One Piece : Wild Hunt

"Just who are you?" asked Kureha. "Why are you people so dead-set on taking away my reindeer...?"
Shaking his head, Thomas replied, "The decision is his to make. However, he would be much happier accompanying Lucy than staying here on Drum Island. Not just because he will have the chance to meet members of the Mink Tribe, but because Lucy and the other Straw Hats are 'good' people. With how much time has passed, I'm sure you've managed to get a basic grasp of Lucy's character."
Snorting through her nose, Kureha admitted, "The two idiots ain't so bad, but what about the two of you? You strike me as a 'schemer,' and this little brat in the bikini exudes the aura of a murderous tyrant."
Though Thomas had asked her to remain silent and not pick any fights, Caenis's animal ears perked up as she asked, "Who are you calling a brat, old hag?"
Inserting himself between the two, Thomas's smile cramped as he said, "I won't deny that I'm a scoundrel. I'm opportunistic, perverted, selfish, and self-deprecating. However, I also care about those close to me and do my best to use my power responsibly. Isn't that enough?"
Adopting a somewhat terrifying smile, Kureha replied, "I might actually have to rethink my opinion of you. You may very well be a scoundrel, but you're sincere and have a strong sense of responsibility..."
Picking up a bottle of alcohol, Kureha downed nearly the entire bottle before returning her gaze to Thomas and adding, "That makes me even more curious about your identity. From what I can sense, you, that girl behind you, and that scatterbrained pinkette don't possess so much as a trace of Haki. Despite that, I can detect a monstrous vitality within each of you. Tell me, are you one of that brat Vegapunk's creations? Some kind of artificial humans mixed with Sea Kings...?"
Not expecting Kureha to namedrop the leader of the SSG(Special Science Group), Thomas blinked in surprise as he asked, "You know Vegapunk...?"
Realizing her guess was wrong, Kureha shook her head and said, "Forget I asked," before picking up a fresh bottle of liquor with the word 'Ume' on it, adding, "The second floor has a few hospital beds. Use them to get some rest. Once the storm breaks, I want you and your friends out of my house. If Chopper wants to go with you, you can all piss off."
Before Kureha could retreat up to the third floor, her private quarters, Thomas called out to her, asking, "Did Lucy and Astolfo already tell you that Wapol has been defeated...?"
Turning around, Kureha retorted, "Yeah, and...?" with an impatient look on her face.
Adopting a wry smile, Thomas explained, "Once things settle down, you should speak with Dalton about using the castle's canons to launch you-know-what into the clouds. As for us, we'll probably leave right after this. I just came over to inform Lucy and Astolfo that we constructed a ryokan South of Bighorn. If you're interested, feel free to stop by in the future. I'll inform the staff to give you VIP treatment during your first stay."
Demonstrating she hadn't reached the age of 139 without accumulating a 'tremendous' amount of experience, Kureha parroted, "A ryokan? As in one of those bathhouses from Wano...?"
Nodding his head, Thomas replied, "Complete with a hot spring and salon. Once you get a chance, check it out."
Though she had 'many' questions, Kureha just nodded her head before retreating up to her room. She had already 'retired,' so she wasn't going to stick her nose where it didn't belong. Not after concealing her identity and hiding on a remote island for the past forty years...
Suppressing his own curiosity, Thomas briefly shifted his gaze to Chopper before focusing on Lucy as he asked, "Do you want to come back with us or spend the night here? The Enma-tei has warm baths and a functionally endless supply of food and drink."
Hearing the words 'endless supply of food and drink,' Lucy's eyes became cabbages as she exclaimed, "Let's go!" in excitement. However, instead of kicking open the door and racing outside, she turned to Chopper and said, "You should come with us! I'll introduce you to everyone, and then we can exchange drinks if you decide to become a member of my crew!"
Appearing a little bashful, Chopper scratched the back of his head as he replied, "I don't know...you all seem pretty nice, but I'm still not sure I can trust you..."
