"Meiser, you're really too clever!" Nami said.
"Haha, indeed. The Marines would never expect us to still be at Tree One," Usopp laughed heartily.
Their current location was indeed still at Tree One—just underground.
This space had been created by Meiser using Earth Release. Though not large, it was more than enough to accommodate everyone present.
"Let them wander around up there," Meiser remarked.
The Water Dragon was actually being controlled by his Shadow Clone, and the figure inside was also a transformed Shadow Clone. His goal was to divert the Marines' attention elsewhere, ensuring they wouldn't focus on this spot.
"Are we staying underground the whole time?" Merry asked.
"Of course not," Meiser shook his head. "Once we treat Hachi, the Marines should be lured away by then. After that, we'll head to Shakky's place."
Maintaining such a space underground required Chakra, so staying here for three days wasn't very realistic. Besides, it wasn't necessary. Once the Marines left, going to Shakky's would be the best option.
"Treatment?"
"Mhm."
As he spoke, Meiser handed Merry over to Chopper, then approached Hachi. Looking down at him, he said, "I'll use Medical Ninja Technique to treat your wounds, but the process might be painful. Also... it will consume some of your cellular lifespan. Are you okay with that?"
"Cellular lifespan?"
Hachi blinked, not understanding what Meiser meant. What was... cellular lifespan?
Seeing the others equally confused, Meiser explained, "The number of times cells can divide in a person's lifetime is limited. Medical Ninja Technique heals by stimulating cells with Chakra to accelerate division and regeneration, thereby closing wounds quickly."
After a pause, he added, "Simply put... it shortens your lifespan."
At this last statement, the dimmer members of the group finally had an epiphany.
"You could've just said it shortens lifespan from the start," Usopp grumbled. All those technical terms had gone right over their heads.
"Just because you idiots didn't understand doesn't mean Chopper didn't. Right, Chopper?"
Chopper nodded—he had indeed understood. As a doctor who had inherited most of Dr. Kureha's medical knowledge, his expertise in medical science was no less than Meiser's.
"But Meiser, can your Ninjutsu really do something like this?"
"Of course!"
"Yohohoho~" Brook laughed. "I wonder if this technique would work on these old bones of mine?"
Meiser looked Brook up and down, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Medical Ninja Technique is effective for treating bone fractures and similar injuries," he said. He'd treated such conditions before with good results.
"However... Brook's body structure is quite special. Strictly speaking, he's not purely a skeleton, so the Mystical Palm Technique might actually work better on him."
Thinking this, Meiser recalled Brook's unique physiology.
He could eat, get bruises, shed tears... This guy was truly one of a kind!
"Is that so? That's wonderful, yohohoho~" Brook laughed heartily. If that were the case, he wouldn't have to worry about getting injured anymore.
"Can't you just heal by drinking milk?" Usopp quipped. He remembered during their time at the Devil's Triangle Ship Graveyard, Brook had healed his injuries simply by drinking milk. After finishing one carton, his Tooth grew back instantly.
"What if there's no milk available?" Brook said helplessly. He couldn't possibly carry around milk all the time. What if it got smashed during battle?
"Good point..."
"Don't worry, I'll heal you when the time comes," Meiser offered.
"Then I'll be counting on you!"
"Mhm."
Meiser nodded with a smile before turning to Hachi. "Hachi, what's your answer?"
"Bring it on!"
Rather than showing fear, Hachi actually looked somewhat eager. If he could regain his combat ability sooner, he wouldn't have to remain a burden anymore. As for Meiser's warning about lifespan reduction... He'd been a pirate, after all. Why would he care about something like that?
Meiser nodded, crouching down to examine Hachi's wounds before activating the Mystical Palm Technique to treat him.
"Fortunately, your internal organs weren't damaged, and the bullets went clean through your body. We don't even need to perform extraction surgery," he remarked while working.
Watching the green glow emanating from Meiser's hands, Sanji exclaimed in surprise, "Is this that wound-healing technique?"
"Idiot, don't disturb Meiser!"
Thump
"Right..."
Rubbing his head where Nami had punched him, Sanji winced. She hadn't exactly been quiet either. But he said nothing more, simply sitting quietly to observe Meiser's treatment.
