Chapter 22: Departure is for a Better Reunion

Drum Kingdom, an island perpetually cloaked in silver, may have been sparsely populated, but its advanced medical technology was renowned throughout the world.

Doflamingo had been here for a month now. After a week of close surveillance, the guards had finally relaxed their vigilance and left. During that week, they had observed that Doflamingo and his crew were indeed as they claimed, harboring no ill intentions towards the island and making no suspicious moves. He was simply a patient seeking medical treatment, peacefully recuperating and gradually restoring his body. Having dispelled their apprehension, the guards finally felt at ease. Their only remaining concern was hoping that Doflamingo and his crew would leave the country soon after their treatment was complete, so that their arrival wouldn't disrupt the usual tranquility and peace.

Although, in Doflamingo's view, this peace and tranquility were incredibly fragile. In this chaotic and turbulent era, the desire to maintain this initial state of peace and quiet was admirable, but how could things truly go as one wished, allowing one to remain an ordinary bystander, detached from everything? Not to mention the intense impact of the approaching Great Pirate Era, even the future emergence of the tyrannical King Wapol would shatter this brief peace, tearing open the sins and ugliness of the new era.

Doflamingo, peacefully undergoing treatment, didn't dwell on such matters. After all, no one was a saint, and he had neither the authority nor the inclination to concern himself with the lives of these ordinary people. However, he was quite covetous of these medical talents. Since Wapol wouldn't cherish them, Doflamingo would reluctantly take them. It could be considered doing a good deed.

Peaceful days always passed quickly; time always slipped away unnoticed, impossible to grasp.

During this month, besides treating his injuries, Kureha also helped Doflamingo restore his body, treating the old injuries accumulated from previous training and battles. Although for a top-tier doctor like Kureha, treating these injuries was a simple matter, and other doctors could have done it as well, everyone desires the best. Doflamingo was no exception. After all, second place was far inferior to first place; people only remembered the winner, and the runner-up was always just a foil.

Although a month of treatment wasn't enough for extensive physical training, Doflamingo didn't stop his training. If he couldn't train his body, he would train his Haki. A month of practice had made his rudimentary Armament Haki considerably stronger, and he could use it more proficiently. Haki training was crucial; it was a standard requirement for the strong on the Grand Line.

The power to strongly sense the surrounding aura, to perceive enemies outside one's line of sight, or even to predict an opponent's actions – this was Observation Haki, also known as a low-level version of mind-reading. Observation Haki had advanced applications. Katakuri's ability to see into the future and Red Count's ability to see through others' inner thoughts were both the pinnacle of different aspects of Observation Haki. Either ability made Doflamingo incredibly envious. Predicting the future allowed for easier combat; enemies with inferior Observation Haki would be toyed with. The ability to see through people's hearts was also a bug; knowing your thoughts was truly chilling. There were no secrets before this kind of Observation Haki.

Armament Haki could enhance one's defense, acting like invisible armor. It could also be transformed into offensive power, allowing one to contend with Devil Fruit users and even touch the physical bodies of "Logia" fruit users. However, Armament Haki could only touch the ability user's body; it couldn't prevent them from activating their abilities like Seastone, nor could it interfere with their ability usage. Besides being applied to one's own body, Armament Haki could also be imbued into objects. Due to its flowable nature, Armament Haki had various techniques, which could be categorized into "Hardening," "Imbuement," "Emission," and "Internal Destruction." The Ryou of Wano Country was just a high-level application of Armament Haki. Although it didn't have any special, powerful abilities like Observation Haki, as a standard skill in the New World, Armament Haki was indispensable.

Conqueror's Haki was an even rarer ability, possessed by only one in a million people. When it comes to clearing out small fry, nothing beats Conqueror's Haki. High-level techniques included intimidation (represented by Shanks, who could even crack a ship's hull) and Conqueror's Haki Imbuement, which was incredibly powerful. However, Conqueror's Haki couldn't be trained to become stronger.

It couldn't be said that all strong individuals mastered all three types of Haki, but none of them had weak Haki cultivation. Devil Fruits gave you a higher starting point and broadened your path, which Blackbeard's dual, or even triple, fruit abilities, coupled with Haki, exemplified. But it wasn't absolute; the power of Haki was also paramount. But the most fundamental thing was one's own physical strength. Didn't Kuzan and Sakazuki fight for ten days and ten nights? True stamina monsters, weren't they? Luffy was the unkillable cockroach, and Zoro had his near-death, show-stopping moments. In short, Doflamingo's path was still long.

"Dr. Kureha, we're setting sail tomorrow. Thank you for your care during this time," Doflamingo said sincerely.

"Haha, it's about time you left. Your arrival has had our guards on edge. But the medical fees aren't cheap," Kureha laughed. "Don't worry, it won't be too expensive. We've known each other for a while now, so I'll give you a friendly price. Let's say 100 million Berries."

"100 million Berries..." Doflamingo pondered for a moment before speaking. "That's indeed a friendly price."

"Haha, kid, I like you," Kureha said, taken aback for a moment before bursting into laughter.

Money was insignificant to Doflamingo. Seriously, would a pirate be short of money? Except for certain pirates, of course.

Doflamingo suddenly took out a personal Den Den Mushi from his pocket and handed it to Kureha. "Don't be so quick to refuse, Dr. Kureha. It's a small token of my appreciation. If you encounter any unsolvable problems, feel free to contact me."

"Haha, kid, what problems could I possibly have that I can't solve after all these years?" Kureha laughed loudly. "Don't underestimate me. Or are you just trying to find out the secret to my eternal youth?"

Doflamingo wasn't deterred by Kureha's hearty laughter. He remained serious. "In my opinion, Dr. Kureha's treatment is worth far more than a few coins. This is also my way of thanking you."

Seeing Doflamingo's earnest expression, Kureha finally accepted the Den Den Mushi.

Seeing this, Doflamingo felt a sense of relief. Because he knew that one day, Kureha would use it. And the ownership of Drum Kingdom was still uncertain.

Having bid farewell to Kureha, Doflamingo also had to say goodbye to another person.

"Dr. Hiriluk, I'm leaving tomorrow. What do you say? Want to come with me to see the vastness of the sea?" Doflamingo asked, knowing full well that Hiriluk wouldn't leave.

"Well, as much as I'd love to see the beauty of the sea, I have more important matters to attend to. This place can't do without me."

Hiriluk's response didn't surprise Doflamingo. He loved this country more than anyone, and furthermore, he had to continue his research on the panacea.

"Dr. Hiriluk, if there's a chance, we'll meet again."

Unfortunately, there would be no next time.

Without further ado, Doflamingo departed.

In Hiriluk's eyes, this was the most sincere farewell between friends, even though they were pirates.

The wind and snow grew stronger, as if bidding farewell to the departing traveler. After all, departure is for a better reunion, isn't it?