Chapter 42 — A Doctor's Hands, A Friend's Heart
Sunny's POV
Arrival at Kaya's Mansion
The morning sun hung high over Syrup Village, casting a warm, golden glow on the winding path that led up to Kaya's mansion. The estate sprawled across the hilltop like a crown jewel, its white walls gleaming under the clear blue sky, surrounded by manicured gardens bursting with vibrant flowers and neatly trimmed hedges. Tall iron gates loomed ahead, not guarded by fierce warriors or snarling beasts, but by an almost oppressive silence that screamed old money and fragile seclusion. It was the kind of place where even the birds seemed to whisper, as if afraid to disturb the peace.
Usopp marched proudly at the front of our little group, his long nose held high like a general leading a triumphant army through conquered lands. He waved his arms dramatically, pointing at everything as if we were blind tourists. "Behold! Kaya's grand estate, where even the windows are polished with diamond dust and the doorknobs are forged from the teeth of defeated sea kings! This place has withstood a thousand storms, guarded by invisible ninjas that only I can command!"
Lucy squinted up at the mansion, her straw hat tilting comically to one side as she scratched her head. "They're just… shiny glass windows, though. And those doorknobs look kinda normal. Like, brass or something."
"Details, details!" Usopp barked, waving her off with exaggerated flair. "You have to use your imagination! That's what makes a great pirate story!"
Zoro snorted from behind, his swords clinking softly as he trudged along, looking half-asleep as usual. "Imagination? More like delusion. If there were invisible ninjas, I'd have sensed them by now. Or tripped over one."
Nami walked beside me, her arm brushing against mine in that casual way that always sent a little spark through me. She rolled her eyes at Usopp's antics but couldn't hide the amused curve of her lips. "Boys and their tall tales. At this rate, he'll convince Lucy the mansion is haunted by ghost chefs who cook eternal feasts."
I chuckled, glancing down at her. "Wouldn't put it past him. But hey, if it gets us inside, I'm all for it." Our fingers intertwined briefly as we walked, a quiet moment amid the chaos. Nami's touch was warm, grounding—like a reminder that no matter how wild things got, we had each other.
Before Usopp could launch into another epic yarn about the mansion's "secret underground treasure vaults guarded by mechanical sharks," the front door creaked open with theatrical slowness. Out stepped a tall, lanky man in a impeccably crisp black butler suit, his thin glasses perched precariously on the bridge of his nose. His hair was slicked back so perfectly it looked painted on, and his smile was the sharpest thing about him—more like a predator's grin than a welcoming gesture. He adjusted his glasses with a deliberate flick, eyeing us like we were stray dogs who'd wandered into a palace.
"Master Usopp," he drawled with mocking courtesy, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What a… delightful surprise. Bringing vagabonds, ruffians, and—dare I say—pirates to the young lady's home? You never fail to amuse, or should I say, alarm."
Usopp's chest deflated like a punctured balloon, his bravado cracking under the butler's gaze. "They're not vagabonds! They're my friends! Brave warriors of the sea, just like me! We've slain dragons and toppled empires—well, metaphorically speaking!"
The butler's eyes swept over our group with calculated disdain. He lingered on Zoro's three swords, which the swordsman was casually polishing with a cloth like they were extensions of his arms. Then on Lucy's wide, toothy grin, which she flashed innocently while picking at something stuck in her teeth. Nami got a brief, dismissive glance—probably because she looked the most put-together among us. And finally, his gaze landed on me. His nose wrinkled as if he'd caught a whiff of rotten fish. "And this one… trouble written all over him. Those eyes scream delinquent. Or worse."
I tilted my head, offering my best harmless, boy-next-door smile—the kind that usually disarmed people before they realized what hit them. "Afternoon. Nice place you've got here. Mind if we come in?"
{Ego}: Tch. Who does this twig think he is, looking down on us? I could crush him with one finger. Hell, with a pinky. Honestly, Sunny-boy, why not let me handle this? One good smack and he'd be polishing the floor with his face.
