A full day passed.
Morning sunlight rippled across the endless sea, breaking through drifting clouds and dancing upon the waves. A small sailboat sliced through the ocean, its canvas billowing proudly in the wind.
Loshue stood tall near the mast, dressed in sleek black, the sea breeze tugging at his coat and sending his dark hair fluttering wildly. He drew in a long breath of the ocean's sharp, salty air the kind that only this pirate-filled world could offer and exhaled slowly, his gaze locked on a faint shape emerging in the distance.
"Almost there," he murmured.
At the helm, Nami grinned like a mischievous cat, steering the boat with a gleam of excitement in her amber eyes. "We'll be docking in no time!" she called out, voice bright and lively.
Before long, the sailboat glided up to a peaceful island coast. The anchor dropped with a gentle splash.
Loshue jumped lightly from the deck, landing on the sand with effortless grace. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings.
The scenery was tranquil lush greenery, soft winds, and the sound of distant waves kissing the shore.
"Not bad," he muttered, a faint smile curving his lips. "A place with a simple kind of beauty."
Nami hopped down beside him, brushing her hair from her face. "This is my hometown, Cocoyasi Village! What do you think? Beautiful, right?"
Loshue turned his gaze toward her and nodded slightly. "It has its charm."
In truth, Nami had grown fond of him during their voyage. For all his mysterious presence and quiet strength, Loshue wasn't the cold or fearsome man rumors made him out to be. He was calm, patient, and surprisingly learned always ready to share stories and strange bits of knowledge.
He once told her that even the vast sea they sailed upon was only a drop in a much greater ocean. That beyond this world existed countless others realms of wonder and mystery. The idea thrilled her, feeding the spark of curiosity that had always driven her dream to map the entire world.
"Come on," Loshue said, breaking her reverie. "Lead the way."
Nami flashed a playful peace sign. "You got it!" She bounded ahead, eager to show him her village.
As they walked through the streets, villagers greeted Nami warmly.
"Good morning, Nami!"
"Morning, uncle!"
"Welcome back!"
It was clear that everyone here adored her. But soon their eyes turned toward Loshue the tall, sharp-eyed stranger walking quietly at her side. When they learned he was the famous doctor Nami had brought back, their astonishment grew.
"The miracle doctor? So young…" they whispered among themselves.
Half an hour later, Nami led him to a modest wooden building marked with a simple sign: Clinic.
"Doctor Nako!" Nami called as she pushed open the door.
A bespectacled old man with a pointed beard stepped out, blinking in surprise. "Nami? You're back already?" His eyes then landed on Loshue, and his expression shifted from curiosity to awe.
"This is the physician I told you about," Nami explained with pride. "The one who can heal the villagers."
Loshue inclined his head politely. "I'll do what I can."
Doctor Nako's face lit up with hope. "Please, come in!"
The scent of herbs filled the small room. Three patients lay motionless on wooden beds, their breathing shallow, their skin pale as wax.
"These are the ones who were beaten nearly to death by Arlong's men," Nami said quietly, her fists clenched.
Loshue approached the first bed. His eyes softened, though his expression remained unreadable. "Severe internal damage," he murmured. "But not beyond saving."
He placed his palms gently over the man's chest. A soft glow of milky white light bloomed between his fingers.
The Horse Talisman's healing energy surged through him, pure and radiant. The light spread across the man's body like living vines, tracing along each wound, dissolving bruises, closing cuts, and mending torn flesh.
In moments, color began to return to the patient's face. His breathing steadied.
Five minutes later, the man was completely healed.
Nami gasped, eyes wide with disbelief. Doctor Nako nearly dropped his spectacles.
Loshue didn't stop there. He moved to the next bed, then the next, repeating the process with calm precision. The clinic filled with the soft hum of divine energy, until finally, all three villagers stirred awake, their eyes fluttering open as if waking from a long dream.
When they realized who had saved them, they fell to their knees, overcome with gratitude.
"Thank you, sir! Thank you for saving our lives!"
Loshue only shook his head. "Save your thanks. Live well. That's enough."
A quiet chime echoed in his mind.
Ding! Congratulations, host!
You have activated the third talisman: the Rabbit Talisman.
A surge of energy rippled through him light, swift, electric. He could feel it weaving into his spirit, unlocking a new layer of power. The Rabbit Talisman, symbol of speed and agility.
For a moment, the world seemed to slow. The gentle flutter of Nami's hair, the flicker of light across the water outside all of it stretched into stillness.
Loshue exhaled, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "So this is the power of the Rabbit."
Nami watched him, sensing something change in the air around him. His presence felt sharper now faster, untouchable.
"Loshue… are you okay?" she asked softly.
He nodded, his eyes glinting with quiet determination. "Better than ever."
Outside, the morning sun continued to rise, casting golden light across Cocoyasi Village. But beyond the horizon, dark waves brewed.
In Arlong Park, the shark-faced pirate king lounged in his chair, laughing as his underling grovelled before him.
"A doctor did this to you?" Arlong sneered. "A single man?"
The defeated pirate stammered, "Boss, he's strong! I swear he's not ordinary—"
"Pathetic," Arlong interrupted with a cruel grin. "If you're that weak, maybe I should feed you to the sea."
Laughter echoed across the hall. But when Arlong finally spoke again, his tone turned cold.
"Bring Nami to me. It's been too long since she's reported in."
His sharp teeth gleamed. "And if this so-called doctor crosses my path…"
He smirked. "We'll see whose strength really rules this sea."
Back in the village, unaware of the coming storm, Loshue stood beneath the sunlight, calm and composed. The wind brushed against his face, carrying the faint scent of the ocean.
He looked toward the distant horizon, his mind already clear.
This world was full of challenges chaos, corruption, cruelty but he wasn't here merely to survive it.
He was here to rise above it.
And with the Rabbit Talisman now awakened, the next stage of his journey had only just begun.