As for that third-rate doctor, who knew when he might get a terminal illness? Rhett wasn't going to wait around for him. If they ran into him, fine. If not, that was just his bad luck.
"Dr. Kureha lives up there?" Tesoro looked up at the castle towering into the clouds. He glanced worriedly at Stella. "The mountain path is too steep. Why don't I carry you up? What if..."
Rhett stared at Tesoro. "Boss Tesoro, if you say one more word, I'll make you fly."
Rhett watched the young couple go from relaxed to visibly nervous, and then saw Tesoro literally lose color from fear.
More importantly, Tesoro's gold formed a chair. Rhett's blood mist wrapped around it like a railing. Moria's shadow dragged the chair up into the air.
Walking beside them were Rhett, Tesoro, Enel, and Moria — four of the most powerful fighters on the seas, Emperor and Emperor-commander level.
With this lineup, if Stella somehow fell, all four of them would have to execute themselves.
Stella smiled and shook her head. "No need. Everyone is taking such good care of me. I don't have to walk at all. I'm not even tired. Dear, don't put so much pressure on yourself."
Rhett put his hands back in his pockets and strolled lazily at the front. The blood mist behind him condensed into a winding red carpet that led straight to the mountaintop. The mist enveloped the group, and the wind and snow couldn't get through at all.
Perona floated in the air, clutching her Kumashi plushie tightly. "It's so cold here. Can Dr. Kureha really stand living in a place like this?"
Moria answered, "Kishishishi... She's lived over a hundred years. She's bound to have some strange habits!"
"Shut up, Moria." Rhett flicked a ball of blood mist back without turning around, hitting Moria right in the mouth. "When we see her, show some respect. We're here for a checkup. You too, Enel."
Enel: ???
Lena looked at Enel seriously, then nodded. She didn't say anything.
Enel: ??????
---
After leaving the palace, Rhett and his group headed straight for Dr. Kureha's home. It was a small wooden cabin built on top of a tall mountain. Thick snow covered the surrounding area. The wind howled, but there was a sense of peace in the air.
"Sister Kureha! Are you home?" Rhett stood outside the door and called out with a grin.
The door creaked open. A tall woman with a stern face appeared at the doorway. Her silver hair was tied back in a ponytail. A cigarette hung from her lips. She held a bottle of plum wine in her hand. She narrowed her eyes at Rhett. "Kid, who are you calling sister? I've never seen you before."
Rhett wasn't bothered by her cold attitude at all. His smile only grew brighter. "Ah, Sister Kureha, your reputation precedes you!" He produced, as if by magic, a sealed jar of aged plum wine and a large container of pickled plums from his blood mist. "I heard you liked these, so I brought them as a welcome gift."
Kureha's gaze lingered on the wine jar and the plum container for a moment. The corner of her mouth twitched upward. "Hmph. You know how to suck up." She stepped aside. "Come in. But don't expect any discounts."
"Of course not!" Rhett waved for Tesoro and Stella to come forward. "Sister Kureha's medical skills are priceless!"
Inside, the fireplace was burning. The air was filled with the faint scent of medicinal herbs and the rich aroma of plum wine. Kureha poured herself a cup and took a sip. Her eyes lit up. "Not bad. A specialty of the West Blue. Aged at least twenty years."
Rhett winked proudly. "Sister is certainly a connoisseur. I didn't know Sister was not only a brilliant doctor but also beautiful and kind-hearted."
Kureha set down her cup. "Smooth talker. Are you here to learn the secret to my longevity too?"
Everyone, including Laboon and Perona, looked as if they had seen a ghost.
They looked at Kureha, who was old enough to be their grandmother, then at Rhett, who kept calling her "sister."
Perona poked Moria. "Lord Moria, is Lord Rhett really that old?"
Before Moria could answer, Kureha turned her gaze to Stella. Everyone immediately changed their expressions to ones of pure admiration.
Kureha asked, "So you're the one who needs a checkup?"
Stella nodded, nervously touching her belly. "Yes, Dr. Kureha."
Kureha stood up and walked over to her. She paused for a moment. "What are you all doing? Get out of this room. Stop staring."
The others quickly caught on and scurried out.
"THUD."
"Stella, don't put too much pressure on yourself~"
"Don't make me come out there."
"THUD."
The door slammed shut.
---
A while later, Kureha came back out. She had returned to her lazy, wine-drinking demeanor.
She took a sip of wine and said flatly, "The baby is very healthy. The vitality is unusually strong—" She glanced at Rhett. "It seems someone has been doing a lot of work behind the scenes."
Rhett smiled sheepishly. "Just a little help here and there."
Kureha grunted. "That being said, the mother's emotions need to be stable. Excessive stress can negatively affect the baby." She looked at Tesoro. "Especially you, young man. If you keep being so nervous, the baby will be born and you'll have lost your mind first. If you show any more of this behavior, get out of my castle."
Tesoro scratched his head awkwardly. "Yes, Doctor..."
Kureha walked back to her desk and quickly wrote out a prescription. "Follow this. Once a day. Don't slack off." She paused, then added, "The fee is one hundred million berries."
Rhett burst out laughing. He pulled out a black card. "Charge it! This card can withdraw up to five hundred million berries from any of my businesses. Plus, I'll throw in a year's supply of plum wine and pickled plums!"
Kureha took the card and actually cracked a small smile. "Kid, you know how to do business." She suddenly leaned close to Rhett and lowered her voice. "You don't really think I'm some naive young girl, do you? What is it you really want?"
Rhett scratched his head. "I was hoping Tesoro and Stella could stay at your castle until the baby is born. Good sister, consider this a favor from your little brother. Is that alright?"
Kureha narrowed her eyes and blew out a smoke ring. "Kid, this isn't a maternity ward." She waved the black card. "You think this is enough to hire me as a babysitter?"
Rhett immediately produced another box from thin air — this one filled with premium plum wine. Frost still clung to the bottles. "Sister This is a special Sky Island brew. Aged in cloud shells for fifty years" He deliberately dragged out his words. The blood mist even helpfully started massaging Kureha's shoulders. "Besides, your castle is so lonely and cold. You could have Tesoro sing you little songs to pass the time. He could even install a gold toilet for you!"
"Pfft—" Perona, who had been drinking water, sprayed it all over Moria's face.
Tesoro nodded frantically. "Sister! I'll do anything..."
"Done." Kureha cut him off and grabbed the box of wine. "But I have one condition." She pointed at Laboon. "I want that little one. I'm going to study it. Leave it here."
Enel: "???" Mortal, you're asking for death..."
"CRACK!" Rhett chopped Enel on the head, then turned to Kureha with a brilliant smile. "No problem! Laboon is in your care!"
Enel: "I @#$%..."
Laboon looked at Kureha, then raised its small fin. "Woo." (Hello there. Please take care of me.)