As Chopper was weak to praise and famously gullible, Thomas attempted to smooth things over by remarking, "The Straw Hats need someone with your exceptional skill and kindness, Chopper. More importantly, very few Pirate crews have what it takes to reach Zou. If you want to encounter the Mink Tribe and help the greatest number of people, traveling with them is your best bet. I guarantee it."
Looking up at Thomas, Chopper asked the question at the forefront of his mind, particularly, "Are there any Mink like me?"
As he had been abandoned by his pack after eating a Devil Fruit that turned him into a 'human,' Chopper craved kinship. Fortunately, while Thomas couldn't remember her name, he knew there was at least one reindeer Mink among Zou's Guardians. He also recalled that she and Chopper had gotten along very well during the Zou Arc, so he confidently replied, "Of course. Not only are there Reindeer Mink, but there are even Mink Doctors you can exchange knowledge with."
Imagining the scene of an entire community of Reindeer Mink, Chopper's perpetually wide eyes glittered with excitement. Because of his blue nose, he had been shunned even before consuming his Devil Fruit. Now, he was 15 years old, insatiably curious, and eager to meet others like himself...
Though his mind was already made up, Chopper replied, "Fine! I'll go with you and meet the other members of your crew! But if I don't like them, I'm staying here with Dr. Kureha...!"
Before Thomas, Lucy, or Astolfo could respond, Dr. Kureha could be heard shouting, "I don't need a snot-nosed brat constantly stinking up my exam room! If you want to become a Pirate, just do it! And don't come back until you realize your dream...!"
Failing to understand that Kureha was 'encouraging' him, Chopper began to tear up as he muttered, "Dr. Kureha..." in a sobbing tone. Fortunately, he wasn't the only person present, permitting Thomas to take a knee and whisper, "Calm down. She just doesn't want you using her as an excuse to remain on the island. After all, you can't achieve your or Hiriluk's dream if you never get out and experience the world beyond..."
Though he was surprised to hear the name of his mentor and father figure, Chopper didn't question how Thomas knew of Hiriluk's existence. Instead, he asked, "Can I really achieve my dream...?"
Nodding his head, Thomas adopted a supportive smile as he answered, "Of course. We wouldn't have traveled all this way in search of you if we didn't believe you had what it takes. Lucy probably mentioned it, but she intends to be the next Pirate King. Alongside her, we have someone who plans on being the World's Greatest Swordsman, someone aiming to be a Great Warrior of the Sea, and someone aspiring to map the entire world. I also aim to stand at the pinnacle of this world, so it's only natural that the Doctor onboard our ship is one of the greatest..."
Though he would have liked to say that Chopper had the potential to be the best Doctor in the entire world, Thomas knew it was impossible with Asclepius around. If the Straw Hats ended up being separated like in the original story, Thomas would introduce them and let Chopper train under the man during the two-year 'time skip.'
Thoroughly convinced by Thomas's words, Chopped held up his hooves as if he were balling them into fists as he replied, "I'll do it! I'll become a Doctor that can cure any disease! Just watch me...!"
Since Chopper was wearing his oversized pink top hat, Thomas couldn't pat the toy-like Reindeer on the head. Instead, he gave an approving nod and expressed, "There isn't a doubt in my mind..." before rising to his feet and suggesting, "Now, shall we head to the Enma-tei? Captain...?"
As if she was voice-activated, Lucy sprung to life in response to Thomas's words, jumping up and raising her fist as she shouted, "Let's go, go, go~!" in excitement. Her mind had wandered off due to how 'serious' things had gotten, but now that the discussion had ended, she was once again lively and raring to go...
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After accompanying Lucy, Astolfo, and Chopper to the Enma-tei, Thomas was surprised to learn that Zoro had already checked into a room. He was originally planning to go search for the man with Astolfo's help, so it was a tremendous boon that Zoro had found his way back on his own.
Though it was a little late in the evening, everyone happily gathered in the Tenno Suite's banquet area to celebrate Chopper becoming a member of the Straw Hats. His adorable appearance had Nami and Vivi gushing, but they calmed down fairly quickly when Chopper revealed his nearly 2m tall human form, appearing more like a 'were-reindeer' than a proper human.
