Jake's words struck Boars like thunder.
He stared at him, voice laced with doubt and shock.
"Doctor, are you sure about your diagnosis? Before coming to you, I consulted several renowned physicians—even traveled to Drum Island in the Grandline. The doctors there told me I needed a compatible kidney donor to survive and even then, the success rate was less than fifty percent."
"Moreover, with each passing day, the likelihood of my recovery diminishes. I'm not afraid of death, but if I can't accomplish what I want to do before dying, I won't be able to close my eyes even in death. Or rather, before I die, I must pull off something big."
The man's lips trembled slightly as he spoke, but his cheeks were unusually flushed—a sign of blood rushing to his face from excessive excitement.
Jake gazed at the madman before him, his tone still calm and indifferent.
"So you'd rather trust those useless fools who only spout empty words but can't save you, instead of believing in me, who can actually cure you? Or do you have some obsession with kidney transplants?"
Hearing Jake's words, Boars' lips curled into a terrifying grin.
He turned to Oli beside him, his voice rising sharply.
"Of course I don't trust those worthless idiots! Otherwise, I wouldn't still be searching for a doctor to this day! I can't die yet—not until I achieve my goal, not until I turn this world upside down! A man's dreams never end, isn't that right, Doctor?"
Watching the man's inexplicable surge of emotion, Jake nodded, though his tone carried a hint of detachment.
"I agree with your sentiment, but I don't like lunatics like you. Also, keeping your emotions stable would help your condition. Since you're willing to trust me, let's cure your illness sooner rather than later. It'll be good for both of us."
Boars narrowed his eyes, studying Jake's bird-beak mask, then said to Oli.
"Tell everyone to arm themselves and stand outside the cabin. If I walk out first later, all is well. But if the doctor emerges first—kill him immediately."
With that, Oars turned back to Jake and chuckled softly.
"Though this might seem a bit rude, I hope you'll forgive me, Doctor. For a pirate like me, too many people want me dead. This is just a necessary precaution for self-preservation. Back on Drum Island, I had to kidnap all those doctors' families before those damned bastards would agree to treat me."
"No matter. If I walk out first, it means I failed to cure you—and I'd have no reason to live either. I'll go in first and wait for you. Later, you must unconditionally accept the medicine and treatments I prescribe. Otherwise, even if I die, you won't last long."
"Then let's make this a man's gamble, Doctor!"
With a loud laugh, Boars strode into the wooden cabin.
Before entering, he told his crew.
"If I die, you can choose to leave or stay. But those who remain must all bear the name of the Black Hawk Pirates and carry on my will!"
The moment Boars finished speaking, burly men with savage expressions emerged from the shadows of the desolate mountains—places that had seemed empty moments before.
Covered in scars, each stood around two to three meters tall, reeking of blood.
A man with a heavily scarred forehead glared viciously at Jake and growled.
"If the boss dies, don't think you'll leave here alive—or get a quick death. I'll skin you slowly, starting with your scalp, and let you die in agony! Believe me, I've done it before."
Another fat man grinned and said.
"Bury you in the ground, pack soil around you, cut a patch of skin from your head, then pour molten mercury inside. You'll..."
Oli spoke up at this moment, his voice carrying a hint of authority.
"Shut up, all of you! Doctor, please don't feel pressured. If you truly fail, I'll grant you a quick death. I swear this in my name as vice-captain of the Black Hawk Pirates!"
"You're the only one here speaking like a proper human being."
With that, Jake turned and walked toward the wooden cabin.
Boars' expression remained calm, as if he wasn't the one about to undergo surgery.
He looked at Jake and asked plainly.
"What do you need me to do?"
"Drink the medicine and sleep. There's no need for me to explain the treatment process to you."
Boars, curious, asked.
"Why? Are you planning to do something during the procedure?"
"No. If I tell you the process, you could either perform the treatment yourself later or have other doctors replicate my methods. That would be foolish and disadvantageous for me—it could land me in trouble after treating you. Don't bother swearing on your honor. Pirates... you know how it is. You lot are like locusts of the sea, with no reputation or integrity to speak of."
Boars chuckled and nodded.
Then, Jake mixed a dose of sleeping pills strong enough to knock out two or three elephants.
After Boars drank it, Jake took out several anesthetic syringes and injected them into Boars' body.
He wasn't worried about Boars dying.
The man was a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, inherently hard to kill.
Plus, Jake would later use his abilities to help detoxify him—there was no way he'd die.
Watching Boars who's now sound asleep, Jake suddenly asked Monet.
"Monet, do you know why I'm not taking this chance to kill Boars right now?"
"Is it... because you're not confident? Or are you worried about the guys outside?"
Hearing Monet's reply, Jake shook his head and answered softly.
"The guys outside aren't strong. But killing them all quickly would be tough with just the two of us. Escaping, though, wouldn't be a problem."
"Then why...?"
"I said on the ship that I wanted to change this country, even if just a little. Now's the best opportunity. What do you think, Monet?"
"I trust your judgment."
Hearing Monet's words, Jake smiled faintly.
Then, he carefully injected a specially acquired toxin into Boars' body.
This was something Jake had obtained from Akainu during his time at Marine Headquarters.
A test tube of Amber Lead Disease virus.
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