Cherry Blossom Rain

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Reiner and Luffy knocked on Chopper's room door, waiting for a response.

Inside, besides a bed in the corner and a wooden bookshelf overflowing with books, tables lined all the other walls, covered with various medical supplies.

Hearing the knock, Chopper, who was standing on a chair, hesitated for a moment before jumping down to open the door.

Creak~

Chopper's eyes widened. "Is there something else you need?"

"Heheheh."

Luffy grabbed Chopper by his two antlers, lifting him up, and grinned, "Chopper, come with us! Don't you want to be a Pirate and sail the seas for adventure?"

"I can't. Even though I really want to go to sea…"

Chopper didn't resist, but spoke with a crestfallen expression, "I'm very grateful that you invited me, but... but…"

His voice trailed off, and memories flashed through Chopper's mind—rejections and cold stares, time and again.

However, Luffy said:

"Why so many 'buts'? Being a Pirate is all about freedom!"

"What do you know, human?!"

Chopper yelled, swatting Luffy's hand away, his face gradually turning grim.

"You haven't experienced what I have! How can you say it so easily?!

"I clearly... I clearly didn't do anything wrong! Why was I abandoned by my own kind?!

"Why was I hurt by humans?!

"I'm a monster! Look, I have a blue nose, and I talk and walk like a person, but I have cloven hooves!"

He spread his hands, and tears welled up in his round eyes, streaming down his fur. He pulled the brim of his hat down with his hand, lowered his head, and sobbed softly:

"I'm not like a Reindeer at all, and not at all like a human.

"I'm not even like a Pirate.

"How can a monster like me be partners with humans…?"

The room fell silent. Luffy also dropped his playful grin and stepped forward, speaking seriously:

"I'm sorry, Chopper…

"I truly haven't had such experiences, so it's hard for me to truly empathize.

"But look! I'm a monster too, Chopper."

"Monsters can be Pirates! Who cares what others say? That's how free Pirates are, right, Reiner?"

Luffy chuckled, stretching his face long.

Reiner also cooperated, transforming into his human-beast form, and laughed:

"Ah, monsters are most welcome on our ship."

However, Chopper, who had been crying his eyes out, was instead greatly alarmed at the sight.

"Monsters!!!"

Looking at the two of them, Chopper's eyes bulged out, and his jaw dropped to the floor with a shriek. His short legs spun like pinwheels as he was about to bolt out.

"Help me, Doctorine!!!"

Reiner: "..."

Are you being polite?

"Heheheh."

With one hand each grasping an antler, the two lifted Chopper, who was about to flee.

"So, come be our partner, Chopper," they said in unison.

It took a while for Chopper to stop struggling. He then looked at them and noticed their serious expressions, which were exactly like Dr. Hiluluk's back then.

As if confirming, or perhaps yearning for acceptance, Chopper whispered:

"You really… you really are willing to accept me?"

"Of course! Don't ask such things again, Chopper."

Reiner reverted from his transformed state, picked Chopper up, and placed him on his shoulders, his hands resting on Chopper's golden fur.

"Let's go, we'll go talk to Doctor Kureha."

Outside the castle, the three sat cross-legged in the snow. Reiner held a cigarette in his mouth, idly gazing at the sky.

Chopper needed to properly say goodbye to Doctor Kureha and pack his belongings, so the two had come out after picking up Zoro.

Next, they were heading to Alabasta. Reiner had about ten Seastone bullets, two pairs of Seastone handcuffs, and the Armament Haki-wielding Blue Ogre and Red Ogre.

It should be smooth sailing, right? Reiner thought.

"So, while I was out cold, this tanuki became our nakama?" Zoro turned his head, pointing at the small figure emerging from the castle.

"I'm a reindeer, you idiot!" Chopper yelled, baring his teeth.

"Well, whatever. You're a doctor, right?"

Picking up his three swords from the ground, Zoro stood up and leaned down to examine Chopper. "It'll certainly be a lot more reliable to have a doctor on board the ship."

Hearing this, Chopper's face immediately changed, and he wiggled his butt shyly.

