"It's too late now."
Robin chuckled lightly, "There's no need to be so afraid. We don't mean any harm, haven't we just saved you once just now?"
"I don't need your help, humans!"
The little reindeer clung tightly to the tree trunk, gritting its teeth, "I... I'm a monster, aren't you afraid of me?"
"How do you look like a monster? Isn't this just an ordinary raccoon?" Robin was curious.
"I'm a reindeer!!"
"Ah, sorry." Robin said with a smile, "But no matter what, you're very cute, how could anyone be scared of you?"
"Cu...cute?!"
The little reindeer instantly got very angry, baring its sharp teeth and roaring, "I'm not cute! I'm a fierce monster!"
Suddenly, its face turned beet red, and it started shaking like noodles out of shyness, "Oh dear, even if you compliment me like that, I won't be happy!"
"Ah, no, I'm a monster, the kind that eats people!"
It suddenly jolted awake, grimacing, but in its nervousness, accidentally bit its own tongue, crying out in pain and covering its mouth with tears in its eyes.
Robin facepalmed.
"Uh-huh, got it, a man-eating monster."
Shano nodded perfunctorily. Noticing Chopper's shrunken belly, he squatted down, took a red bean bun out of his pocket, broke it open, and waved it around, "Here, hungry, want some?"
The rich sweet aroma wafted out.
Chopper's gaze was instantly drawn to it, eyes wide open, mouth unconsciously following the bun's movements.
It's a sweet snack!
Sweet snacks are the best!
And after running around gathering herbs, the stomach is really hungry, but...
"I, I'm not eating it!"
It suddenly turned its head away, but its hoof subconsciously reached out, "Don't think you can tempt me! I'm a fierce monster! How could a monster eat human food!"
"Really? Then never mind."
Shano shrugged, pretending to pull it back, "Originally, I wanted to ask if you know where Dr. Kureha is, seems like we'll have to find her ourselves..."
"Wait!"
Chopper panicked, sprinted over, stopped abruptly, and stared at him vigilantly, "W-why are you looking for Dr. Kureha?"
"To cure an illness."
Shano shrugged, stopped suppressing the virus inside him, turning a sickly shade of green and purple, "You see, I got poisoned, and I heard the doctors on this island were all banished, only that granny is left, so..."
"Don't call our doctor an old granny!"
Chopper's fur bristled, but then it hesitated, sneaking a glance at Shano's complexion, and asked with concern:
"...Is it serious?"
"It's okay, won't die." Shano laughed, "But if it isn't treated, my body might stay this way forever."
Chopper stared at him for a few seconds, suddenly grabbed the red bean bun and stuffed it into its mouth, mumbling, "Follow me!"
After saying that, it turned and ran out of the forest, stopping after two steps to add fiercely, "But if you hurt our doctor, I'll really bite you!"
"Don't worry."
Shano followed with a grin, handing over another red bean bun, "If we meant harm to Dr. Kureha, why would we help chase away those soldiers earlier?"
That's true...
Chopper felt slightly relieved, eating as it continued to lead the way, leaving behind a string of small, plum-blossom-like footprints in the snow.
Robin sighed, "Captain, you've got quite a way with kids."
"No choice, I learned from a young age."
Shano shrugged, leading Robin along, adding casually, "But mainly, it's because this little one is too kind-hearted, even to distrusted humans, it's eager to help because they're patients."
The wind and snow were strong, and he didn't lower his voice, so Chopper, with its ears perked up, heard everything clearly.
What strange humans...
Not only are they not afraid, but they also compliment me without hesitation.
Hehe, do I have such shining qualities?
Its mouth couldn't help but turn up, a blush appeared on its face, but it quickly turned back to a stern expression.
...Even so, I won't be happy!
————
Before they knew it, the two humans and a deer had crossed the entire town.
The wind and snow were heavy, and they walked quickly. In the middle, Shano only stopped briefly at a clothing store to buy a winter coat for Robin.
As the captain, Shano initially wanted to pay, as a welcome gift for the new crew member.
Unfortunately, the Belly he carried had all been burned to ashes by Akainu, not even a hair left.
In the end, Robin had to pay for herself.
After leaving the town and entering the forest across the river, after twists and turns, they suddenly saw the door of a treehouse in the distance with a light on.
"We're almost there, that's the doctor's house. Remember, although she's quite old, she always maintains a youthful mindset and hates being called old, so..."
Chopper suddenly stopped talking, and its steps halted abruptly.
Shano looked ahead and saw that their movement had alerted a group of reindeer nearby. When they saw Chopper, they all let out hostile low growls.
It seemed they were about to charge at Chopper at any moment.
However, mindful of the two tall humans, they lingered for a moment before turning away.
Watching the reindeer leave, Chopper's face turned somber.
"..."
It hung its head, the blue nose twitching, its voice as soft as a mosquito, "…They don't like me."
"Why, just because of your blue nose?" Taking advantage of the little one's willingness to open up, Robin immediately followed up with a question.