A Grass-type move, and three Normal-type moves.
That was the very first gift Red gave to Chopper!
As a "Pokémon" with the special Ability Pixilate, Chopper naturally possessed a far more flexible pool of potential moves than most.
And since Red didn't currently have any strong Grass-type or Ice-type TMs to give him…
He decided to take the next best route—teaching Chopper Fairy-type attacks instead.
However—
With Pixilate's special effect of turning Normal-type moves into Fairy-type while boosting their power by ×1.2, why would anyone choose actual Fairy-type moves over Normal-type ones?
So with no suitable TMs available, Red directly replaced all three of Chopper's empty move slots with Normal-type moves.
Compared to most elemental moves, Normal-type moves were a universal fit; as long as you had working limbs, there were almost no learning barriers.
After all—if the type had any defining features, who would willingly be Normal-type…?
Right, Luffy?
…
…
"R-Red, I… what's happening to me?"
The little Chopper, having just received a flood of move information, stared in confusion at his two dark hooves—suddenly feeling unfamiliar to himself.
Red, already used to seeing this exact expression from new partners, simply smiled and placed a hand atop Chopper's hat, rubbing twice.
"Let's go."
"You must have a lot of questions right now, but that's fine."
"Very soon, you'll understand the correct way to use your power in this world."
…
…
One hour later.
"Chopper! Dodge, then use Tri Attack!!!"
On Route 8 beside Celadon City, Red suddenly shouted.
Chopper—now in Heavy Point, resembling a burly man—reacted instantly and answered:
"…Okay!"
At the moment his voice fell, he leapt back, narrowly evading a Growlithe's Ember. Then he raised both hands and formed a triangle with his fingers.
In an instant, flames, lightning, and frost—three completely different energies—blazed into existence in Chopper's palms and began rapidly condensing.
But right as the attacks completed their charge, another surge of mystical power erupted within Chopper's body, wrapping the three energies together—
Pixilate's Fairy-type enhancement!
Under the influence of this special energy, what should have been three straight beams suddenly curved—smooth, graceful, unpredictable.
The three rays launched in three different directions, then twisted mid-air into irregular arcs, homing toward the Growlithe.
Staring at the bizarre trajectory, Growlithe froze—unable to decide which direction to dodge.
And by the time it realized it was in danger—
It was far too late!
BOOM!!!
Flames seared, lightning pierced, frost froze—
All three forces crashed onto Growlithe at once and detonated violently.
The special effects hadn't even finished taking hold before Growlithe's eyes rolled back and it collapsed, losing all ability to fight.
"Nice work, Chopper."
Seeing Chopper's EXP bar surge by more than 300 points—overflowing completely—Red let out a satisfied smile.
At the same time, a mysterious glow began to shine from Chopper's body.
The newly leveled-up Chopper stared down at himself in disbelief.
"Red! I… I think I just got stronger again!?"
"Is this also the power of the Pokémon world!?"
Still in Heavy Point, he blinked at Red with wide, questioning eyes.
Red simply chuckled calmly.
"Of course."
"Believe me—the wonders of this world go far deeper than anything you've seen."
"What you're experiencing now is only the beginning."
"All right. It's still early. Let's continue training here today."
"O-oh~!"
Chopper didn't fully understand what Red meant, but he still answered obediently.
Even if this form wasn't cute at all…
For the rest of their gaming session, Red continued grinding EXP with Chopper along Route 8.
Because the Pokémon here were the perfect density and level for new Straw Hat members to train against, Red had practically lived here the past few sessions.
He already knew everything there was to know about Route 8.
By the time Red and Chopper exited the game world after half a day of battles, Chopper's level had risen from 26 to 29!
And with the four moves he had already mastered through practice, his strength had undergone a dramatic leap!
Of course, as a doctor himself, what Chopper cared about more was the medical technology of the Pokémon world.
But the moment Red placed him inside the Pokémon Center's healing machine—and he watched the strange device circle him twice, followed by all his exhaustion and depleted energy returning instantly—
Chopper's mind completely blue-screened.
…
…
"You two are finally awake!"
Inside a quiet room of the castle—
The moment Red and Chopper opened their eyes, Kureha—who had been guarding them for quite a while—lifted a hand in greeting.
Although Red had given her a basic explanation before entering the Pokémon world together…
Watching the two suddenly faint on command, eyes shutting instantly, still made her uneasy.
If her X-ray-like eyes hadn't noticed Chopper's body giving off faint positive reactions at regular intervals…
She would've forcibly terminated their connection long ago.
"Doctorine!"
The moment he woke up, Chopper reverted to his adorable Brain Point form.
He leapt off the bed with sparkling enthusiasm, eager to tell Kureha everything he had experienced.
But before he could speak, Red's chest suddenly sounded a deep "buru-buru~".
"Hm?"
Red took out the small Transponder Snail from his pocket and answered.
"Hello? Red speaking?"
"Is everything… going smoothly on your end?"
Vivi's voice emerged from the other side.
