After continuous treatment, Sanji's condition had clearly improved significantly. At the very least, he didn't start bleeding from his nose shortly after entering the Illusion Technique.
"The treatment seems quite effective," Meiser thought to himself.
So... as long as Sanji undergoes the Illusion Technique a few more times, he should recover completely.
Thinking this, Meiser nodded affirmatively.
After glancing at Sanji, who had once again fallen into the world of illusions, Meiser stood up and said, "Call me if there are any problems."
Judging by Sanji's state, there wouldn't be any issues for a while, so there was no need for him to stay there the entire time.
"Okay!" Chopper nodded to show he understood.
Seeing this, Meiser smiled, then got up and joined the others, admiring the scenery of the ocean with them.
Opportunities like this were rare, so it was best to enjoy it fully.
Noticing Meiser approaching, Usopp asked curiously, "Is Sanji alright now?"
After speaking, Usopp glanced back at Sanji. Seeing that he wasn't showing any particularly strange reactions, he turned his attention away.
"He's fine for now," Meiser replied.
At least the guy wasn't immediately bleeding from his nose, right?
Usopp nodded, then looked at the Log Pose in Nami's hand and said, "Nami, has our course deviated from the Log Pose?"
"It doesn't seem to be pointing directly downward anymore."
Is it really okay to sail like this?
"Yes, it's fine," Nami nodded. "Slightly deviating from the pointer and heading southwest is the correct route."
Luffy, who had been observing the schools of fish in the ocean, turned around in confusion and asked, "Going straight is the fastest way, so why aren't we doing that?"
"Normally, that would be true," Nami explained. "But this is the deep sea!"
"The situation in the deep sea is completely different from the surface."
As she spoke, Nami pointed to the seawater outside and continued, "There's a special Sea current in the ocean. If we go straight, we'll be swept away by it. If that happens... we'll crash into a Sea mountain or an Underwater volcano before we even reach our destination, and then it's all over."
Although Meiser was with them, and they likely wouldn't be in mortal danger, for the sake of the Pirate Ship... it was better to follow the route obediently. At the very least, she didn't want their Pirate Ship to be destroyed.
"There are volcanoes underwater?!" Chopper exclaimed fearfully. "The deep sea is so scary!"
"Of course, there are volcanoes," Nami said with some exasperation.
The ocean is just the land with more water, but it has everything the land does.
"I see," Usopp stroked his chin thoughtfully, then added, "Nature is truly amazing."
This sea is really fascinating.
"That's right, nature is just that amazing!" Nami laughed.
Now they just needed to follow the correct sea current to safely reach Fish-Man Island!
After glancing once more at the Log Pose in her hand, Nami nodded with certainty.
Listening to their conversation, Merry muttered, "I wonder if my wind abilities can be used in the ocean."
If they could be used, could they push the pirate ship along?
"Should we try it?"
Hearing Merry's words, Perona seemed eager to try, clearly not one to sit still.
"Better not," Nico Robin interjected.
Seeing both of them looking at her with puzzled expressions, Nico Robin continued, "Merry's wind is quite special. Once used, it might destroy the bubble."
Hearing Nico Robin's explanation, clear fear appeared on both their faces.
Then Perona said, "Then let's forget it..."
Since this could threaten their lives, it was better to drop the idea.
Merry also nodded, agreeing with Perona.
"Everyone, it's going to get cold soon," Nami said. "So it's best to put on your coats or jackets."
"Okay!"
Hearing Nami's words, Merry and the others followed her into the cabin to get their clothes.
"The temperature really seems to be changing," Brook said, hugging himself. "I can feel a chill on my skin."
"Ah..."
"Although I..."
Before Brook could finish, Chopper said, "Although you're a skeleton and don't have skin, right?"
Brook: ...
Seeing Chopper smiling at him, Brook turned completely pale.
"Chopper... please don't do that... don't steal my catchphrase..."
That was his trademark line!
"Ah, sorry, sorry..."
Looking at Brook slumped dejectedly on the ground, Chopper showed an embarrassed expression - he'd just blurted it out.
After glancing at the dejected Brook, Zoro turned to Nami who had just come out of the cabin and said, "Aren't we going to the deep sea? Why would it be cold?"
"Deep sea water is definitely cold," Franky said cheerfully. "It's like bathwater - hot on top and cold at the bottom."
"Is that so?"
Luffy tilted his head looking at Franky - he really didn't know about this.
"You don't really like bathing, do you," Zoro remarked.
