"Oh, treatment? That's a piece of cake."
Mansherry responded cheerfully.
This was her specialty.
A few minutes later, Caelan returned with Mansherry and stood before Fujitora, Sengoku, and Zephyr.
"Mansherry, good afternoon."
Sengoku and Zephyr greeted her with warm smiles.
They had met Mansherry before during the recovery of injured vice admirals. Naturally, they always did their best to show kindness to this nearly omnipotent doctor.
"Uncle Sengoku, Uncle Zephyr, hello to you too."
Mansherry stood on Caelan's palm and responded in a ladylike manner.
"Fujitora, this is Princess Mansherry, the user of the Paramecia-type Heal-Heal Fruit. She can restore your vision."
Caelan introduced her while holding her in his hand.
Fujitora was a bit surprised by her tiny form, but considering the vast and mysterious sea, dwarves were just one of its many wonders.
That this tiny princess was the user of the Heal-Heal Fruit and part of the Neo Navy only further demonstrated its strong foundation.
It seemed there was real hope for his eyes.
Fujitora sighed inwardly and bowed toward Caelan's hand. "I'm Fujitora. It's an honor to meet Princess Mansherry."
"Fujitora, are you here to treat your eyes?" Mansherry asked brightly. "Just leave it to me. I'll make them as good as new."
"Then I'll be in your care, Princess Mansherry." Fujitora smiled gently. "Is there anything I need to do to cooperate?"
"Just extend your hand. It'll be over soon," Caelan instructed.
Fujitora followed the instruction and extended his right hand.
Once everything was ready, Mansherry gently pinched her thigh while standing on Caelan's palm. Her eyes grew moist, and two sparkling tears rolled down.
"Healing Tears."
The tears shimmered with a white glow and fell onto Fujitora's hand.
This was the power of the Heal-Heal Fruit. It could heal any wound, no matter how severe. As long as the power reached it, everything would be restored.
"What a wonderful feeling."
Fujitora could feel a surge of vitality coursing through his body, mending every injury without missing a single spot.
Even the old scars left from training in swordsmanship were gradually healed, restored to their original state.
The cross-shaped scar on his forehead also began to fade.
But the most profound feeling came from his eyes.
The eyes he had once blinded with his own hands were now heating up and beginning to itch.
Nerves were reconnecting, and he could feel the granulation tissue regenerating, bringing a maddening itch with it.
Fortunately, Fujitora had excellent self-control. He didn't flinch as the granulation tissue knit itself back together.
Two minutes later, the tingling faded. He slowly opened his eyes after so many years.
Suddenly, a vibrant and colorful world burst into view.
Like a baby bird breaking free from its shell, Fujitora cried out from the depths of his soul.
"What a beautiful world."
The light, after so many years, had returned to him.
He had once blinded himself, unwilling to witness a world full of filth and corruption.
Now that the greatest evil was on the verge of being purged, he wished to witness the birth of a new world with his own eyes.
"Thank you, Commander Caelan. Thank you, Princess Mansherry."
He bowed deeply to both of them.
"No need to be so formal. Just take it as a gift for joining the Neo Navy," Caelan said casually.
Fujitora raised his head. For the first time, he looked directly at Caelan.
This was his goal all along—to see the legendary God Slayer with his own eyes.
A well-proportioned figure, sturdy muscles, hair like a lion's mane.
His expression was not fierce, but firm and commanding.
It was this man who had raised the banner against the World Government and brought it down step by step.
Though Caelan had a tendency for indulgence, was Fujitora himself not equally obsessed—with gambling?
"Now that I've seen Supreme Commander Caelan, I feel ashamed of myself," Fujitora said with a smile. "I once blinded myself because I couldn't stand the darkness of the world. I never thought I could change it with my own hands. Looking back, I was just lying to myself, a coward."
"Why be so hard on yourself, Fujitora?" Caelan smiled. "Choosing not to assist tyrants during times of turmoil is already rare. More importantly, you've always had a chivalrous heart. Haven't you helped many people over the years?"
"It was just a small effort, not worthy of mention compared to what you've accomplished," Fujitora said modestly.
He had done good deeds, yes, but compared to Caelan's sweeping actions, they felt insignificant.
"No need for such modesty." Caelan shook his head. "From today forward, you will serve as an admiral of the Neo Navy. Let us walk the path of justice together."
Fujitora was filled with pride and responded boldly. "Since Supreme Commander Caelan has placed such trust in me, I, Fujitora, will serve as an admiral and never let you down."
From now on, he would no longer be a coward.
He would be a man of justice, someone who would reshape the world.
"Great. One more admiral for the Neo Navy."
"Welcome. It's an honor to have you with us, Fujitora."
Sengoku and Zephyr congratulated him warmly.
With Fujitora's strength, there was no question he qualified as an admiral.
"The honor is mine. I look forward to working with everyone in the Neo Navy."
Fujitora could tell that both Zephyr and Sengoku were genuinely happy and that they were righteous men at heart.
Working with such people was truly a pleasure.
"Now that I think about it, we already have six admirals in the Neo Navy, don't we?" Zephyr said with delight. "That's twice the number the old Marines had."
Borsalino, Kuzan, Fujitora, Sengoku, Zephyr, Gion. Not even counting Garp, who still held the rank of vice admiral, the Neo Navy already had six admirals.
Twice as many as the original Marines.
And except for Fujitora, all of them had been brought in from the Marines by Caelan himself.
Rather than poaching, it was more like Caelan had left the World Government with a scrap of dignity.
Caelan shook his head.
Twice as many?
That was only the official count.
If he included the pirates under his control—Roger, Whitebeard, Kaido—the real number was three or four times what the original Marines had.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Caelan turned to Sengoku and the others.
"Admiral Zephyr, Admiral Sengoku. Over the next two days, help Admiral Fujitora get familiar with the situation."
"Once the World Conscription is complete, the Neo Navy's full command structure will be announced. I'm sure it will shock the world."
Any official organization should properly display its strength.
It boosts morale, stabilizes the ranks, and recognizes the contributions of its members.
"Don't worry, Supreme Commander. We'll take good care of Admiral Fujitora."
Sengoku and Zephyr both patted their chests and assured him.
"Good."
Caelan gave a small nod, then turned to leave with Mansherry.
He still needed to go back and carefully think through how he would announce the full structure of the Neo Navy.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)