Almost the moment Chopper agreed, the room erupted with enthusiastic cheers! Sanji and Vivi both cried out happily, and even Zoro revealed a satisfied smile.
Unnoticed by anyone, the lines on Giyu's face softened imperceptibly for a moment.
Before the cheers in the room had completely died down, Zoro began reminding everyone, "Alright, alright, let's start packing then. If that old lady makes us stay until we're completely healed, it won't be so easy to leave!"
Nami was already getting out of bed, testing her movements while smiling and saying, "Her... I don't think she would stop us."
Giyu watched everyone quickly spring into action to pack their belongings, silently assisting by putting away Nami's water cup with efficient movements.
The group finished packing quickly. With Vivi supporting Nami, they quietly stepped out of the room into the castle's empty corridors, feeling somewhat like thieves.
However, after only a few steps, a tall figure emerged from the shadows beside a pillar ahead, arms crossed as if she had been waiting there for a long time.
She stepped forward slowly - it was Dr. Kureha. Her sunglasses reflected the light, making it impossible to see her eyes.
"Chopper," her voice was steady, "where are you going?"
Chopper's small body stiffened, instinctively shrinking back before mustering his courage to step forward, head bowed as he said, "Dr. Kureha... I was just coming to find you... I... I'm going to become a pirate!"
Dr. Kureha snorted, her arms still crossed, but her tone carried an inexplicable sternness: "Who gave you permission to become a pirate? You're my only apprentice - are you going to abandon me?"
She looked Chopper up and down, her words sharp as knives: "Besides, with your foolish appearance, can you really become a pirate?"
"I..."
Chopper was rendered speechless, his head hanging even lower. He didn't know how to refute his teacher - it was true that he had learned much knowledge here.
But it was equally true that he now wanted to see the sea.
Giyu stood quietly toward the back of the group, observing the teacher and student who had now frozen in place in silence. The familiar text appeared before his eyes once again.
[Manual of Interpersonal Relationships (Trial Version)]
[Target: Kureha]
[Status: Worried, Reluctant to part]
[Likes: Chopper, Promoting secrets of youth]
[Suggestion: Don't let her keep using sharp words!]
The scolding words coming from Dr. Kureha's mouth conflicted with this text, making Giyu pause. Before he could react, Chopper spoke.
"I... Dr. Kureha, I want to see the sea, yes!"Hearing Chopper still speaking blankly from his spot, a flicker of hesitation passed through Dr. Kureha's eyes, but she immediately pulled out a scalpel from who-knows-where. "If you have what it takes, then try to escape!!!"
Giyu finally spoke, "Why say such things?"
With that simple sentence, Dr. Kureha froze in place. She looked at Giyu and said, "What did you say? You..."
Sanji lit a cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke that obscured his current expression. Without looking at Kureha, his gaze remained fixed on the window, his thoughts seemingly drifting to some distant place.
It was a unique restaurant in the East Blue, sailing across the sea like a ship, welcoming different guests every day.
There was a proprietor with only one leg, whose voice was usually stern, except on that final day.
His tone was exceptionally gentle.
"Hey."
Sanji's voice interrupted Dr. Kureha, carrying a rare maturity unlike his usual liveliness or chivalry toward women.
"If we meet again, who knows when it'll be. Is it really okay to say such things at a time like this?"
The air froze, and no one spoke a word.
After a brief silence, Dr. Kureha suddenly moved.
She ran forward two steps and tightly embraced the small figure, pulling him into her arms.
Her arms held firmly, her always sharp-tongued lips trembling slightly as a choked sob she could no longer suppress sounded in Chopper's ear:
"You must take care of yourself... Chopper..."
"You are... my most outstanding disciple!"
"You will... you will become a panacea! You will!! My... foolish son..."
Chopper, held tightly, stiffened at first, then buried his furry face in her chest and cried loudly, weeping like a child:
"Yes! Dr. Kureha! I will! Waaah..."
"Really..." Nami turned her face away, quietly wiping the corner of her eye with a finger, "Why make it so emotional..."
Zoro, arms crossed, watched the scene and muttered under his breath, though his tone lacked its usual edge: "Someone with such a sharp tongue actually has a side like this."
Kureha took a deep breath, released Chopper, and turned around almost simultaneously.
With her back to everyone, she waved her hand forcefully, her voice feigning impatience: "Go on! Hurry up and leave! If you don't go soon... I really won't be able to let you go!"
Without further delay, the group supported Nami, brought along the still-sobbing Chopper, and quickly moved through the corridor.
At the castle's heavy main gate, they encountered Dalton and Usopp waiting there. Usopp was animatedly boasting to Dalton about his past bravery, stopping only when he saw the group approaching.
"Oh! Luffy! You're here! Ready to set off?" Usopp looked at the large group, seemingly packed and ready, plus a small reindeer.
Luffy just grinned and said: "Yeah! Let's go! Time to head to Alabasta!"
Dalton stepped forward, his face filled with sincere gratitude, and bowed deeply to the Straw Hat Pirates: "Thank you! Thank you for everything you've done for this country!"
Just as the group was bidding farewell to Dalton and preparing to descend the mountain, Kureha's voice echoed clearly from the castle corridor, reaching their ears:
"By the way! All of you! Don't walk so fast!"
Everyone stopped and looked back.
"I'll give you a big gift from the sky!"
Giyu looked up toward the castle heights, hearing Usopp's curiosity beside him, "From the sky? What could it be?" Giyu was similarly puzzled, but he didn't dwell on it, figuring they'd see it when it appeared in the sky.
...
Puzzled, everyone boarded the Going Merry.
The sails were raised, the anchor lifted, and the Merry prepared to leave the icy port of Drum Island. Everyone gathered on the deck, looking up at the castle, waiting for the so-called grand gift in the sky.
Night had already fallen, with a bright full moon hanging in the dark sky.
Suddenly—!
Boom!
A muffled cannon roar came from the direction of the castle!
Then, under everyone's gaze, a massive pink smoke cloud shot up from the castle and burst open in the night sky!
The smoke cloud swirled around the snow-covered peak, eventually forming the shape of a giant cherry blossom tree!
Pink petals drifted slowly under the moonlight, intertwining with real snowflakes, enveloping the entire Winter Island and illuminating every upturned face on the Merry.
Giyu gazed at the night sky, at the peak that resembled a cherry blossom tree, as if reminded of his hometown, quietly appreciating the beauty.
"Is that... cherry blossoms?" Usopp gaped, staring at the extravagant spectacle before him.
"So this was the gift..." Nami's eyes reflected the dazzling colors.
Chopper stood at the bow, watching the cherry blossoms as his freshly dried tears surged forth once more. The others said nothing more, silently walking over to sit beside him, accompanying him through this moment of farewell.
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