"Dressrosa."
Kureha spoke softly, "There's a mysterious race living there—the Tontatta dwarves. And the princess of the Tontatta Kingdom, Mansherry, is a user of the Heal-Heal Fruit."
"The Heal-Heal Fruit?"
Kuma's eyes gradually lit up.
"Yes. It's a truly miraculous ability. Not only can it rapidly heal injuries, but even the diseases inherent in the body can be eliminated."
Kureha took another swig of liquor and continued:
"More than a decade ago, during my travels, I passed through there. Mansherry was just a little sprout back then. She should be a grown woman by now, and her control over her Devil Fruit ability must have improved significantly. That miraculous power might be enough to cure Jade Scale."
"But—"
She glanced at Kuma. "Dressrosa is currently under Doflamingo's rule. That guy's not exactly a saint. The dwarves have had grudges with the Donquixote Family for ages, and last I heard, they've even become part of his subordinates. If you want to see Princess Mansherry, you'll have to get past him first."
"Doflamingo..."
Kuma furrowed his brow. As a former commander of the Revolutionary Army, he naturally understood how dangerous this Warlord was.
"That man is arrogant and ambitious."
Kuma muttered, "But I've heard he's also a businessman who values reputation. If I offer him something in return and request a meeting with Mansherry, there shouldn't be too much of a problem."
"A businessman, huh... Not wrong."
Kureha clicked her tongue, then casually tore off a sheet of paper and scribbled a few lines on it.
"In that case, here, take this letter of introduction. Mansherry has quite the temper, but for my sake, she should at least agree to see you."
"Thank you very much."
Kuma quickly stood up and respectfully accepted the letter with both hands. After a quick glance, he carefully put it away like a precious treasure.
"If you really must go, be extremely cautious," Shano chimed in. "Doflamingo's character isn't exactly trustworthy."
"Don't worry, Lord Shano."
Kuma turned toward him with a serious look. "I'll remain on guard and act prudently. With my abilities, even if Doflamingo tries something, he might not succeed."
True enough.
Shano nodded. Seeing that Kuma truly took his words to heart, he didn't push the point further.
After all, while Kuma and Doflamingo might differ greatly in terms of fame, in terms of power, they were on equal footing.
Besides, considering how Kuma had developed the Paw-Paw Fruit's flight capabilities, even if he were to fall into a trap, escaping would be no big deal.
"Bonney is still suffering from illness—I can't afford to stay long."
Kuma bowed to Kureha. "Thank you for your guidance, Doctor Kureha. I will never forget this kindness."
Then he looked at Shano. "And thank you for introducing me, Lord Shano. I hope we meet again someday."
"We will." Shano smiled.
Outside, the blizzard still howled, but inside the treehouse, the air was warm and peaceful.
After exchanging a few more words, Kuma put his bear-eared hat back on and bid farewell.
Before leaving, he nodded to everyone in turn, then stepped into the swirling snow.
Everyone watched as his tall figure slowly vanished into the snowy night.
"...What a gentle father," Chopper murmured from the window, eyes full of emotion.
"Yeah."
Shano stretched and turned to Robin. "Alright, time to plan our next move."
"Eh?"
Chopper whipped his head around, eyes wide. "Big bro Shano, you're leaving already?"
"Now that the illness is cured, of course we're leaving. What, gonna miss me?"
Shano ruffled Chopper's furry head and laughed. "Wanna come with us and be our ship's doctor?"
"Really?! But I... I..."
Chopper's eyes lit up with excitement, but then he suddenly blushed, stammering and unable to finish his sentence.
"Chopper's not qualified to be a doctor just yet."
Kureha's voice cut in coolly. "He only started learning proper medicine from me this year. He's barely scratching the surface. Everything he knew before came from that quack Hiruluk. If you're not afraid your crew will all end up dead, go ahead and take him."
Uh…
Recalling the brilliant medical skills of Doctor Hiruluk…
Shano figured it'd be best if Chopper did continue his training a little longer.
"Then we'll talk when you're ready."
Shano squatted down, grinning. "No rush, Chopper. In my eyes, you're already our companion. When you're ready to set sail, you're always welcome to join us."
He suddenly remembered the two brats at the Shimotsuki Dojo and added:
"Oh right, in a year or two, you'll probably see a green-haired and a blonde-haired guy setting out to sea, following in my footsteps. You can hop on their ship and come find me then."
"Green-haired and blonde-haired guys?" Chopper blinked. "Who are they?"
"Two really annoying little punks."
