It was early evening when Fang Yi and some crew members returned to the ship.
When nothing urgent arose, Fang Yi preferred not to sleep outside. He thoughtfully settled the still‐suffering Wang Zai in his bed cabin—ever since they had emerged from the stomach of the Island‐Eating Goldfish, Wang Zai had been listless. Its heightened sense of smell had overwhelmed it, leaving it too weak even for its beloved roast meat or barley wine. Only now had it started to partially recover.
The next morning, when Fang Yi awoke, he began his routine morning exercises—but by the time he finished, Captain Roger and the others still hadn't returned to the ship. They had agreed to cast off that very morning and set sail for their next island.
Shanks… has the Captain returned yet? Fang Yi asked Shanks on deck after finishing his ablutions.
No, Shanks replied, shaking his head. Buggy had already gone off to look for the Captain and Roger.
As the junior trainee pirate of the Roger crew, along with Shanks and Buggy, Fang Yi returned to the ship last night as agreed.
Before long, Buggy dashed aboard, out of breath and panicked.
Buggy! What's wrong? Is the Navy coming? Shanks called out.
The Captain… the Captain fainted! Buggy panted, worry plain on his face.
Huh? Everyone stared in shock. Captain Roger had appeared perfectly fine last night. But Fang Yi's heart sank—he had seen in Roger's future that Roger suffered from an incurable illness. Fainting without warning suggested cruel confirmation of Fang Yi's fears.
"Commander Rayleigh!" As they hurried into the island's tavern, they found Rayleigh in the hall.
"Y'all are here. Captain's condition suddenly went bad—looks like we won't be departing today." Rayleigh offered a tense smile that didn't reach his worried eyes.
"What happened to him? He was fine last night!" Fang Yi pressed.
Rayleigh sighed. "Unclear. Dr. Brulmarine and the island's physician are examining him. He collapsed with no warning as we prepared to head back to the ship."
Shortly afterwards, the door opened. The doctor and Dr. Brulmarine emerged, exchanging uneasy glances.
"Any progress?" someone prompted.
Brulmarine looked at Rayleigh hesitatingly. "His condition is not good," he said flatly.
Rayleigh grimaced. "Is there no cure with your medical skill?"
The silence that followed said all. The captain's illness lay beyond their reach.
Later, the island doctor spoke up. "I do know of a brilliant physician—perhaps he can help."
Rayleigh's eyes gleamed. "Really? Who and where is he?"
"He's called Kurokas," the doctor said, "renowned throughout Mandragon Island for his medical genius. I've never met him personally, just known by reputation."
"Where is he now?" Rayleigh asked urgently.
"At Twin Gorges, near the entrance of the Grand Line." Before long, Fang Yi interjected quietly: "I've heard of him too."
The doctor blinked, curious: "You know of Kurokas?"
"I know only his name," Fang Yi replied, carefully. He paused, not wishing to dash morale prematurely by revealing his suspicion—the captain's illness may well be incurable.
Rayleigh nodded. "Very well. We'll retrieve Captain Roger, leave soon, and head to the Grand Line entrance."
The Roger Pirates prepared to set sail, though Roger himself remained unconscious.
Later that afternoon, Fang Yi and Rayleigh met in private quarters. Rayleigh's expression was stern as he looked into Fang Yi's eyes. "You seemed to want to say something. Do you know more about the Captain's illness?"
Fang Yi sighed. "I'll be honest—based on the information about Kurokas's skill, I trust he may help. But… Captain Roger is no ordinary man. For someone of his strength and endurance to collapse, it only means one thing: his illness is grave."
Rayleigh's face fell. He had suspected as much when Fang Yi first hinted before.
"But… there is another possibility," Fang Yi ventured. "Have you ever heard of the Surgical Devil Fruit?"
"The Surgical Fruit?" Rayleigh looked puzzled.
"Yes. It's a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit," Fang Yi explained. "To a normal user, it grants strong healing powers. But to a gifted doctor, mastering it fully could unlock something extraordinary—a final ability: The Immortality Surgery. A surgeon might use their lifespan as the cost to grant someone lifelong youth and vitality."
Rayleigh stared, stunned. "You mean… long life? Is that myth or fact?"
Fang Yi shook his head. "I don't know entirely. But ancient records and secret histories hint at someone, possibly even of Celestial Dragon lineage, having undergone it. The World Government values that fruit above all."
Rayleigh absorbed that silently. "So… if we can find that fruit and hand it to Kuroka's Doctor, he could save Captain Roger?" he asked quietly.
Exactly. That's our target now—find Chef Fruit. If it's already in someone's possession and that person is a doctor, we need to speak with them.
Rayleigh nodded. We'll head to Twin Gorges and start asking around about both Kurokas and the surgical Devil Fruit. Even if the fruit is not available, the doctor may still help.
At that moment, Buggy burst in again. Captain's awake!
Right, responded Fang Yi, as he and Rayleigh moved quickly to the sickroom. There, Captain Roger lay propped up, pale but conscious. He placed a hand on Rayleigh's shoulder.
I know my body better than anyone… no need for alarm. We've a voyage to continue. Though still weak, Roger's tone was calm—an acknowledgment of his crew's concern, but also determination to press forward.