Chapter 116 Meeting Chopper for the First Time

Kaguya took Kaya and searched around the foot of the mountain for a while, eventually finding Dr. Kureha’s treehouse.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

“Who is it?”

A high-pitched female voice came from inside the house.

“Hello, we are here to become apprentices.”

Although Kaguya had scavenged many medical books from Wapol’s castle, Kaguya was very interested in Chopper’s Rumble Ball, and those medical books did not contain the formula for the Rumble Ball.

The door of the treehouse was opened from the inside, and a tall old woman wearing sunglasses appeared at the door, holding half a bottle of plum wine in her hand.

“Apprentices?”

Kureha raised an eyebrow, her gaze scanning back and forth between Kaguya and Kaya.

“You must be from the outside.”

“That’s right, we are passing pirates. We heard this is a great medical nation and came specifically to buy medical books and learn medicine.”

After Kaguya finished speaking, several clattering sounds of things falling rang out inside the house.

“Chopper! You’ve knocked over the experimental equipment again!”

Kureha turned back and yelled, then turned back around with a meaningful smile.

“Pirates? Interesting. But you’ve come at a bad time; Drum Island isn’t much of a medical nation anymore. There aren’t even any doctors here.”

“I’ve heard about the affairs of the Drum Kingdom, so I helped you deal with that tyrant Wapol.”

Kureha was stunned upon hearing this. She narrowed her eyes and looked Kaguya over carefully, then suddenly burst into laughter.

“Hahaha… what an interesting brat! You say you dealt with Wapol?”

Just then, a furry little head poked out from behind her. Chopper hid timidly by the doorframe, his round eyes full of curiosity.

The moment Kaya saw Chopper, she let out a surprised cry: “What a cute raccoon dog!”

“I’m not a raccoon dog!”

Chopper reflexively retorted, then shyly retracted half his body.

“I am… I am…”

“Come in and sit down. This is my assistant, Chopper.”

Kaguya and Kaya followed Kureha into the treehouse, which was filled with the rich aroma of medicinal herbs.

The simple wooden table was covered with various test tubes and potions, and thick medical books were piled in the corner.

Chopper hid behind Kureha, occasionally stealing glances at the two of them.

“So, you want to learn medicine?”

Kureha poured each of them a cup of hot tea and sat down in front of the fireplace.

“Yes. Although we scavenged some medical books in Wapol’s castle, I heard that Ms. Kureha’s medical skills are the most exquisite on the entire Drum Island.”

Kaguya picked up the teacup and took a sip, then looked at Kureha with a sincere gaze.

“Hahaha, brat. Did you really deal with Wapol?”

“Of course. If you don’t believe me, you can go to the castle above and take a look.”

“Fine. Since you saved this country, I can teach you medicine. However, learning my medical skills will take a long time. Do you have that kind of time?”

Kaguya thought for a moment; it seemed they really didn’t have that much time.

“We indeed don’t have much time to stay, but Kaya has a great talent for medicine. I hope you can give her some guidance. Furthermore, I heard there is a drug here that allows Zoan-type Devil Fruit users to transform. I hope to learn about that as well.”

Chopper, hiding behind Kureha, widened his eyes upon hearing this.

“You know about the Rumble Ball?”

Kureha also looked at Kaguya with confusion.

“Yes, just some special means of information.”

Kureha narrowed her eyes slightly, feeling that the brat in front of her was somewhat unusual.

“The Rumble Ball was researched by this little guy. If you want to learn, it depends on whether he is willing to teach you.”

She pointed to Chopper behind her.

Chopper’s face immediately turned red, and he waved his little hooves in a panic.

“I… how could a half-baked amateur like me dare to teach others…”

Kaya stood up, walked to Chopper’s side, and gently stroked his little head.

“Your invention is quite remarkable. Can you teach me?”

Chopper’s body instantly turned noodle-like, twisting and turning.

“Is it that remarkable? Even if you say that~ I won’t be happy at all! You bastard~”

Chopper spoke tsundere words, but his face showed uncontrollable happiness, and his little hoof unconsciously drew circles on the ground.

Watching this scene, Kureha tilted her head back and gulped down some plum wine.

“Hahaha, it seems you get along quite well. Brat, how long can you stay on Drum Island?”

Kaguya thought for a moment.

There were only three days left until the trade with Sengoku. After releasing Gumir and the others, they would need to move locations.

Otherwise, they would be easily cornered and captured by the Marines.

“About three days.”

“Three days? What can you learn in three days?”

Kureha clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction.

“Forget it. With such a short time, you and Chopper can study the formula for the Rumble Ball. As for my medical skills, I’ll lend you my notes. How much you can learn will depend on your own luck.”

“Thank you very much, Ms. Kureha.”

Kaguya thanked Kureha.

Afterward, Kaya stayed there to learn the production method of the Rumble Ball with Chopper, while Kaguya returned to the riding the wind for ten thousand miles to wait.

As for supplies, Nami and the others had scavenged so many from Wapol’s castle that the riding the wind for ten thousand miles couldn’t even hold them all.

So Kaguya ordered the Marines to clean out a warship to serve as their dedicated supply ship.

While Kaguya and the others were staying on Drum Island, Morgans, far away in the New World, received several more photos.

There were photos of Gumir and the others being tied up, and photos of Kaguya carrying Wapol back to the riding the wind for ten thousand miles.

“Zahahaha, big news again! This guy named Kaguya has made big news again!”

Morgans excitedly slapped his desk.

“It’s only been how long since he defeated Crocodile, and now he’s captured so many Marines!”

Morgans immediately summoned his most capable reporters to work through the night on the latest issue of the World Economic Journal.

Meanwhile, on the next island after Alabasta—Jaya Island.

This was originally a paradise for pirates, but now it was shrouded in an eerie silence.

There were very few ships docked at the port, and the taverns had lost their former bustle.

“Arara~ Where did that brat go? Why hasn’t he come over yet?”

Aokiji stretched and lay lazily under a coconut tree on the shore.

His bicycle leaned against the tree trunk, and his pet penguin was grilling meat for him nearby.

Aokiji had been waiting on Jaya Island for over a day, but there was still no sign of Kaguya’s Crew.

“Ah~”

Aokiji yawned, then put on his sleep mask and went back to sleep.

“Looks like I’ll have to wait a bit longer…”

Meanwhile, several Marine Vice Admirals who set out from Marineford were hurrying toward Alabasta.

No trace of Kaguya and the others was found on the several islands along the way.

Now they were about to arrive at Jaya Island to meet up with Aokiji.

….

“Rajivbk”