"Guh..."
Hachi's brows furrowed as he felt the changes in his wounds. Rapid healing... was indeed quite uncomfortable.
"Bear with it," Meiser advised.
Hachi nodded silently. There was nothing to do but endure.
As time passed, everyone could clearly see Hachi's wounds gradually closing. The sight left the onlookers stunned.
"This... is the so-called Medical Ninja Technique?"
"Incredible... truly amazing!"
Luffy's eyes sparkled as he looked at Meiser. "Meiser, why don't you try it on me too?"
At this, Meiser shot him a sidelong glance. "How about I slash you first, then heal you? What do you say?"
"Huh?"
Luffy blinked. Slash him first?
"Zoro, what do you think?"
"Sounds good to me."
Zoro grinned, his gaze shifting meaningfully toward Luffy.
Luffy: "...
"No thanks, no thanks!"
Luffy shook his head vigorously. Getting slashed was definitely out of the question—he was terrified of cutting attacks.
"Then shut up," Meiser snapped impatiently. "Can't you see I'm treating a patient?"
And he wants to try it too... This idiot really thinks this thing is some kind of blessing?
Excessive cell division will shorten your lifespan!
Meanwhile, Zoro wore an expression of regret, as if thinking: Why didn't Luffy insist on this?
The scene made the others burst into laughter.
Come to think of it... Luffy really is quite a punchable guy most of the time.
"Dammit, where the hell did those guys run off to?!" Billman growled in frustration.
They'd definitely chased in the right direction, so why... couldn't they find anyone?
Had those bastards simply vanished into thin air?
Just then, Billman spotted the Flying Fish Riders floating on the water nearby.
"You there!!"
"Huh?"
Duval, bobbing on the waves, blinked in surprise before turning to Billman. "Uh... Navy officer, were you... calling us?"
"That's right!"
Duval: !!!
Had his face reverted to its original ugly appearance?
Panicking, Duval quickly pulled out a mirror to check. Seeing his handsome reflection still intact, he sighed in relief. "Ah... good, still a looker."
Billman: ???
Is this guy insane? Checking his looks at a time like this?
"Are you mocking me, boy?" Billman glared, eyes narrowing.
He had to admit the guy was good-looking, but whipping out a mirror now? What the hell was wrong with him?!
"Of course not, Navy officer! I—"
"Enough. Cut the crap. Did you see a Water Dragon pass through here?"
"Water Dragon?"
Duval blinked in confusion. What the hell was a Water Dragon?
"No idea?"
"What kind of Water Dragon are you talking about?"
Seeing Duval's genuine confusion, Billman frowned. "That Water Dragon definitely came this way. You mean you didn't see it?"
"Sorry, no..."
"Useless trash," Billman spat irritably.
Without another word, Billman turned and strode away, clearly unwilling to waste more time on Duval.
Whether he could survive this depended entirely on the Straw Hat Pirates' fate now.
Duval: ???
Watching Billman leave, Duval was utterly baffled.
"That guy's insane!" Duval muttered in exasperation.
Just because he hadn't seen some random thing, he got cursed at?
"Hmm?"
Hearing Duval's remark, Billman shot him a frigid backward glance that sent a shiver down his spine.
Just then, a Marine rushed over, addressing Billman urgently. "Vice Admiral Billman! The Straw Hat Pirates were spotted near Grove 20! I suspect they're trying to reach the legal districts above Grove 30!"
"Tch. Trying to hide in the legal zones, are they?" Billman sneered. "They've miscalculated."
As wanted criminals, there was no way they could hide.
After all... no shopkeeper would willingly shelter them!
A bounty worth hundreds of millions of Berries... who wouldn't be tempted?
Not to mention these bastards killed a Celestial Dragon. Harboring them meant a death sentence!
So... they were doomed.
At this thought, Billman said, "Notify the other Marines immediately and have them head to the target area. They must find the Straw Hat Pirates for me!"
"Yes!"
Soon, under Billman's lead, these Marines departed from the area.
"The Straw Hat Pirates?"
Duval froze for a moment before saying, "If that's the case... then the Water Dragon he mentioned must be the Blood-Eyed Ninja's Water Release Technique?"
