In a bright room with a pink color scheme, Kaya sat on the edge of her bed, her fists clenched, visibly nervous. Though it was for curing her illness, this was the first time she'd brought a man into her bedroom. It felt… strange.
"Relax, it's all for your treatment," Reno said softly, sensing her unease.
He wasn't lying. In her current frail state, Kaya couldn't handle his hours-long "lessons." The priority was to cure her illness first. Then they could move to the usual routine.
"Mmm," Kaya nodded obediently. Her shyness brought a rare flush to her pale, sickly face.
"Mr. Reno, I've seen many doctors, and none could help me. Can you really do it?" she asked, her voice a mix of nerves and anticipation, her eyes fixed on him.
Reno gave her a reassuring look. Behind his back, his right hand conjured a green Devil Fruit—the Healing Fruit. Like a magician, he presented it to her.
"Mr. Reno, what's this?" Kaya blinked, puzzled.
Reno cleared his throat, his tone serious. "Kaya, I possess a healing power within me. By sacrificing some of my lifespan, I can manifest it as this fruit. If you eat it, not only will you be cured, but you'll also gain this healing power." "This fruit cost me five years of my life. Eat it."
"What?! Mr. Reno, no way!" Kaya, kind-hearted as ever, waved her hands in refusal. She desperately wanted to be cured, but not at someone else's expense.
If Nami were here, she'd roll her eyes and mutter, Such a naive girl, so easy to fool.
Reno flicked Kaya's nose playfully, chuckling. "Silly, the fruit's already here. If you don't eat it, it'll go to waste!"
Kaya froze. That… made sense.
Seeing her hesitate, Reno pressed further. "Kaya, don't you want to heal people? Once you're cured, you can use this power to help others."
"Really?!" Kaya's eyes lit up with joy. Her greatest dream was to become a doctor, saving lives. This hit right at her heart.
"Absolutely," Reno nodded firmly.
"Then I'll eat it," Kaya said with determination. But she looked at Reno with concern. "Mr. Reno, I'm so sorry you had to do this." After all, it was five years of his life.
Reno's face turned stern. "Call me big brother."
Kaya blinked, then lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper. "Big brother Reno."
"That's better," Reno said, his expression softening. He handed her the Healing Fruit. "Eat it."
With absolute trust in Reno, Kaya didn't hesitate. She took a bite.
"So sweet!" Her eyes sparkled. It was the sweetest fruit she'd ever tasted.
Reno smiled. The system had removed all the usual Devil Fruit side effects.
As Kaya swallowed the first bite, a strange power surged within Reno. He knew the ability-sharing had kicked in. Like Kaya, he now possessed the Healing Fruit's power.
Moreover, Kaya's complexion visibly improved. The sickly pallor faded, replaced by a healthy flush. Reno could sense her physical condition strengthening noticeably. Of course, this was a transformation from a frail patient to a normal person.
"It's really gone?!" Kaya exclaimed, dazed by the changes in her body. The illness that had plagued her for years—cured just like that?!
But thinking of Reno's "sacrifice" of five years, her expression dimmed. Such a debt was too great to repay. Could Reno truly be sent by the heavens to save her? Not only did he expose Kuro, but he also cured her illness.
Kaya gazed at Reno, tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you, big brother Reno," she said, gently placing his hand against her cheek.
Reno's face broke into a pure, warm smile. "This is a happy moment. Why the tears?" He softly wiped them away.
"Your illness is completely cured. Now, let's test your other abilities."
Kaya nodded. She understood what Reno meant. The moment she ate the Healing Fruit, she felt a new power within her—a healing force. What an incredible fruit. Big brother Reno hadn't lied.
At Reno's suggestion, they left the room and headed to the kitchen. On the way, they ran into Nami and Makino, who had just finished eating.
Seeing Kaya again, both women's jaws dropped. They vividly remembered her sickly complexion from earlier. How was she looking so healthy now?!
When they learned Reno had truly cured her, Nami gave him an odd look. Makino, meanwhile, lowered her head in shame. So Reno had gone to Kaya's room to cure her. She'd been thinking of that instead—so embarrassing.
Curious, Nami and Makino followed to the kitchen to witness Kaya's so-called healing power.
Reno grabbed a chicken and sliced it, drawing blood. The chicken squawked in pain.
Kaya, suppressing her discomfort, extended her right hand toward the wound. A white light glowed from her palm.
A miraculous sight unfolded. Under the astonished gazes of the three women, the cut vanished before their eyes, the chicken's skin returning to normal.
The chicken froze, as if confused. If not for the blood on the ground, they wouldn't believe what they'd just seen.
After a brief moment of shock, Kaya exclaimed with joy, "Big brother Reno, I did it! This power is amazing!" "I can heal any patient now, right?!"
Her face beamed with happiness.
Reno nodded, equally satisfied, then said with a light chuckle, "Don't just worry about others. Take care of your own health, too."
…