"Whew—"
Looking at Marigold's fully healed back, Meiser let out a long sigh of relief.
After several hours of surgery, he had finally completely removed the marks on the backs of these three individuals.
It had to be said, this was indeed a meticulous and exhausting task—one that couldn't have been done without ample Chakra.
"Is it done?" Marigold asked cautiously.
"It's done." Meiser nodded. "Go take a look."
Hearing this, excitement flashed in Marigold's eyes. With Sandersonia's support, she slowly made her way to the mirror.
Only when she saw the state of her back did tears finally fall.
"At last... Thank you, thank you!"
Watching Marigold, who had also burst into tears, Meiser smiled and nodded. "From today onward, none of you three need to worry about anyone seeing your backs."
"Mhm!"
Sandersonia wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and nodded gratefully at Meiser.
This man... had done them an immense kindness!
"I wonder how Hancock is doing over there."
Meiser glanced toward the door. Seeing no movement, he shook his head and turned to clean up the surgical table.
"W-we can help," Sandersonia offered.
"No need. You two should rest," Meiser replied.
"But we're not tired..."
"You wouldn't know how to handle these tools anyway. It'd be bad if you got hurt."
Seeing Meiser's insistence, Sandersonia had no choice but to drop the idea.
Soon, under Meiser's skilled hands, the surgical tools returned to their original state before being stored back into the Sealing Scroll.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Meiser pulled over a chair and sat down.
"You look exhausted. Do you want to rest for a bit?" Marigold asked.
Glancing at her now-stabilized emotions, Meiser shook his head. "I don't have time to rest right now."
"I'm sorry... Performing three surgeries in a row must have been exhausting..."
"Huh?"
"Ahaha, well, it's not entirely because of that." Meiser waved his hand. "Mainly, I haven't slept in three days."
Even if he only counted from the moment he set foot on Sabaody Archipelago, he hadn't closed his eyes for three days.
Though his Mangekyō Sharingan allowed his body to remain in peak condition, the mental fatigue still required rest to alleviate.
Unfortunately... there just wasn't time for that now.
Upon hearing Meiser's words, both Marigold and Sandersonia looked shocked.
"Three days without sleep?"
"Yep."
"That's... insane."
What kind of concept was that?
Even back in Mary Geoise, they had never gone three days without sleep!
They couldn't fathom how this man had endured it.
"It's nothing, at least not to me," Meiser said.
"You should still rest for a while," Sandersonia insisted. "If you're not at full strength, you won't be able to handle the battles ahead, right?"
This man was about to join his captain in infiltrating Impel Down to rescue Fire Fist Ace—a mission that would undoubtedly involve unimaginable battles.
"If you can't maintain peak condition... you could easily die there!"
"No need for that, I..."
3
"What's going on?" Granny Nyon asked curiously as she approached from a distance. "What's unnecessary?"
"Granny Nyon, Meiser hasn't slept for three days."
"Three days, huh..."
Granny Nyon studied Meiser before nodding. "Seems you're a monster too."
"Granny Nyon?"
"Don't worry. For the strong, fighting for days on end is possible. It won't be life-threatening," Granny Nyon explained.
Having spent decades sailing the seas, she understood this well.
"Fighting for days on end?" Sandersonia was stunned. Could people really do that?
"Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist." Granny Nyon then turned to Meiser. "Still, if you have time, I suggest you rest first."
"After all... you're heading to Impel Down!"
That place was the World Government's most important prison for pirates—its defenses were absolutely formidable!
There might even be... Admiral-level combatants stationed there.
Without sufficient energy, fighting opponents of that caliber would be suicide.
Most importantly, if these two failed to rescue Fire Fist Ace, they might have to storm Marine Headquarters directly.
And that battle would be even more brutal!
So she figured Meiser should get some sleep first.
"That makes sense," Meiser said after a moment's thought. "But I don't plan to rest here."
Seeing Granny Nyon's lingering concern, he smiled. "Don't worry, I'll find time to rest."
With Meiser's assurance, Granny Nyon could only nod in reluctant acceptance.
"By the way, where's Hancock?" Meiser asked. "Any news from her yet?"
"I don't know," Granny Nyon shook her head.
After giving Hancock some instructions earlier, the girl had taken a Den Den Mushi and left. Whether she'd received a reply yet was unclear.
"I see. Then let's—"
Before he could finish, Hancock came running over, clutching a Den Den Mushi.
Granny Nyon immediately asked, "Hancock, how did it go?"
"The Marines accepted my terms!" Hancock announced happily.
She... could finally help Meiser!
