Chapter 66 Entering Drum Island
On the riverbank.
The militiamen originally thought their Captain would be helpless because he wasn't using his Devil Fruit ability.
But now, the transformed Dalton was an invincible warrior in their eyes.
Whether it was strength, speed, or defense, he was no longer the same as he was moments ago.
The current him would surely break free from that man's control!
But the next second—
Bang!
All the surrounding cheers came to an abrupt halt.
The transformed Dalton was still clutched by Lin Ning with one hand, his bovine hooves kneeling on the ground, unable to move!
Dalton struggled madly, gripping Lin Ning's arm with both hands, trying to pry open his palm.
But no matter how much force he used, even activating the several-fold increase in monstrous strength from his Devil Fruit transformation, he still couldn't break free in the slightest.
His fingers dug into Lin Ning's arm, but he couldn't even scratch the skin.
Dalton's pupils constricted, and four words echoed in his mind—
Invincible!
All the militiamen's faces also changed from excitement to shock, and finally to terror.
That man's palm was like an unshakeable mountain; no matter how their Captain struggled, he couldn't move it an inch.
"How is this possible..." someone muttered, completely unable to accept the reality before them.
"Is that the only doctor in your country?" Lin Ning's cold voice suddenly rang out, echoing like thunder, clear in the frigid air.
"She's on that cylindrical Drum Mountain!"
Dalton's body trembled violently.
"How do you know?!" His pupils widened slightly, and a storm raged in his heart.
This man, he even knew that?
Lin Ning didn't answer, but casually flung him aside.
Boom!
Dalton's body crashed heavily onto the snow, kicking up a large amount of snow.
He struggled to his feet in disarray, his face fluctuating, a deep trace of wariness in his eyes.
Lin Ning scanned his surroundings, his gaze like a torch, his voice cold: "We are only here to find a doctor for our sick companion; we won't do anything else."
His gaze was like lightning, penetrating people's hearts, making all the militiamen dare not meet his eyes.
"Furthermore, even if we did want to do something else, you wouldn't be able to stop us. Because you—are too weak."
Lin Ning lightly waved his left hand, and his halberd was held aloft, and in an instant—
Boom!!
A monstrous Aura instantly erupted, the air vibrated, the world changed color, and the entire snowy ground began to shake wildly!
The halberd emitted astonishing red and black lightning, space seemed to vibrate and distort, and an invisible Qi wave spread out, stirring up a sky full of wind and snow!
"Ugh ah ah!" Numerous militiamen nearby were directly sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground.
The militiamen, unstable on their feet, showed deep fear in their eyes; they had never seen such terrifying pressure.
They even felt that this man before them was not human at all, but a War God from ancient times!
Dalton clenched his fists, looking at the man before him, and finally made a decision in his heart.
This man, he and his people could not stop.
More importantly, he had no ill intentions.
Dalton gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, knelt on one knee, and said with his head bowed:
"Respected strong one, please forgive our rudeness. We were truly frightened by pirates, which is why we are so cautious."
Lin Ning retracted his Aura, casually waving his hand: "We need to hurry and find a doctor; we don't have time to chat with you."
Dalton stood up, looked deeply at Lin Ning, and said, "I will take you to Dr. Kureha."
Lin Ning's gaze remained indifferent; he slowly shook his head: "No need, we'll find her ourselves. That will save more time."
Dalton was silent for a moment, then finally nodded.
"May you have good luck."
On the deck of the going merry, it was so quiet you could almost hear everyone's heartbeats.
The storm just now was fleeting, but the aftershocks still rippled in everyone's hearts.
Luffy's gaze followed Lin Ning's movements, watching the easily subdued Dalton and the militiamen.
Everyone witnessed Lin Ning's decisive, ruthless, and swift action, and their eyes were undoubtedly filled with shock.
But at the same time, Lin Ning did not make any excessive moves; he merely suppressed the militiamen with his unparalleled strength, without harming them.
Luffy, on the contrary, breathed a sigh of relief at this approach.
Luffy's character, perhaps, had never changed.
Facing danger, he would never back down, and was even willing to bear everything for those around him.
