The Straw Hat Pirates stood in the grand hall of Drum Castle, the warmth of the hearth contrasting with the icy winds howling outside. Chopper, now clad in a small backpack filled with medical supplies and a few cherished belongings, fidgeted nervously beside Luffy. The crew was nearly ready to set sail, but one final conversation lingered in the air like the scent of pine needles and snow.
Luffy, leaning against the stone wall with his arms crossed, glanced at Chopper. His voice was casual but intentional. "Oh yeah, Chopper… Wapol's execution happened today. Dalton took care of it."
Chopper froze, his hooves clattering against the floor as he stumbled back. "E-execution?!" His voice trembled, eyes wide with shock. Memories of Wapol's tyranny—the destruction of Hiriluk's flag, the suffering of the sick—flooded his mind. For a moment, anger burned in his chest, his fur bristling. "He… he deserved it! He ruined everything!"
But as the words left his mouth, Chopper's anger faltered. His shoulders slumped, and he stared at the floor. "But… but killing him… is that really…?"
Luffy crouched to meet Chopper's gaze, his expression uncharacteristically solemn. "Dalton said it was the people's choice. They wanted justice for what Wapol did. Doesn't mean it's easy."
Chopper's eyes welled with tears, but he nodded slowly. Relief seeped into his heart—relief that the shadow over Drum Island was finally gone. "Dr. Hiriluk… he'd want us to keep saving lives, not dwell on revenge," he whispered, wiping his eyes with a hoof.
Luffy grinned and ruffled Chopper's hat. "That's the spirit!"
Suddenly, Luffy tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. "Hey, why'd Wapol even leave this place in the first place? He didn't seem like the type to run away."
Dr. Kureha, who had been quietly observing nearby, snorted and strode forward. "That coward didn't leave willingly. He was driven out." She crossed her arms, her voice sharp but laced with grim respect. "About a year ago, a pirate named *Blackbeard* attacked Drum Kingdom. Not for treasure or power—just to prove a point. He and his crew demolished the royal guard in minutes. Wapol fled like a rat, abandoning his people to save his own skin."
Nami's eyes widened. "Blackbeard? Never heard of him."
Zoro frowned. "He took down a kingdom just to show off?"
Kureha nodded. "Aye. That man's a monster. He's got a crew of fiends, and they're carving a path of chaos across the Grand Line. Wapol's stupidity left us vulnerable, but it also showed the people's true strength. They rebuilt without him."
Luffy's jaw tightened, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. *Blackbeard…* The name echoed in his mind like a distant storm.
Dalton stood before the gathered citizens of Drum Island, Wapol's lifeless body covered by a tarp at his feet. The crowd was silent, their breaths visible in the cold air. A woman stepped forward, her voice steady. "Dalton… be our king. We need a leader who cares about the people, not a tyrant."
Dalton shook his head, his face etched with reluctance. "I'm a soldier, not a king. My place is protecting this island, not ruling it."
An elderly man hobbled forward, gripping his cane. "And who'll negotiate if the World Government sends another greedy noble? Or if the Celestial Dragons decide to claim our land? We need someone strong, someone *wise*."
The crowd murmured in agreement. A young girl tugged Dalton's coat. "Please, Mr. Dalton! We trust you!"
Dalton closed his eyes, the weight of their pleas pressing on him. Memories of his failures under Wapol's rule surfaced, but so did the resilience of the people who'd rebuilt their homes with bare hands. Finally, he let out a long breath and nodded. "I'll accept… but only until the next generation is ready to lead. This kingdom belongs to *all* of you."
The crowd erupted into cheers, tears streaming down frostbitten cheeks. Dalton's stoic demeanor cracked into a small, determined smile.
The Straw Hats gathered at the harbor, the Going Merry's sails shimmering under the moonlight. Chopper stood at the gangplank, staring back at the snow-capped peaks. Dr. Kureha and Dalton approached, their faces softened by pride.
"Don't forget to wash your hooves every day, brat!" Kureha barked, though her eyes glistened. "And send letters, or I'll hunt you down myself!"
Dalton placed a hand on Chopper's shoulder. "Your father would be proud, Tony Tony Chopper."
Chopper's lip quivered, but before he could speak, a sudden *crack* echoed through the night.
*Boom!*
The sky erupted in bursts of color—fireworks in the shapes of sakura blossoms, their petals glowing pink and gold against the stars. The townspeople lined the cliffs, holding lanterns as they cheered.
"For our future king—and our miracle doctor!" someone shouted.
Chopper burst into tears, snot dripping down his muzzle. "I'll miss you all so much! Thank you! Thank youuuu!"
Luffy laughed, scooping Chopper onto his shoulders. "Ready to save a kingdom, Doctor?"
As the crew boarded the ship, Nami glanced at the log pose. "Next stop: Alabasta!"
The Going Merry glided away from Drum Island, the fireworks reflecting on the waves like a pathway of light. Chopper clung to the railing, watching his home shrink into the horizon—a blend of sorrow and exhilaration in his heart.
Kureha crossed her arms, smirking as the ship vanished into the dark. "That reindeer's gonna change the world… Just you wait."
Dalton nodded, the sakura light fading in his eyes. "He already has."
And so, under a sky painted with fleeting flowers, the Straw Hat Pirates sailed toward destiny, their crew now complete with a doctor whose courage outshone the winter's night.