoke.
"HEY! DEER!?" Luffy yelled which it's loud enough for Chopper to hear as he turned that sound.
"I can't believe it. Those guys are still looking for me?!" Chopper exclaims surprisingly.
"Come on, Luffy. Why don't you just give it up. We've been tracking him forever and he still hasn't shown up." Usopp whines.
"He's not interested in becoming a pirate, you just gonna have to accept that." Zoro points out.
"No, that's not true! I want the reindeer to be a pirate with us!" Luffy retorts, points his finger at the swordsman.
"JUST BECAUSE YOU WANT SOMETHING, DOESN'T MEAN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN!?" Zoro yelled with annoyance, showing his white eyes and shark-like teeth with his veins popped out of his head.
"Luffy!" Ventus called him, earned their attention when they saw the young Dragoon carrying his new weapon around his shoulder. It's a new lance with dragon wings design and has the blade on the bottom of the pommel.
"Hey, was that a new lance you're carrying?" Zoro questions.
"It is." Ventus nods, showing the new lance to them. "This is called Gae Bolg, a powerful weapon that was once used by a warrior named Cu Chulainn. It was given to him by the martial arts teacher, named Scathach."
It got the Straw Hat pirates, except Luffy, surprised of that weapon. He then turned to Luffy and spoke.
"But, that's not why I'm here." Ventus said seriously, change the subject. "I know I'm asking the obvious, but what are you doing?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm looking for that reindeer so he can join my crew." Luffy replied simply. "Ah! Now that I think about it, I should let you-"
"No." Ventus replied with an interruption, knew what he would ask the young Dragoon to do.
"No?! But Ventus-"
"I don't care if you're my Captain. I know that just because I'm the Quartermaster of this crew." Ventus interrupts again. "It doesn't give me permission to tell you what to do. However, right now I'm not talking to you as a member of your crew. I'm warning you, if you're going and find Chopper, you'll answer to me."
"What are you talking about?! That reindeer-"
"-doesn't want to join us. And I won't force him to join, either." Ventus interrupts the third time. "This isn't about you, Luffy! So, don't even think that just asking him to join the pirate crew. He has to decide for himself. If Chopper wants to come with us, he can join. If he doesn't, then that's it. So I'll say this one time, Luffy: DO NOT search for Chopper! If you'll do, then I'm leaving this crew and find my uncles by myself!?"
"Ventus." Anna muttered with stunned expression, but Ventus ignored them while focusing dead set on Luffy when his eyes turned into a dragon.
"If Alabasta gets worse because of the Baroque Works and having the reindeer, who doesn't want to come with us or join us, it'll be entirely your fault." Ventus growled, points his finger at Luffy. "And don't even try to shift the blame on any of our crew. The Captain takes responsibility for everything. If you don't take responsibility for Vivi's home country's fate, then you're qualified as Captain and you don't ever consider yourself as a pirate."
The entire Straw Hat pirates and the former Baroque works agents, including Luffy, were stunned of his statement which the atmosphere is starting to grow intense. Luffy then turns his expression into serious yet anger as he was about to say something, but someone beats him to it.
"Ventus?" Chopper called him, revealed himself from the forest and earned their attention.
"Reindeer guys!?" Luffy exclaims happily, raise his fists up. "Hey, you're gonna come on our ship and be a pirate with us!"
Ventus then grabs him after turns his hand into a dragon claw and slams him into the snowy ground.
"Chopper, are you here because you want to be a pirate?" Ventus asks with a straight question.
"No, it's not." Chopper answered.
"Sure you-"
Ventus then slams Luffy down to the snowy ground, keeping him from running his mouth.
"Then why won't you come, Chopper?" Ventus questions again.
"Because...I'm not a human! I'm a reindeer! I have antlers and hooves, don't you see?!" Chopper shouts, lying to himself. "I have a blue nose!"
Nami then remembered of Dr. Kureha's backstory about Chopper, feeling sorry for the reindeer.
"Okay, maybe I do want to be a pirate!" Chopper shouts sadly, but turns into a serious expression on his face. "But I can't with any one of you...I'm not human! I'm a monster! I can't be your friend! I can't become a pirate on your ship, you see?!"
"Then why are you here?" Ventus asks, knew that Chopper is lying.
"...I'm just here to say thank you. I appreciate you ask me to join your ship. That was really nice." Chopper told him. "So, thank you..."
