Chapter 95: The Sakura Bloom of Drum Isnd

  Midday sunlight bathed Drum Isnd in a soft glow as the Straw Hat Pirates prepared to set sail. The Going Merry rocked gently in the icy waters near the castle, its masts rising proudly against the snowy horizon. Though the air was crisp, the warmth of camaraderie and excitement filled the deck as the crew made their final preparations.

  Chopper stood by the ship’s railing, his small frame bundled in a thick scarf and coat. His wide eyes scanned the bustling activity around him. Goku and Usopp were nearby, their voices lighthearted and encouraging.

  “Chopper, you’re looking way too serious,” Goku said, leaning casually on the railing. “You know this is just the beginning, right?”

  “The beginning?” Chopper asked, tilting his head.

  Usopp stepped in, gesturing dramatically with his hands. “Yeah! We’re pirates, remember? That means crazy adventures, treasure, dangerous battles, and seeing all sorts of weird and amazing things! What you’ve seen here on Drum Isnd? It’s just the start of what’s out there.”

  Chopper’s nose twitched as he considered their words. “You think so?”

  “Think so?” Goku grinned, his tail swishing behind him. “We know so. The Grand Line is full of stuff you wouldn’t believe. And with you on the crew, we’ll be unstoppable.”

  Usopp nodded, puffing out his chest. “Exactly! And you’re the crew’s doctor now. You’re gonna help us stay alive so we can take on whatever comes our way.”

  Chopper blinked, his eyes wide. Slowly, a small smile crept onto his face. “I’ll do my best!”

  “That’s the spirit!” Goku said, cpping him on the back.

  Their conversation turned to a topic that had been lingering in the back of everyone’s minds. “Hey, do you remember what Dr. Kureha said about a surprise?” Usopp asked, his voice brimming with curiosity.

  “Oh yeah,” Goku replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “She said she’d show us something before we set sail. Wonder what it could be?”

  Usopp’s imagination ran wild as he specuted. “Maybe it’s a secret treasure she’s been hiding, or some kind of ancient weapon!”

  Chopper tilted his head. “Or maybe it’s just some weird medicine she made…”

  The three ughed, though the air of mystery hung thick around them.

  ---

  Elsewhere on the ship, Nami and Vivi were seated on a bench near the cabin. Nami was bundled up under a thick bnket, her complexion still pale but her strength slowly returning. Vivi sat beside her, the faint tension in her posture betraying her inner turmoil.

  “How are you feeling, Nami?” Vivi asked softly.

  “Better,” Nami replied, smiling faintly. “Dr. Kureha’s medicine worked wonders. I should be back on my feet in no time.” She paused, looking at Vivi with a knowing gaze. “You’re worried about Abasta, aren’t you?”

  Vivi nodded, her hands csped tightly in her p. “I am. It’s my home, and I’ve been away for so long. I don’t even know what I’ll find when I get back. What if… what if it’s already too te?”

  Nami reached out, pcing a reassuring hand on Vivi’s arm. “We’ll be there in a few days, Vivi. There’s no stopping us now. And when we get to Abasta, you won’t be alone. We’ll fight for your country, just like we promised.”

  Vivi’s eyes glistened as she looked at her friend. “Thank you, Nami. But your health is just as important. Knowing you’re getting better makes me feel more hopeful. And with all of us together, I feel like we can do this.”

  Nami smiled warmly. “That’s the spirit.”

  ---

  Gin emerged from below deck, his presence quiet but commanding as always. He approached the group near the mainmast and gave a brief report. “The rudder’s stable,” he said simply, his voice steady.

  Zoro stood nearby, arms crossed as he leaned against the railing. “Good. I’m ready to raise the anchor whenever we get the signal.”

  Goku looked up at the sails, his usual grin in pce. “As soon as Dr. Kureha shows up, we can unfurl the sails and get moving.”

  But as his gaze traveled upward, his expression shifted. His eyes narrowed, and he tilted his head. “Wait a second… where’s our fg?”

  The crew followed his gaze to the tallest mast, where the Straw Hat Jolly Roger should have been proudly dispyed. Instead, the pole was bare.

  Zoro let out a frustrated groan. “Those idiots from Wapol’s crew shot it down during the fight.”

  “What?!” Goku excimed, looking genuinely baffled. “Why didn’t anyone say anything?”

  Gin straightened, his face serious. “Don’t worry, Captain. I’ll get it.” Without hesitation, he kicked off his boots and leaped over the railing into the icy water below.