But he also had his own principles: never harm the innocent, rather be injured himself than let others be injured for him.
This was his respect for life, his trust in friends, and even his adherence to his own beliefs.
Lin Ning looked at Luffy's smiling face, his eyebrows slightly raised, and that cold Aura quietly disappeared.
Luffy looked towards the distant, colossal cylindrical mountain peak standing on the snow-covered land.
That mountain was taller than any other mountain range, seemingly piercing the sky.
Its summit was shrouded in thick clouds, like a pillar reaching the heavens, directly into the sky.
Every inch of the mountain appeared steep, perilous, and unscalable.
"That's Drum Mountain..." Luffy took a deep breath, his voice filled with determination.
He fixed his gaze on that colossal peak, a glint of unwavering resolve flashing in his eyes.
Luffy knew there was no time for hesitation; Nami's condition was worsening, and he absolutely could not wait.
"We have to go quickly!"
Luffy's words were not just for others, but for himself.
His feelings for Nami were not merely the trust between teammates, but also the deep friendship forged through their countless adventures and battles.
And all of this made Luffy incredibly anxious, impatiently wanting to solve this problem immediately.
He looked at everyone on the going merry, his eyes still firm: "I, Lin Ning, and Sanji will go find the doctor. Nami's situation cannot be delayed."
"The others will stay on the going merry and wait for us to return!"
"Understood, Captain. I'll take good care of the ship!" Zoro said firmly, a slight grin on his lips.
"Luffy, you guys go ahead, we'll watch over the going merry." Usopp also said seriously.
"Luffy, Lin Ning, Sanji, you must bring Nami back safely!" Vivi instructed the three.
"Okay, Luffy!" Sanji, hearing Luffy ask him to come along, showed a look of determination in his eyes.
Because Drum Mountain was exceptionally steep, to save time, Lin Ning and Sanji, who were proficient in Moonwalk, accompanied him.
And although Luffy was not yet very skilled with Moonwalk, he had a strong determination to go; he wanted to see Nami get better with his own eyes.
Lin Ning stood by, still calmly watching Luffy make his decision, his gaze serene.
Watching Luffy calmly make the decisions a Captain should, Lin Ning also felt a hint of appreciation in his heart.Chapter 67 Avalanche
Snowflakes fell silently on the quiet hillside, as if the world was enveloped in a hazy white veil.
The thick snow on the hillside covered the ground, like an untouched canvas.
With every step, the snow crunched, a faint echo reverberating through the empty valley.
The snow beneath their feet had already been marked by the trio's footsteps, but they were quickly covered by new, soft snowflakes.
Lin Ning carried Nami on his back, walking side-by-side with Luffy and Sanji across the snowy landscape, surrounded by a vast whiteness, as if they had entered another world.
The terrain of the hillside was steep, and the view ahead was faintly shrouded in a snowy mist, the white world blending with the gray sky in the distance.
A cold wind blew, and a few snowflakes hit their faces, stinging like ice needles, but in this silent snowfield, everything seemed exceptionally serene and mysterious.
The three of them spoke little, their footsteps maintaining a certain rhythm.
Lin Ning's steps were steady and powerful, his speed of Transmigration through the snow barely slowing down;
Luffy followed Lin Ning's pace, and Sanji trailed closely behind him, their steps agile and quick.
The air was crisp and cold, almost freezing all sound, save for the faint echoes from the snow underfoot.
However, as the trio continued along the snowy path, an unusual movement caught their attention.
On the distant hillside, snowflakes drifted down, and a subtle sound suddenly came from the silent snowfield.
The sound was not that of falling snow, but heavy footsteps, accompanied by small tremors.
As the white background of the snowfield gradually cleared, the three finally saw the scene before them—
A large group of giant rabbits appeared in their sight, moving in packs.
These rabbits were not small and cute like ordinary rabbits; on the contrary, they were massive, almost as huge as cows, their steps steady and resolute.
Their figures flashed, ears perked high, eyes alert.
Each rabbit was much larger than a common one, at least two meters tall, with sturdy limbs and snow-white fur, giving off an undeniable sense of Aura.
