"Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle…"
Dalton lay alone in his room, listening to the sounds outside. Former Pirate Crew soldiers, now inspired to turn over a new leaf, were busy moving cannons.
He had taken several arrows and inhaled Mushuru's poisonous spores, causing his heart to stop more than once. Luckily, the regenerative powers of the Bison-Bison Fruit allowed Dalton to survive such a close brush with death.
"How should Wapol be dealt with…"
Though tyrannical and absurd, Wapol was still the officially recognized monarch of the Drum Kingdom. The World Government wouldn't ignore his defeat. If they found out he'd been overthrown by his own citizens—with the help of pirates—they would likely dispatch Marines for investigation.
That meant Wapol and Mushuru might be released. And if they returned with the Marines' support, this land would once again fall under oppressive rule.
Dalton clenched his fists. A dangerous thought surfaced.
Kill them.
The idea whispered louder each moment, fed by the fury simmering in his heart.
"What, you plan to kill them?"
A voice broke the silence, light and amused. Dalton jolted.
"Who's there!?"
He leapt out of bed, grabbing his weapon and pointing it at the windowsill.
Under the silver moonlight sat Shirogai Yamikuro, smiling faintly as he gazed in.
Shirogai casually observed him. "Impressive. As expected from a Zoan user. Your vitality and recovery are leagues ahead of most."
Indeed, Zoan users were known for their physical resilience—strong bodies, rapid healing. Ideal for fearless fighters, not necessarily the sharpest minds.
Recognizing him, Dalton relaxed slightly. "It's you... What brings you here, Shirogai San?"
"I'm not interested in this country," Shirogai said calmly.
Dalton's heart skipped. He had just suspected this pirate might desire control of Drum Kingdom… yet Shirogai had already seen through him.
"Yes, you guessed right. I can read your thoughts."
Shirogai's statement confirmed it. Dalton stared in disbelief.
"Don't be so tense," Shirogai continued, smiling. "I'm not a good person…"
Dalton gulped.
"…But I'm not a bad one either."
Dalton sighed, exasperated. "So what do you want from me?"
He placed his weapon aside and sat back down, nerves frayed. "If you're after money, our kingdom has nothing left…"
Shirogai raised a finger and waved it playfully. "Relax. I just want to have a little chat."
Dalton frowned, unsure. "Alright. If it's within my power, I'll listen."
Shirogai's eyes narrowed. "It's simple. I need you to…"
—
…
Several minutes later, Dalton sat drenched in cold sweat.
He had held his breath multiple times during Shirogai's explanation. By the end, his lungs ached.
"You're… You're not joking?" he stammered. "That's a Celestial Dragon…"
Dalton trailed off, unable to say more. The implications were terrifying.
He looked at Shirogai with renewed awe and fear. The pirate's ambitions weren't about riches or control. They were something much more dangerous—something that threatened the foundations of the World Government.
"Do I look like I'm joking?" Shirogai asked quietly.
Dalton shuddered. "But if that's true, this entire island could face a Buster Call!"
Shirogai didn't respond.
Dalton hesitated, then said bitterly, "You overestimate me, Shirogai San. I doubt I'll be of much use in this… And aren't you afraid I'll expose everything?"
Shirogai stepped down from the windowsill and walked over. He gently patted Dalton's shoulder.
"I wouldn't have told you if I were worried. Besides, you now have a choice."
He snapped his fingers.
[System command confirmed. Memory seal applied.]
"You won't even remember this unless I call upon you," Shirogai added.
Dalton stared for a long moment before finally nodding. "I'll follow your command."
Shirogai smiled, pleased. "Good. You've made a wise choice."
Dalton's eyes slowly closed. He slumped onto the bed, asleep.
---
Meanwhile, inside the castle...
"Ahhh! Dr. Kureha, stop throwing axes at me!"
Chopper dashed through the halls, dodging an onslaught of flying weapons.
"Hmph! You're talking about joining a Pirate Crew? I won't let you escape that easily!" Dr. Kureha shouted, hurling another spear.
The former pirate soldiers nearby were baffled by the chaos—until a near miss almost took one of them out.
"Take cover!!"
The castle erupted in frantic energy and shouting, breaking the long silence that had always plagued it.
"Woohoo! Shirogai is awesome!" Luffy cheered at the front gates. He, Usopp, and the others were building snowmen.
Their centerpiece was a massive snow-Chopper built by Shirogai, earning praise from everyone.
Hearing the ruckus inside, Sanji glanced toward the noise. "What's going on in there?"
Nami crossed her arms. "Can't they let the master and apprentice have a quiet goodbye?"
—
"I'm sorry, Dr. Kureha! But I want to go out to sea… I want to see the world!"
Chopper burst into the storeroom, grabbed a sled, and shifted into his beast form.
Dr. Kureha's spear grazed his ear as he ran.
"Get back here! What can someone like you even do out there!?"
"I won't run from this!" Chopper shouted over his shoulder. "Doctor Hiruluk's research is finished! He told me himself!"
"That fool," Kureha whispered, halting for just a second.
Chopper pulled the sled outside.
"Hurry!" he cried. "She's coming to kill us!"
"Kill us!?" Usopp gasped—just as a flail flew toward him.
They all piled into the sled in a panic.
With a mighty leap, Chopper latched onto the cable line stretched between mountains and began ascending.
—
Dalton, now without memory of Shirogai's visit, stood quietly beside Dr. Kureha.
He glanced at her—expression cold but eyes red at the corners.
"Is this really the best way to say goodbye?" he asked gently.
"I hate tearful farewells," she muttered, wiping snow from her face.
Then, without warning, she turned to the soldiers. "Ready the cannons!"
Dozens of cannons fired skyward, releasing pink powder shells into the air.
The flakes mixed with snow, falling gently—like cherry blossoms.
—
From the mountains, the sled slowed as the Straw Hats looked up.
"Whoa! Look at that!" Nami held out her hands. "Pink snowflakes! They look like sakura petals!"
Shirogai caught one gently. "A farewell in cherry snow…"
He smiled faintly.
"That was the foolish doctor's dream. To make snow fall like cherry blossoms… to soothe people's hearts."
Chopper stopped and stared.
The mountain behind them, now bathed in pink snow, looked like an enormous sakura tree.
He transformed into his hybrid form, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Waaaaahhhh!!!"
---
When do people die?
Is it when they're shot?
Is it when they fall to illness?
Is it when they drink poison?
No...
People truly die when they are forgotten.
Even if I'm gone, my dream will live on.
The people's hearts will heal.
I lived a good life.
Thank you, Chopper.
—Your loving adoptive father, Hiruluk
__
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