After diagnosing the man lying in bed, Chopper's expression turned serious as he said, "It's decompression sickness! And it's severe! How did it get this bad?"
"Decompression sickness? What's that, Dr. Chopper?" Kaya asked curiously.
"Sometimes divers can contract this illness. It's usually not too serious, but this man's case is quite unique—it's become a chronic condition," Chopper explained quickly.
"To put it simply, decompression sickness is a condition caused by dissolved gases coming out of solution and forming bubbles inside the body during decompression."
"Then the bubbles expand inside and outside the blood vessels, damaging blood flow or muscle joints."
"He must have kept diving even when the bubbles hadn't yet disappeared—diving repeatedly every day and letting it build up over time. That's why he ended up like this… for at least the past ten years!"
After hearing the professional doctor's explanation, the Straw Hat Crew was very surprised.
Cough...
The man coughed from the bed and smiled, saying, "Impressive medical skills. Just a simple examination and you figured all that out. I really have been diving for ten years."
"Hahaha, of course! It took me a lot of effort to find such a good doctor," Luffy grinned.
"Hahahaha."
The man laughed and sat up, waving his hand to signal Chopper not to worry.
"My name's Cricket. Straw Hat Luffy, you said you're heading to Sky Island?"
"That's right."
"Truly impressive. There are still people who believe in the existence of Sky Island."
Cricket laughed heartily and said, "Masira, bring the booze! It's not right to leave guests unentertained when they come knocking on your door."
"Yes, Captain!"
Masira immediately went to fetch the alcohol.
Chopper quickly said, "Wait a minute! You really shouldn't drink alcohol—or smoke either. Look at all the cigarette butts on your table. Decompression sickness might not kill you, but lung cancer might."
"Thanks, Dr. Chopper."
Cricket sat and chuckled, saying, "I know my body better than anyone. This won't kill me, so don't worry."
Luffy completely agreed with that.
Compared to people in his previous world, the physical strength of people in this one was on a monstrous level.
"So, can you tell me where the Knock-Up Stream is now?" Luffy asked, sitting down in a chair that Bartolomeo had brought over.
"I'll tell you everything I know, and then the Saruyama Alliance will take you to the location of the Knock-Up Stream," Cricket nodded without hesitation and kindly explained everything.
The Knock-Up Stream occurs frequently in the sea near Mock Town—five times a month.
But the location is different each time.
"When was the most recent one?" Nami asked. "We need to reach Sky Island before the Log Pose resets, or it'll be a problem."
"The magnetic field of this island only takes one day to reset. You're a navigator, right? Don't worry, you have enough time," Cricket paused, then continued, "When you arrived here, you must have seen the sky suddenly grow dark, right?"
"Yes, it looked like a cumulonimbus cloud, but not quite. It was the first time I've seen such a gloomy day," Nami replied.
At that moment, Masira returned with some wine and poured a glass for Luffy.
Cricket grabbed a bottle, took a few gulps, and said, "After facing such a gloomy day, the Knock-Up Stream is guaranteed to occur the next day. So you have one chance—just one."
Upon hearing that, Nami let out a sigh of relief, and everyone looked at Luffy, waiting for their captain's decision.
Luffy smiled and said, "Tomorrow? Where exactly?"
"Around 10 a.m., most likely. As for the direction... based on my experience, I believe it'll be south of this island," Cricket answered.
Hearing this, Usopp said anxiously, "Then let's head out early, Luffy!"
"Wait!" Cricket seemed speechless. "Do you even know which way is south?"
"Oh, right. Since our target isn't an island, but a sea current, the Log Pose won't help."
Nami punched Usopp hard and said, "Shut up, Usopp."
"Haha, there's a special bird called the 'South Bird' on this island. It lives in the forest out there, and its head always points south. As long as you catch that bird, you won't get lost."
Upon hearing that, the ever-loyal Bartolomeo immediately stood up and said, "Luffy-sama, leave it to me. Don't worry, I'll catch that bird right away!"
"Wait! Wait!" Cricket said helplessly. "Luffy, why are your crewmates so impatient?"
"Hahaha, it's true," Luffy laughed.
In the original story, members like Usopp were extremely timid and afraid. But now, on his ship, they were becoming more and more proactive.
Shaking his head, Cricket explained to Bartolomeo, "The South Bird's call is unique. Once you hear it, you'll recognize it right away."
"Understood!" Bartolomeo immediately called out to his subordinates, "Second division, gather up! Let's go!"
He quickly left with five agents.
"There's an insect-catching net by the entrance. Take it—it might be useful," Cricket instructed.
"Ah, thanks."
The group left the cabin.
At that moment, Robin curiously asked, "Why are you being so kind, telling us all this? Is it simply because Luffy is a Shichibukai?"
"No, actually, I have my own selfish reasons. My full name is Mont Blanc Cricket. I'm a descendant of Mont Blanc Noland—the liar from 400 years ago..."
Cricket lit a cigarette and explained while smoking.
They listened carefully.
Luffy, of course, already knew that story and wasn't interested in hearing it again. He immediately patted Vivi on the shoulder, signaling her to come with him.
At the same time...
Luffy opened the adventure shop and began updating.
The recent minor crisis had made him a little uneasy.
The further he progressed on the Grand Line, the stronger the enemies he would face.
Putting others aside—for Vivi and Nami—he had to make sure those two girls had enough power so they wouldn't end up in that kind of situation again.
Coincidentally, he also had plenty of adventure coins now. In any case, he began refreshing for four Rokushiki Fruits.
This time, he was very lucky. After only three refreshes, he found a Rokushiki gift box.
[Adventure Coins]: 8245 → 7105
Unfortunately, he didn't find any Haki Fruits. His Observation Haki was still stuck at level 4.
The two of them stepped outside.
Vivi whispered, "Luffy, is there something you want to tell me?"
"This is for you."
Luffy handed her the Rokushiki gift box. "It cost me 60 years..."
"60 years of life~!"
Vivi beamed brightly and cheerfully accepted the gift box.
After opening it, she found six Rokushiki Fruits inside.
She knew that Nami had been the first to master all six Rokushiki techniques, while the other crew members had only mastered one each.
(End of Chapter)
Give me some power stones there you go~😉