"This symptom, and the blood's reaction…"
After confirming multiple times that she hadn't misseen, Kureha's expression turned somewhat strange.
"How is my daughter? Is her illness very serious!?"
"As for the illness… Are you two really from this era?"
Looking at the father and daughter, Kureha's gaze was extremely peculiar.
"If my diagnosis isn't wrong, she should just have South Blue Emperor Fever. There's already been a specific medicine for this illness for a very long time."
"Never mind me, even if you go to any other doctor elsewhere, they can get you the medicine to treat this illness."
'A very long time ago?'
'Specific medicine?'
Acier didn't react immediately.
When he recalled that he and Olga were 'old-timers' who had lived for over two hundred years, he couldn't help but smile wryly.
'That's right.'
'An incurable disease from over two hundred years ago might now be as common as a cold.'
Acier didn't explain much, simply standing up and bowing to Kureha.
"Thank you so much, doctor."
"No need to thank me so soon. I'm a doctor who works for money."
Kureha sat back down and pulled a medical book from the shelf to read.
"However, you'll have to stay here for a while. I didn't expect an illness like South Blue Emperor Fever to appear in this day and age."
"There's no stock of the specific medicine for it. Until I prepare the medicine, you'll stay put here."
"About how long will it take?" King asked in a deep voice.
"Are you in a hurry?" Kureha glanced at King, "If you're in a hurry, go get treated somewhere else. How the hell should I know how long it'll take?"
King remembered Bazel's instructions before they parted and didn't retort.
"Olga, I'll go to town to find an inn to stay. You and Acier stay here and follow Dr. Kureha's instructions."
"Doctor, we'll trouble you then."
When it came to major matters, King still maintained the necessary courtesy.
Walking out of the room, the blazing flames behind him dispersed the falling snow.
"That flame… Is he a Devil Fruit User?"
Kureha's tone was suggestive.
"It seems to be an Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruit. I heard it from Kaido-sama."
Because Olga occasionally spoke her mind, Acier quickly answered, "It's something called Ryu Ryu no Mi, I didn't pay much attention to the specific name. I'm not very interested in Devil Fruits."
'Ancient Zoan…'
With her back to the father and daughter, Kureha's gaze grew increasingly profound.
She couldn't think of any Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruit that could manipulate flames, and the other party's attire was somewhat strange too.
Although they were on a winter island, it wasn't unusual to bundle up tightly.
But she had a feeling that the other party seemed to be deliberately hiding something.
'Whatever, it's none of my business anyway. Curiosity kills the cat.'
Kureha stopped dwelling on it and pointed at the door.
"Until the treatment is finished, you can go wait at an inn in town. I'll be responsible for Olga's safety, food, and lodging."
Hearing that he had to be separated from his daughter, Acier was extremely reluctant, "But Doctor…"
"What, do you want to live with a forever 18-year-old beauty like me?"
Kureha turned to look at Acier, her gaze full of disdain as if looking at trash.
"Isn't that disgusting? Is it appropriate for a grown man to live with a beauty like me? It's not even spring yet, if you're in heat, go somewhere else!"
Acier was stunned. Before he could react, his body was already pushed out of the wooden house by Olga.
"Stupid dad, I'll come find you after my treatment is done. Besides, Elizabeth is here to keep me company, so don't worry about my safety."
"Ah, yes, I understand. Then you have to behave and listen to the doctor."
Acier could only leave as well, muttering things like 'hundred-year-old' and 'old hag' as he walked into the snow.
…
Five days later…
Little Garden.
"I understand. Big Bro Kaido and I are preparing to set off as well."
"We'll go to Jaya Island first to find Hanafuda. You focus on the treatment. If nothing unexpected happens, we'll meet at Jaya Island."
Kacha.
The Den Den Mushi hung up. Bazel looked at Kaido, who was watching from the side.
"It's Arber. He said Olga's medicine will take a few more days to prepare. He wants us to go meet up with Hanafuda first."
"Then let's set off. I never expected your talent to be so terrifying."
Recalling the special training over the past five days, Kaido couldn't help but sigh.
"In just five days, your Conqueror's Haki can already be controlled freely, and it even shows a trend of continuous growth."