He'd noticed this since the day he met Luffy.
This guy simply didn't like bathing methods that involved soaking his whole body in water.
"Exactly!"
Seeing Luffy grinning at him with his teeth showing, Zoro shook his head helplessly.
"Then I understand."
Usopp slapped his palm, showing an expression of sudden realization. "So that means the temperature in the deep sea is much colder than up here!"
"No, it's not just a simple temperature difference..."
Usopp:
Looking at Brook still slumped dejectedly on the ground, Usopp said in disbelief, "How long are you going to stay depressed like this?"
This guy hadn't gotten up since earlier, and he was still like this...
Ignoring Usopp's words, Brook pulled out a deep sea chart from who-knows-where and said:
"In the lower layers of the ocean, there exist massive deep-sea currents that we normally cannot see, and their movement patterns are completely different from surface currents."
As he spoke, Brook tapped the illustration with his skeletal finger to help everyone visualize his explanation more clearly.
"There are currents beneath the currents?" Usopp looked at Brook in surprise before complimenting, "You're really knowledgeable, aren't you~"
"Yohohohoho!"
Hearing this, Brook immediately regained his energy, springing up from the ground in an instant.
Then he said with a laugh, "Well, I have been sailing for many years after all, yohohohoho!"
Sailed for many years?
Meiser looked at Brook with confusion. Wasn't this guy defeated in the Devil's Triangle? Why would he know about conditions in the deep sea?
Oh... I see!
He must have come here before becoming a pirate. After all, he mentioned he was once the captain of a royal guard squad in some country.
Thinking this, Meiser nodded affirmatively.
"Brook is right," Franky said. "There really are such currents deep in the ocean."
"Is there anything special about these currents?" Merry asked curiously.
Although she was a Ship Spirit, this was her first time hearing about such currents.
"Of course they're special." Franky nodded. "These currents sometimes rise, sometimes dive, sometimes flow in different directions, and sometimes connect closely—almost like a giant dragon."
"You could say that if you don't follow the route, it's easy to get swept away and never find your way out."
By that time... what awaits the crew would be hell!
"I see..." Merry nodded thoughtfully.
It truly was a miraculous current.
"Why do you know so much about this too?" Usopp asked Franky suspiciously. "Haven't you always lived in the City of Seven Waters?"
Could it be... this guy has actually been here before?
"I have always lived in the City of Seven Waters, but the master who taught me shipbuilding wasn't from there," Franky explained. "I learned all this from him."
His shipbuilding master was a Fish-man from Fish-Man Island, so it made sense he'd know these things.
Hearing this, Usopp recalled what Franky had mentioned before and nodded in understanding.
With a teacher like that, he really could learn many things ordinary people wouldn't know.
Watching the two interact, Brook chuckled and added, "Not only is the flow pattern of this current unique, but its speed is also very slow."
"As far as I know... once the current submerges into the deep sea, it takes about two thousand years to resurface."
Recalling the legends he had heard before, Brook nodded with certainty.
Hearing this, Meiser showed a look of sudden understanding—no wonder Franky said that once you're caught in it, you can never get out.
Two thousand years... how could a human possibly live for two thousand years?
Meanwhile, Perona stared at Brook in shock and exclaimed, "H-How much?!"
"Two thousand years?!"
Isn't two thousand years... a bit too exaggerated?
"Even the World Government hasn't existed that long!"
"Exactly, two thousand years!" Brook nodded affirmatively. "That's why all sorts of legends have been circulating in the dark and unknown sea currents!"
"Monsters, curses, souls of the dead... each one is an utterly terrifying existence!"
"Yohohohoho~"
As he finished speaking, Brook deliberately shifted into the ship's shadows and delivered those words in a gloomy tone.
"Eeek!!"
Hearing Brook speak from within the dark shadows, Chopper and Merry immediately clung to each other, shouting in terror, "There are actually monsters in the deep sea?!"
"Huh?!"
"There are monsters? How scary!"
Meiser:
Watching Brook join the two and exclaim in fear alongside them, Meiser remarked, "Weren't you the one telling this story? What are you afraid of?"
"Yohohohoho~ Because I'm scared of monsters too~"
Meiser was momentarily speechless. This guy was really something—if you're scared, then why bring it up, you idiot!
Seeing Meiser's reaction, Brook laughed even more cheerfully.
"Yohohohoho~"
"This is so exciting!" Luffy exclaimed enthusiastically.
Monsters!
Actual monsters!
If he could catch one to keep as a pet... it would definitely be fun!
