"Vir! You're officially the doctor on our ship now! When we get back, we have to throw a grand feast to celebrate! Ahahaha!"
Luffy had finally corrected how he addressed Vir and was already planning a welcome party for him.
However, Vir didn't respond to Luffy. Instead, he turned to his little apprentice.
"Chopper, your master is heading out to sea for adventure."
As soon as Vir spoke those words, Chopper's eyes trembled, and tears began welling up.
'Big bro... Big bro is leaving. Am I going to be abandoned again…?'
Chopper looked heartbroken, overwhelmed by a feeling he couldn't put into words.
All he wanted at that moment was to find a corner, hide, and cry his heart out.
"O-Okay… Master, safe travels…"
Even though Chopper wanted to cry, he forced himself to hold back his tears and responded to Vir.
After speaking, he trotted away with his tiny legs, pretending to be carefree, heading back to his room.
His small back, however, carried a deep loneliness.
"Where are you going? How are you going to learn medicine if you don't follow me?"
Chopper's tiny legs halted mid-step.
He didn't turn around, but his shoulders trembled. It was obvious he was crying.
Finally, Chopper spun around and ran toward Vir, throwing himself into his arms.
"Aaaah~! Aah!! I thought you were abandoning me! Waaaah!"
Chopper bawled his eyes out, snot and tears smearing all over Vir's clothes.
Vir's eyes widened as he watched Chopper rub his face all over him. He had half a mind to smack him, but seeing how sad Chopper was, he held back.
Fine. I'll just make sure he washes my clothes later.
With that thought, Vir patted Chopper's back gently.
"I would never abandon you. Once a big brother, always a father. Rest assured, I see you as my own."
Hearing those words, Chopper cried even harder. No one had ever treated him this well before.
His tiny world had always been shrouded in darkness. Every time he found a bit of light, it was quickly snuffed out.
Dr. Kureha watched the two embrace and smiled in satisfaction.
This kid... He's someone worth entrusting Chopper to.
The others also picked up on the pain in Chopper's voice and couldn't help but look at him with sympathy.
What kind of hardships had this little guy gone through to be so terrified of being abandoned?
Vir, still holding Chopper, looked toward Luffy and wiped his hands on his coat.
"Bringing my little apprentice aboard shouldn't be a problem, right? You can see for yourself—he's still young and needs to stay with me."
Chopper momentarily stopped crying and peeked out from Vir's embrace, nervously watching Luffy.
He looked uneasy, afraid that Luffy might refuse.
But Luffy had no objections. In fact, he enthusiastically raised both hands and feet in agreement.
"Of course! This talking reindeer is super interesting! We just got two new crewmates at once! This is awesome! Hahahaha!"
Chopper finally smiled.
The weight in his heart lifted. He could continue learning medicine from his master.
But then, he suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Dr. Kureha.
Right… He hadn't asked for her permission yet.
If she didn't allow it, he wouldn't be able to go.
His eyes hesitated. He wanted to ask but was scared she would refuse.
Seeing his expression, how could Dr. Kureha not know what was on his mind?
However, instead of giving a heartfelt speech about being reluctant to part with him, she simply put on a stern face and glared at Chopper.
Then, out of nowhere, she shouted, "What are you looking at?! You think I care about you?! All you ever do is cause trouble!"
"You nearly got yourself killed just trying to gather some herbs! You're not just stupid—you've got a bleeding heart, too!"
"Even when I ask you to help mix medicine, you keep messing it up! The only thing you do here is eat my food! Get out of here already!"
She then stood up angrily and stomped off toward the back room.
Everyone was stunned by the sudden outburst.
What's with this doctor? Why is she suddenly so mad?
They all exchanged bewildered glances, unable to understand why Dr. Kureha was suddenly raging.
Chopper, on the other hand, was completely dumbfounded.
He stood frozen, staring blankly in the direction she had disappeared.
He didn't realize she had such a low opinion of him.
So… I really am useless…?
Before he could process it, Dr. Kureha came storming back, dragging a bag from his room.
"All of you, get out of my house! Now!"
Everyone was thrown into confusion again, but seeing how furious she was, none of them dared to argue.
One by one, they shuffled toward the exit.
Dr. Kureha then turned to Chopper and kept shouting, "Hurry up and leave! Take your stupid bag with you! Don't ever come back! A useless brat like you would only make a mess if you stayed!"
She then hurled a medical kit straight at Vir.
Vir instinctively raised Chopper up to catch it.
But Chopper was still in shock and got smacked in the face by the kit.
Seeing it fall, Vir quickly caught it before it hit the ground.
He didn't dare linger. Holding Chopper tightly, he ran for the door.
Because Dr. Kureha had already started hurling axes at them from the walls.
Vir was absolutely stunned.
A 140-year-old granny was chucking axes at a bunch of twenty-year-olds with terrifying accuracy.
"Chopper! Stop standing there! Get the sled moving! If you don't, you're gonna end up in my infirmary!"
Vir shouted at Chopper, who had been wallowing in sadness.
The moment Chopper heard the last part, his eyes widened!
He immediately leaped off Vir and transformed into his reindeer form, sprinting toward the nearby sled.
Vir jumped onto it first.
Chopper quickly caught up to Luffy and the others, picking them all up onto the sled.
Seeing how fast Chopper was running, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.
They had made it to the ropes leading down the mountain. Chopper moved across them effortlessly.
But just as they thought they were safe, a sharp axe came hurtling through the air and embedded itself into the front of the sled with a loud *THUNK*.
Vir felt a chill run down his spine as the axe barely missed his ear.
Luffy, on the other hand, found it hilarious.
"Ahahaha! This old lady is amazing! She's so strong! I kinda wanna invite her onto the ship! Hahahaha!"
But just as he finished speaking, another axe smacked him right on the head.
Thankfully, it hit the back and only left a giant lump.
Luffy clutched his head in pain.
From above, a faint voice could still be heard.
"I am a youthful 139-year-old maiden! Call me an old lady again, and I'll rip your mouth off!"