SKULL AND CHERRY BLOSSOM

In a snowy forest filled with tall trees, a small bandaged reindeer stands before a tall man in a crown-like hat and heavy coat. The man says, "I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE ME ANYMORE IF I TALKED..." A voice replies, "WHAT!I YOU CAN TALK!I THE HELL WERE YOU SILENT FOR 3 WHOLE DAYS THEN!I" The reindeer answers, "I CAN TALK TOO! IN FACT, I CAN TALK CIRCLES AROUND YOU." The man retorts, "SO WHAT IF YOU CAN TALKI IT AIN'T NOTHING WEIRD OR UNIQUE." The reindeer continues, "I TRIED TALKING TO HUMANS ONCE BEFORE... BUT THEY SHOT ME IN RETURN." A thought bubble adds, "A REINDEER THAT CAN TALK IS JUST A FREAK..." Suddenly an explosion erupts with the sound effect "ボカン!!!!" and the cry "IT'S GONNA BLOOOOOOW!" The man shouts, "TAKE COVER, CHOPPER!" as smoke and debris fly everywhere. The reindeer reacts with "AGHHH!" while the man grunts "HMI"

The explosion's aftermath leaves the reindeer and the bandaged man amid swirling snow and smoke. The man asks, "YOU ALRIGHTI" with the sound effect "ゴゴッン!" He adds, "WHEW, CLOSE CALL... ANOTHER FAILURE, HUH..." The reindeer questions, "...WHY DID YOU CALL ME CHOPPERI" The man laughs "EH EH EH!" repeatedly while saying, "EH EH... WHAT AM I SAYING, YOU'RE ALREADY COVERED IN BANDAGES!" The reindeer repeats "EH EH EH CHOPPER..." The man declares, "A FITTING NAME FOR A REINDEER WITH STRONG LOOKING HORNS THAT COULD EVEN BRING DOWN A TREE..." and concludes, "TONY TONY CHOPPER." The reindeer smiles happily and replies, "CHOPPER... LIKE ITI" The man explains, "'CAUSE THAT'S WHAT I'LL CALL YOU FROM NOW ON...!" as they stand together in the snowy woods.

Wapol rides a bizarre tank-like vehicle shaped like a smiling face, laughing "MAHAHAHAHA!" while shouting, "WHAT NEW LAW SHALL I PASS TODAY!I" The machine emits sounds like "ゴゴッン" and "ゴゴゴン". The scene shifts to an elegant castle interior where Dalton sits with Chess and Kuromarimo. Dalton states, "YOU'VE BEEN ACTING STRANGE EVER SINCE THE REVERIE." A voice asks, "WHAT'S THE MATTER, DALTONI" Dalton replies with concern, "I FEEL WE'RE DISTANCING OUR PEOPLE MORE WITH EACH DAY. WILL THIS KINGDOM EVER RETURN TO ITS FORMER DAYS...I" A caption box identifies him as "CAPTAIN OF DRUM KINGDOM'S ROYAL GUARDS DALTON". Chess and Kuromarimo watch him closely.

Chess and Kuromarimo sit in ornate chairs. Chess says, "THAT'S JUST HOW 'KINGDOMS' ARE, MY FRIEND DALTON." Kuromarimo adds, "JUST HAVE A DRINK, WILL YAI PSH, THAT ANNOYING TALK AGAINI" Chess continues, "NONETHELESS, THE PEOPLE ARE NOTHING WITHOUT A KING. JUST IMAGINE HOW THEY'D FARE ALONE. LIKE RABBITS PUSHED OUT INTO THE CRUEL JUNGLE, THEY'LL BE PICKED OFF ONE BY ONE." Kuromarimo replies, "KING WAPOL'S METHODS OF RULE JUST HAPPEN TO DIFFER A LITTLE FROM OUR FORMER KING, THAT'S ALL." In the next scene, a close-up shows a man with a scar on his face listening as someone says, "I HAPPENED TO COME ACROSS A CERTAIN LITTLE GIRL...WHEN I ESCORTED OUR MAJESTY TO THE RECENT REVERIE,...A DIFFERENT METHOD OF RULE, HUH..." Wapol stands holding a bottle, declaring, "OUR MAJESTY MIGHT BE STRICT, BUT THAT'S ONLY TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND ORDER OF THESE LANDS. THAT'S RIGHT! NOW LET'S ALL HAVE A GLASS OR TWO!"

