The ship doctor Dier had his eye on wasn't Law, but Madson.
There were two reasons for this.
First was the age factor.
Law was only seven years old with almost no practical experience.
Madson, on the other hand, was already an experienced doctor.
Secondly, Dier didn't fully trust Law's medical skills.
In his memory, Law mostly relied on the Op-Op Fruit's abilities to perform surgeries.
As for medical techniques beyond the fruit's power...
Aside from saving Luffy after the Summit War, he couldn't recall any other instances.
So his primary target was Madson, with Law being secondary.
"You wouldn't want the people of Flevance to die without knowing the truth, would you?"
Dier bent down to help Madson up, carefully examining him.
He looked remarkably upright - so upright he seemed out of place in this world, clearly a righteous character.
Unfortunately, the bloodshot eyes and gloomy expression made him appear haggard.
"Join... you? Who exactly are you people?"
"Pirates. Pirates currently traveling."
Madson was about to refuse immediately, but then changed his mind:
"This... please give me some time to consider."
Most real pirates didn't produce anything, relying entirely on plunder for daily life.
If you lined up all pirates and executed every other one, some might be innocent, but there would definitely be guilty ones escaping punishment.
He didn't want to be a pirate, but with his family in their hands, he had to pretend to need time to think.
Dier shook his head regretfully but didn't use Hypnosis.
There was a difference between comrades and tools.
He didn't want to end up like the old King of Hunter Island, surrounded only by obedient tools until he couldn't even find someone to talk to.
The Madson family were his chosen potential comrades.
"You can just say no directly. I won't do anything to you."
Looking at the still sleeping Law and Lami, Dier said:
"Wake the children. I'll take you to wash up, then we'll have breakfast... no, lunch."
Madson pursed his lips, unsure how to respond, and could only wake Law and Lami. The whole family followed Dier out of the operating room.
Deno and about a dozen others exchanged glances, hesitating whether to follow.
Surely the boss had prepared food for them too?
Even tools needed motivation to work, so Dier had indeed prepared their meals.
Bread and a large bucket of stew.
They sat cross-legged on the deck eating the decent meal. Fortunately, it was noon, so it didn't seem too shabby - more like a banquet.
In contrast, the Madson family received much better treatment.
They sat at a square dining table, enjoying dishes carefully prepared by two chefs.
The family had calmed down considerably, with even Law no longer making a fuss.
Opposite the four of them sat Dier's group of four, also eating.
When Madson saw Robin and Hina, his expression grew strange.
Four members total, all minors - could they really be pirates?
But seeing the three Wanted Posters on the wall, he had to accept reality.
After lunch, Madson quietly approached Dier again with an impolite request.
"Leave the ship? I refuse!"
"But why did you capture us in the first place?"
They didn't demand money, and even when their invitation was rejected, they were treated with good food and drinks instead of facing any consequences.
"Didn't I already say it?"
Dier spread his hands. "To save you."
"I know your plan—to rush back and expose Platinum Lead Disease to the public, gathering people to research a cure."
He waved his hand, cutting off Madson's attempt to argue, and continued:
"The World Government and the royal family of Flevance have long known about the toxicity of Platinum Lead."
"Let me tell you what will happen if you return:
If you go to the King, you'll be detained on the spot—or worse, executed immediately.
If you expose Platinum Lead Disease publicly, you'll be arrested, and soon rumors will spread that you've gone insane, that Platinum Lead Disease is just the ravings of a madman.
If you secretly gather researchers at a hospital, how can you be sure there aren't the King's spies among them?
After all, none of you discovered the existence of Platinum Lead Disease all these years."
Madson tried to speak, but telekinesis sealed his mouth shut.
"Let me analyze what will happen in the future:
The toxins from Platinum Lead accumulate in the human body and are passed down through reproduction.
This characteristic will cause nearly everyone in Flevance to fall ill around the same time, plunging the nation into chaos.
The royal family will board World Government ships and leave before that happens, relocating to live carefree lives elsewhere.
Neighboring countries will believe Platinum Lead Disease is contagious, sealing off Flevance—until, ultimately, the nation is destroyed.
So just stay put. I'll figure out a way to treat your illness."
Having gone this far to save them, Dier wasn't about to let the family march to their deaths.
"Deno, keep an eye on them. Don't let them escape."
"That navigator—coordinate with the operator. Change course for the Visa Kingdom."
He didn't bother saying more to Madson. He'd already laid everything out—whether Madson believed him or not was up to him.
That night, the ship docked at the Visa Kingdom. Dier left the Storm Petrel with Perona and a large pile of equipment, including two large Video Den Den Mushi, several Mini Den Den Mushi, and multiple screens—all matching sets acquired from Brubru Island.
Fortunately, the twenty kidnapped crew members who hadn't left with the cargo ship were waiting there to assist, so Dier didn't have to haul everything alone.
The Madson family stayed temporarily aboard the Storm Petrel.
Their days were leisurely, with meals and accommodations provided.
Lami quickly befriended Robin and Hina, running around the ship all day, touching and exploring everything.
Law remained wary, convinced the crew couldn't be trusted, and secretly plotted an escape plan—until he saw Hina's treasured complete collection of Sola, Warrior of the Sea.
Madson and Leia weren't as carefree.
After confirming that the crew truly meant no harm, they let their children play freely while they spent nearly every day in the operating room, using all their knowledge to search for a cure for Platinum Lead Disease—even experimenting on themselves.
The Platinum Lead accumulated in the liver, positioned in a way that made surgical removal impossible without extracting the entire organ.
That left only internal medicine—developing specialized drugs or finding a way for the body to expel the Platinum Lead naturally.
Unfortunately, progress remained elusive.
The profits from Platinum Lead were immense. If a solution could be found so easily, the future World Government and royal families wouldn't have abandoned Flevance.
Still, they had made some progress these past few days.
Though it wasn't exactly good news.
"In about three years, by 1506, the Platinum Lead Disease will manifest in Law and Lami;
Law might hold on for another three years, until 1509, when he's 13;
But Lami..."
Madson tossed the report onto the table, then slumped into his chair as if all his strength had drained away.
For young children like Lami, whose immune systems were already weak, the erosion of Platinum Lead meant...
She would most likely lose her life within months of the disease's onset.
"If we haven't found a cure in two and a half years—"
Leia's eyes were bloodshot, but her voice was resolute:
"Then use me as a test subject for the surgery."
"No!"
"Do we have any other choice?!"
"Yes... yes!"
Madson suddenly raised his head, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.
"The boss—no, Mr. Dier—said he'd find a way."
Though they hadn't known each other long, the man's extraordinary capabilities were undeniable.
With medical methods at a dead end, he now pinned his hopes on the enigmatic Dier.
Several nights later, Dier returned to the Storm Petrel with Perona and a trove of treasures in tow.
Madson immediately rushed to meet him, pressing urgently:
"Mr. Dier, have you thought of anything?"
"No, but if you help me put on a show tomorrow, we might just get somewhere