Wapol glowered at his enemies, very disappointed at this turn of events. Given their former success, he had believed that taking the castle back wouldn't be a problem but look at this. His subordinates had completely failed...
''I guess it is true, if you want something done right, do it yourself.''
''Oh? So you're finally going to fight, your majesty?'' One would have to be blind, deaf and stupid not to pick up on the mockery in Sanji's tone.
Wapol ground his teeth ''You can talk big now but I'll make sure to execute you all!''
''Yeah? You and what army? Besides, you've got worse stuff than little old me to worry about.''
Almost as if to prove the cook's point, Luffy struck then, forcing the man back. Wapol could only try to defend or dodge against the rubber teen's quick attacks. Soon, he was forced to use his hands to block a punch to his stomach. But then he used his powers to make a cannon from his mouth, which he used to blast the snow, raising a large mound that blinded Luffy for a few moments.
He blinked ''What just...?'' The words died in his mouth as he realized Wapol was gone.
''Hey, don't just stand there! He's in the castle!'' Kureha informed.
''Wait, but that means Nami-san's in danger!'' Sanji exclaimed. Luffy scowled and immediately ran to the building behind them.
As it so happened, Wapol found the room where the navigator was resting. Since she had no idea what was going on, Nami was very confused but Wapol was angered again to see another person there. Deciding that he would deal with all the opposition by handling the girl first, the ex-king made to take her but Nami ran out of the room and thus began a chase.
''What the heck is that guy's deal?'' Nami wondered, glancing at Wapol's approaching figure. She had just been woken up by a lot of noise coming from outside but had no time to try and find out what was going before the ex-king found her.
Spotting a flight of stairs, Nami ran over and made to climb them. When Wapol caught up, he was about to grab her and she quickened her pace. Moments later, the girl had to grin as she realized that her fat attacker had gotten stuck where he was.
''Too bad!''
Wapol growled and then did something she never expected. He began eating himself!
Nami gaped at the sight, watching him continue until only his mouth was left. Seconds later, Wapol appeared near her, much taller and thinner.
''W-what the heck happened?!''
''Hmph, it's my devil fruit power. Are you scared yet? This is only a little of what I can do!'' Wapol bragged.
''...I really don't want to know what else you have in store then.'' She said, honestly disturbed by the sight.
''You won't have time to worry about...'' Just as he made to grab her, he was punched in the face by a newly arrived Luffy, who jumped in between Wapol and Nami.
The navigator perked up ''Luffy!''
''You okay?'' The rubber teen grinned when she nodded. ''Good.''
For a moment he wondered how Wapol wound up like that but he knew it wasn't time to ask. The ex-king recovered and created a cannon from his tongue again, Luffy grabbed Nami and jumped back just as he fired, allowing them to get off safely.
''Why you...'' Sanji snarled as he and the others caught up. ''You won't get away with endangering Nami-san!''
''You've got it backwards, none of you are getting away!'' The ex-king retorted, creating cannons from his arm then and firing once more, this time targeting Sanji's group. This was stopped cold by Miguel, who cast Ark Shield to nullify the blasts.
''For all your big talk, you're just a coward!'' Chopper snapped.
''Your fight's with me!'' Luffy snapped, aiming a kick at the enemy, who smirked and dodged it with ease.
He laughed ''I don't use this form but it's more powerful than my original form.'' His grin widened as he dodged a Pistol attack from Luffy. ''You see? Eat this!'' Creating a big cannon in his mouth, Wapol opened it to launch another blast but then Luffy grabbed the man's head and forcefully shut his mouth just before he got to fire the cannon.
Miguel's lips twitched. When did he even have the time to come up with that? ''Only you, Luffy...''
''Yeah, he's really something...'' Kureha trailed off.
For a few moments, it appeared as if steam was coming out of Wapol's ears as he cried out, his mouth now burnt because of the mishap. When Luffy drew close again, Wapol managed to gather enough strength to punch him but sense blunt attacks were useless against his opponent, Luffy quickly bounced back and unleashed a counterattack that sent the man to the floor.