Ventus, Luffy, and Nami knew that Chopper was lying which they can tell that the reindeer really wants to go with them and be a pirate.
"I'm going to stay here for..."
"You're lying." Ventus interrupts, earned his attention. "You're lying to us and yourself. If what you're saying is true, then how did he form a strong bond and being friends? If you what you said is true, then I would've end your life and there will be only one doctor left."
"Well...Uh...That's because...Well, you're different from everyone else, Ventus!" Chopper told him. "You can turn into a dragon, you breathe fire, and you can use your lance like any other Dragoons! But...is you wanted to, you can stop by here again-"
"SHUT UP! LET'S GO!" Luffy yelled, manage to pull himself up and raise his fist. It really got Ventus annoyed of his antics.
But the moment Luffy yelled, Chopper was starting to cry. Ventus walk towards Chopper, embraced him with a hug. The rest of the Straw Hat pirates and two former Baroque Works agents couldn't help but smile.
"Most people don't make friends by telling someone to shut up." Zoro muttered with a scowl.
"Welcome to the crew, Chopper." Ventus said with a smile on his face as Chopper starts crying his tears out.
After a few minutes of getting Chopper to calm down, he told them that he has to talk to Dr. Kureha. Ventus already told her goodbye, but she give him a new lance as a parting gift and a thank you for fighting against Wapol and his group. Usopp is still building a snowman when he turns to Nami and spoke.
"Nami, how are you feeling? Are you completely recovered from your illness already?" Usopp inquires, concerned of Nami's well-being.
"Sure am. I feel great." Nami answered with a smile, given him a thumb up.
"Hey, how about we go say goodbye to the old doctor lady and that Dalton guy from the village?" Luffy suggests, making a giant snowball.
"Don't be so thoughtless! We need to leave Chopper alone with Doctrine for a while!" Nami berates the rubber Captain. "He lived with her for six years, we should let them say goodbye in peace. We shouldn't gonna be sad for them both. And Doctrine acts all tough in front of us, but deep down, I think she really is a kind person."
"You sure?" Luffy asks, pondered.
"She has a point. Even though, she can be tough as nails in front of us and everyone else, including me. But she is a kind doctor once you get to know her." Ventus told him.
Nami gives him a nod with a confirm, knew that Ventus made a valid point. Anna and Shanise walk towards Ventus after Sanji give them an explanation.
"So, you killed Musshuru?" Anna asks, earned a nod from him. "Ventus, I may not condone for killing him, but I'm glad you did."
"I agree. You did it for the right reason." Shanise agreed. "And I think it's time for you to change your position."
"I second that." Sanji also agrees. "He beat us to it by killing Arlong, the entire Arlong pirates, Eric, Musshuru, and destroyed Arlong Park."
"Not my decision. It's Luffy's decision whether my position gets to change or not." Ventus told them.
Nami is agreeing to their suggestion, head towards to Luffy as she asked him to change the young Dragoons position in his crew.
"In that case, Ventus!" Luffy called him, earned his attention. "From now on, you are our First Mate!"
"Luffy, you can't-"
"It's fine." Luffy interrupts with a shrug. "Besides, you'd do a better job at watching over our crew than Zoro."
"He has a point there, especially with how reliable you are along with Anna, Shanise, and Ivan." Zoro agreed with a smirk. "I've already have a position as a Combatant for our crew."
"Guess there's no helping it. You're the Captain." Ventus said with a sigh, making Luffy cheered.
"Anyway, we're just gonna leave without saying anything to her?" Usopp questions, changing the subject.
"Yeah, that's right." Nami confirms. "Once Chopper comes back, we'll go straight down the mountain and then set sail to Alabasta. Sounds good to you, right Vivi?"
"Yes. Now that we have a doctor coming with us." Vivi agreed.
"Doctor?" Luffy repeats in confusion.
"Should we tell this idiot about Chopper?" Sanji quietly asks the young Dragoon.
"No, he's gonna get the wrong idea." Ventus told him.
"Well in that case, I'll go ahead and get the ropeway ready." Usopp suggests, heading towards the ropeway. "Hey Ivan! Shanise! Luffy! Give me a hand!"
"I'm coming!" Ivan shouts back, heading towards the ropeway along with Shanise.
"I didn't even know there was a ropeway!" Luffy states, heading towards the ropeway. "So cool!"
Meanwhile inside of the castle, the villagers are pushing those cannons out of the arsenal with Dr. Kureha watching them getting the cannons out.
