(AUTHOR'S NOTE: HELLO EVERYBODY! Welcome to the THIRTIETH CHAPTER!!! It probably doesn't seem too big of a deal to you guys but as someone who hasn't been able to write over 5-10 chapters for the past few years before starting this fic, I consider this a HUGE milestone. Again, thank you for taking the time to read my little story, it makes my heart swell with happiness and keeps me motivated to continue writing! Uh, the art for this chapter and the last chapter are old sorry. Lastly, I wanted to say I have a live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender story in the works so if you like Avatar feel free to keep a lookout for that! It's NOT a self-insert for once, it's a normal OC x Canon story but it's still a Male OC for my fellow Males and MLM lovers (Except the Fetishists.). ANYWHO, ENJOY THE CHAPTER BECAUSE I WROTE THIS ALL IN ONE SITTING LOL!)

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Chapter Thirty:

"  The Doctor Is In! "

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(NO POV)

"Nice! That's much better." Zoro sighed in relief as he removed his boots and bandages from his feet. "Now I can do some real training now that I don't have to worry about that stupid injury. Besides just watching the ship is boring as hell. Come on, Pinky! Let's get started on some training!" Isaac was cuddled up with Karoo, still shivering despite his warm attire. "Do I have to? It's so cold!" Isaac whined like a child before his eyes fluttered open and he saw Zoro topless, his face turning red. "ZORO PUT YOUR GODDAMN SHIRT AND COAT BACK ON RIGHT NOW! YOU'RE GONNA FREEZE!" He demanded. Zoro looked back at him, "What's your issue? It's not like it'll affect you. Besides, wearing less in this weather will help me build up a tolerance to it."

Isaac crossed his arms, "It will affect me, Matcha-Boy! You're my friend and I don't want to watch you die of hypothermia or something like that! Besides, why can't you show some common decency!?" He retorted. "I don't get why you're so sensitive about it, you're a guy too so I'm sure you've seen yourself shirtless before. What's your problem with seeing another guy shirtless?" Isaac rolled his eyes, ignoring him and pulling his sword out to go practice his swings. "Whatever, I'm gonna go for a swim." Zoro said. "A SWIM!?" Isaac exclaimed in disbelief but Zoro was already standing in the freezing water, shivering. "Damn! It's freezing out here! I feel more like a popsicle than a human right now...Seems I have a lot more training to do...But, if I keep concentrating then I shouldn't be bothered by even the coldest of temperatures." Zoro then looked up at Isaac and Karoo on the ship.

"You two wanna come join me!? It's a great workout!" Zoro offered but was met with an angry shout and a terrified quack. Isaac grits his teeth, "Stubborn jackass..." He then heard Karoo screaming/quacking and he re-sheathed his sword and ran to the duck's side. "Karoo, what's wrong!?" Karoo's wing pointed over the side and Isaac screamed. "OH SHIT!" He looked around in the water panicking, "Oh no...Oh no oh no oh no..." Isaac frowned, "Why me?... DON'T WORRY ZORO I'M COMING!" He shouted before diving into the water.

Isaac came out of the water for air, making it to shore. He ran his hands through his hair, shivering from the cold and from panic. "Oh my God Oh my God Oh my God! What if he's dead!? What if he's dead because I couldn't get to him in time!?" He felt tears prick his eyes until he heard an all-too-familiar voice say;

"Aww, I didn't know you cared so much, Pinky." 

Isaac looked up and saw Zoro smirking, he stood up, his hands balling up into fists. "ZORO WHAT THE FUCK!? I THOUGHT YOU DROWNED!" He shouted before punching Zoro in the arm. Although it didn't hurt as much as it would've for a normal person, Zoro could still feel a sting as well as an overwhelming amount of guilt, especially after seeing the tears that were still eminent from the corner of Isaac's eyes. "Okay, I guess I deserved that..." Zoro muttered. Isaac turned away from him, wiping what remained of his tears away before crossing his arms. "You're the worst, you know that?" Isaac said. Zoro sighed, "Look, Pin-I mean-Isaac I'm...I'm sorry. For making you worry." He said while awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. Isaac turned his head, pouting, "Fine, apology half-accepted. But if you want the rest of my forgiveness then no more ice water swimming." 