If that man could manipulate ocean waves... then it made sense he could also summon a Water Dragon.
With this in mind, Duval nodded.
"Boss, I'm back!"
"Mhm."
"Did you deliver the message?"
Duval already knew what Loll had gone to do—the other had informed him via Den Den Mushi.
"It's delivered." Loll nodded. "Boss, what should we do now?"
He had already learned from their other companions about the Straw Hat Pirates killing a Celestial Dragon. Honestly... this crew was truly ruthless. They just killed a Celestial Dragon without hesitation.
"There's nothing we can do..." Duval sighed. "They've already reached Area 20 of the grove."
All the Flying Fish Riders could do was serve as transportation for the Straw Hat Pirates.
Now that the crew had successfully escaped to another area, their usefulness had diminished.
"Then let's get revenge for the Straw Hat Pirates, Boss!" the chubby man said.
"Revenge?"
"Yeah. On my way back, I got word that the ones who kidnapped Miss Camie and Miss Merry were Peterman's gang, who live in Grove 8."
But since the Straw Hat Pirates had already gone to Grove 1 to rescue them, he hadn't mentioned it earlier.
"Heh, not a bad idea at all."
Duval glanced at the sign marking Grove 7 and grinned. "Those bastards definitely deserve a beating!"
With that thought, Duval immediately turned around, intending to go eliminate them.
But just as he was about to twist the throttle, the Den Den Mushi in his pocket started ringing.
"Buro buro buro~"
"Buro buro buro~"
"Buro buro buro~"
"Click~"
"It's me," Sanji said. "Are you guys alright?"
"Ah~"
"It's the Young Master!" Duval laughed heartily. "We're fine, no one's giving us trouble."
"Good." Sanji sighed in relief.
After all, the Straw Hat Pirates had been transported to Grove 1 by the Flying Fish Riders.
If the Marines found out, it would be bad.
Especially since... this time, a Celestial Dragon had died!
Who knew if the Marines would just arrest the Flying Fish Riders as well.
"Ahahaha, is the Young Master worried about me?" Duval laughed. "What an honor~"
"Cut the nonsense. Get out of there fast—go back to your base or return to the countryside."
"Yeah, I'll leave right after helping you get revenge."
"Revenge?"
Sanji paused, then asked in surprise, "What revenge?"
"I just got word that Peterman's gang was the one who kidnapped the two ladies!" Duval declared. "So I'm going to take them out."
At these words, Sanji fell silent on the other end.
"Damn it, I'm gonna punch those guys into next week!" Luffy shouted.
"Damn right!"
"If they dare touch our people, they must pay the price!"
If they hadn't known, that would be one thing. But now that they did, there was no way they'd let those bastards off!
Listening to his crewmates' boisterous voices, Sanji chuckled before asking, "Where are you guys?"
"Ah... We're on the sea west of Grove 7, heading toward Grove 8."
After a brief silence, Duval continued, "You're really coming?"
They'd just killed a Celestial Dragon—shouldn't they be thinking about escaping? Yet here they were, planning to come after Peterman for revenge?
Were they really that bold?
"Grove 8, huh." Meiser glanced at the Den Den Mushi in Sanji's hand. "Convenient. It's on our way."
Their route to Shakky's Grove 13 would pass by Grove 8. They could just deal with that Peterman guy while they were at it.
Hearing Meiser's words, Sanji nodded. "You heard him, Duval. Wait for us there."
"Alright..." Duval replied helplessly.
If they were set on coming, he had no choice but to accept it.
But... traveling all the way from Grove 20 to his location... wouldn't they get intercepted by the Marines?
That was no short distance.
"Right, that's settled then."
Click~
After ending the call, Sanji handed the Den Den Mushi back to Meiser.
Taking it, Meiser turned to Hachi. "Alright, you're free to move now."
"Th-That's it?!"
Hachi stood up in disbelief, patting his injured area. "It really doesn't hurt anymore... How long has it even been...?" And just like that, his wounds were healed?
Was this the power of a Ninja?!
"That fast?!" Pappag exclaimed excitedly at Meiser. "Your Ninjutsu is amazing!"
"It's impressive, but not suitable as regular medical treatment," Meiser replied. "Only for emergency battlefield use."