Their tails were slightly upturned, giving them a strong sense of presence.
These rabbits moved swiftly through the snow, like a surging white tide, their dense figures particularly striking on the hillside.
Their eyes glowed with a cold red light, looking through the thick snow mist towards the three figures ahead, like a group of snowfield ghosts, silent yet full of threat.
"Be careful! These rabbits are not normal!" Sanji warned Luffy and the others.
"Lin Ning, you're carrying Nami, don't you dare make a move! Leave these rabbits to Luffy and me!"
Sanji's tone was firm, as if he had anticipated this sudden situation.
Luffy had already taken a stance and lunged at the charging giant rabbits.
Lin Ning did not reply, steadily carrying Nami, but he didn't take it to heart.
These rabbits didn't seem very threatening; although huge, they posed no danger to Luffy and Sanji.
Sanji and Luffy moved swiftly, giving the rabbits no time to react.
With one punch from Luffy, the surrounding snow flew up, and several rabbits were directly sent flying.
Snowflakes danced in the air like scattered smoke.
The rabbits' eyes glowed red, and their teeth gleamed, as if ready to bite at any moment.
Their speed was remarkable, and their huge bodies could turn flexibly in the snow, incredibly agile, not to be underestimated.
Luffy and Sanji began a fierce confrontation with the giant rabbits, their movements swift, concise, and powerful.
Sanji, with his agile movements, weaved left and right, quickly kicking away one huge rabbit after another.
Every kick he delivered carried a strong burst of power.
The moment a giant rabbit was kicked away, the snow mist within it rose, forming lines of snow across the snowfield.
The immense power left these originally formidable rabbits no chance to fight back, as they were knocked away one after another.
Lin Ning stood aside, carrying the dying Nami, calmly observing everything.
The seemingly peaceful snowfield erupted with earth-shattering commotion under Luffy and Sanji's fierce attack.
The wailing of the rabbits, the violent trembling of the snow, and a suffocating sense of oppression filled the air.
Lin Ning did not make a move, not only because he worried about affecting Nami on his back, but more so because he considered it a minor issue that Luffy and Sanji could easily resolve.
However, the hidden threat behind this battle exceeded his expectations.
Just then, Lin Ning's gaze suddenly darted towards the distant summit of Drum Mountain.
The snow layer on the hillside seemed to tremble slightly, unnoticeable at first, but with each snowflake blown away by the wind, the subtle vibration gradually intensified.
Above the mountain range, the accumulated snow seemed to surge, beginning to slide downwards. Lin Ning's heart jolted, and he immediately realized that there were signs of an avalanche on the hillside.
In an instant, the entire hillside seemed to come alive.
The accumulated snow began to shake violently, like a colossal beast suddenly awakening, stirring restlessly.
The snow layer sank, as if about to swallow the entire valley.
First, there was a slight tremor, then it grew stronger and stronger, the 'creaking' sound from the snowfield piercingly loud in the quiet air.
Immediately, the entire hillside's snow layer began to collapse like giant waves, a booming sound echoing through the valley.
Blocks of snow, like white hills, thundered down from the mountaintop, an endless white torrent sweeping in.
The accumulated snow on the hillside was like a rolling flood, sweeping everything away, stirring up huge snow mist, and the surrounding temperature plummeted, the cold air biting.
The avalanche's speed grew faster and faster, as if all the snow on the entire mountain range was pouring down at this moment.
Lin Ning's gaze quickly swept forward; Luffy and Sanji were still fighting the Lapins, completely unaware of the impending disaster.
The roar of the avalanche grew closer and closer, the air vibrated, and the surrounding snow layers tore apart in the booming sound.
Giant snow waves cascaded like a waterfall from above, roaring downwards, instantly swallowing all visibility.
The moment those few rabbits were swept away by the avalanche, their figures were submerged by the snow, with no room to struggle.
"Luffy! Sanji!" Lin Ning shouted loudly, but his voice was instantly drowned out by the enormous sound of the avalanche.
The three figures almost merged with the heavens and earth, the surrounding world engulfed by the power of this disaster, snowflakes flying, the air almost solidified.
