The sea was calm as Noah, Robin, and Zoro sailed toward Drum Island. The sky was clear, and the favorable wind allowed them to move forward without any issues.
Suddenly, a seagull dove down and dropped a newspaper onto the deck of their ship.
Noah picked up the newspaper and began reading it silently. As he flipped through the pages, an amused smile appeared on his face.
"This is pure gold!" he burst out laughing, showing the headline to the others.
Robin leaned in slightly to read, while Zoro, arms crossed, raised an eyebrow with curiosity.
> "A New Pirate Crew Annihilates Crocodile and His Organization!"
The article told how two unknown individuals had defeated the Shichibukai Crocodile and completely destroyed Baroque Works. The most surprising part was that Nico Robin, the infamous Demon Child, had joined this mysterious crew, which the newspaper had named the Eclipse Pirates, due to the eclipse symbol on their pirate flag.
Zoro lowered the paper and looked at Robin with a raised brow.
"So now you're part of the Eclipse Pirates," he said sarcastically.
Robin smiled calmly.
"Seems like it."
Still amused, Noah continued flipping through the newspaper until he found the bounty poster section.
"Oh, look at this," he said, pulling out the posters and handing them out.
He was surprised to see his real name on his bounty, though it made sense—Zoro had called him by name multiple times in Alabasta. Still, he found the title Morgans had given him quite amusing.
> "Dark Sun: Noah.
Bounty: 90,000,000 Berries."
> "Pirate Hunter: Roronoa Zoro.
Bounty: 60,000,000 Berries."
> "Demon Child: Nico Robin.
Bounty: 80,000,000 Berries."
Zoro took his and frowned.
"Tch… I didn't even do anything in that fight," he grumbled, annoyed.
Robin looked at hers with tranquility. Her bounty had increased to 80 million Berries. Not surprising, given her identity.
Noah, on the other hand, raised an eyebrow at his. It was a considerable amount, and though the report on him was brief, it only mentioned how he had exterminated Arlong's crew and left the fish-man's head impaled in the town square.
"What a dramatic introduction they gave me," he commented with a mocking smile.
In Mariejois, the Gorosei chamber was silent as the elders reviewed the latest report on the emerging pirate crew.
"This is troubling," said one of them, placing the report on the table. "Not only has Crocodile fallen, but Robin, the last survivor of Ohara, has joined them."
Another elder with a scar across his face nodded.
"This Roronoa Zoro, though a skilled swordsman, is just a minor bounty hunter. The real concern lies with the other two."
He flipped through another document and frowned as he reached Noah's profile.
"There's not much information on him, aside from his brutality in wiping out the Arlong Pirates," he said, showing the image of Arlong's severed head on a pike.
Silence filled the room for a few moments.
"What do we do about them?" one of the elders asked.
The scarred elder frowned.
"They haven't taken any actions that directly threaten the Government... yet. But it's only a matter of time."
"Let's keep a close watch on them," ordered the white-bearded elder. "And if necessary, we'll act before they become a bigger problem."
The fate of Noah and his crew had become a concern for the World Government.
Meanwhile, snow fell gently over the castle of Drum.
Inside, in a warm room with a lit fireplace, Doctor Kureha took a swig from her sake bottle as she looked at Noah with disinterest.
"So, you come from who-knows-where to ask me to exchange medical knowledge?" she scoffed, resting an elbow on the table. "Tsk. You don't even look like a doctor. What makes you think you can teach me anything, kid?"
Noah smiled calmly.
"I don't expect to impress you with words, Doctor Kureha. I know you have decades of experience and medical knowledge that few in this world can match. But… I might know a few things that could interest you."
Kureha took another sip of her sake and eyed him skeptically.
"Oh, really? I'd be surprised if a brat like you knew anything I don't."
Noah pulled a small metal box from his bag and opened it, revealing several pills of different colors.
"For example, these are synthetic antibiotic tablets. They can eliminate bacterial infections in a matter of days—no need for bitter brews or prolonged treatments."
Kureha frowned and picked up one of the pills, sniffing and inspecting it closely.
"Antibiotics? Hm, I've heard rumors about them from doctors in distant seas, but I've never seen any in all my years of practice. What else do you have?"
Noah gave a faint smile and took out a vial filled with a thick, greenish substance.
"This is a regenerative serum based on biotechnology. It speeds up wound healing and can even regenerate damaged tissue within hours if applied properly."
Kureha raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.
"That sounds like a fairy tale. Can you prove it?"
Noah nodded and made a small cut on his palm with a dagger. Then, he applied a few drops of the serum to the wound. Within seconds, the skin began to close until no scar remained.
Kureha narrowed her eyes, clearly more interested now.
"Hoh… now that is interesting. What else do you know, kid?"
"I know advanced surgical techniques, methods for synthesizing new drugs, and I have theories about using genetics to improve the human body's resistance. If you're willing, I'd be happy to share some of this… in exchange for your knowledge about local diseases, natural remedies, and any pearls of wisdom you're willing to share."
Kureha smirked and took a long swig of sake.
"I like your attitude, brat. Alright, I'll listen. But it better be worth my time."
Noah smiled with satisfaction.
"I won't disappoint you."
The sun was beginning to set behind the snowy mountains of Drum Kingdom when Noah finally stood up from his seat.
He had spent the whole afternoon exchanging medical knowledge with Doctor Kureha, and although the old woman had been skeptical at first, she ended up intrigued by many of the ideas he shared. They spoke about cellular regeneration, diseases, and experimental treatments Noah had learned during his travels.
Kureha, though reluctant to admit it aloud, was impressed. Noah possessed knowledge that seemed from another era—another world. It was obvious he wasn't just some regular doctor, but she wasn't the type to ask unnecessary questions.
Finally, after one last cup of sake, Kureha gave him a rough pat on the back.
"You're an interesting brat, but don't think you can just come here and teach me everything I know," she said with a mocking smile.
Noah shrugged with a grin.
"That was never my intention, Doctor. I only wanted a fair exchange. You've taught me valuable things too."
Kureha laughed and took another swig.
"Ha! I hope so. Now get out of here before I start thinking I like you."
Noah nodded and turned to leave, but just before stepping out of the cabin, his eyes landed on the little reindeer watching him warily from the corner of the room.
Chopper had been present for most of the conversation.
Noah was never particularly fond of talking animals, and seeing the reindeer's suspicious gaze made him grin mischievously.
"You know, Chopper…" he said casually, "I've had venison before, and I have to admit—it's delicious when grilled with some spices."
Chopper's eyes widened and his hind legs trembled slightly.
"W-what?!" he exclaimed, covering his mouth with his hooves.
Noah burst out laughing at the comical sight and gave Chopper a pat on the head before walking out the door, leaving behind a horrified reindeer and a Kureha who just shook her head with an amused smile.