Luffy's shout tore through the frozen air.
"STOP!"
The word alone carried weight, but it wasn't enough.
The villagers—fearful, angry, confused—still fired.
In the same instant the gunshots cracked, Luffy vanished.
Lightning split the snow.
He reappeared directly in front of the tree where Chopper had tried to disappear into the world, arms spread wide, back turned to the villagers. Bullets struck him—and died. Metal flattened, sparked, and fell uselessly into the snow, unable to pierce even a fraction of his body.
Chopper stared up at him, tears pouring freely now, his voice breaking.
"…Why?"
Luffy glanced back over his shoulder and smiled, soft and simple, as if nothing about this moment was strange.
"Because you're my friend," he said. "And I protect my friends."
That was enough.
Chopper collapsed against him, wrapping his small arms around Luffy's legs, sobbing openly. Luffy rested a hand on his head, letting him cry it out while the villagers stood frozen, staring at the pirate who had turned himself into a living shield.
After a moment, Luffy crouched slightly.
"Come on," he said gently. "I'll introduce you."
Chopper hesitated, then slowly nodded. He wiped his eyes with trembling hooves and took Luffy's hand.
As they walked back toward the crowd, Luffy's presence alone forced a path open. He didn't threaten. He didn't shout. He simply looked at them—cold, steady, unblinking. It was enough. Every villager who met his gaze instinctively stepped aside.
"This," Luffy said when they reached his crew, "is Chopper."
Usopp and Johnny instantly crouched down to Chopper's level, eyes sparkling.
"A talking reindeer?!"
"And a doctor?!"
"And a fighter?!"
They bombarded him with questions, praise, awe, and excitement. Chopper's face burned red beneath his fur as he tried—and failed—to hide behind Luffy again.
Before the moment could settle, a heavy thud echoed behind them.
Dalton collapsed to his knees.
Villagers rushed forward in alarm.
"Dalton!"
"Get him inside!"
Dr. Kureha snapped into motion instantly. "Move him. Now."
The group rushed into the castle, Luffy and the crew following close behind.
Inside, chaos reigned.
Dr. Kureha was halfway up the stairs—dragging Nami by the arm—while Vivi, Sanji, Nojiko, and Marianne lay scattered on the floor below, each sporting identical swollen bumps on their heads.
"I think Nami tried to escape," Luffy said dryly.
Dr. Kureha didn't deny it.
They reached the room. Dalton was laid onto a spare bed. Nami was returned to hers—firmly this time. Dr. Kureha moved between them with practiced efficiency, checking vitals, muttering to herself.
Luffy stepped to the window and opened it. Cold air rushed in.
He raised a hand.
A cloud descended smoothly, hovering just outside.
Reaching into it, Luffy pulled out a cloth bag. From it, he removed folded black fabric—neatly stacked.
Flags.
Seven of them.
He placed them on Dalton's chest.
"Hang these across the island," Luffy said calmly.
The room went silent.
"This marks the island as under my protection."
Dalton forced himself upright. "We can't accept that. We're part of the World Government."
Luffy laughed—once, sharp and humorless.
"That means nothing."
He leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"Fish-Man Island is under the World Government too. Whitebeard protected it anyway. Didn't see the world end."
The villagers stirred uneasily.
"Wapol left years ago," Luffy continued. "But legally? He never stopped being your king. If he returned and you resisted, the World Government would call it rebellion."
Faces hardened. Fists clenched.
"Ohara," Luffy said suddenly.
The word hit like a hammer.
Dr. Kureha stiffened. Dalton's breath caught.
"They studied history," Luffy went on. "So the World Government erased them. Men. Women. Children."
Silence swallowed the room.
After a long moment, Dalton spoke quietly. "If we accept your protection… what do you gain?"
Luffy shrugged.
"Restocking rights. A hub for my ships. A partner."
Nami's eyes gleamed.
"I want to rebuild this island," Luffy said. "Medicine. Knowledge. Distribution. You make it—I move it. Everywhere."
Dr. Kureha smiled slowly.
Vivi spoke, hesitant but firm. "I don't agree with everything… but this helps the people."
Luffy nodded at her. "That's why it works."
Then his voice hardened.
"This kingdom needs leadership."
He turned to Dalton.
"I name you king."
Dalton froze.
"…Me?"
Luffy looked to the villagers. "Any objections?"
None came.
Dalton stared, overwhelmed.
Elsewhere in the room, Chopper watched silently—eyes wide, heart racing.
For the first time, the world felt… bigger.
And maybe, just maybe—
He had a place in it.