The man sitting behind the wooden desk let out a long, tired sigh.
He slowly removed his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose as if doing so might somehow ease the headache forming there.
"I don't know what to tell you, Makima-san," Doctor Ruki said at last, his voice calm but weighed down with uncertainty. "There is absolutely nothing wrong with your son."
Makima's eyes widened.
In the very next instant, she slammed both hands down onto the desk, the sharp sound echoing through the clinic room.
"Doctor Ruki," she snapped, leaning forward, "you cannot tell me there is nothing wrong with him. You saw it yourself, didn't you?"
Doctor Ruki met her gaze evenly. "I did indeed see it, Makima-san. Every bit of it."
He paused, choosing his words carefully.
"The only plausible explanation left to us," he continued, "is to believe Tenjin-kun about that fruit he claims to have eaten. Because as it stands right now, there is no medical explanation for why your son can turn into wood."
Makima clenched her jaw.
"This is beyond science," Ruki admitted. "Beyond medicine. It's… supernatural."
He spread his hands helplessly.
"But we have nothing else to go off."
Makima scoffed sharply. "You're a fraud of a doctor," she said bluntly. "I want a second opinion."
Doctor Ruki blinked, genuinely taken aback.
A second opinion? he thought. From who? I'm the only doctor on this island.
Before he could voice that thought, a chuckle came from the side.
Homes, who had been sitting in on the conversation with his arms crossed, laughed lightly. "Now then, Makima-san, calm down. I'm sure we'll find an explanation for all this soon enough."
Makima exhaled heavily and leaned back into her chair, crossing her arms with a deep frown. She said nothing more.
In the children's section of the clinic, the mood couldn't have been more different.
A boy stood in front of Tenjin, eyes sparkling as if he were staring at a living legend.
"Tenjin," the boy said excitedly, leaning forward, "you are so cool! You took down all those bad guys by yourself even though you are so young!"
This boy was Tony, Doctor Ruki's son.
Tenjin planted his fists on his hips and puffed out his chest, letting out a confident chuckle. "Of course!" he declared proudly. "It's only natural, Tony. I'm the strongest in this village."
Tony's jaw dropped slightly.
"You should've seen it," Tenjin continued, clearly enjoying himself. "That mighty Captain Nagels? He was begging me to spare his life!"
Tenjin suddenly huddled forward and twisted his face dramatically, mimicking Nagels as terribly as possible.
"He was like—" Tenjin squeaked in an exaggerated voice, "'Ohhh, great god Tenny, please spare my miserable life and I'll serve you forever!'"
Tony gasped. "Whoa…"
"And I was like BAM!" Tenjin punched the air enthusiastically. "'Serve me for the rest of your life? That job belongs to a beautiful girl, not you!'"
Tony stared at him in awe.
"So cool…"
Just then, a firm knock echoed through the clinic door.
Makima, Homes, and Doctor Ruki all turned toward the sound at once.
Doctor Ruki cleared his throat. "Come in."
The door opened.
"Please excuse me," a voice said respectfully as a man stepped inside. His posture was straight, his build sturdy, clearly one of the village's warriors.
Homes immediately smiled. "Jiji. Do you need something?"
Jiji nodded. "Yes, Commander Homes. The Marines have arrived at the village gate and request your audience."
Homes raised an eyebrow. "Oh? The Marines, huh."
He stood up smoothly. "Makima-san, Ruki-san, I'll have to be on my way."
Makima nodded. "Thank you for all the help."
Homes waved a hand dismissively. "Please, don't mention it."
He turned toward the door. "Well then, excuse me."
And with that, he exited the room.
---
After a short walk, Homes reached the village gate.
Standing there was a man with a stern face, a neatly groomed mustache, and a calm but commanding presence. Homes approached him and extended his hand.
"The name's Commander Homes," he said.
The man shook his hand firmly. "Captain Momonga."
Homes blinked. "Captain?" He chuckled. "Wow. They sent quite a heavy hitter for our quiet little village."
Momonga chuckled softly. "It's nothing that extravagant. I just happened to be close by."
Homes nodded. "That makes much more sense."
Momonga straightened slightly. "So, Commander Homes—"
Homes quickly cut him off. "Captain Momonga. Me telling you I was commander was just a formality. Please, just call me Homes."
Momonga smiled faintly. "Then please, call me Momonga."
"Fair enough."
Momonga nodded. "So, Homes-san. We received a pirate distress signal. Something about the Nagels Pirates. But I don't see any pirates around. Care to explain?"
Homes answered calmly, "Ah. They've already been defeated."
Momonga froze. "…What did you say?"
"The distress call was only fifteen minutes ago," Momonga said slowly. "You couldn't have defeated the Nagels Pirates that quickly."
Homes smiled. "I think it'd be better to show you than tell you. Please, follow me."
Momonga hesitated only briefly before nodding. He turned to his men. "You stay here. I'll go in alone."
"Yes, Captain Momonga!" the Marines saluted in unison.
Homes and Momonga walked off together.
After a short while, they arrived at a large holding cell.
It was filled to the brim.
Pirates, dozens upon dozens of them packed tightly together, groaning, unconscious, or glaring through swollen eyes.
Momonga's eyes widened.
"I… I can't believe it," he said. "You were telling the truth."
Homes smiled. "I never lie, Momonga-san. Well, rarely."
Momonga stared at the prisoners, then slowly turned to Homes. "The Nagels Pirates are no slouch."
He paused.
"Is the military of this village truly that strong?"
Homes looked him straight in the eye. "Momonga… would you believe me if I told you a seven-year-old boy defeated all these pirates by himself?"
Momonga stared at him as if he had just said the most absurd thing imaginable.
"Homes," he said flatly, "surely you jest."
Homes chuckled. "I don't blame you. I'd look at me like an idiot too if I was told that. But I'm being one hundred percent honest here."
Momonga studied him for a long moment.
"…Would it be possible to meet this child?"
Homes nodded. "Yes. I'm sure Makima probably wouldn't mind. We're close by anyway. Let's go."
After a short walk they stopped in front of a building.
Momonga frowned. "A clinic?"
Homes smiled. "They're most likely inside."
He pushed the door open.
Makima and Doctor Ruki turned toward them.
"Oh," Makima said upon seeing Homes. "Back so soon?"
Her eyes then shifted to the man behind him, the mustache, the uniform.
"And…?"
Momonga stepped forward. "Captain Momonga of the Marines' North Blue Forces."
Makima shot up instantly. "A Captain?! Excuse my rudeness!"
Momonga chuckled. "It's fine. You've done nothing rude."
Homes gestured slightly. "Captain Momonga would like to see Tenjin."
Makima's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Tenjin?" she asked. "What for?"