  The spsh startled Goku, who stared after him in confusion. “Uh… is this really how you guys handle things?”

  Zoro smirked, watching as Gin swam to retrieve the fg. “You’ll get used to it.”

  Moments ter, Gin resurfaced, shivering but triumphant as he hoisted the soaked fg and pole out of the water. He climbed back onto the ship, his breath visible in the cold air. “Here,” he said, handing it to Zoro.

  Zoro nodded and began climbing the mast, the fgpole banced across his back. Usopp quickly scrambled after him. “Wait for me! I’ll help fix it!”

  As the two worked to secure the fg, a series of loud explosions echoed across the isnd. The entire crew froze, their eyes snapping toward the Drum Rockies.

  “What the hell was that?” Zoro muttered, still halfway up the mast.

  The snow clouds above the mountains began to shift, revealing a series of pink patches spreading like ripples through the sky. The pink grew brighter and more vibrant, casting a soft glow over the snowy peaks. Slowly, the entire mountaintop transformed, the pink patches blooming outward until the peaks looked like giant sakura trees.

  The crew stared In awe. Goku was the first to break the silence. “It looks like a bunch of sakura trees,” he said, his voice filled with wonder.

  Chopper’s breath hitched as he took in the sight. Tears welled up in his eyes, spilling over as he clutched the railing for support. “Sakura trees…” he whispered, his voice trembling.

  He remembered the words of his te father, Dr. Hiriluk. The man had dreamed of curing the isnd’s sickness with the beauty of sakura trees. And now, against all odds, that dream had come to life.

  Chopper sobbed openly, his tears freezing on his pink nose. “Thank you, Dr. Kureha,” he said, his voice barely audible. “You did it. The isnd really is cured. It doesn’t need me anymore.”

  He wiped his tears, turning to face the crew with newfound determination. “I’m ready,” he said firmly. “I’m ready to be a pirate and see the world!”

  From above, Usopp shouted, “This must be the surprise she was talking about!”

  Zoro nodded in agreement as he finished securing the fg.

  Usopp gnced down at Goku. “So, Captain, should we set sail?”

  Goku grinned and turned to the rest of the crew. “Release the sails! Raise the anchor! We’re setting sail for Abasta!”

  The crew cheered as they sprang into action, their excitement infectious. Vivi stood by the railing, her heart swelling with gratitude and hope as she watched her new friends prepare for the journey ahead.

  As the Going Merry began to move, the pink glow of the Drum Rockies lingered on the horizon, a beautiful reminder of the lives they had touched and the dreams they carried with them.

  ***

  Somewhere in the unpredictable waters of the Grand Line, a massive marine vessel cut through the waves with unwavering purpose. Its white sails bore the proud emblem of the Marines, and its sheer size dwarfed the smaller ships often seen in these treacherous waters. Cannons lined the vessel’s sides, and rows of disciplined Marines moved about the deck, their boots thudding against the wooden pnks.

  Standing at the bow was a towering man with a broad, muscur frame. His imposing figure was wrapped in a thick, fur-lined white jacket with the word “MARINE” embzoned across the back. His short-cropped silver hair gleamed under the midday sun, and a pair of goggles rested casually on his forehead. A pair of cigars jutted from his mouth, their smoke curling upward in steady streams. His sharp eyes stared intently at the horizon, as if trying to pierce through the mists of the Grand Line to their destination.

  The deck creaked as another figure approached. A woman in a crisp Marine uniform, her short bck hair framing her face, stopped beside the man. Her gsses glinted in the sunlight as she adjusted them, her expression serious but respectful.

  “Captain Smoker,” she said, her voice calm and composed. “We’ll reach Abasta in 24 hours.”

  The man didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he exhaled a long stream of smoke, the cigars in his mouth glowing faintly. Then, in a gruff voice, he said, “Tashigi.”

  The woman stiffened slightly, standing straighter. “Yes, sir?”

  “What about the Straw Hats?” he asked, his tone sharp and to the point.

  Tashigi adjusted her gsses again. “The Baroque Works agent we captured confirmed that the organization is hunting the Straw Hats. It seems they’re heading to Abasta… with Princess Nefertari Vivi.”

  At this, the man’s brow furrowed. He removed one of the cigars from his mouth, staring into the smoke as if searching for answers. “Princess Vivi of Abasta… on a pirate ship?”

  His voice trailed off, the question lingering in the air as the marine vessel continued its steady course toward Abasta.

  [A/N: Can’t wait to see what happens next? Get exclusive early access on patreon.com/saiyanprincenovels.]