Miraculous Blood

Just as everyone was growing anxious, unsure what to do, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door. Doctor Cook and his apprentice hurried in.

"When I was treating Lina, I discovered a type of highly active cell in her body. It was stimulating her own cells, activating them and increasing their activity.

"The state she's in now is very likely an effect of those cells," Doctor Cook said slowly, his brow furrowed.

Hearing this, Kakarot seemed to remember something and suddenly slapped his forehead.

"Oh, right!" he said. "When I saw Aunt Lina badly wounded, her life force kept fading. Her condition was critical.

"I thought of my body's powerful ability to recover and wondered if my blood might help her, so I fed her some of it.

"After that, Aunt Lina's injuries really did improve noticeably."

"Then what exactly is going on with my aunt now?" Lilith pressed anxiously, her eyes full of worry and urgency.

Kakarot pondered for a moment before guessing, "My blood probably contains my will, which is why Aunt Lina instinctively feels close to me.

"But it's all right. I think this should go away on its own in a few days."

"Hmph! It had better." Lilith gave a soft huff. Despite her words, the worry on her face had not entirely faded.

Just then, Lina, who had been clinging tightly to Kakarot, suddenly said in a sweet voice, "Daddy! I'm hungry. I want food!" Her voice was as soft and childish as a little kid's.

Kakarot quickly strode over to the table where the food was laid out, his face full of tenderness, and said softly:

"Aunt Lina, come on down. There's lots of delicious food here!"

"No! No! I want Daddy to feed me." As she spoke, Lina acted just like a little child.

She shifted around in Kakarot's arms to face the table, both arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

Kakarot smiled helplessly, but when he looked up and met Lilith's murderous gaze, a chill immediately ran down his back.

With no other choice, he called Iris and the others over to help amid the tense atmosphere, trying to ease the somewhat awkward situation.

Everyone gathered around, watching Lina intently with worried eyes. She wolfed down the food, her appetite several times what it had been before.

Their hearts clenched with every mouthful she swallowed. Had she shown any sign of trouble, they would have already rushed forward to stop her.

Before long, Lina had cleared away all the remaining food on the table.

After eating, she slowly closed her eyes out of bodily instinct and began using Life Return to digest the food.

Seeing how worried everyone looked, Cook's apprentice gently adjusted her glasses, stepped forward, and said warmly:

"You don't need to worry. Those cells in her body that came from Kakarot

"are continuously and intensely stimulating her own cells, making them absorb energy quickly. That's very helpful for healing her injuries."

Only after hearing this explanation did everyone gradually relax, the worry fading from their faces.

Iris turned toward Cook and asked curiously, "Cook, is this the apprentice you're always talking about?"

Pride immediately appeared on Cook's face. He puffed out his chest and said:

"That's right! Yueli traveled with me to study medicine from the time she was little. She's exceptionally bright and had already become accomplished by thirteen.

"Later, I sent her to Drum Island in the first half of the Grand Line to further her medical studies. Seven years passed in the blink of an eye, and she came back with our caravan."

At this, the girl called Yueli bowed slightly and said softly, "Hello, everyone! My name is Yueli.

"My master rescued me during his travels, and I've always been fortunate to receive his care and guidance.

"This is my first time in Zou."

Her voice was soft and lilting, like a gentle breeze, giving her a warm, approachable air.

Yueli was also of mixed Mink Tribe heritage. Her long, silvery-white hair fell like spilling moonlight, hanging smoothly to her waist with playful little curls at the ends.

Her ears were the pointed ears typical of canines, twitching expressively. Her gray eyes were clear and bright, carrying the gentleness and resolve unique to a healer.

Two faint patches of pink fur adorned her cheeks. When she smiled, they were like cherry blossoms in bloom, adding a touch of playful charm.

She wore a lightweight, pale blue linen robe, its cuffs and hem trimmed with soft leather that made it both durable and elegant.

A dark brown hide belt was fastened around her waist, hung with various small tools of her medical practice:

delicate medicine bottles, small scalpels, and a cloth pouch containing special medicinal herbs.

She wore a pair of short deerskin boots that made it easy to travel through forests and mountains.

"Hello!" Everyone greeted Yueli warmly, friendly smiles on their faces.

