After some treatment, Nami woke up in a daze.
Scenes from the past couldn't help but flash through her mind...
That strong man had carried her all the way from the foot of the mountain to this place.
Nami remembered how fierce the wind was back then.
Even though she had been bundled up warmly, she could still feel the biting cold in her half-conscious state.
Thinking about it, Luffy and Sandy must have suffered quite a bit, right?
However, as soon as Nami thought of Sandy's unreliable behavior—and his habit of wrapping his arms around girls' waists—she couldn't help but spit out, "Pah."
Just then, Kureha entered the room, noticed Nami was awake, and said, "You're awake. If I'm not mistaken, you've had this virus for two days now, haven't you?"
"Ah?" Nami nodded. "Yes! Thank you for saving me."
Kureha waved her hand. "No need to thank me. I expect payment for saving people. Speaking of which, how did you get infected with this virus? It only appears in primitive jungles, and your wound is near your belly button. Don't tell me you were wearing a midriff-baring outfit in a jungle? Who would be that careless?"
Hearing this, Nami quickly interrupted awkwardly, "Um, Doctor, where are the two people who brought me here? Are they okay?"
As soon as those two were mentioned, Kureha scoffed. "Those two fellows are really full of energy. After climbing to over four thousand meters, they're still not resting—they're out there playing around with my Chopper."
"Chopper?" Nami asked curiously.
Kureha explained, "It was someone named Sandy who brought you to him. He's also a doctor. Now your two companions are clamoring for Chopper to be their crewmate."
"So, did Chopper agree?" Nami asked.
Kureha shook her head. "Not that easy. Chopper has a psychological issue that I haven't been able to cure all these years."
Nami frowned. "Can you tell me about him?"
Kureha sighed. "When Chopper was born, his nose was blue."
"A blue nose?" Nami interrupted, surprised.
Kureha nodded. "Chopper is a reindeer. Because his nose was blue, the herd treated him like a monster. Until one day, he accidentally ate the Human-Human Fruit. From then on, he could walk on two legs—and that's when the herd abandoned him completely.
"But that wasn't the worst part. What hurt him the most was the death of Dr. Hiriluk, the doctor who adopted him. Hiriluk opened Chopper's heart and gave his life meaning.
"It's just a pity... Hiriluk died from poison that Chopper accidentally gave him. Ever since then, the heart Chopper had once opened to humans has closed again."
Just then, Chopper—who had been listening at the door—couldn't help but recall his painful past.
Dr. Hiriluk had originally had ten days left to live, but after taking Chopper's medicine, he only had half a day.
Because of that, Chopper always felt like he had killed his own savior.
"Wuwawa... Dr. Hiriluk!"
The sound of crying at the door interrupted Kureha and Nami's conversation.
Seeing the weeping Chopper, Kureha scolded, "Dr. Hiriluk never blamed you for what happened, so why are you still crying?"
Chopper sniffled. "Dr. Kureha, I... I..."
At that moment, Nami said gently, "You're Doctor Chopper, right?"
"Doctor... Chopper?" Chopper blinked, pointing at himself awkwardly. "Me? You're talking about me?"
Nami nodded. "Yes. Thank you for saving me."
"I-Idiot," Chopper mumbled bashfully. "Even if you say that, I won't be happy."
Nami thought silently, Aren't you clearly happy?
Realizing his fluster, Chopper quickly hid, then peeked out again—only to scare himself and run outside.
Kureha slapped her forehead. "See? He's still resistant to strangers."
Outside, Chopper ran right into Sandy and Luffy.
Sandy sighed. "Chopper, stop running. Why do I feel like you're not a reindeer, but more of a mouse instead?"
Chopper froze, then turned back angrily. "What did you say?"
Sandy shrugged. "Every time you see someone, you act like a mouse meeting a cat. Aren't you a bit too timid?"
"I'm not a mouse, I'm a reindeer!" Chopper shouted—only to get caught by Luffy.
"Hey, Sandy! I caught him!" Luffy grinned, holding the struggling reindeer.
Indeed, Chopper hadn't interacted with humans in so long that normal communication was almost impossible.
Right now, the only way to "talk" was through forceful methods.
Sandy gave a mischievous smirk. "Run again, I dare you, you damn reindeer. You made us chase you for ages! I'm exhausted."
And with that, Sandy flopped down and used Chopper as a pillow.
Chopper was both shocked and... oddly happy.
Surprised to be so close to strangers, but happy to be treated like an equal.
As for convincing Chopper to join, Sandy didn't think he had the patience for it—so he left it to Luffy.
Panicking, Chopper shouted, "Let go of me, uhoho!"
Luffy laughed. "Chopper, be my crewmate!"
Chopper's eyes widened. "W-What? No way!"
"Why not?" Luffy asked, confused.
"Because you're humans, and I'm a reindeer! How could we be companions?"
"Stop talking nonsense," Luffy said seriously. "Come out to sea with us. Adventure's amazing! There's a whole world of blue out there—you'll love it."
Chopper hesitated. "But... but..."
Sandy groaned. "Are you a man or what? Why are you being so wishy-washy?"
Chopper gasped. "Weren't you asleep?"
"Sleep my ass!" Sandy barked. "It's freezing! Do you want me to freeze to death? Anyway, why not come to sea with us?"
Chopper's ears drooped. "Don't you think I'm weird? I have a blue nose and antlers. I'm clearly a reindeer, but I walk on two legs and can talk like a human. Doesn't that make me a monster?"
Sandy chuckled, patting Chopper's shoulder. "Is that all? Don't you know there are Mink Tribe out there—talking animals who live with humans?
And there's Fish-Man Island too. Mermaids have human upper bodies and fish tails.
I'm telling you, Chopper—your fears are just from lack of experience. A real man should make waves on the sea at least once in his life."
"Wow... really?" Chopper's eyes sparkled, and Luffy's did too.
Sandy's eye twitched. What's up with this Straw Hat? Weren't you supposed to be recruiting him? Why are you admiring me now?! Can you be a little more professional?!
"Mouhahaha..."
Just then, a familiar mocking laugh echoed nearby—Wapol's voice. Everyone turned their attention toward the sound...