The avalanche had arrived, its deafening sound filling all senses with an endless sense of oppression.
Although Sanji and Luffy reacted quickly, they were both awestruck by the Aura of the avalanche.
Luffy's expression turned serious; his gaze was no longer relaxed, and in an instant, he looked from the snow to Sanji, and the two exchanged a glance.
Sanji whispered, "Use Moonwalk to fly up!"
Snow rolled, the world was a pale white, and the sound of the hillside collapsing roared like thunder in their ears.
Lin Ning, carrying Nami, ascended into the sky using Moonwalk, followed closely by Sanji, who also used Moonwalk to dart to Lin Ning's side.
However, Luffy, who was not skilled with Moonwalk, did not manage to activate it immediately.
He had barely wobbled three meters off the ground when a giant snow wave violently slammed him back down, burying him in the avalanche.Chapter 68 The Castle on Drum Mountain
The avalanche had passed, leaving the mountainside a pristine white, with the once stubbornly growing trees now gone.
The formerly pure white snow was now covered in rolling drifts, and the surrounding air was filled with coldness and a sense of oppression.
Lin Ning and Sanji floated in the air using Moonwalk.
Sanji looked at Luffy, who had disappeared in the avalanche, feeling a bit anxious, and loudly called out, "Luffy! Luffy!!!"
However, Lin Ning remained calm, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up, his eyes fixed on the thick snow below, and he said lightly:
"Luffy is fine. This small situation, how could it possibly hurt him?" As soon as he finished speaking, a figure suddenly shot out from the snowdrift.
Luffy rocketed out of the snow like a cannonball, his body twisting and turning as he floated in the air.
Like a dancer who wasn't quite good at dancing, his feet still flailed in the air, and he shouted:
"That was close! I almost got buried!" His exaggerated expression looked comical no matter how you saw it.
Although he was only affected by the avalanche, Luffy seemed to have experienced some great challenge.
Watching this scene, Lin Ning couldn't help but frown and muttered:
"You won't be so lucky next time you encounter a situation like this.
What if it wasn't snow below, but the ocean? What would you do?"
Lin Ning frowned, his words carrying an undeniable sternness, "I told you before, you need to make up for your shortcomings. But you didn't seem to listen."
Upon hearing this, Luffy immediately panicked, apologizing profusely:
"I'm sorry, Lin Ning, I know I was wrong, I will practice Moonwalk diligently! I won't be so foolish again!"
His dumbfounded expression made Lin Ning both angry and amused, but he didn't say much more.
"Alright, stop just talking and start moving," Lin Ning finally stopped dwelling on it, his tone becoming resolute.
"Start practicing now. Use Moonwalk all the way to the top of Drum Mountain, without stopping midway." His words were like a command, carrying an irresistible force.
Sanji, listening nearby, couldn't help but feel a drumbeat in his heart.
Although his mastery of Moonwalk was also good, this was an extremely stamina-consuming skill, especially over such a long distance.
Looking at the towering Drum Mountain, he couldn't help but feel a chill.
However, since they had already decided to go, he could only grit his teeth and push on.
When Luffy heard Lin Ning's words, he immediately perked up, his obvious gloomy mood instantly dispelled.
He clenched his fists and said, "Okay! Let's rush together! Let's quickly take Nami up this mountain!"
The three exchanged glances, then stopped wasting words, activating Moonwalk in unison, shooting towards the distant Drum Mountain like arrows.
The cold wind was like a knife, cutting across their faces. All sounds were swallowed by the biting air, leaving only the rustle of falling snow and the mournful whine of the wind.
The three floated in the air, propelling themselves step by step towards the summit of Drum Mountain using the power of Moonwalk.
With each step, a biting cold permeated the air, as if even their blood was freezing.
Snowflakes drifted down, scattering from the sky, swirling around their bodies.
They whitened the edges of their clothes, landing on Sanji and Luffy's shoulders.
Sanji remained steady, while Luffy seemed a bit clumsy; his body twisted slightly in the air, his steps unstable, clearly not as proficient as Lin Ning.
The technique of Moonwalk, if not practiced to the extreme, is very energy-consuming, especially for beginners, it tests their stamina and perseverance.