The thought made Luffy even more excited.
"That's right!" Perona chimed in, equally excited. "Those beings must be really cute, right?"
As if imagining a particular scene, Perona's little face flushed with excitement.
She wanted to catch one... no, she wanted to catch several!
Usopp: ???
Looking at the excited faces of Perona and Luffy, Usopp fell silent for a moment before commenting, "What exactly would count as scary in your world?"
It was one thing for Luffy to be this carefree, but why was Perona like this too?
Oh, right... Perona had apparently lived with Moria, that guy who loved playing with zombies, all along.
Thinking about it that way, Perona's fondness for terrifying creatures made sense.
"What do you know?" Perona shot Usopp a disdainful look. "You have no idea how adorable those beings are."
Usopp: ...
Some things were better left unknown.
"Perona, why do you like those things?" Chopper gulped and asked.
Those were terrifying monsters, after all.
"Because I've lived with zombies since I was little," Perona stated matter-of-factly.
"No wonder..."
"Don't you think those zombies are cute~?" Perona smiled, her lips curling upward. "They're all such adorable little things!"
When she was young, it was those beings who played with her, so... they were the cutest.
Everyone: —
Seeing Perona's completely serious expression, everyone fell into stunned silence.
Then, their gazes turned somewhat complicated.
Wasn't she a bit... pitiful?
But seeing how content Perona seemed, they suppressed that thought.
As long as Perona was happy, there was no need for them to say anything that might upset her.
With that in mind, everyone nodded in silent agreement.
"Hey, Zoro!" Perona glanced at Zoro and said, "If we encounter any monsters, remember to catch them for me."
At the thought of keeping such adorable creatures, a happy smile appeared on Perona's face.
"Huh?"
Zoro looked at Perona with a disgusted expression and said, "Why should I catch those things for you?"What, are you not convinced or not accepting it?""
Perona floated in front of Zoro, lightly tapping his forehead with her right index finger, and said, "Have you forgotten how you got to Sabaody Archipelago?"
"Have you..."
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Zoro immediately interrupted, "I'll catch them, alright? I'll catch them."
Damn Ghost Woman, always targeting his weaknesses.
"Hara hara hara~"
Looking at Zoro's somewhat defeated expression, Perona nodded with great satisfaction and said, "That's more like it~"
"Pfft."
Watching Perona completely dominate Zoro, Meiser couldn't hold back and laughed out loud.
It's true that everything has its vanquisher. As if seeing through Meiser's thoughts, Zoro immediately glared at him.
But unfortunately, this kind of glare not only lacked any lethality, but made Meiser laugh even harder.
Zoro:
Suddenly felt like cutting this guy down. What's going on?!
But before he could say anything, Luffy came over laughing loudly: "Ahahahaha, Zoro, catch one for me too when the time comes!"
Zoro fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then said somewhat helplessly: "Got it."
What could he do about the captain he chose himself? Just spoil him.
However, after their antics, the tense atmosphere had improved considerably.
"Do such legendary monsters really exist in the sea?" Merry asked curiously.
"Who knows about such things." Usopp shrugged. "After all, they're just legends."
When it came to legends... most of them were unreliable, so Usopp wasn't afraid at all.
"No, it's still possible." Nico Robin, standing at a higher position, said seriously.
"What do you mean?"
After seeing everyone look up at her, Nico Robin calmly said: "Have you all forgotten about Merry?"
"She's also a Ship Spirit that only exists in legends!"
"If even such existence has become reality, then... legendary monsters could also be real!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the Thousand Sunny immediately became extremely quiet.
"Eek!"
This time, not only Merry and Chopper, but even Usopp hugged them, their expressions turning somewhat terrified.
"So they really exist!"
Didn't that mean they could potentially be captured by monsters?
Thinking about this, the three became even more scared.
"While that's true, but..." Nami said with cold sweat on her face, "Robin, could you not say such things at times like this."
It's really scary...
Now even she felt like there might be something terrifying around.
To this, Nico Robin just smiled and didn't say anything more.
"I... I'm so scared..."
Looking at the three hugging each other, Meiser shook his head helplessly and said: "Don't worry, with our strength, even if we encounter such things, we can defeat them."
Even if the opponent can't be killed, he could always seal them away with Sealing Technique, right?
After hearing Meiser's words, the three of them thought for a moment before nodding seriously and saying, "That makes sense."
"Then... Meiser, you must protect us!"
"Of course!"
Meiser gave them a thumbs-up and said, "Leave it to me!"
