Kai led his companions onto the winter island.
Kozuki Hiyori, wrapped in a thick cotton coat, walked steadily through the fluffy snow, each step producing a soft crunching sound. She exhaled a white breath and asked curiously, "Kai-sama, do we have a specific purpose for coming to this island?"
Kai chuckled softly, still dressed casually despite the severe cold. "To find someone. I need his power."
Weather control and immunity to temperature extremes were among his passive abilities.
"Oh? There's someone on this island worthy of joining us?"
Genetically modified Reiju wore equally light clothing, confidently displaying her fair legs in the frozen landscape.
"A ship's doctor?"
Ace, as a Mera Mera no Mi user, had incredible heat resistance. His short-sleeved outfit clashed sharply with the snowy environment. "According to Kuma, this former medical powerhouse can only offer that now, right?"
Speaking of which, Rayquaza's crew was only missing an excellent ship's doctor. Not that their current doctors weren't competent—they handled headaches, fevers, and external injuries just fine—but they couldn't be called renowned physicians.
Kai shook his head. "That guy isn't our ship's doctor, and he doesn't even count as a crewmate. At best, he's just a collaborator."
On this island, the only one he'd acknowledge as a true companion was Chopper. But based on the timeline, the little reindeer was probably still with that quack doctor Hiriluk. Waiting until Chopper studied under Dr. Kureha and completed his training would take several more years—far too long.
If he really wanted a doctor, directly recruiting Dr. Kureha would be more straightforward.
However, Chopper's Rumble Balls were undeniably excellent items. They could interfere with Zoan users' transformations, adding multiple forms. Taking multiple pills at once could even achieve pseudo-Zoan awakening states, and they could even let Minks enter Sulong form directly—much more reliable than Fish-Man Island's Energy Steroids.0
"Hehehe, Kai look what I found!"
Yamato and Bonney's laughter came from nearby.
Yamato was holding Bonney while riding an enormous rabbit that had jumped out from a snowdrift. The rabbit's head sported several fresh lumps, its eyes teary. Clearly, it had already been educated by Yamato's enthusiastic fist.
"Judy, stop."
Yamato patted the rabbit's head. It immediately stopped, obedient beyond belief.
Kai's mouth twitched. If he wasn't mistaken, this rabbit was male, right?
"Kai, can we bring Judy back? He loves playing with me—he got so excited when we met he jumped right on me!"
Of course he jumped on you!
Kai immediately recognized the rabbit's species. This was Drum Island's unique beast, the Lapahn. Fierce by nature and highly aggressive, they moved in packs and never approached humans willingly. Of course, encountering apex predator Yamato, survival instinct easily trumped natural aggression.
Seemingly sensing the man before it was the decision-maker, the rabbit frantically shook its head while carrying Yamato, its eyes gazing at him pitifully.
"Please don't agree to this bad woman's request!"
Kai didn't mind one more mouth to feed on the ship. However, Lapahns, judging by their thick fur, were only suited to frozen environments like Drum Island. Once leaving such climates, life would be difficult—heatstroke and death weren't impossible.
"Alright, just play here. His family is still waiting."
Kai smiled, pointing into the distance where a small rabbit only knee-high carefully watched them.
"Okay then." Yamato moved on to new interests as quickly as she'd found this one. She immediately returned to playing with the Lapahn family.
With laughter and excitement, everyone arrived at a town.
Though Drum Kingdom was once a medical powerhouse, its overall development wasn't particularly high. Possibly due to the harsh environment and sparse population, no large cities had formed—only small towns scattered throughout the island.
The first thing to do upon reaching town was find a place to rest and gather information—a tavern.
Ding-a-ling.
As the tavern's wooden door opened, the bell above rang crisply.
Kai's group's arrival instantly attracted every patron's attention. Their gazes were first drawn instinctively to the giant-like Kuma, but soon, after recognizing the man in the lead...
"Ahhh!"
A scream tore through the tavern's noise.
"It's Natural Disaster Kai!"
"The Beast Pirates are attacking!"
Panic swept through the room like wildfire. The tavern instantly descended into chaos.
Some fell from their high stools, rolling and crawling as they tried to hide under tables. Others attempted to flee through back doors but collided with equally panicked people. Still others collapsed where they stood, faces drained of color, only able to emit meaningless sounds.
The originally noisy tavern was suddenly filled with only collision sounds, shattering dishes, and terrified exclamations.
Kai had long grown accustomed to this reaction. It didn't matter that this was the Grand Line's first half—even New World residents, upon seeing his lineup, often lost their composure entirely.
He walked straight to the bar and looked at the trembling bartender, his tone gentle. "Could you give us some drinks? Oh, and that little girl wants juice."
He pointed at Bonney.
"Of—of course."
The bartender nervously nodded. He'd just grabbed a glass when his trembling hand made it shatter on the ground.
"Boss, sorry! I was wrong!"
The bartender instantly collapsed to the ground, his voice breaking as he begged for mercy.
Really, am I that frightening?
Kai touched his face. I think I'm quite handsome. These people have no appreciation.
He said irritably, "Alright, get up. If you don't pour the drinks properly, I really will get angry."
Hearing this, the bartender shakily stood, his hands trembling so badly that anyone watching might think he had a medical condition.
With great difficulty, the bartender nervously poured drinks for Kai's group.
Just as he secretly sighed with relief, thinking the crisis had passed, the terrifying pirate spoke again.
"Do you know where Witch Kureha lives?"
"Ah?"
The bartender froze. Though he didn't understand why such a big shot wanted to find that temperamental doctor, he actually knew the answer.
He pointed outside at the snowy mountains. "Our island has several towering peaks called the Drum Rockies. The highest central peak is where Witch Kureha lives."
