"Observation Haki?"
Kureha studied Rubick and nodded. "Awakened Observation Haki at your age? You've got some talent. But I've lived more than a hundred years, and I've seen plenty of people your age who'd mastered Haki."
Nami stared at her. "Dr. Kureha, you've lived more than a hundred years?"
Kureha laughed. "That's right. I should be 139 this year. What do you think? Want to know my secret to staying young forever?"
Nami shook her head. "Um, could you treat Rubick first? We're all worried about him."
Kureha pointed to the tallest cylindrical Snow Mountain in the distance. "If you want me to cure that young man, my fee won't be cheap. Drive that King out so I can move back into the Castle, and I'll treat him."
Afraid Luffy and the others might refuse, she added, "The nearest island with a doctor is Alabasta, three days away. And I'm the only doctor in this entire country. Whether you want to save him is up to you. I won't force you."
Luffy and the others exchanged glances. Did they really have a choice?
"We'll be the bad guys this once if that's what it takes to save Rubick," Luffy said firmly.
"Don't feel guilty," Kureha told them. "That bastard King drove every doctor out of the country and kept twenty for himself in the Royal Palace. If anyone here falls ill, they have to spend their entire fortune to get treated. You'd be doing the people a favor."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Luffy said. "Let's go! Sanji, Usopp, come on!"
"I'll protect our friends and the ship," Zoro told Luffy seriously.
"And I'll send that King flying so the old lady can cure Rubick," Luffy replied, just as seriously.
This time, Usopp didn't back down. Rubick had helped