"Luffy, steady yourself!" Sanji called out in a low voice, his gaze fixed on the unbalanced figure beside him.
Although his words carried a hint of urgency, he knew that he couldn't interfere too much—only Luffy himself could Breakthrough that insurmountable obstacle.
That was to master the technique of Moonwalk, making aerial movement more and more stable.
Lin Ning watched the scene before him, silent, only slightly furrowing his brow, his gaze locked on Luffy.
He believed that Luffy would overcome all this; even the most talented person needed to experience training.
A sharp cry escaped Luffy's mouth; suddenly, his body lost balance, and he was about to fall.
Lin Ning narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression unwavering.
"Finger Pistol!"
Luffy shouted abruptly, his five fingers suddenly elongated, whipping out like five arrows.
With extreme speed and immense power, they slammed into the side of Drum Mountain.
The air seemed to solidify for a moment, time seemed to stand still, and Luffy's body was instantly pulled upwards by the elasticity of the rubber.
"Whoosh!" With a loud whooshing sound, Luffy's body suddenly broke free from the 束縛 of gravity, rapidly shooting upwards.
Using that recoil, he instantly flew over Lin Ning and Sanji's heads, soaring above them.
"Haha! That was close!" Luffy laughed loudly, his tone filled with satisfaction and joy.
It was as if all the perilous blunders he had just experienced had vanished into thin air.
He quickly adjusted his posture using Moonwalk, rapidly rushing towards the peak of Drum Mountain.
Compared to his previous shaky steps.
This time, he could effortlessly control Moonwalk, his rhythm and force perfectly coordinated.
"Indeed, even a Genius needs tempering..." Lin Ning sighed softly, a faint smile unconsciously gracing his lips.
Meanwhile, Sanji was nearing his limit, breathing heavily, his body swaying slightly.
Moonwalk was too draining, even though he was used to high-intensity combat.
But being constantly in this invisible support still pushed his stamina to the limit.
Finally, after a period of perseverance, the three reached the summit of Drum Mountain.
Sanji and Luffy almost collapsed powerlessly onto the snow, like two cannonballs, slamming hard onto the snow-covered mountaintop.
The two fell heavily to the ground, their rapid breaths scattering with the cold wind.
The warmth from their nostrils turned into white mist, quickly dissipating in the cold air.
Watching the two figures on the snow, tormented by Moonwalk, a hint of relief flashed in Lin Ning's eyes.
However, the sight before them did not make the three stop.
At the peak of the snow mountain, a magnificent castle covered in ice and snow stood before them.
The castle's roof, like sharp ice blades, pierced the sky, its Aura imposing.
Covered in ice and snow, it resembled a carved crystal palace, shimmering with cold light, like an exotic building from another world.
On the castle walls, frost spread, covering the ornate carvings with a layer of ice, gleaming coldly.
Even in this frigid air, the castle still exuded a solemn and majestic Aura.
Lin Ning, Luffy, and Sanji stood on the mountaintop, their gazes all directed towards this mysterious castle.
"It seems there's no one here!" Lin Ning frowned slightly; he didn't detect any signs of living people in the palace.Chapter 69 First Encounter with Chopper
Lin Ning carried Nami on his back and walked with Luffy and Sanji towards the ice and snow-covered castle.
Just as Lin Ning thought there was no one on the mountain, a red light flashed in his eyes. Lin Ning's Observation Haki had already predicted someone approaching.
Sure enough, from the other side of the mountain peak, the sound of a sled suddenly came.
Lin Ning's gaze quickly turned that way and he saw a blue-nosed Reindeer pulling a sled.
It was rushing towards them quickly, with an old woman on the sled, seemingly heading in their direction.
Luffy and Sanji also noticed the sled and saw the figure on it.
"Is that the doctor here?" Sanji asked immediately.
That's right, it was the doctor Dalton had mentioned, Dr. Kureha.
After Lin Ning quickly identified her, he felt a slight relief in his heart; they had finally found a doctor to treat Nami's illness.
At this moment, Dr. Kureha also noticed the three figures on the mountaintop. She seemed a little surprised but didn't show too much astonishment.
