## One Piece Chapter 142, pages 8-10: SKULL AND CHERRY BLOSSOM - Chapter: 142 - Pages: 8-10 - Characters: Hiriluk, Tony Tony Chopper ### Summary Page 8: Back in Hiriluk's lab, he is conducting an experiment with bubbling flasks while Chopper watches. Hiriluk says, "BOTH YOU AND I ARE OUTCASTS... WE'VE BOTH ENDURED OUR FAIR SHARE OF HARDSHIP FOR BEING THE NAILS THAT STICK OUT! BUT DON'T RESENT HUMANS FOR THAT, CHOPPER." Hiriluk looks serious, "THIS KINGDOM IS 'SICK' PRESENTLY. THE KING, THE GOVERNMENT, AND EVEN ITS PEOPLE... THEIR HEARTS ARE ALL ILL..." He turns to Chopper with determination, "THEY SAY THERE'S NO CURE FOR A SICK KINGDOM BUT I BEG TO DIFFER...!" Page 9: Hiriluk continues talking to Chopper, gesturing dramatically. "LISTEN TO ME, CHOPPER. ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A THIEF FROM A CERTAIN KINGDOM IN THE FAR WEST, AND HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A GRAVE HEART DISEASE... LUCKILY FOR HIM, HE HAD ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD TO BE TREATED BY THE FINEST DOCTORS IN THE WORLD." Hiriluk points his finger, "BUT NONE COULD CURE THE MAN'S DISEASE. THEY ALL GAVE UP, CALLING IT INCURABLE. FRUSTRATED THAT HE COULD DO NOTHING BUT AWAIT HIS FINAL MOMENT, THE MAN DECIDED TO CLIMB A CERTAIN MOUNTAIN." Hiriluk smiles widely, "IT WAS THEN HE WITNESSED A MOST PHENOMENAL SIGHT THAT HALTED HIS VERY BREATH FOR A MOMENT. CAN YOU GUESS WHAT HE SAW...?" Hiriluk's face fills the panel as he shouts joyfully, "CHERRY BLOSSOMS! A MOUNTAIN FULL OF THE PRETTIEST CHERRY BLOSSOMS HE EVER SAW!" Page 10: Hiriluk continues his story, "AND TO HIS SURPRISE, THE NEXT TIME HE VISITED A DOCTOR, HE WAS TOLD THUS: 'YOUR BODY IS COMPLETELY HEALTHY.' HE WAS HEALED!" Hiriluk clenches his fist, "IT WAS A MIRACLE! OR WAS IT!? COULD THERE BE A MEDICALLY SOUND EXPLANATION? COULD IT BE THAT THE MAN'S SHEER ASTONISHMENT HAD TRIGGERED SOME NATURAL MECHANISM OF HIS BODY? IT HAD TO BE A MIRACLE!" Chopper listens intently. Hiriluk unfurls a black flag with a skull and crossbones featuring cherry blossom petals. "THAT MUST HAVE BEEN WHAT CURED THE SUPPOSEDLY INCURABLE DISEASE! AMAZING, ISN'T IT!? IN OTHER WORDS, THERE ARE NO INCURABLE DISEASES IN THIS WORLD! SO NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS, I'LL CURE THIS KINGDOM EVEN IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO! THUS, I SHALL TOUT THIS FLAG OF SKULL AND CROSSBONES IN THE FACE OF EVERY DISEASE THAT EXISTS IN THIS WORLD!"