One Piece : Wild Hunt

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...)

Seeing the look of befuddlement on Thomas's face, Vivi made her way over to his side, linking her left arm through his right as she asked, "What is it? Did something happen?"
Furrowing his brows in consternation, Thomas showed Vivi Drake's Bounty Poster, explaining, "This is one of my Heroic Spirits. Before we separated, she promised me she wouldn't go out of her way to attack any Marine vessels. Her second in command is someone I trust, so I can't believe she would do something like this..."
As vicious as Drake could be, Thomas considered her to be honorable or, at the very least, prideful. She was also supposed to be aiming to become a Shichibukai, so it didn't really make sense for her to sink an entire fleet of ships. Something, or someone, must have forced her hand...
Diverting her attention from Drake's dauntless smile and ample bosom, Vivi looked up at Thomas, suggesting, "Why not send Astolfo over to find out what happened? With Griff's flight speed, she should be able to make a round trip in just a few hours."
Though he was tempted to do exactly that, Thomas ultimately shook his head, stating, "I gave Drake free rein until we encountered each other in the New World. Even if these crimes are accurate, I want to trust that she had a good reason to commit them. If not...I'll deal with her myself..."
Nodding her head, Vivi replied, "I understand," before leaning against Thomas's arm. She had never met Drake, but if Thomas trusted her, she would give the pink-haired Pirate the benefit of the doubt. After all, she knew better than most that circumstances sometimes forced you to do things you otherwise wouldn't...
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With Caenis ensuring they didn't get swept away by stray currents, the Merry still had food and water to spare as the Desert Island of Alabasta came into view. As a result, Lucy didn't immediately rush off when their ship anchored at Nanohana, the central port city that managed most of Alabasta's exports.
"Wow, if you just looked at this city, you wouldn't think there is a drought," remarked Nami.
Smiling sadly, Vivi replied, "Nanohana is considered the 'face' of Alabasta. If Crocodile plans to rule the country, he can't compromise the major port cities. Without them, there is no Alabasta..."
Inserting himself into the conversation, Thomas asked, "So, what's the plan? Will we rush to the capital, focus on taking out Crocodile, or bring an end to the drought? It's your decision to make, Vivi."
Though the original plan was to lure out Crocodile and his forces by returning Alabasta's rainfall, that was before Thomas knew about the existence of Install Cards. He also felt guilty about delaying Crocodile's downfall to give himself and the Straw Hats a chance to grow, so he was prepared to rush over to Rainbase right then and there if Vivi asked him to.
As this wasn't the first time Thomas had placed the decision in her hands, Vivi maintained a calm and dignified countenance as she answered, "First off, we should focus on acquiring food, water, and suitable clothing. Once we have everything we need, we'll sail up the Sandora River and get a feel for the situation while Karoo races to deliver a missive to my father. I want to hear what he has to say before we make our final decision."
Nodding in affirmation, Thomas replied, "Sounds good," before shifting his gaze to Lucy to see if she had anything to say. In response, she returned a smile and asserted, "This is your and Vivi's adventure. We're just here to lend a hand."
Smiling wryly, Thomas was tempted to point out that he was the one who was supposed to be accompanying them. Instead, he gave a second nod before passing his gaze over everyone present. Depending on how long it took to deal with Crocodile, he would be parting ways with the Straw Hats in as little as a few days. They were bound to meet again, but the thought of parting with friends was rarely pleasant.
Interrupting Thomas's thoughts, Lucy's smile became even broader as she donned her straw hat and shouted, "Adventure waits for no one~!" before leaping off the ship.
Bolting to the taffrail, Nami shouted, "Lucy! Don't rush off on your own...!" Unfortunately, once Lucy set her mind to something, there was very little anyone could do to stop her.
Exhaling an exasperated sigh, Nami turned to Thomas and asked, "Can you send Benienma to keep an eye on her...?"
As Nami's behavior and tone had become progressively more 'amicable' over the past few days, Thomas didn't hesitate to answer, "Sure," before calling out, "Beni."
Appearing from Thomas's shadow, Benienma asked, "Is there something Master requires of me?"
Nodding, Thomas explained, "Lucy ran off to explore the city. You don't have to intervene unless she is in serious trouble, but keep an eye on her for us, okay?"
Cupping her hands together, Benienma lowered her head and replied, "As you will," before disappearing faster than the people present could blink. In the wake of her departure, the people remaining discussed splitting up into three groups. The main group, consisting of Thomas, Vivi, Nami, Illya, Chloe, and Ruby, went to acquire food, water, clothes, and other supplies. While they were away, Atalanta, Usopp, and Chopper would stay behind to guard the Merry while Astolfo and Caenis scouted the area, the former by air and the latter by sea. There were a few Marine and Baroque Works ships in the area, so leaving the Marry unguarded wasn't an option...
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"How do I look...?" asked Vivi, her body garbed in a purple and pink outfit reminiscent of a belly dancer. The top accentuated her ample bosom and left much of her back, shoulders, and abdomen completely exposed. The bottoms were comparably tame, consisting of a skirt that hung low on the hips and extended to the ankles, but if you caught it at the right angle, the fabric was fairly light and translucent.