[System]: Fufufu~ he dares insult you, my Sunny? How bold… how utterly suicidal. Ara ara~ shall I silence his tongue for you? Perhaps a little glitch in his reality, make him think he's a frog for a day? Ribbit ribbit, fufu~
I sighed inwardly, keeping my expression neutral. "No, no killing. Or frogging. Yet. Let's play nice."
The butler sneered, straightening his posture like a peacock fluffing its feathers. "The young lady doesn't need ruffians like you anywhere near her. You'll upset her delicate health. Especially you." He jabbed a long, bony finger toward me, close enough that I could smell the starch on his suit. "Those eyes of yours—nothing but a delinquent's gaze. I've seen your type before: all charm on the outside, chaos within."
My smile didn't budge an inch. But for one heartbeat—just one—I let the illusion slip. In his mind's eye, his vision flooded with an overwhelming presence: me as a towering shadow, my smile carved too wide, eyes glinting with a malice that promised slow, inevitable death. My aura wrapped around his throat like a cold, unyielding chain, squeezing just enough to make his heart stutter.
And then—poof. Gone, like it never happened.
The butler staggered half a step back, his polished shoes scuffing the gravel. Sweat beaded along his hairline, trickling down in a betraying rivulet. He blinked rapidly, trying to compose himself, adjusting his glasses with a hand that trembled ever so slightly. Nobody else in the crew seemed to notice; they were too busy exchanging puzzled glances.
Lucy tilted her head, her rubbery neck stretching a bit as she peered at him. "Huh? You okay, mister? You look like you saw a ghost! Or maybe one of Usopp's invisible ninjas?"
"N-nothing," he stammered too quickly, his voice cracking just a hair. He cleared his throat, forcing that sharp smile back into place. "Absolutely nothing. This way… if you must."
{Ego}: Heh. Look at him sweat. One little glare and he's already pissing himself. Pathetic worm. You should've let me make it permanent.
[System]: Ara~ humans are such fragile things, aren't they? One glance from my Sunny and they crumble like dry leaves~ Fufufu, truly divine. But oh, the fun we could have if you let me play a little more…
"Down, both of you," I muttered under my breath, low enough that only I could hear.
Zoro shot me a sideways glance, one eyebrow arched. "What was that? Talking to yourself again?"
"Nothing," I replied smoothly. "Just… allergies. Pollen or something."
The butler led us reluctantly through the gates and up the grand stone steps, his hands clasped behind his back—though I noticed how they trembled faintly, knuckles white. Every time his gaze brushed past me in the reflection of a window or a polished vase, his throat bobbed like he was swallowing down bile, reminding himself to breathe. It was almost comical, watching this prim and proper man unravel from the inside out.
Usopp frowned, clearly confused but determined to push forward. "Kaya will want to see me! And them! Especially Sunny here!" He pointed at me with a flourish. "Because he can help! He's like a walking miracle machine—fixes boats, people, even bad moods!"
The butler's jaw tightened, his lips pressing into a thin line. "We'll see about that. But if you so much as disturb her rest…"
He didn't finish the threat. Couldn't, really. Not after that little mental nudge I'd given him.
Inside the Mansion
The interior of Kaya's mansion was a world unto itself—opulent and hushed, like stepping into a fragile dream. Polished marble floors stretched out under our feet, echoing our footsteps despite the thick rugs that muffled them. Grand chandeliers dangled from the high ceilings, their crystals catching the light and scattering rainbows across the walls adorned with intricate tapestries and oil paintings of stern ancestors. The air smelled of fresh flowers and faint lavender, but beneath it lurked the sterile tang of medicine, a reminder that this beauty was built around sickness.
Servants in crisp uniforms darted about like shadows, casting wary glances our way but saying nothing. The whole place felt too quiet, too fragile—as if the house itself had caught Kaya's illness, tiptoeing around to avoid shattering the peace. Drawn curtains filtered the sunlight into soft, diffused glows, and every room we passed seemed designed to protect a girl who didn't deserve the suffering she'd endured.
We were ushered into a lavish sitting room while the butler went to "announce" us—probably to warn Kaya about the "delinquents" invading her sanctuary. Lucy immediately flopped onto a plush velvet couch, her legs kicking in the air. "Whoa, this is softer than a cloud! Hey, Zoro, bet you could nap here forever!"
