Bardock and Enel walked into the church, immediately noticing the heavy, suffocating atmosphere of despair radiating from Monkey D. Dragon and Emporio Ivankov.
Ivankov, in particular, looked utterly devastated. The massive Okama was currently pounding a massive fist against the stone wall in sheer frustration. Ginny had always affectionately called him 'Big Bro', and having just reviewed her medical charts, Ivankov realized with horrific clarity that the Sapphire Scales disease was completely beyond the healing capabilities of his Horm-Horm Fruit.
Inside the hastily constructed wax ward, Kuma was desperately biting his lip, trying to hold back his heart-wrenching sobs. The tears streaming down his face simply wouldn't stop. He had repeatedly tried to use his Paw-Paw Fruit to physically extract the disease from Ginny's body to bear the pain himself, but every single attempt had completely failed. The illness was fundamentally woven into her cellular structure; it wasn't something that could just be 'pushed' out.
"Kuma... Big Bro... Commander... please, don't worry about me," Ginny rasped weakly, forcing a strained smile to comfort the three grieving men. "They said this disease can be cured, right? Isn't that so, Dr. Mansherry?"
"Is it true?! Can you truly save her?!" Ivankov whipped his head around, his massive, tear-streaked face looking desperately at the tiny dwarf princess. He needed to hear her professional medical opinion.
"Mhm. I've finished analyzing the test results," Mansherry nodded seriously. "Erasing her current physical symptoms will be very easy. However... I still cannot permanently cure the root cause of the illness right now. Even after the treatment, she absolutely must not be exposed to direct, natural sunlight. Otherwise, the terrifying symptoms will aggressively relapse."
Despite the heavy caveat, a wave of profound relief washed over the room.
"Dr. Mansherry... I beg of you. Please, you must save Ginny," Kuma pleaded, frantically wiping the tears from his red eyes and bowing deeply.
Dragon stepped forward, his intense gaze softening. "Yes, Dr. Mansherry. We are leaving Ginny's life in your capable hands. If there is absolutely anything you need us to do, or any resources you require, just give the order."
"Rest assured, as a doctor, I will do absolutely everything in my power to heal her," Mansherry said confidently, putting her hands on her hips. "Now, I need all of you to wait outside. I am going to begin the procedure."
"Understood, Dr. Mansherry. Hang in there, Ginny! You're going to get better!"
Doing as they were told, the three towering Revolutionary Army leaders obediently filed out of the wax ward.
The moment the heavy wax door clicked shut, Kuma clutched his chest. His heart was hammering erratically against his ribs. Even though Mansherry had confidently stated that erasing the symptoms would be 'easy', he simply couldn't calm his anxiety.
Dragon and Ivankov were faring slightly better, but not by much.
Dragon maintained his composure by logically analyzing the situation. Mansherry was Bardock's crewmate; if she boldly claimed she could cure a terminal illness right to the faces of the Revolutionary Army's highest commanders, she absolutely must possess the absolute certainty to back it up.
Ivankov, on the other hand, viewed the situation entirely through the lens of a fellow medical professional. He had seen the unwavering, absolute confidence radiating from Mansherry. It was the look of a doctor who genuinely knew the disease was no match for her skills.
Kacha.
The wax door clicked open again.
The three men froze, completely caught off guard. It had barely been ten seconds! Their tense, emotional buildup was violently interrupted.
"Dr. Mansherry... is there a problem?!" Kuma asked frantically, terror flashing in his eyes.
"Huh? A problem? No, I'm already done," Mansherry blinked, looking up at the massive buccaneer in utter confusion, wondering why he looked so panicked.
"HUH?!"
Three identical expressions of utter, meme-worthy bewilderment instantly materialized on the faces of the three Revolutionary leaders. Massive, invisible question marks practically sprouted over their heads.
Click.
Having anticipated this exact comedic whiplash, Bardock calmly snapped a picture of their incredibly dumbfounded faces using a visual Den Den Mushi.
"Kuma! Big Bro! Commander! I'm completely healed!"
Stepping out from behind the tiny dwarf, Ginny walked out of the ward. The horrific, jagged blue scales and the heavy, suffocating bandages were completely gone. Her skin was flawless and healthy once again.
She stretched her arms casually, completely ignoring the fact that she had been on her deathbed thirty seconds ago. "Man, I am absolutely starving! Let's go get some food!"
The three men stared at her in absolute shock.
Dragon was the first to successfully reboot his brain. "A Devil Fruit ability!"
Ivankov and Kuma nodded numbly in realization. Then, Kuma violently surged forward, wrapping his massive arms around Ginny in a crushing, protective hug. The tears he had just managed to stop instantly began flowing like waterfalls again. "Thank God... Ginny, thank God you're safe!"
"Kuma..." Ginny buried her face in his chest, her own tears finally breaking through her tough exterior.
Bardock politely waited for them to let out all their pent-up emotions. Once the sobbing eventually subsided, he clapped his hands loudly to draw their attention.
"Alright! To properly celebrate Ginny's miraculous recovery, let's throw a banquet! My crew will provide all the food and drinks. It'll also serve as the perfect setting for us to sit down and have our formal discussion."
Dragon pondered for a brief second before nodding respectfully. "We will gladly impose on your hospitality."
"HELL YES! A BANQUET!" Ginny cheered loudly, instantly reviving the atmosphere.
"I am truly sorry," Kuma added, bowing apologetically to Bardock. "Given the circumstances, as the host on this island, I should be the one throwing the banquet for you."
"Hee-haw! Don't worry about it!" Ivankov winked aggressively, blowing a flamboyant kiss toward Bardock's crew. "The next time you boys decide to visit the Kamabakka Kingdom, I promise I will personally show you the absolute greatest, most passionate hospitality in the world!"
Every single male member of Bardock's crew felt a violent, terrifying chill run down their spines. In perfect, unspoken synchronicity, they all mentally swore an absolute blood oath to never, ever set foot near the Kamabakka Kingdom.
read more & join member at patreon(.)com/Lestusk