Ep 131. The First Patient! the Untold Story of the Rumble Ball!

As the name suggests, the One Piece Season 2 episode 131, "The First Patient! The Untold Story of the Rumble Ball!" delves into the backstory of Dr. Kureha and Chopper.

The episode starts by showing the Straw Hat Pirates landing on the snowy Drum Island, where they soon realize that the island is facing a critical medical crisis. Princess Vivi reveals that the country's previous doctor had died a few years ago and the current physician, Dr. Kureha, is a bit eccentric. However, she is also the only hope for saving the life of their injured crew member, Nami.

The story then takes us back to the past, where we are introduced to a young reindeer named Chopper. He was born with a rare power, the Human-Human Fruit, which gave him the ability to transform into a human. However, he was ostracized by his fellow reindeers and was forced to live alone in the forest.

One day, Chopper came across Dr. Hililuk, an eccentric doctor who was known for creating and experimenting with various medicines. Dr. Hililuk took Chopper under his wing and taught him the art of medicine. He also introduced Chopper to the Rumble Ball, a mysterious concoction that could enhance the powers of any Devil Fruit user. However, the Rumble Ball proved to be extremely dangerous and caused Chopper to go berserk during his transformations.

Despite the danger, Dr. Hililuk continued to experiment with the Rumble Ball, hoping to find a way to stabilize its effects. However, the other doctors in the island condemned his methods, and he was eventually arrested and sentenced to death.

As a result, Chopper was left alone once again until Dr. Kureha took him in as her apprentice. She saw the potential in Chopper's abilities and promised to help him master his skills. However, she was also skeptical of the Rumble Ball and forbade Chopper from using it.

Back in the present, the Straw Hat Pirates desperately try to find a way to save Nami's life, and Dr. Kureha agrees to help them if Chopper can create a new Rumble Ball. Chopper is torn between his loyalty to Dr. Kureha and his desire to save his friend, but he eventually decides to take the risk and create a new Rumble Ball.

The episode ends with a cliffhanger as we see Chopper and the Straw Hat Pirates facing the consequences of their actions. Overall, "The First Patient! The Untold Story of the Rumble Ball!" is an intense and emotional episode that sheds light on the tragic backstory of Chopper and the dangers of the Rumble Ball.