Shano's eyes softened in nostalgia. "One keeps yelling about becoming the world's greatest swordsman, and the other... well, he dreams of finding the legendary ALL BLUE. Those two idiots argue and fight all the time. You'll know them when you see them."
"Got it, big bro Shano!"
Chopper nodded vigorously. "But... but I really have a long way to go. From now on, I'll work hard and learn properly from Doctor Kureha!"
Doctor Hiruluk, can you hear me from heaven?
Now I really have friends!
The little reindeer's eyes grew red-rimmed, but he did his best not to cry.
"Mhm. I believe in you—you'll make it."
Shano laughed heartily and stood up, then looked at the pink sakura-print hat in his hand. After a moment of hesitation, he finally placed it back onto Chopper's head.
He and Robin had just stepped outside when—
"Hey, brat!"
Kureha suddenly grabbed Shano's arm, glaring at him. "Aren't you forgetting something important?"
"What?"
Shano looked puzzled.
"My medical bill!"
Kureha folded her arms and snorted, "99,999,950 Berries—not a single Berries less!"
"You're serious, old hag? I'm so broke I couldn't find a single coin on me, where would I get that kind of money?!"
"Cut the crap! You're a pirate with a bounty of 540 million Berries—you expect me to believe you can't even pay one-fifth of your worth?"
"Can't I pay with that instead?"
Shano pointed to the unconscious Wapol lying in the snow. "I helped you beat this scumbag. That should be enough to restore this island back into the famous medical nation it once was. How about it?"
"..."
Kureha frowned and lit a cigarette. "That guy's a king of a World Government member nation, with the right to attend the Reverie..."
Then she seemed to realize something and narrowed her eyes. "Then again, for someone of your level, I guess that's nothing."
This black-haired boy had been far too easy-going and kind the whole time.
It almost made her forget—
He was a dangerous man who dared to kill Vice Admirals and Warlords of the Sea.
"But even if this country returns to its former glory, what good does that do for me?"
Kureha exhaled a puff of smoke as she looked at the distant towns glowing with warm lights. "It just means there'll be more doctors out there stealing my business."
"You're way too old to be acting tsundere—it's disgusting. Two-faced hag!"
Shano held his forehead in exasperation and then picked up Wapol, slamming a fist into his bloated belly.
"Bleuuurrgh—!"
Walpo, still unconscious, suddenly opened his mouth wide and vomited out a torrent of gold coins and jewels. In an instant, they piled up into a small mountain on the snowy ground.
But it wasn't over yet—Shano followed up with another swift kick.
This time, Walpo's stomach was completely emptied: priceless murals, entire gilded dining tables, a diamond throne, and even a dozen cannons—all came spewing out.
"These should be enough. Pick what you want, and as for the rest—do what you see fit."
Shano clapped the dust off his hands and gave a sidelong glance at the stunned Kureha.
Kureha had the sharpest tongue among them. This hundred-and-thirty-something-year-old crone held a deeper bond to her homeland than anyone else.
These offerings, forcibly extorted by Walpo, would now be handed to her as "payment" for her medical services. Shano believed she'd handle them properly.
As for the future of the Drum Kingdom, he had no interest in meddling.
After all, those two ministers and a few rebel squad captains had already been casually swatted away by Bear—no one knew where they'd landed.
Once Walpo was dealt with, the oppressive remnants of the kingdom's regime would be wiped out. The path ahead would be clear.
Whether this island would eventually rename itself the Sakura Kingdom and have Dalton as its king, like in the original timeline, was entirely up to its people. It had nothing to do with him.
"Ugh… uuuh…"
A groan rose from the ground.
It was Walpo—after being so thoroughly manhandled, he was finally regaining consciousness.
He looked dazed and disoriented, not fully awake yet.
But the moment he spotted the gleaming mountain of gold and gems, his eyes bulged, and he roared in anger:
"Who?! WHO?! Who had the audacity to steal from the great King Walpo?!"
"You're awake."
A cheerful voice rang beside his ear. "Shame… you'll be closing your eyes again real soon."
Huh?!
Walpo whipped his head around—only to see Shano's smiling face inches away.
It's that damn pirate!
"Jess! Cromarimon! Where are you?! Protect your king! GUARDS!"
Terrified, Walpo nearly fainted again. He scrambled backward on all fours, but only got a few steps before Shano grabbed him by the collar and lifted him clean off the ground.
"W-what do you want from me?!"
Walpo was frantic, snot and tears streaming down his face. "Please… please spare me! You can have the entire royal treasury! The doctors too! I'll give you everything—even this whole country if you want!"