A mere deep-sea legend meant nothing to someone with his firepower.
"I really hope we encounter such a creature soon," Luffy said with an eager expression.
"Indeed."
Perona also gazed at the sea with anticipation, showing no trace of fear.
For them, unknown monsters were more of an attraction than a threat.
Nami shook her head helplessly at their words before addressing everyone, "Anyway... as long as we catch the descending sea current from the upper layer to the deeper layer, we'll reach Fish-Man Island."
As for whether they'd encounter legendary beings... no one could say.
"I see."
"Deeper layer..."
"Surface layer..."
"Descending current..."
"Descending..."
"Ahahahaha, so it's a mysterious sea current, right~"
Seeing the idiots standing in a row, Nami roared with shark-like teeth, "You definitely didn't understand a word, did you?!"
Had all their previous explanations been in vain?
"Yohohohoho~"
Brook laughed and said, "Shall I sing a song to lighten the mood~"
"Shut up!!"
"Yohohohoho~"
Watching the fools pretending to understand, Nami could only shake her head in resignation.
Well, explaining such concepts to them was probably too advanced.
In some ways, these idiots' intelligence couldn't even match Merry's.
At least Merry had understood.
Just then, Sanji, who was lying on the ground, let out another strange chuckle, his body trembling.
"Hehe..."
Then the man's expression shifted, turning as red as an exploding chili pepper.
Perona: !!!
"Negative Spirit!"
"Whoosh..."
"I... I'm complete trash..."
Seeing Sanji's expression turn depressed again, Perona wiped nonexistent sweat from her forehead and said, "We really can't let our guard down for even a moment..."
His face had been so red... she thought he was about to explode.
Then she looked up at Meiser and asked, "But isn't this... a bit too cruel to him?"
Having his beautiful dream cut short like that...
"It's for his own good," Meiser said with a shrug. "We can't just watch his blood vessels burst, can we?"
Perona fell silent for a moment before nodding, "You're right."
To prevent this guy from being killed by his own fantasies... better let him suffer a bit.
After a while, the recovered Sanji stuffed his nose with a paper wad and stared blankly ahead, lost in thought.
"What's wrong with Sanji?" Merry asked in disbelief. "Why isn't he reacting?"
Had something gone wrong with Meiser's treatment?
At this thought, a trace of anxiety appeared in Merry's eyes.
Hearing this, Chopper immediately ran over to check on Sanji's condition, then said with some confusion, "It doesn't seem like there's any major issue..."
"Although his body is a bit weak due to blood loss, that's normal. He just needs some nourishment to recover."
"So... overall, he's fine?"
"Yes."
Usopp froze for a moment before asking in puzzlement, "Then what's wrong with this guy Sanji?"
"If nothing's wrong, why would he react like that?"
How strange...
As if hearing their calls, Sanji's eyes gradually returned to normal.
Then he stood up calmly and said, "Just took me a moment to collect myself."
He couldn't very well say he'd been reminiscing about the illusion he'd experienced.
Suddenly remembering something, Sanji dashed out in a flash.
"I'm going to change my jacket!"
Usopp: ???
He didn't feel cold at all, so why would Sanji? Could it be from excessive blood loss?
Worried, Usopp asked, "Chopper, is Sanji's blood level okay?"
"You mean whether he's lost too much blood," Chopper nodded understandingly. "Don't worry, Meiser's treatment method is very effective. Sanji's body is fine."
Though the treatment method was rather unconventional, it definitely worked.
"That's good..." Usopp nodded.
But then he grew puzzled again. If it wasn't from blood loss... then what caused Sanji's exaggerated reaction?
Meiser, seeming to have figured something out, flashed a meaningful look.
Soon after, Sanji emerged calmly in fresh clothes, his eyes clearer than ever before.
"Wow! Sanji's really okay!" Merry exclaimed, watching Sanji's composed expression. "Meiser, you're amazing!"
As expected of the powerful Medical Ninja who could even cure Sister Hancock - truly incredible!
"Of course."
Meiser smirked. "Don't forget who I am."
As a skilled Medical Ninja, helping Sanji with this minor issue was no problem at all.
After all... he'd dealt with plenty of patients who were complete lunatics before!
"Speaking of which, what exactly did you show Sanji?" Usopp asked curiously. "It actually cured his condition..."
Now Sanji didn't even get nosebleeds around Nami and the others - that's truly remarkable!
"Of course it was-"
Before Meiser could finish, he noticed Sanji giving him a look.
