Johnny and Joseph

Usopp, standing nearby, leaned closer to Ronan and asked in a low voice:

"Hey, Ronan, is that fierce-looking guy Zoro's friend? He doesn't look like a good person either."

Nami also perked up her ears curiously: "What's going on? Zoro's former accomplice?"

Ronan leaned against the ship's railing, watching the scene, and calmly explained:

"He's probably just a follower Zoro met when he was a 'Pirate Hunter'."

"J-Joseph..."

Johnny trembled as he pointed below the ship's railing, his voice choked: "He's down there... he's dying..."

Zoro's expression changed upon hearing this.

Without a moment's hesitation, he strode to the ship's railing and looked down.

Below the Merry, on a crude little fishing boat, lay a figure in a red and white checkered shirt.

His face was ashen, his eyes tightly shut, and dried blood stained the corner of his mouth. He truly looked on the verge of death, as if he could breathe his last at any moment.

"Damn it."

Zoro cursed under his breath, braced himself on the railing, and leaped down, landing steadily on the small boat.

Then, he carefully picked up the unconscious Joseph, pushed off with his feet, and jumped back onto the Merry's deck.

"Joseph!"

Johnny dropped to his knees beside his partner, tears and snot streaming down his face:

"Brother, please save him! This guy was lively just a few days ago, eating and drinking well, but suddenly his face turned pale, and he fainted several times!"

Johnny clutched his hair and roared in anguish:

"I have no idea what's causing it! His teeth are also falling out for no reason, I don't know what to do!"

Ronan stood by, listening to Johnny's description, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Losing teeth, pale complexion... these were typical symptoms of scurvy.

In this world of pirates, lacking medical knowledge, this disease caused by a lack of Vitamin C was once known as the "scourge of the seas," claiming the lives of countless sailors.

"I was originally going to take him to rest by that rock..."

Johnny pointed to a large, half-broken reef in the distance and said with grief and indignation, "Who knew a cannonball would suddenly fly from this ship!"

"It didn't hit us directly, but the explosion's shockwave nearly capsized our boat, and Joseph was completely knocked out by the impact!"

"..."

The air suddenly fell silent.

Luffy and Usopp, who had been watching the commotion, instantly turned ashen, as if painted white.

The two turned their heads stiffly, exchanged a glance, and saw the terror in each other's eyes.

(That cannonball... the one they were testing earlier...)

Without any hesitation.

"We... we're sorry!!!"

Luffy and Usopp, like well-trained soldiers, bowed ninety degrees in unison, their foreheads even hitting the deck with a "thud."

"Bastards!!"

Johnny roared in fury, wishing he could draw his sword and kill them.

"If apologies could settle things, we wouldn't need the Navy! If Joseph doesn't make it, I'll have you pay with your lives!"

Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, a slender figure walked over.

"Move aside."

Nami pushed past the blocking Johnny and looked at the half-dead Joseph on the ground, her brow furrowed: "You're too loud. If you want him to live, shut up."

"Who... who are you, woman?!" Johnny, in his rage, exclaimed, "Are you an idiot? Stay away from my partner!"

Nami completely ignored his shouting. She crouched down, her movements practiced and professional.

First, she reached out and flipped open Joseph's eyelids, observing the color of his pupils and the whites of his eyes.

Next, she gripped Joseph's jaw and forcibly opened his mouth.

What met her eyes were swollen, purplish gums and bleeding tooth roots.

"As I thought," Nami realized.

"What... what are you doing!"

Johnny, enraged by Nami's "rough" treatment of the patient, drew the knife at his waist: "If you dare to fool my partner, I'll never forgive you!"

"Shut up!"

Nami suddenly turned back, her gaze sharper than Johnny's knife.

"Luffy! Usopp! Go to the warehouse! There's a crate of limes there, bring me a few right away! Hurry!"

"Huh? Oh! Yes!"

The two, consumed by guilt, heard the order and felt greatly relieved, rushing into the ship's cabin like a gust of wind.

"Limes... Limes?" Johnny froze, forgetting to put down the knife in his hand. "That kind of fruit... can save a life?"

A moment later, Luffy ran back carrying a pile of green limes.

Nami picked up a lime, took out a small knife, and skillfully cut it open. Then, without hesitation, she squeezed the sour juice directly into Joseph's mouth.

"...Gulp..."

Joseph, who was unconscious, instinctively swallowed.

"It's scurvy."

Nami stood up, wiped the juice from her hands, and looked at the bewildered Johnny. Her tone carried a hint of helplessness towards the ignorant:

"This is a deadly disease that once struck fear into the hearts of all sailors. But the cause is actually very simple, it's just a lack of plant-based nutrition."

"Because shipbuilding technology was backward in the past, ships couldn't store fresh vegetables and fruits for long periods. Sailors would only eat meat and dried rations for extended periods, and their bodies would break down."

"If there's no delay, as long as enough nutrients are replenished, he'll be fine in a few days."

Johnny listened, stunned. He looked at Nami as if she were an angel descended to earth:

"R-really? Big sis! Is it true, just like you said, that Joseph he..."

As the excited Johnny spoke, spittle flew everywhere.

"Pfft--"

Nami was instantly sprayed in the face with saliva.

Her previously cool and aloof goddess image instantly crumbled.

She disgustedly wiped her face, kicked Johnny's leg, and roared:

"You guy! Speak properly, don't spit! And-- don't call me 'Big sis'!!"

Just then, a miraculous scene unfolded.

Joseph, who had been lying on the deck as if he were about to meet death any second, suddenly opened his eyes just a few minutes after drinking the lime juice!

While this was unscientific, in the world of One Piece, it was common knowledge!

"Whoooa--!!"

Joseph performed a "carp leap" and sprang up from the deck!

His previously pale complexion regained its rosy color at a visible rate, and his emaciated muscles swelled up again.

"Joseph!!" Johnny shouted with joy.

"Johnny!!" Joseph exclaimed, tears welling up.

The two embraced excitedly, then linked arms and struck an extremely embarrassing pose, spinning in circles on the deck and shouting loudly:

"Full power nutrition--!! We're back!!!"

"..."

Ronan, Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and Usopp stood in a line, watching this miraculous scene unfold. They collectively shed a single drop of cold sweat, their faces darkened with lines.

"That recovery speed... it's a bit too exaggerated."

Ronan's mouth twitched. "I know it's a plot device, but seeing it firsthand still feels ridiculous."

Regardless, the person was saved.

The two stopped spinning, straightened their collars, put their sunglasses back on, and struck what they considered the coolest poses.

"Sorry! We're late with introductions!"

Johnny pointed to himself: "I'm Johnny!"

Joseph pointed to himself: "I'm Joseph!"

They said in unison: "We are the Bounty Hunter duo, who specialize in targeting Pirates! We used to be colleagues with Brother Zoro, so please take care of us!"