An older man with a long beard holds up a photo of a scarred man and states, "WITHIN 5-6 YEARS, I'M CERTAIN HE'LL BECOME A VERY DANGEROUS FIGURE FOR THE WORLD GOVERNMENT. THIS MAN'S IDEOLOGY IS A CLEAR AND PRESENT THREAT... DRAGON THE REVOLUTIONARY..." A sign reads "HOLY LAND MARIE-JOIE." Wapol, labeled "KING OF DRUM WAPOL," dismisses the concern: "IF YOU WANT TO CATCH HIM, THEN JUST DON'T MAKE ANY TROUBLE IN MY KINGDOM, GOT ITI A COUNTRY THAT CAN BE BROUGHT DOWN BY MERE REVOLUTIONARIES IS PROBABLY BETTER OFF GONE! PFFT, RIDICULOUS... THAT DOESN'T CONCERN MY KINGDOM ONE BIT." Suddenly Nefertari Cobra appears at the table. Someone shouts, "NGHHH... NEFERTARI COBRA...! GAHH!" Cobra demands, "JUST WHAT DO YOU TAKE THIS 'REVERIE' TO BE!I" Wapol retorts, "ENOUGH, WAPOL! DOES YOUR SELFISHNESS KNOW NO BOUNDS!I"

Wapol's massive hand slips and strikes a young girl, sending her flying as he yells, "AGHH! OOPS! LOOKS LIKE MY HAND SLIPPED!" The girl cries out in pain. Wapol mutters, "HMPH, THAT MEETING LEFT A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH... HMI SHE MUST BE..." In the grand hall, the crowd reacts in shock. Igaram shouts, "PRINCESS VIVI! HOW DARE YOU!" Wapol laughs, "MAHAHAHA! WHY, IS THAT THE PRINCESS OF ALABASTAI MY, MY, ISN'T SHE AS PITIFUL AS HER FATHER..." A guard cries, "Y-YOUR MAJESTY!" Vivi, with a bump on her head, bows politely and says, "PLEASE EXCUSE ME FOR CARELESSLY BUMPING INTO YOU, SIR. I'M FINE. IGARAM, STOP!"

Dalton stands with a stern expression, thinking, "DID SHE KNOWINGLY APOLOGIZE BECAUSE OF THAT...I IF SO, SHE MUST BE EXCEPTIONALLY KEEN TO THE WAY OF POLITICS... WHAT A GIRL...! WHEN RULERS OF VARIOUS KINGDOMS GATHER HERE AT THE REVERIE, THE SLIGHTEST QUARRELS COULD POTENTIALLY TRIGGER ARMED CONFLICT..." Wapol snaps, "HMPH! ANNOYING LITTLE BRAT... DALTON, WE'RE HEADING BACK!" Dalton replies, "YOU WERE MOST ADMIRABLE, PRINCESS... MY APOLOGIES." Later, seated with Cobra, Dalton says, "SUCH TRIVIAL EMOTIONS ARE NOT WHAT'S NECESSARY IN RUNNING A KINGDOM!" Cobra answers, "OH PLEASE, MERELY THINKING OF ONE'S COUNTRY IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM RULING IT! OPEN YOUR EYES, DALTON!" Chess adds, "THAT'S RIGHT. THE IMPORTANT THING'S THE SYSTEM ITSELF! NOW HAVE A DRINK ALREADY." A caption notes, "A 10 YEAR OLD ALABASTAN GIRL ALREADY THINKS OF HER COUNTRY BEFORE HERSELF..."

In the cluttered laboratory, Hiriluk stands dramatically before Chopper. "But don't resent humans for that, Chopper," he says. "We've both endured our fair share of hardship for being the nails that stick out! Both you and I are outcasts... The king, the government, and even its people... This kingdom is 'sick' presently. They say there's no cure for a sick kingdom but I beg to differ... Their hearts are all sick..."

