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Chapter 20:
Once Crocus and the others finished cleaning the slaves and checking them for injuries and diseases, Heracles transferred everyone onto the Plant Scholars.
Crocus had already ruled out contagious diseases. He treated the sick and injured, finally wrapping up the emergency care.
"Thank goodness these were bound for Sabaody—they'd already been screened. No epidemics. Otherwise, with so many crammed together, a plague could've broken out. Even I might not have saved them all."
Crocus exhaled in relief.
Heracles nodded. "We used up quite a bit of medicine for over a hundred people. Lucky we stocked up so heavily on Skypiea and Water 7—otherwise we'd have run dry."
Victor scanned the crowd and paused. "A Mink? How did they catch one of them?"
Among the freed slaves stood a bipedal white bear—clearly young, not yet fully grown.
Heracles shook his head. "No idea. The slavers are dead—no one left to ask."
Victor waved the bear over. "Hey, white bear—come here."
The Mink approached timidly, trembling from fear and exhaustion.
Victor gently patted his head. The bear was smaller than a normal one—definitely still a child. But adorable. No wonder someone tried to sell him to Celestial Dragons.
"Hey, what's your name?"
The bear answered nervously: "I-I'm Beli…"
Victor smiled. "Nice name—sounds promising. Relax, I'm not going to eat you. How did you end up off Zou? And how were you captured?"
Beli took a shaky breath. "I… I was playing and fell off Zou. When I woke up, I was already captured. They kept me in a cage… I don't know how long. It felt like forever. Then I was passed around until I ended up here."
Victor nodded. "So you're a naughty little bear who wandered too far. How about this—I'm inviting you to join the Plant Scholars crew. No one will bully you here. But you'll have to get stronger yourself."
Beli's eyes widened. "R-really? I want to! I want to join!"
The other freed slaves watched enviously—but none dared speak up.
Victor patted Beli's head again. "Good. From now on, you're one of us. Remember: we don't bully others, and no one bullies us. Our creed is simple—blood for blood, tooth for tooth. Don't be afraid. I've got your back."
This was the first time Victor had openly stated part of his beliefs in front of the entire crew.
Beli's eyes welled up. "Y-yes! Beli remembers!"
Victor smiled. "Go eat something. You must be starving."
Crocus watched with amusement. "Hoho… looks like the captain's pretty reliable, huh?"
Heracles grinned. "That's our Victor. Got guts."
The rest of the crew felt a surge of pride and belonging. Even if the name "Plant Scholars" was a little… flowery.
Victor turned to Heracles. "Compile a list of their skills. See if anyone has useful roles—doctors, navigators, cooks, anything."
Heracles nodded. "Already on it."
Victor opened the captured treasure chests from the slaver ship.
"Gold, Berries, perfume… slavers carrying this stuff?"
He paused. "Hm? Two Devil Fruits. Nice surprise."
The first was clearly the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Scythe Dragon—ancient Zoan, sickle-shaped head pattern. A rare physique-boosting fruit.
The second had snowflake patterns—definitely not animal-type.
Victor frowned in thought. "This feels familiar… not the Ice-Ice Fruit. Wait—is this the Yuki Yuki no Mi? Snow-Snow Fruit?"
He grinned. "Jackpot. Both excellent. The Snow one was wasted on Monet in the original story. These will boost the team massively."
He stored them away. He'd decide later who should eat them—and test whether the Glutton-Glutton Fruit could really consume a second Devil Fruit.
Two beautiful twin physicians—sisters Elli and Eni—had been kept in a private cell. They were now assisting Crocus.
Victor noted their beauty and skill—exactly why they'd been targeted.
No navigators or cooks, unfortunately. The rest had miscellaneous skills. He'd drop them at the Sabaody Navy base—let the Marines handle repatriation. Anyone who refused could fend for themselves in Sabaody.
Victor wasn't heartless—but he wasn't a saint either. No one was going to guilt-trip him.
Fortunately, the Plant Scholars was massive—plenty of room for temporary passengers.
Victor didn't need to micromanage. Heracles and the others handled logistics. All he had to do was provide endless food supplies.
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