NOVEL NEXT Chapter 314: “Witch” Dr. Kureha!
The first half of the Grand Line.
Drum Kingdom.
Bighorn Town
Heavy snow drifted down from the gray sky, and a constant, biting cold enveloped the peaceful and prosperous island.
Suddenly, two black phantoms shot from the clouds above, slamming into the earth at incredible speed.
Boom!
The shockwave rippled out, snowflakes scattering and swirling through the air.
Daren stepped out from the flurry, a bottle of strong liquor in hand. He looked up at the castle nestled halfway up the mountainside and exhaled a breath of frost-laced air.
"This should be the place."
He turned and glanced behind him at Zephyr.
The purple-haired old man lay inside a specially crafted metal box. His weathered face was flushed with fever, his consciousness slipping. Every breath he exhaled turned to frost in the freezing winter air.
In Daren's Observation Haki, Zephyr's heartbeat was accelerating, but his breathing was growing fainter.
The extended high fever had his organs on the verge of collapse. If left untreated, even if he survived, the damage would leave permanent aftereffects.
With that thought, Daren took a step forward and shouted toward the castle:
"Rogers Daren, here to request medical treatment!"
"Please, Dr. Kureha—save my teacher, the 'Black Arm' Zephyr!"
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Still no response from the castle. Daren's heart sank further.
He glanced back again—Zephyr's face looked even worse.
Daren clenched his teeth. Just as he was about to act, the castle doors suddenly opened.
"So if I don't agree, are you planning to tear down my castle, Marine boy?"
A tall figure stood leaning against the doorway, eyeing Daren with faint exasperation.
She wore sunglasses and a purple denim crop top, her long gray-white hair fluttering lightly. Her body was slim, curvaceous, and striking.
But her slightly hoarse voice betrayed her true age—it was clear she wasn't nearly as young as she looked.
Dr. Kureha.
The most brilliant doctor in the Drum Kingdom—the "Land of Doctors" on the Grand Line.
The mentor who had passed down her life's medical knowledge to Chopper. Known by many as the "Witch."
As far as Daren knew, despite looking like a woman in her thirties or forties, Dr. Kureha was already 139 years old.
It was as if time itself dared not touch her. Proof of her unparalleled medical skill.
"If that's the only way you'll agree to help..."
Daren nodded calmly.
"Besides, I'm no longer a Marine."
He raised the bottle in his hand.
"I brought you a gift."
Dr. Kureha rubbed her temples with a sigh.
"You've really handed me a troublesome problem."
"If you know you're not with the Marines anymore, then you should understand... if I save him, I'll likely be dragged into trouble too..."
She gave Daren a glance, then looked at the unconscious Zephyr behind him.
Shaking her head, she turned and walked into the castle.
"Fine, fine. Bring the old man with the broken arm in... and that bottle of liquor too."
…
Five minutes later...
On the second floor of the castle, the warm glow of a burning fireplace filled the room.
Dr. Kureha took off the sunglasses that covered half her face, revealing an aged visage lined with wrinkles.
Her nose was sharp and prominent, and paired with her white hair and furrowed forehead, she looked every bit the "witch" or "sorceress" from a fairy tale.
She picked up the bottle Daren had brought, bit off the cork with her teeth, and took several eager gulps.
As the strong liquor slid down her throat, some color returned to her wrinkled cheeks. With a casual glance at Daren, she finally spoke.
"What are you staring at, kid? Want to know the secret to my eternal youth?"
Daren's mouth twitched slightly.
"Dr. Kureha, are you sure you can still treat my teacher after drinking?"
Dr. Kureha scoffed.
"I was treating patients before you were even born, brat."
With that, she walked over to the unconscious Zephyr and began a quick inspection.
She peeled back the black-and-green-stained gauze bit by bit, revealing a grotesque, bloody wound. At the site of the severed arm, strange spore-like tissue was visibly spreading.
"Tsk tsk... this one's going to be a pain to deal with."
Frowning, she touched Zephyr's forehead to check his temperature. Her expression darkened.
"Daren, go wait outside. Don't get in the way."
Without further explanation, she turned and stepped into the adjoining room where she began mixing and grinding unknown ingredients.
Daren stepped into the hallway, found a spot to sit down, lit a cigar, and waited silently.
Time passed slowly.
The light outside the window dimmed as the sky turned a deep gray.
Daren remained still, keeping the same posture until the floor was littered with cigar butts.
Finally, the door creaked open.
The "witch," Dr. Kureha, emerged.
Daren immediately stood up, his eyes locked onto her.
She peeled off her bloodstained gloves and tossed them into the trash. Lighting a cigarette, she took a slow drag and spoke in a raspy voice.
"His injuries have dragged on too long. I was only able to stabilize his condition for now."
Daren's hand trembled.
"What do you mean?"
Dr. Kureha shook her head.
"I mean he came too late. The toxin's already invaded his internal systems."
"While I managed to surgically remove some of the necrotic tissue and used medicine to hold the symptoms at bay, there's nothing in my arsenal that can completely suppress those endlessly reproducing spores."
Daren felt like he'd been struck by lightning.
Dr. Kureha glanced at him and continued.
"Still, don't get too discouraged. Traditional methods might not work—but I can recommend someone."
Daren blinked. His eyes lit up.
"Please, tell me!"
Dr. Kureha exhaled a puff of smoke.
"When I was younger, I met this guy on one of my travels. He was the most naturally gifted doctor I've ever encountered. No matter the illness, he could treat it."
"They say he could even cure terminal patients... even those near death. His medical skills could dramatically prolong their lives and improve their condition."
"But he never had much interest in being a full-time doctor, and I returned to the Drum Kingdom, so we eventually lost contact."
"Still, I heard a few years back that he was working as a lighthouse keeper at Twin Cape."
"What was his name again... I think it was..."
She scratched her head, trying to recall.
"—Crocus."
Daren finished her sentence, his expression turning complicated.
"...He's now the ship's doctor for the Roger Pirates."