One Piece: The Saiyan Pirate

Chapter 88: Tony Tony Chopper

Goku soared through the crisp, cold air of Drum Kingdom, the icy wind tousling his spiky hair. Nami clung securely to his back, her arms wrapped around his waist, her breath visible in the frigid atmosphere. Below them, the landscape was a vast expanse of snow-covered terrain, punctuated by towering, drum-shaped peaks known as the Drum Rockies.

As they flew, Goku's sharp eyes scanned the horizon, finally locking onto the tallest of the mountains. At its summit stood a grand castle, its architecture both imposing and majestic, with turrets reaching skyward. The castle's presence was a stark contrast to the desolate beauty of the surrounding snowy wilderness.

Descending toward the castle, Goku noticed a flag mounted atop the tallest tower. The flag bore a distinctive design: a skull and crossbones, with the skull donning a top hat and a pair of sakura blossoms adorning the background.

Goku furrowed his brow, trying to recall where he might have seen this emblem before. He sifted through memories of newspapers and wanted posters but found no recollection of this particular insignia. Shrugging it off, he concluded it must not have been significant enough to remember.

Continuing their descent, Goku was mindful of Nami's comfort, reducing speed to ensure a gentle approach. As they neared the castle, something unusual caught his eye. To the side of the rounded, drum-like mountain, a figure appeared—a reindeer pulling what looked like a sleigh. The sight was reminiscent of Santa Claus, an unexpected image in this remote, wintry landscape.

Goku's curiosity was piqued, but he maintained his course toward the castle, preparing to land and uncover the mysteries that awaited them in this enigmatic kingdom.

Goku hovered just above the snow-covered ground, watching as the sleigh ascended the mountain, pulled along ropes that stretched from the island's snowcaps to the summit. As the sleigh drew nearer, it sped past him, revealing its occupant: a tall, slender woman with a wrinkled face. She wore a purple blazer paired with low-riding purple pants that revealed a naval ring. Small sunglasses perched atop her forehead, and her silver hair cascaded freely. Her left hand was adorned with multiple bracelets and rings.

The reindeer pulling the sleigh caught Goku's eye. It wore a top hat and had a distinctive blue nose—a curious sight, but Goku chose to ignore it for the moment.

The woman glanced at Goku, seemingly unfazed by his mid-air stance.

"What are you doing here?" she inquired, her tone direct.

Goku tilted his head, studying her for a moment.

"Are you the witch, Doctor Kureha?" he asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.

She smirked, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

"Witch, doctor—call me what you like. The question is, why are you here?"

Goku gestured to Nami, still securely on his back, her face pale and clammy.

"My friend is sick. I heard you're the best doctor around."

Kureha's eyes narrowed as she assessed Nami's condition from a distance.

"I can treat her," she said, "but my services aren't free."

Goku frowned, hovering a bit lower.

"You're really going to charge us? Shouldn't doctors help people without demanding payment?"

Kureha crossed her arms, her expression stern.

"Medicine and my time are valuable. Nothing in this world is free, boy."

Goku's frown deepened.

"If you don't care about saving lives, why become a healer? Shouldn't it be about helping people, not making money?"

Kureha's gaze softened slightly, though her stance remained firm.

"I chose this path to save lives, yes. But that doesn't mean I should be taken advantage of. Resources, knowledge, experience—they all come at a cost."

Goku sighed, realizing the impasse.

"Fine. We'll find a way to pay you. Just please, help Nami."

Kureha nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Bring her to my castle. We'll discuss payment later."

With that, she signaled to the reindeer, and the sleigh began moving up the mountain once more. Goku followed, determination set in his features, as they made their way toward the castle atop the Drum Kingdom.

As they ascended, Goku couldn't help but glance at the reindeer again, noting its unusual blue nose and the intelligence in its eyes. He filed the observation away for later, focusing instead on getting Nami the help she desperately needed.

The journey to the castle was a blend of tension and hope, the snowy landscape around them a silent witness to the unfolding events.

Upon reaching the castle gates, Kureha led them inside, her demeanor all business.

"Lay her here," she instructed, pointing to a nearby bed.

Goku gently placed Nami down, worry etched across his face.

Kureha began her examination, her movements swift and practiced.

"You care deeply for your friend," she remarked without looking up.

"Of course," Goku replied. "She's part of our crew. We're like family."

Kureha paused, meeting his eyes.

"Family, huh? That's a rare bond in these parts."

Goku nodded, his expression earnest.

"We'll do whatever it takes to help her."

A moment of silence passed before Kureha spoke again.

"Very well. I'll do everything in my power to heal your friend. But remember, strength alone won't always protect those you care about. Sometimes, you need knowledge and wisdom too."

Goku absorbed her words, a thoughtful look crossing his face.

"I understand. Thank you, Doctor Kureha."

She simply nodded, turning her full attention back to Nami, as the room settled into a focused quiet, the weight of the moment pressing upon them all.

As Kureha worked, Goku couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude mixed with determination. He knew that this encounter was just one of many challenges they would face, but with allies like Kureha, they stood a fighting chance.

