"Dressrosa."
Kureha said quietly, "There is a magical race there, the Dwarves, and Princess Mansherry of their kingdom is a user of the Heal-Heal Fruit."
"The Heal-Heal Fruit?"
Kuma's eyes gradually brightened.
"Yes. This ability is quite amazing, it can not only quickly heal injuries, but even eliminate congenital diseases in the human body."
Kureha took another swig of wine and continued:
"More than ten years ago, when I traveled the world, I passed through there. Mansherry was just a little girl back then, but now she should have grown up. Her control over her Devil Fruit must have improved a lot. That healing power may be enough to cure Jade Scales."
"However…"
She glanced at Kuma. "The Dressrosa Kingdom is now Doflamingo's territory. That guy is no pushover. The Tontatta tribe has always held a grudge against the Donquixote Family, and I heard they've now become his subordinates. If you want to see Princess Mansherry, you'll have to get past him first."
"Doflamingo…"
Kuma frowned slightly. As a former Revolutionary Army officer, he naturally knew how dangerous that Shichibukai was.
"That guy is proud and arrogant,"
Kureha said in thought. "But I've also heard he's a businessman who values his reputation. If I pay a price to request a meeting with Mansherry, it shouldn't be impossible."
"A businessman, huh… that's true."
Kureha clicked her tongue, then casually tore off a page and scribbled a few lines on it.
"In that case, here, take this letter of introduction. Mansherry's temper isn't very good, but for my sake, she'll agree to help you with medical treatment once."
"Thank you."
Kuma quickly stood up, received the letter with both hands, glanced at it, and carefully put it away.
"If you insist on going, you should still be careful," Shanu said from the side. "Doflamingo's character is ultimately not trustworthy."
"Don't worry, Lord Shanu."
Kuma said earnestly, "I will be cautious. With my strength, even if Doflamingo tries to play some tricks, he might not succeed."
That was true.
Shanu nodded, seeing that Kuma had taken his advice seriously, and didn't say anything more.
After all, although Kuma's reputation lagged behind Doflamingo's, his actual power was not inferior. They were both monsters on the same level.
Moreover, with Kuma's mastery of the Paw-Paw Fruit and his ability to fly, even in danger, he could escape easily.
"Bonnie is still ill, so I can't stay here any longer."
Kuma bowed to Kureha. "Thank you for your guidance, Dr. Kureha; I will remember your kindness."
Then he looked to Shanu. "Thank you for today's introduction, Lord Shanu. I hope we will meet again."
"We will." Shanu smiled.
Outside, the wind and snow continued to howl, but inside the treehouse it was warm and quiet.
After a brief farewell, Kuma put his bear-ear hat back on, rose, and prepared to leave.
He nodded to everyone once more before stepping out into the snowstorm.
Everyone watched as his tall figure slowly vanished into the white night.
"What a gentle father…" Chopper sighed softly at the window.
"Yes."
Shanu stretched, then turned to Robin. "Alright, time to plan our next trip."
"Huh?"
Chopper spun around, eyes wide. "Brother Shanu, you're leaving already?"
"The illness is cured, so of course we're leaving. What? Are you reluctant to part?"
Shanu rubbed his fluffy head. "How about coming aboard as our ship's doctor?"
"Really?! But, I… I…"
Chopper's eyes shone, but then he suddenly remembered something. His face flushed and he stammered.
"Chopper is not qualified to be a doctor yet," Kureha's calm voice came. "He only started seriously learning medicine under me earlier this year. He's barely scratched the surface. Everything before that came from that quack Hiruluk. If you're not afraid of everyone on your ship dying from his treatment, feel free to take him."
Uh…
Remembering Hiruluk's "medical skills," Shanu felt it was better for Chopper to continue studying a bit longer.
"Then we'll talk after you finish your training."
Shanu crouched down. "No rush, Chopper. To me, you're already a companion. If you ever want to go to sea, you're welcome anytime…"
He suddenly remembered the two brats at the Shimotsuki Dojo.
"Oh, right , in less than two years, there might be a green-haired and a blond brat following me out to sea. You can join their ship and come find me."
"Green-haired and blond?" Chopper blinked. "Who?"
"Two annoying brats."
Shanu's eyes softened. "One keeps yelling he'll be the world's greatest swordsman. The other… wants to find the legendary All Blue. The two idiots fight every day. You'll know them when you see them."
"Understood, Brother Shanu!"
Chopper nodded vigorously. "But I'm still far from good enough. From now on, I'll study properly under Dr. Kureha!"
Doctor Hiruluk, did you hear that? From now on… I really have a partner…
Chopper's eyes reddened as he tried not to cry.
"Yes, I believe in you. You'll master it soon."
Shanu smiled and stood up. He looked down at the pink sakura-pattern hat in his hand, hesitated for a moment, then put it back on Chopper's head.
