"Huh! Is it useful?"
"It's good that it's useful!"
Ethan breathed a sigh of relief after hearing Sarah's affirmation. A bright smile appeared on his face as he said, "This way, Mom and I can continue to live!"
Then, he looked at Sarah seriously and continued, "Besides, Mom, haven't I also gained a lot of knowledge and experience in medicine and herbal remedies? Let me check your physical condition first. I'll prescribe some remedies to help regulate your body and speed up your recovery."
"Of course, I need treatment too."
As long as Sarah's health could improve and her life could be extended, their road ahead would be much smoother.
"Oh?"
Sarah raised her eyebrows slightly after hearing this. "Even medical knowledge and herbal expertise are included? This inherited ability of yours is quite comprehensive!"
She gave him a teasing smile and nodded. "In that case, Ethan, go ahead and check Mom first. As for gathering medicinal herbs, leave that to me! Our family is not lacking in resources."
"Alright!"
Ethan took his mother's wrist and carefully examined her pulse, his brows quickly furrowing in concern. After a moment, he withdrew his hand and spoke in a solemn tone: "The situation is much worse than I thought."
Sarah's expression remained calm, but she listened carefully.
Ethan continued, "In addition to various hidden injuries, your cells have been continuously extracting chakra over the years. Your vitality and cellular division are now severely depleted, which has significantly affected your lifespan."
He took a deep breath before revealing the most concerning part. "But that's not the most fatal issue…"
He looked at his mother's right eye—the one that had lost its light long ago. "The real danger lies in the fact that you used Izanami in the past. Not only did it permanently blind your right eye, but it also drained a significant portion of your life force and soul essence."
"This is the real reason why your condition is so critical."
Sarah remained silent for a moment, then let out a soft chuckle. "I didn't expect your medical knowledge to be so advanced that you could see through even this. And you even know about Izanami? That's quite impressive, Ethan."
Ethan scratched his head. "I just… inherited some knowledge."
Sarah nodded. "Well, you're partially right. Izanami itself doesn't necessarily drain one's soul essence. When used properly, the price is only the loss of a Sharingan. However, I developed my own version of the technique to prevent internal conflicts within the Uchiha clan. Since it was still in an experimental phase at the time, it had its flaws. The side effects were a consequence of those flaws."
She sighed. "It's fortunate I even survived the process."
Ethan clenched his fists. "If that's the case, simply treating your body won't be enough. We need to restore your lost life force and soul essence. But… I don't know how."
Sarah noticed her son's troubled expression and reached out to ruffle his hair. "Don't worry, Ethan. We'll figure something out."
Ethan nodded but remained deep in thought. "Maybe… the solution isn't in this world."
Sarah tilted her head. "You mean—"
Ethan's eyes lit up. "The world beyond the space-time gate! The world of pirates!"
He quickly explained, "That world is full of strange and powerful abilities. There are fruits called Devil Fruits that grant incredible powers. Some of them might be able to help us! The Healing-Heal Fruit, the Hormone-Hormone Fruit… maybe even a secret medicine from one of the great doctors there."
He then mentioned a name he had seen in his inherited knowledge. "There's a doctor in that world—Dr. Kureha from Drum Island. She's said to be a master of medicine and might even know the secret to longevity. Even if she can't fully cure us, she might be able to extend our lifespans and give us more time to find a real solution."
Sarah considered this carefully. "It sounds promising. And if we need time, I have no issue with us going there as soon as possible."
Ethan nodded excitedly. "Then let's go now! We don't need to pack much since we can return anytime. But, Mom… you need to be ready. I don't know if the other side will be safe."
Sarah smirked and flexed her fingers. "Leave it to me. Your mother is strong."
Ethan grinned. "Yeah! Then let's go!"
He reached for his mother's hand and activated the space-time gate rune in his consciousness.
In the blink of an eye, they vanished from their home.
Meanwhile, in the Pirate World…
The Grand Line. A vast sea between Water 7 and Sabaody Archipelago.
Two pirate groups were locked in battle.
On one side was the crew of Amazon Lily, led by the formidable warriors of Kuja. On the other side was the infamous Crazy Shark Slave Group, a band of ruthless slavers who preyed on weaker ships.
"Get the ship closer! Capture them all! The women of Amazon Lily will fetch a high price at the auction!"
"Haha! Yes, Captain!"
"Kill them all! Take the strong ones alive!"
The battle raged fiercely, but the Kuja warriors were being pushed back. The slavers were overwhelming them with sheer numbers and brutal tactics.
"Sister, what should we do?! We're losing!"
A young woman, Sandersonia, called out in fear, her long green hair whipping in the wind.
"Yes, sister! Should we fight to the end?!" Marigold asked, gripping her weapon tightly.
Boa Hancock, the leader of the Kuja Pirates, clenched her fists, her face full of determination. "We cannot allow these men to take us! Kuja warriors, fight with everything you have!"
But as the battle seemed to turn against them, a strange ripple spread through the air—
And in the next instant, two figures suddenly appeared on the battlefield.
Ethan and Sarah had arrived in the world of One Piece.