One Piece: It All Started When I Found Shanks' Arm

"Too late," Robin chuckled. "Don't be so afraid. We mean you no harm. Didn't we just save you?"

"I don't need your help, human!" the small reindeer said, clinging to the tree trunk and gritting his teeth. "I… I'm a monster! Aren't you afraid of me?"

"A monster? You just look like a normal tanuki to me," Robin said, curious.

"I'm a reindeer!!"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Robin said with a smile. "But either way, you're very cute. Why would anyone be afraid of you?"

"C-Cute?!" the small reindeer was suddenly furious, baring his teeth. "I'm not cute! I'm a ferocious monster!"

Then, his small face flushed red, and he began to tremble like a noodle. "Oh, you don't have to praise me like that! It doesn't make me happy at all, you dummy!"

"Ah, no, that's not right! I'm a monster! The kind that eats people!" he suddenly remembered, and he bared his teeth and made a face. But he was so nervous that he accidentally bit his tongue. "Ow—" he cried out, his eyes welling up with tears as he covered his mouth.

Robin facepalmed.

"Right, right, a man-eating monster," Shane said, nodding perfunctorily. He noticed Chopper's empty stomach, crouched down, and pulled a red bean bun from his pocket. He broke it in half and waved it. "Here, you must be hungry. Want some?"

A rich, sweet aroma filled the air.

Chopper's gaze was instantly drawn to the bun. His eyes widened, and his mouth unconsciously opened and closed along with the movement of the bun.

Sweets!

He loved sweets more than anything!

And he had been running all over, gathering herbs. He was really hungry. But…

"I-I'm not eating that!" he said, whipping his head around. But his hoof uncontrollably reached forward. "Don't try to tempt me! I'm a ferocious monster! A monster doesn't eat human food!"

"Is that so? Oh well," Shane shrugged and pretended to put it away. "I was going to ask you where Dr. Kureha is, but I guess I'll have to find her myself…"

"Wait!" Chopper said, rushing forward and then screeching to a halt, staring at him warily. "W-Why are you looking for Dr. Kureha?"

"To get treated," Shane shrugged, no longer suppressing the poison in his body. His skin instantly turned a sickly purplish-blue. "See? I'm poisoned. I heard all the doctors on this island have been driven away, and she's the only one left, so…"

"Don't call Doctorine an old hag!" Chopper's fur stood on end, but then he hesitated, glancing at Shane's face. "…Is it serious?" he asked, worried.

"It's fine. I'm not going to die," Shane said with a grin. "But if I don't get it treated, my body might just stay like this forever."

Chopper stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly snatched the red bean bun and stuffed it in his mouth, mumbling, "...Follow me!"

With that, he turned and ran out of the forest. He ran a few steps, then turned back and added fiercely, "B-But if you dare to hurt Doctorine, I'll really bite you!"

"Don't worry," Shane said, following him with a smile and offering him another red bean bun. "If we were going to hurt Dr. Kureha, why would we have driven those soldiers away for you?"

That's true…

Chopper relaxed a little and continued to lead the way, eating his bun and leaving a trail of small, plum-blossom-like footprints in the snow.

Robin sighed. "Captain, you're quite good at handling children."

"I can't help it. I've been practicing since I was a kid," Shane shrugged, following with Robin. He added casually, "But the main reason is that this little guy is too kind. Even though he doesn't trust us, he still wants to save me because I'm sick."

The wind and snow were heavy, and he didn't lower his voice. Chopper, who was secretly listening, heard every word.

What strange humans…

Not only are they not afraid of me, but they're praising me so freely.

Hehe, so I have a good side like that?

The corners of his mouth turned up, and a blush spread across his face, but he quickly went back to his stoic expression.

…Even so, it doesn't make me happy at all, you dummy!

————

In the blink of an eye, the two humans and the one reindeer had crossed the entire town.

The snow was heavy, and they walked quickly. Shane only stopped briefly at a clothing store to buy a winter coat for Robin.

As the captain, Shane had wanted to pay for it as a welcoming gift for the new crew member.

But unfortunately, the Berries he had been carrying had all been burned to a crisp by Akainu, not even a single coin left.

In the end, Robin had to pay for it herself.

After leaving the town and entering the forest on the other side of the river, after many twists and turns, they suddenly saw a light in the distance, coming from the entrance of a treehouse.

"We're almost there. That's Doctorine's house. Just remember one thing: Doctorine may be old, but she still has the heart of a young girl, and she hates it when people call her old, so…"

Chopper suddenly stopped talking, and his footsteps faltered.

Shane looked up and saw that their presence had disturbed a nearby herd of reindeer. When they saw Chopper, they all began to snort menacingly, as if they were about to charge him.

However, wary of the two tall humans, they hesitated for a moment and then turned and left.