Fortunately, while Chopper's human transformation caught several people by surprise, no one had an overtly 'averse' reaction. The employees of the Enma-tei didn't even bat an eye, eagerly attending him and everyone else at the banquet. Their reactions helped to reinforce Chopper's decision to join, but it was the appearance of a distinctly 'reindeer-like' attendant that had the biggest effect on his mood.
Though he knew some yokai could take on virtually any form, Thomas was still surprised when a beautiful woman with golden-blonde hair and deer-like antlers appeared. She still had a human face and features, but, as Chopper had never encountered a Mink before, he likely assumed they were closer to Caenis and Atalanta in appearance.
As surprised as Thomas was, Zoro and Usopp had fairly tame reactions. Thomas didn't think anything of this at first, but when the party neared its end, he learned why. The two 'Nakai-sans(Room Maids)' that had greeted them upon their arrival at the Enma-tei were strikingly similar to Kuina and Kaya in terms of appearance. There were some notable disparities, but the duo had experienced a feeling of 'deja vu' upon first meeting the two women.
Since Zoro had encountered Tashigi at Loguetown, he wasn't nearly as surprised as Usopp. The latter's Nakai-san didn't just look like Kaya; she also had features reminiscent of his mother. When she later served him a meal, it tasted nearly identical to the soup his mother used to make when he was a kid.
As Nakai-sans were responsible for taking care of guests and ensuring their peace of mind, they almost always appeared in forms that inspired feelings of comfort or nostalgia. When Thomas later confronted Chopper, he learned that the woman attending him apparently had antlers similar to his mother and a faint aroma of medicine. More surprisingly, she even had some medical knowledge, enough to carry a conversation but not enough to come across as an expert. In that same vein, the Nakai-san attending Zoro knew about swords, while the one attending Usopp enjoyed listening to stories...
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(A/N: I'm going to keep simul-posting chapters on patre-on, Library of akasha, and webnovel. If you'd like to support me and help me continue writing this and many other stories, please consider becoming a patron or reading the novels on my website. Once this novel reaches chapter 100, I will be asking patrons to vote on which story I focus on next. Right now, I am considering Mushoku Impact and EPIC, but the final decision lies in the hands of the community.)

Though it took a few days, news of Wapol's defeat and the existence of the Enma-tei gradually circulated through the island of Drum. Regarding the former, virtually everyone wanted Wapol to hang for his crimes. As for the latter, people from all over the island began making their way over to see it for themselves, using the ropeway system that had been opened to the public.
As part of his 'pay it forward' initiative, Thomas made it so that the people of Drum Island could make use of the Enma-tei's facilities at a discounted price. There were various rules and restrictions, but they could purchase a Bath Pass, permitting the use of the Enma-tei's hot spring, or a Communal Dining Pass, allowing them to dine in the buffet hall on the first floor.
While the citizens were initially trepidatious, especially regarding mixed bathing, the Enma-tei exploded in popularity virtually overnight. Not just because the food in the dining hall was delicious but because the Chiefs of each village could acquire food, water, and other goods at an incredibly discounted price.
Since the Enma-tei operated on the notion of Equivalent Exchange, gold and other forms of currency could be converted into just about anything a person could need, want, or desire. Thomas planned to charge a premium for 'imported' goods in the future, but the people of Drum Island wouldn't have to worry about that any time soon. Until conditions improved and the island became more prosperous, they would receive goods and services at nearly a tenth of their actual cost, a boon that would gradually diminish as the funds they 'supplied' ran out...
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While wearing yukatas that looked a little outlandish on their oversized frames, Dalton, and the duo serving as his deputies/ministers, sat across from Thomas with serious expressions on their faces. They had spent the previous night as guests within the Enma-tei, a basic 'requirement' for any who wanted to meet with Thomas. However, while they had enjoyed the experience immensely, the trio weren't particularly happy since they knew most of the funds used to construct the otherworldly building came from the 'former' Kingdom's treasury.