With a gentle wave of her hand, Dr. Kureha directed her blue-nosed Reindeer to pull the sled to a steady stop.
In Lin Ning's eyes, this old woman was quite old, but still full of vitality, even more spirited than young people.
She had a tall and robust physique, with tight skin, lacking the frailty typically associated with the elderly.
Her long, grayish-white hair was tied into a ponytail, and her strands still gleamed with luster.
Her eyes were sharp and profound, carrying a hint of playfulness, and a meaningful smile hung at the corners of her mouth.
She wore a purple cropped top, revealing toned abdominal muscles, paired with dark shorts, looking nothing like an old woman.
"Strange... someone actually managed to climb up here..." Dr. Kureha muttered to herself, then her gaze fell upon Nami on Lin Ning's back, and a flicker of understanding passed through her eyes.
"So that's it." Her voice carried a certain steadiness, but more so, the calm and composure of someone who had experienced much.
"Doctor, please save her quickly!" Luffy urgently shouted, his tone carrying an unquestionable determination.
He suddenly knelt down, his action almost instinctive.
Sanji also knelt down with a thud, his expression becoming serious.
Nami was irreplaceable to them; kneeling on the ground to plead was nothing to be ashamed of. For Nami, they feared nothing.
Dr. Kureha was stunned for a moment. Watching these two people kneel without hesitation, a complex expression flickered in her eyes.
According to her temperament, she would have retorted, harshly mocking them.
But seeing their anxious expressions, she didn't speak, swallowing her words instead.
She cleared her throat and said, "Alright, I'll take a look first, but my consultation fee is very expensive."
She walked closer to Lin Ning, crouched down, her gaze fixed on Nami's face, and gently lifted the blanket covering Nami.
She reached out and touched Nami's forehead, feeling the scorching temperature.
Then, her hand slid down Nami's face; the touch was warm and slightly damp, clearly indicating a serious condition.
"The situation is not good, it must be dealt with quickly." Dr. Kureha's expression was grave, without delay, "Follow me."
Lin Ning nodded, following Dr. Kureha closely, carrying Nami deeper into the castle.
Luffy and Sanji followed right behind, Sanji occasionally glancing around, seemingly observing something.
Just then, the blue-nosed Reindeer behind them suddenly moved.
Initially, Luffy and Sanji didn't notice, but when they turned their heads, their eyes instantly widened.
The Reindeer, which had been on all fours, actually began to stand upright, like a human, bending its legs and standing straight.
It transformed into the size of a five or six-year-old child, small in stature but full of agility and quickness.
Its blue nose still stood out prominently, and its fur remained thick, yet it possessed a small, adorable charm.
It made one want to hold it and dote on it thoroughly.
Luffy was utterly dumbfounded, his eyes sparkling: "Wow, that's amazing! What's going on? How can it stand up?"
Sanji also looked surprised: "This... this must be a Devil Fruit ability!"
Dr. Kureha walked ahead, and hearing their exclamations, she couldn't help but turn back to explain: "This is Chopper, my apprentice. A Reindeer who ate the 'Human-Human Fruit'."
Luffy's eyes instantly widened: "What? Human-Human Fruit? So cool..."
"Chopper, I'm a Devil Fruit User just like you, I'm a rubber man!"
Chopper was a bit shy and somewhat afraid of people, so he didn't respond to Luffy. He tried to remain calm, walking silently behind the others.
Sanji, on the other hand, looked helpless: "Luffy, are you still thinking about that? Nami is sick now, hurry into the castle!"
"Right, right, hurry up!" Luffy finally remembered the main business and pulled Sanji forward.
Led by Dr. Kureha, the group entered a room in the castle.
Some accumulated snow had been tracked inside, and the air was dry and cold, making Luffy shiver.
Lin Ning gently placed Nami on the bed, his movements careful.
The bed was large, covered with thick blankets to ward off the icy cold outside. At the head of the bed were a few worn candles, flickering with dim light.
Dr. Kureha stood by the bed, picked up a slender silver needle, and meticulously examined Nami's wound.