Zoro eyed the couch suspiciously before sinking into an armchair, his swords propped against it. "Maybe. As long as no one starts yapping about invisible ninjas again."
Nami perched on the arm of my chair, her hand resting lightly on my shoulder. "This place is incredible. All this wealth… think of the maps I could buy with just one of those chandeliers." Her voice dropped to a whisper, her breath warm against my ear. "But seriously, Sunny, you okay? That butler looked at you like you were a Sea King in disguise."
I turned my head slightly, our faces close enough that I could see the flecks of gold in her eyes. "I'm fine. Just had to… remind him of his manners." I winked, and she laughed softly, her fingers squeezing my shoulder in that affectionate way that made my heart skip.
Usopp paced nervously, wringing his hands. "Kaya's been sick for so long… doctors say it's incurable, but if anyone can help, it's you guys! I mean, Sunny! Yeah, Sunny!"
Before I could respond, the butler returned, his face a mask of forced politeness. "The young lady will see you. But briefly. And no funny business."
Meeting Kaya
We followed him up a sweeping staircase to Kaya's bedroom, a spacious chamber filled with soft pastels and more pillows than I'd ever seen in one place. The air was thicker here, heavy with the scent of herbal teas and unspoken worry. And there she was, lying in a massive four-poster bed, pale as the sheets around her, her blonde hair fanned out like a halo. She coughed weakly into a handkerchief, but managed a forced smile as we entered, as if reassuring us rather than the other way around.
"Usopp, you brought friends," Kaya whispered, her voice barely stronger than a breeze rustling leaves. Her eyes, though tired, lit up a fraction at the sight of him.
Usopp puffed out his chest, trying to look braver than the knot of anxiety twisting in his gut. "Of course! These are my—my crew! We're mighty pirates who'll shake the world! We've battled sea monsters the size of islands and outsmarted entire navies with nothing but slingshots and sheer willpower!"
Lucy giggled, clapping her hands. "Yeah! And I'm the captain! Well, sorta. But Sunny's the one who does all the cool stuff!"
Zoro grunted, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "Don't drag me into this. I'm just here for the ride."
Nami gave Usopp a flat, unimpressed look but softened when she glanced at Kaya. "Ignore the exaggerations. We're not here to cause trouble."
And me? I was already moving, kneeling by Kaya's bedside with a gentleness that surprised even me. Her eyes widened as I approached. "Ah… y-you're…"
I smiled gently, nothing like the shadow I'd shown the butler. "Don't worry. I'm not here to scare you. I'm here to fix you. If you'll let me."
Usopp blinked, his mouth hanging open. "Wait, fix her? Like… really fix her?! You're not just gonna tell a story or something?"
Lucy leaned in way too close, her face inches from Kaya's. "Sunny can fix almost anything! He once glued a crab back together after Zoro sat on it! The crab was all squished, but Sunny just poked it a few times and—bam!—it scuttled away like new!"
"Oi," Zoro muttered from the corner, his face flushing slightly. "That crab was already half-dead. And I didn't sit on it on purpose."
Kaya laughed weakly, a soft, melodic sound that quickly dissolved into another rattling cough. That noise—it gnawed at me, echoing too many memories from my old world: villages plagued by illness, friend lost to ailments no doctor could touch.
[System]: Fufufu~ target identified: delicate host, lungs compromised by poison and sorrow. Ara, how tragic. I recommend Knocking restoration, Jirō-style—guided by your steady, miraculous hands, my Sunny~ Let me assist; I'll map every nerve for you~
{Ego}: Heh. Time to flex, Sunny-boy. Show them the hands of a god, not just a fighter. Make it look easy—blow their minds.
I cracked my knuckles, the sound echoing softly in the room. "Kaya. Do you trust me?"
Her eyes lingered on Usopp, seeking reassurance, then came back to me with a quiet resolve. "If Usopp does… then yes."