Chopper looked on in awe at the teen again while Kureha cracked a smirk ''...You know, I might actually let the brat off for all the trouble he caused. Seeing Wapol get his comeuppance is pretty entertaining.''
Wapol pulled himself up, scowling ''Don't celebrate just yet. I'm far from finished! In fact, I will unleash the most powerful weapon in my armory!''
Luffy braced himself, seeing the man dig in his coat. But then, something strange happened.
Wapol's expression changed, looking unnerved as he realized something was wrong before alarm settled in. ''The key-my key is gone!''
Nami, deciding to get a little payback, waved the item she had taken from him when he tried to choke her back in the room. ''Oh, you mean this?'' Wapol froze and she smirked. ''You make for a really easy mark, you know.''
Miguel looked amused while Sanji laughed ''Good job!''
Wapol ground his teeth, knowing he'd been had. ''Since it's come to this...very well, its time for my trump card-the Royal Drum Crown 7 Shot Bilking cannon!''
Then, just as they assumed he would attack, Wapol surprised them by turning and running up the stairs nearby.
''What the heck...?''
Luffy hurried after him, with the others following suit. ''Get back here!''
When they found Wapol again, he was standing at the top level of the castle next to a large cannon. He grinned at the sight of the new arrivals ''Good, you're all here-I'll finish this now!''
The ex-king proceeded to use the cannon...but nothing happened.
Silence reigned as the fact sank in, Wapol stiffened. Assuming that the cannon may be be rusty or something, he tried to fire it again-but to no avail.
The ex-king began to sweat as he went for it again. However...
A third try, failure. Just then, a baby snow bird flew out of what the teen noticed was a nest made in the cannon.
''Oh, so that's why...'' Chopper realized, spotting the other two birds settled with in the old weapon along with a mass of twigs.
Luffy grinned ''Hehe, nice! They got a good use out of it!''
''Why you!'' Wapol growled. ''Stupid bird! What do you think you're doing getting in my way?! I'm the King of Drum!''
''...He's actually yelling at the bird?'' Nami wondered. Miguel nodded, looking just as unimpressed.
Sanji shared their sentiments ''What an idiot.''
''Silence, you peasants!'' Wapol snarled.
''You shut up, moron!'' Luffy retorted, running up to attack him again.
The man recoiled, seemingly understanding at last that he would not win. ''W-wait, you don't have to do this! I'll offer you a good position in my kingdom...'' He paled, seeing Luffy ignore him. ''...I'll make you a general! How about a vice-king?!''
''Save it, Gum Gum Blowgun!''
The powerful blow rammed the enemy, sending him flying out of the castle in moments. Luffy was left grinning in satisfaction ''That's the end of that.''
As per Kureha's instructions, they tied up Wapol's defeated minions and threw them in one of the castle's prison cells. While everyone was trying to decide where to go from there, Kureha happened to notice a group of people approaching the castle.
She recognized most of them as citizens from around the island, leading them was Dalton. The doctor saw three unfamiliar figures walking behind the man and looked at the Straw Hats, gesturing at Usopp, Vivi and Zoro as she asked. ''Are they your friends?''
''Yeah, hey guys!'' Luffy waved.
''Luffy! Did that fat jerk from the ship really come here?'' Usopp said.
He nodded ''But it's okay now, we took care of things!''
Dalton's eyes widened ''Wait, are you saying...Wapol was defeated?''
''Yup!''
''How did you know he was coming here?'' Nami wondered.
Usopp proceeded to explain how Dalton and a number of people from the towns confronted Wapol. The first had been willing and more than able to take the man on but his subordinates had gotten in the way. Since Dalton used to work with Wapol at one point, they were familiar with his abilities. However, the man handled himself well and he might have even won if the evil king had not aimed his attacks at the people soon. Dalton saved them by taking all the attacks, otherwise they might have died.
But even that didn't deter him. As he was patched up, the man was more determined than ever to deal with Wapol and thus they had gathered a group to come face them.
''Well, you don't have to worry. It's all over.'' Miguel stated.
Dalton bowed his head ''...Thank you all. This country can finally be reborn.''
