Chapter 127: Chopper's Decision, The Revolutionary Army Arrives (Patreon)

The inside of the castle was even more spacious and chaotic than it had appeared from the outside.

Clearly, when Wapol had fled, he'd taken his trusted subordinates and doctors, along with some treasure. But in his haste, he couldn't carry much, so most of it remained.

Beyond that, traces of a hurried retreat could be seen everywhere: half-eaten meals left on tables and chairs, expensive clothes carelessly discarded, gold and silver vessels scattered about.

None of that mattered, though. What mattered were the treasures that had been left behind inside the castle itself.

Nami and Baccarat were like mice that had fallen into a rice jar, their eyes blazing with excitement.

With Baccarat's "luck guidance" and Nami's "treasure radar" pinpointing their exact locations, they quickly found the Drum Kingdom's royal treasury and Wapol's private collection room.

Gold coins, gemstones, antiques, all kinds of artworks, treasures beyond counting. Nami and Baccarat were overjoyed.

"We're rich!!!" Nami hugged a crown set with a massive sapphire, her eyes practically disappearing into crescents of delight.

Baccarat was more interested in an exquisitely crafted antique necklace, holding it up to the light to admire it. "Hmm, a bit flashy, but the craftsmanship is excellent, and the gems are quite valuable."

Robin didn't join the "treasure hunt." What interested her more were the castle's library and archives.

They were thick with dust, and many texts had been discarded by Wapol like trash, tossed into corners. Medical texts, geographical records, historical documents. To her, the value of this knowledge far outweighed gold and silver.

Moren stayed by their side, casually looking around to see if anything caught his interest, such as swords or other collectibles.

Unfortunately, Wapol, or rather the previous kings of Drum Island, had always been simple and down-to-earth in their collections. Most of what they had amassed was gold and silver, while swords and the like were few and far between.

The only antique blade there was a relic in the literal sense, so rusted that it couldn't even be drawn from its scabbard. It was completely worthless.

Elsewhere, Dalton was still diligently serving as a "tour guide," leading Dr. Kureha and Chopper through the various rooms, explaining the layout and functions.

Kureha walked through, criticizing everything without the slightest bit of restraint. "This room is too dark for a surgery! That one has poor ventilation; medicines would get moldy here! This wall should be knocked through; it would make a great lab!"

"What's this garbage? Get that idiot king's bed out of here and replace it with something practical..."

Chopper followed behind, his little hooves clicking softly against the polished marble floors.

He looked around the grand, unfamiliar building with curiosity. Everything here was completely different from the small wooden cabin that carried the scent of herbs and timber.

He would occasionally stop and glance at Dr. Kureha, as if he wanted to say something, yet couldn't bring himself to speak.

Kureha noticed his looks, but pretended not to, continuing to criticize the room layouts as if she were wholly absorbed in planning the layout of her new residence.

Over the next two days, Drum Castle became the adventure crew's temporary base. Moren and his group didn't rush to leave, partly waiting for word from the Revolutionary Army, and partly giving Chopper time.

When the villagers learned that the king had fled and the "Witch Doctor" Kureha had "moved into" the castle, a wave of panic swept through them.

But with Dalton's reassurance and the distribution of some of the castle's food stores, the panic gradually subsided, replaced by a strange mix of uncertainty and faint hope.

Following Moren's advice, Dalton began organizing the people, distributing supplies, maintaining basic order, and beginning to sort through the palace's supplies and resources and make proper plans for their use, with the goal of improving the villagers' lives.

Chopper remained deeply troubled. He helped treat the wounded and assisted Dr. Kureha when needed, but more often than not, he would climb alone to the tallest tower and stare out at the endless sea.

On the third evening, as Chopper was watching the sunset from the tower once again, Dr. Kureha climbed up carrying a cup of warm milk.

"Still haven't made up your mind?" Kureha handed the milk to Chopper, her voice softer than usual, less sharp and gentler.

Chopper took the cup and sipped it slowly, nodding. His blue nose twitched. "Dr. Kureha... I... I don't know."

"I really want to go with Moren and the others, to save more people, to learn more medicine... but I don't want to leave you behind either. I don't want to leave this place..."

His voice grew quieter, and he began to sniffle.

Kureha was silent for a moment. Then she reached out, placed her hand on Chopper's furry head, and ruffled it firmly. "You fool."

"You have your talent, your dream. This island, this country, and even I am not the place where your journey ends."

"The sea is vast and dangerous, but it is also fascinating and full of wonders."

She paused, looking into his eyes. "Go with them. They're strong enough, and they truly respect you. They'll be good partners."

Tears finally spilled from Chopper's eyes. He threw himself into Kureha's arms and sobbed openly. She patted his back gently and said no more.

The next morning, Chopper appeared at the breakfast table with red-rimmed but determined eyes.

"Please let me be your partner! I want to go on adventures with you, to become a doctor who can help more people!" Chopper said very seriously, looking at Moren with firm resolve.

"Welcome aboard, Chopper! From now on, we're partners!" Moren said with a smile.

Nami cheered and scooped Chopper into her arms. Baccarat also rubbed his head. Robin welcomed him with a warm smile and pinned a small flower to his hat.

Feeling the warmth of his new companions, Chopper twisted himself into a noodle from embarrassment.

Another member had joined the Collector Adventure Crew!

That same afternoon, the Revolutionary Army's ship appeared at Drum Island's harbor.

As the ship docked, a group of people dressed differently but moving with strict discipline quickly disembarked, spreading out to scout the surroundings and secure the area.

Then a tall, striking woman stepped off the ship, dressed in a deep red trench coat, a cigarette dangling from her lips. It was Belo Betty.

Beside her walked an even more eye-catching figure: an exceptionally tall man in a dark green cloak, his face hidden beneath its hood, with only a sharply defined jawline showing a cold, rigid look.

Just standing there, he gave off an indescribable feeling of pressure and mystery.

His presence was as steady as a mountain, and from a distance, Dalton tensed immediately, instinctively gripping his sword hilt.

Every instinct in him told him that this man was extremely dangerous!