After chatting a bit more with Shanks and the others, Amon tactfully stepped back and left the stage to Usopp and his parents. The three of them had not seen each other for so long, they definitely had a lot to say.
The others in the house also withdrew, quietly giving the family some space to reconnect.
...
Outside the room, as Amon walked out of Usopp's little house, the village doctor came straight toward him.
Just as Amon thought he was going to ask about buying a jar, the man suddenly dropped to his knees in front of him.
"Please, sir, save my lady!"
"Hm?"
The sudden plea left Amon a little stunned.
"I am not sure who your lady is."
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am the doctor from Miss Kaya's household. Miss Kaya has been suffering from a strange illness for a long time and has never recovered. Your jars are so miraculous, sir. I beg you, please save her."
"Kaya?"
The moment Amon heard that name, he immediately thought of the frail girl who always spoke softly and rarely left her little attic room.
So she had already been sick since she was a child. No wonder that when she grew up, her body was so weak and she rarely left the house. Even when she did, she was wrapped in thick clothing.
"All right. Once Usopp comes out and I hand him the last item, I will go with you to see your lady."
Amon nodded.
In the original story, Kaya did not appear many times, but her gentle, sickly image had made many fans like her a lot. Amon was one of them.
One of the big reasons he loved coming to Syrup Village was to see what Kaya had been like as a child.
The other reason was to deal with Captain Kuro.
If he remembered right, Kuro should be in this time period already infiltrating Syrup Village, slowly setting his plan into motion.
Amon was not sure whether the man had arrived yet. If he had, Amon would deal with him directly. If he had not, then he would at least give Kaya's father a serious warning.
"Thank you so much, sir."
The doctor's excitement showed plainly on his face when he heard Amon agree to see Kaya.
"It is no trouble. I am a jar merchant. Whenever someone wants to open a jar, I am more than happy."
...
Not long after, Usopp came out of the house. After Amon handed him the last item from the jar, and received heartfelt thanks from mother and son, he followed the doctor toward the villa where Kaya lived.
...
A little over ten minutes later, the two of them arrived at the villa's front gate.
It was already night, and the lights inside the mansion were bright.
"Master, Master, I am back. I found someone who might be able to cure Miss Kaya's illness."
As soon as they reached the door, the doctor started shouting.
"Who is making such a racket outside?"
A sharp voice answered almost immediately.
The next second, a man with a head of short white curls, two small horns, and a butler's attire stepped out. It was the house steward, Merry.
"Merry, it is me, Hock."
Recognizing the man, the doctor waved quickly.
"Oh, Hock. Did you not go to see Miss Usopp's mother earlier? Why are you back so soon?"
Seeing that it was Hock outside, Merry opened the door.
"Usopp's mother's illness has been completely cured, so I had time to return."
"What? Cured? Was her illness not terminal? Did you have a breakthrough in your medical skills?"
Merry was stunned. As far as he could recall, Usopp's mother had been suffering from an incurable disease.
"Merry, it was not me. It was this gentleman who cured Miss Banchina. I have brought him here to see Miss Kaya."
Doctor Hock stepped aside slightly and led Amon inside.
"Good evening, Mr. Merry. My name is Amon. I am a jar merchant."
Amon smiled and introduced himself politely as he walked in.
"Hm? A merchant? Merchants can cure illness now? Hock, are you making fun of me? How can a merchant know how to treat disease?"
Merry's expression turned chilly.
"To tell you the truth, I do not know how to treat illness. But my jars can."
Amon's tone remained calm.
"It is no exaggeration to say that Miss Usopp's mother was saved because she opened one of my jars."
He smiled slightly as he spoke.
"That is absolutely true, Merry. I saw it with my own eyes. His jars are incredibly mysterious."
Seeing that Merry still did not quite believe, Hock hurried to explain.
"Merry, who is outside?"
Just as Merry was about to refuse, a slightly tired but firm voice came from inside the house. It was Kaya's father.
"Master, Hock has returned. He says he brought a strange gentleman who can cure Miss Kaya's illness."
Hearing the question, Merry could only answer honestly.
"What? Then what are you waiting for? Invite him in at once."
Before Merry had even finished, the man inside burst out in excitement.
"But, Master, the person he brought is a jar merchant. He claims there are treasures in the jars that can cure Miss Kaya. You know how many swindlers there have been lately, I am worried..."
"It does not matter. As long as there is a chance to cure my precious daughter, I will try anything."
Kaya's father cut him off again before he could finish.
"Yes, Master, I will bring them in at once."
Merry turned and motioned for Amon and Hock to enter.
...
"Hock, are you sure he can really cure the young lady?"
Merry still could not fully trust Amon.
"Merry, I cannot guarantee anything, but I did personally witness Miss Usopp's mother being cured by him. That is why I wanted him to come see Miss Kaya."
Doctor Hock explained patiently.
As he spoke, he described in detail the scene he had witnessed earlier, when Banchina had been on the verge of death and then recovered after drinking the potion.
When Kaya's father and Merry heard how the dying woman had become lively and energetic after drinking Amon's medicine, they were visibly shaken.
"Sir, can you truly cure my daughter's illness?"
Kaya's father could not help asking, almost impatiently, once Hock had finished.
It was obvious how deeply he loved his only child.
"As long as you are willing to open a jar, anything is possible."
Amon smiled. He did not promise outright.
"Very well. Merry, go get some Berries for this gentleman. I want to open the jar myself and draw out a cure for Kaya."
"Father, who is here? Why are you calling for money?"
Just as Kaya's father was ordering Merry to fetch Berries so he could open a jar, a small figure appeared at the top of the stairs.
Seeing who it was, Kaya's father's expression softened at once.
"Kaya, it is late. Why are you not in bed yet? You should be sleeping. Your health is important."
"No, I could not sleep. Father, what were you just talking about? I think I heard Doctor Hock say he brought someone who can cure my illness."
Little Kaya rubbed her eyes and looked down at the gathered adults, confused.
In just a moment, her gaze landed on Amon standing among them.