Staring at the innocent-looking little girl, Fang Yi felt a pang of guilt. Deep down, he couldn't personally bring himself to kill her, even though the overall mission demanded it.
"I'm sorry. I don't truly want to kill you," Fang Yi said, voice heavy. "But after taking down a Celestial Dragon… we'd face relentless pursuit. If I let you go, you might betray us. So… this is the only way."
"No—please, don't kill me! I swear I know nothing! I stay home and sleep—I see no one!" Tears streamed down Tiffany Palace's cheeks. She understood the stakes: if roles were reversed, she'd do the same.
"You know that's impossible." Fang Yi shook his head and quietly signaled Shanks.
Among the group, besides Fang Yi, Shanks was the one whose mind worked fastest. Despite occasional foolishness, he often came through.
Fang Yi turned to Shanks. "What do you think?"
Shanks hesitated, glancing down at Tiffany. "Yi‑ge… she's just a little girl. Isn't this cruel? We're not monsters."
Barrett spat: "Enough with that innocence talk! Celestial Dragons are no good. The world would be better without one. Might as well end her and get it over with."
Fang Yi admired Barrett inwardly—when he spoke bluntly, there was no dust being thrown.
Tiffany sobbed, turning to Fang Yi: "How can you trust me now? You said we were partners... why kill me now?"
Fang Yi inhaled deeply. "You're right. I do trust you, not in idle ways. Our goal is to get that doctor out to help us. Nothing more. You repeat what we arrange, bring him, and we let you live. Do you agree?"
She sniffled, wiping tears. "Yes. I swear I'll bring him. No tricks."
Fang Yi nodded. "Then unbind her."
Buggy blinked: "You trust her so easily? If she screams, we're dead!"
Fang Yi quietly handed Tiffany a small pill: "Buggy's right—this is for your compliance. Take this. If you follow through, I'll give you the antidote."
"What… what is it?" Tiffany squeaked.
"Not a poison," Fang Yi soothed. "But it's addictive. Normal medicine won't help. If you feel the urge and can't get more? You'll go mad."
Tiffany gagged helplessly, but it was already too late—the pill was gone. She suddenly felt an overwhelming desire for more.
Fang Yi smiled faintly: "It's psychological more than chemical. Stay obedient, and you'll stay calm. But defy us, and… well. I have ways to punish you."
Fear washed over Tiffany until she fainted.
Fang Yi cleared his throat. "Sorry. I exaggerated. This is the fish‑bait pill—not truly deadly, just reinforcing so you don't run into trouble."
He walked past Barrett and Shanks, who exchanged astonished looks—they knew their humanity had NOTHING on Fang Yi's manipulation skills.
Soon Tiffany revived. Fang Yi led her back to her quarters. Barrett, Buggy, and Shanks pulled apart to pre-arranged rendezvous points, awaiting the next phase.
Later, in the bedroom with Tiffany after costume preparations:
Fang Yi zipped his armor and leaned close. "You understand your role, right?"
She glared, but agreed: "I will follow the deal. Fail, and you die."
"I'm not aiming to kill you," Fang Yi replied. Then he slipped out.
Moments later, Tiffany sat up and staged an illness. She demanded that the famed doctor be brought before her immediately.
Guards and slaves panicked. A child's health incident was dangerous inside the palace.
Soon, a middle-aged man in a white coat entered—clearly a physician.
Tiffany waved everyone out: "Everyone, leave. Just bring him."
"Princess Tiffany, what's wrong?" the doctor asked, approaching.
Tiffany pointed at Fang Yi: "Talk to him."
Fang Yi took off his helmet. "Please… you're the person with the Surgery Fruit, right?"
The doctor paused. "Princess… come to see me because you heard rumors?"
Fang Yi nodded, hope rising. "So you are a Surgery Fruit user?"
The doctor sighed bitterly—he'd once been a healer, now reduced to a monkish servant for Celestial Dragons.
"I apologize—this is rude—but… will you show your power here?" Fang Yi asked calmly.
The doctor nodded and extended his hand. A clear sphere formed midair.
Tiffany shrank back in curiosity, but quickly lost interest—she'd expected something more thrilling.
Fang Yi held his composure. "So… if someone is terminally ill, can you still save them?"
The doctor's eyes narrowed with purpose: "I used to hesitate. Now... I can."
Hearing that, Fang Yi's heart filled with relief.