Knowing that Lina was not in serious danger, everyone felt much more at ease. Like curious children, they began asking Yueli all sorts of questions.

"Yueli, what's Drum Island like?"

"Did anything especially interesting happen while you were studying medicine?"

Faced with their wide-ranging questions, Yueli kept smiling and answered each one at an unhurried pace.

Her patience was as soothing as a spring breeze.

Several hours passed in a flash. Doctor Cook clapped his hands and raised his voice:

"All right, everyone's injuries have more or less healed. What you need now is a good rest."

Iris turned to Kakarot, who was holding Lina, and could not resist teasing him, her eyes full of mischief:

"Kakarot, hurry up and take that sweet little 'daughter' of yours home! Hahaha!" As she spoke, she could not help laughing aloud.

Kakarot smiled helplessly, a trace of embarrassment in his eyes, and hastily said:

"Iris, please stop teasing me. The way Lilith's looking at me, I feel like her eyes are about to spit fire."

Hearing this, Lilith snorted and said irritably, "Brother, let's go home." Her tone carried obvious displeasure.

Kakarot hurriedly said to everyone, "Thank you for looking after Aunt Lina and me all this time. I'm truly grateful.

"You should all hurry home and get some proper rest too. Thank you for all your hard work lately."

At this, everyone smiled and waved their hands.

Doctor Cook said with a smile, "Don't be so formal. We're all family. Helping each other is only natural."

Iris chimed in, "Exactly. We've all been hoping you two would get better soon."

Yueli said softly, "I'm happy I could help too."

Lilith tugged lightly at Kakarot's sleeve and said quietly, "Brother, let's go." Kakarot nodded, then turned and left with her.

Back home, Kakarot looked at Lina, who was drowsy in his arms, her gaze already growing unfocused, and said softly:

"Aunt Lina, go sleep in your own room. You'll be more comfortable there."

At this, Lina wound her arms tightly around Kakarot's neck like vines, nuzzling her head against his chest as she mumbled, "Daddy, I want to sleep with you!"

Feeling the soft, full figure in his arms, Kakarot's heart suddenly beat a little faster, and heat quietly crept up to his ears.

But when he glanced up and saw Lilith's wary, hostile gaze, the words on the tip of his tongue were instantly frightened back down. His lips moved, but in the end, he did not dare make a sound.

Lilith frowned and sighed softly. Moving closer to Lina, she coaxed, "Auntie, come down off Kakarot. I'll sleep with you, all right?"

Lina turned her head away like a stubborn child and whined, "No! I want to sleep with Daddy!"

Completely at a loss, Lilith turned to Kakarot with a serious expression. "Then take Auntie to your room. I'm coming too. I'll sleep with you both and keep an eye on you."

Lilith knew her aunt was in an unusual state right now. She had to watch her brother and make sure nothing went wrong.

Knowing this was their only option for now, Kakarot could only nod in agreement.

The three went to Kakarot's room and got into bed. As though she had found a warm nest, Lina nestled naturally into his arms.

At 2.2 meters tall, she looked especially petite against Kakarot's towering 2.8-meter frame. Before long, her breathing grew even, and she fell into a deep sleep.

Lilith lay on her side beside them, her eyes fixed on Kakarot, and said coldly:

"Brother, you'd better not get any funny ideas. From the look in your eyes earlier, I could tell you were thinking something you shouldn't.

"Auntie isn't clearheaded right now. If you dare try anything, I won't let you off." Lilith was terribly worried, afraid her brother might make a mistake in a moment of impulse.

Kakarot smiled awkwardly. "Don't get the wrong idea. Why would I have any funny ideas? Stop worrying and get some sleep."

Kakarot did feel a little guilty. His thoughts really had strayed for a brief moment earlier, but he still had his reason.

Lilith had spent the past few days worried and tightly wound. Now that she saw both her aunt and brother were all right, she finally relaxed and soon drifted off to sleep.

Kakarot gazed at the two sleeping women, his heart full of tenderness. These two people who mattered so much to him were right beside him now.

He reached out gently, moving very slowly for fear of waking them, and carefully drew Lilith closer so her head rested on his forearm.

The corners of Kakarot's mouth lifted slightly. Holding them both amid the peace and warmth, he slowly closed his eyes.