Although she tried her best to sound calm, Red could immediately pick up on the urgency and anxiety beneath her tone.
"What happened?"
"Is something going on in Alabasta?"
Red rose from the bed as he spoke into the snail.
"…"
There was a brief silence before Vivi finally replied:
"Nothing too serious."
"It's just—just now, Igaram sent word that he spotted MR. 2's personal ship near Alabasta…"
"I suspect Crocodile may be preparing to move, so I…"
Her voice trailed off, filled with guilt.
After everything the Straw Hats had already done for her—
Calling them again over an uncertain report…
She felt she had no right to.
But she couldn't help it.
Every time she pictured the suffering of her people, her heart refused to calm.
"I understand."
Red didn't blame her at all—he only responded gently:
"Don't worry. Without Robin coordinating the plan, and without Mr. 13 and the others relaying intelligence—"
"Crocodile alone won't be able to execute things smoothly."
"Alabasta is still safe for now."
Standing by the wall, Red glanced at Chopper—who was happily gesturing as he described the Pokémon world to Kureha—and added:
"I'll talk to Luffy about setting sail early."
"At worst…"
"After defeating Crocodile, we can loop back here again."
"…Th-thank you… Red…"
Vivi's voice broke into soft sobs.
Fortunately Nami was beside her at the moment; the call ended soon after she comforted Vivi.
…
…
Inside the castle, Red stared down at the silent Transponder Snail.
His eyes flickered with countless thoughts.
"So the timeline is accelerating?"
"It seems keeping Robin aboard the Merry has made Crocodile wary."
"Still… everything is within expectations."
Ever since entering the Grand Line, Red had done countless things that diverged from the original timeline.
Butterfly effects were inevitable.
But—
"To think Crocodile dares summon his agents even without Robin~"
"You sure are bold, Crocodile."
Red's lips curved upward—pleased with the timely development.
At this moment, not even Vivi could imagine:
Red's desire to reach Alabasta quickly…
Was even stronger than hers—the princess of the kingdom.
…
…
Evening.
After dinner, sitting at the round table, Red briefed Luffy and the crew about the situation in Alabasta.
"I see…"
Even Luffy grew uncharacteristically serious at the mention of a nation and its people suffering.
He pouted unhappily:
"That damn Warlord~! Why'd he have to start trouble now?"
"But… we can't help it. Vivi is our friend."
"If we're late, she'll be heartbroken!"
"In that case, we should sail to her country first, and once it's over—"
"We'll come back and let Chopper join our crew!"
"No need!"
Suddenly, an unexpected voice cut Luffy off.
The dining room door was violently kicked open from outside.
Kureha strode in, withdrawing her long leg as she entered—
Holding a bewildered Chopper under one arm.
"W-wait! Doctorine! Where are you taking me!?"
Chopper flailed helplessly as she marched inside.
And the next moment—She hurled him into the air.
His small body traced an arc—
Landing perfectly in the center of the dining table like a freshly delivered dish.
"This kid—he's yours now!"
At once—
Two shocked voices overlapped inside the room:
"EH!?"
Luffy and Chopper sprang to their feet in unison.
Luffy: "Are you serious!?"
Chopper: "What are you talking about, Doctorine!?"
"Of course I'm serious."Kureha snorted, completely ignoring Chopper's protests as she addressed the Straw Hats:
"That bastard Hiruluk dumped this burden on me without a word back then."
"I've been wanting to get rid of him for years!"
"You all arrived at the perfect time! Since you're not disgusted by this brat who only inherited 80% of my medical skill…"
"Then take him!"
"And you, brat!"
She suddenly turned toward Red, tossing him the Super Potion he had left behind.
"I've already analyzed most of this medicine."
"It looks like water, but contains an absurd concentration of incredibly potent healing compounds."
"Unbelievable that something with this level of solubility even exists."
"Anyway—the remaining research doesn't require my skill. Let Chopper handle it."
"This is the full report I compiled. Take it!"
She also threw over a backpack—the same as Chopper's hat with an X on it.
Without giving anyone a chance to respond, Kureha spun on her heel and strode out.
Because she knew—
If she turned around now, the tears already brimming in her eyes…
Would fall where Chopper could see them.
And she absolutely refused to become a chain holding him back from the sea.
Even though they'd only spent a single day together…
She had already realized—
This pirate crew was anything but ordinary.
A captain wearing that same straw hat, with the same carefree spirit — Luffy.
A mysterious boy whose strange power boosted Chopper's physical ability within a single day—Red.
The World Government-hunted "Devil Child," Ohara's surviving scholar—Nico Robin.
And a Marine Captain living and training alongside pirates—Smoker.
Not to mention the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates waiting below the mountain—
Even with her 139 years of experience, Kureha couldn't imagine how such a group came together.
"If you travel with people like this…"
"I know you'll be happy, Chopper~"
With that thought, Kureha resolutely entrusted him to the Straw Hats.
She trusted her own judgment.
And she trusted Chopper's destiny.
(End of Chapter)