If it's deflated, then you need to inflate it.
Shano suddenly exerted force, lifting the boat and carrying it to the sea, while Junichi immediately squatted down and began performing CPR on Sanji.
After a long bout of activity, Sanji suddenly shook his upper body, coughed, barely opened his eyes to a sliver, then tilted his head and fell into a coma again.
However, his breathing became long and steady, so Shano breathed a sigh of relief and had Junichi carry Sanji into the cabin.
He himself went to the other end of the reef and helped Zeff over.
The old man, seeing Sanji still alive, finally felt at ease and lay down obediently on the bed.
Both of them were extremely weak, one in a coma and the other with an amputated limb that needed treatment.
It's crucial to find a reliable doctor for treatment as soon as possible.
"Is there a hospital in Shimotsuki Village?" Shano asked.
"Hospital?" Junichi scratched his head. "Not really, but there's a small clinic, and Granny Zilan there is very skilled, with people even from neighboring villages crossing mountains to see her."
"Then let's head to Shimotsuki Village!"
Shano unfolded the nearby nautical chart, "We've been sailing for two days already. How much longer will it take to get there?"
The islands of the East Sea are scattered everywhere, innumerable, and small villages like Shimotsuki, rarely frequented by outsiders, aren't usually marked on market-sold charts.
Fortunately, there's a local from Shimotsuki Village.
Junichi pointed to a spot and estimated with a spread of his fingers, "We're very close, boss, three to four days at most."
"Three or four days... Use up the cola; full speed ahead. The two of us paddling with all our might later should cut down the time significantly."
Shano turned around, "Can you hold on, old man?"
Zeff struggled to lift his right hand, made an "OK" gesture, saw the black line form on Shano's brow, grinned, then lay back down.
...
Two days later in the evening.
After a long time, the persistent drizzle gradually stopped.
The group led by Shano finally arrived at a small island dotted with hills. On the southern side of the central mountain range was Shimotsuki Village.
Several teenagers were playing next to the dock, and those with sharp eyes noticed the fast-approaching small boat from afar.
"Huh, that boat looks familiar..."
"It's Brother Junichi, you idiot! Brother Junichi has returned!"
"Brother Junichi!"
The teenagers rushed up excitedly to greet Junichi as he got off the boat, surrounding him warmly.
Meanwhile, Shano was still in the cabin. He glanced at the sleeping Zeff and pulled out a small pouch from his pocket. It contained a half-bag of blood.
This was what Sanji coughed up today while half-unconscious, and at the time, it was quite scary. Luckily, the situation stabilized later, and it wasn't a big deal.
Blood...
Shano rubbed his chin thoughtfully. This should be the most valuable item he could extract from Sanji now, right?
After all, the kid had just escaped from Germa shortly before, and the chef's uniform he was wearing was from his internship on a passenger ship, so he didn't have anything with sentimental value.
He no longer hesitated and chose to sacrifice this bag of blood.
[Offering: Sanji's special blood]
[Quality: Excellent]
[Value: 1000 points]
[Appraisal: As a member of the North Sea Royal Family and the Vinsmoke Family, Sanji has undergone lineage factor modification, making his blood unique. Despite his hatred for his own lineage, there's no doubt that the blood flowing through his veins is more valuable than that of ordinary people.]
[Remaining points: 10325]
"It's really valuable after all."
Shano's eyes brightened, and his mood improved significantly.
Just like Nami, Sanji is still just a kid. Naturally, you can't expect a bonus for weight in strength, so being able to score a thousand points like this was indeed an unexpected delight.
He sheathed the Masamune Sword on his back and stepped out of the cabin. Glancing at Junichi, he smiled and said, "You're quite popular in the village, huh!"
Ever since showing the Masamune Sword in front of Junichi, he had gotten into the habit of carrying it with him. After all, he was tall enough now, and wearing it looked rather fitting.
"Hehe."
Junichi scratched his head in embarrassment but quickly noticed the exhaustion on Shano's face. He immediately turned his head, put on a serious face, and in the manner of a dojo senior, declared:
"There's urgent business at hand. There are two patients here who need to be taken to the clinic. Who can lend a hand?"
Reaching in two days was mostly thanks to Shano boss's superhuman strength and endurance in paddling faster. Such finishing work should no longer trouble him; he really deserved a good rest.
"Me! Me!"
A group of kids was extremely eager, with four lifting Sanji and two supporting Zeff, heading towards the clinic.
Junichi followed closely behind, suddenly noticing a figure in the bamboo forest, and immediately shouted:
"Zoro!"
"Huh?"
A green-algae-haired boy popped his head out, panting heavily and drenched in sweat. Upon seeing Junichi, he immediately looked delighted: "Brother Junichi! When did you come back?"
"Just got here. Practicing alone again?"
"Yeah."
"Take a break for now. I need to take the patients to the clinic. This is Shano, someone I greatly respect; can you help take him to the dojo to rest? I'll be over later."
"Understood, rest assured, Brother Junichi!"
Watching Junichi and his companions leave, Zoro picked up his bamboo blade, slung it over his shoulder, and walked out of the bamboo grove.
He looked at Shano, his gaze lingering for a moment on the Masamune Sword on Shano's back.
"Come on, follow me!"
Zoro said boldly, "There are plenty of empty rooms in the dojo. You look really tired. I'll find you the most comfortable bed!"
"Sure."
Shano chuckled and followed behind.
"By the way, your name is Shano, right?"
As they walked, Zoro suddenly asked without looking back, "Brother Junichi seems to really respect you, even called you boss, but you don't look older than him. Are you two close?"
"We just got to know each other recently, but you could say we're life-and-death friends."
Shano replied casually, his attention drawn to the green mop ahead.
Zoro, currently not even 1.5 meters tall, was a little runt. Watching that green head bobbing below his chest was hard to resist the urge to pluck a few strands.
"Really? Brother Junichi is the best among his peers. If he acknowledges you, your swordsmanship must be strong too!"
"But I'm also strong. Among the dojo disciples around my age, I'm the best!"
Shano was speechless.
The most reliable Liu Zoro in the Straw Hat Pirates seems to be just taking shape at this stage.
A ten-year-old tiger-headed kid, always bragging and boasting without shame, is precisely one of the most prominent features of this age.
"Really?"
Shano coughed lightly and put on a curious look, "What about Kuina?"
Zoro's face turned red instantly.
What, did Brother Junichi even tell this guy about that!
"Almost... Kuina is also very strong. I've fought her many times, and we're about even!" The green algae-headed kid gritted his teeth and insisted.
Shano chuckled lightly.
Kids have fragile pride, so he didn't burst his bubble and continued following Zoro into the village.
Until...
As they walked, something didn't feel right, and they inexplicably ended up at the end of an alley. In front, next to the gate of a Japanese-style building, hung the sign of "Shimotsuki North Mountain Hot Spring Bathhouse."
"What does this mean?" Shano asked, puzzled, looking at Zoro. "Weren't we going to the Isshin Dojo?"
"No, it should be this way..." Zoro scratched his head, pondering hard, "Where exactly did we take the wrong turn?"
Only then did Shano realize.
You really got lost even in Shimotsuki Village!
————
There'll be a second update in the afternoon. Votes matter a lot during the new book period, so I'm humbly asking for support. Not greedy for many votes, just one from friends who have some would be great~