She frowned slightly, as if she had found something. Her sharp gaze swept over Nami's arm, and her expression suddenly turned serious.
"What is this?" Lin Ning frowned, his voice somewhat heavy.
"Cascia." Dr. Kureha's voice was cold, as if she were speaking of something unimportant, but the weighty seriousness made one's heart sink.
"Cascia?" Luffy repeated, seemingly not understanding, "What is that?"
"Cascia is a parasite that lives in tropical, humid forests."
Dr. Kureha's gaze continuously moved over Nami's arm.
"Their larvae, like ticks, parasitize plants and animals in hot and humid environments, feeding on blood.
Their toxicity is very strong; once bitten, bacteria will invade through the wound and lie dormant in the body."
"Then Nami..." Sanji looked anxious, "What will happen to her?"
Dr. Kureha's expression didn't change much as she coldly stated:
"Wound infection, bacterial spread, high fever, myocarditis, encephalitis, toxins spreading throughout the body. If the wound isn't treated, she will surely die within five days."
Lin Ning's heart suddenly constricted, and his breathing became somewhat hurried.
He looked at Nami's pale face, his heart filled with unease.
His heart raced, and his fingertips tingled slightly. "Then now? Can she still be saved?"Chapter 70 Nami Awakens
Dr. Kureha didn't answer immediately; instead, she lowered her head and continued to examine Nami's body.
Her fingers gently touched Nami's forehead and pulse, unhurriedly.
"You all arrived quite timely," she said, her gaze seemingly dismissive, even carrying a hint of sarcasm.
But the meaning of her words made Lin Ning, Luffy, and Sanji breathe a slight sigh of relief.
"What do you mean?" Luffy couldn't help but ask, his eyes fixed on Dr. Kureha, seemingly so anxious he was about to jump up.
"It means this illness takes five days to kill. Nami was brought in on the second day of infection, so there's still enough time."
Dr. Kureha spoke unhurriedly, no trace of anxiety visible on her face.
It was just that skilled calmness that made one feel she had handled countless such patients before.
Lin Ning and Sanji exchanged a glance, their hearts easing slightly. Although Nami was poisoned, at least she wouldn't die immediately.
But Luffy, upon hearing this, instantly grew anxious, his eyes widening sharply, as if he were about to leap up.
"What?! You said Nami will die in three days?! Then what are we waiting for now! Treat her quickly!"
Dr. Kureha frowned, a hint of impatience showing in her eyes:
"What are you rushing for? For a treatable illness, rushing is useless. You all calm down first, and don't cause me more trouble."
She paused, glared at Luffy, then turned around, picked up several bottles and jars from the table, and began to quickly prepare the medicine.
"However, I'm telling you, the medical fees won't be cheap." She poured medicine, then looked up at the three of them. "Can you afford it?"
Luffy nodded without hesitation: "Of course! We can afford anything!" His face was sincere, his eyes unwavering.
Sanji also spoke up then: "That's right! Nami's life is the most important; we'll do anything!"
As he finished speaking, his gaze never left Nami, his heart so tense he could barely breathe.
Dr. Kureha looked at them, seemingly with some appreciation, a sarcastic smile curling slightly at the corner of her mouth:
"In that case, it's easy to handle." After saying that, she turned again to get herbs, her movements swift and skillful.
Lin Ning looked down at Nami, his heart filled with anxiety and unease.
He knew this was the most critical moment, and not a single second could be wasted.
However, this doctor in front of him seemed unhurried and unperturbed, everything appearing so composed.
It even made one feel that this crisis might not be as terrible as imagined.
He took a deep breath, then quietly said to Luffy and Sanji:
"You two calm down a bit. The doctor is right; we can't panic now. If she can live, we'll have a chance."
Luffy and Sanji listened, and although still anxious, they calmed down slightly.
Although the doctor in front of them was cold, her experience and ability were clearly trustworthy.
The three of them watched Dr. Kureha busy herself, and for a moment, a strange strength seemed to surge within their hearts.
Dr. Kureha moved quickly, and soon she prepared a dose of medicine, brought it to Nami, and said in a low voice: "Drink this first; it can slow down the illness."
