The Strongest Frost Loli (90)

Chapter 90 - Incurable Disease

(Kanata is 21 years old. This happened 4 years before the start of the Great Age of Pirates.)

A few days after receiving Rayleigh’s message, the Oro Jackson arrived at Hachinosu. Roger was immediately taken to the infirmary and examined by Sukura.

It was a sudden development, and there was a chance it could be life-threatening. The Oro Jackson’s doctor also participated in the examination, sharing their opinions and working together to determine the cause of Roger’s illness.

“I can’t believe that man has fallen ill… Did he catch something somewhere?” Kanata asked.

“I don’t know. It happened so suddenly…” Rayleigh replied.

“If it’s contagious, you might have been infected as well, considering you were on the same ship for several days. Wait for Sukura’s diagnosis, but tell your crew to stay put for now,” Kanata instructed.

“Yes. I apologize for the inconvenience. You’re the only one we could rely on in this area.”

“Don’t worry about it. I owe you a debt of gratitude.”

The Oro Jackson was a large ship, but unlike Kanata’s crew, who had a base on an island, their medical supplies and equipment were limited.

It was only natural for them to rely on Kanata’s facilities.

Rayleigh, noticing something, looked towards the harbor.

“It seems rather chaotic. Were you attacked?”

“Three pirate crews formed an alliance and tried to take me down. I was hoping for a bit of a challenge, but they were wiped out at the harbor. It was anticlimactic.”

“But the harbor is damaged…”

“Yes… Feiyun…”

Squard, Artefa, and Largo – three pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million – had formed an alliance to defeat Kanata by assembling a fleet and attacking Hachinosu.

But Feiyun, who had been fishing at the harbor, had swiftly crushed them, and their alliance crumbled. Artefa and Largo were confirmed dead, but Squard had managed to escape.

The harbor was half-destroyed, but it was mostly due to Feiyun’s rampage. Kanata sighed.

She couldn’t scold Feiyun. If she hadn’t intervened, their subordinates might have been injured.

Kanata was disappointed by the three pirates who had challenged her with such weak resolve.

“We’ll repair it eventually. We have plenty of craftsmen.”

“Your organization has grown quite large… I apologize, but we’ll have to rely on your help.”

“We help each other when we’re in need.”

Kanata saw Rayleigh off, then returned to her paperwork, waiting for Sukura’s diagnosis. A few hours later, one of Sukura’s subordinates informed her that the examination was complete.

She set aside her paperwork and headed for Sukura’s office. Rayleigh and Gaban were also there.

They entered the room and saw Roger sleeping on a bed. The Oro Jackson’s doctor was studying the medical chart.

“Ah, you’re here,” Sukura said.

“How is Roger?” Kanata asked.

“He’s stable. It’s not a disease that will kill him immediately.”

Rayleigh and Gaban sighed in relief.

Kanata, however, remained serious.

“Not immediately… So it’s a long-term problem?”

“We ran several tests and found a malignant tumor. It has metastasized… We can manage the pain with medication, and surgery might be able to remove some of it, but a full recovery is unlikely.”

It was an incurable disease – a disease that couldn’t be treated with current medical technology.

There was no established treatment method, and Sukura could only experiment and hope for the best.

“It’s not contagious, at least. If it was, we would have had to quarantine the entire Roger Pirates crew,” Sukura said.

“That’s a terrifying thought…” Gaban muttered.

Rayleigh asked Sukura, “…How long does Roger have?”

“…It’s a relatively unknown disease. I can’t say for sure, but… At this rate, two or three years at most.”

Gaban and Rayleigh were stunned.

“Is that true?” Kanata asked, and Sukura, looking at the medical chart, replied, “I don’t lie to my patients.”

“Three years at most…?”

“Hey, is that true?!”

“Your doctor agrees with my diagnosis. And I said I can’t say for sure. With long-term treatment, his lifespan might increase.”

“I-I see…”

Gaban, who had grabbed Sukura by the collar, released him, intimidated by his calm demeanor.

Sukura straightened his collar and continued. “We need to monitor his condition for a while. Roger will be hospitalized.”

“…Do you really think Roger will stay in bed obediently just because he’s ill?” Kanata asked.

“No… I doubt it…”

Even if he was in pain, even if he felt unwell, Roger wasn’t the type to lie in bed. But if he pushed himself, he would only shorten his lifespan. They had to restrain him, no matter what.