If possible, gradual recovery was still preferable.
"Since Hachi's healed, let's get going," Luffy declared, standing up. "Time to avenge Merry and Camie!"
"Yeah!"
"Everyone..."
Touched by their determination, Merry and Camie's eyes welled up.
"Hachi, once we're out, take Camie and Pappag into the sea and leave this place as fast as you can," Meiser instructed.
"Huh? But I can fight too—"
"Hachi," Meiser cut him off. "You know the consequences of killing a Celestial Dragon."
"You could join the fight, but what about Camie? What about Pappag? You need to think about them too."
If they were unlucky enough to run into the Marines, they might clash with a Marine Admiral. Against an opponent like that... Hachi staying would be pointless.
It was better for him to escort Camie and the others to safety.
"So that's why you healed him," Nami remarked.
"Right."
Nami nodded, saying nothing more. She understood Meiser's thoughtful intentions now.
As for letting Camie and Pappag go first... these two idiots would probably get eaten by some sea monster the moment they left Sabaody Archipelago!
So it's better to have Hachi go with them.
"I..." Hachi opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Listen to Meiser," Nami said.
Hachi fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I understand."
In the end... he was just too weak.
"Meiser, get us up there," Luffy said.
"I'll go up first to check."
Using Earth Release Technique to return to the surface, Meiser scanned the surroundings. Finding no trace of the Marines, he brought his crewmates up from underground.
"Good, it's safe out here," Meiser said. "No sign of the Marines—they probably ran off to chase us elsewhere."
Seems his plan worked. At least they wouldn't be surrounded by the Marines now.
"Alright, let's hurry to Grove 8!" Luffy said.
With that, he immediately tried to dash toward the distant bridge.
"You idiot, stop right there!"
Meiser grabbed Luffy's arm, stretching it out ridiculously long.
"Meiser, what's the big idea?"
Luffy glared at him, annoyed. Why was he being held back?
"I've got a faster way. Just wait a second, you moron."
"Huh?"
Hearing Meiser's words, Luffy stopped struggling and obediently walked back.
After releasing Luffy's arm, Meiser pointed toward the sea. "Hachi, you can go now."
"Got it."
"Everyone..."
Camie and Pappag looked at them with teary eyes, full of reluctance.
"It's not like we'll never see each other again," Nami said with a laugh.
"True," Hachi said. "We still have to take you to Fish-Man Island."
After all, the underwater tunnel was too dangerous for humans.
Without someone accompanying them, he really couldn't rest easy.
Thinking this, Hachi added, "I'll come back for you in three days."
"Fine, see you in two days then."
"Okay!"
"Meiser, everyone, goodbye!"
"See you."
Splash!
Watching Hachi, Camie, and Hachi plunge into the sea, the crew felt relieved.
Once the fish-men entered the ocean, they wouldn't be caught.
With that worry gone, it was time to focus on other matters.
"Meiser, what's your plan?"
"Of course, we're moving across the water," Meiser grinned. "It's faster and harder to spot."
"You don't mean..."
"Relax, I won't make you swim this time."
Meiser walked behind them and, under their confused gazes, leaped up and swung his sword.
"Wind Blade!"
Whoosh!
The sharp slash cleanly severed a chunk of land from the shore—the exact spot where the Straw Hat Pirates were standing!
"Wha—?!"
Usopp and the others gaped in shock as the sea rushed closer.
"Hey, Meiser, what the hell are you doing?!"
"Taking off, of course!"
"Water Release: Water Dragon Whip Technique!"
BOOM!
As Meiser spoke, a massive Water Dragon surged from the sea, catching the falling landmass.
THUD!
"Hold on tight!" Meiser jumped down with a wild grin. "All aboard the Water Dragon Express! Next stop—adventure!"
BOOOOM!
"Ahhh!!!"
"Damn it, Meiser, slow down!"
"Hahahaha."
"Huh?"
Feeling movement above her, Camie instinctively looked up and immediately saw the massive, swiftly moving Water Dragon!!
"This...?" Camie gaped in disbelief. "Is this thing really just passing by?"
"As expected of Meiser..." Pappag sighed in admiration.
The power of a Ninja is truly awesome!