Chopper had to agree with that statement. At first, he had just been shocked that Wapol was finally taken down but now he could only suppress a smile as he thought of how happy Hiriluk would have been at this turn of events.
While he came to like the pirates, he still couldn't deal with the people as of now and thus kept his distance. Still, Dalton's words had him him wondering 'Are you watching, Doctor? The island is free for good.'
''Nami, are you all right now?'' Vivi asked.
''Sure am! Doctorine's medicine works wonders.''
The princess smiled while Zoro and Usopp looked relieved ''Thank goodness...''
''There's more to it than that, little girls.'' The two looked at Kureha as she walked over. ''She still need to rest for a few days to fully recover.''
''I don't have that kind of time!'' Nami said at once. ''We're on our way to help Vivi save her country. There's no way I'm staying back now!''
Kureha was clearly not backing down an inch and it became clear that she would force Nami to stay if it became necessary. This lead the girls to try and convince her to understand the situation.
While they were at it, Luffy soon noticed how Chopper was keeping his distance from everyone. ''Hey, reindeer! What're you doing over there? Come and meet our friends!''
Chopper stiffened as this brought attention to him. Usopp recoiled ''Th-that must be the monster we heard about!''
Nami groaned as she saw the reindeer flinch and hurry away, knowing that this was about the worst thing that could've been said now.
Mutters arose as people began to realize who Chopper was and it was clear that many of them were coming to a conclusion similar to Usopp's.
A fed up Luffy cried out ''Leave the reindeer alone!''
''He's nothing like what you say!'' Miguel frowned.
''Hold on, you two know that reindeer?'' Zoro clarified.
''He's our friend, and I was just about to get him to join us!''
Miguel looked at their captain ''Never mind that, Luffy, we have to find him.''
He nodded ''Let's go!''
Chopper stiffened at the sound of footsteps, relaxing somewhat when he realized it was just Luffy and Miguel.
''Hey, you didn't have to run off like that!'' The first pouted.
''B-but you heard them...'' Chopper returned meekly. ''...people won't understand...it's always like this. I've had this blue nose and because of it, my herd exiled me. And even when when I thought I could get along with humans they all say I'm a monster...You two are different...and really nice but...''
''But nothing!'' Luffy cut in. ''I want you to join my crew!''
''W-what?!'' Chopper's jaw dropped. ''What're you saying...I don't belong with you guys! I mean...just look at me! I didn't belong anywhere...I've got this blue nose and those powers.''
''Just so we're clear, that's not a deterrent, Chopper.'' Miguel stated, to his surprise. ''...If anything, it might be more of a reason for Luffy to want you along, right?''
''Yeah, I think he's really cool!'' The captain beamed.
The little reindeer's eyes widened, turning to Miguel as he bent to his level ''I'd say it'd be great to have you with us. I don't know who put you down like that but they were wrong. You're pretty talented and it'd be a shame not to see that dream of yours come true. You need to have the courage to make it happen.''
''I...but I...'' He stuttered.
''Oh, what's your dream?'' Luffy asked with interest.
''Chopper is Doctorine's apprentice.. He wants to be the miracle cure to any disease.'' Miguel returned when Chopper didn't respond.
''Wow, so he's a doctor?! Awesome, you have to join us!''
Chopper blinked ''Wait, you didn't know I was a doctor and you wanted me to join you?''
''Yup, you're cool!''
''Do you...mean that?''
Luffy nodded, just then the three were found by Dalton, whose eyes widened when he saw Chopper.
''...It really was you...'' He breathed, having first seen the reindeer back after Hiriluk's death, recognizing him as the man's 'son' because of the doctor's words.
Chopper likewise remembered him on the same day as Dalton had been the one who stopped him from attacking Wapol in his rage at what the evil king caused.
''Those pirates said you fought against Wapol and his men too...'' He went on, lowering his head. ''...despite the horrible treatment you received from everyone, you tried to help, you didn't give up...thank you.''
Chopper stared at him, dumbfounded at this turnout. Sure, he'd fought to do the right thing and protect Doctorine and the castle where his father's grave was but he never expected anyone to say something like this...