"Now hurry up! Once they're all outside of the castle, line them up! You got that?!" Dr. Kureha shouts with an order.
"Dr. Kureha?"
She then turns her head to one of the villagers.
"I don't understand this. What are we taking all of these cannons out of the arsenal for?"
"Just hurry up and get it done." Dr. Kureha ordered with a smirk and cackled a little, walking out of the arsenal.
The villagers are still wanting some answers, but Dr. Kureha won't tell them why because it's a secret which they're gonna have to get those cannons out of the arsenal and find out for themselves. Soon as Dr. Kureha got out of the arsenal, she went up the stairs toward the medical room as she opens the door, noticed Nami went missing and Dalton is leaning against the wall.
"Well look at that, it's seems as if we have a couple of patients missing." Dr. Kureha states, looking at the room.
"Yes, they all left." Dalton told her. "Directly disobeying your orders."
"Oh, I see. What am I going to do with them?" Dr. Kureha questions, walks inside of the room as she drinks the wine.
"Doctrine!" Chopper called her, earned her attention when he went to the medical room. "Doctrine! I need to talk to you right now."
"Chopper, where have you been all day? Hurry up and get downstairs." Dr. Kureha ordered. "You can help the men take the cannons outside."
"Please listen doctor." Chopper pleads. "I going to become a pirate. I'm leaving with the others, right now."
"What did you say?!" Dr. Kureha growled with a question, leaving Chopper flinch a bit.
"I'm going out to sea. I'm coming on board as the ship's doctor." Chopper told her nervously. "I'm going to travel everywhere."
"Stop this foolishness, Chopper!?" Dr. Kureha shouts with anger, leaving Chopper flinch. "Now listen, you know you're my only assistant. I'm the one who taught you everything you know about medicine. Do you really feel know gratitude at all for what I've done?"
"No...No, that isn't true! I'm incredibly grateful to you, Doctrine!" Chopper protests. "And I'll always love this land, it's where I met you and Doctor after all."
"Then you can just stay here! If you think you can find another home as nice as this one somewhere on the outside world, you're sadly mistaken." Dr. Kureha told him with a scoff, leaving Chopper confused yet shocked. "Those pirates aren't good for anything, Chopper! You'll end up dead on some vagabond sword in no time."
"I can accept that." Chopper told her, leaving Dr. Kureha stop drinking her wine.
"Don't sound so sure of yourself! A reindeer going out to sea, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of!" Dr. Kureha shouts furiously.
"Yeah, I am a reindeer! But still...I'M A MAN!?" Chopper shouts back.
It got Dr. Kureha surprised of his reaction, but she's not backing down nor give up that easily as she puts the bottle of wine next to the desk.
"You can talk tough for now, but you're still my assistant, Chopper." Dr. Kureha told him. "If you want to leave, you're gonna have to go through me first. Do you understand?!"
Then, Chopper turns his expression to sadness.
"Doctrine-"
But before he could say anything, Dr. Kureha threw the axe next to the wall, leaving Chopper stunned when he turns to the weapon and left his shocked, jumped back with a shriek.
"You're still afraid of your own shadow and you're telling me you're a man?" Dr. Kureha asks furiously, placing her axe on her shoulder. "Oh please, don't make me laugh!"
"But Doctrine...These pirates, don't you see?" Chopper plead, remembered of Luffy wanted him to join the pirate crew. "...They like me..."
"QUIET YOU!?" Dr. Kureha yelled furiously, threw the axe at the wooden door which made Chopper flinch. She then rush towards the weapons and grabs them. "No! I can't let you leave me!"
Once Dr. Kureha grabbed the stone clubs, a hatchet, and the ball and chain, Chopper starts walking out of the room when she threw the stone club at him which it hit the rail instead, causing the reindeer to stumble.
"YOU'RE STAYING!?" Dr. Kureha yelled.
Chopper then starts running for his life while Dr. Kureha chases after him, threw two axes at him with anger. Dalton watches Chopper being chased by Dr. Kureha, causing him to sigh and feeling sorry for the reindeer. The villagers are still moving the cannons out of the arsenal, dragging them out of the castle, but they heard that screaming.
"I wonder what that noise was about?"
"Who knows? Whatever is going on, we better hurry and get all this stuff outside. If we aren't careful, Dr. Kureha will start using us for target practice."
"Don't exaggerate."