"Thanks." Kai drained his glass, then smiled at the bartender. "Can you help me with one more thing?"
"Wh-what is it?" The bartender stammered.
"Sell me a batch of alcohol."
Rayquaza had originally stored enough alcohol to last two months, but Dorry and Brogy had finished it all in just two meals at Little Garden. Kai needed to temporarily replenish their supplies.
"Eh?"
Kai's request made the bartender instinctively exclaim in surprise.
"What, can't do it?"
"No! Of course I can! Happy to serve you, Kai-sama!"
The bartender hurriedly agreed. He just hadn't expected that after preparing to lose everything, this pirate only wanted to buy alcohol.
"For the specifics, coordinate with this beautiful lady."
Kai pointed at Robin.
Robin gracefully stepped forward, smiling as she discussed the purchase details with the bartender.
Just then, the tavern door's bell rang urgently again.
Whoosh!
The door burst open as fierce wind and snow rushed in.
A squad of soldiers in thick military coats entered, led by a tall man carrying a massive iron shovel.
The bartender behind the bar and the remaining patrons brightened at the sight of him, their spirits visibly lifting as their postures steadied.
"I'm Dalton, this nation's Guard Captain!"
After introducing himself, the man looked directly at Kai, his tone firm. "Natural Disaster Kai, we welcome you as a guest! But please don't bring harm to this nation!"
"Drum Kingdom is a World Government allied nation! King Wapol attended the Reverie at Mary Geoise last year. If you act recklessly here, the World Government and Marines won't ignore it!"
As Dalton spoke, the soldiers behind him stepped forward in a show of determination. Though their bodies trembled slightly from fear, they mustered the courage to take this step.
Kai's eyes flashed with admiration.
Even facing someone with a 2.4 billion berry bounty, these men took a stand. That alone earned his respect.
"Dalton? Truly remarkable."
Kai chuckled and applauded. "To lead such principled soldiers, you must be quite decent yourself. How about it—interested in becoming this nation's king?"
Kai's words struck like thunder, shocking every townsperson and soldier in the tavern.
Had they missed something? How did the conversation suddenly leap to royal succession?
Though, thinking about it carefully, if it were Dalton as king, that wouldn't be so bad.
Dalton didn't know what his subordinates and the townspeople were thinking. As if insulted, he shouted loudly, "I have never had, do not have, and will never have such treasonous thoughts! King Wapol is this nation's only king!"
"I hope you won't regret those words later."
Kai smiled but said nothing more.
Dalton knew he couldn't match Kai in combat. After making his position clear, he led his team out of the tavern.
"Captain, what Natural Disaster Kai said—"
On their way back to the castle, one soldier couldn't help but speak up.
Before he could finish, Dalton sternly rebuked him, "If you don't want to be punished, shut your mouth. Can you trust a pirate's word? He's just trying to drive a wedge between the King and me."
The soldier's lips moved several times before he finally swallowed his thoughts.
But in his heart, compared to that absurd, tyrannical Wapol, he would much rather have the fair, just, and kind Captain Dalton as their king.
Meanwhile, after replenishing their alcohol supplies, Kai's group resumed their journey toward the highest Drum Peak, following the bartender's directions.
Just as they passed by a towering mountain, Yamato, riding her rabbit and bouncing along excitedly, let out a delighted cry.
"Look! There's even a raccoon here!"
A raccoon?
Kai froze when he heard this. Then, as if remembering something, he immediately turned to look.
A blue-nosed reindeer wearing a pink hat and dark red shorts was walking through the snow on all fours. It was Tony Tony Chopper.
However, his current condition was extremely poor—covered in blood, one antler already broken, his left eye so swollen it couldn't open, walking with a noticeable limp. Each step appeared difficult.
Yet even so, his small face still showed a satisfied smile.
"Idiot! I'm not a raccoon! I'm a reindeer! A reindeer!"
Even injured like this, Chopper reflexively corrected her.
"Eh?! The raccoon can talk!" Yamato was even more amazed, her eyes widening.
"I said I'm a rein—"
Chopper wanted to argue, but with his last bit of strength spent, his weakened body could no longer support him. He collapsed heavily into the cold snow with a thud, kicking up a cloud of powder.
Kai frowned slightly and led everyone to quickly approach.
Yamato had already carefully turned him over.
Bonney immediately noticed something unusual. "Why is he clutching a mushroom?"
That brightly colored mushroom was held tightly to Chopper's chest, not released even while unconscious.
Kuma observed, his deep voice thoughtful. "It seems this mushroom holds extraordinary meaning for him."
Kai briefly examined Chopper. Seeing his chest still rising and falling, he relaxed.
Right—how could a Zoan user be that fragile?
"Kuma, please extract his pain and fatigue."
Without a word, Kuma silently removed his gloves. His thick, paw-padded palm gently touched Chopper.
A red paw-shaped bubble matching Chopper's size slowly separated from his body.
Kai reached out and received the bubble, his expression unchanged as he absorbed Chopper's pain and fatigue.
What would have been life-threatening injuries for Chopper translated to Kai as merely a small cut on his finger. That faint pain sensation disappeared before he could even register it.
Though Kuma's ability couldn't directly heal injuries, by transferring the pain and fatigue, Chopper's body could focus entirely on natural recovery, significantly accelerating the healing process.
Before long, the unconscious Chopper gradually awakened.
"Where's my Amiudake mushroom?"
His first action upon waking was frantically patting his chest. Only after confirming the precious mushroom was still tightly in his grasp did he sigh with relief.
Only then did he have the energy to raise his head and look at these strangers who had saved him.