"Alright, fine. If that's what it takes." Zoro replied. He could still hear Isaac sniffling a bit, and he frowned. "Would you maybe want-I don't know-a hug or something?" He asked awkwardly. Isaac immediately embraced Zoro in response, "You're such a dumbass, Zoro..." Isaac mumbled. Zoro sighed in relief, he wasn't sure why but he hated seeing Isaac upset the way he had just been, especially since it was his own fault. Isaac let go of him, "Alright, let's head back. We're now a ways away from the ship, after all." 

Not long after the two set out to go back to the ship, Zoro and Isaac ended up lost in the forest. Zoro was shivering in the cold while Isaac was slightly warmer because of his parka, though he was still pretty cold since he had to jump into the freezing water. "Dammit! Why'd I swim so far away from the ship!? Now I have no clue where we're going..." Zoro groaned. "Feel free to admit I was right at any time," Isaac said. They heard shuffling in the snow from behind them, turning around was an older woman in a sleigh being pulled by a reindeer wearing a fuzzy red hat. "We're saved!" Zoro exclaimed in relief, "Hey, Old Lady, sorry to bother you, but could you drop us off at a nearby village or something?" Zoro asked before we stopped right next to her sleigh. 

"Woah. What are you doing dressed like that in this weather? What a weird old lady-"

"ZORO! DON'T BE RUDE! AT LEAST UNLIKE YOU, SHE'S WEARING A JACKET!" Isaac scolded. The older woman made a gesture for Zoro to come closer, "Careful how you talk to me, Little Boy." She said before punching Zoro hard enough for him to fly back. Isaac looked at her and then at Zoro in shock and awe, "At 139 years old, I'm still young and strong!" She said with a grin. "Holy crap, strong is right!" He gasped. She chuckled to herself before looking at Isaac, tilting up her sunglasses as if trying to observe the young man. "Interesting..." She said. "You're coming with me." Isaac averted my eyes, shaking my head slightly, "Oh sorry, as much as I'd like to get out of the cold I should really stay with my friend-"

"I wasn't asking!" She grabbed my wrist and yanked him into the sleigh. "Hey, what do you think you're-" "Hold on tight, Kiddo! Let's go, Chopper!" Before the reindeer took off leaving Zoro in the dust. "HEY! YOU GET BACK HERE WITH MY PINKY YOU OLD HAG!" He paused, "Wait-what did I just call him?" A gust of wind blew by causing Zoro to shiver again, "I'll freeze to death if I don't do something soon! Pinky had his sword so I'm sure he's capable of taking down an old lady himself...If he's not back in the next hour I'll go looking for him...In the meantime, I'll work on warming up my body for a bit."

(ISAAC'S POV)

Despite being snatched away by this mysterious old woman, I was more worried about Zoro since I saw an avalanche happening in the distance. I was sure the others would be safe in the village. The reindeer, Chopper, brought the sleigh inside what looked like a giant castle that was on top of a high hill, before he ran off somewhere as the woman dragged me inside. She sat me down in a room and told me to wait there. "DOCTORINE! I found three humans outside! Two of them are injured and the third one is horribly ill!" A voice cried. "I'm coming Chopper!" The woman, Doctorine, called back as she walked out. I was confused, was Chopper not the name of the reindeer?

After sitting around for half and hour with no results, I grew impatient and began exploring. I heard a loud crashing sound and ran towards it, finding not only a small furry creature but also an assortment of medical supplies on the ground around it. "Oh my God! Are you okay?" I asked with concern, slowly stepping towards it. "QUIET DOWN CHOPPER!" Doctorine's voice shouted from a nearby room. I looked at the creature and saw it wearing the same fuzzy red hat the reindeer wore. "So you are Chopper the Reindeer! Though you're definitely not a normal reindeer..." I eyed the small bipedal reindeer who looked at me fearfully, "You're so...so..."

I felt a huge grin spread across my face, "SO CUTE!!!" Chopper looked at me wide-eyed before turning away. "I don't need a compliment from a human!" He then started wiggling around and smiling, "Don't mind me, I'm just being silly!" I gasped. "YOU CAN TALK!?" I exclaimed excitedly. I clasped my hands together and smiled, "Thank you, Grand Line, for this absolute blessing!" I looked at Chopper, "How did you learn to talk? Or were you born that way? Holy crap, I've got so many questions I wanna ask you!" 

Chopper looked at me confused, "You-You don't think I'm weird or a freak?" He asked hesitantly. I shook my head, "No way! An animal who can talk has been one of my biggest fantasies since I was a kid! I've always wondered what they were thinking or feeling! You're amazing!" I exclaimed. 