Watching the reindeers' retreating backs, Chopper's face fell.

"..."

He lowered his head, his blue nose twitching, his voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "...They don't like me."

"Why? Because of your blue nose?" Robin asked, seizing the opportunity to get the little guy to open up.

"Mmm…" Chopper's voice was even softer now. "Ever since I was little, I haven't been like a reindeer, or a human… everyone says I'm a monster. It wasn't until I learned to read that I found out that I had accidentally eaten a legendary Devil Fruit, and that's why I turned into this disgusting thing…"

So it was a Devil Fruit?

Robin finally understood. She had been wondering if this little reindeer was a Mink, and how he had ended up here…

"To be precise, it's the Zoan-type, Human-Human Fruit," Shane suddenly said. "You've been through a lot because of this fruit, haven't you?"

Chopper subconsciously nodded.

"I can probably guess what happened," Shane said, crouching down and stroking Chopper's head, his voice gentle. "As a reindeer, you were ostracized by your herd, and as a human, you were driven away by humans… that double loneliness must have been very painful, right?"

His hand was warm and strong, and Chopper unconsciously relaxed his tense body.

"But, little guy," Shane said, looking straight into his large, wet eyes, "that pain is not the fruit's fault, and it's certainly not your fault. It's the fault of those narrow-minded people, the ignorant prejudice of this closed-off winter island."

"Did you know? On the sea, a Devil Fruit is a treasure that countless people dream of. The fact that you received such a gift means you're a lucky one, blessed by fate. So many people would be jealous…"

He suddenly laughed heartily. "Of course, I don't know what would happen if a normal person ate the Human-Human Fruit, but in any case…"

He poked Chopper's forehead.

"Look at yourself now. If you were an ordinary reindeer, would I be talking to you like this? You wouldn't be able to understand a word. You can feel joy and sadness, you can understand human emotions, and you can even learn how to heal and save people, to follow your own dreams… aren't all of those gifts from the fruit?"

Chopper stared blankly at Shane, who was grinning.

—There was no pity in his eyes, no false comfort, and certainly no fear. Only pure appreciation and sincerity.

Just like… just like Dr. Hiriluk's eyes when he was still alive.

"A lucky one, blessed by fate?"

Chopper repeated the words softly, his hooves unconsciously rubbing the snow. "Me… a monster like me, do I really deserve to be called that?"

"Why are you still calling yourself a monster, you idiot!"

Shane pinched Chopper's cheek, forcing his gaze upward. "In the end, you can just change between a human and a reindeer! What's the big deal?!"

"If that's a monster, then my ship is full of monsters! There's one who can turn into smoke, one who can turn into fire, one who can shoot lightning, and another one who just joined, here…"

He turned his head.

Robin smiled and, right on cue, raised her hand and activated her ability.

Rows of arms suddenly sprouted from behind her head and on her body, making the little reindeer jump with a "Waaah!"

"A monster!!!" Chopper hid behind Shane, staring at Robin in terror.

"Me too!"

A sinister laugh came from above. Chopper looked up and saw that the kind, warm big brother from before had, at some point, turned into a four-meter-tall muscle monster.

"...Ah, ah…"

Chopper's mouth hung open, and he trembled violently, as if he were about to faint.

"Don't scare him too much," Robin reminded him.

"I know, I know,"

Shane's voice suddenly returned to normal, and with a soft pop, he instantly reverted to his handsome, youthful form.

"See? It's all fake~" he said, spreading his hands with a grin. "Just a little trick of Life Return. So, what do you think? Your ability doesn't seem so special now, does it?"

Chopper stared at the shapeshifting man before him, his blue nose twitching, his eyes welling up with tears.

He then turned to look at Robin—the elegant lady was retracting her extra arms and even gave him a gentle wink.

In that moment, all the pent-up grievances suddenly burst forth, and tears rolled down his cheeks like a broken string of pearls.

"W-Waaah…"

The small reindeer clutched his medicine basket, his body trembling uncontrollably.

He wanted to say something, but all that came out were choked sobs.

So… so I'm really not a monster? So there are really people in this world, besides the two kind doctors, who are willing to be so gentle with me?

Shane crouched down and gently ruffled his fluffy head. "What are you crying about, little guy?"

At that, Chopper cried even harder, his tears soaking the fur on his chest. Like a child who had finally found someone to lean on after being wronged, he buried his face in Shane's chest, wiping his snot and tears all over his clothes.

"WAAAAAAAAAH!!!"

He cried his heart out, as if trying to release all the loneliness, fear, and frustration of the past few years. So this was what it felt like to be accepted, so warm. So this was what it felt like to be understood, so sweet…

Robin stood by, a gentle smile on her face.

