Chapter 230: Chopper's Choice
Shiro-Yu Kingdom (formerly Drum Kingdom) · Dr. Kureha's Residence
The wind and snow finally ceased. Sunlight pierced through the clouds, spilling onto the old wooden house atop the mountain peak.
A brand-new kingdom flag fluttered high in the snow wind—in the center of a pure white background, a verdant medicinal herb bloomed proudly, symbolizing the unyielding healing power amidst the ice and snow.
"Shiro-Yu Kingdom..." Dalton stood high on the snowy mountain, gazing firmly at the flag waving in the wind.
"This is no longer a nation to be trampled upon... From today on, we will make the name 'Shiro-Yu' resound throughout the world."
Across the kingdom, returning doctors had already thrown themselves into the fervor of reconstruction. Clinics, hospitals, and research institutes restarted one after another. The silhouette of a capital of medical technology was gradually taking shape.
In front of the wooden house, sunlight fell on the snow. Smoke curled up from the eaves, carrying a faint scent of herbs.
Dr. Kureha stood on the steps before the door, still with one hand on her hip and the other holding a bottle of liquor. She tilted her head back for a swig, revealing her signature loud laugh:
"HA—you two are finally scramming! My ears can finally get some peace!"
"Though..."
Her eyes shifted, glancing at the two with a tone that was light but held an unconcealable trace of relief and pride:
"Not bad this time."
Law stood in the snow, his Justice coat fluttering in the wind, and gave her a slight salute.
"Thanks for taking care of us."
Roy also nodded slightly, saying earnestly, "That Shiro-Yu Kingdom can walk out of the ice and snow today... is in no small part due to your contribution."
"Hmph." Kureha huffed lightly, turning away. "I'm not anyone's nanny."
But the upward curve of her lips had long betrayed her reluctance to see them go.
And behind her legs, a small shadow quietly poked its head out—Chopper.
His two hooves clutched Kureha's pant leg tightly. Head lowered, his eyes couldn't stop sneaking peeks at Roy and Law.
"Umm... are you guys... really leaving?" he asked softly, voice full of reluctance.
Roy smiled and walked forward, crouching down to look him in the eye, tone half-teasing, half-serious. "What? Can't bear to see us go?"
"N-No way!"
Chopper's face turned red with a whoosh, stammering in defense. "I just... just worried you might... get lost!"
Dr. Kureha almost spat out her drink, slapping her thigh and laughing loudly. "HAHAHAHAHA! Brat, that excuse is terrible!"
Roy stopped teasing, put away his smile, and his tone suddenly became gentle. "Chopper."
"Have you ever thought about... joining the Marines?"
Chopper froze abruptly, ears standing up with a swish, eyes wide and round. "Ehh?! ME?!!"
Law stepped forward then, adding, "We need a doctor like you."
"Skilled in medicine, timid yet brave, with a heart willing to save people."
"On the battlefield, sometimes, a single bandage is worth more than a thousand swords."
"Our soldiers... are missing someone just like you, who can bring hope."
Chopper listened, dumbfounded. His small nose twitched slightly, lips trembling.
That phrase "someone needs me" was like a ray of sunlight suddenly shining into his inferiority-filled heart.
He asked hesitantly, "Can... can I really? I-I'm just a reindeer..."
Dr. Kureha slammed her bottle onto the ground with a CLANG, pressed Chopper's hat down crookedly, and laughed heroically:
"Of course you can!"
"You are my disciple! In medicine, you are not inferior to those so-called 'famous doctors' out there by even a bit!!!"
"But remember, Chopper—"
"Your life is yours to choose."
Chopper stared blankly at her, then looked at Roy and Law, ears trembling gently.
After a few seconds, he looked up abruptly, his small body straightening up, and shouted loudly: "I've decided!!"
"I want to join the Marines!!!"
"I want to become a doctor who can help everyone!!!"
"I want to develop a 'Panacea' that can cure all diseases and relieve the pain of those tormented by illness!!!"
His voice was hoarse but without hesitation.
In the wind and snow, he waved his two hooves, like a little bird finally summoning the courage to fly out of the nest.
Roy smiled and extended his hand. "Welcome aboard."
Chopper's tears gushed out instantly. With a "WAAAH," he lunged forward, hugging Roy's calf, voice mushy and touched:
"I'll do my best! I won't drag you down!! Waaah—"
Law chuckled lightly, handing over a tissue from the side.
Dr. Kureha stood aside, looking up at the sky, quietly wiping the corner of her eye, but with a proud smile on her lips.
"That brat... finally willing to leave this snowy mountain."
Shiro-Yu Kingdom · Port
The warship broke through the ice, propellers kicking up large splashes.
On the shore, the doctors and Dalton stood in a row, saluting the sea in farewell.
"CHOPPER! Take care of yourself!!!"
"When you come back next time, remember to bring more herbal research and stories from the sea!!"
Chopper, wearing a brand-new Marine cap, lay on the deck railing, eyes moist but shining bright.
He waved his hoof, responding loudly: "I'll work hard! I'll definitely become the best military doctor!!!"
Under the distant snow mountain, the flag still fluttered loudly. That medicinal herb blooming in the snow was dazzling in the sunlight.
And Chopper's journey had just begun.
...
Sunlight flooded the deck, sea breeze howling, the warship steadily breaking through the waves.
Wearing a slightly too-large Marine cap, little Chopper ran happily back and forth on the wide deck, the brim shaking until it almost covered his eyes.
"WOAAH! So this is setting out to sea!! Such a big ship! Such a big ocean!!!"
Running while looking around, his steps were too fast, and he almost crashed headfirst into a cargo crate, but was steadied by a quick-eyed Marine.
"AHHH! Sorry sorry sorry I didn't mean to!!!"
He immediately put his hooves together and bowed in panic, causing his hat to fall off and cover his face, revealing his hooves.
Several Marines nearby couldn't help but chuckle. "Is this the new little doctor? Quite interesting."
Chopper scampered away a few steps, then peeked back at them unwillingly.
"Do they... think I'm weird..."
Muttering, he circled to the other end of the deck, running and talking to himself:
"What if they don't like me... but I really want to talk to them again... but I'm scared..."
Scared here, wanting to peek there, the blue-nosed reindeer spun around the deck several times like a top with a broken steering wheel.
Until he ran panting to Roy's side, suddenly hugging his leg, top of his head against the cloak, asking in a small voice: "Roy~ where are we going now~?"
Roy looked down. Chopper looked up, eyes sparkling, cap tilted to the side, a bit of jam stuck on his face from who knows when.
"You..." Roy smiled, reaching out to straighten his hat, tone relaxed and mysterious:
"Getting ready to take you to see the smartest man in the world."
Chopper's eyes widened, face full of shock and anticipation. "EHH?! Does such a person really exist?!! Does he fight with his brain?!"
"Won't you know when you see for yourself?" Roy winked.
The sea breeze blew again. At the junction of sea and sky in the distance, the outline of an island quietly emerged.
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