Private ConversationAfter everyone finished telling Nami what she had missed—Wapol captured, SCP-999 found, the climb up the mountain—I quietly slipped out of the room.
I approached Doctor Kureha, who was watching the scene with amusement.
"Doctor," I whispered softly. "I'd like to speak with you. In private."
She looked straight into my eyes. Scrutinizing. Analyzing.
Then she nodded and gestured for me to follow.
We entered an adjacent room—a personal library filled with ancient medical books lining the shelves.
Kureha closed the door and crossed her arms. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what this is about."
I smiled. "Allow me to formally introduce myself."
I straightened, adopting a more formal posture.
"I work for an organization known as the Foundation. Our goal is to Secure, Contain, and Protect anomalies. We are a completely neutral and autonomous organization. And the Foundation is the oldest organization on this earth."
Kureha looked at me. Judged me.
Her expression revealed nothing. But her eyes… her eyes were calculating.
After a long silence, she spoke. "I'm retired. And your captain is already taking my apprentice."
"The Straw Hat pirates have their dreams. And the Foundation has its own."
I leaned forward slightly. "Before making your decision, come see our library. And our anomalies. I assure you, a recent anomaly will change your mind."
She studied my arrogant expression.
Then a smile spread across her lips. "You've got guts, kid. Very well. Lead the way."
[POV: NICO ROBIN – LIBRARY]
ProgressionAfter advancing under extreme conditions—strength training, cardio, intensive drills—Robin had been authorized to move up to the next Class-D level.
She now had access to four to ten books in each category.
It fueled her curiosity about higher security levels—and kept her very busy during her free time.
She was currently seated at the central library table, a privilege granted for good behavior.
But instead of one guard, four stood around her. For security.
And they were always the ones who retrieved her books.
She was calmly reading a book on ancient civilizations when—
PSHHH.
The security door opened.
Robin looked up.
Marc entered, accompanied by an elderly woman she didn't recognize.
Tall. Slim. Gray hair tied back. A piercing gaze. She wore eccentric clothing and carried a bottle of alcohol.
Who is she? A potential recruit?
The Visitor's AmazementMarc guided the woman through the library.
Robin discreetly observed, pretending to read.
The old woman looked around. Her eyes scanned the shelves. The thousands of books. The countless sections.
She was clearly shocked.
But she kept her composure. Her elder's arrogance. Completely dignified.
Yet Robin saw it—a genuine spark of interest shining in her eyes.
An elderly woman who had seen everything… discovering something new. Fascinating.
Marc signaled to a guard, who approached with a tablet and handed it to the woman.
"Doctor Kureha," Marc said loudly enough for Robin to hear, "you have full authorization to consult any book here. Without supervision."
Robin immediately understood the message.
This Doctor Kureha is important to the Foundation. I need to stay on good terms with her for an easier life.
She returned to her book, pretending not to listen.
The RevelationKureha took the tablet and began reading aloud.
"Ancient History… Advanced Medicine… Abnormal Biology… Molecular Chemistry… Quantum Physics… Advanced Mathematics… Existential Philosophy… Dead Languages… Lost Technologies…"
She kept reading. Again and again. For more than thirty minutes.
Robin listened carefully, fascinated by the diversity.
Then Marc dropped a bomb.
"This is only the official library. There's another, more secure library underground. Because the knowledge down there is dangerous."
THUD.
Robin dropped her book.
Kureha sharply turned, glaring at Marc, searching for a lie.
She found none.
Then she looked back at the tablet. One section spoke of nuclear fusion. Atomic fission. Technologies capable of destroying entire islands.
Two libraries… one secret… with even more dangerous knowledge?
Robin felt her heart race. I MUST reach that level. No matter the cost.
After a long silence, Kureha spoke. "Show me. The recent anomaly that could convince me."
Marc smiled and stepped aside.
Robin watched them leave.
Then she picked up her book again, completely lost for the next few hours.
What is he showing her? What could convince a woman this experienced to join the Foundation?
SCP-500: The PanaceaMarc escorted Doctor Kureha to the object containment sector.
They passed multiple security doors. Scanners. Checkpoints.
Finally, they stood before a small vault.