And Shane just patted his back helplessly. "Hey, hey, you're getting snot all over me… alright, alright, I know you're happy…"

Hiriluk and Kureha really didn't handle this well. Look how upset the little reindeer is. They should have helped him with this a long time ago.

But it probably couldn't be helped.

After all, they were both ordinary humans. They couldn't exactly use themselves as an example, like he and Robin could.

"Feeling a sense of camaraderie?"

Shane looked up at Robin and snorted. "It's a shame I didn't notice the poison on my face yesterday. Otherwise, I would have made you cry like this too."

"..." Robin just shook her head, exasperated.

Is it because we're getting to know each other that he's starting to talk nonsense? Or should I not have brought that up? The captain was so concerned about his image before I ruined the mood…

Camaraderie?

Chopper vaguely heard the word and looked up with teary eyes. "Big brother, were you also bullied and called a monster like me?"

Huh?

Shane was taken aback. Did the little guy mishear?

Has anyone ever called me a monster?

Shane tilted his head, actually thinking back.

Fuzzy memories flashed through his mind.

"Not good! That monster is after us!!" The terrifying figure, dragging Arlong's corpse, was getting closer. The Fish-Men shrieked, "What are you waiting for?! Run!"

*BOOM!* With a vicious kick, Garp was sent crashing into a cliff, the entire mountain trembling. The old man's face was a mask of shock. "What kind of monster are you?!"

"Cough…" Crocodile struggled to turn over, covered in blood. "Even a move like that doesn't work on you? What kind of monster are you…?"

Snap.

The flashback ended.

So I really have been called a monster that many times. For a moment, Shane was suddenly a little sentimental.

"You're right. I did have a similar experience to you back then."

Robin facepalmed again.

Waaah… Chopper immediately hugged Shane even tighter.

Big brother is such a warm, good person. He's been through so much, but he doesn't let it bother him, and he still comforts me…

I wish I could be that amazing one day!

"Alright, we've both moved on from that, and you should too," Shane said, gently patting Chopper's back. But out of the corner of his eye, he saw a figure flash by the distant treehouse.

Is that Kureha?

Hey, that old hag, has she been peeking this whole time? She's just going to watch me comfort this kid and not even come out to greet her guests?!

He stood up and walked to the door of the treehouse. He knocked and said loudly, "Hey, old hag, stop hiding! It's time to welcome your guests! A beautiful swordswoman has arrived with meat!"

"Who are you calling an old hag, you rude brat!"

With an angry cry, the wooden door flew open, and a foot came flying at his face. Shane easily caught it, and the two of them began to fight in the background, kicking up a flurry of snow.

"Big sister, so you're a swordswoman too?" Chopper asked Robin in a small voice, wiping away his tears.

"Not me," Robin said with a smile. "The captain's sentence is actually three separate things."

So it's 'beautiful,' 'swordswoman,' and 'meat'?

Chopper's eyes widened in understanding, and then his expression froze. "Huh?"

————

On the highest peak of Drum Island, at an altitude of five thousand meters, stood a massive castle. This was the royal palace of the Drum Kingdom.

Outside, the wind and snow raged, but inside the castle, it was as warm as spring.

"F-Five hundred and forty million Berries?!"

The obese, ball-shaped Wapol was lying on his throne, munching on a gold-plated platter. When he heard the soldier's report, the metal fragments fell from his gaping mouth.

"Are you sure you're not mistaken?! That great pirate, Shane, is really in our country?!"

"It's the absolute truth, Your Majesty!" the captain with the severed arm cried, kneeling on the floor. "Look at my wrist! That 'Tachi Swordsman' epithet is no joke! His sword is so fast you can't even see it! With just one slash…"

"SILENCE!"

Wapol suddenly overturned the dining table in a rage and began to pace anxiously in front of his throne, his metal boots clanking on the floor.

"Dammit! Dammit! Why would a big shot like that target a small country like ours!"

"Your Majesty!" his trusted minister, Chess, rushed forward. "The most urgent matter is to strengthen the castle's defenses! We can't be careless! I heard that even a Marine Admiral couldn't…"

"Defenses? Defenses my ass!"

Wapol slapped him across the face. "You idiot! Do you think a pirate of that level is as easy to deal with as those quack doctors?!"

"Go!"

He spun around and pointed out the window. "Prepare to leave for the port immediately! Everyone, follow me! We're all going to escape to the sea and hide for a while! We'll come back when the island is safe!"

"HUH?!"

Several of his ministers were dumbfounded.

"What are you standing around for?! Weapons, food, doctors… bring everything we can! We can't leave anything for those commoners! Now go!! Everyone, gather at the castle gate in one hour!"

The soldiers finally snapped out of their stupor and began to move, and the hall was thrown into chaos.