"Isaac? Is...That you?" I paused before turning to look into the other room and seeing-"NAMI!" I rushed to her side teary-eyed. "Nami, are you okay!? How are you feeling?" I asked. "Don't worry, she'll be fine." I turned my head and saw Doctorine. "I didn't think this girl would've been someone you knew, Kiddo." I nodded my head, "We're friends on the same pirate crew." I explained. I then realized who I was talking to, "Wait a minute! I have some questions! Who are you and why did you bring me here!?" 

Doctorine chuckled, "Name's Dr. Kureha. But call me Doctorine. I've been treating your friend here as well as the two who brought her here. More friends of yours I'm assuming?" I nodded. "As for why I brought you here, I'll talk about that with you later. Now, about your friend." She shoved Nami back onto the bed, lying down. "Stay in bed. Your treatment isn't completely finished yet." Nami smiled, "Thank you so much. I'll be fine as long as my fever goes down. My body can take care of the rest, right?"

"Well, aren't you optimistic. The disease normally takes at least 10 days to treat. Even with my medicine, it'll take you at least 3 days to recuperate." Doctorine explained. Nami sat upright, "I can't stay that long! We have to get Vivi home to Alabasta as soon as possi-" Doctorine pinned Nami down, pointing a knife at her. "If a patient leaves my castle, it's because they're either cured or deceased. You're not going anywhere so get used to it." I cringed, "Okay, as much as I don't agree with her methods, I do agree with Doctorine that you need to rest. I know Vivi will understand that." I said. 

"AAAH! SOMEBODY HELP ME!" Chopper screamed running in with Sanji and Luffy gripping onto him. "MEAT!" Luffy shouted. "Wait, Luffy, let me cook this guy first!" Sanji interjected. I shrieked. "LUFFY! SANJI! DON'T YOU DARE EAT CHOPPER!" As they ran back into the room, Luffy stepped back after noticing Nami, followed by Sanji.

"NAMI/NAMI-DEAR!" They shouted. "You're all better!" Luffy smiled, "I'm getting there, thanks..." Nami replied. "Alright! One tasty deer dish for Nami, coming right up!" Sanji exclaimed. The two then looked at Chopper who was trying to escape. "COME BACK HERE!" I immediately ran after them. "I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU TWO TRY EATING HIM YOU WILL REGRET IT!" I shouted. They continued chasing him with me right behind them. I felt a familiar surge inside me as I raised my hand in a finger gun gesture, the tip of my finger glowing pink.

"HOT PINK PIS-"

Chopper then grew in size and looked slightly more human-like shouting, "I'M NOT FOOD FOR YOU GUYS!" before smacking them both down. I stopped and lowered my finger, the surge disappearing. Chopper ran off and I sighed, "I'll give him some time to decompress. In the meantime, I'll drag these two back to the infirmary." I picked them both up by the feet, dragging them away. Once they woke up, Luffy tried convincing Doctorine to join her crew. She refused and then kicked him because, like Zoro, he outright called her an old lady. "Gee, you're tough, Old Hag." Sanji commented, receiving a kick from her too. "Such a shame the only polite young man I've met is the Witch-Boy."

I looked over at her, "Witch-Boy? How did you know?" I asked. Doctorine smirked, tapping her cheek with her finger. "They're a dead giveaway for smart folks like myself." She said. I was about to ask what she knew but was cut off by Chopper screaming, and I knew that meant Sanji and Luffy were trying to eat him again. I growled and prepared to go after them but Doctorine stood up and shouted, "THAT'S ENOUGH OF THAT!" And ran after them. Chopper ran back in a few moments later with the rest of them following. "In just a few minutes, I'll cook you a delicious reindeer dish you won't forget, Nami!" Sanji said. "I DON'T THINK SO!" Doctorine leaped in front of Chopper holding two swords. "I'll eat you two before I let that happen!"

Nami sighed, "I don't care about food...I just want some peace and quiet." I frowned in disappointment. "Sorry Nami. I'll give those two a good hit on their heads later in your stead." I said. A breeze was entering the room through the open door, including snow. "Snow? But we're inside, there shouldn't be snow in here." Nami said. I stood up to go close the door but Chopper ran inside just before I did. "Looks like I lost them..." He sighed in relief. "Thank you." Chopper looked over at Nami, "Hm?" 

"You're the one who's been taking care of me, aren't you?" Nami asked. Chopper stared for a moment, "Shut up! I don't need thanks from any lowlife human!" He began wiggling and smiling again like before, "Don't mock me!" He then giggled, "Don't mind me! I'm being silly again!" Nami looked at me, "He's not very good at hiding his emotions." I smiled, "I think he's endearing." 