Fortunately, none of the men were 'foolish' enough to call Thomas out for essentially 'plundering' their country. Such funds would never have made their way to the people so long as Wapol was in control, and they would still be suffering under the despotic man's tyranny if not for the arrival of Thomas and his group. Thus, while they couldn't help feeling vexed, they 'accepted' that the Enma-tei wasn't going anywhere.
Breaking the tense silence that dominated the atmosphere, Dalton, with a grim expression on his face, was the first to say, "I wanted to thank you. I have questions about their origin, but the supplies you have distributed to the villages have provided much-needed relief to thousands..."
Shaking his head, Thomas caught the trio off-guard by admitting, "You know as well as I do that the people 'deserve' those goods. The Enma-tei exists to ensure an equal and fair distribution of wealth and supplies while your country transitions from Wapol's reign to the next."
Unable to remain silent, one of the men accompanying Dalton, an old man representing the Isshi-20, asked, "Do you seriously expect us to believe that you plundering the treasury and much of the palace's armory was for the 'benefit' of the people...?"
Worried that the man's comments might offend Thomas, Dalton shouted, "Dr. Andrews...!" in a firm, chiding tone.
Before the man could respond, Thomas answered, "Yes, because if the palace were filled with treasure and enough weapons to supply an army, opportunistic asshats would be fighting to acquire both. I've removed that temptation and ensured that the people of Drum would be well-supplied until the next administration gets things in order. Could you do the same if the money was in your hands...?"
Raising his hand to silence his two companions, Dalton stated, "Make no mistake. We are grateful to you and thankful for the services provided by the Enma-tei. What I'm curious to know is what your plans for the future of Drum Island are. I can't imagine you just packing up and leaving after constructing such a large facility..."
Adopting a practiced smile, Thomas replied, "We all have our secrets. The important thing to know is that I intend to help the people of Drum Island prosper. So long as the next administration doesn't get greedy and try to impose sanctions on our operations, we will work alongside you to realize that goal."
Narrowing his eyes, Dalton's expression and tone hardened as he asked, "And if we oppose you...?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Thomas replied, "Unless you're attempting to centralize power to reinforce your dominion over the people, there's no reason to. As you've experienced, the Enma-tei prioritizes hospitality over all else. To ensure each of our guests can enjoy their stay to the fullest, we intend to operate outside the influence of existing governments as a 'neutral' organization. Anyone that attempts to violate that autonomy will pay the price. Simple as that..."
Though Thomas's response raised a considerable number of red flags, Dalton understood there wasn't much they could do to oppose him. The ease at which Thomas and his 'organization' were able to deal with Wapol made it clear they had tremendous military might at their disposal. And as far as he knew, their influence extended to multiple islands.
Exhaling a sigh, Dalton surprised his two companions by stating, "Though I can't help feeling reluctant, we will work alongside the Enma-tei for the future of Drum Island and its people..."
Nodding his head in approval, Thomas replied, "As such, you will always be welcome within the Enma-tei. Now, as I have other matters to attend to, my staff will see you out. Have a good day, gentlemen."
As the balance of power was stacked in Thomas's favor, Dalton and his men had no choice but to comply when he dismissed them. Once they were gone, his body became illusory before a young woman with golden blonde hair, rubicund eyes, fox-like ears, and a fluffy tail appeared in his place. Thomas wasn't particularly diplomatic, so he had Hitomi, Koharu's apprentice, meet with Dalton in his stead.
Emerging from the neighboring room, after sliding open a bamboo door, Thomas, accompanied by Benienma and Koharu, remarked, "Good job, Hitomi. You can take the rest of the day off unless something requires your attention."
Bowing low enough that her forehead nearly touched the ground, Hitomi replied, "Thank you, Goshujin-sama," before quickly rising to her feet and excusing herself. In her wake, several chubby sparrows entered the room, hastily removing the tea sets, snacks, and cushions laid out for Dalton and his entourage before replacing them with new ones.