He and Robin had just stepped outside when, Kureha suddenly grabbed Shanu's arm and glared at him.
"Did you forget something important?"
"What?"
Shanu looked confused.
"The consultation fee."
Kureha crossed her arms. "99,999,950 Berries. Not one less!"
"Are you serious, old woman?! I don't have a single coin, where am I supposed to get that kind of money?!"
"A pirate with a 540 million bounty can't even take out a bit of cash? I don't buy it."
"Can't you take him as payment?"
Shanu pointed at Wapol unconscious in the snow. "I'll help you deal with this scoundrel and restore this island into the medical kingdom it used to be."
"…"
Kureha frowned and lit a cigarette. "What nonsense are you talking about? This guy is the king of a member nation who attends the Reverie, "
She suddenly paused, eyes narrowing.
"Well, for a pirate like you… that's nothing."
The black-haired boy had been far too gentle and friendly the whole time.
For a moment, she had almost forgotten, this was a man who had killed a Marine Vice Admiral and a Shichibukai.
"But what good does restoring this country do for me?"
Kureha looked toward the distant town lights, exhaling smoke. "Just means more doctors competing with me."
"Why are you acting so arrogant at your age? It's disgusting, you two-faced old hag."
Shanu sighed, grabbed Wapol, and punched him hard in the belly.
"Ugh, !"
Wapol vomited out a huge pile of gold and jewels, forming a small mountain.
But Shanu wasn't done. He kicked him again.
This time, even more items flew out, murals, a gilded dining table, a diamond throne, cannons… an entire treasure room.
"That should be enough. Take whatever you want. Do whatever you like with the rest."
Shanu clapped his hands and glanced at the stunned Kureha.
She was stubborn, but she loved her homeland more than anyone. These stolen riches, given to her, would definitely be put to good use.
As for the Drum Kingdom's future?
He didn't care.
Dalton might become king one day, maybe the island renamed Sakura Kingdom. That was their business.
"Ugh… ugh…"
A groan sounded.
Wapol finally woke up. He blinked groggily, until he saw the mountain of treasure.
"Who?! WHO STOLE MY TREASURE?!"
"You're awake," a cheerful voice said beside him.
"Too bad , you'll be sleeping again soon."
"Huh?!"
Wapol turned and saw Shanu's smiling face inches away.
That great pirate!
"Chess! Kuromarimo! Protect me! PROTECT ME!"
He scrambled backward on all fours , but Shanu grabbed him by the collar and lifted him.
"What do you want?! Let me go! Please! Take everything! My fortune, my kingdom, my doctors , take them all! Just don't kill me!"
"Oh?"
Shanu raised an eyebrow.
"Brother Shanu, watch out!" Chopper shouted. "This guy is cunning! Don't be fooled!"
Damn it!
That talkative tanuki!!
Wapol cursed internally. That little reindeer was right , he wasn't going to sit and wait to die.
And Shanu was so careless!
Putting his face so close…!
"You fool , DIE!"
A mechanical clacking sounded in Wapol's throat.
"Swallow Factory, Metal Storm!"
BOOM!!
A storm of metal fragments, gears, and steel balls burst out point-blank.
But,
Shanu didn't move. He didn't even blink.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The shards struck his face, letting off sparks… and bounced away harmlessly.
Wapol stared in disbelief.
Impossible. His Metal Storm could demolish a castle, yet it didn't even scratch him?!
Shanu's body… what was it made of?!
"No… NO! Impossible!"
In a panic, Wapol tried one last desperate move, he opened his jaw wide to swallow Shanu whole.
But,
"Your mouth stinks. I'm not going in there."
Shanu calmly grabbed Wapol's metal jaw with one hand,
and forced it open.
"Ugh, !"
Wapol felt the metal joints beginning to crack.
Shanu then grabbed the upper jaw,
Kureha and Robin quickly covered Chopper's eyes.
CRACK!!
The metal jawbone snapped. Wapol's head split apart. His eyes froze wide open.
He died instantly.
"That's awful…" Chopper trembled. "Did his head get ripped open?"
"It is awful. But this is the fate he deserved."
Kureha exhaled smoke lightly. Hiruluk… and all the innocent doctors and citizens, if their spirits saw this, they would be relieved.
Shanu inspected the corpse.
"Yes, definitely dead. No risk of resurrection."
Time for the spoils. Since the metal jaw couldn't be stored, his gaze moved to the crown.
Shanu picked it up, and something rolled out.
A white fruit with spiral patterns.
The Devil Fruit radar's signal, so it was here.
Robin came over.
He handed it to her immediately.
"So, Robin, can you tell what fruit this is?"
"Let me see."
Robin studied it carefully.
Then she said:
"Judging from the patterns… it's definitely a Logia-type Snow-Snow Fruit."