"It's a good thing there are still antibiotics, otherwise it would have been troublesome!"
Lin Ning gently supported Nami's head and fed her the medicine.
The medicine had a herbal taste, bitter and strong. Nami frowned slightly, but still swallowed it.
"Next, do as I say." Dr. Kureha turned and took a small copper bottle from the shelf, filled with some golden-yellow powder.
"This is anti-inflammatory powder; apply it to the wound."
Lin Ning didn't hesitate, quickly took it, and following Dr. Kureha's instructions, applied it to the wound on Nami's arm.
When the powder was sprinkled, the pain on Nami's face became more evident, and a slight sweat appeared on her forehead.
Her lips trembled slightly, seemingly struggling to endure the intense pain.
Luffy tightly held her hand and whispered: "Nami, don't be afraid, we're here. You'll be better soon."
Dr. Kureha said nothing, just gave them a faint glance.
"Time waits for no one. What's important next isn't emotions, but treatment."
The three nodded in unison.
"Good." Dr. Kureha turned and picked up other medicines, skillfully treating Nami's wound.
Time seemed to stand still at this moment. Outside the window, snow was still falling, and the cold wind still howled.
Inside the room, the heartbeats of the three gradually calmed, their eyes fixed firmly on the quiet Nami on the bed.
Two hours passed, and the atmosphere in the room seemed to solidify.
Lin Ning, Luffy, and Sanji's gazes remained tightly fixed on Nami on the bed.
Her complexion had improved significantly, the sweat on her face slowly receding, and the scorching high fever that had been present was gradually fading.
Lin Ning's eyes widened as he stared at Nami's forehead, a quiet sigh of relief escaping his heart.
Nami's breathing gradually stabilized, her lips were no longer dry, and her skin regained some color.
The medicine had taken effect. Although she hadn't fully recovered, at least the feeling of uncertainty between life and death had gradually disappeared.
The stone in his heart finally lifted. Lin Ning looked up at Luffy and Sanji, seeing a hint of relief in their eyes as well.
Dr. Kureha stood to the side, looking calm and composed. She reached out and gently tapped Nami's forehead with her fingertip.
"Hmm..." She cleared her throat, her voice low, "The high fever has receded, and her body temperature is gradually returning to normal."
She looked at Nami, without much expression on her face,
"But she still has a temperature of thirty-eight degrees. Even with my special medicine, she'll need three days of rest to fully recover.
During these three days, absolutely no strenuous activity."
After saying that, she gave the three of them a cold look, "You all stay here quietly and don't disturb her."
Upon hearing this, the three of them could finally completely relax.
Lin Ning silently nodded, his gaze falling upon Nami on the bed. Seeing that her complexion had improved somewhat, the tension in his heart greatly eased.
Just then, Nami suddenly stirred gently. Her eyelids fluttered slightly, then she opened her eyes.
"Nami!" Luffy practically leaped over and grabbed her hand, "You've finally woken up!"
Nami's eyes were a bit hazy, her mind seemingly not fully clear yet, and she said in a low voice:
"Three days... no, Vivi... Vivi is still waiting for us..."
Her voice was weak, as if she hadn't fully recovered from the high fever, but the resolute look in her eyes remained unchanged.
Lin Ning looked at Nami like that, his heart sinking slightly, knowing that she was still worried about Vivi at this moment.
Luffy patted Nami's hand, smiling like a big fool: "Don't worry, Nami, Vivi will be fine. We'll definitely make it there!"
Sanji also smiled and nodded. Although he was still a little anxious, seeing Nami awake and knowing she was out of danger, his mood lightened considerably.
Just then, Dr. Kureha suddenly walked over with a serious expression, her arms crossed over her chest, her brows tightly furrowed, as if she were angry.
"What do you all think?!" She suddenly raised her voice, "I'm telling you, throughout my career, there have only been two situations where patients disappear from my sight."
Lin Ning was stunned, not knowing what she was going to say. Luffy and Sanji also instantly grew tense.
Dr. Kureha didn't even wait for them to react, a strange smile appearing at the corner of her mouth as she continued: "Either complete recovery or death!"