After observing the sparrows with intrigue for several seconds, Thomas redirected his gaze to Koharu, stating, "You'll be on your own until we get another Enma-tei up and running. Remember our arrangement and make sure everyone follows the rules. No 'disappearing' people, even if they're Pirates..."
Though the people who lost their lives in the Enma-tei would disappear from the memories of others, it was far from 'perfect.' Haki was Spiritual Energy mixed with Willpower, so anyone with sufficiently advanced Haki would be unaffected by the memory erasure. This included high-ranking Marines and members of the World Government, so Thomas didn't want to give them an excuse to stamp out the Enma-tei before he could spread its influence throughout the Grand Line.
Bowing in a way that intentionally emphasized her cleavage, Koharu replied, "Fear not. Everyone in the Enma-tei is indebted to Goshujin for providing us the opportunity to serve our sentence in the Mortal World. None of us are in a hurry to return to Hell, so we will respect Goshujin's wishes and serve to the best of our ability."
Reinforcing Koharu's statement, Benienma revealed, "Those summoned to serve in the Enma-tei must offer tribute to Hahaue. If they are ousted and forced to return to Hell, they will not receive a second opportunity."
Adopting a smile, Koharu playfully remarked, "We rather enjoy not having our skin peeled, tails ripped off, and bones used to create soup stock for hungry Oni. If anyone violates Goshujin-sama's orders, we will not afford them an ounce of mercy."
Smiling wryly, Thomas replied, "That's a mental image I could have done without..." before pulling an expensive-looking pocket watch to check the time. The Merry was scheduled to depart around 10 AM, so he had around twenty minutes to make his way over.
Returning the watch to his interior breast pocket, Thomas gave Koharu one last look, smiling as he said, "See you around, Koharu. The next time we meet, I'll seriously consider accepting your invitation for a drink..."
Narrowing her golden eyes, Koharu's tails flickered behind her as she said, "Then we shall be counting the seconds until our reunion. Be well, Goshujin-sama. And may fortune favor you during your travels..."
Exhaling a chuckle, Thomas remarked, "Well, I 'do' have EX-Rank Luck..." before providing a playful wink and turning around to depart alongside Benienma. The past few days in the Enma-tei had solidified his decision to part ways with the Straw Hats, not because he didn't enjoy spending time with them, but because he felt like he could accomplish infinitely more as a business magnate than a Pirate...
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Seeing Thomas arrive alongside Caenis and Benienma, Nami teased, "I was half-expecting you to stay behind."
Rolling his eyes, Thomas directed his gaze to Vivi as he replied, "I'm not the type to break a promise. Not if I can help it."
Adopting a radiant smile, Vivi walked forward to grasp Thomas's hand, whispering, "Thank you..." in a faint tone. His help was no longer strictly necessary, but after experiencing the wonders of the Enma-tei, Vivi was certain her country would benefit tremendously from having one near the heart of their territory, particularly within Rainbase. Just the Enma-tei's ability to convert gold into food and water was a tremendous boon for a Kingdom encircled by deserts.
Instead of responding to Vivi with words, Thomas planted a chaste kiss on her lips, prompting the nearby Ruby to remark, "Oh my~!" while Illya covered her face in embarrassment. At the same time, Nami reacted with an eye roll before walking off to instruct everyone to get ready to depart. They only had about seven days' worth of supplies, and Alabasta was at least ten from the Drum Kingdom. Caenis's ability to manipulate sea and ocean currents negated this factor, but Nami elected to operate the ship on the premise that they wouldn't always be able to rely on her presence. After all, once they concluded things in Alabasta, they would need to sail on their own merits...
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Around four days into the journey to Alabasta, Thomas was killing time on the quarterdeck with Vivi when a News Coo flew down from overhead. He had purchased a premium subscription that provided monthly updates for all Pirates with active Bounties, so, seeing the New Coo carrying a thicker than normal parcel, Thomas quickly made his way over to see if there was any news related to the Four Emperors, the Wild Hunt, or himself.