"COME BACK!?" The voice of Dr. Kureha yelled which it got their attention when they saw her chasing after Chopper. "I WON'T LET YOU GET AWAY FROM ME, CHOPPER!? GIVE UP!?"
With that, Dr. Kureha starts throwing spears, causing the villagers to dodge the spears with panic.
Outside of the castle, the Straw Hat pirates were hearing that loud scream, leaving Ventus knew who's screaming and figured that Dr. Kureha didn't take it very well.
"What's going on? There's a lot of noise coming from the castle." Zoro states curiously.
"I wouldn't consider it. Making all that noise when those two are trying to say goodbye, that's just downright rude." Nami states with a serious glare.
Chopper then pulls the sleigh out of the castle after turning into a reindeer form, running out of the castle.
'I'm sorry, Doctrine. But I want to out and see the world beyond this island.' Chopper mentally thought when Dr. Kureha throws the spear which it hit the snow. Chopper glances and saw Dr. Kureha still chases after him.
"WHAT COULD SOMEONE LIKE YOU DOING A PIRATE SHIP, CHOPPER?! ARE YOU GOING TO TRY TO LISTEN FANTASY LIKE THAT OLD QUACK?!" Dr. Kureha yelled, chases after the reindeer while spinning the ball and chain.
'No, you're wrong! It wasn't a fantasy! Doctor's research was finally completed before he died!?' Chopper mentally shouts, denying of Dr. Hiriluk's fantasies.
"Oh, finally! Here he comes." Zoro said, but widen his eyes when he saw Chopper being chased which it got their attention.
"What's going on?" Nami asks.
"Chopper is being chased." Ventus answered simply. "And I don't think Dr. Kureha takes it very well."
"He's right. Chopper's being pursued." Anna agreed to Ventus' answer when they saw Dr. Kureha furiously chases after the reindeer.
"Hey! We've the ropeway ready to go!" Usopp called them, but he, Ivan, and Luffy noticed Chopper is pulling the sleigh.
"Everyone! Get on this sleigh! We're going to head down the mountain! Hurry!" Chopper shouts with order when Dr. Kureha throws the ball and chain, causing them to panic as they gets on the sleigh while Ventus sprouts his wings, carrying Anna, and then leaving the castle.
Soon as they left the castle, Chopper drags them to the ropeway that connects the top of the mountain. Until, the villagers from the different village noticed the figures at the sky.
"Hey, look at that! What the hell is that thing?"
The villagers then look at the sky, it got one of them shocked when they saw the two silhouettes next to the moon.
"That's the witches sleigh."
Chopper then starts remembering the time during his stay at the castle years ago, learning about medicine and medical science from Dr. Kureha. Even though, he learned well but he sometimes made mistakes while work hard on making medicines for the patients. He even remembered of making a friend with Ventus, learning about his dark past and opens up to him.
After the flashback is finished, Dr. Kureha watches Chopper leaves the castle with his new crew. She was very sad for him to leave the island, but happy that Chopper is making new friends and go out to sea as the ship's doctor. The villagers from the outskirts of Gyasta are watching Chopper and Ventus leaves. but they're wondering what is happening at the castle and wondered has happen to Wapol.
Chopper keeps on dragging the sleigh while taking the Straw Hat pirates out of the forest when Luffy laughs and spoke.
"That was fun! Hey reindeer, can we do that again?!" Luffy shouts with a suggestion.
"You idiot! We don't have time for that!" Nami scolds him.
"Nami's right, we have to get to the ship and leave!" Sanji added, agreeing with her.
"I thought I was gonna die." Usopp said with a relief.
"Only because you kept screaming like a big pansy!" Ivan argued, leaving him and Usopp argue each other.
At the castle, Dalton walked out of the castle and saw Dr. Kureha watches Chopper and the pirates leave.
"You really think that was the best way to say goodbye?" Dalton asks, leaving Dr. Kureha slightly look over her shoulder.
"Apparently, he's taken cared of those being looked after by someone else now. That's all." Dr. Kureha told him, sheds a tear. "Besides, I don't like long goodbyes."
Dalton then smiled, understands that Dr. Kureha doesn't want Chopper to leave, but she knows that the reindeer is leaving. She then wipes her tears as she turns, walk towards the castle.
"Come on! We have work to do! We have to prepare a fitting send off!" Dr. Kureha ordered as Dalton follows her.
Winter Island
Chopper continued to head towards the forest, tried to head towards the river where the pirate ship is hiding. He then starts remembering of Dr. Hiriluk's words and his last work six years ago.
