Chapter 13: Saying Goodbye Pt.3

After eating their lunch, Nami was ordered by Kureha to go back to bed, as she was still recovering from her sickness. Nami initially protested, claiming she already felt fine, but Kureha's intimidating stare terrified her, forcing her to return to her designated room. Meanwhile, Zoro and Douglas were talking about awakening Observation Haki, when Luffy suddenly barged in and decided to join their conversation.

"Wow, what a weird mask! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Luffy said, pointing at Douglas. This made Douglas stop his conversation with Zoro and turn his head toward Luffy. Luffy then became interested in Douglas.

"Hey, want to join my crew?" Luffy asked without hesitation, inviting him without a second thought. This caused Sanji, Usopp, and Vivi to complain, as they still didn't know who Douglas was. Zoro, however, just smirked a little, while Ace and Chopper had a shine in their eyes—Ace, because he wanted Douglas to protect his little brother, and Chopper, because he also wanted to become a pirate. If Douglas joined the Straw Hat Pirates, Chopper would follow.

Douglas looked at Luffy and then took off his mask, revealing his face to Sanji, who had yet to see him fully.

"Hmmmmm, tell me, what is your dream?" Douglas asked, despite already knowing the answer.

"I want to become the Pirate King—no, I will be the Pirate King," Luffy said with so much conviction that it was reflected in his eyes, full of determination to accomplish it no matter what.

"Interesting," Douglas said, which made Luffy smile.

"Alright, I'll join your crew. But I also have a dream of my own. And if you ever get in my way of accomplishing it, I'll be the one to say this—I would become your number one enemy," Douglas said in his most serious tone. This made Sanji, Usopp, and Vivi look at Douglas with strange expressions, clearly not trusting him. But Zoro, who heard Douglas's words, immediately smiled and laughed, followed by Luffy.

"Ahhhhh, that takes me back, right Zoro?" Luffy said.

"Yes, hahahahaha," Zoro replied, which confused the others even more.

"Of course. If you want to be a member of the Pirate King's crew, and you can't even accomplish your dream, then I'd be embarrassed too," Luffy said, which made Douglas grin at him. Then he looked at Chopper, whose eyes were still shining.

"Yes—but I also have another condition," Douglas added.

"What is it?" Luffy asked.

"I want this little guy to come with us," Douglas said, as Chopper jumped into his arms. This made Luffy excited, since he had already invited Chopper earlier, but was refused—because Chopper wanted to adventure with someone specific. Now that the person had joined, there was no reason for Chopper to say no anymore.

This caused a celebration among them, as Sanji prepared more food and drinks for the group to celebrate the joining of their two new members.

----------

After the day of their celebration, the Straw Hats were sneaking Nami out of her room, as Kureha wasn't allowing her to leave due to her sickness. But Nami insisted that she was better now and reasoned about the stakes Vivi was facing, which convinced the others to cooperate—though Sanji still had his doubts.

Douglas and Chopper went to Kureha, as they wanted to say their goodbyes and get their affairs in order, despite wanting to join Luffy's adventure. Douglas and Chopper's steps were incredibly heavy. In Douglas's years of living with Kureha, he had grown incredibly attached to her, seeing her as a grandmother figure.

When they knocked on the door, Kureha was seen looking out the window, watching the Straw Hat Pirates sneaking out. She was staring at Nami. She didn't acknowledge Douglas and Chopper at first, but then Douglas began to speak.

"Doctor, I think you already knew this time would come," Douglas said to Kureha. She turned to look at him—and for the first time, saw Douglas without his mask. She was staring at his full face, and in his eyes was the courage he had spent the whole day building. Chopper was already crying, unable to speak, but then Kureha pulled both of them into a hug—different from what happened in the canon part of One Piece. Kureha was also crying.

"Take care of yourself out there, alright? If not, I'll come get you myself—and I won't let you leave again. Don't underestimate any enemies," Kureha said as she wept. She then began listing all the things Douglas and Chopper should be careful about, and the two listened carefully, tears streaming down their faces.

"Doctor, thank you for everything. Take care of yourself, too. I made some weapons you can use to protect yourself against enemies. I also made a heater for you, so you won't have to chop firewood anymore," Douglas said, launching into his own emotional rant, explaining the equipment he had built for her.

"Doctorine…" Chopper managed to say before bursting into tears again. Kureha hugged him once more.

This continued for about an hour before Kureha led both Douglas and Chopper to the castle gates, where Mudang was waiting for them.

"This is as far as I can take you. I'm afraid that if I bring you all the way to the shore… I won't be able to let you go," Kureha said. Both Douglas and Chopper nodded.

"I'm sorry, Mudang. I'm going to leave you here. But I'm giving you a mission, alright? Protect the Doctor at all times. Make sure she's always warm. Take care of her," Douglas said to Mudang as he gave his final order. Mudang, who could understand Douglas, was also crying but nodded in understanding.

Then, Douglas and Chopper began climbing down the mountain, heading toward the shore to join the Straw Hat Pirates—leaving behind Mudang, Kureha, and the castle they had known as home for so many years.

Kureha then called for Dalton and the other soldiers to help, as they were staying in the castle quarters, to do one final thing to say goodbye to Douglas and Chopper.

After more than an hour of walking, Douglas and Chopper reached the shoreline, where the Straw Hat crew was already waiting for them. Seeing their crewmates, both Chopper and Douglas smiled as they boarded the ship.

"YOSH! We're complete now—let's sail to Alabasta!" Luffy declared, immediately ordering his crew to set sail. Within minutes, the ship began to move.

But just then, Douglas sensed something through his Observation Haki. He turned to look back at Drum Rock and saw Kureha standing with several people. Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed throughout the entire Drum Kingdom. Everyone turned to look.

The falling snow had changed—now fluttering down in soft, pink flakes that resembled sakura petals. The mood on the ship instantly lifted, smiles forming across everyone's faces.

Except for Chopper.

He was silently crying. The image reminded him deeply of his late father, and the memory overwhelmed him.