Kureha's Research Project and the New Star Gate!

Dr. Kureha had arrived.

The slender white-haired woman stepping out of the cable car wore a purple-blue denim outfit, with only a thin white T-shirt underneath and small pale-yellow sunglasses perched on her forehead.

Not only did she look nothing like a 117-year-old elder, she instead resembled a rebellious middle-aged old lady, with a distinctly roguish air about her.

"Whew—it's been many years since I last came here."

Kureha looked up at the majestic snow-white castle before her, a wild and unruly smile appearing on her face.

"This way, please. His Majesty the King, Minister Malvani from the World Government, and Vice Admiral Aokiji from Marine Headquarters are waiting for you inside."

The official from earlier respectfully raised a hand toward the castle gates.

"Let's go!"

Kureha had already heard a general explanation on the way about the Medical Development Cooperation Country and the establishment of Drum Medical Academy. Otherwise, she would not have been interested in coming at all, even if the king himself had invited her.

The moment she entered the reception hall, a wave of heat washed over her. Though the Drum Kingdom's climate was frigid, the royal family certainly did not mistreat themselves.

"Dr. Kureha has arrived!"

King Arnold, seated on the throne, inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Honestly, he had not been sure whether she would come. This hundred-year-old doctor was a special figure in the country.

Kureha stopped about five meters in front of Minister Malvani.

"Mm, I'm here. You're the Administrative Department's minister, right? Tell me about this Medical Academy. If this old doctor isn't satisfied, I'll turn around and go buy some liquor!"

She was utterly blunt, but Minister Malvani did not mind. Having held a high position in the World Government for so many years, his composure was more than adequate.

Besides, he did not want to remain in this freezing kingdom for long. This straightforward, efficient way of handling matters actually suited him quite well.

"Here's the situation."

Without showing the slightest impatience, Minister Malvani explained everything he had previously discussed with King Arnold once again, in even greater detail.

After hearing him out, Kureha fell silent. To be honest, she was tempted.

Throughout her life, she had been obsessed with only two things: drinking and medicine. Of the two, medicine was what she had devoted her entire life to.

Whether it was ancient pathogens or modern emerging diseases, she dared to say she knew a thing or two about them. Her miraculous surgical skills were unmatched throughout Drum's medical world, and she also had a habit of collecting all kinds of obscure medicines, all of which she kept hidden in a secret base.

Minister Malvani had just said that the Medical Academy would be the highest-level medical research institute under the World Government, a place responsible for organizing and researching every known and unknown medicine, disease, and medical technique in the world.

If it could truly be like that, would it not be paradise for her?

As for the troublesome matters of establishing a promotion system for doctors worldwide, compiling textbooks, and conducting examinations, she had little interest in any of that.

Fortunately, the Medical Academy would not consist of her alone.

The first step would be to bring in the outstanding doctors within the Drum Kingdom. Those with exceptionally superb medical skills would enter the Medical Academy directly, while the next tier of doctors would join the World Hospital.

The Medical Academy and World Hospital were the core of the World Government Medical Development Cooperation Country project.

As long as hospitals in member nations encountered difficult and complicated illnesses they could not resolve, they could apply to transfer patients there. Likewise, doctors from other member nations could apply to join the Medical Academy or World Hospital.

Both the Medical Academy and World Hospital were to be built on one of Drum Peak's mountains, the one to the left of the main peak where the royal castle stood.

"So, are you willing to accept the position of dean of the Medical Academy?"

Hearing Minister Malvani's solemn question, Kureha did not put on airs and readily agreed. "Sounds good. I'll give it a try for a few years!"

"Excellent. Once Vice Admiral Aokiji finishes building the ice bridge and steps, our Administrative Department will bring over the construction materials and workers!"

After saying that, Minister Malvani gestured behind him. An Administrative Department attendant, who had clearly been prepared, hurried over carrying a document folder in both hands.

"Although construction of the Medical Academy has not yet begun, the World Government Medical Development Cooperation Country project took effect the moment King Arnold signed the agreement. In other words, you are already the official dean of the Medical Academy. This is the first research project the World Government has assigned to it."

He took a report from the folder and handed it to Kureha. When she accepted it, she was surprised to discover that it was actually a disease report.

It detailed the cases of three patients, along with a professional assessment of the disease. It also included high-definition images of the patients' external and internal conditions.

"Amber Lead."

Kureha murmured to herself. This was truly the first time she had encountered such a disease, and it immediately piqued her curiosity. She promptly immersed herself in the report, completely ignoring her surroundings and everyone around her.

Minister Malvani and Kuzan exchanged amused looks at the sight.

"By the way, King Arnold, aside from this matter, I also hope to take the twenty finest doctors of the Drum Kingdom back with me to the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, to carry out medical work."

"Mary Geoise?!"

"Have the Descendants of the Creator fallen ill?" King Arnold asked with an expression of great concern.

"No. They are to treat a group of merfolk and Fish-Men. The higher-ups hope their injuries and illnesses can be healed as soon as possible," Minister Malvani said.

"I see. Of course, no problem. I'll send people to notify them at once. I believe quite a few doctors will be interested in merfolk and Fish-Men. Please stay the night today, so I can properly entertain you and Vice Admiral Aokiji!"

Holy Land, Mary Geoise, the Moon Chamber on the top floor of Pangaea Castle.

As the saying went, when the leaders opened their mouths, their subordinates ran themselves ragged. Once Imu and the Five Elders finished their discussion and issued their orders, the World Government, Marine Headquarters, and CIPHER POL began bustling across the seas.

And what about Imu and the Five Elders?

The latter continued drinking tea and reading newspapers in the Hall of Authority, while the former lay dazed on a luxurious bed of gold and red.

He appeared to be spacing out, but in reality, he was staring at the latest notification in his field of vision.

This notification had appeared a few days ago, on January 1st, the day Roger was publicly executed. Its contents were brief, consisting of just one line: "A new Star Gate awaits activation."

The description stated that a small Star Gate, three meters tall and two meters wide, would appear every year. That meant he now had two small Star Gates—two portals that could lead to unknown planets!

He hesitated.

His main planet had only just begun to be sorted out and was still at the very beginning stages. How could he possibly have the energy to interfere with another planet when he had no idea what might be there? What if that place had some especially terrifying existence?

Though his strength was considered the greatest in this pirate world, the universe was unimaginably vast. Since the Star Map's description mentioned unknown civilizations, there were surely powerful beings among them. Perhaps some might even be stronger than him.

Caution.

It was better to be cautious. At the very least, he should wait until this year's Reverie had advanced to a certain stage. Then he could send a few CIPHER POL agents over to investigate.

In any case, Imu would never be the first to enter. Risky matters were better left to those beneath him!

A fledgling new novel—please leave comments and recommendations!!!