Usopp looked torn between bursting with pride and panicking outright. But he nodded vigorously. "Yeah! Sunny's… different. He can do things no one else can. Like, superhero stuff!"
"Good answer," I said, and placed two fingers lightly on Kaya's neck, right at the pulse point.
The Knocking Procedure
I closed my eyes, letting my Haki flow like gentle, probing waves through her body. It was an art I'd honed over years—part medical knowledge, part instinct, all precision. My fingers tapped with impossible accuracy: tap on a nerve cluster to redirect blood flow, tap-tap on pressure points to ease organ strain, a pause to adjust for her shallow breaths, then another series of taps to realign her vital rhythms. It was like playing a symphony on the strings of her life force, re-tuning what sickness had discordant.
To everyone else, it must've looked bizarre—like I was drumming an invisible instrument on her skin, or performing some quirky ritual. Lucy's eyes went wide as saucers, Zoro watched with crossed arms and a raised brow, Nami leaned forward with quiet intensity, and Usopp fidgeted like he was about to explode from nerves.
Kaya gasped softly, her voice a whisper. "W-warm… it feels so warm inside…"
"Don't fight it," I murmured, my tone soothing. "Breathe. Just breathe easy. Let it flow."
Bit by bit, the change took hold. Color seeped back into her cheeks, a healthy pink replacing the ghostly pallor. The trembling in her fingers steadied, her breaths deepened without that awful rattle—like broken glass grinding in her chest. Her eyes fluttered, widening with wonder as the weight lifted from her body.
Lucy's mouth dropped open in awe. "It's like magic! Real magic! Sunny, you're a wizard!"
Zoro crossed his arms tighter, though a hint of respect flickered in his eyes. "Not magic. Just him being his usual ridiculous self. Overpowered show-off."
Nami's lips curled into a soft smile, her hand finding mine briefly as I worked. "Yeah. Our overpowered idiot." There was warmth in her voice, a quiet pride that made my chest tighten. She watched me with those sharp eyes, and in that moment, amid the healing, I felt her gaze like a caress—romance woven into the chaos.
[System]: Ara~ patient stabilized~ vitality restored, fragility corrected. Fufufu, such grace in your touch, Master. Though I do dislike how her eyes shine at you now… shall I dim them a little? Just a tiny jealousy glitch~
{Ego}: Chill, psycho. He's healing her, not courting her. Focus on the win—another notch in the god belt.
[System]: Fufu~ perhaps… but I don't share well. My Sunny is mine alone~
I opened my eyes, pulling back with a satisfied nod. Kaya stared at me, wide-eyed and teary, sitting up straighter than she had in months. "I… I can breathe… I don't feel heavy anymore. It's like… like the fog lifted."
"You're fine now," I said, leaning back on my heels. "Eat properly, get some sun, walk outside—live your life. You're not a glass doll anymore. You're free."
She burst into tears then, covering her face with her hands, shoulders shaking. The room fell silent for a beat.
Usopp panicked, flailing his arms. "K-Kaya!? Did he break you?! I swear, Sunny, if you turned her into a crying machine or something—I'll—I'll slingshot you!"
Kaya shook her head, lowering her hands to reveal a radiant smile through the tears. She reached out and pulled Usopp into a tight hug, burying her face in his shoulder. "No! I'm happy, Usopp. I'm alive… really alive. Thanks to your friend. To you for bringing him."
Usopp froze like a statue, his face turning a shade of red brighter than a tomato. "Uh… y-yeah… no problem…"
Teasing Time
I couldn't resist smirking, leaning back with my arms crossed. "Oho? What's this now? Hugging, tears, dramatic declarations… you two sure you're not secretly boyfriend and girlfriend? Looks like a romance straight out of one of those sappy novels."
Usopp nearly exploded, jumping back with his hands waving wildly. "WHA—NO! I mean—I—she's—I—We're just friends! Best friends! With stories and adventures and—and no kissing or anything gross like that!"
Kaya, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink, whispered so softly it was almost inaudible, "Maybe… someday."
That shut Usopp up completely. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, no words coming out—just a series of strangled squeaks.
