“Vir~”
A voice echoed in Vir’s mind.
Instinctively, Vir glanced at the closed medical kit.
Telepathic communication?
“Yes~ I can talk to you directly~ It’s a bit dark inside after you closed the lid~ But it’s much better than the seafloor~ And with you here, I’m really happy~”
Hearing Merry’s childish voice, Vir couldn’t help but smile.
“As long as you like it. Don’t worry, I won’t completely close the lid.”
As he spoke, he left the medical kit slightly open.
Merry immediately let out a heartfelt giggle.
Listening to its laughter, Vir felt a bit emotional.
Well, achievement unlocked: Ship Rescuer.
Now, Vir could officially say he had saved every member of the Straw Hat crew.
Before long, everyone had moved to land.
Water 7 had just endured a massive flood, leaving the city in ruins.
As the mayor, Iceburg had to return and lead the citizens in disaster relief efforts.
The shipwrights followed him, eager to help rebuild.
Meanwhile, Luffy and the others crowded around Vir, clamoring to see the Merry inside the medical kit.
Chopper was already clinging to his leg.
At that moment, a large figure approached Vir and extended his right hand.
“Hello, I’m Jozu, the Third Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.”
Vir shook his hand.
Jozu wasn’t usually this polite, but this was the legendary doctor who could save Pops.
He didn’t want his own recklessness to delay Whitebeard’s treatment even a single day.
Luffy and the others, seeing this burly man being so respectful, were quite surprised.
Was everyone in the Whitebeard Pirates this polite?
As they thought about it, they all turned to look at Luffy in unison.
Maybe they could send this guy over for some training?
“You’re here to take me to treat Whitebeard, right?”
Vir got straight to the point.
Jozu’s expression brightened. He had been wondering how to bring it up, but Vir was refreshingly direct.
Good, he liked people like this!
“That’s right. When do you want to set out?”
Jozu asked with a grin.
“As soon as possible. Let me settle things here, and we’ll leave immediately. Whitebeard’s condition is serious, so the sooner, the better.”
Hearing this, Jozu was moved almost to tears.
See that?
This was the caliber of a true doctor!
Other doctors were so arrogant, demanding payment upfront before even considering treatment.
But look at the great Dr. Vir—not a word about money, not even a mention of rewards. He’s only concerned about the patient!
A doctor like this is truly rare!
Unbeknownst to Vir, those two sentences had just elevated his image in Jozu’s eyes by several levels.
“Vir, where are you going?”
Luffy asked, looking confused.
From the earlier conversation, the others had already pieced things together.
The Strongest Man in the World, Whitebeard, was personally requesting Vir’s treatment.
Tch. Impressive.
A doctor sought after by a Yonko was the same person who treated them daily.
Well, maybe not daily… but still, he was their doctor.
That was something to be proud of.
Hearing that Vir was about to leave, everyone felt a tinge of reluctance.
“Your brother asked me to treat his captain.”
Vir casually responded to Luffy before turning to the others.
“Are you going to miss me?”
At his words, the group, who had just been saved by him, all nodded in unison.
Well, except for Robin…
She could already smell trouble brewing.
“Since you’re all so reluctant to part with me, why don’t I treat you one more time before I leave~?”
A wicked grin spread across Vir’s face.
The reaction was instant. Even Chopper turned pale!
“Go! Just go! Hurry up and leave!”
Usopp screamed.
As soon as he shouted, everyone sprang into action.
“Vir, have a safe trip! Here’s some money for food along the way!”
Nami shoved a wad of cash into Vir’s hands.
“Vir, take this! It’s my treasured meat! Eat it when you’re hungry!”
Luffy pulled a meat leg out of his pants and handed it over.
“Take mine too, big bro! Travel safe!”
“Here, the latest swimsuit magazine! Read it if you get bored on the trip!”
“Here’s a bottle of booze…”
One by one, they frantically shoved things into Vir’s arms while pushing him toward Jozu’s ship.
Vir looked at the strange assortment of items in his arms and couldn’t help but laugh.
Even Chopper had joined in!
Betrayal!
Fine! Another rebellious phase, huh?!
Just wait till I catch you!
Jozu chuckled at the scene.
Vir wasn’t actually angry. After all, they were offering up their most prized possessions just to see him off.
Even Usopp handed him some of his so-called ghost-repelling tools.
