Chapter 24: Arriving at Shimotsuki Village
If he's flat, then he needs to be inflated.
Shane exerted his strength, lifted the boat, and carried it back to the sea. Junichi immediately knelt and began to perform artificial respiration on Sanji.
After a long while of work, Sanji's upper body suddenly twitched. He coughed, and his eyes barely managed to open a crack before his neck went limp and he passed out again.
However, his breathing had become long and stable. Shane let out a temporary sigh of relief and had Junichi carry Sanji into the boat's cabin. He then went back to the other side of the reef and helped Zeff over.
Seeing that Sanji was still alive, the old man was finally at ease and obediently lay down on the bed.
Both of them were extremely weak. One was unconscious, and the other's severed limb needed to be treated. They had to find a reliable doctor as soon as possible.
"Is there a hospital in Shimotsuki Village?" Shane asked.
"A hospital?" Junichi scratched his head. "Not really, but there's a small clinic. Granny Shiran in the clinic is a very good doctor. Many people even come over the mountains from the neighboring villages just to see her."
"Then we'll go to Shimotsuki Village!"
Shane unfolded the sea chart next to them. "We've been sailing for two days. How much longer until we arrive?"
The East Blue was dotted with countless islands. A small, rarely visited village like Shimotsuki wouldn't be specially marked on commercially sold sea charts. But fortunately, they had a local from Shimotsuki Village with them.
Junichi pointed to a spot on the chart, then estimated with his hand. "We're very close, Boss. Three or four days at most."
"Three or four days... Let's use up all the cola and go full speed ahead. After that, the two of us will row with all our might. That should shorten the time considerably."
Shane turned his head. "Can you hold on, old man?"
Zeff struggled to lift his right hand and gave a "OK" sign. Seeing the black lines form on Shane's forehead, he grinned, then lay back down.
Two days later, in the evening.
The continuous light rain that had been falling for a long time slowly stopped.
Shane and his group finally arrived at a small, hilly island. To the south of the central mountain range was Shimotsuki Village.
Several half-grown boys were playing by the pier. The sharp-eyed ones noticed the small boat approaching quickly from a distance.
"Huh, that boat looks familiar..."
"It's Senior Brother Junichi, you idiot! Senior Brother Junichi is back!"
"Senior Brother Junichi!"
The boys all ran up cheerfully, surrounding Junichi as soon as he got off the boat.
Shane was still in the cabin. He glanced at the sleeping Zeff, then took out a small bag from his pocket. Inside was about half a bag of blood. This was what Sanji had coughed up earlier today while he was semi-conscious. The scene had been quite scary at the time, but thankfully, his condition had stabilized and there was no serious danger.
Blood...
Shane stroked his chin thoughtfully. This is probably the most valuable item I can fleece from Sanji right now, right? After all, the kid had just escaped from Germa. The chef's uniform he was wearing was from his time as an apprentice on a passenger ship. He didn't have any items with special emotional value.
He no longer hesitated and chose to sacrifice the bag of blood.
[Sacrifice: Sanji's Special Blood]
[Quality: Excellent]
[Value: 1000 Points]
[Appraisal: As a member of the North Blue's Vinsmoke royal family who has undergone lineage factor modification, Sanji's blood is naturally special. He hates his lineage, but there is no doubt that the blood flowing in his veins is more valuable than that of an ordinary person.]
[Remaining Points: 10325]
"It really is valuable."
Shane's eyes lit up, and his mood improved greatly. Sanji, like Nami, was still just a little kid, so he couldn't expect any bonus points from their strength. Being able to fleece a thousand points worth of wool was already a pleasant surprise.
He slung the Masamune back onto his back, walked out of the cabin, glanced at Junichi, and smiled. "You're pretty popular in the village!"
Ever since the Masamune had made its debut in front of Junichi, he had gotten used to carrying it with him. After all, he was taller now, and it looked quite suitable on his back.
"Hehe."
Junichi scratched his head in embarrassment, but when he noticed Shane's tired face, his expression immediately turned serious. He took on the air of the dojo's senior disciple and said, "Business first. We have two patients who need to be taken to the clinic immediately. Who can lend a hand?"
The fact that we arrived in two days was almost entirely due to Boss Shane rowing with superhuman strength and endurance. I can't trouble him with these finishing touches. He needs to get some proper rest.
"Me! Me!"
A group of kids eagerly volunteered. Four of them lifted Sanji, and two supported Zeff, heading towards the clinic.
Junichi followed closely behind. He suddenly noticed a figure in the bamboo forest and immediately shouted, "Zoro!"
"Huh?"
A boy with moss-green hair popped his head out, panting and drenched in sweat. Seeing Junichi, his eyes lit up with surprise. "Senior Brother Junichi! When did you get back?"
"Just arrived. Doing extra training alone again?"
"Yeah."
"Take a break for a bit. I need to take these patients to the clinic. This is Boss Shane, a person I greatly respect. Please do me a favor and take him to the dojo to rest. I'll be over later."
"Got it! Don't worry, Senior Brother Junichi!"
After watching Junichi and his friends leave, Zoro picked up his bamboo sword, slung it over his shoulder, and walked out of the bamboo forest.
He looked at Shane, his gaze lingering for a moment on the Masamune on Shane's back.
"Let's go! Follow me!" Zoro said casually. "There are plenty of empty rooms in the dojo. You look really tired. I'll find you the most comfortable bed!"
"Alright."
Shane smiled and followed behind him.
"I say, your name is Shane, right?" As they walked, Zoro suddenly asked without turning his head. "Senior Brother Junichi seems to really respect you, even calling you 'Boss.' But you don't look any older than him. Are you two close?"
"We only just met, but I guess you could call us comrades in life and death," Shane answered casually, his attention completely drawn to that head of green moss.
Zoro was only about 1.5 meters tall right now, a little bean sprout. Watching that mop of green hair bobbing around below his chest, it was hard to resist the urge to pluck a few strands.
"Is that so? Senior Brother Junichi is the strongest among the disciples of his generation. To be acknowledged by him, your swordsmanship must be very strong too!"
"But, I'm also very strong! Among the dojo disciples around my age, I'm the best one!"
Shane was speechless.
The reliable Roronoa Zoro from the Straw Hat crew was now, it seemed, only in his larval stage. He was still a ten-year-old brat with a thick head, shamelessly boasting and talking big. That was one of the most prominent characteristics of this age group.
"Really?" Shane coughed lightly and put on a curious expression. "Then what about Kuina?"
Zoro's face instantly turned bright red.
What the heck, did Senior Brother Junichi tell this guy everything?!
"A-about the same! Kuina is very strong too, of course! I've fought her many times, and it's about a fifty-fifty split!" the little moss-head gritted his teeth and forced out.
Shane chuckled softly. Kids had thin skin. He didn't expose the lie and continued to follow Zoro into the village.
Until...
As they walked, something felt off. They had inexplicably ended up at the end of an alley. Next to the gate of the Japanese-style building in front of them hung a sign that read: 「Shimotsuki North Mountain Hot Springs」.
"What's the meaning of this?" Shane asked, looking at Zoro in confusion. "Aren't we going to the Isshin Dojo?"
"That's not right, it was definitely this way..." Zoro scratched his head, thinking hard. "Which turn did I take wrong just now?"
It was only then that Shane realized.
You can even get lost in your own damn village!