CONTAINMENT: SCP-500CLASS: SAFEACCESS: LEVEL 5 REQUIRED
Marc scanned his hand. The door opened.
PSHHH.
Inside, resting on a pedestal beneath glass, was a small white box.
Marc carefully removed it and handed it to Kureha, then gave her a description file.
OBJECT DESCRIPTION
SCP-500 – PANACEA
Class: SafeDescription: SCP-500 is a small plastic container holding forty-seven (47) red pills. One pill, taken orally, completely cures the subject of ALL diseases within two hours, exactly as an appropriate cure would. Despite extensive testing, all components of SCP-500 remain unknown.Usage: Highly restricted. Used only in absolute emergencies or critical experiments.Danger: None (except misuse or uncontrolled distribution).
Kureha read the file.
Her hands began to tremble.
"This… this is impossible…" she whispered. "Even the Ancient Kingdom never achieved this…"
"And yet," Marc said calmly, "it's real."
"If we could run tests—"
"That would waste the medicine."
She slowly nodded. "You're right."
She returned the box with almost religious reverence.
"I believe you now. There truly is a library with more dangerous knowledge. If what I see here is only the beginning…"
Marc smiled. "So?"
Kureha took a deep breath. "I agree to live here."
"Excellent."
"But," she added firmly, "I want Chopper to join your captain. And I want Chopper to never know I'm here."
Marc frowned. "Why?"
"I want him to live a freer life. Even without me. So he can grow properly. He needs to spread his own wings."
Marc nodded slowly. "I understand. I accept."
"Good. Now let me go say goodbye to Chopper. My way."
The Violent FarewellWhen Marc exited the Foundation, the scene had changed.
Luffy and SCP-999 had resolved Chopper's heart issue.
The little reindeer cried with joy, finally accepting that he wasn't a monster. That he had the right to dream. To live freely.
"I'M GOING TO JOIN YOUR CREW!" he shouted through tears.
"YEAH!" Luffy yelled, raising his fist. "WELCOME TO THE CREW, CHOPPER!"
SCP-999 chirped happily and cuddled against Chopper.
Everyone was waiting for Marc to leave.
Chopper turned toward the castle. "I want to say goodbye to Doctorine…"
But instead of tearful farewells—
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Blades flew out from a castle window.
Then axes.
"RUN, YOU BRATS!" Kureha yelled from the window.
"DOCTORINE?!" Chopper cried, shocked.
The weapons embedded themselves in the snow around them.
Luffy burst out laughing. "GYAHAHAHA! SHE'S FUNNY!"
SCP-999 chirped, not understanding the danger but finding it amusing.
Nami and Sanji screamed in terror. "IS SHE TRYING TO KILL US?!"
"QUICK! INTO THE SLED!" Chopper shouted.
They all jumped into a large sled. Heavy Point Chopper pulled everyone.
They began speeding downhill.
Marc stayed behind, watching the castle.
Cherry Blossom PetalsInside the castle, Kureha stood before the cannons.
She loaded them herself. Not with cannonballs.
But with cherry blossom petals. Thousands of them. Pale pink. Beautiful.
She aimed toward the sky and lit the fuse.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The cannons fired.
Thousands of pink petals exploded into the sky, drifting gently downward like snow.
It was… beautiful.
Chopper, on the sled below, looked up and cried.
"Doctorine… thank you for everything…"
The petals fell around them. Soft. Delicate. Like a blessing.
Kureha, at the window, watched the sled disappear.
"Goodbye, Chopper. Become a great doctor. Greater than me."
She discreetly wiped away a tear.
Then she turned and walked back into the castle.
Toward Marc, waiting with the Foundation door open.
"My belongings?" she asked.
"Already transported. The guards moved them to your quarters."
"Good."
She stepped through the door without looking back.
Marc closed it behind her.
The JumpMarc found himself alone at the mountain's peak.
He looked down. The sled was now just a tiny dot.
"Well," he muttered. "How do I get down now?"
He could summon the door and exit at the bottom.
But…
He stared into the abyss.
Thousands of meters of free fall.
Kaido jumps from Sky Islands for fun. Why not me?
He smiled.
Then he jumped.
Arms wide open.
Like a bird.
The wind screamed around him. Snow rushed past. The ground approached at terrifying speed.