Luffy and Miguel looked between the two, curious as they could sense that this exchange had a meaning they weren't aware of. The latter wanted to ask but he didn't think it was a good time. He was at least glad to see that there were someone else who knew that there was more to Chopper than meets the eye.
He turned to the reindeer again ''For what it's worth, I think this is a chance everyone on this island gets at a fresh start. Naturally including you too. You'd be welcome to join us, Nami and Sanji are probably explaining things to the others now. But you need to make that choice. Forget anything else right now, what do you want, Chopper?''
The reindeer stared at him in wonder for a moment before he began to mull this over...
Later, the group was preparing to leave and return to the ship. Luffy sat down on the sleigh they were going to use with a sulking expression since Chopper had yet to give them an answer.
''Miguel, why didn't you try harder to convince the reindeer to come?''
The quartermaster sighed ''He has to make the choice on his own, you know that.''
Nami smiled to herself, thinking that while Miguel didn't know the whole story and thus just how much all he did meant to Chopper, he had reached the crux of the matter. Luckily, they had managed to convince Kureha to let them leave without any trouble and while they were almost done, the matter of Chopper remained.
She liked the little reindeer but quite agreed with the wizard that there was no forcing this matter. Chopper had to make the decision on his own and whether Luffy showed it or not now, they would all respect that choice, whatever it was.
As it so happened, they wouldn't have to wait long to find out...
Chopper had his answer ready but he knew he could never bring himself to leave without saying goodbye to Kureha. Thus, he approached her in her office.
''Doctorine...''
She turned slightly ''There you are. We've got work-you need to...''
''I...I want to leave with the Straw Hats. I'm going out to sea!'' Chopper cut her off.
Kureha scoffed ''Don't be absurd. A reindeer becoming a pirate? I need your help with Dalton. You wouldn't in their travels.''
''You're wrong!'' He retorted. ''I've made my choice. This is what I want to do-I'll see to it that Doctor Hiriluk's dream become real. I'll be the miracle cure!''
''You sure talk big but what do you think you can do with those brats?''
Chopper made to respond only to be startled when she got up abruptly and the next thing he knew, his mentor had grabbed some of her scalpels. The reindeer blanched as she leveled them at him and began to run just as she threw them...
Zoro raised an eye as he glanced at the castle ''Sure is noisy back there...''
Usopp looked curious ''What's going on?''
In seconds, Chopper came running ''Hey, let's get ready to leave!''
Luffy perked up ''You're coming?!''
''Never mind that, go!'' He pushed the sleigh and everyone quickly got on it. While confused at his behavior, things suddenly made sense when a few weapons almost hit the area where Chopper was.
''What the-?!'' They looked back to find Kureha standing at the entrance, holding more weapons which she threw at her student.
Sanji looked alarmed ''What the heck...?'' He had to duck as one of the weapons almost hit him. ''That's why you were running?!''
Chopper nodded ''I told her and...she got really mad...''
Little did he realize that there was more to it.
To think that not only was their home free at last, her own apprentice and the son of one of her old patients had been instrumental in it all. Kureha supposed it was true that you never knew what life would bring...
''Hm, since you're all here...you're going to help me.'' She said at last.
Dalton blinked ''With what?''
She cracked a smirk ''A little set up to kick start this country's rebirth.''
Vivi looked at Chopper as they both mounted the Merry Go. ''...Are you okay with this?''
The reindeer sighed as the ship began to sail ''No, but it can't be helped...I don't regret my decision. I just don't know why Doctorine got so mad.''
Usopp walked over ''Yeah, that was weird...''
''I don't know, it sounds like the crazy hag to me.'' Sanji stated.
''You think so? She didn't have to handle it like that, did she...?'' Usopp looked at Chopper. ''Ah...erm, sorry for before...''
''It's okay.'' The reindeer didn't mind, after all, they had accepted him into the crew just like Luffy and Miguel said.
In moments, they caught sight of a few glowing missiles flying around the mountain. They burst, merging with the snow and turning pink. It almost looked like there was a sakura tree in the air, showering the entire island with petals. Needless to say, it made for an amazing sight.
''Wow...'' Nami uttered.
''Now that's one impressive sight.''