“If we have to, we’ll shackle him with Seastone. It won’t have much effect on him, since he’s not a Devil Fruit user, but… It’s better than nothing.”

It wasn’t the ideal way to treat a patient, but that’s what it took to restrain a man like Roger. He would break out of ordinary handcuffs in an instant.

Rayleigh and Gaban, having heard Sukura’s explanation, returned to their ship. Since the disease wasn’t contagious, it was fine for them to leave the infirmary.

They needed to inform their crew about Roger’s condition. They would discuss the details tomorrow. For now, they needed time to process the news.

A week later, Roger was running around, full of energy.

“There he is! Catch him! Restrain that patient!”

Sukura’s angry voice echoed through the ward.

While laughing, Roger dodged the pursuing doctors and attempted to escape the infirmary.

“Wahahahaha! I can’t stay in bed! I live for adventure!”

Everyone wondered if he was truly terminally ill, considering his energy levels. But diseases weren’t always visible.

People could collapse suddenly. Roger had already collapsed once, but it seemed it wasn’t enough to stop him. His resilience was astonishing, but Rayleigh, his first mate, was exasperated.

“Roger… You have an incurable disease. Don’t you want to rest in bed?”

“No way! I’ll live my life the way I want! If I die doing that, I have no regrets!”

He coughed up blood and collapsed. Rayleigh carried him back to his room.

He had tried to escape more than ten times that week, each attempt thwarted by Kanata or Rayleigh. They hoped he would eventually give up, but Roger was determined to live his life to the fullest.

Rayleigh followed Roger to the infirmary, where Sukura was sitting in a chair, looking exhausted.

“At this rate, we can’t even treat him or run regular tests. Do something!”

“What am I supposed to do? I can’t stop him. Can’t you treat him while he’s on his adventures?”

Sukura, clearly annoyed, glared at Rayleigh, who shrugged helplessly.

It would be ideal if they could treat Roger while he continued his adventures, but that’s why they were struggling. Sukura could manage it to some extent, but he was the head of the Twilight Pirates’ medical division. He couldn't simply become another pirate crew’s doctor.

“If he returns regularly to pick up his medication, it will buy him some time. But it won’t last forever, and if something unexpected happens, he could die without proper medical attention.”

“So it’s impossible…”

“…I know a few doctors who are as skilled as me, or even better. If you’re desperate, you should visit them and convince them to join your crew as your doctor.”

Sukura wasn’t going to abandon his patient.

Roger was Kanata’s benefactor, so he had been willing to go the extra mile, but this was too much. As a doctor, he couldn't simply abandon a patient. He decided it was best to entrust Roger to a more capable doctor.

Rayleigh took note of the names Sukura mentioned, confirming their locations. “I’ll discuss it with Roger,” he said, leaving the room.

Sukura muttered, “That stubborn patient…” then contacted Kanata.

After a few rings, she answered in her usual tone. “What is it? Did Roger escape again?”

“That’s been taken care of. But I can’t keep treating a patient who refuses to listen. I told him to find another doctor and convince them to join his crew.”

“I see… So you’re suggesting Dr. Kureha?”

“She’s a possibility, but I have someone else in mind.”

Kureha wouldn't leave Drum Kingdom. She had no interest in the sea or adventures. The person Sukura was referring to was Crocus, who lived at the Twin Capes.

“He was a doctor, wasn’t he? Is he that skilled?”

“He’s the lighthouse keeper, but he also practices medicine. He’s the best doctor I know, even if he’s not famous.”

“I see. It’s been a while since we last saw him, after telling him about the Rumbar Pirates. It would be good to visit him.”

“You’re not exactly free to do as you please at the moment. And increase my research budget.”

“Talk to George about that.”

George was still in charge of their finances. If Sukura wanted a budget increase, it would be more effective to negotiate with him directly.

The conversation seemed to be over, but Sukura continued, “Roger’s disease is incurable, but… there’s a chance he can be cured.”

“…What do you mean? Do we need a special medicine?”

“Not medicine… There’s a rumor that a certain Devil Fruit can cure any disease.”

It was a dubious rumor, but having witnessed the supernatural powers of Devil Fruits firsthand, he couldn't dismiss it entirely.