Lucy squealed at ear-piercing volume, bouncing on her toes. "Kyaaa! So cute! Did you hear that, Zoro? Did you hear that?! They're gonna be pirate lovebirds! Like in the stories!"
Zoro rolled his eyes so hard I thought they might fall out. "Yeah, yeah. Lovebirds. Whatever. As long as it doesn't involve me carrying their luggage or something."
Nami elbowed me sharply in the ribs, though her own eyes sparkled with mischief. "Don't tease them too hard, idiot. They're kids. Let them figure it out without your commentary." But she leaned into me, her head resting on my shoulder, her laughter soft and warm against my neck. "Though… you're not wrong. It's kinda adorable."
"Hey, I'm not teasing," I grinned, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer. "Just predicting the future. Pretty sure I'm right. And hey, if they can find a spark in all this, maybe it's a sign for us too." I whispered the last part just for her, my lips brushing her ear.
She blushed lightly but didn't pull away, her hand covering mine. "Smooth talker. Save it for later."
Usopp buried his face in his hands, groaning. "Why do I feel like this is worse than all my lies coming true at once… Now everyone's gonna think we're—we're—"
"Engaged?" Lucy suggested helpfully, grinning from ear to ear.
"NO!" Usopp yelped.
The room dissolved into laughter, even Kaya joining in with a light, genuine giggle that filled the space with joy.
Kaya's Gratitude
Later, as the afternoon sun slanted through the now-open curtains, Kaya sat up properly for the first time in months. Servants fussed around her, bringing trays of fresh fruit and tea, but she waved them off with a newfound strength, insisting she could manage. She turned to me, bowing her head deeply despite my protests.
"Sunny… I owe you everything. My life, my future—please, if there's anything I can do, any way to repay you…"
I waved her off with a casual grin. "Don't even start with that. Save that gratitude for him." I pointed at Usopp, who was still sulking in the corner, his face half-hidden behind his hands. "He's the reason I even tried. Brought us here, vouched for you."
Usopp blinked, peeking out. "M-me? But I didn't do anything! I just… told stories."
"Yeah," I said, ruffling his curly hair roughly, making him squawk. "And those stories kept her spirits up, kept her fighting this long. I just gave her a push. You did the hard part—being there every day, no matter what."
Usopp's jaw worked soundlessly, his eyes misting over. Then, for once, he didn't spin a tale or exaggerate. He just… smiled, a real, heartfelt one that lit up his face.
[System]: Fufufu~ emotional link detected. The long-nosed boy's loyalty rises exponentially, probability of joining the crew: extremely high. Ara, how precious… though remember, my Sunny, only I stay by your side forever~ No room for extras.
{Ego}: She's getting creepier by the day. Jealous much?
[System]: Jealous, dear Ego? Fufufu~ Perhaps. But can you blame me? My Sunny is irresistible.
The servants, sensing the shift, began chattering excitedly, and soon the mansion buzzed with life—curtains flung wide, windows opened to let in the breeze. Kaya stood shakily at first, then more steadily, insisting on walking us to the door herself.
Closing Scene
As night fell, Kaya leaned out her window, looking at the stars with wonder, as if seeing them for the first time. Usopp stood beside her, unusually quiet, their hands brushing in a tentative, sweet moment.
I sat with Lucy and Nami on the lawn, sipping tea that Zoro had mysteriously spiked with sake when no one was looking—probably to "liven things up," as he put it before dozing off under a tree.
Lucy nudged me with her elbow, nearly spilling my cup. "So… you really fixed her? Like, poof, all better?"
"Of course," I said, taking a sip and wincing at the unexpected burn. "She'll be fine now."
Nami's voice was softer, her head leaning on my shoulder as we gazed up. "You always… do that. Like it's nothing."
[System]: Because to you, my Sunny, saving lives is nothing~ Ara ara, such power… such kindness. It's almost unfair how perfect you are, fufufu~
{Ego}: Yeah yeah, god complex achieved. Let's get some sleep already.
I smiled at Nami, then at the stars. Another life saved. Another step forward.
Tomorrow would bring new battles, new laughs, new troubles. But tonight… I was content.