Thanks to the mighty Blood Fiend Demon Venerable for the ten-thousand-coin reward!!! Another one! You're amazing!
Sorry, I was busy as hell yesterday and didn't see it.
There were plenty of ways to shut Kureha up, but most involved violence. Loa had no need to sour their relationship like that. Besides, Jones had told him Turtle Island still needed a doctor. He would have to work things out with Kureha, who knew the place inside out.
As for why he didn't simply bring Kureha aboard as Turtle Island's Ship Doctor, Loa had only one answer: that was asking far too much!
Kureha was already 160 years old. Never mind whether her old bones could endure the voyage; she herself had probably long since lost any desire to go to sea.
She was 160, after all!
At that age, what could still matter to her?
Probably only Chopper. What could Loa offer to win her over? A doctor was someone you entrusted with your life at a critical moment. He could hardly force her aboard.
And Chopper's medical skills, frankly, weren't even up to standard yet. Even after the year he spent with Straw Hat, Chopper was merely a competent doctor, not an exceptional one.
Loa didn't have time to wait for Chopper to finish learning from Kureha. His plans were already in motion. If he was going to find a doctor, it had to be a proven expert.
After ending the call, Loa thought for a moment, then went back inside.
He had to meet up with West Simon and the others. Before leaving, he needed to make everything clear.
The moment Kureha saw Loa's expression, her lingering worry eased. "Looks like that island-owner friend of yours knows what he's doing. Well? Did he catch Drake?"
"Yes and no,"