Without hesitation, Thomas replied, "You look incredible," with a fiery light in his eyes. His 'intensity' caused a potent blush to color Vivi's cheeks, but before they could enter into their own little world, Chloe chimed in to ask, "And what about the rest of us~?" in a teasing tone.
Resisting the urge to exhale an exasperated sigh, Thomas looked over to find Chloe wearing a turquoise outfit that gave her the appearance of a Djinn/Genie. Except for a bikini-like top and bottom that left very little to the imagination, the fabric covering her arms and legs was transparent, accented by golden accessories.
Having gotten used to Chloe's preference for scant attire, Thomas wasn't even remotely surprised by her ensemble. What 'did' surprise him was the fact that Illya was also showing off more than a bit of skin. She wore an ankle-length skirt similar to Vivi and Nami, but her top was little more than a strip of white fabric accented by black and gold, hugging her lithe body like a strapless tube top.
Covering her chest, Illya's face lit up redder than a cherry tomato as she turned her body to the side and stammered, "D-D-D-Don't look at me like that! They didn't have a lot of tops in mine and Chloe's sizes, okay!?"
Stimulated by Illya's behavior, Ruby wriggled in a 'disconcerting' manner as she exclaimed, "Magnifique~! What a marvelously charming reaction~!"
Glaring at the writhing magical wand, Illya growled, "You're not helping, Ruby..."
Undaunted by Illya's threatening tone, Ruby teased, "Staring at me with such an intense and passionate gaze is only going to make me even more excited. When will you learn that there is nothing more endearing than an angry and teary-eyed magi-"
Before Ruby could finish speaking, Illya promptly grabbed and threw her away with the finesse of a professional discus thrower. It wouldn't take long for her to return, but Illya had bought herself at least a momentary reprieve.
Exhaling a weary sigh, Illya retreated into the clothing store to purchase a shawl while everyone observed her with varying degrees of empathy. The moment she was gone, however, Chloe acted as if nothing had happened, returning her gaze to Thomas as she asked, "Well? How do I look~?" while spinning around.
"Like a brat," replied Thomas. Then, shifting his gaze to Nami, he briefly considered complimenting her before returning his attention to Vivi. Chloe just laughed off his remark, but Nami was slightly annoyed. She might not be fishing for compliments, but very few girls enjoyed being 'ignored.'
Crossing her arms in a manner that emphasized her breasts, not that she could avoid it, Nami remarked, "You don't have to be so 'cautious' around me, Tom. Vivi and I are friends. She isn't going to get upset if you stare or compliment me."
Shaking his head, Thomas preempted Vivi's response by asserting, "It has less to do with Vivi and more to do with my pride. I simped for you like an idiot, and all it got me was pain and frustration. I don't hate or resent you, but I'm not going to let you keep breaking me down or treating me like a fool..."
Furrowing her brows, Nami lowered her gaze as she muttered, "I said I was sorry..." in a faint, nearly inaudible tone. She had actually apologized multiple times at this point, but, despite 'accepting' her apology, Thomas still behaved distantly around her. His past trauma, related to the betrayal of the woman he loved and his best friend, made him extremely reluctant to give people second chances. He wasn't lying about not hating her, but the 'appreciation' he once held for her was long gone.
Suppressing her urge to lash out, Nami said, "I need to cool my head..." before following after Illya. As she departed, Chloe, reading the 'room,' added, "And I'm going to go check on Illya," before giving Thomas and Vivi a playful wink.
Waiting until they were alone, Vivi grabbed Thomas's hands, staring up at him as she whispered, "You know Nami isn't a bad person, Tom. She truly is sorry for the way she treated you..."
Exhaling a tired sigh, Thomas replied, "I know...however, the only reason she feels that way is because of the distance between us. If I pandered to her like I used to, there's a chance she might default to treating me like a lackey or errand boy. If that happened, I don't think I could stop myself from resenting her..."
Wrapping his arms around Vivi, Thomas's expression and tone softened as he added, "I don't mind strong and independent women. What I can't stand are those who break down and try to use others. Nami is a good person. I know that. But she is also greedy, selfish, and prone to violent outbursts when she's scared or doesn't get her way. The past me would have tolerated all of that because of her beauty. Now, I have incredible women like you, Caenis, and even Astolfo to support me...why would I let myself be broken down by someone who only sees me as a means to an end?"
Without waiting for her response, Thomas lowered her face to plant a kiss on Vivi's lips. There was a lot the blue-haired Princess wanted to say, but she briefly set them aside to focus on reciprocating Thomas's kiss. At the same time, hidden just out of view, a certain orange-haired, brown-eyed woman had a despondent look on her face as she considered the type of person she was, compared to the kind of person she wanted to be...
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(A/N: Every time Nami got excited to learn about how affluent Thomas would be, she dug deeper and deeper into the hole of his mistrust. Also, sorry for the late releases. I'm very ill at the present moment.)

"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.)

Chapter 75: Mutualism