Chapter 23: Be Happy, My Ship’s Doctor!

Syrup Village, villa…

"Ahem, who might you be?" Kaya looked at Ace and Nami, who had appeared abruptly, coughing slightly because the window had been flung open. Kaya, a lifelong resident of Syrup Village, was sure that Ace and Nami were outsiders.

Nami glanced curiously at this delicate girl with a frail and pallid complexion.

Regardless of perspective, she doesn't seem fit to be a doctor, does she?

"My name is Ace. I'm a pirate, and this is Nami, my navigator."

Ace's bold introduction nearly caused Nami to inhale sharply.

Disregarding protocol on a merchant ship, he had now barged into a vulnerable girl's room, proclaiming himself a pirate. Isn't that exceedingly odd?

"So, Mr. Pirate, do you seek assistance here? Regarding finances, I have some to spare," Kaya offered.

Contrary to Nami's expectations, the girl did not let out a shriek of alarm but instead greeted them with a genial smile.

"Hey? Are you still processing his words? He's a pirate, a pirate! Doesn't that frighten you?" Nami questioned Kaya, incredulous.

"Pirates can be noble or nefarious, correct? Mr. Pirate doesn't strike me as malevolent," Kaya responded, muffling her laughter with her hand.

For reasons unknown, Kaya, often irritable due to her chronic frailty and illness since childhood, now perceived the stranger before her as benevolent. Yet, Kaya was unaware that this was merely a subtle use of Conqueror's Haki, enhanced by Ace's extraordinary insight.

Nami fell silent upon hearing this. To her, pirates were nothing but vile reprobates.

This held true for both Arlong's crew and the pirates from whom she had pilfered over the years.

But this man… Nami regarded Ace with a complex gaze.

"We have no need for money," Ace stated, observing the fragile beauty before him with a smile.

"Then Mr. Pirate, you…" Kaya began.

"Just call me Ace," Ace interjected, smiling warmly.

"That's impolite. In that case, you may address me by my name; I am Kaya. Ace, what brings you here?" Kaya inquired, her voice punctuated by a cough.

"I possess a supernatural ability that enables me to foresee fragments of the future. In the vision I foresee, you are my fated ship's doctor, Kaya."

Ace gazed at Kaya, who had been infirm since birth and now confined to her room year-round due to her parents' demise, his expression one of compassion.

At this juncture, Kaya's parents had recently fallen victim to Kuro, and Usopp had yet to regale Kaya with his tales. It was a period of profound solitude and sorrow for Kaya.

"Why?!" Kaya exclaimed, taken aback.

Nami appeared somewhat perplexed at the side.

Was the man's assertion genuine or fictitious?

Though it seemed implausible, Kaya had clearly never encountered Ace before. How could he pinpoint Kaya's exact location amidst the vast ocean?

The only plausible explanation seemed to be supernatural abilities.

destined navigator?

Nami was deep in thought.

"Ace, surely you jest. From my perspective, even a simple stroll is an indulgence. How could I possibly venture to sea and serve as a ship's doctor for you? Besides, I've merely perused a few medical texts; I lack any practical knowledge of treating ailments," Kaya remarked, casting a self-mocking smile at her feeble form.

"Let's set aside that topic for the moment. Allow me to demonstrate another of my supernatural abilities," Ace proposed, fixing his gaze on Kaya as he produced a diminutive wooden rod.

"Watch closely, Kaya."

With a flick of his fingers, Ace elicited a crisp "snap," and to Kaya's astonishment, as she covered her mouth, Ace's index finger and thumb burst into flames.

"Wow, incredible! Ace, doesn't that burn?" Kaya asked, looking at Ace's flaming fingers with concern.

"It's all part of my superpowers. Go ahead, Kaya, extinguish it," Ace encouraged, hopping down from the window sill and approaching Kaya with a grin.

"You want me to blow it out? Then I apologize for my forwardness," Kaya said.

With a "whoosh," when Kaya blew on it, the burning flame was snuffed out, giving way to a luminous rose. At the heart of the rose, a flame flickered, as if it would never extinguish.

"The gloomy days will fade away. This eternal flame rose is for you, Kaya, to find happiness," Ace said, presenting the rose to Kaya with a tender smile.

Though this enchanting trick could be mastered in mere hours with Ace's profound comprehension, sustaining the flame within the rose's core drained a considerable amount of Ace's energy. It was an effort initially intended for Kuro.

"Thank you, thank you so much, Ace," Kaya said, taking the flame rose and, overwhelmed with emotion, she began to weep.

Subsequently, Kaya shared her innermost feelings about her parents and her yearning for the world beyond. Ace remained silent, offering only a compassionate smile as he listened attentively to Kaya's heartfelt admissions. Nami, observing from the sidelines, couldn't help but sympathize with Kaya.

And as for Ace, he merely gave a knowing look. This man had a knack for comforting young hearts!

In the ensuing days, Ace made it a point to visit Kaya's room daily, showcasing his abilities with small enchantments for Kaya, and sharing tales of the sea's wonders, which gradually brought more joy to Kaya's expressions.

However, in time, due to Ace's intentional actions, he and Nami's whereabouts were uncovered by Kuro.