Chapter 27: Treatment
"What is that, a shark?"
As the sniper, Usopp quickly spotted the disturbance on the distant sea.
"Is it a man-eating shark? We're doomed! Run! We're going to be eaten!"
Chopper ran around in a panic.
"Where's the fish? Where's the fish?"
Luffy rushed over from the Deck, drool at the corner of his mouth.
He hadn't eaten enough; he still wanted more meat.
"Catch it fast! We're almost out of food. If we don't find more, we'll starve."
Sanji warned.
Nami and Vivi walked over, curiously eyeing the spray racing toward them.
"No, that's not a shark—it's a person!"
After a closer look, Nami suddenly shouted.
Everyone was startled, eyes wide.
They'd been sailing a long time, but never seen anyone swim faster than a fish.
Instantly their faces turned grave; bodies tensed, ready for battle.
"Hmm?"
Even sleeping Zoro felt the shift; he jolted awake, sprang up, hands instinctively gripping his sword hilts.
As the figure neared, the whole crew confirmed it: a human, not a fish.
"Whoosh!"
The shadow leapt from the sea onto their Deck as it reached the going merry.
"Ah! Not a fish!"
Luffy looked disappointed once he realized it wasn't edible.
"Hey, get serious! This guy's clearly strong—he might be trouble!"
Sanji glared at Dante Voss, poised to fight.
"That's a heavy stench of blood."
Zoro stepped forward, eyes sharp, hands locked on his swords.
Once a Bounty Hunter, he'd killed plenty and knew the scent well.
He could tell this man had slain over a hundred recently.
Anyone capable of that was no pushover; if he attacked, it'd be a brutal fight.
Nami, Usopp, and Chopper, seeing Dante Voss's blood-soaked clothes, shrank back trembling like frightened rabbits.
Even Vivi's face paled.
She'd infiltrated Baroque Works with Igaram and seen plenty.
Bloodthirsty pirates, Bounty Hunters who hunted pirates, and more.
But she'd never met someone reeking of blood like a demon from hell.
Supersonic Duck quacked in terror, yet still shielded Vivi, bravely facing Dante Voss.
"It's really them!"
Dante Voss felt dreamlike seeing the familiar faces, his mind blurring again.
"Who are you? Why board our ship?"
Zoro asked warily; the man radiated crushing pressure.
It reminded him of facing the World's Strongest Swordsman—an unbeatable aura.
Sanji stepped beside him, cigarette lit. "Are you a pirate or a Bounty Hunter?"
Nami calmed and studied Dante Voss's face, certain she'd seen him before.
Dante Voss tried to answer, but overwhelming drowsiness hit.
He didn't resist; eyes shut, he collapsed on the Deck.
"He fainted?"
Zoro exhaled and released his grip on his sword.
"Probably being hunted."
Sanji inhaled smoke, then asked,
"So what do we do with him?"
Zoro shrugged. "Let's toss him back."
"What? We can't do that!"
Usopp objected from behind.
"I won't allow it!"
Chopper ran up; as a doctor, he wouldn't abandon a patient.
"He might kill you the moment he wakes."
Zoro warned.
"Ahh!"
Chopper shivered, then pressed a hoof to his chest and declared firmly,
"But I'm a doctor—I can't ignore someone dying!"
Everyone smiled wryly at Chopper.
"Treat him then, Chopper!"
Luffy grinned. "If he's an enemy, I'll just punch him flying!"
As Captain, Luffy fully backed Chopper.
With Luffy's word, no one objected. Zoro and Sanji carried Dante Voss inside for Chopper to treat.
"I've definitely seen this guy somewhere."
The more Nami looked, the more familiar he seemed. She grabbed a newspaper from the table.
"Found it!"
Nami exclaimed, holding up the paper.
"He was in the news a few days ago."
Everyone looked curiously.
"The paper says he killed a World Government official at Holy Land Mary Geoise and escaped—a terrifying 100 million bounty."
"One hundred million!"
Luffy, Usopp, and Chopop saw stars; higher bounties meant cooler pirates.
Sanji and Zoro stayed grim.
They'd never faced someone this strong; the last 100-million bounty they'd met were the two giants on Small Garden.
"Killing just one official? That can't be all..."
Zoro frowned. "He reeks of blood—he's killed hundreds lately. One World Government big-shot wouldn't net a 100 million bounty."
"Zoro's right. He must've done something even bigger."
Sanji nodded agreement.
"Hundreds...""
Usopp and Chopper broke into cold sweats, trembling.
They'd never met a monster who'd slain so many.
"Hahaha!"
Luffy laughed. "Don't worry, I'll protect you. If he tries anything, I'll beat him up!"
His words calmed the crew.
Though usually goofy, Luffy was always reliable when it mattered.
Vivi smiled, the first in ages; the weight of her kingdom had pressed her down.
But traveling with them brought rare, light-hearted moments.
Even her former royal life had never felt this warm.
Yet thinking of crisis-ridden Alabasta, her heart sank again.
She stared ahead, eyes full of worry.