"Oh yeah?"
Shano raised an eyebrow.
"Brother Shano, watch out! He might try to pull something!" Chopper shouted anxiously. "That guy's super sneaky! Don't be fooled!"
Damn it!
That loudmouth raccoon!
Walpo cursed internally. That stupid raccoon was right—he wasn't about to just give up.
And this bastard Shano… really thought too highly of himself. Just because his stomach was emptied, he thought Walpo was no threat?
Your arrogance will cost you!
Walpo's face twisted into a sinister grin. From deep within his throat came the mechanical clicking of gears.
"Die, you fool!"
He suddenly opened his metal jaw wide. His once-bulging belly shrank sharply as a huge cannon barrel sprang out—aimed directly at Shano's face!
"Baku Baku Factory: Metal Storm!"
BOOM!
A hail of sharp metal shards, gears, and steel balls exploded outward like a storm. At such point-blank range, there was almost no way to dodge.
But—
Shano didn't move.
He just stood there, smiling, without blinking.
Clink clink clink clink—!
The metal barrage struck his face like it hit unbreakable steel, sending sparks flying. The pieces bounced off harmlessly—without leaving so much as a scratch.
Walpo's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.
Impossible… IMPOSSIBLE!
His Metal Storm had obliterated entire fortress walls in the past. And now, it hadn't even broken the guy's skin?
What… was this guy made of?!
"No… no way! This can't be real!"
Cold sweat poured from Walpo's face. In a panic, he clenched his teeth.
No more hesitation!
If even his ultimate attack was useless, then he had only one card left to play—swallow the enemy whole!
Walpo lunged, jaws stretched to their widest, trying to gulp Shano down—
"Your breath stinks, sorry, but I'm not interested in exploring your insides."
With a calm voice, Shano thrust his right hand forward, fingers like iron clamps, seizing Walpo's lower jaw and prying it open even further.
"MMMPH—!"
Walpo's pupils shrank in horror as his metal jaw was forcibly split open, making a hideous sound of tearing metal.
He thrashed desperately, but Shano's strength was like a mountain—unmovable and absolute. In the struggle, bone and steel alike began to crack.
A second later, Shano grabbed his upper jaw with his left hand, muscles tensing—then ripped outward with brutal force.
Kureha and Robin reacted fast—each extending a hand to cover Chopper's eyes.
CRACK!!!
Amid the shriek of shattering metal, Walpo's jawbone snapped entirely. His head was torn apart from the center, spraying a mix of blood and machine parts.
His scream died instantly, and only the torn, dangling metal jaw remained clutched in Shano's hand.
The upper half of his face fell with his bloated corpse onto the snow, lifeless eyes bulging at the sky.
"Doc…"
Though his eyes were completely covered, Chopper could guess from the sounds what had happened. He shivered. "His head got torn open, didn't it… That's awful…"
"It is," Kureha said, exhaling a puff of smoke with a grim smile. "But that's the ending he deserved."
Hiruluk… and all those innocent doctors and citizens who died at Walpo's hands… If they could see this from heaven, they'd probably feel some comfort.
Shano, meanwhile, crouched and checked the body.
Yep, definitely dead. No chance of him reviving again.
The Baku Baku Fruit could be strange and unpredictable—he didn't want to risk the guy pulling some freak comeback.
Time to collect his reward.
This iron jaw wasn't suitable for sacrifice, so…
His gaze drifted—and landed on Walpo's crown.
Considering how obsessed this guy was with being king, the crown probably counted as something valuable.
He picked it up, and—clink clink—something rolled out of it.
"Hm?"
Shano looked down.
It was a white fruit with swirling patterns covering its surface, glowing faintly against the snow.
The Devil Fruit radar had picked up something—this must've been it!
He figured this fruit was originally stored in the royal treasury with the rest of the valuables, and Walpo had taken it when he fled.
But out of fear of the rumor that "eating two Devil Fruits causes death," he hadn't swallowed it, and instead hid it in his crown.
Tch… what a coincidence.
Was this what they meant by "a Devil Fruit chooses its own master"?
Or was it a reward from fate for wiping out a tyrant?
Shano picked it up.
Robin curiously leaned in for a better look. With a walking encyclopedia nearby, he didn't hesitate and handed it over.
"What do you think, Sister Robin? Can you tell what kind of fruit this is?"
"Let me see."
Robin furrowed her brow and examined the fruit carefully. After a moment, she spoke.
"Judging by the pattern, I'm fairly certain… this is a Logia-type: the Snow-Snow Fruit."