The Ope Ope no Mi – it was said to grant the user the power to perform miraculous surgeries, and if used by a skilled doctor, even immortality was possible.

“…There’s a chance, huh…”

Knowing Roger, he might prefer to live his life to the fullest, even if it meant a shorter lifespan, rather than seeking immortality. But Kanata had been saved by him. She felt obligated to at least give him the option.

“The Ope Ope no Mi… Very well. I’ll try to find it. If we do, you can have it.”

“…I wasn’t planning on becoming a Devil Fruit user, but… I’ll take it.”

He didn’t need immortality, but the ability to cure any disease was a power worth considering. He had never imagined he would become a Devil Fruit user, but now it was a real possibility.

“Well, it’s all hypothetical. We’ll have to be patient.”

“I’ll wait.”

They had been traveling for a long time, but Devil Fruit information was scarce. There were many false rumors, and the chance of finding a genuine Devil Fruit was slim.

Occasionally, Devil Fruits appeared on the black market, but their authenticity was questionable.

They had no choice but to be patient and continue their search.

***

The Roger Pirates crew was shaken by the news of their captain’s incurable disease.

Douglas Bullet, recently dubbed the “Demon Heir,” was especially affected.

He had been defeated by Roger countless times, each loss fueling his determination to surpass him. Roger was an absolute figure to him. And now, that man had fallen ill. It was a devastating blow to Bullet.

He was training alone, even after sunset, attempting to calm his restless mind, when Kanata, who had been on a walk, found him.

“…What do you want?”

“I saw you training and got curious, that’s all. Do you need a sparring partner?”

Compared to the muscular Bullet, Kanata was small and slender. It was like a herbivore approaching a ferocious carnivore.

Perhaps annoyed by her words, Bullet threw a Haki-clad punch.

Kanata effortlessly caught it with one hand. “Good Haki,” she commented.

“Hmph.”

“But it’s still unrefined. I’ve heard rumors about you, Douglas Bullet.”

He was a powerful fighter, considered to be Roger’s successor. Kanata couldn't ignore him. He wasn’t as strong as Roger yet, but he could probably hold his own against Rayleigh. He was younger than Kanata, but his potential for growth was astonishing. He might even surpass her someday, but for now, she was stronger.

Bullet silently raised his fist, and Kanata mirrored his stance. She wasn’t carrying her spear, as she had simply been on a walk.

“Show me what you’re made of, Witch.”

“You’re still green. Learn to gauge your opponent’s strength intuitively, Demon Heir.”

Boom! Boom!

Their Haki clashed – and their fists collided with a deafening roar.

Kanata had the upper hand in the first exchange. Bullet’s arm became numb from the impact, so he attacked with his other fist.

Kanata effortlessly dodged it, then landed a powerful kick to his abdomen, sending him flying.

“Gah –!!”

His Armament Haki had activated just in time, but he couldn’t completely negate the impact. He managed to regain his balance, then charged at Kanata with his fists imbued with Haki.

“Are you in shock because Roger has an incurable disease? At this rate, you’re a long way from surpassing him.”

“What do you know?!”

Kanata dodged, deflected, and blocked his attacks with ease. Bullet, in contrast, was growing increasingly frustrated, his movements becoming predictable.

He was undoubtedly strong, a fighter capable of challenging Roger, but he still had a long way to go. Especially considering how easily Kanata was handling him.

He wasn't fully focused. He could fight better, but it would cause significant damage to the surroundings. mNeither Kanata nor Bullet wanted to go that far.

“…If we keep going, the guards will show up. Let’s stop here.”

“…Tch.”

They ended their spar without any significant injuries.

Haki could be used in countless ways, depending on the individual. It wasn’t something that could be taught with words. It had to be experienced, learned through battle.

In that sense, this had been a valuable experience for Bullet. There were few fighters who could match Roger’s strength. Aside from Rayleigh, there was no one on the Roger Pirates who could push him to his limits.

“I can still become stronger,” Bullet muttered, as if to convince himself.

“Yes, you can. If you ever get tired of Roger’s crew, you’re welcome to join mine.”

“…Hmph.”

Kanata had responded to his words, even though they were meant for himself. She appreciated those with ambition. Considering the increasing number of enemies they would face, she wanted him on her side.

Bullet returned to his ship without replying.