Chopper hesitantly stepped closer and closer, hovering his tiny hoof over my hand. "Is it true you guys are pirates?" He asked lightly bumping his hoof against my hand. "Yep." I replied. "Real pirates?" Nami nodded, "Real pirates." "So you have a flag with a skull on it?" "Yeah, it's on our ship." Nami looked down at him, "You're really interested in pirates, aren't you?" She asked. Chopper walked backwards into a bookshelf, causing books to fall down. "No! I don't! Shut up!" He shouted. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. But one more thing...Do you wanna come with us?" Nami asked. Chopper yelped in surprise, "What!?" 

I grinned, "That's a great idea, Nami! After all, he is a doctor! And also Doctorine lowkey kind of scares me..." I muttered the last part. "Come to sea with us! It'd help me out a lot. If we had a doctor aboard I wouldn't have to stay here 3 more days, right? On top of that, I bet you'd have fun!"

"NO! You realize I'm a reindeer, right!? I don't belong on a ship with a bunch of humans! Just look at me. I'm a reindeer walking on two legs who can speak..." He explained. "Well I hate to break it to you, but if you're trying to scare me it's not working," Nami replied. I nodded, "Yeah. And I already told you how I feel about you. I wasn't lying about that. Meeting you is a dream come true." 

"But I have a blue nose..." He whimpered. "I FOUND HIM! COME HERE, MEAT!" Luffy shouted causing Chopper to scream and run away again followed by Luffy and Sanji. Doctorine followed, tired. "Those brats sure are quick..." She sat down and looked at us. "I don't like what you two were doing there. You're trying to tempt my reindeer away from here without my permission." Nami smirked, "What? I need permission from you to make a move on a man all of a sudden?" Doctorine laughed, "No, I suppose not. If you wanna take him from here, go on ahead. But I'll say, it won't be easy. Chopper has a scar on his heart, one that not even I can cure." Doctorine explained how ever since his birth even as a normal reindeer with a blue nose, he was considered an outcast by his herd. And after eating a Human Devil Fruit, he was not only forced out of his herd but was also considered a monster by humans. 

Doctorine looks at me, "In a way, he's kind of like you, Witch-Boy." She said. I already felt that way because of the way I grew up, but I guess as a witch she was right about that too. "Yeah...I mean, to be honest, I didn't know I was a witch until about a little over a week ago. I lived most of my life up until now as a normal human." I explained. "Well, I suppose that's fitting for you. Since you're not a full witch." Doctorine replied. I raised a brow, "I'm not? How can you tell?" I asked. She lightly tugs at her ear, "Full witches are born with pointed ears. Your ears are round like a human's. Meaning, you're a half-witch." 

"So I'm half-human and half-witch?" I asked to be clear. Doctorine nodded, "Yeah. One of your parents must've been a witch and the other was a human." "But both my parents were human. Neither of them had pointed ears or these cheek marks on my face." Doctorine pointed at me, "Then you must've been adopted. Because no half-witch can be born from two humans." I frowned. I didn't want to believe it, but given everything I'd seen and learned, I had no other choice. "How do you know all this?" I asked. "Well, not only have I been around for a long time despite my youthful age, but I also had a client long ago who had a half-witch daughter. Her name was Winters Faye and she had brought her husband to me when he was severely injured and on the brink of death...Unfortunately, his injuries were too much for him to handle, so he died before I could successfully treat him. Her daughter wanted nothing to do with witchcraft and so she abandoned her for a life as a normal human. I assume Faye is dead by now, but who knows these days since the World Government's infamous Witch Hunt." 

She chuckled, "It's funny. The people around here call me a witch, but I'm sure none of them had ever witnessed a real witch." 

Doctorine studied my face, "By the way. I'm sure you've been told this at least once before, but you look a lot like that Sea Witch who used to cause trouble for the Marines back in the day." I nodded, "Yeah, I know. I'm actually looking into her history because someone said I looked like her. He gave me this." I pulled out the bloodstone pendant Mihawk gave me back at Baratie, I'd honestly been keeping it on me since I got it. Doctorine nodded, "Good, good. But maybe next time try to get more answers out of someone who says that. Especially if it seems like there's any connection."

I nodded. 'Well shit, I missed some opportunities then...' I thought. I then stared at the pendant in my hand, 'I still want to know what Mihawk meant by this being long overdue...'

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TO BE CONTINUED...