The glance seemed to say: Please, whatever you do, don't reveal what happened earlier...
Understanding Sanji's meaning perfectly, Meiser grinned even wider.
Then he said, "It was through hypnosis, of course~"
"Huh?"
Seeing their confused expressions, Meiser explained, "You wouldn't understand even if I explained it."
"Just... think of it as an incredible hypnosis treatment method."
"Oh!"
Usopp and the others immediately showed expressions of sudden understanding. "So it was an incredible hypnosis treatment method!"
Though they didn't really get it, it sounded impressive anyway!
Nami: —
These idiots still don't understand!
Watching them pretend to comprehend, Nami rolled her eyes.
Then she cast a suspicious glance at Meiser and Sanji.
She had some vague guesses about what might have happened, but since her thoughts were heading in an inappropriate direction, she felt too embarrassed to ask.
Meanwhile, Nico Robin gave Meiser her signature mature lady smile, clearly having figured something out.
Meiser simply coughed lightly and averted his gaze from her.
This reaction confirmed Nico Robin's suspicions.
She didn't press further, merely smiling before turning her attention elsewhere.
"Hmm?"
At that moment, Nico Robin detected a change in the seawater.
"The current's speed seems to have shifted..."
Observing the water beyond the bubble, she instinctively furrowed her brow before recalling something. "Nami, I believe we've reached the sea current you mentioned."
"Really?!"
Nami looked up at Nico Robin, her face immediately brightening. "Then it's time to begin our descent."
"Quick, everyone come see!" Luffy exclaimed excitedly.
Luffy and the others rushed over to Nico Robin, eager to witness the legendary sea current.
Soon, the group gathered around Nico Robin and beheld the massive downward current resembling an underwater waterfall.
"Incredible!"
"Wow!"
"So this is the colossal descending current? It's truly magnificent."
"Hey, it looks just like a giant underwater waterfall!"
The sight of the waterfall-like descending current left everyone awestruck.
Having lived this long, it was their first time witnessing such a breathtaking natural wonder.
"The sea never ceases to amaze," Meiser remarked with admiration. "To think such places exist."
He'd never had the opportunity to behold scenery of this magnitude before.
This world was undoubtedly fascinating.
"Indeed," Nico Robin agreed. "This current must be hundreds of meters in diameter."
She scanned the surroundings as if trying to discern the waterfall's boundaries, but her vision remained limited.
"Likely more than just hundreds of meters," Meiser said, his Sharingan activated as he gazed into the distance. "It's easily over a kilometer."
Beyond that, massive protruding rocks obstructed the view, leaving him uncertain whether the underwater waterfall extended further.
"That massive?!"
Franky stared in astonishment before marveling, "Nature truly is miraculous."
"And it's precisely this wonder that gave birth to diverse races, isn't it?" Meiser chuckled.
The Fish-Man race, humans, the Giant Race—all were living proof.
"True enough," Franky replied with a laugh.
Just as Meiser said, without the sea's marvels, such extraordinary creatures would never have emerged.
"Hey, look!" Luffy shouted, pointing. "This current plunges straight to the seabed, right? The speed is insane!"
His eyes sparkled with excitement as he watched the rapidly descending current.
Wouldn't it be thrilling to ride it down?
"The seabed..."
Usopp glanced down into the abyssal darkness below and paled.
"Hey, it's pitch black down there!" he cried out in panic. "If our ship plunges at this terrifying speed... could it shatter upon impact?!"
He had no desire to be smashed to pieces!
"As a Devil Fruit Ability User, I have absolutely no sense of security in the deep sea, damn it!!!"
Hearing Usopp's words, a look of concern also appeared on Nami's face.
"Are you sure it's alright, Franky?"
"Don't worry." Franky gave a thumbs up and said: "The Thousand Sunny is the strongest ship made from the Adam Treasure Tree, it can completely survive sea currents of this level."
After saying this, Franky paused for a moment before continuing: "Besides... we still have Meiser with us."
"Even if we encounter something like an underwater volcano, we don't need to be afraid."
With Meiser's Water Release ability, he could completely stop the pirate ship before the Thousand Sunny gets smashed to pieces!
"That's true."
After listening to Franky's explanation, Nami completely relaxed.
Their ship was powerful, and Meiser was powerful too, so... there really was no need to worry about such things.
"Alright!"
Luffy waved his hand grandly and said: "Then let's charge straight ahead!"
"Ride this incredible sea current all the way down to Fish-Man Island!!!"
"YEAH!!!"
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