Chapter 125: Perfect Revolutionary Soil, Chopper's Heart Is Moved (Patreon)

Half an hour later, Dalton sat beside the bonfire where Moren was, slowly drinking hot soup.

The aroma of the food spread through his mouth, and the rising steam drove away the cold from his body.

While chewing on a piece of meat, he couldn't help but look at Moren beside him with a complicated and indescribable gaze.

This man, with a bounty nearing 300,000,000 Berries, had killed a Warlord and attacked the Marines. He was the standard example of a "vicious criminal."

Yet at this moment, he was acting like an ordinary warm-hearted tourist, sharing food here and even helping the villagers organize a bonfire feast.

The huge contrast made Dalton's mind struggle to process everything.

"What are you looking at? Is there a flower on my face?"

Moren seemed to notice his gaze and turned his head. His face still carried that same unreadable smile.

Dalton was stunned by the question. He awkwardly lowered his head, and after a few seconds, he took a deep breath before raising his head again.

With guilt and a hint of self-mockery in his deep voice, he said:

"...I'm sorry. Before this, I thought you were no different from pirates, that you had come here to plunder and harm the civilians..."

Through brief conversations with several familiar villagers, he had already learned the general situation.

Moren's group had indeed "intruded" onto the island, but they had actually come because they had heard of its reputation. They wanted to see what this winter island famous for medicine was like and take a good look around.

However, after arriving, they discovered that Drum Island was no longer the medical paradise from the rumors.

Not only had the level of medical care declined drastically, but the people's lives had also become difficult and impoverished.

So, while Dr. Kureha was treating the patients who had gathered there, Moren had also lit a bonfire and taken out large amounts of food and drinks to distribute among these poor villagers.

That was how this bizarre scene of "invaders" and "victims" happily enjoying themselves together had come to be.

Friendly, warm-hearted, generous...

How did this look like a vicious criminal with a bounty nearing 300,000,000 Berries?

He was practically like a chivalrous hero who helped the weak and aided those in need.

In comparison, he, the guard captain who had claimed he came to protect his homeland, had almost brought weapons to drive away this rare moment of warmth.

The shame he felt was immense.

Moren simply waved his hand.

"Don't apologize. It was just a small thing."

One reason was because he pitied these villagers.

The other reason was that he wanted to build a good relationship with Dr. Kureha and Chopper, making it easier for him to "lure" the reindeer onto his ship later.

And indeed, after only this short time, their relationship had already become much closer.

Although Dr. Kureha had seen through his intentions, she had not clearly refused. Perhaps she was mainly leaving the choice to Chopper.

And Chopper...

He was currently chatting with Robin, being held in Nami's arms, while allowing Baccarat to rub and play with him without showing any resistance.

He already seemed much more relaxed, and things were progressing very smoothly.

"Speaking of which," Dalton suddenly remembered something.

"It was His Majesty Wapol who ordered me to lead the guards here to drive you out... uh, I mean, to ask you to leave in order to protect the safety of the citizens."

He repeated Wapol's righteous-sounding speech, including the promise that he would consider abolishing some harsh laws after the mission was completed.

While saying this, there was still a trace of hope on his face, although that hope was already wavering under the weight of the absurd reality before him.

After hearing him, Moren's smile became somewhat strange.

He looked Dalton up and down.

That gaze... It was as if he were looking at a naive fool.

"You actually believed that?"

Moren's tone was filled with disbelief.

"Come on, if that fat pig of a king truly cared about the safety of his citizens, how could he have done so many brainless things and issued those ridiculous laws that tormented people?"

Dalton's face turned pale.

He wanted to argue, but he found himself unable to say anything, because all of these were facts, and he knew them better than anyone.

Moren took a sip of his drink and continued in a leisurely, mocking tone:

"I'd bet that bastard has already taken his trusted followers and escaped. He sent you here just to use you as a shield and buy himself time."

"As for abolishing the laws? Heh, if he really wanted to abolish them, why didn't he do it long ago? He was just feeding you empty promises to make you risk your life for him."

"Once we leave, or once you are killed by us, he will return openly and continue being his own little emperor. Who will remember what he promised you?"

Moren was not as naive as Dalton.

From what he had heard, he immediately knew that Wapol had done the same thing as when Blackbeard attacked in the original story: the moment he heard that Moren had arrived, he fled.

"No... impossible! His Majesty, he..."