''It's beautiful...'' Vivi began to smile.
''Yeah, amazing.'' Miguel agreed.
The sight reminded Chopper of a story Hiriluk told him, how a thief was healed by the sight of the blossoms and it was what inspired him to become a doctor...and he suddenly recalled the vials his father had been working on before his death.
The reindeer began to tear up, since there was only one person who would know about them beside him...and similarly they were the only ones who knew another significance of this sight. It had to be Kureha..did she really set all this up for him?
'Doctorine...thank you...thank you so much for everything.' He thought.
At the same time...
Dalton looked at Kureha ''...Is this really all right?''
''...Yes, it's my kind of send off after all.'' She grinned.
His lips twitched ''I see.''
While like the others, he had been alarmed at the earlier chase, he could now see that Kureha just had her own way of doing things. He knew exactly who the send off was for after all.
A man approached the two ''Hey, Dalton, it turns out that kid was the pirate we were told about. Look!''
Dalton raised an eye at the paper he held up ''So his full name's Monkey D. Luffy...''
''D, huh?'' Kureha looked over. ''I wonder if he's anything like Gol D. Roger.''
''? Wait, you mean Gold Roger?''
''Is that what they call him these days?'' Kureha looked at the other man. ''Anyway, what did you mean? Who told you about the straw hat brat?''
''Oh, I completely forgot...someone passed the island a few days ago and asked me a and a friend that if we saw him, he'd be in Alabasta soon.''
''That shouldn't be a problem.'' Dalton stated, looking back at the sea. Given the presence of a certain individual with their group, he knew for sure. ''...That's where they're going after all.''
Chopper was thrilled as the crew fired up a party to welcome him. He hadn't realized just how right Luffy and Miguel were, it felt like he could really fit in here.
When the intial awkwardness was over, he could tell that the rest of their friends were also kind and unique in their own way. Sanji and Zoro had been really friendly, Usopp had taken to showing him a few games and Vivi treated him like a new friend already!
''Seems like you're quite a hit.'' Zoro remarked with a smirk, making the reindeer laugh happily.
"Wait, you didn't know Chopper was a doctor till Miguel told you and you wanted him to join that badly? Why?" Nami wanted to know.
"You heard what the old lady said before, he's a seven point transforming reindeer." Luffy returned as if it was completely obvious.
She rolled her eyes "Of course, silly me."
Things took a turn for the strange when they found a shivering Carue trying to find a warm place. That along with lingering ice on the duck's bag and the trail of ice they found on the ship told them that the duck had likely jumped into the sea.
Vivi went on to wrap her pet with a few blankets while Miguel used his wind sword to conjure some warm winds, looking puzzled ''Why would he even do that?''
''That's what I want to know.'' The princess frowned. ''Honestly, Carue, you know better than to do something so ridiculous as dive in the water.''
The duck looked offended as he quacked before pointing at Zoro and letting out more quacks.
Chopper blinked ''Carue says he really wasn't thinking but he was wondering why Zoro went for a swim in the water.''
''You what?'' Usopp blurted. ''That's why you were freezing when you showed up?!''
Zoro was about to retort but he noted something ''Wait, so you can actually translate what the duck's saying?''
''Well yeah, it's easy.'' The doctor returned.
''That's amazing.'' He stated only for the reindeer to blush and snap that he didn't need praise so he should stop. The swordsman raised an eye as it obviously looked like he was pleased. Vivi giggled at the sight while Usopp and Sanji chuckled.
Nami shook her head as they watched Luffy and Usopp get in a thumb war over a few rice crackers ''Sorry to break it to you but your new family is pretty crazy.''
Chopper's eyes widened at the word family but he then giggled, deciding that his hopes may actually come true and he would belong here.
Miguel smiled ''So, are you happy with this choice?''
He beamed ''You bet!''
Aaand we're done.
Hah, I never intended for this chapter to take so long but I've been busy. I really wanted to make some progress in wrapping up the Alabasta Arc and thankfully, I'm more or less half way through it. I never thought it would give me so much trouble...
Anyway, I hope you like the chapter and thanks for reading. Till next time!