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--xLOVEx--
As the crew huddled together, planning their quiet escape, Coby kept his eye on Dr. Kureha. She seemed busy with some of the villagers she had called inside, giving orders in her usual no-nonsense tone. Yet, Coby could sense that she knew exactly what they were up to. The old woman was sharp as always.
Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji moved silently, preparing to leave the castle as quickly as possible. They all knew they had to make a quiet exit, or else Kureha might cause trouble, even if just for her amusement.
Meanwhile, Coby stayed by Vivi's side as she bundled up in the warm clothes provided by Kureha. Her strength was returning, but she still looked pale. He helped her to her feet, careful not to rush her.
"Are you okay to move?" Coby asked in a low voice, his concern evident.
Vivi nodded, her eyes determined. "Yes. Let's go."
Coby nodded back, signaling to the crew that it was time to move out. They swiftly headed toward the sleigh that Dr. Kureha often used to travel down to the village. Chopper transformed into his reindeer form, preparing to pull the sleigh. However, just as they were about to depart, Dr. Kureha's voice rang out from the castle entrance.
"Chopper, where do you think you're going?" Her voice was sharp, filled with anger. Chopper hesitated, his hooves scraping against the snow as he turned to face her.
"I'm going to sea, Doctor," Chopper responded, his voice filled with determination despite his fear. "I want to join their crew and see the world."
Kureha's expression darkened as she stomped down the castle steps, her eyes blazing. "You ingrate! Is this how you thank me after all I've done for you?" She moved quickly, closing the distance between them, her intent clear. The sleigh lurched forward as Chopper, panicking, pulled it away from the castle entrance, the sleigh picking up speed as it slid down the slope.
Tears welled up in Chopper's eyes as the wind whipped past them. "I'm sorry, Doctor! I'm eternally thankful for everything, but I need to go with them. Please forgive me!" His voice trembled with emotion, and though he couldn't bear to look back, Kureha's harsh words echoed in his ears.
Had he looked back, he would have seen Kureha standing at the top of the hill, a wide grin on her face as she watched her apprentice make his escape. Her tough love had always been her way of preparing him for the world beyond the castle.
Halfway down the slope, Chopper suddenly gasped. "Oh no! I forgot my bag in my haste!" His voice was filled with panic, his hooves slowing as if he were considering turning back.
Nami, who had been holding onto the sleigh, reached into the small compartment beside her and pulled out a blue bag. "Is this what you're looking for?" she asked, holding it out to him.
Chopper blinked in shock. "How did that get here?" He looked back toward the castle and spotted Kureha, still standing there, waving at him. His eyes filled with tears once again as he realized what she had done.
"Doctor... thank you!" he whispered, his voice breaking as the sleigh continued its descent.
When they reached the base of the Drum Rockies, explosions echoed in the distance. Coby turned his gaze back toward the castle, where bursts of pink smoke filled the air. The sky above Drum Island transformed into a beautiful display of pink clouds as more cannon fire illuminated the surroundings. It looked as though the island itself had blossomed into a giant Sakura tree amidst the snow—a symbol of Dr. Hiluluk's panacea and his pirate flag.
Chopper, standing beside the crew, was visibly moved. His eyes welled up with tears as he looked at the sky, his emotions overwhelming him. It was clear that this moment meant more to him than words could express. The symbol of the giant sakura tree in the snowy landscape was a powerful reminder of Hililuk's dream—a dream that had now been fulfilled, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
As the pink mist continued to paint the sky, the crew took a moment to absorb the beauty of it all. Even Zoro, usually so focused on the training, sleep and drink ahead, found himself captivated by the sight. The cold air, the snow beneath their feet, and the warmth of the sakura mist combined to create an almost surreal atmosphere. It was a scene that would stay with them for the rest of their lives.
The Going Merry sailed smoothly across the cold waters, the island's pink sakura clouds slowly fading from view. The crew was in high spirits as they adjusted to the presence of their newest member, Tony Tony Chopper.
A few days later, on the open sea aboard the Going Merry, Vivi was standing with the crew, explaining the complicated situation in Alabasta. She spoke quietly, her voice with subtle frustration. "Crocodile is seen as a hero in Alabasta. It won't be easy to convince people that he's the true enemy. We need solid proof. Otherwise, they'll never believe us."
Coby listened carefully, leaning against the railing. He reached into his coat and pulled out a newspaper, handing it to Vivi. "This is from a week ago. It's not the latest, but it shows that the rebel army is getting more restless."
Vivi took the newspaper, her eyes scanning the headlines. Her expression darkened as she read about the increasing tensions in her country. She bit her lip, then looked up at Coby, her frustration clear. "Why didn't you show me this sooner? We wasted a week!"
Coby met her gaze, his tone firm but calm. "We spent that week getting you better. We couldn't afford to rush things when your life was at risk. You can't be too hard on yourself, Vivi. You're the only hope for your kingdom right now."
Vivi clenched her fists, clearly torn between her sense of duty and the reality of their situation. The crew watched her in silence, waiting for her response. Finally, she sighed and nodded, her anger subsiding. "You're right. And because of that, we also met Chopper."
The crew smiled at her words, relieved that she wasn't blaming herself. Coby stepped closer to her, his voice calm as he reassured her. "Don't worry, Vivi. We'll get to Alabasta and put an end to Crocodile's plans. I promise everything will be fine."
Vivi nodded, "We will stop the civil unrest first and halt the Rebel Army. The leader of the Rebel Army is my childhood friend, Kohza. He will listen to me. Then we will chase away Baroque Works."
Afternoon of the 5th day after leaving Drum Island, the Going Merry sailed through a strange patch of steam rising from the sea. As the crew passed through the mist, they didn't expect to catch anything with their fishing rods. That is until they spotted a figure hanging from the fishing lines attached to Carue, Vivi's duck.
Coby's eyes narrowed as he spotted the odd catch—a person was dangling from the lines, arms flailing as he tried to free himself from the ropes. His face was heavily made up, with exaggerated eyelashes and a flamboyant outfit. It was unmistakable—Mr. 2, also known as Bon Kurei, one of Baroque Works' agents. Coby had been waiting for this moment.
Coby watched as Luffy effortlessly fished Mr. 2, Bon Kurei, from the sea using the fishing line to the ship. Bon Kurei flailed dramatically, trying to free himself, but eventually, he was pulled onto the deck of the Going Merry.
He wasn't sure what to do with Bon Kurei. From the anime, Coby knew this character was fiercely loyal and had selflessly helped the crew twice, even risking his life. Coby wanted to preserve that connection, but it was tricky given the circumstances. In the end, he decided to let things follow their natural course. For now, he'd focus on copying Mr. 2's ability—an invaluable tool that could open up many possibilities.
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