Hiriluk continues his tale, arms spread wide. "And he was diagnosed with a grave heart disease... Luckily for him, he had all the money in the world to be treated by the finest doctors in the world. It was then he witnessed a most phenomenal sight that halted his very breath for a moment. Can you guess what he saw...I A mountain full of the prettiest cherry blossoms he ever saw!" Chopper listens intently from the side. "Listen to me, Chopper. Once upon a time, there was a thief from a certain kingdom in the far west, frustrated that he could do nothing but await his final moment, the man decided to climb a certain mountain. But none could cure the man's disease, they all gave up, calling it incurable."

Hiriluk recounts the miracle. "He was healed! 'Your body is completely medically healthy.' And to his surprise, the next time he visited a doctor, he was told thus: It was a miracle! Or was it!I Could there be a medically sound explanationI Could it be that the man's sheer astonishment had triggered some natural mechanism of his bodyI It had to be a miracle!" He then declares passionately, stomping his foot: "So no matter what anyone says, I'll cure this kingdom even if it's the last thing I do! In other words, there are no incurable diseases in this world! That must have been what cured the supposedly incurable disease! Amazing, isn't it!I Thus, I shall tout this flag of skull and crossbones in the face of every disease that exists in this world!"

Hiriluk raises the skull-and-crossbones flag high. "It's a symbol of unwavering conviction! With this flag, I shall fight on like a true pirate!" Chopper watches in awe. "That's right! This skull here laughs at the impossible!" Hiriluk continues, "You should venture the seas one day too! Then you'll realize how small your worries are! The seas are full of proud men called pirates!" Chopper asks, "What's a pirate...I" Hiriluk squeezes his own chest dramatically. "Cross my heart and hope to die. This island is as small as the circle I'm making when compared to the world." Chopper replies, "Really...I" as Hiriluk adds, "No wait! It's more like thiiis small! Really!I Yup!"

Hiriluk stands firm in the snow as Chopper pleads with him. "THAT'S FOR YOUR WOUNDS TO DECIDE, NOT YOU!" Hiriluk replies. "THEY WON'T REOPEN." "I DON'T WANT YOU COME CRYING TO ME WHEN YOUR WOUNDS REOPEN BECAUSE OF YOUR CARELESSNESS. CHOPPER, JUST GO AND REST BACK HOME." Hiriluk turns away, declaring, "I HEAR ROBERT IS URGENTLY IN NEED OF A DOCTOR SO I'VE GOT TO TAKE OFF." Chopper refuses to back down. "FINE, DO WHAT YOU WANT..." he growls, then brightens. "HEH HEH... THEN I'LL HELP!" In town, guards discuss mushroom hunting under orders while Hiriluk and Chopper watch from hiding. "THAT CAN BE USED TO PREPARE SOME SORT OF PANACEA..." Hiriluk mutters. "WELL... YOU SEE, SIR, MOST OF US HAVE BEEN BUSY MUSHROOM-HUNTING UNDER MD-20'S ORDERS." "WHAT'S WITH THE LACK OF GUARDS THESE DAYSI" Hiriluk decides, "OUR PATIENT IS WAITING. LET'S GO, CHOPPER! WELL AREN'T I IN LUCKI WITH SO LITTLE GUARDS, THIS JOB SHOULD BE A CINCH." Chopper echoes, "MUSHROOMI"

Hiriluk and Chopper flee as guards open fire. "DAMN IT, I THOUGHT THE LIZARD-EYEBALL WOULD'VE WORKED FOR SURE...!" Hiriluk shouts. "BEAT IT, YOU QUACK DOCTOR!" A guard yells, "THAT HIRILUK STOLE MY MONEY! DON'T BE SO DAMN STINGY, YOU FILTHY RICH PIG!" The pair races through the snow while guards pursue. "IT'S THE GUARDS!" Hiriluk cries as explosions erupt around them. "TAKE CARE!" Chopper calls out. In the chaos, Hiriluk spots something and yells, "CHOPPER! TIME FOR THE DECOY-PLAN!" Chopper is hurled through the air as Hiriluk fights off attackers. "WHAT'S THATI" a guard wonders amid the flying debris and impact lines.