Seeing their enthusiasm, Vir couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
“Alright, alright, I won’t treat you. Let Chopper take care of it. This is a good chance to test his skills.”
Hearing this, they finally stopped pushing him.
Vir finally steadied himself and grabbed Chopper, squeezing his face hard.
“You better take good care of them. If even one of them dies, it’s on you.”
No one thought Vir was being unreasonable.
Because with him around, dying was nearly impossible.
“Yes, big bro!!”
Chopper snapped to attention, saluting fiercely.
Vir chuckled and patted his hat.
“Alright, time to go.”
With that, he stood up, a hint of melancholy in his voice.
Seeing Jozu waiting for him on the distant ship, Vir began walking toward it.
But as he turned away, a pair of hopeful eyes in the crowd dimmed with disappointment.
Of course, it was Robin.
Vir hadn’t even looked her way once.
In her hands was a cup she had bought for him during her shopping trip with Chopper in Water 7.
She had noticed how Vir would sometimes spend days researching medicine without even drinking water.
So she got him this cup—with a little message engraved on it.
But now, it seemed she wouldn’t get the chance to give it to him.
Lifting her gaze, she saw that the massive ship had already begun to set sail.
Watching Vir laughing and chatting with Jozu on board, Robin couldn’t help but feel a little sad…
The ship quickly left the harbor.
Vir never once looked back at her.
Robin finally lowered her head.
Staring at the cute cartoon-themed cup in her hands, she huffed in frustration.
Forget it!
Jerk!
Truthfully, Robin preferred darker, more mysterious designs.
She had bought this cartoon cup for Vir because his medical kit was covered in stickers of Chopper’s cartoonish drawings.
So she thought he might like this kind of thing.
Sigh… Since she couldn’t give it to him, she might as well use it herself.
With that thought, Robin turned to leave.
But just as she turned around, she bumped straight into someone.
“Sorry.”
Feeling down, Robin didn’t bother to see who it was.
She apologized and was about to walk past them when—
A hand suddenly landed on the cup in her hands.
Robin stared at that familiar hand, momentarily stunned.
“Yo~ What’s this? Feeling heartbroken? Hahahaha!”
Vir grinned as he snatched the cup from her hands.
While taking it, he casually said, “Is this for me? Then I won’t be polite about it.”
Hearing that, Robin abruptly lifted her head.
She gazed at his familiar face.
Recalling how she had just been badmouthing Vir in her head, she suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Vir, however, didn’t seem to mind at all.
After placing the cup into his medical kit, he handed Robin a small object.
It was something resembling a pinwheel.
“Here~ this is for you!” Vir said, passing it to her.
Robin finally smiled.
She was in a great mood but still maintained her composure as she accepted the pinwheel from him.
But just when she thought Vir had given her something special—
Vir pulled out an identical one.
“This one’s for Nami. Give it to her later.”
“This thing doesn’t spin normally, but if someone invisible gets close, it will start turning. Got it?”
After hearing that, Robin’s expression soured.
Even though this thing seemed pretty useful…
It just didn’t feel as special anymore.
She had thought it was something only she would have.
Turns out everyone was getting one…
Her gaze toward Vir gradually turned sharp and displeased.
Vir was dumbfounded.
Wait a minute.
I’m giving you such a good thing, and this is the attitude I get?
Why are you glaring at me?!
Fine, fine! You’ve all grown up!
One by one, you’re all going through rebellious phases!
I’m leaving!
I’ll leave you all to your happiness!
Just wait till Kuma teaches you guys a lesson!
Oh, right.
Speaking of Kuma, Vir took out a syringe and handed it to Robin.
After all, Zoro’s injuries wouldn’t be light.
Even though everyone was stronger than in the original timeline, they still wouldn’t stand a chance against Kuma.
And since Luffy had grown stronger, the pain and fatigue transferred to Zoro after being struck by Kuma would be even more unbearable.
So, this medicine was just in case.
It wouldn’t change the battle’s outcome, but at least it could save a life at a critical moment.
“Give this to Chopper. If anyone suffers a serious injury, he can use it.”
After Vir finished speaking—
Robin snatched both items from his hands with an annoyed expression.
Then, without even acknowledging him, she turned and walked toward Luffy and the others.
Vir could only stare in disbelief.
—–
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