Arriving at Shimotsuki Village

It's flat, so we need to inflate it.

Xianuo exerted force, lifting the boat and carrying it onto the sea surface. Junyi immediately crouched down and began performing CPR on Sanji.

After a lot of effort, Sanji's upper body suddenly twitched, and he coughed. His eyes had just barely opened a slit when his neck twisted, and he fainted again.

However, his breathing had become long and steady. Xianuo breathed a sigh of relief for the moment and had Junyi carry Sanji into the cabin.

He himself went to the other side of the reef and helped Zeff over.

Seeing that Sanji was still alive, the old man finally felt completely at ease and lay down honestly on the bed.

Both of their bodies were extremely weak. One was unconscious, and the other's severed limb still needed treatment.

They had to find a reliable doctor to treat them as soon as possible.

"Is there a hospital in Shimotsuki Village?" Xianuo asked.

"A hospital?" Junyi scratched his head. "No, but there's a small clinic. Granny Arlan at the clinic is very skilled. Many people from nearby villages even travel over the mountains specifically to see her."

"Then let's go to Shimotsuki Village!"

Xianuo unfolded the sea chart next to him. "We've been sailing for two days already. How much longer until we arrive?"

The East Blue was dotted with countless islands. Small villages like Shimotsuki Village, where few outsiders visited, were not specifically marked on sea charts sold in the market.

But fortunately, they had a local from Shimotsuki Village.

Junyi pointed to a spot and estimated with his hand. "We're very close, Boss. Three to four days at most."

"Three to four days... Let's use up all the cola and go full speed. The two of us will row with all our might afterwards. That should compress the time significantly."

Xianuo turned his head. "Can you hold on, old man?"

Zeff laboriously raised his right hand and made an "OK" gesture. Seeing the black lines appearing on Xianuo's forehead, he grinned and lay back down.

Two days later, in the evening.

The long, drizzling rain gradually stopped.

Xianuo and his group finally arrived at a small island covered in hills. South of the central mountain range was Shimotsuki Village.

Several half-grown youths were playing by the dock. Sharp-eyed, they noticed the small boat approaching rapidly from afar.

"Huh, that boat looks familiar..."

"It's Senior Junyi, you idiot! Senior Junyi is back!"

"Senior Junyi!"

The youths cheered and rushed forward, surrounding Junyi, who had just disembarked.

Meanwhile, Xianuo was still in the cabin. He glanced at the sleeping Zeff, then took a small bag from his pocket containing about half a bag of blood.

This was coughed up by Sanji today while he was semi-conscious. The scene had been quite frightening at the time, but thankfully, his condition stabilized afterward, and there were no major issues.

Blood...

Xianuo pinched his chin, lost in thought. This was probably the most valuable item he could currently extract from Sanji, right?

After all, the kid had only recently escaped from Germa. The chef's uniform he was wearing was from when he was an intern chef on a passenger ship. He didn't have anything on him that held special sentimental value.

He hesitated no longer and chose to sacrifice the bag of blood.

[Offering: Sanji's Special Blood] [Quality: Fine] [Value: 1000 points] [Appraisal Comment: As a member of the Vinsmoke Family, royalty from the North Blue, Sanji, who underwent Lineage Factor modification, naturally has special blood. He hates his bloodline, but undoubtedly, the blood flowing in his body is more valuable than that of ordinary people.] [Remaining Points: 8325]

"It really is valuable."

Xianuo's eyes lit up, and his mood instantly improved.

Sanji, like Nami, was still a child. Naturally, he couldn't expect any bonus points for strength. Getting 1000 points worth of wool was an unexpected joy.

He re-sheathed the Masamune sword on his back and walked out of the cabin. He glanced at Junyi and smiled, "You're quite popular in the village!"

Ever since the Masamune sword had appeared before Junyi, he had gotten used to carrying it with him. Now that his height had increased, it looked quite fitting on his back.

"Heh heh."

Junyi scratched his head sheepishly. But noticing Xianuo's tired face, he immediately turned around, his expression serious, and adopted the demeanor of a dojo senior disciple.

"The main business is important. We have two patients who urgently need to be taken to the clinic. Who will lend a hand?"

Arriving within two days was basically thanks to Boss Xianuo's superhuman strength and endurance in rowing to accelerate. This kind of finishing work couldn't be burdened on him again; it was time for him to rest.

"Me! Me!"

A group of children eagerly volunteered. Four of them carried Sanji, and two helped Zeff, heading towards the clinic.

Junyi followed closely behind. Suddenly, he noticed a figure in the bamboo grove and immediately shouted, "Zoro!"

"Huh?"

A green-haired boy poked his head out, panting and sweating profusely. Upon seeing Junyi, his eyes lit up with surprise. "Senior Brother Junyi! When did you get back?"

"Just arrived. Still training alone?"

"Yeah."

"Hold on a moment. I need to take this patient to the clinic. This is Boss Xianuo, someone I deeply respect. Could you help take him to the dojo to rest? I'll be over later."

"Understood, don't worry, Senior Brother Junyi!"

Watching Junyi and his companions leave, Zoro picked up his bamboo sword and slung it over his shoulder before stepping out of the bamboo forest.

He looked at Xianuo, his gaze lingering for a moment on the Masamune sword strapped to Xianuo's back.

"Let's go! Follow me!"

Zoro said casually, "There are still plenty of empty rooms in the dojo. You look really tired, I'll find you the most comfortable bed!"

"Okay."

Xianuo smiled and followed behind.

"Say, your name is Xianuo, right?"

As they walked, Zoro suddenly asked without looking back, "Senior Brother Junyi seems to really respect you, even calling you 'Boss.' But you don't look older than him. Are you two close?"

"We only got acquainted recently, but I guess you could say we're friends who've faced life and death together."

Xianuo replied casually, his attention fully captured by the green-haired boy.

Zoro was barely over 1.5 meters tall, a mere shrimp. Seeing that ball of green hair bobbing below his chest, it was hard not to want to pull a few strands.

"Is that so? Senior Brother Junyi is the strongest among the disciples of his generation. To be recognized by him, your swordsmanship must be very strong too!"

"But I'm also very strong! Among the dojo disciples around my age, I'm the strongest one!"

Xianuo was speechless.

That most reliable classmate from the Straw Hat crew, Zoro, seemed to be just starting to take human form.

He was still a boisterous ten-year-old kid, bragging and chatting all day without shame. That was one of the most prominent characteristics of this age group.

"Really?"

Xianuo coughed lightly and put on a curious expression. "What about Kuina?"

Zoro's face instantly turned red.

What the heck, Senior Brother Junyi told this guy all these things too!

"Ab-almost! Kuina is also very strong. I've fought her many times, it's pretty much a 50/50 split!" the green-haired brat gritted his teeth and forced out.

Xianuo chuckled.

Children were thin-skinned. He didn't expose him and continued to follow Zoro towards the village.

Until...

As they walked, something felt wrong. They inexplicably ended up at the end of an alley. Next to the entrance of the Japanese-style building in front of them, a sign clearly read "Shimotsuki North Mountain Hot Spring Bathhouse."

"What's the meaning of this?" Xianuo looked at Zoro in confusion. "Aren't we going to the Isshin Dojo?"

"That's not right, it should be this way..." Zoro scratched his head, thinking hard. "Which fork in the road did I choose incorrectly just now?"

Xianuo finally realized.

You've got to be kidding me, you can get lost even in Shimotsuki Village!

There will be a second update this afternoon. During the new book's release period, monthly ticket data is also quite important. I'm weakly asking for your support. I'm not greedy for many, but if you have monthly tickets, please cast one!