Chapter 27: The Blue-Nosed Reindeer and the Human-Human Fruit
[SYSTEM MISSION: UNDERSTAND CHOPPER'S ABILITIES. RECOMMENDED ACTION: ENGINEER DEATH. ACQUISITION: BASIC ZOOLOGY / MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE (MINOR). SECONDARY GOAL: GAIN CHOPPER'S TRUST.]
"Chopper. The Human-Human Fruit user. This is a chance to gain insight into zoan Devil Fruits and medical science. 'Basic Zoology' would be useful for understanding animal behavior, or 'Medical Knowledge' for healing. I need to get hit by Chopper's various forms, particularly his Monster Point if possible, to understand the transformations and their impact. This is about understanding biological mutation and healing. Time to become a very willing test subject, and then come back with a deeper understanding of biology and perhaps a knack for healing."
At Dr. Kureha's castle, the Straw Hats met Tony Tony Chopper, the blue-nosed reindeer who had eaten the Human-Human Fruit and was Dr. Kureha's apprentice. Chopper, initially shy and distrustful of humans, possessed the ability to transform into various forms using his Rumble Ball, including the monstrous Monster Point.
Luffy, of course, was immediately fascinated by Chopper and wanted him to join the crew as their doctor. Chopper, however, was hesitant, still scarred by his past experiences.
My compass, which had been pointing towards Alabasta, now pulsed with a unique, biological energy, reacting to Chopper's unusual nature. A new system prompt, emphasizing biological understanding and Devil Fruit transformations, appeared in my mind.
[SYSTEM MISSION: UNDERSTAND CHOPPER'S ABILITIES. RECOMMENDED ACTION: ENGINEER DEATH. ACQUISITION: BASIC ZOOLOGY / MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE (MINOR). SECONDARY GOAL: GAIN CHOPPER'S TRUST.]
"Chopper. A Zoan Devil Fruit user. This is a prime opportunity for a biological skill. 'Basic Zoology' would be useful for understanding creatures and their forms. Or 'Medical Knowledge' for healing and understanding anatomy. I need to get hit by Chopper in his various forms, especially his more powerful ones, to truly understand the impact of his transformations and the nature of his Devil Fruit. This is about understanding biological mutation and the limits of a transformed body. Time to become a very willing test subject, and then come back with a deeper understanding of biology and perhaps a knack for healing."
"Chopper, my friend!" I said, approaching the shy reindeer. "Your transformations are simply fascinating! A true marvel of biological engineering! Would you mind demonstrating them for me? For… science?"
Chopper, startled, transformed into his Heavy Point, a large, human-like form. "W-what?! Why would I do that?!"
"For knowledge, my dear doctor!" I insisted, then deliberately provoked him, making silly faces and calling him names. "You're just a fluffy little badger! A tiny, adorable, fluffy badger!"
Chopper, enraged, transformed into his Guard Point, then his Horn Point, and finally, after consuming a Rumble Ball, into his monstrous Monster Point. He became a towering, rampaging beast, losing all control.
"This is it. Monster Point. The ultimate form. I need to get hit by his full, uncontrolled power, to experience the raw, overwhelming force of a Zoan Devil Fruit gone wild. This is a death by overwhelming, monstrous blunt force, a complete biological devastation. It will teach me about Zoan transformations and the limits of a living body."
As Chopper rampaged, I deliberately put myself in his path, drawing his furious attention. He roared, his massive, clawed hand swinging down with incredible force. I didn't resist. The blow was colossal, smashing me into the ground with the force of a small earthquake. My Gum-Gum body stretched and absorbed some of the impact, but the sheer, unbridled power of Monster Point was too much. My bones shattered, my organs ruptured, and my body was utterly pulverized into a bloody mess. My consciousness was extinguished in a flash of blinding, agonizing pain, utterly annihilated by the monstrous force.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: DEATH RECORDED. KILLER: TONY TONY CHOPPER (MONSTER POINT). ABILITY ACQUIRED: BASIC ZOOLOGY. REVIVAL INITIATING. PLEASE WAIT.]
"Basic Zoology! Excellent! This is going to be incredibly useful for understanding all the strange creatures of the Grand Line, and especially Zoan Devil Fruit users. I can feel it – an intuitive understanding of animal behavior, anatomy, and even the subtle shifts of a transformed body. And I got to experience being pulverized by a giant reindeer! What a unique experience. Time to pop back up and show Chopper that I'm not afraid of his 'monster' form."
I gasped, sitting upright, perfectly whole and unharmed, lying on the ground near the still-ramaging Monster Point Chopper. My body felt no pain, but my mind was alight with new information. I could instinctively understand Chopper's various forms, the subtle shifts in his physiology, and even the underlying animal instincts that drove him.
Luffy, who had been trying to calm Chopper, stared at my sudden reappearance.
"Adam! You're alive!" Luffy cheered, completely unfazed. "You came back!"
"Just taking a quick lesson in advanced biology, Captain!" I said, standing up and brushing off my clothes, feeling surprisingly calm even in the presence of the rampaging beast. "Very enlightening! Turns out, reindeer can be quite… impactful. And I think I understand our doctor friend a little better now."
I then approached the rampaging Chopper, not with fear, but with a newfound understanding. My Basic Zoology allowed me to instinctively read his movements, predict his attacks, and even sense the underlying distress in his monstrous form. I helped Luffy calm him down, eventually leading to Chopper joining the crew. My new ability would prove invaluable in understanding the diverse and often dangerous wildlife of the Grand Line.