Summary:
Hiriluk vowed to somehow make the cherry blossoms bloom in the Drum Kingdom, a miracle he was sure would save the nation. Kureha was skeptical, but Hiriluk was certain that the vision would save his people, just as he was convinced that they had saved him.
In the present, Chopper is sitting at Drum Castle after Luffy’s fight with Wapol is over, reflecting on his time with the Doctor and thinking about his Jolly Roger. He also remembers Hiriluk once telling him that he should go out to sea sometime to see how small his problems really are. He is soon found by Luffy, who continues to pursue Chopper to become part of the crew.
Dr. Kureha gathers the wounded, including Dalton, Sanji, and Nami, and returns them to the room. She roughly deals with Sanji’s back, which he re-injured in battle. He then asks Dalton for the key to the castle’s armory. Dalton says Wapol had the key and probably flew with it. Nami speaks up, eager to negotiate payment terms. She asks Kureha to waive medical fees for the crew and immediately release her and Sanji. Kureha demands all the treasure and supplies on the Going Merry as payment and that they stay two more days to fully recover. Nami then reveals the armory key she took from Wapolo during their encounter. Kureha takes the key and agrees to waive the payment. Even though she says she has to stay in the castle, she tells Nami that she has a coat in her room and that there are no guards. He also says that Sanji’s treatment is complete and allows her to leave with him if she chooses to.
Chopper finally returns to the roof and thinks he gave Luffy the slip. He thinks it’s best not to join the pirates. He then hears Luffy calling to him from below. Zoro and Usopp are convinced that Chopper doesn’t want to go, but Chopper actually does. Chopper finally jumps down and confronts Luffy as Nami and Vivi drag Sanji out of the castle. Chopper tries to explain that he can never be in Luffy’s crew because he’s a reindeer, a blue nose, and a monster, even though he really wants to be a pirate. When he invites Luffy to go back in time, Luffy calls for Chopper to shut up and go with him anyway. Chopper is moved to tears, he finally has friends who don’t care that he’s different. The others smile, except for Sanji, who is still unconscious, and Zora, who says that yelling “shut up” is no way to make friends.
The Straw Hats give Chopper some time to say goodbye to Kureha while Usopp and Luffy prepare the Drum Ropeway. Kureha is in the armory overseeing the soldiers moving the cannons outside. He returns to the room to find only Dalton there, who confirms that the others have left. Chopper finds her there and tells her that he is leaving to become the straw pirates doctor. She scolds him, accusing him of not being grateful for her training. Chopper says he’s every bit as manly as a reindeer, but Kureha starts throwing her fancy arms at him, saying she’ll only leave if she gets away with it. Chopper runs away and Kureha chases him through the castle.
As she runs, Nami thinks about the commotion that is growing in the castle. Chopper goes to the Walk Point and hitches up to Kureh’s sled. Kureha yells at him as he drives out of the castle that he is following a crazy fantasy just like Hiriluk. Chopper thinks he’s wrong because Hiriluk finished his research before he died. He calls for the Straw Hats to get on the sled, arriving just as Usopp finishes preparing the cable car. Nearby villagers look to the sky and find what appears to be a flying reindeer. In reality, Chopper is running down the ropeway with Kureh’s sled and straw hats pulling Luffy behind him. During his medical training, Chopper reflects on happier times as he runs away. Sanji arrives as they reach the ground and runs towards the shore. Kureha watches from the top of the cable car and Dalton joins her. She says her pet just ran away and she just doesn’t like long goodbyes. She tells Dalton to join her using the collected cannons so she can send Chopper and the Straw Hats off.
Chopper wonders if Hiriluk really completed his research or if he was just lying to make Chopper feel better at the end of his life. A flashback shows Hiriluk explaining his research to Kure. People outside Drum Castle are firing cannons, leaving the villagers wondering if the battle is still going on. Chopper stops and watches something incredible happen. Hiriluk explained that the dust he created would color the snow, turning it pink. Shot above a mountain, it makes the mountain look like a gigantic sakura tree, with the snow looking like falling petals. Kureha still doesn’t understand what Hiriluk was thinking. Chopper cried when he saw the results of his father figure’s work. The people of the kingdom are also moved and Kureha gives Chopper a final goodbye.