In the dim forest, scattered rays of sunlight filtered through the towering trees and fell across the ground.
As expected of Elbaf, the land of giants, every tree here was massive beyond belief.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
A nimble figure ran swiftly on all fours across the forest floor, which was layered with thick leaves and soil. He kept glancing back nervously, as if something was chasing him.
Boom!!!
A thunderous explosion erupted not far ahead.
"Ah!"
Startled, the running figure abruptly stopped. He tilted his head toward the source of the sound, his antlers slightly askew, eyes filled with confusion.
"Who is that? What was that loud noise… Was it Nami? Or Shirogai?"
The figure was none other than Tony Tony Chopper, the Straw Hat Pirates' doctor, a reindeer with a blue nose and large antlers.
…
As Chopper stood distracted, staring toward the distant noise—
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Two figures suddenly dropped from the trees above him.
They slammed into Chopper from both sides, pinning him to the ground and holding him down tightly.
"Hehe, got you! Little reindeer!"
"Squeak! Squeak!"
"Oh no!!"
Chopper's expression changed instantly. He struggled violently, his eyes wide with panic.
"Let me go! Let me go now! Or I won't hold back!"
"Squeak squeak!"
The monkey, Monda, pinned Chopper down with surprising strength, chattering triumphantly.
Beside him, Benn Beckman, the vice captain of the Red Hair Pirates, pressed Chopper into the ground with ease. He grinned, clearly pleased.
"Well done. We caught one of Luffy's crewmates first. Looks like we win this round."
"Let me go! Let me go!!"
Chopper continued struggling, but it was useless.
"No point fighting it," Benn said with a chuckle. "Once we catch our prey, they don't escape."
"Damn it! If you don't let me go, I'll… I'll get angry!"
Chopper tried to break free, but the strength of both Benn and the monkey was overwhelming.
"Damn it… I won't hold back anymore!"
He quickly reached toward his dropped bag, grabbed what he needed, and tossed it into his mouth.
"Rumble Ball: Guard Point!"
Bang!!!
In an instant, Chopper transformed into a massive ball of fur, blasting both Benn and Monda away.
Benn flipped in the air and landed smoothly, stroking his chin in surprise.
"Oh? You broke free. That ability of yours is quite interesting."
"Squeak squeak!"
Monda grabbed a vine mid-air and swung back onto a nearby tree.
"You're the one who ate the Human-Human Fruit! I'm not a raccoon dog! And neither is my family!"
Chopper shouted angrily.
"I'm a reindeer who ate the Human-Human Fruit!"
Seeing Monda leap at him again, Chopper reacted instantly.
"Rumble Ball: Jumping Point!"
Swish!
In a flash, Chopper shot into the air, appearing right in front of the monkey.
"I'm not some jumping raccoon dog! You rude monkey!"
His arms bulged with muscle as his form shifted again.
"Hoof: Cross!"
Clap!!!
The powerful strike landed squarely on Monda's chest, sending him flying.
Boom!
Monda crashed into a massive tree, snapping the trunk before dropping to the ground.
"Behind you!"
Chopper twisted mid-air, blocking a kick from behind with his hoof.
"Nice reflexes, little guy."
Benn had appeared behind him without a sound. His kick collided with Chopper's defense.
Bang!!!
Chopper was sent flying, spinning uncontrollably before slamming into a giant tree. His body nearly sank into the trunk.
"Cough… cough…"
He reverted to his smaller form and dropped to the ground, shaking his numb hooves.
"S-such strength…"
That kick was far beyond anything he had faced before.
In the distance, Monda jumped back up, completely unharmed, landing beside Benn.
The two rushed forward again.
"Can I really beat them… by myself?"
Doubt crept into Chopper's mind.
They were members of one of the Four Emperors' crews. Could he really win?
"Hmph. Pathetic."
A cold, disdainful voice echoed in his mind.
"If you lack confidence, then hand your body over to me. I'll show you how to fight properly."
Chopper frowned.
"You again… Stay out of this! I won't give you control!"
"Then stop embarrassing me and defeat them."
The dark voice sneered.
From deep within, a blood-red gaze opened, locking onto Benn and Monda.
"They're mocking you. That smile… doesn't it anger you?"
Chopper clenched his teeth.
"Shut up! You're just a part of me! I'm not weak!"
"Hmph. Then prove it."
The voice faded slightly, leaving behind a chilling presence.
"I'll lend you some strength. Don't disgrace me. If you lose, then your body is mine."
…
Chopper slowly opened his eyes.
Swish!
In an instant, his figure vanished from the branch.
Boom!!!
The branch he had stood on shattered violently, the impact splitting the massive tree.
Chopper landed lightly on the ground, eyes still closed.
A dark red aura began to swirl around him, like flowing ribbons.
"Oh? Now this is interesting."
Benn smiled, watching closely.
"Your presence… it's completely different now."
…
Chopper opened his eyes.
One pupil remained normal.
The other…
Glowed a deep, blood-red.
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