Fortunately, while their actions on Drum Island would typically earn them a sizeable Bounty, the fact that Wapol had cut his Kingdom off from the rest of the world meant there was no way for the news to spread quickly. News Coos also tended to avoid islands with harsh climates, so there was little chance of them flying over and finding out something had occurred.
After flipping through numerous listings related to the Four Emperors and their Commanders, Thomas's brows perked up as the Bounty Poster of a fierce-looking woman with hot pink hair entered his view...
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[WANTED]
[Photo of Drake standing on the bowsprit of her ship]
Dead or Alive
Francis Drake
Bounty: 1,638,000,000 Berries
Crimes: Francis Drake is charged with the crimes of sinking thirty-seven marines warships, consigning 11,928 courageous Marines to their deaths, and severely injuring three Vice-Admirals.
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(A/N: That's one way to make your debut as a Pirate...)

As Benienma was aware of the location of everyone within the Enma-tei, she guided Thomas directly to Vivi's location. Unfortunately, she and most of the other girls were relaxing in a hot spring on the ground floor. It was a communal facility with a mixed-bathing policy, but Thomas decided to wait outside, relaxing with his eyes closed as Benienma voluntarily gave him a foot massage.
Around twenty minutes after Thomas began waiting, Vivi, Nami, Chloe, Illya, and Ruby emerged from the bath wearing yukatas provided by the Enma-tei. When they spotted him waiting nearby, Chloe immediately adopted a teasing smile, asking, "How long have you been waiting out here? You know it's a mixed facility, right?"
Before Thomas could respond, Nami furrowed her brows and answered, "Because, even if he's a pervert, he isn't a complete idiot."
"..."
Resisting the urge to argue, Thomas asked, "How was the bath? And have you used any of the other facilities...?"
Adopting a radiant smile, Vivi happily replied, "This place is amazing! The design of the rooms is a little odd, but I haven't felt this relaxed in years."
Nodding her head, Nami added, "Before we took a bath, we had our nails done and hit up a massage parlor on the second floor. Now, we're about to grab a late lunch before checking out some of the other facilities listed on the map."
"Then that's perfect," replied Thomas, adding, "The Tenno(Imperial) Suite on the top floor has a banquet hall, a gallery, and several guest rooms. I had Beni assign each of you 'exalted' status, so feel free to claim one of the rooms as a permanent residence if you want. When we establish other Enma-tei in the future, you'll be able to access the suite and your private rooms from any of them."
Though Thomas's words sounded nonsensical to Vivi and Nami, Chloe, Illya, and Ruby took them in stride, the latter eagerly questioning, "Does that include me? If so, I'll finally have a private atelier to mix and brew potions~!"
Smiling wryly, Thomas replied, "I originally had you staying with Illya, but I don't mind you claiming another room. Just don't blow anything up..."
Puffing up pridefully, Ruby asserted, "Nonsense! Despite my appearance, I happen to be one of the greatest alchemists in the world! You've nothing to worry about~!"
Resisting the urge to comment, Thomas returned to the original topic, suggesting, "Why don't the five of you make your way up to the suite and get settled? After that, Beni can introduce you to Koharu before explaining some of the unwritten rules not listed on the bulletin board out front. As impressive as the Enma-tei and its facilities are, it's still linked to Hell. Not everything is as pleasant as it appears on the surface..."
Crossing her arms, Nami remarked, "Way to kill the mood..." with half-lidded eyes.
Shrugging his shoulders, Thomas justified his actions, stating, "As much as you annoy me, I don't want anything bad to happen to you."
Without waiting for Nami's retort/response, Thomas directed his gaze to Benienma, stating, "Look after them for me," as he extended his hand to caress the petite sparrow's head. His actions earned him a mischievous leer from Chloe, but he ultimately ignored her, parting from the group to meet up with Caenis and Atalanta before leaving the Enma-tei to explain the situation to Usopp and locate the remaining Straw Hats...