Dalton felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He suddenly stood up, his face completely pale.

Deep down, he had already been disappointed in Wapol for a long time.

However, his loyalty to the throne and that final bit of hope that "perhaps the king could change" were what had supported him until now.

But at this moment, Moren's words had completely shattered his foolish illusion.

"What's impossible? His own life is the only thing that matters to him. Looks like he even knows how much everyone hates him..."

Moren let out a mocking laugh.

Then, he touched his chin with some annoyance and secretly thought:

"Seriously, when did I start getting treated the same way Blackbeard was? He hears that I arrived and immediately runs away? Am I really that frightening?"

Complaining aside, Moren's thoughts continued moving quickly.

He stroked his chin, his eyes flickering.

"However, he can run away for now, but he can't run forever..."

His gaze swept over the villagers around him.

Although they were temporarily happy, the shadows left by their long years of hardship could still be seen between their brows.

Then, he looked at the upright yet blindly loyal guard captain before him.

A new idea gradually began to take shape in his mind.

"He'll come back eventually. He just can't give up his throne and wealth."

Moren's tone became playful.

"But that's only his own wishful thinking. Things won't develop the way he expects."

Dalton still had not fully recovered from the shock of "the king has escaped." He looked at Moren blankly.

Seeing this, Moren reached out and patted his shoulder.

"Forget about that fat pig of a king. From now on, Drum Island might not even have a king anymore."

"Wh-what do you mean?" Dalton was completely confused.

Abolishing the monarchy?

This was something completely unimaginable according to the education and beliefs he had received since childhood.

"It means this place needs reform. A king who refuses to act like a king, citizens who can no longer survive, resentment boiling over..."

Moren's face revealed an expectant smile.

"Is there any better revolutionary soil than this?"

Before Dalton could digest this explosive information, Moren directly reached into his clothes and pulled out a strange-looking Den Den Mushi.

The Den Den Mushi's shell had a red top hat and tea-colored glasses, making it look somewhat similar to Belo Betty's appearance.

"Hello? Belo Betty? It's me, Moren."

Moren spoke into the Den Den Mushi.

"Yeah, I have some good news for you..."

"I found a very interesting place. Have you heard of the Drum Kingdom? Yes, the one famous for medicine."

"However, the current king is a fat tyrant who has turned the country into a complete mess. The people are suffering, and the medical system has collapsed... Yes, it's a typical case of oppression. The seeds of resistance have definitely already been planted. All it lacks is a spark and someone reliable to take over."

"I think your Revolutionary Army should be interested in this place. The king just heard that I came here and immediately ran away. The country is currently experiencing a power vacuum."

"This is a rare opportunity. Send people here to take charge. Organize the citizens, establish a new order, restore production and medical care..."

"You should know that this place is a perfect testing ground for your revolutionary ideals. It can also allow you to place a useful foothold in the first half of the Grand Line."

"Me? I'll wait here for a few more days."

"You're coming? Wait, aren't you the Eastern Army Commander? What are you doing coming to the Grand Line?"

"You miss me... Fine, just don't end up begging for mercy later..."

"Oh, right. There is a guard captain here named Dalton. He is a very upright person, but a little stubborn. He knows the local situation and the citizens well, so he would be a good person to assist you. When you arrive, you can contact him."

"Alright, come as soon as possible. It's freezing here, and I want to take my new ship's doctor to the next destination sooner!"

Using the same casual tone one might use while chatting normally, Moren had just spoken words that were enough to overthrow an entire country's regime.

Then, in front of Dalton and several guards nearby who were already completely stunned, he calmly hung up the Den Den Mushi.

"Done." Moren tucked the Den Den Mushi back into his coat with a satisfied smile.

Seeing Dalton completely frozen, Moren patted his shoulder cheerfully.

"Don't just stand there, Captain Dalton. Start thinking about how you'll become a good mayor, or whatever kind of administrator you end up becoming, and lead the people toward a better life. Of course, the prerequisite is that you cooperate with the Revolutionary Army's work."

The bonfire crackled, and the aroma of food still lingered in the air.

But at this moment, Dalton only felt as if the world was spinning around him.

The king had escaped?

The Revolutionary Army was coming?

The monarchy would be abolished?

He might become... mayor?

The amount of information was simply too much, and his brain completely shut down.

The villagers and guards who had overheard fragments of the conversation wore expressions mixed with shock, confusion, and a faint trace of unbelievable...

