The small wooden house was quiet when they stepped inside.
Shamrock's gaze immediately settled on the woman lying on the bed—Jade, Sarah's mother. Her breathing was shallow and uneven, her skin pale, sweat clinging to her forehead despite the cool air in the room.
With his Observation Haki, Shamrock could sense it clearly: her body was being worn down from the inside, fighting a battle it could not win alone.
Sarah stood beside the bed, wringing her hands nervously.
"…She hasn't been able to work for months," she said in a small voice. "Every doctor I asked wanted money we didn't have."
Shamrock turned to her, his voice steady and reassuring.
"We'll buy the Devil Fruit from you for one hundred and twenty million berries," he said. "And we'll make sure your mother gets treated by a good doctor."
Sarah froze in place.
"…W-what did you just say?"
Zoey crossed her arms and nodded confidently.
"You heard him. No tricks. No delays."
Tears welled up in Sarah's eyes.
"T-that's too much… I don't deserve that much."
"It's fair," Shamrock replied calmly. "Now tell me—who's the best doctor in this town?"
Sarah wiped her tears with her sleeve and took a deep breath.
"Dr. Lampert," she answered. "His clinic is in the town center. He's expensive… but he's the best there is."
"Stay here," Shamrock said. "I'll bring him."
The town center was crowded and noisy, but Shamrock moved through it with purpose.
He stopped near a vendor stacking crates of vegetables.
"Excuse me," Shamrock said politely. "Where can I find Dr. Lampert's clinic?"
The vendor glanced at him, surprised by how calm he sounded.
"Go right about seventy meters," he said, pointing. "Then walk straight for about two minutes. You'll see the clinic on your left."
"Thank you."
Shamrock found the clinic exactly as described—a clean building with a modest sign hanging above the door. He stepped inside and was immediately stopped by a nurse.
"What do you want, kid?" she asked, eyeing him curiously.
"There's a woman in critical condition," Shamrock replied evenly. "Her name is Jade. She needs Dr. Lampert immediately."
The nurse hesitated.
"The doctor is attending another patient right now."
"That's fine," Shamrock said. "I'll wait."
A short while later, the nurse returned.
"He'll see you now."
Dr. Lampert stepped out moments later, medical bag in hand, his expression serious.
"You said someone is critically ill?"
"Yes," Shamrock replied. "Please follow me."
They returned to Sarah's house together.
Zoey and Sarah were sitting quietly near the bed when the door opened.
"He's here," Shamrock said.
Dr. Lampert approached Jade immediately, checking her breathing, pulse, and lungs with practiced efficiency. The room was silent except for the faint sound of Jade's breath.
After finishing his examination, the doctor straightened.
"She has tuberculosis," Dr. Lampert said gravely.
Sarah covered her mouth.
"…C-can she be cured?"
"Yes," the doctor answered. "But only if you follow the treatment exactly. These medicines must be taken regularly. Keep contact to a minimum, and wear masks and gloves when near her. If you do this properly, she will recover."
Relief flooded Sarah's face, and she nearly collapsed onto the chair beside the bed.
Zoey clenched her fists softly.
"She'll be okay…"
Dr. Lampert handed over several medications along with detailed instructions.
"Follow this carefully," he said, then nodded at Shamrock. "You did the right thing calling me."
With that, the doctor left.
Zoey rushed out immediately and returned soon after with the remaining medicines from the nearest store.
Shamrock then placed a heavy bag into Sarah's hands.
"One hundred and twenty million berries," he said calmly. "Deposit it in the bank. Don't keep it here."
Sarah stared at the bag, hands trembling as she felt its weight.
"…Thank you," she whispered, bowing deeply. "For saving my mother. For everything."
She hesitated, then looked up nervously.
"…Are you really going to fight the Capone family?"
Shamrock met her gaze without hesitation.
"You don't have to worry about that."
Zoey smirked lightly.
"We'll take care of it."
By evening, Shamrock and Zoey finished loading their ship with supplies—food, water, medicine, and everything needed for the next leg of their journey.
Sarah stood at the dock, waving desperately as the ship prepared to depart.
"Please… come back alive," she called out.
Zoey waved back energetically.
"Take good care of your mom!"
Shamrock gave a small nod.
The sails unfurled, catching the wind.
As the ship slowly pulled away from the harbor, Shamrock's eyes fixed on the horizon.
"Now captain where to—–" Zoey said softly, excitement dancing in her voice.
"Of course it's Swallow Island," Shamrock replied.
And the sea carried them forward—towards a fate of a family built on fear, and a conflict that would soon be erased.
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Thanks For Reading....