The argument rages mid-battle. "DON'T CALL ME BLUE-NOSED!" Chopper snaps. "DAMN BLUE-NOSED POOR EXCUSE FOR A REINDEER!" Hiriluk retorts. "IF IT WEREN'T FOR ME, YOU WOULD'VE ALREADY BEEN DEAD!" "WHAT KIND OF DOCTOR KICKS HIS OWN PATIENT!" "IT'S YOUR OWN DAMN FAULT FOR FOLLOWING ME EVEN AFTER I TOLD YOU NOT TO!" "I COULD'VE DIED, YOU KNOW!" They crash into barrels. Hiriluk sits inside a ruined building, muttering, "THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I'VE GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT LIKE THIS..." Chopper peeks in, "DOC..." Later, Hiriluk finds Chopper crying. "CRYING AGAINI" he asks. "HEY, YOU CAN'T TURN INTO YOUR GIANT FORM! THAT'S CHEATING!" Chopper protests. "I'M NOT CRYING." Hiriluk smiles, "YOUR FIRST PRESENT, AND YOUR FIRST MAKING-UP AFTER FIGHTING. WELL, THERE'S A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING, INCLUDING..."

In the snowy forest, Hiriluk and Chopper set up a decoy with logs and a small figure. Hiriluk gestures while Chopper works. Nearby, Chopper in his hat leaps joyfully past guards as Hiriluk runs with a large skull-shaped balloon marked with a crossbones pattern and cherry blossoms. The balloon floats dramatically, releasing pink petals into the air. Inside a room, Hiriluk works at a desk with medical tools while Chopper watches. Multiple small panels show their frantic escape, the skull balloon inflating, and close-ups of their determined faces amid swirling snow and blossoms. The final spread captures the iconic skull-and-cherry-blossom emblem rising against the winter sky as the two figures stand together.

One year later inside the lab, the doctor declares, "I NOW DECLARE YOU'RE IN PERFECT HEALTH!" Chopper replies, "THANKS, DOC." The doctor continues, "AFTER A FULL YEAR OF TREATMENT," and a sign reads "ONE YEAR LATER." She tells Chopper, "YOU'RE DISCHARGED FROM MY CARE." Chopper reacts with "HUHI" In the next panel the doctor says, "NOW GO SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE HOWEVER YOU WANT. JUST GET OUT OF MY LAB, I'VE GOT WORK TO DO." Chopper stands sadly as she adds, "YOU'VE BEEN FULLY TREATED, HAVEN'T YOUI SO I'VE GOT NO OBLIGATIONS TO KEEP LOOKING AFTER YOU ANYMORE."

Chopper pleads desperately, "I PROMISE I'LL MASSAGE YOUR SHOULDERS EVERYDAY, POUR YOU TEA, AND EVEN DO THE CLEANING! SO PLEASE! PLEASE LET ME BACK IN! I PROMISE I WON'T EVER BE A BOTHER SO PLEASE LET ME IN! I'VE GOT NO FRIENDS AND NO PLACE TO GO! PLEASE, DOCTOR!" He crashes through the door with a loud "CRASH!" yelling "DOCTOOORRR!" The doctor stands in the doorway as Chopper, now outside, cries, "I'M INJURED! LOOK!" while blood drips from his head. She calls out, "DOCTOR!" and Chopper whimpers, "CHOPPER...!I"

Chopper is hurled through the air with a "POOF" and a loud impact. The furious doctor shouts, "JUST MAKE SURE YOU NEVER SHOW YOUR FACE AROUND HERE EVER AGAIN! GET LOST! I DON'T CARE IF YOU LEAVE FOR THE SEAS OR WHEREVER!" Chopper bleeds heavily, asking "W-WHAT'S WRONG, DOCTOR...I" The doctor, now with a softer expression, says, "FORGIVE ME, CHOPPER..." while Chopper lies injured in the snow.

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