The night wore on, the castle enveloped in the cold embrace of the Drum Kingdom's winter, as the Straw Hat crew awaited the outcome of Nami's treatment, their hopes resting in the hands of the enigmatic Doctor Kureha.

In the quiet moments, Goku's thoughts drifted back to the reindeer with the blue nose, a curiosity that would soon reveal itself as another unexpected ally in their journey.

But for now, all that mattered was Nami's recovery, and the unwavering bonds that held them together, even in the face of impending danger.

---

Hours Later

Dalton, Sanji, Vivi, and Usopp arrived at the castle using the same rope carriage system that the reindeer sleigh had used earlier. The carriages swayed slightly in the cold mountain wind as they ascended to the frozen fortress.

Stepping out of the carriage, Vivi rubbed her arms, trying to stay warm. "I don't like this," she said, looking up at the towering castle.

Dalton nodded in agreement. "Castles are dangerous places, especially ones as old and isolated as this."

Goku, who was leading them through the snow-covered entrance, grinned. "Even one this frozen? C'mon, what could happen? It's just a big, cold house."

They entered the castle, the interior just as cold as the outside. The walls were coated in a thin layer of frost, and the faint sound of the wind echoed through the corridors.

As they wandered through the empty halls, Sanji's stomach growled loudly. "Alright, where's the kitchen in this giant icebox? I'll whip us up something warm."

Dalton and Vivi hesitated, but followed as the group began searching for food. "You shouldn't roam around aimlessly in a place like this," Dalton warned. "There could be traps, or worse."

"It's fine," Goku said dismissively. "If there's danger, I'll handle it."

As they passed the grand entrance hall, Goku noticed something odd. The massive castle doors—each about five meters tall and incredibly heavy—were wide open, letting in a constant stream of freezing air.

"No wonder this place feels like the outside," Usopp muttered, wrapping his arms around himself for warmth. "Goku, Sanji, help me close these things before we all turn into popsicles!"

The three of them worked together to push the doors shut, the loud groaning of the ancient hinges echoing through the hall.

---

Meanwhile, in one of the castle's rooms, Nami stirred for the first time in days. Her fever was gone, and she felt significantly better. Slowly opening her eyes, she looked around, noticing the various medical supplies scattered across the room—bandages, vials of medicine, and strange tools she didn't recognize.

Sitting up carefully, she instinctively reached for her head, expecting the usual pounding headache, but it was gone. Relief washed over her.

Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her she hadn't eaten in three days. "Guess I'm alive," she muttered weakly. Determined to move, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and tried to stand. Her legs wobbled, and she nearly collapsed, catching herself on a nearby table.

Suddenly, the door to the room swung open, startling her. A small figure stepped inside, carrying a tray of medical supplies.

The creature was unlike anything Nami had ever seen. It had the body of a tiny reindeer but stood upright like a human. It wore a bright pink top hat with a white cross on the front and had a distinct blue nose. Its fur was neatly groomed, and it moved with purpose, as though it had done this a hundred times before.

Nami froze, her eyes wide. "M-MONSTER!" she screamed, her voice echoing off the walls.

Goku burst into the room almost immediately, his eyes scanning for danger. "What happened?!"

He stopped when he saw the small creature. "Oh, hey, Chopper!" he said casually, surprising both Nami and the reindeer.

Nami whipped her head toward Goku. "You know this… thing?"

Goku grinned. "Of course! Meet Tony Tony Chopper, our newest crewmate!"

Nami blinked in disbelief. "How long was I out for a raccoon dog to join the crew?"

Chopper's cheeks puffed up indignantly. "I'm not a raccoon dog! I'm a reindeer who ate the Human-Human Fruit."

Nami stared at him, her confusion deepening. "You're… a doctor?"

"Yup!" Goku said proudly. "He's the one who's been taking care of you."

Chopper frowned, looking up at Goku. "I'm not joining your crew," he said firmly.

Goku crossed his arms like a pouting child. "You're a doctor, and the crew needs a doctor! It's perfect!"

Chopper ignored him and turned his attention to Nami. "You shouldn't be out of bed yet," he said matter-of-factly. "Get back in."

Nami hesitated but obeyed, sitting back on the bed. Her stomach growled again, and she looked embarrassed.

"How did you know I was hungry?" she asked.

Chopper adjusted his hat, his tone calm. "I'm a doctor. I can tell."

He began examining her with professional precision, checking her temperature, feeling her pulse, and inspecting her throat with a small light. "Your fever is completely gone, and your vitals are stable. But you're still very weak from not eating and the illness. I'll bring you some food after this."

Nami watched him work, still marveling at the fact that this tiny, talking reindeer was her doctor. "You're really… amazing," she admitted softly.

Chopper paused, his cheeks flushing. "D-Don't say stuff like that, idiot! It's not like I like compliments or anything!"

Goku laughed at the reindeer's flustered response, his earlier sulking forgotten. "You're one of us now, Chopper. Whether you admit it or not."

Chopper shot him a glare but said nothing, instead focusing on finishing Nami's examination. Despite his protests, something about being called part of the crew made him feel warm inside.

[A/N: Can't wait to see what happens next? Get exclusive early access on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels. If you enjoyed this chapter and want to see more, don't forget to drop a power stone! Your support helps this story reach more readers!]