"Oh, you're so mean~ Even if you say I'm a doctor, it won't make me happy~"

He changes so fast. What a strange guy.

For Zoro, it wasn't that a reindeer could talk that was strange, but how quickly he changed expressions. Reiner chuckled to himself.

"Alright, it's about time we got going."

"Come with me; I'll take you down."

Reiner and Luffy patted their butts and stood up, following Chopper to a cable car station. Chopper didn't go inside but transformed into his reindeer form and pulled over a sleigh.

"Wahahaha, he transformed!"

Luffy's eyes widened in surprise. Seeing the setup, Chopper was apparently going to pull them down directly via the cable. "He can even pull a cart! You're so cool, Chopper!"

"It's great that we don't have to just jump straight down."

Stepping into the sleigh, Zoro's lips curved into a faint smile. "I thought we'd have to gamble if we were tough enough to survive the fall."

Reiner gasped, So you didn't even think about how to get down, you just climbed up without a word?!

Chopper looked at Zoro in surprise: This green-haired guy talks so cool! Is this what a Pirate is like?

Who would've thought that on their very first day meeting, Zoro would gain a little fanboy.

By now, the sky was darkening; it was dusk. There was no snow, and the setting sun cast an orange-red glow over this ice-covered winter island.

"Hey, look! What's that?"

"Something's flying in the sky!"

In the distant Big Horn Village, several villagers looked towards the sunset. The light was still somewhat dazzling, forcing them to shield their eyes with their hands. It took a long time for their eyes to slowly adjust.

Against the burning red sunset, several faint black silhouettes could be seen soaring down from the mountain.

"Woohoo~~, we're flying~~"

The villagers exchanged bewildered glances, seemingly confirming with each other.

"Am I seeing things?"

"I think I heard someone shouting up there."

On the coast of Drum Island, the Going Merry was moored on the cold sea. Under an afternoon of sunlight, a small amount of floating ice had melted.

Smoke rose from the second-floor living quarters, carrying an enticing aroma. Sanji was already cooking.

"We're back, everyone!"

"Everyone, come see our new nakama!"

Hearing the voices, everyone came out. Besides the three familiar figures, there was also a small, adorable pet.

It wore a red hat with a cross, stood upright on its brown fur, and carried a small blue backpack.

"A tanuki nakama?"

"Luffy, having a pet on the ship is a lot of trouble."

"I don't know how to make cat food, hey."

"I'm not a tanuki, you idiot!" Chopper immediately bared his fangs and claws, pointing at the antlers on his head and roaring, "I'm a reindeer! Look, I have antlers!"

"The tanuki talked!!!"

"I told you I'm not a tanuki!!!"

"He's a reindeer who ate a Devil Fruit."

Jumping onto the ship, Reiner said with a laugh, "Don't underestimate him. Chopper's medical skills are excellent. He'll be our ship's doctor from now on."

"Eh! That's amazing."

"And so cute."

Chopper blushed, putting on his usual tough-guy act. "Oh, you're so mean~ Even if you praise me, it won't make me happy~"

Classic, just classic, Reiner couldn't help but sigh.

After returning to the ship, Reiner went into the first-floor storage room to sort and categorize the supplies. He summoned the Undead to arrange everything, then pulled up the anchor, ready to depart.

The sun had already half-dipped below the horizon, and snow began to fall again. The swirling snowflakes quickly covered the entire island.

It was then that a massive sound echoed across Drum Island.

BOOM!!!

A deafening sound caught everyone's attention, and they all looked towards the island.

Above the central cylindrical mountain, a cloud of smoke suddenly exploded and rapidly expanded, instantly dyeing all the falling snow around it pink.

With the towering mountain as its trunk, cherry blossoms bloomed, covering the entire tree in splendor. The faint evening sun cast its rays upon the graceful pink and pure white romance.

Chopper stood on the railing, gazing blankly at the cherry blossom rain blooming on this winter island. He pursed his lips, unable to stop the tears from silently falling.

"Dr. Hiluluk, "I will definitely become a doctor who can cure any illness.

"I will definitely become your All-Purpose Cure!"