......
Inside the warm treehouse, the fragrance of tea wafts through the air.
Kuma holds the hot tea, remains silent for a moment, and finally speaks:
"Dr. Kureha, actually, my visit to Drum Kingdom this time is to ask for a favor. Those doctors I met at the port told me that you are the most skilled doctor on this island. The matters they cannot solve may only have a solution here with you."
"Oh?"
Kureha takes a big swig of wine, raises her eyebrow with some surprise, "Those who willingly become slaves to Wapol, I didn't expect them to have such awareness... What is the matter?"
"My daughter, Bonney."
Kuma's voice is deep and gentle, with a flash of pain in his eyes, "She's contracted a rare disease, Cyan Jade Scale Disease."
"Cyan Jade Scale?"
Kureha furrows her brow, puts down the bottle of wine, "This disease is not commonly seen. Tell me the symptoms in detail."
Kuma nods, carefully takes a photo from his pocket, and hands it to Kureha.
The photo shows a pink-haired little girl, beaming brightly and cuddling closely with Kuma, clearly showcasing a strong father-daughter bond. On her exposed skin, faint cyan scales resembling jade stones can be seen.
"Initially, it was just cyan marks appearing on her skin, but then it gradually spread, forming these jade-like scales. During episodes, she experiences severe pain all over her body, persistent high fever, and cannot be exposed to light throughout the year..."
Kuma's voice quivers slightly, "I've consulted many doctors but they're all at a loss. One doctor even asserted..."
"Your daughter won't live past ten years old?"
Kureha replies blandly.
"Yes!"
Kuma suddenly sits up straight, becoming energized. He had barely mentioned it and the responder precisely judged Bonney's lifespan limit, clearly seasoned with understanding of this disease.
It seems he has come to the right place; this most senior doctor in Drum Kingdom truly has a well-earned reputation!
Kureha takes the photo, scrutinizes it for a while, then gets up to pull out several heavy medical books from the bookshelf, quickly flipping through them.
The room falls silent, with only the rustling sound of turning pages.
Chopper stands nervously nearby, restlessly rubbing his little hooves, while Shano and Robin exchange a glance, tacitly refraining from interrupting.
Shano quietly ponders.
In his impression, Chopper doesn't know Kuma, suggesting there's no butterfly effect involved, and Kuma likely hadn't come to seek Dr. Kureha for help before arriving at Drum Island.
However... can Kureha really devise a solution?
Kuma has traveled the entire world for Bonney's sake. Perhaps in these vast seas, only Vegapunk, the unrivaled genius who masters technology transcendental by five hundred years, truly has a solution through technological means.
Indeed, just as expected.
After a long while, Kureha closes the last medical book and sighs eventually.
"I'm sorry." She meets Kuma's eyes directly, speaking decisively, "I can't cure this disease."
Kuma's body stiffens slightly, and the light in his eyes dims.
"Even you have no way..." he murmurs lowly, his broad shoulders seeming to slump.
"The cause of Cyan Jade Scale Disease remains unknown, seemingly born in this world due to some kind of bloodline experiment, and existing treatments only alleviate symptoms."
Kureha shakes her head, "Though I've lived for over a hundred years, this disease is indeed beyond my capabilities."
She pauses, looking at Kuma's disappointed expression, and adds, "However, I do know of a place that might help you."
Kuma suddenly raises his head, hope rekindling in his eyes, "Where?"