As the snowstorm howled, Luffy, Sanji, and the hiking bears braved the icy tundra, carrying a feverish Nami on a makeshift magical hoverboard. But their luck ran out when a horde of Lapahns—giant, overly aggressive rabbits—decided that today was a great day for a brawl.
"OH, COME ON!" Sanji yelled as he delivered a flaming kick to an incoming Lapahn, sending it tumbling down the slope.
Luffy, meanwhile, was too busy laughing. "Big bunnies! Hahaha! I wonder if they taste good!"
Before Sanji could retort, a sneaky Lapahn drop-kicked him midair. The cook's scream echoed as he was buried under a wave of fresh snow. Then the mountain itself seemed to retaliate.
"AVALANCHEEEE!" Luffy screamed as the entire world turned white.
By the time sanity returned, Luffy was halfway up the mountain, dragging the hoverboard with his bleeding hands, his body battered from the relentless climb. Sanji, who had been semi-conscious, groaned. "Oi, Luffy, my legs feel like they've been stepped on by giants."
"That's 'cause they have!"Luffy replied cheerfully before finally collapsing at the doorstep of Drum Castle.
Dr. Kureha, arriving just in time, took one look at the mess and sighed. "Another one? You people drop like flies. we got more patients!"
Just as she called for help, a whooshing sound filled the air, followed by a loud "WOOOOO!" as Raja zoomed toward the castle on his hoverboard, spinning midair like a human Beyblade before landing dramatically.
"The party has arrived, baby!"he announced, striking a ridiculous pose. "Now, where's the medical team?"
Dr. Kureha squinted at him. "Who the hell are you?"
"Interdimensional pirate, wizard extraordinaire, and part-time chaos consultant," Raja replied. "Now, let's save some idiots Beautiful Big Sis."
Meanwhile, down in the villages, Wapol, the self-proclaimed King of Stupidity, returned, grinning like an overfed walrus.
"Bow before me! I, King Wapol, have returned to reclaim my ki—" he began before getting punched in the face by Dalton.
"Oh, for the love of—why is everyone so violent here?!" Wapol wailed as he tumbled backward.
With his kingdom-claiming efforts going poorly, Wapol decided, like any logical coward, to retreat to Drum Castle and demand his throne back. "Minions, forward!"he declared, pointing dramatically.
His lackeys Chess and Kuromarimo sighed. "Yes, your majesty,"they droned in perfect boredom.
Back at Drum Castle, Kureha and Chopper treated the Straw Hats. Chopper, of course, tried to act tough, but the poor reindeer was soon running for his life as Sanji and Luffy began discussing dinner options.
"Oi, Luffy, you think reindeer meat tastes good in stew?" Sanji asked casually.
"Ooooh! Meat! Chopper, get in the pot!" Luffy grinned.
Chopper, in full panic mode, screamed. "I'M A DOCTOR, NOT FOOD!"
Before Luffy and Sanji could execute their culinary disaster, a bright zap filled the room. Raja, now standing over their charred bodies, tsked loudly. "Are you two stupid? You try to eat the doctor who just saved your lives? Apologize, or I'll zap you until you grow extra noses."
Both immediately folded their hands. "SORRYYYY!"
Kureha smirked. "I like this one. Can we keep him?"
"I'm one of a kind, doc,"Raja said with a wink. "But I am available for temporary hire as 'That Guy Who Stops Idiots.'"
As they rested, Kureha took the time to tell Nami and Sanji about Chopper's past. Luffy, of course, tuned it all out in favor of trying to hug the little reindeer, much to Chopper's horror.
The peace didn't last long as Wapol's crew stormed the castle.
"I HAVE RETURNED!"Wapol roared.
Raja, sitting in a floating chair with a bowl of popcorn, raised an eyebrow. "Oh great, another sentient garbage heap."
Wapol minions attacked, only to get instantly zapped by Raja's Magic-Magic Thunder Party! spell, leaving them twitching on the floor.
"Man, that was satisfying," Raja chuckled. "Anyone else wanna try?"
Wapol then employs a different strategy, he eats Chess and Kuromimo. Using Baku Baku Devil Fruit Then turns into a house, and a combination of Chess and Kuromarimo emerges - Chessmarimo!
Chopper, meanwhile, took his Rumble Ball and wrecked Chessmarimo in seconds. Sanji tried to get up to fight, but Raja stopped him. "Relax, Blonde Simp. I got this."
"You guys want a fight? Then let's do this!"Chopper roared.
"Oho! Our future doctor has guts!"Raja laughed. "No need doctor I will take care of everything! Luffy, grab some popcorn, this is gonna be fun."
"OOH! I LOVE FIGHTS!" Luffy cheered, pulling out some actual popcorn from his pocket. "Wait… why do I have this?"
Chessmarimo, the newly merged horror of Chess and Kuromarimo, lunged at Raja. "WE WILL DESTROY YOU!"
Raja yawned. "Oh dear, that's cute."
In an instant, Raja ducked and delivered a Sunbeam Elbow Strike (Solar Flare) right into Chessmarimo's fuzzy chin, sending him spiraling through the air. Before he could recover, Raja finished with a precise Solar Tempest (Sunburst Kick), a rapid double-kick to his stomach, launching him straight into the castle wall.
"And that's a wrap on the opening act!" Raja dusted off his hands, looking at Wapol, who was now trembling.
"W-what kind of monster are you?!" Wapol stammered.
"Oh, please. I haven't even used my best move yet!" Raja grinned, stepping forward. "Lemme give you a taste of the real sun!"
Wapol, panicking, aimed his cannon and fired. Raja simply sidestepped, casually walking through the smoke.
"My turn."
Raja twisted his body, his fists glowing like molten gold.
"Sun Breathing: SOLAR FIST! GOLDEN EMBER!"
With a powerful, sunlit punch to the gut, Wapol's body bent in half like a deflated balloon before he was launched sky-high. His screams echoed across the island as he became a twinkling star in the sky.
"Look! A shooting star!"Luffy pointed up.
"That's not a shooting star, Luffy, that's just Wapol,"Sanji sighed.
"Well, still gonna make a wish. I wish for more meat!" Luffy grinned.
Chopper looked at Raja in awe. "That… was amazing."
"Naturally," Raja said smugly, flicking invisible dust from his shoulder. "Now, what's say we celebrate our new doctor joining the crew?"
Despite Kureha's protests (which involved her chasing Chopper with an axe while crying), the little reindeer finally made up his mind to join the Straw Hats.
As the crew prepared to leave, Raja whispered something to Kureha, and together they created a spectacle that made the entire island gasp.
Through magical cannons and enchanted pyrotechnics, a breath-taking vision of cherry blossoms in the snow filled the sky. The sight was enough to bring tears to the villagers' eyes, a final tribute to Dr. Hiriluk's dream.
"Don't worry, doc,"Raja said with a smile. "I'll make sure this little guy sees the world."
As the ship set sail, Raja leaned against the mast, watching the horizon. "Next stop, Arabasta! Where there's bound to be more chaos, more fun, and definitely more villains in need of a reality check!"
"YOSH! LET'S GO!"Luffy cheered.
To be continued.