"Is that so?" Granny Nyon sighed in relief. "Good."
With the Marines agreeing to their conditions, force wouldn't be necessary.
This way, Hancock could keep her position among the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea—the best possible outcome.
"They accepted, huh." Meiser stroked his chin. "Seems they really need the Warlords' strength."
After a pause, he asked curiously, "How did you convince them? Did they set any conditions?"
"Well..."
"You actually agreed to other Marine demands?" Granny Nyon gaped.
Had this girl made some huge sacrifice for Meiser's sake?
"It's nothing particularly special," Hancock said. "The Navy just requested that I wear Sea Stone handcuffs when entering Impel Down."
"Sister, Sea Stone is the bane of Devil Fruit users!" Sandersonia exclaimed in shock.
Once those were on, any ability user would lose their power to resist—no matter how strong the person was, even someone as powerful as her sister.
"I know," Hancock replied.
"So... you agreed?"
"Yes."
Sandersonia: "..."
Was her sister truly not afraid the World Government might take advantage of this opportunity to do something to her?
After a moment of thought, Granny Nyon spoke up. "Don't worry. As long as the Navy isn't stupid, they won't lay a hand on Hancock."
First, there was the matter of the Royal Seven Warlords' combat strength. The Navy currently needed Hancock's power to deal with the Whitebeard Pirates—they wouldn't do anything unnecessary.
Second, if they acted against Hancock, what would the other Warlords think? The Navy understood better than anyone what it would mean to strike first against one of the Seven Warlords.
So she was certain Hancock wouldn't face any trouble this time.
Granny Nyon's reasoning was sound, but the worry on Sandersonia's face didn't fade.
"Don't worry," Meiser said. "If they really try to capture Hancock in Impel Down, I'll get her out."
After a pause, he added firmly, "That's my promise to you all."
Since she was willing to take this risk for him, he wouldn't let her be taken away.
Hearing Meiser's words, Hancock's face immediately brightened with a smile, her cheeks tinged slightly red.
"This one believes in you."
Watching her sister's expression, Sandersonia sighed inwardly.
What in the world was going on with her sister...?
"Meiser, we're counting on you," Marigold said.
"Leave it to me."
Meiser glanced at Hancock. "Hancock, once I've handled my own matters, you can go meet that Navy officer."
"I'll have the Sea Kings follow from behind."
With their massive size, keeping up with a Navy ship wouldn't be a problem.
"Yes, this one understands~"
"Good."
Meiser nodded, then turned to Granny Nyon. "Granny, let's go. We should head back to Merry and the others first."
"Right."
Without another word, Granny Nyon picked up her Serpent Cane and followed Meiser into the distance.
"Meiser, this one will also prepare for departure!" Hancock called after him.
"Alright."
Meiser waved without looking back before disappearing with Granny Nyon.
Once they were gone, Hancock slowly lowered her hand.
"Sister, are you alright?"
"It's nothing," Hancock shook her head. "Let's go get ready."
At the very least, she needed to change clothes before setting sail—after all, her previous outfit had been ruined.
"Before putting on new clothes, let's take a bath first," Marigold suggested. "We worked up quite a sweat earlier."
Hancock glanced down at herself.
From her earlier fight with Meiser, she was indeed a little grimy.
And then there was the matter of the surgery...
"Very well," Hancock agreed. "Let's go."
"Taking a bath sounds good," Sandersonia said with a grin. "It's also the perfect time to announce that the curse on our backs has been lifted!"
Hancock paused for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "Alright."
This way, the people of the country would understand exactly what Meiser had done for them.
With that thought, Hancock headed to the changing room nearby, picked up some clothes, and turned to walk outside.
"Why is Meiser taking so long?"
Luffy, sitting on the sofa, glanced at the darkening sky outside and said, "It's already night, and he's still not done?"
Seriously, what could Meiser possibly be doing for that woman that would take this much time?
"Even so, Luffy, you're not going out again," Merry said, hands on her hips. "Don't forget what happened this afternoon."
If not for Meiser's intervention, this idiot might've been killed by that giant woman!
Just thinking about it made Merry shudder.
Looking at Merry standing on the sofa with her hands on her hips, Luffy scratched his head. "I know, I'm not going out."
Even he wasn't stupid enough to cause trouble for Meiser at a time like this.
After all... Meiser had said that once he finished his business, they'd get their hands on the Eternal Log Pose.
Of course, if that woman dared to deceive Meiser, she'd have to face his wrath.
"Getting impatient won't help," Margaret said helplessly. "It's already dark outside—sailing out now would have to wait until tomorrow."
