Inside Drum Castle.
"Doctorine, this is the dividend Dante sent over for this month."
"Oh, this month's dividend came so quickly?"
"Yeah, seems like the end of the year is coming up, so he sent it early!" Chopper nodded happily, handing the Card in his hand directly to Kureha. "Please keep this safe for me, Doctorine!"
"Hahaha, worthy of being my good son. You can rest easy leaving it with me!" Eyeing the Card Chopper offered, Dr. Kureha didn't hesitate at all. She snatched one up and laughed loudly. "You're too young to be holding that much money anyway. I'll save it for you until you grow up, then give it to you!"
"I don't mind if you use it, Doctorine!"
"You brat, why would I spend a kid's money?" Dr. Kureha laughed, then looked at Chopper, seeming a bit emotional. "I didn't expect you to make money so fast."
She raised the Plum Wine Bottle in her hand and downed it in one go.
"If your idiot father could see this, I'm sure he'd be very happy too! Of course, it's also because I taught you well. Truly worthy of being my idiot child!"
"I- I'm not... not that good!" Hearing Dr. Kureha's praise, Chopper immediately felt a bit embarrassed and scratched his head. "Please don't praise me like that!"
But it was obvious he was very happy.
"Alright, you're still the same! If someone praises you, you should accept it proudly." Kureha looked at Chopper. When she saw an Invitation Letter in his hand, she frowned and asked, "What is that?"
"Oh, right! I almost forgot about this, Doctorine." Chopper quickly took out the Invitation Letter from his arms. "This is an Invitation Letter Dante sent along. He's inviting us to the East Blue for a Year-End Party he's hosting!"
"Year-End Party?" Kureha took the Invitation Letter and opened it to take a look. She scoffed and muttered, "End of the year? What's there to celebrate about that? Too much trouble."
But as she spoke, she seemed to notice something. Looking at Chopper in front of her, whose eyes were filled with longing, she paused for a moment. "You want to go, kid?"
"I, I don't really want to go that much!"
"If you want to go, then go. What an idiot son!" Watching the bashful Chopper, Kureha laughed loudly again. Then downing the plum wine in her hand, she said, "It's just boring staying here anyway. Let's go check out that kid's Year-End Party together!"
"Is it really okay?"
"Of course. Pack your Luggage, let's go together!"
"That's great! Please wait for me, I'll go pack right away, Doctorine."
"Saying you don't want to go when you clearly want to so badly, what an idiot son!" Watching Chopper hopping away happily to pack his Luggage, Kureha gave a wry smile. Then, taking another big swig of the plum wine in her hand, she said with a tone of reminiscence, "Time flies, doesn't it? It's been so long already!"
As she spoke, she looked at Chopper, who was happily packing his things, and smiled again.
"You don't need to bring that much stuff. We're just going to a party, we'll be coming back, you know."
"Oh, right!"
"Silly child! Hahaha." Looking at the dumbstruck Chopper, Kureha laughed loudly again, then walked over to his side. Watching Chopper packing his Luggage, she said, "By the way, Chopper, tell me your dream again."
"I want to create a panacea that can cure any disease!"
"Still the same, has nothing changed?" Dr. Kureha looked at Chopper, whose gaze remained firm, and nodded, rubbing the top of his head with a smile. "Then you must work hard!"
As she spoke, her eyes gleamed for a moment.
Cure all diseases?
You can't achieve that by staying here forever. My silly boy!
--**--**
Back in the East Blue, at the Foosha Village Bar.
"This year's Special Outstanding Employee, Helmeppo, do you have anything you'd like to say to everyone?"
"I-I-I..." Standing on stage, listening to the enthusiastic applause and watching the crowd cheering for him below, Helmeppo was momentarily overwhelmed and didn't know what to say.
He hadn't expected to actually be chosen.
Luffy and Zoro were obviously more outstanding than him, and their work was superior as well. So, even though the Foreman had nominated him, he truly never thought he would be selected.
Seeing him stunned, the crowd cheered again.
"What are you standing there for? Say something already!"
"The kid's too excited!"
Even Luffy, standing to the side in his straw hat, shouted loudly, "You're really great, Helmeppo."
Beside him, Zoro grinned. "The kid just hasn't seen much of the world. For a swordsman to get nervous over a small thing like this?"
In that moment, amidst the cheers, Helmeppo snapped out of it. With red-rimmed eyes, he shouted, "I-I... thank you everyone, truly thank you! I really didn't think I would be chosen."
Looking at everyone shouting for him, he suddenly felt an indescribable emotion wash over him. His mind involuntarily drifted to his past self, the self who, in the end, had scrounged through trash bins like a dog.
But now...
Had he finally been acknowledged? "Thank you, Foreman! Thank you, Boss! And thank you... Company! Thank you all so much for giving me this chance!"
As Helmeppo finished speaking, the crowd applauded once more. Looking at Helmeppo holding his bonus and Award Certificate, although the money was enviable, they still offered their heartfelt blessings.
He worked very hard and earnestly. Even after clocking out, he continued to diligently practice his swordsmanship.
He truly deserved it.
Just then, as everyone was cheering for Helmeppo, he didn't step down from the stage. Instead, he took a deep breath and shouted, "Drink up everyone! Tonight, it's on me, Helmeppo!"
The moment the words landed.
"That's awesome, Helmeppo!"
"Are we throwing a party?"
"You're generous!"
Hearing Helmeppo's words, everyone cheered for him again.
However.
"It's fine to celebrate, but don't stay out too late." The Foreman gave a wry smile, looking at Helmeppo. "Tomorrow we have to go to the Conomi Archipelago for the Year-End Party!"
Saying this, he looked at Luffy and Zoro.
"And you two. Although you weren't selected as Special Outstanding Employees, you were invited because of your hard work. You need to get ready properly tonight!"
After his words landed.
"Conomi Archipelago?"
Just as Zoro frowned, seemingly recalling something.
"Huh?" Luffy scratched his head. "But I don't want to go out to sea yet! I made a promise with Ace that I can't leave until I'm seventeen!"
"It's not setting sail, just going to a party." The Foreman continued to smile. "We'll be back afterwards! Of course, if you don't go, that's fine. It's just that this year, the Sea Restaurant Baratie was specifically invited to be the head chefs. I believe there will be plenty of food and barbecue!"
He looked at Luffy with feigned regret. "If you don't go, you probably won't get to eat any!"
"There's meat? Awesome! I'll go!"
"If you're going, remember to pack your bags." Looking at Luffy, whose eyes were glowing with eager anticipation, the Foreman seemed to have predicted his reaction perfectly. He nodded and said, "Don't forget tomorrow. Especially you, Zoro. Remember to stick close to Helmeppo. It'll be terrible if you get lost again!"
"What do you mean get lost? I... how could I possibly get lost! I have excellent sense of direction!"
"Please, realize you have absolutely no sense of direction! You know I nearly got thrown in jail because of you!" The Foreman yelled at Zoro, who was still trying to make excuses. Then, he turned back and let it go. "Forget it."
Raising his glass, he shouted loudly, "Now, let's first celebrate our Special Outstanding Employee, Helmeppo! Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
--**--**
Meanwhile, while Various Islands were celebrating the Year-End Awards Ceremony.
Elsewhere.
At the Marine Branch 16 Base.
A loud, brash voice rang out at that moment. "Boss, I'm back!"
===============
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