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With Atalanta choosing to remain indoors due to the heavy snowfall, Thomas and Caenis bounded over to the Going Merry to find Usopp shivering within the galley/lounge. He had the stove turned on, but the interior temperature was still freezing since it was close to -70 degrees outside, and the Merry wasn't particularly well-insulated.
Seeing Thomas enter the lounge, Usopp stammered, "W-w-w-welcome back, Tom. Did you come here to help me watch over the M-m-m-merry?"
Smiling wryly, Thomas replied, "Not exactly. I wanted to tell you that the Merry would be fine and convince you to come and rest at the Enma-tei. I know you feel obligated to protect this ship, as it was a gift from Kaya, but she wouldn't want to see you like this."
Hearing the first half of Thomas's words, Usopp opened his mouth as if to argue. When he heard the latter half, however, he found himself at a loss for words, easily able to imagine Kaya chastizing him for putting himself in danger.
While Usopp was at a loss, Thomas spread his Magical Energy out like a warm pulse, bringing the interior of the cabin up to a cool but comparably balmy 4 degrees. Afterward, he took a seat across from Usopp, revealing, "You remind me of my past self, albeit a lot more...animated."
Raising his brows, Usopp asked, "Where's this coming from? Is it because you're about to leave the crew...?"
Shaking his head, Thomas asserted, "I'm not leaving. Not in the truest sense. I'm just going to be following a different path for a while. Meeting Vivi changed my perspective on a lot of things. Manifesting the Enma-tei affected them even further. Now, I just want to gather information, enjoy my life, and help as many people as possible..."
Regaining a wry smile, Thomas added, "No offense, but sharing a cabin with other guys and sleeping in a hammock aren't exactly my idea of fun. Especially when I have several people who would like to share a bed with me..."
Exhaling through his inordinately long nose, Usopp remarked, "That's one of the things I'll never understand about you, Tom. Haven't you heard the saying that a real man only needs one good woman?"
Though he was tempted to retort that there weren't a lot of good women, Thomas shrugged his shoulders and replied, "You're right. If someone like Vivi were to ask me to settle down, I would consider it. Until then, I intend to live my life freely and satisfy my curiosity."
Rising to his feet, Thomas added, "If you haven't noticed it yet, a massive bathhouse popped up on the shore. If you mention it to the staff, they will check you into a room with a balcony overlooking Merry. Sitting inside like this isn't going to prevent the Merry from freezing over or getting stuck in the ice."
Without waiting for Usopp to respond, Thomas stepped outside to rejoin Caenis. The moment he opened the door, a rush of cold wind entered the cabin, replacing the warmth that had pervaded it in his presence. Shortly after that, albeit after he and Caenis left, Usopp reluctantly left the Merry to warm his body within the Enma-tei...
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Though the blizzard was getting progressively worse over time, Thomas found the whistling wind and tempestuous snow strangely 'beautiful.' He would probably have a different opinion if not for the warm barrier veiling both himself and Caenis, but being able to walk casually through a storm without feeling its effects made him feel...powerful.
After passing through several snowed-in towns and villages, Thomas and Caenis found themselves in a village called Gyasta. Most of the buildings had been buried beneath the ever-deepening snow, but, as such blizzards were fairly common in the area, spire-like chutes could be seen poking up through the snow like the tops of evergreen trees. It was a peculiar sight to behold, but it was also a testament to how 'adaptive' the people of the Grand Line could be.
Passing through Gyasta, Thomas and Caenis eventually found themselves at the base of a massive tree. Unlike the evergreens in the surroundings, it resembled a giant ash tree, a deciduous tree typically only found in cool to moderate climates. Such trees weren't suited to snowy climates, but, as if to spite this notion, this particular tree grew taller and broader than every other tree in the area. Large enough to hollow out and construct a three-story house within its trunk...
Before Thomas could begin to melt the snow around the tree's base, a snowy eruption occurred as Lucy burst out of the snow, shouting, "It's Tom and Caenis~!"
