Chopper's Choice

The White Healing Kingdom (formerly the Drum Kingdom) · Dr. Kureha's Residence

The wind and snow finally stopped, and sunlight shone through the clouds onto the ancient wooden house atop the mountain.

A brand-new kingdom banner fluttered high in the snowy wind—a vibrant green herb bloomed proudly in the center of a pure white background, symbolizing the indomitable healing power amidst the ice and snow.

"The White Healing Kingdom..." Dalton, standing atop the snow-capped mountain, gazed at the flag fluttering in the wind, his eyes resolute.

"This is no longer a country that can be trampled on at will... From this day forward, we will make the name 'Bai Yu' resound throughout the world."

Across the kingdom, returning doctors have already thrown themselves into the reconstruction effort, with clinics, hospitals, and research institutes gradually reopening, and the outline of a medical technology capital is slowly taking shape.

In front of the wooden house, sunlight shone on the snow, and wisps of smoke rose from the eaves, carrying a faint scent of herbs.

Dr. Kureha stood on the steps in front of the door, one hand on her hip and the other holding a bottle of wine, tilted her head back and took a swig, revealing her signature big laugh:

"Ha--You two are finally leaving! I can finally have some peace and quiet!"

However...

Her eyes flickered, glancing at the two of them, her tone light yet carrying a hint of barely concealed satisfaction:

"Well done this time."

Luo stood in the snow, his Justice Coat fluttering in the wind, and gave her a slight military salute.

Thank you for your care.

Roy nodded slightly and said earnestly, "The fact that the White Healing Kingdom has emerged from the ice and snow... owes a great deal to you."

"Hmph." Kureha snorted and turned away. "I'm not anyone's mother."

But the curve of her lips betrayed her reluctance to part.

Behind her legs, a small shadow peeked out— Chopper.

He clung tightly to Kureha's trouser legs with both hooves, his head lowered, but his eyes kept sneaking glances at Roy and Ro.

"Um... are you... really leaving?" he asked softly, his voice full of reluctance.

Roy smiled and walked over, crouching down to look him in the eye. His tone was half-teasing, half-serious. "What? You're going to miss us?"

"No, no, I didn't!"

Chopper's face flushed red instantly, and he stammered, "I was just... just worried you guys... wouldn't get lost!"

Dr. Kureha nearly spat out her drink, slapping her thigh and laughing loudly, "Haha! You brat, that's a really lame excuse!"

Roy stopped joking, his smile faded, and his tone suddenly softened. "Chopper."

Have you ever thought about... joining the Navy?

Chopper was startled, his ears perked up, and his eyes widened. "Eh--Me?!"

Luo then stepped forward and added, "We need doctors like you."

"Highly skilled in medicine, timid yet brave, with a heart willing to save lives."

"On the Battlefield, sometimes a single bandage is worth more than a thousand swords."

"Our soldiers... are lacking someone like you who can bring hope."

Chopper was stunned, his little nose twitched slightly, and his lips trembled.

The words "Someone needs me" were like a ray of sunshine, suddenly shining into his insecure heart.

He asked hesitantly, "Can... can I really do it? I... I'm just a reindeer..."

Dr. Kureha slammed the bottle down on the ground, tilting Chopper's hat askew, and laughed heartily:

"Sure!"

"You are my disciple, Kureha! In medicine, you are no less skilled than those so-called 'famous doctors' out there!!"

"But remember, Chopper-- "

"Your life is your choice."

Chopper stared at her blankly, then looked at Roy and Law, his ears trembling slightly.

A few seconds later, he suddenly looked up, his small body ramrod straight, and shouted, "I've made up my mind!!"

"I want to join the Navy!!"

"I want to become a doctor who can help everyone!!"

"I want to develop a 'Panacea' that can cure all diseases and relieve the suffering of people tormented by illness!!"

His voice was hoarse, but there was no hesitation.

In the wind and snow, he waved his hooves like a fledgling bird that had finally mustered the courage to fly out of its nest.

Roy smiled and extended his hand, "Welcome to the team."

Chopper's tears welled up instantly, and with a "Wow!" he rushed over and hugged Roy's leg, his voice Mochi-Mochi and touched.

"I'll try my best! I won't hold anyone back!! Waaah--"

Luo chuckled and handed over a tissue.

Dr. Kureha stood to the side, looking up at the sky, secretly wiping her eyes, but a smug smile played on her lips.

"That brat... he's finally decided to leave this snowy mountain."

White Healing Kingdom · Harbor

The Warships cut through the snow, their propellers kicking up large sprays of water.

On the shore, the doctors stood in a row with Dalton, saluting the sea in farewell.

Chopper! Take care of yourself!

"When you come back next time, remember to bring more herbal research and stories from the sea!!"

Chopper, wearing a brand-new naval Marine Cap, leaned against the deck railing, his eyes moist yet sparkling.

He waved his hooves and shouted back, "I will work hard! I will definitely become the best military doctor!!"

Beneath the distant snow-capped mountains, the flags still Hunting Roar, and the medicinal herb blooming in the snow shines brightly in the sunlight.

But Chopper's journey has only just begun.

Sunlight streamed across the deck, the sea breeze whistled, and the Warship steadily cut through the waves.

Wearing a rather large naval Marine Cap, Chopper, a tiny little guy, ran around happily on the spacious deck, the brim of the cap almost obscuring his eyes.

"Wow! This is what going out to sea is like!! What a huge ship! What a vast sea!!"

He ran while looking around, and his pace was so fast that he almost bumped into a cargo container, but a marine caught him in time.

"Waaaaah! I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to!!"

He immediately put his hooves together and bowed hastily, but his hat fell off and covered his face, revealing only his hooves.

Several marines nearby couldn't help but chuckle, "Is this the new medic? He's quite interesting."

Chopper scrambled away a couple of steps, then, unwilling to give up, secretly glanced back in the direction of those people.

"Will they... think I'm weird...?"

As he spoke, he circled around to the other end of the deck, running and muttering to himself:

"What if they don't like me...? But I really want to talk to them again... but I'm also afraid..."

Fearful on one side, yet wanting to get closer to see on the other, the little blue-nosed reindeer spun around on the deck several times, like a top with a broken steering wheel.

He ran breathlessly to Roy's side, suddenly hugged his leg, his head pressed against the cloak, and whispered, "Roy ~ where are we going now~?"

Roy looked down and saw Chopper looking up, his eyes shining, his Marine Cap askew, and his face smeared with some jam from who-knows-when.

"You..." He smiled and reached out to straighten his hat, his tone relaxed yet mysterious.

"I'm going to take you to see the smartest person in the world."

Chopper's eyes widened, his face filled with shock and anticipation. "Eh?! There really are people like that?! Does he fight with his brain?!"

"Why don't you see for yourself?" Roy blinked.

The sea breeze blew again, and in the distance, where the sea and sky met, the outline of an island quietly emerged.