Hope?

To be honest, after experiencing Wapol's tyranny, the people's expectations for a new leader were already extremely low.

They did not even need it to be a human.

Even if it was just a pig tied to the throne, as long as it did not cause chaos and interfere with everyone's lives, it would already be an improvement.

After all, Drum Island had once been a famous place throughout the Grand Line.

Yet now, it had fallen so far that it looked no different from a poor and remote village.

While Dalton's mind was still reeling from the series of explosive revelations, Moren had already returned to his overturned wooden crate as if nothing had happened.

Nearby, Dr. Kureha, who was already quite drunk, took another gulp of alcohol.

Her face was flushed, and she let out a drunken burp.

Her eyes seemed blurred with intoxication, yet they remained surprisingly clear.

She looked at Chopper, who was chatting with Robin and the others beside the bonfire, and the lines on her face softened slightly.

"Hmph... this kid actually looks quite happy..."

Dr. Kureha snorted softly.

Her gaze returned to Moren's face, carrying a hint of scrutiny as well as a trace of acceptance.

"Moren, if Chopper is willing to leave with you, I won't object. This kid has always longed for the outside world..."

"Only by seeing more and learning more can he achieve his dream..."

She had lived for more than a century.

She had seen countless kinds of people: the good and the bad, the sincere and the hypocritical, the ambitious and those who simply drifted with the current.

Although these "adventurers" had a unique way of doing things, after drinking and chatting with them, observing how they interacted with each other and how they treated the villagers, she had already reached her conclusion.

Compared to foolish pirates who only plundered and destroyed, these people clearly had more principles and valued bonds more deeply.

Moreover, they possessed enough strength to protect their companions on the dangerous seas.

Chopper would indeed be stepping onto a road filled with unknowns and dangers if he followed them.

However, he would also be able to see a much wider world and pursue his dream, instead of remaining on this island and staying by her side.

Moren's smile became genuine as he raised the bottle in his hand toward Dr. Kureha.

"Thank you, Dr. Kureha. I promise we'll treat Chopper as a partner and family."

"See that you do."

Dr. Kureha clinked her bottle against his, raised her head, and finished the drink. She casually tossed the empty bottle aside.

"Otherwise, even if I'm over a hundred years old, I can still make you brats understand what the fury of a 'witch' looks like."

With Dr. Kureha's clear approval, Moren felt completely reassured.

He stood up and walked toward Chopper, who was still surrounded by Robin, Nami, and Baccarat.

"Talking about something fun?"

Moren naturally joined the group and sat down beside Chopper.

"M-Mr. Moren!" Chopper tensed up and instinctively shrank back, but Moren gently held his small shoulder.

"Dr. Chopper." Moren deliberately used the title.

"Robin tells me your medical knowledge is impressive. You even know the answers to some obscure questions."

"I-it's nothing! I still have so much to learn!"

Chopper felt embarrassed by the praise, but being called "Doctor" made him feel warm inside. His tense body relaxed slightly.

"Don't be modest..."

Moren began using his "talent" for recruiting people.

Instead of directly inviting him, he started vividly describing their adventures along the way.

These adventure stories were especially effective on children. Just as Vivi had been captivated by Moren's stories before, Chopper was no exception.

He was completely absorbed, even forgetting to lick his favorite lollipop.

His round eyes widened, filled with sparkling wonder and curiosity.

"A-and then? What happened next?"

During Moren's brief pause, Chopper could not help but ask, unconsciously grabbing the hem of his coat.

Moren grinned and continued his story with enthusiasm.

Robin added details with a gentle smile, while Nami and Baccarat joined in, describing the excitement and fun of their adventures.

Before long, Chopper was completely immersed in the magnificent adventure world Moren had painted, a world full of unknowns and challenges.

For a reindeer who had always lived on Drum Island, who longed for recognition and wished to help others through his medical skills, such a life was like a dream.

Nearby, Dr. Kureha quietly sipped her drink, watching as Chopper went from being shy and guarded at first, to gradually relaxing, then becoming completely captivated.

The light in his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

That light was curiosity, longing, and a thirst for the unknown.

Although she felt deep reluctance and worry in her heart, it was outweighed by relief and anticipation.

She raised her head and finished the last of her drink.

The fiery liquid burned her throat and concealed the faint dampness in her eyes that was nearly impossible to notice.

However, a relieved smile slowly spread across her lips.