Darting past Lucy, Astolfo, as usual, leaped at Thomas, burying her face into his chest. At the same time, a woman with a remarkably curvaceous body but the face of an old crone appeared from the clearing Lucy had created, shouting, "Get back inside before you idiots freeze to death...!"
Spotting Thomas and Caenis, the old woman's brows perked up as she remarked, "Oh, great. Two more idiots have appeared..."
As Caenis was wearing an outfit more suited to sunbathing than walking through the snow, she stood out like a sore thumb. Thomas at least had on a thick winter coat, giving him an almost bear-like appearance due to his height and the breadth of his shoulders.
Responding to the old woman's words, Lucy firmly asserted, "Tom isn't an idiot! He and Caenis are my friends...!"
Though she had on sunglasses, the old woman gave the impression she had rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms and said, "Yeah, yeah. Now, stop blathering, get inside, and close the door. This blizzard is only going to get worse before sunrise."
As he was curious to see what Chopper looked like in his current setting, Thomas picked up Astolfo in a princess carry, encouraging the others to follow him inside as he made his way into the surprisingly warm abode. It didn't have a hearth or any visible heat sources, but the tree's interior was at least 20 degrees.
Instead of focusing on the temperature, Thomas's eyes zeroed in on the tiny fur-covered creature 'hiding' behind a desk. It was around 90cm tall and had antlers that looked like the individual branches had been fused, making a u-shape. It also had large circular eyes, a distinctly blue nose, and two-pronged hooves for its hands and feet. More notably, it had on a pair of maroon shorts and a fuzzy pink top hat with a tilted medical cross on its front, resembling an x.
Though Thomas was 'really' curious to know how the little furball was able to get its antlers through the hat it was wearing, the first thing he said was, "If you're going to hide, you should focus on concealing your body..."
Like in the anime/manga, the tiny furball, Tony Tony Chopper, was lacking in common sense and terrible at concealment. When Lucy burst out of the tree above, he immediately attempted to hide. However, instead of hiding properly, he hid just a small part of his face behind the desk while the rest of his body stuck out, effectively drawing attention rather than avoiding it.
Demonstrating he hadn't fully opened up to Lucy and Astolfo, Chopper shouted, "I-I wasn't hiding! I just thought I saw a termite on the desk and wanted to get a closer look at it...!"
Smiling wryly, Thomas set Astolfo on her own two feet, patting her head as he stated, "My name is Thomas, though you can just call me Tom. It's nice to meet you."
"Eh...?"
Tilting his head to the side, Chopper asked, "You don't think I'm weird or some kind of evil monster...?"
While the elderly woman, Dr. Kureha, stared at him with narrowed eyes, Thomas shook his head and replied, "Not really. You look more like a stuffed animal than an evil creature in your current form. Besides, once you reach the second half of the Grand Line, you'll find plenty of people with animalistic traits. There is even an entire tribe of anthropomorphic animals known as the Mink. If I didn't know your appearance was the result of eating a Devil Fruit, I would have assumed you originated from the country of Zou."
Opening his already round eyes even further, Chopper exclaimed, "Is that true!? Is there really a whole tribe of people that look like me...!?"
Answering in Thomas's stead, Kureha replied, "Indeed. The real question is, how did this brat learn about them? While Minks aren't uncommon, the existence of Zou borders on mythical. Most people don't even consider it to be a real place..."
Inserting herself into the dialogue, Lucy adopted a massive grin as she said, "See! What did I tell you? If you come with us, you're guaranteed to meet lots of interesting people and have a ton of fun!"
Though he had been refusing until now, Chopper's expression revealed his internal conflict as he looked between Lucy and Dr. Kureha. His dream was to become a Pirate and cure every disease, but he had never set sail because of his deep mistrust of humans. He assumed he would be treated like a monster everywhere he went, but if there were others like him in the second half of the Grand Line, he 'really' wanted to meet them...
...
..
.
(A/N: Thomas just needs to show Chopper a picture of a Reindeer Mink...)
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Chapter 74: Talk-no-Jutsu