Hiriluk could hardly believe it—Chopper already knew Takumi.
And to think he'd gone ahead and given Chopper a name! What if Chopper already had one? That would've been a real blunder. Embarrassment flooded Hiriluk's face, turning it a deep shade of red. He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Chopper, um, little reindeer... do you already have a name?"
Chopper blinked up at him, then smiled sweetly. "No, I didn't have a name before. I really like the name Chopper. Thank you, Doctor Hiriluk."
Hiriluk froze for a moment, then was overcome with emotion. "You're the first one who's ever thanked me... Ah, you're just too adorable, you little reindeer!"
Tears streamed down Hiriluk's face, his reaction so exaggerated it bordered on comical.
Chopper, innocent and unaccustomed to such displays, panicked. "Ah, Doctor Hiriluk, are you okay? Don't cry! Uh, what do I do... Ahhh, I don't know what to do!"
"Ha ha ha!" Hiriluk, seeing Chopper's flustered state, couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Chopper, I'm fine. I'm just really, really happy. You're such a kind-hearted little guy."
Chopper paused, then bashfully scratched the back of his head, his body twisting in place out of sheer joy. "You idiot, just because you're praising me doesn't mean I'm happy about it."
Hiriluk's laughter filled the air.
The atmosphere was light, cheerful.
Takumi, on the other hand, was like a background character, barely noticeable as Hiriluk and Chopper interacted. It was clear he wasn't needed here.
Takumi relished the feeling of not being in the spotlight. He was just about to slip away when Chopper, quick on his feet, ran over to him. With his face flushed and eyes sparkling, Chopper looked up at Takumi, speaking with genuine gratitude. "You were the first person who didn't look down on me or fear me. You even saved me... Thank you so much! Um, what's your name? When I grow up and get stronger, I'll definitely repay you!"
Takumi gazed at Chopper, his tone steady as he replied, "My name doesn't matter, and I don't need you to repay me. Humans aren't as scary as you think, and being called a monster isn't always an insult. One day, you'll meet more kind people. Until then, just focus on doing what you need to do."
With that, Takumi sidestepped Chopper and continued walking toward Cocoa Weed Town.
Chopper stood there, watching Takumi's figure grow smaller in the distance.
Hiriluk joined him, smiling as they both watched Takumi leave. "Chopper, you've met a good person today."
Chopper, still trying to understand, asked, "Doctor Hiriluk, what did that man mean by what he said? I didn't really get it..."
Hiriluk chuckled softly, replying, "He meant that humans really aren't as bad as you think. There are many kind people out there. Just like he said, one day, you'll meet more of them. Until then, don't lose hope in people, Chopper."
Chopper nodded slowly, trying to absorb the words, then asked another question. "What does 'insult' mean?"
"'Insult' is a word used to describe something in a negative way," Hiriluk explained, pondering a moment before continuing. "The word 'monster' can mean many things. It can be something bad, but it can also be something positive. You're still young, so it might not make sense now, but as you grow up, you'll start to understand what that boy meant."
Chopper nodded again, his gaze drifting back to where Takumi had disappeared. "I'm still too weak right now, Doctor Hiriluk. If I become stronger and more useful, will I be able to repay his kindness then?"
Hiriluk looked at Chopper with a twinge of sadness. "Chopper, you don't need to think like that. That boy didn't say those things because he thought you were weak."
"I know," Chopper replied with a bright smile. "But even if it's not to repay him, I still want to get stronger. Only by becoming stronger can I protect the things I care about. Doctor Hiriluk, please teach me how to be a doctor."
Takumi hadn't walked far when the familiar voice of the system echoed in his mind.
[Ding Ding! You've become a role model for Chopper and gained the approval of the quack doctor Hiriluk. Sign-in progress: +20%. Current total progress: 90%. New skill unlocked: Beginner Yin Healing Wound Destruction.]
Yin Healing Wound Destruction?
Takumi barely had time to ponder this new development before the technique's details flooded his mind.
It was a medical ninjutsu from the world of Naruto, allowing the user to preemptively heal areas where they anticipate being attacked, minimizing the damage taken.
To use this technique effectively, one must possess the ability to accurately predict an opponent's moves and make split-second decisions.
For someone like Takumi, who had already mastered Observation Haki, this wasn't particularly difficult. It was, in fact, a rather useful supplementary skill.
Takumi had expected his interaction with Hiriluk to increase his progress, but a 20% boost was more than he'd anticipated.
All in all, he was satisfied with the progress.
Only 10% left to go. It wouldn't be long now.
Setting aside any further thoughts on the matter, Takumi continued his journey toward Cocoa Weed Town.
As he entered the town, he noticed the townsfolk reacting to him with fear. They recoiled, as if he were some kind of dangerous beast, their faces filled with a mixture of terror and suspicion.
Takumi didn't need to ask to know what this was about. It likely had something to do with Wapol's soldiers coming after him earlier in the day.
It didn't really matter to him, though. As long as they left him alone, he was fine with it.
Ignoring their fearful and wary gazes, Takumi headed straight back to Bock's inn.
The moment he stepped inside, Bock, his face pale, hurried over to him. "Takumi, come here. I need to talk to you."
Takumi walked over, and Bock leaned in, speaking in a low voice. "Wapol's soldiers found him badly injured, but the Doctors 20 managed to patch him up. He's fully recovered now."
The Doctors 20 were the twenty physicians Wapol kept exclusively for his own treatment.
Takumi remained unfazed. "So what?"
Seeing Takumi so unconcerned, Bock grew even more anxious. "How can you be so calm? Wapol has issued a nationwide order to capture you. Anyone caught harboring you will be executed! I know it's not right to ask you to leave, especially now, but I have a family to think about. I can't risk their lives..."
"Fine, I'll leave," Takumi said, his tone indifferent.
Bock was taken aback. "You don't hold it against me?"
Takumi shook his head. "It's fine."
Relieved, Bock quickly produced the deposit Takumi had paid earlier. "Here's your deposit back..."
"Keep it," Takumi replied coolly. "Just give me another jug of your homebrewed liquor, and we're even."
Bock hurriedly fetched two jugs from behind the counter.
Takumi took them without hesitation and left the inn.
He hadn't gone far when a group of fully armed guards rushed toward him, quickly surrounding him.
The townsfolk, terrified of being caught in the crossfire, quickly hid themselves away.
"Ha ha ha ha! You little brat, let's see you run now!"
A smug voice called out, and the guards blocking Takumi's path parted to make way.
Riding atop his large, dimwitted hippo, Robson, Wapol appeared, flanked by twenty masked and gloved doctors in light pink protective suits.
******
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