When only a few of his most trusted ministers were left in the hall, Wapol suddenly turned and swallowed the throne he had been sitting on whole. Then, he kicked open a hidden door behind it.

"He must be after the treasure I've been saving! Mwahahaha… good thing I was prepared!"

He rushed into the treasure vault behind the hidden door, his obese body bouncing between the gold and silver like a rubber ball. He opened his modified tin-plate mouth and began to devour the mountains of gold coins and jewels.

"Your Majesty!" Chess cried out in terror, clinging to the doorframe. "Are you going to eat the entire national treasury?!"

"Mwahahaha! Of course!" Wapol roared, his voice muffled by the food. "My Munch-Munch Fruit can even digest a castle! What's a little treasure?! I'll just spit it all out when we're at sea! Not a single coin will be lost!"

In a short while, he had devoured the entire treasury.

"Your Majesty!"

The captain of the Royal Guard, Dalton, could no longer stand it. His massive body blocked the castle gate. "You can't just abandon your people and run away! As king, even if we can't defeat the invading pirates, you should at least help your people—"

"Get out of my way!"

Wapol said, his face full of annoyance, and slapped him. "You already defied me once, when that quack doctor died a few months ago. Wasn't being thrown in the dungeon enough for you? You dare to block my path now?"

Dalton stumbled back a few steps, a trickle of blood coming from the corner of his mouth. But he stubbornly spread his arms. "Please, at least leave half of the doctors behind! All the doctors in the country have been driven away by you! If you take the last of the Isshi-20 with you…"

"What's it to me?!"

Wapol sneered and kicked Dalton in the stomach.

"Are the lives of commoners worthy of being compared to my health?! Hey, Chess! Kuromarimo! Teach this disobedient fool a lesson!"

[On the left is the staff officer, Chess, and on the right is the royal chamberlain, Kuromarimo.]

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Chess and Kuromarimo immediately began to beat him. Even though Dalton had instantly transformed into his bison form, he was still no match for them.

He grunted and fell to his knees, his vision going black. He could only watch as Wapol's figure strode out of the castle gate.

In a daze, he heard the fawning voice of the captain with the severed arm. "A wise decision, Your Majesty! A traitor who doesn't even know his place deserves to be severely…"

"You shut up too!"

Wapol suddenly turned and grabbed the captain by the neck, lifting him up. "You useless fool! You had so many men, and you couldn't even catch a blue-nosed monster! Because of you, I still haven't caught that old hag, Kureha!"

"Y-Your Majesty…" the captain kicked his legs in terror.

"Go die with your severed hand!"

Wapol threw him off the cliff like a piece of trash. "What's the use of a cripple who can't even hold a gun?! My ship doesn't have room for useless things!"

"AAAAAAAAAH!!!"

The scream echoed through the wind and snow, gradually fading into the abyss.

The soldiers were silent, quickly loading the large amounts of food and weapons and following Wapol onto the cable car down the mountain.

Stop, you…

Stop…

Dalton used all his strength, but he still couldn't get up. In his blurred vision, the figures grew smaller and smaller. He was filled with grief and anger, and tears streamed down his face.

To abandon his own country, to lead the escape himself, and to not even leave a single doctor or weapon for his people…

This hopeless, bastard king!

————

"Mwahahaha!!!"

At the port, Wapol stood on the deck, patting his bloated, ball-like stomach and laughing wildly.

Inside was the wealth of the entire kingdom. Even if he drifted at sea, it would be enough for him to live lavishly for a long time!

"Hurry! Faster!"

Chess and Kuromarimo were constantly urging the soldiers to load the cargo.

Suddenly, a doctor in a uniform stopped and looked around, puzzled. "Do you hear something?"

A sound?

The deck suddenly fell silent.

Everyone listened intently. Amidst the howling wind and snow, there was indeed a strange sound, coming from a distance and rapidly approaching—

BOOM—POP!

"It's coming from the sky! Look up!" someone cried out.

This time, everyone, including Wapol and his two ministers, looked up.

A massive black shadow was descending from the sky at an incredible speed. With every bounce, the air boomed, as if space itself were being compressed and released by some force.

"What is that thing?!" Wapol screamed in terror.

The black shadow finally slowed down and landed lightly on the shore opposite the deck. The swirling snow gradually settled, revealing its true form.

—It was an abnormally tall man.

He wore black clothes and a fluffy, bear-eared hat, and he held a thick bible in his hands. He was six or seven meters tall, as burly as a mountain, yet he had a gentle and calm demeanor.

"So this really is a great medical kingdom?"

Looking at the group of doctors in uniforms on the ship, the burly man seemed quite happy. He looked down and smiled kindly at Wapol. "To have just arrived at the port and already run into so many doctors, this is wonderful."

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