Chapter 227: Everyone who sees it gets one!
Kuma's massive figure departed like a storm, the swirling air currents not yet settled, but everyone remained in profound shock, unable to recover for a long time.
The air seemed to solidify.
Zoro, with his arms crossed and a deep frown, looked sharply at Ron, as if trying to find some clue on his face.
"Is there really such a thing as a panacea? It feels like a scam…"
Sanji's lit cigarette hung at his lips, forgotten, as he muttered in disbelief, "A panacea… how could such a thing exist? Don't you usually treat illnesses with specific remedies…"
Robin, though still maintaining her elegant posture, revealed her inner turmoil through her slightly widened eyes and her fingers, unconsciously clenching, clasped in front of her.
The most agitated was Chopper.
The small reindeer could no longer hold back, and with a "whoosh," he shot forward like a cannonball, his hooves tightly hugging Ron's thigh.
His fluffy little head was craned upwards, his round, big eyes filled with a mix of longing, anxiety, and disbelief, his voice tinged with a sob:
"Captain! Captain! Was everything you just said true?! That… that panacea… does a miracle cure that can heal all diseases really exist in the world?! Is this true?! You're really not tricking Kuma?!"
Feeling the force on his leg and the little guy's almost overflowing eagerness, Ron lowered his head and naturally reached out, skillfully stroking the soft fur.
"Of course it's true, Chopper."
"Why would I joke about something like this? Especially with a father who is willing to give everything for his daughter."
His gaze swept over his companions, who still looked surprised and doubtful, and his smile became more confident and composed.
"There are many incredible things in this world. And the panacea is one of them."
Nami stood with her hands on her hips, her pretty face beaming with pride, for she had personally unearthed this treasure!
"Hey! You all saw that golden light just now, didn't you! It was so dazzling, like the sun! That's the treasure I dug up!"
"Hiss—!" A collective gasp arose.
Zoro lowered his crossed arms, his brows filled with astonishment: "Such a legendary item… it really exists? This system can really dig up anything."
Sanji's cigarette almost dropped from his mouth. He took a deep puff, slowly exhaling a smoke ring, uncharacteristically refraining from bickering with Mosshead, only sighing: "This can't be described as just 'amazing'…"
As for Chopper, his already round, big eyes widened even further, sparkling with a light more brilliant than the stars.
Chopper lunged at Ron again, this time not hugging his leg, but eagerly tugging at Ron's pant leg, his voice becoming shrill with immense excitement and longing:
"Captain! Captain! That… that medicine… do you still have any?! I want one too! Just one is enough! Please! I want to study it… this might be the greatest discovery in medical history!"
Seeing the little guy's almost jumping eagerness, and the equally expectant and incredulous looks from his companions, Ron couldn't help but chuckle.
He flipped his wrist, and several more vials filled with brilliant golden light appeared in his palm. The soft yet powerful energy fluctuations instantly captured everyone's attention.
"Of course I do," he said, his tone light but with undeniable certainty, "First come, first served; one for each of you."
He flicked his fingers, and several vials flew precisely to the core members of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Everyone almost clumsily caught this weighty gift, feeling the warm and powerful life force in their palms.
Ron's expression then became slightly serious. He looked around at everyone, his voice calm yet impactful:
"However, use it with utmost caution. Remember, this panacea is extremely precious; it's equivalent to your 'second life.' As long as you're not instantly and completely destroyed, no matter how severe the injury, it can immediately pull you back from the brink of death."
"A second life?!" everyone exclaimed in unison, looking in disbelief at the small vials in their hands. The significance they held made everyone's hearts pound.
"This is great!!!!!"
Chopper hugged his vial tightly, excitedly jumping up and down, his little tail wagging like a fan.
"A panacea! My dream medicine! I can finally study it properly! This must be a light of hope that can save countless people!"
…The thin fog covering the sea gradually dispersed, and the sunlight struggled through the clouds, scattering over the battered ships.
The pirates who had been stunned by the Conqueror's Haki gradually regained consciousness. They rubbed their aching foreheads, swayed as they stood up, their eyes still holding a mix of confusion and fear.
They shook their still dizzy heads, and what met their eyes was the San Juan Wolf, already setting sail and preparing to depart, with the Straw Hat standing at the ship's rail, busily making final preparations.
Just then,
The recovered Lola staggered to her feet. She saw the scene before her and immediately understood who had saved them in their time of need.
She quickly straightened her disheveled clothes and pink long hair, her face beaming with immense gratitude. She hurried to the bow of her ship and, facing the direction of the San Juan Wolf, bowed deeply with all her might.
"Benefactors of the Straw Hat Pirates!"
Her voice trembled slightly with emotion, but it clearly carried across the gradually calming sea, "Truly… truly thank you so much! If not for you, all of us would probably have perished here!"
The pirates behind her were now fully awake, and recalling their previous peril, they all showed expressions of awe and gratitude.
They spontaneously gathered behind Lola, and like a tide, they all bowed in unison towards the departing San Juan Wolf.
"We will never forget this immense kindness!"
Lola looked up, her gaze burning, and made a firm promise, "In the future, no matter where you go in the sea, if there is ever anything you need from us, we will certainly do everything in our power to repay today's life-saving grace!"
Luffy pressed down on his Straw Hat, revealing his signature wide smile, and vigorously waved his rubber arm towards the opposite ship: "Hehe! It's nothing! See you again!"
"Everyone, take care!" Nami smiled as she waved goodbye.
"See you at the next feast!" This was Sanji's elegant farewell.
Zoro, though only crossing his arms, also gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
Under the grateful and reluctant gaze of Lola and her companions, the pluto battleship unfurled its sails, its bow cutting through the waves, slowly sailing away from this sea area that had been shrouded in dense fog and shadows for too long.
The bright sunlight finally completely dispelled the gloom of the Devil's Triangle, warmly scattering on the shipping lane, illuminating the vast route ahead for them…