"You might as well get some sleep and recharge your energy first."
Only with enough rest could they be at their strongest.
"How can I sleep now?" Luffy shook his head.
If he wasn't worried about disrupting Meiser, he'd have already run over to ask for an update.
In this situation, how could he possibly relax enough to sleep?
Margaret sighed but didn't press further—it was his choice.
Just then, voices came from the courtyard.
"Granny Nyon?!"
"Why are you all still gathered here?" Granny Nyon said, exasperated, as she looked at the girls. "Aren't you joining the victory banquet tonight?"
Every time the Pirate Crew returned, the village would hold a celebration feast.
Yet... instead of attending, these girls were crowding around to gawk at a man?
"It's just... we've never seen a man before, so everyone's curious," one of them said, her eyes lingering on Meiser as she scrutinized him from head to toe.
She looked like she was barely holding back from touching him.
Meiser: "..."
Seeing Meiser's twitching expression, Granny Nyon sighed. "Fine, do as you please."
"Meiser, come with me."
As Granny Nyon made her way back into the courtyard, the crowd parted to let her through.
Once the two entered, the girls closed the gap again, silently staring at the man inside.
"Meiser!"
The moment he spotted Meiser's return, Luffy bolted out of the house and rushed up to him. "Did you get the Eternal Log Pose?"
"I got it!"
"Great, let's go now!" Luffy exclaimed excitedly.
They had finally obtained the means to reach Marine Headquarters, which meant they could rescue Ace!
Even though he might get scolded by Ace afterward...
He was still going!!!
Seeing Luffy's excitement, Meiser patted his shoulder and said, "I know you're eager, but we can't leave yet."
"Huh? Why?"
Luffy looked at Meiser in confusion, unable to understand why they couldn't set off immediately.
"Come on, let's talk inside first."
Watching Meiser head into the house, Luffy was puzzled but trusted him enough to follow without further questions.
"Meiser!"
Merry's face lit up with joy upon seeing him return.
"Yeah, I'm back."
Meiser ruffled the little one's hair before gesturing to the sofa. "Luffy, take a seat first."
Once Luffy sat down, Meiser continued, "First, I've secured the Eternal Log Pose to Marine Headquarters, but we need to adjust our target this time."
"Why?!"
Luffy jumped up. "Meiser, I'm going to save Ace!"
"I know we're saving Ace," Meiser replied. "Changing the target is part of that plan."
Luffy: ???
Luffy stared at Meiser blankly, completely lost.
"Granny Nyon and Shakky suspect Ace is currently in Impel Down," Meiser explained. "So this time, our destination is Impel Down."
"If we can rescue him there, we won't need to go to Marine Headquarters."
"Oh, I see..."
Realizing their goal remained saving Ace, Luffy relaxed. "Then let's go now—to that... uh... Basin Prison."
"It's Impel Down," Meiser corrected.
"Whatever, it doesn't matter," Luffy said. "The point is—let's go save Ace!"
Luffy didn't care where they were headed as long as they could rescue Ace.
"Saving Ace isn't the issue, and going to Impel Down isn't either," Meiser said. "But... Luffy, do you think it's appropriate to bring Merry into such danger?"
At those words, Merry's smile froze.
Luffy frowned and glanced at the small girl.
Noticing their reactions, Meiser pressed on, "The place we're going is extremely dangerous. We might even face enemies at the level of Marine Admirals—stronger than Kuma."
"You... understand what that means, right?"
Luffy's pupils shrank at Meiser's words, recalling their encounter with Kuma on Sabaody Archipelago.
They hadn't stood a chance against him. If they faced even stronger Marine Admirals... could the two of them really protect Merry?
At this thought, Luffy fell silent.
Seeing Luffy remain silent, Meiser could only continue, "If we encounter enemies of that level, Merry might face a life-or-death crisis."
"So I think it's better to leave Merry with Granny Nyon for now."
After saying this, Meiser paused briefly before adding, "At least here with Granny Nyon, Merry won't be in any danger."
"But..."
Before Meiser could finish his sentence, he heard the sound of quiet sobbing, which immediately made him stop speaking.
Turning to look at Merry, who was crying with her head lowered, Meiser fell silent and then sighed.
"Again... is this happening again...?" Merry said through her tears. "Back on Sabaody Archipelago, Nami said something similar and then left me in a tree hollow."
"But when I came out... they were all gone..."
"And now... are you going to abandon me here too?"
At this point, the little one completely broke down and burst into loud sobs.
That feeling of life-and-death separation... she didn't want to experience it a second time!