Snow Island, Minion Island—an abandoned winter island.
It was here that Rosinante, using the power of the Calm-Calm Fruit, stole the Operation Fruit for Law, only to be killed by his own brother, Doflamingo.
Snowflakes drifted down as the group stepped through the thick snow, setting foot on the island that carried such a tragic story.
"Hey, Carmen, how about hotpot for dinner tonight?"
"Don't you think snow and hotpot make the perfect combo?"
The moment they entered the frozen world, Leno's mind instantly switched to food.
Just picturing it—snow falling outside while everyone sat around a bubbling pot of soup inside—made him glance at Carmen expectantly.
"Sure. The storage room still has plenty of ingredients—we can make it happen."
Carmen tilted her head, mentally checking the fridge's contents before nodding.
"Perfect! Hotpot it is!"
To everyone's surprise, the most excited one turned out to be Yamato.
The moment she heard they were having hotpot, her eyes lit up like a child's.
Leno glanced at the drooling Yamato—and at Chopper, who looked the same—and his face darkened.
So you were both just waiting for me to say it, huh?
Deciding to ignore these freeloaders, Leno expanded his Observation Haki.
Moments later, he turned toward the distant mountaintop, his expression shifting.
"Didn't expect... there's someone here."
"Isn't that normal?" Robin asked curiously. "It's not like this is some forbidden land. People visit all the time."
"Right... you're right."
Leno scratched his head awkwardly. He'd just assumed no one could still be here.
His mind had wandered—he kept picturing this place after Doflamingo's Birdcage ravaged it, leaving nothing behind.
Chopper's eyes drifted toward the snowy peak in the distance, thoughts wandering to another land covered in snow—the Drum Kingdom.
'Is Doctorine still healthy? I wonder how she's doing now…'
Thinking of the kind doctor who had cared for him and taught him medicine, Chopper's eyes welled with tears.
"Chopper, what's wrong? Are you okay?"
Kaya, walking beside him, noticed and asked gently.
"N-No, I'm fine, I just…"
Startled, Chopper quickly wiped his eyes. That's when a large hand rested on his head.
"Missing home, huh?"
Leno's gentle voice came from above.
It made sense. The little reindeer who'd always been afraid of humans had left home for the first time. After being away so long, seeing a land of snow again must've stirred his heart.
"Yeah... I miss Doctorine."
Chopper's voice trembled, full of longing.
"Don't worry. You'll see her soon enough."
"R-Really?" Chopper looked up, teary-eyed but hopeful.
"Of course. Think about it—once our North Blue journey ends, where are we going?"
"The Grand Line..." Chopper murmured, then blinked. "Wait—if we enter the Grand Line, that means—!"
Realization hit, and his eyes shone.
Right. Once they finished exploring the North Blue and entered the Grand Line, he'd be able to see Doctorine again.
His gloom vanished instantly, and his steps turned lively once more.
Watching the little guy's change, Leno smiled and shook his head before turning to the equally smiling Kaya.
"So, Kaya, you holding up? If not, Chopper can give you a ride."
Hearing that shameless comment, Nami, Robin, and the others all rolled their eyes in perfect sync.
"I-I'm fine! Really!"
Kaya, who'd been worried about Chopper a moment ago, was suddenly caught off guard. It took all her strength not to burst out laughing.
'Good grief, Captain Leno! Chopper isn't human, but you're also planning to abandon your humanity, are you?'
Everyone silently complained about their captain's bad behavior.
Meanwhile, Chopper—oblivious to the mood—hurried over with genuine concern.
"Kaya, maybe I should carry you! I used to carry Doctorine, so I'm good at it!"
"..."
Leno gave the others a smug look and shrugged as if to say, "See? That's what he wanted to do anyway."
Everyone ignored him completely, walking past without even a glance.
"Chopper, no need, really. Let's just keep going." Kaya said quickly, embarrassed by his sincerity.
"Okay, but if you get tired, promise you'll tell me!"
"Mm-hmm, I promise."
With that, the group continued toward the mountain peak.
Once there, Leno released the Gale, and everyone rushed into the warm cabin at once.
Seeing them scramble inside, Leno couldn't help but sigh.
He'd suggested flying up earlier, but they'd all insisted on walking. He thought maybe they had their reasons—turns out they were just being stubborn.
Watching them hurry for warmth, he shook his head and followed them inside. The Gale slowly lifted into the snowy sky.
Meanwhile, in a distant house—the base of the Drake Pirates.
X. Drake stared in horror at the steel ship slowly ascending, unable to calm his trembling heart.
Just that one casual glance from Leno had made his blood run cold.
That pressure—filled with killing intent—felt like it could crush him with a single look.
When Leno's group first landed, Drake's subordinates had reported it, saying a few strangers had come ashore.
Seeing it was only a small group, Drake hadn't cared.
But when they reached the mountain, he finally decided to confront them.
He never made it out the door.
Right then, he saw a steel ship appear out of thin air, rising into the air. And then—he saw that blood-red flag.
The instant he recognized it, his blood froze.
If not for his crew shouting beside him, he might've stayed frozen forever. When he came to, he saw Leno's final glance before entering the ship.
"Captain! Look! That ship's flying!"
"What a beauty—those guys must be loaded!"
"Let's go get 'em before they get away!"
The crew's eyes gleamed with greed, itching for action.
One man ran up to Drake, grinning. "Captain, let's do it! That's a fat catch if I've ever seen one!"
Smack!
Drake's palm sent him flying.
"Fat catch, my ass!" he roared. "Do you even know who that was? That's Thunder God—Leno! The man who nearly killed Emperor Kaido, wrecked Marineford, and left without a scratch!"
Drake's voice trembled from both fear and rage as he glared at his stunned men.
"He's the kind of monster who could crush us with a flick of his finger! Are you blind?!"
He exhaled shakily, face pale. "Fine. If you really wanna die, be my guest. Go on—go!"
The room fell silent. No one moved.