THIS IS AMAZING!
The adrenaline rush. The free fall. The wind. The speed.
I GET KAIDO NOW!
He kept falling.
Again and again.
For what felt like eternity.
Then—
BOOOM!
[POV: NAMI – BELOW]
The ForgettingThe sled was racing toward the village.
Nami, sitting at the front with Sanji, suddenly realized something.
"WAIT! DIDN'T WE FORGET MARC UP THERE?!"
Sanji cursed. "DAMN IT! WE LEFT HIM!"
Luffy laughed. "HE'LL BE FINE!"
Chopper was too exhausted to climb back. "I… can't… move…"
Then they heard laughter.
Loud. Free. Coming from the sky.
They all looked up.
And there he was.
Marc.
Arms spread wide. Falling. Smiling like a madman.
Like he was flying.
"WHAT IS THIS INSANITY?!" Nami screamed.
WHOOOOSH!
He crashed into the snow a few meters from them.
BOOOM!
A dull sound echoed. The ground shook.
A crater formed.
Snow exploded in all directions.
"WE NEED A DOCTOR!" Chopper yelled.
Then he remembered. "WAIT, I'M A DOCTOR!"
He jumped off the sled and ran to the crater.
Luffy was jealous. "I WANTED TO TRY THAT TOO!"
Nami and Sanji looked like they'd seen a ghost.
"H-HE'S DEAD FOR SURE…" Sanji whispered, pale.
SCP-999 happily bounced toward the crater and jumped inside, gurgling with joy.
"SQUIII!"
Then Marc slowly stood up, holding SCP-999 in his arms.
Without a single injury.
Not even a scratch.
He stepped out of the crater, brushing snow off his clothes.
Chopper was stunned. "HOW… HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE?!"
[POV: MARC]
I stood up, brushing the snow off my clothes.
I understand why Kaido jumps from Sky Islands. It's incredible. You feel more alive than ever.
The adrenaline rush. The free fall. The wind. The speed.
It was… amazing.
"MARC!" Nami shouted, running toward me.
"Yes?"
CLACK!
Her fist slammed into my skull.
"IDIOT! YOU SCARED US TO DEATH!"
Pain exploded. As always. Her punches transcended immortality.
"Ow… sorry…"
Luffy burst out laughing. "GYAHAHAHA! NAMI HIT HIM AGAIN!"
Chopper stared at me with stars in his eyes. "ARE YOU INDESTRUCTIBLE?!"
"Something like that."
SCP-999 affectionately licked my face.
"Squiii…"
I smiled. "Alright. Shall we head back to the Merry?"
"YEAH!" Luffy shouted. "NEXT STOP: ALABASTA!"
We all walked together toward the port.
Chopper was still crying, looking back at the castle where cherry blossom petals continued to fall from the sky.
"Goodbye, Doctorine… I'll make you proud…"
Nami hugged him. "She's proud of you. Trust me."
Sanji lit a cigarette. "A strange old woman. But she truly loved you."
Usopp sniffed. "IT WAS SO EMOTIONAL! THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS!"
And far away, on the mountain, silhouettes watched from a castle window.
Not Kureha—she was already in the Foundation.
But villagers who had climbed up to see.
They watched the Going Merry's pirate flag fade into the distance.
"These pirates… they saved our island."
"They captured Wapol."
"And they gave Chopper a chance to live."
"Thank you… Straw Hat pirates."
[END OF CHAPTER 33]
[KUREHA: RECRUITED – FOUNDATION RESIDENT][CHOPPER: RECRUITED – CREW DOCTOR][SCP-999: UNOFFICIAL MEMBER (MASCOT)][ANOMALIES CAPTURED: 12][CLASS-D: 10][SPECIAL RESIDENTS: 2 (KUREHA, MR. FISH)][ROBIN: UNAWARE THAT KUREHA IS IMMORTAL][ROBIN: SECURITY LEVEL INCREASED][DISCOVERY: MARC LIKES JUMPING FROM VERY HIGH PLACES][NEXT DESTINATION: ALABASTA][NEXT ARC: BAROQUE WORKS & CROCODILE][MAJOR DIVERGENCE: KUREHA IN THE FOUNDATION]