"Even I didn't have that kind of training speed when I was young."
Roar~~
An Azure Dragon appeared. Bazel picked up Toki and leaped up, sitting down in the wind-sheltered area on the dragon's back.
"There's a saying from my hometown that puts it well."
Toki narrowed her eyes: "Here we go again. How does your hometown have so many sayings?"
Ignoring her, Bazel shook his head and chuckled, "The waves of the sea push the waves ahead, the waves ahead are doomed to die on the beach."
"The elders in your hometown are really something else, Bazel. Let's set off. I hope Hanafuda has already obtained that fruit!"
…
One day later, outside Mock Town, Jaya Island.
"Kaido-sama, Bazel, long time no see!"
After giving the two men, excluding Toki, a strong hug and pounding each other on the back a few times, Hanafuda then greeted the only woman with a smile.
"And Toki-san, long time no see."
"Long time no see. Fortunately, everyone remains healthy." Toki responded politely.
"Please, come inside. I've already had those guys prepare fine wine and good food. Ah, right, this is for you."
Kaido caught the wooden box Hanafuda threw over.
"Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Brachiosaurus Fruit. I went through a lot of trouble to get this Devil Fruit."
Squeak~
Opening the wooden box, they saw a long, slender orange fruit on the soft cloth cushion.
"Worororo...'
"Well done, Hanafuda! I've been worried about the manpower issue after we go to Wano Country next year."
"With these two fruits, we can at least gain two more senior cadres!"
Kaido casually tossed the Devil Fruit to Toki, as he had complete trust in his brother's woman.
"We... Hm?"
Kaido suddenly looked up, his expression grave.
"Why are those two here..."
"Bazel, I'll leave the rest to you. I'm going to meet two acquaintances."
Without waiting for Bazel's reply, he transformed into a dragon and flew into the clouds.
"Acquaintances?" Hanafuda asked curiously.
A red light flashed in Bazel's eyes, but he couldn't sense anything.
"Not sure. The range of my Observation Haki isn't wide enough yet. At least there are no strong individuals nearby that warrant my caution."
"Let's go, Toki. Keep that fruit safe. Next up is long-awaited banquet time!"
…
Meanwhile, at the edge of the forest on the southern end of Gaya Island.
Kaido reverted from his dragon form to his human shape.
"Ochoku, why are you here? And you… should I call you Former Pirate Empress or Gloriosa?"
"A name is just a label. You can call me whatever you like."
At this time, Gloriosa wasn't as elderly as she would be thirty years later.
Though her face had gained some wrinkles, traces of her youthful beauty were still visible.
"Shakky recently returned to Amazon Lily and mentioned something related to you. I wanted to see how much the former apprentice has grown."
Kaido's lips curled slightly upward, his right hand already resting on the club at his waist.
"And what about you, Ochoku? Are you here to measure my caliber too?"
"No."
The tall, obese Ochoku, with his long hair, let out a sinister chuckle, his forked snake-like tongue extending from his mouth.
Ochoku didn't leave the rock he was sitting on, his fierce phoenix eyes fixed on Kaido.
"I'm here to form an alliance with you, Kaido."
'An alliance?'
Kaido didn't immediately refuse, nor did he agree right away.
"Such things are meaningless. You should know… you and I are not the same kind."
"Besides, I don't need an alliance to change this world!"
"You should think it over carefully. That bastard Shiki has also approached me."
Ochoku grinned and said, "If you refuse, I'll agree to alliance with Shiki."
"Shiki approached you? Worororo!!!"
Kaido laughed as if he'd heard a joke.
"Hey now, don't joke around, Ochoku. If others don't understand Shiki, how could I not know that bastard?"
"He wasn't asking for an alliance… he was asking you to join his Flying Pirates, right?"
The smile on Ochoku's face faded slightly.
"And even if you did form an alliance, so what?"
Bzzt…!!
Conqueror's Haki suddenly erupted.
Kaido drew his kanabo, black and red lightning coiling around it.
"Since when have I ever been afraid? Even if you and Shiki ally, even if you team up with that guy Newgate, I still won't back down!"
"Who do you think I am?!"
"I am Kaido!!!"
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