Pirates: Invincible from the Start

"What about Chopper?"

"What's the rush?"

Kureha set the empty bottle on the table, took another bottle of liquor from beside her, uncapped it, and tipped back a mouthful.

She breathed out the scent of alcohol and said to Kuina,

"Chopper was deeply hurt, and he's terrified of strangers. But thanks to Hiriluk's care, and because he has such a kind heart, he doesn't hate humans."

At that, a faraway look flickered through her eyes again.

"After Hiriluk died, Chopper swore he'd become a cure-all himself, someone who could treat any disease."

"A cure-all? Treat diseases?"

Kuina thought for a moment, then looked up. "So Chopper's a doctor too!"

"Mm."

Kureha nodded. "Since you found this place, you must know who I am, right?"

"No."

Kuina's answer was simple and direct.

"Uh..."

"You don't?"

Kureha looked at Kuina, then turned to Kuta. "You really don't know?"

Kuta shrugged. He did know, but he had to pretend otherwise.

Even if she could easily see through his act.

"All right!"

Kureha drew back her gaze, sat up straight, and addressed Kuina. "I may not look it, but I'm a doctor. My name is Dr. Kureha. You can call me Doctorine."

"After Hiriluk died, I took Chopper in and taught him everything I know about medicine."

"After all this talk,"

Kuina looked at Kureha and asked curiously, "can you ask Chopper to come out so we can meet him?"

"Well, hasn't he been here the whole time?"

"Hm?"

Kuina followed Kureha's gaze to the door of another room.

The door had opened a crack at some point. A figure who looked more like a raccoon dog than a reindeer stood upright in shorts and a pink hat marked with a cross. His hands gripped the doorframe, his whole body exposed as he poked