On the way back to the East Blue, Dante decided against having Kuma send them ho directly. The plan was to sail to the border between the Grand Line and the East Blue, and have Kuma send the ship flying from there. This gave them ti for a detour.
Since they were passing near Drum Kingdom, Dante figured it was worth a stop. He had Bonney with him, after all. Crocus was a world-class doctor, but even he had no imdiate answers for her condition. Perhaps the infamous Dr. Kureha would have a different perspective. It wouldn't cost them anything to ask, and besides, Dante had other business on the island.
--**--**
"Heheheh, what a lively little girl!"
Dr. Kureha, dressed in her signature purple jacket, leather pants, and cherry blossom t-shirt, let out her cackling laugh. She took a long swig from the bottle of plum wine she treated like water, her sunglasses perched high on her forehead.
Her eyes, sharp and intelligent, scanned the gem-like crystals on Bonney's skin. She bared a set of pearly white teeth in a wide grin. "Sapphire Scale Disease, eh? Haven't seen a case of this in years. You've brought a real tricky one, kid."
"Is there a cure?" Dante asked.
The simple question hung in the air. Everyone in the room looked at Dr. Kureha, their faces filled with hope. Kuma's hands were clenched so tight his knuckles were white, his gaze fixed on the doctor with a desperate intensity. Even after Crocus, a doctor of incredible skill, had found no solution, he couldn't help but hope.
Dr. Kureha, still grinning, faced their gazes. "You must have had Crocus examine her, right? What did he say?"
"He called it an incurable disease," Dante said with a sigh. "He said there might be a way, but it was beyond his reach right now."
"An incurable disease. Just as I thought." Kureha took another large gulp of wine. "Looks like I won't be making any money off you this ti. What a sha."
Her words landed like stones. The hope in the room deflated. Kuma, who had been holding his breath, lowered his head, his shoulders slumping in disappointnt.
'Is it hopeless?' As if sensing her father's despair, Bonney reached out her small hand and squeezed Kuma's warm, broad palm. Her eyes curved into crescents as she gave him a bright, innocent smile. "It's okay, Dad. I'm going to be fine. Don't you worry."
"Bonney," Kuma whispered, his eyes welling with tears. He forced a smile back. "That's right. You'll definitely be fine."
"Bonney is such a good girl," Nami said softly. "Of course you'll be fine."
"That's right," Kuina added. "Dante Senpai will find a way."
"We'll all think of sothing together!"
"Wahahaha! Bonney, your Uncle Mock will find you the most amazing doctor in the world!"
"...Thank you, Uncle Mock!"
The others chid in with warm smiles, and Bonney even made a funny face at the burly man, drawing a ripple of laughter from the room. Even Kuma couldn't help but smile through his tears.
Dante let out a quiet sigh. He hadn't really expected a different answer. This disease, as Vegapunk had theorized, likely required a treatnt as advanced as a stem cell transplant. It was no surprise that most doctors couldn't cure it. Dr. Kureha was a miracle worker, but even she had her limits.
He looked at her again. "Is there any way to at least slow it down?"
"Slow it down? That's no problem." Kureha nodded, her smile returning. She looked down at Bonney. "It's clear this little girl has been taken care of exceptionally well. For the Sapphire Scale to have only spread this much over the years... her father has done a fine job."
"Of course! Dad loves very much!" Bonney said proudly.
"I... I..." Hearing the praise, the despondent Kuma straightened up, a flicker of excitent on his face. He quickly bowed his head to the doctor. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
"Don't get happy yet. My treatnt fees are astronomical," Kureha said, waving off his gratitude. She t his gaze, her tone turning solemn. "And you need to be prepared. There's no guarantee a cure will ever be found. Once this little girl..."
Everyone understood her aning, and heads began to fall in somber understanding. Even Kuma clenched his fists, about to retort.
"As long as it can be slowed down, that's enough." Dante interrupted, his tone firm. "Don't worry, Bonney will absolutely be fine."
"Oh?" Kureha wasn't offended by the interruption. Instead, she looked at Dante with curiosity. "By the sound of it, you already have a solution in mind. Why not just use it, then?"
At that, every head in the room snapped toward Dante. Kuma's eyes, which had been clouded with despair, now shone with renewed hope. He had thought Crocus and Dr. Kureha *were* the solution.
'Could it be... there's really another way?'
"Boss," Kuma began, his voice trembling with excitent.
"It's already in motion, but it's going to take ti," Dante admitted with a sigh. "The guy I need is just too good at hiding. If it cos down to it, I'll just have to make a trip to the New World myself."
'If I can't find him,' Dante thought, 'I'll just have to go pick a fight with Doflamingo.' He wasn't certain the Op-Op Fruit could cure Sapphire Scale, but if a stem cell transplant could work, then a fruit that could rearrange a person's body down to the cellular level was his best bet. It would be faster and cleaner than any technology. If worst ca to worst, he'd find Trafalgar Law, bring Crocus and Kureha to him, and hold a joint consultation. He refused to believe there wasn't a way.
He looked at Kuma, who looked like he was about to burst with questions. "Don't worry," Dante said again, his voice steady. "She will absolutely be fine. I already have soone looking for him."
"I... Yes, Boss." Kuma was curious, but he held his tongue. If his boss said there was a cure in the New World, he would believe him. After so many years of searching, he couldn't afford not to. Slowing the disease was already a victory. As long as Bonney was alive, there was still a chance. And this new boss had already found him two legendary doctors. Maybe he really did have a plan.
With his worries settled for the mont, Kuma turned back to Dr. Kureha, his expression earnest. "Please, I beg you. Whatever the cost, I will pay it."
"Don't worry, I still have that so dical ethics," Kureha said with a cheerful wave. She dismissed Dante's mysterious plan and turned her head, shouting into the back of the castle. "Chopper! We have a patient! Get out here!"
As Kureha's voice echoed away, everyone seed to understand. They turned their heads, gazing towards the door. There, they saw a small, brown-furred figure, sporting cute long antlers, a hat, and shorts, peeking timidly from behind the doorway, shrinking back.
As if sensing their collective gaze, he instantly recoiled in fright, shrinking further into himself.
Before Dante, who'd just seen Chopper slip inside, could utter a word, Bonney's eyes lit up imdiately. She peered curiously at the small figure huddled in the corner. "Is that a Tanuki?"
The shy little figure imdiately jumped out from its hiding spot, indignant. "Reindeer! I'm a reindeer, not a tanuki!"
Now fully in view, the creature was so small and endearing that Nami, Kuina, and Bonney all gasped in unison. "So cute!"
"I'm not... I'm not..." The reindeer, who had just been so defensive, now blushed furiously, twisting its little body and scratching its head. "I'm not that cute..."
Then, as if rembering its manners, it quickly put its hooves together, bowed, and said in a shy, nervous voice, "S-sorry for the intrusion! My na is Tony Tony Chopper!"
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