Chapter 426: A littlete
With Wapols death, the citizens of Drum Ind came together to elect a new leader, Dalton
Dalton is a Devil Fruit user who could transform into a bison, rose to the throne as the new king. Though once a captain of Wapols guard, Dalton had betrayed his former leader, choosing to stand with the people of Drum Ind instead.
Unlike his predecessor, Dalton did not reside in the grand pce atop the mountain, instead opting to live among the people at the mountains base. But when the notorious ckbeard Piratesunched an attack on the ind, Dalton rallied the army, determined to put an end to their tyranny.
Unfortunately, Daltons strength was no match for the powerful pirates. He was easily defeated and left injured in the wake of the attack. The entire Drum Ind Kingdom was left defenseless against the ckbeard Pirates relentless rampage.
Teach, the ckbeard, set his sights on the mountain top pce as the destruction of the inds viges nearedpletion. He had heard of the pces location and was eager to go and see it. However, Teach, being unfamiliar with the ind, was unaware of the cables leading to the top of the mountain.
Upon realizing that the only way to reach the pce was to brave the harsh, snowy conditions on foot, Teach hesitated. The cold, wintery climate of Drum Ind was not something he relished facing. The idea of climbing the mountain, amidst the fierce storm was not an appealing one.
As Teach surveyed the destruction he and his crew had inflicted upon the viges, he couldnt help but feel a sense of satisfaction. His collection of interest had grown vast, and with a heartyugh, he and the ckbeard Pirates set about looting the viges for food and water before departing the ind.
As their ship sailed away, the wounded Dalton breathed a sigh of relief. He knew he had been lucky, for the ckbeard Pirates had not ventured up the mountain where the pce of the king resided. Inside, Dr. Kureha and Chopper had managed to evade the crews wrath.
The entire nation was in need of medical aid now that so many had been injured, and the famous 20 Drs were no exception. They too had been hurt during the ckbeard Pirates attack. But there was hope yet, for only Dr. Kureha had the skills to save them.
As the night set in, Kureha rode down the mountain on a sled pulled by Chopper, the wind and snow whipping past them. It was only then that she fully understood the extent of the pirates devastation. The mountain top was too far away, so it wasnt until they came down the mountain that Chopper and Dr. Kureha realized a band of ruthless pirates had descended upon their peaceful ind.
Why? Chopper queried, his voice tinged with confusion. Pirates are supposed to be the most romantic and free people on the sea. Why would they harm innocent vigers?
Kureha let out a sigh, her eyes falling upon the young reindeer. You are still so naive, Chopper, she said, her voice heavy with sadness. Pirates are not the romantic figures you believe them to be. They are ruthless, and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
It was Dr. Hiriluk who initially instilled in Chopper the belief that pirates were good people. Andter, when Ian appeared on the ind and defeated Wapol, it only solidified Choppers conviction.
Now he suddenly came into contact with such a vicious pirate group as ckbeard Pirates. No wonder Chopper was confused.
Dr. Kureha didnt say anything, instead, she and Chopper set to work healing the wounded.
As Kureha worked, Chopper grumbled, If only Ian-san was here. Hed definitely teach those vicious pirates a lesson
Just as things seemed to have settled down on Drum Ind, about ten days after the ckbeard Pirates attack, another pirate ship appeared on the outskirts of Drum Kingdoms waters.
The citizens, still on edge after the previous attack, immediately panicked at the sight of the ck g, fearing the return of the ckbeard Pirates. They quickly notified Dalton and mobilized arge group of militiamen to intercept the ship at the port.
But as the ship drew closer, they were shocked to see that the g was not that of the ckbeard Pirates, but of the Dragon Hunters!
Yes, Ian and his crew had finally arrived.
As the people of Drum Ind realized that the neers were none other than Ian and his crew, their spirits got lifted, and they quickly dropped their weapons to give these pirates the warmest of wees.
At first, Ian and Ace were taken aback by the reception, but as they began to survey the ind, they saw that the viges were in disarray, with many homes still in the process of being rebuilt. It was then that they realized something was amiss and began to inquire.
It was then that Ian realized they had arrived toote.
He remembered that historically, the ckbeard Pirates had indeed passed through Drum Ind, but with so many variables at y, he couldnt be sure if Teach would still take this route. Even though Ace had received word from the Whitebeard Pirates and they had set out for Drum Ind together, Ian was unsure of exactly when the ckbeard Pirates hadnded on the ind, and they had still missed their mark.
What irked Ian even more was that without Wapol, Teach had still managed to devastate the country, destroying many of its viges, all because they had hanged his own Pirate g.
It was then that Ian realized just how deep Teachs grudge against him truly ran
Im sorry, Ive caused you all so much suffering! Ian apologized to Dalton. The ckbeard Pirates group is our target of this hunt, and because of us, youve all been caught up in this tragedy
Dalton shook his head. Its not your fault, in fact, if it werent for our rash decision to use your g, we might not have drawn the ckbeard Pirates attention at all.
Ian didnt dwell on this problem any longer, instead he asked Dalton, How long has it been since they left?
About ten days ago, Dalton replied. If you intend to give chase, you must act swiftly.
Ian and Ace locked eyes, both silently acknowledging the gravity of the situation. They made a mental note to set sail as soon as possible.
Due to the generous feast the vigers had prepared in their honor, Ian and his crew couldnt bring themselves to depart immediately and instead lingered, savoring the delicious food and drink.
And just at that moment, Kureha and Chopper, who had received the news, rushed down from the mountain top.
As soon as Chopper saw Ian, he immediately leaped into his embrace.
Haha, Chopper! Ian eximed, holding him high in the air. Youre looking well!
Ian, I missed you so much! Chopper said, tears welling in his eyes.
Ian ruffled his head, But unfortunately, I cant stay here for long, I have to leave.
Are you going out to sea again? Chopper asked.
Yeah, Im pursuing a dangerous enemy, Ian replied. The ckbeard Pirates, so I cant stay long.
Choppers head drooped at his words, dejection etched upon his features.
Ian let out a chuckle, cing aforting arm around the young reindeer. Dont be like that, he said. Soon enough, you will find your own crew and set sail. And when you do, if you ever want toe to me, youll always be wee in my pirate crew.
Mymy crew? Choppers head lifted, his eyes alight with excitement and longing.
Ian nodded, for he couldnt help but think of the Straw Hat Pirates. Perhaps it wouldnt be long before they reached this ind too. With Luffys personality, he would definitely take Chopper as a crew member.
Chopper was a gifted doctor, and with him, the Straw Hat Pirates would have someone to heal them when they were injured, especially the reckless Sanji.
After a few more words with Chopper, Ian handed him over to Robin and Reiju.
Robin who was quite fond of cute things, had already spotted the fluffy Chopper, and although she didnt show it on her face, when Ian handed Chopper over to her, she smiled and hugged him, while chatting with Reiju.
Surrounded by the two beautiful women, Chopper felt both scared and yet, at the same time, reassured that they were partners of his brother, Ian. So, he stood there stiffly, listening to their words.
After they had finished eating and drinking, Ian and his crew decided it was time for them to depart. But before they left, Ian remembered something and turned to Dalton and said, Can I ask you a favor? If in the near future, a pirate named Luffy with a straw hates to this ind, can you tell him that well be waiting for him in basta?
Dalton did not refuse and simply nodded in agreement.
And with that message left behind, Ace and Ian left the Ind, continuing to pursue the ckbeard Pirates.