'I've finally done it! This is it! This reaction...I've been waiting 30 years for this!'
'Doctor, it wasn't a fantasy like she said, right? You've finished your work! You accomplished your dream! Or was that a lie, too?' Chopper mentally questions, began to doubt of Dr. Hiriluk.
'I've done it, Chopper! My research is a success!'
'Did you lie because you knew how sad I'd be if you died without completing it? Nothing is impossible for a man who raises a pirate flag! Please, say it again, Doctor!' Chopper mentally shouts his name, starts to get upset and thinking that Dr. Kureha is right.
Winter Island, Castle
At the castle, the villagers then raise the cannons up in the sky like Dr. Kureha ordered them to.
"Alright young men, are you ready?!" Dr. Kureha shouts.
"Yes!"
"Then fire!" Dr. Kureha ordered as she then remembered of Dr. Hiriluk's last favor.
'Listen to me Dr. Kureha, this dust is special.'
The villagers then fired the cannons, firing the special dust up at the sky.
"Dr. Kureha! What are you doing?!" Dalton shouts with a question, tried to find out what Dr. Kureha is up to.
"Just shut up and watch." Dr. Kureha told him, not answering his question.
Winter Island
Many of the villagers from the different town are hearing the cannon fire at the castle, starting to wonder if it's Wapol and why are the cannons being fired. They're starting to question if there were fireworks for his return or firing at the town which they couldn't see what is happening in the middle of the night.
Winter Island, Castle
After the villagers have finished firing the cannons, one of the villager spoke.
"Dr. Kureha! All the cannons have been fired!"
"Then light them up!" Dr. Kureha ordered.
Winter Island
Suddenly, the entire villagers saw the light at the sky which it got them stunned with shock and awe. At the forest, Chopper stops as he looks at the sky while the Straw Hat pirates and two former Baroque Works agents does the same, but the reindeer knew what the cannons have fired.
"Ah, cool!" Luffy muttered with awe.
"Yeah." Zoro agreed.
"Wow." Nami muttered with awe.
Ventus noticed Chopper was starting to cry which it got him smile. Chopper then remembered of Dr. Hiriluk and saw the light turns into pink.
'After 30 years, this dust finally completes my research.'
Winter Island, Castle
Soon as the light turns into pink, the snowflakes are slowly turning into pink, like the cherry blossoms which it got the villagers and Dalton amazed.
"This is...this is just absolutely amazing." Dalton states with awe.
"I still can't understand what that idiot was thinking." Dr. Kureha told him with a chuckle, remembered of Dr. Hiriluk.
'I will make cherry blossoms bloom in this country! Once my invention is perfected, this country is as good as saved!'
Winter Island
Chopper then starts remembering the times with Dr. Hiriluk, who's trying to help the people, but makes it worse and got into a bit of trouble. He then starts remembering of what Dr. Hiriluk have told Dr. Kureha of his last work before his death.
'This is no ordinary red dust, Kureha, this dust is designed to attach itself to the white snowflakes as they come down from the sky. The white snow will then become a beautiful shade of pink for everyone to see.'
Chopper then begins to shed in tears with joy, finally get to see the white snow turns into pink like cherry blossoms.
"Doctor..." Chopper said his name. "Doctrine..."
He then cries in a tears of joy, proud of Dr. Hiriluk's last research. Ventus can tell that Chopper is very proud of Dr. Hiriluk and his work, smiled.
'I promise you, I'm not going to shoot you, see?! My name is Hiriluk, Dr. Hiriluk.'
'Tony Tony Chopper, cool name, huh? Anyway, that's what I'm gonna call you.
'You're going to become a great doctor, I'll make sure of it.'
Those words have echoed of Chopper's head, and even remembered when he first met Dr. Hiriluk and how the quack give him a name.
Winter Island, Castle
Dr. Kureha can hear of Chopper's cries, not a tears of sadness, but a tears of joy. She even then remembered Dr. Hiriluk's last words.
'Even if I should disappear, my dreams will come true. I've had a marvelous life.'
Winter Island
Chopper then remembered of what Dr. Hiriluk have told him with his last words.
'Thank you, Chopper.'
He then cry his tears out. Dr. Kureha then send a last words before he leaves.
'Now have a save trip, my stupid son.'
The background then shows the castle covered in the shade of pink fog and the pirate flag flies.
That's it for the 25th chapter.