Chapter 18: The Doctor’s In!

Markus used Tekkai and took a punch to the chest before using Soru to get close to the plastic man and kick him.  Surprisingly the man used Kami-e and dodged before using Rankyaku to try and cut Markus down the middle.

Markus jumped into the air and used Geppo to avoid the attack before using Soru mid air and headbutting Hunter through the marine base.  This time Markus followed and used Eroded Millennium slicing through walls sending the man deeper through the base.  Alarms were blaring as Markus walked Hunter down kicking and slashing him slowly destroying more and more of the base.

Outside Markus's crew were slowly being pushed back by numbers before an Armament infused fist slammed in front of them causing the Marines to collapse.  Harlen stood up straight in front of his crew and engaged the large number of Marines.  Rebecca who took a little longer to catch up joined the trainees with guns to fire from a distance going for crippling and incapacitating the marines.

Harlen easily dodged through the rain of gun fire as he used Soru repeatedly to engage the marines up close.  With each kick or punch a marine would fall unconscious, completely defeated.  

Meanwhile Anderson and Klark ran as fast as they could carrying injured crew mates towards Park Village.

"We have to hurry!  They've already lost a lot of blood!"  Klark picked up their speed once more pushing themselves as much as they could.

"I see a sign!  I think it's the village!"  Anderson shouted.

"Head north towards that lighthouse looking building!"  They ran into the building and up the stairs into the third floor where a short dark skinned man was reading peacefully before jumping in shock at their abrupt entrance.

"What's going on!?  Who are you?!  Klark?!"  Klark dropped Henry on a bed while Anderson dropped Issac on another one.

"Please save them!  I beg of you please!"  The man turned serious.

"Out!  Everyone out!"  He pushed them out before getting to work.  The former marines crowded around the door waiting in worry with Anderson and Klark.

"Are you sure he can save them?"  Anderson was worried about losing them.  Klark was also worried and started biting his nails.

"If anyone can, it's Hector.  He's the best doctor I've ever met so we have to trust in him."  Anderson nodded but couldn't shake his worry off.

*BOOM*

Markus punched Hunter through a wall out into a courtyard.  He quickly followed him and stabbed him through the stomach.  Hunter coughed up blood but responded with five shigans turning his fingers into plastic spikes that slammed into Markus's own stomach but stopped by his Tekkai and Haki.

"Gonna have to try harder than that!"  Following the Eroded Century, Hunter was sent flying again before Markus used Soru to catch up and stomp his head into the ground.  He raised his sword to kill Hunter before multiple gun shots bounced off his Armament covered back.  He turned to see a wall of Marines with rifles pointed at him.

Markus smiled and waved his sword to deflect a few more bullets and charged them.  He danced between bullets to reach the marines.  He quickly started slashing them down with quick and efficient slashes and stabs that reduced them to almost nothing.

Harlen decimated the marines on the other side of the base, sending them flying with each punch or kick causing chaos.  Marines ran in a panic trying to fight them off but failing miserably.  

The rest of the crew including Rebecca were firing from a distance with minimal injuries as Harlen took most of the marines attention.

Harlen went to punch a marine just for someone to appear in front of him and tank the punch to the gut.  The man was a giant 3m tall abomination looking man with long flowing hair.  The man morphed from human into a manbeast zebra and went to kick Harlen who dodged by a hair.

"'Dead-Man' Harlen.  You'll die here in the name of Absolute Justice!"  Harlen merely shrugged.

"Meh, I doubt it.  It would take someone much better than you to take me down let alone kill me."  He ducked back under another kick before meeting another one with his Armament covered fist pushing the zebra man back.  

He quickly charged the Zebra hybrid with his own kick before using Soru and to get behind then punching the man's spleen, kidney, then ducking a kick and coming with a quick uppercut into the zebra mans chin.  The man for what it's worth held his ground and came back with a fast kick into Harlen's side.

Harlen caught the man's leg and tried to break it but ate a kick to the face instead quickly letting go.  He stabilized himself and went with fast punches slamming the man into the ground before mounting him and swinging Armament haymakers.

He kept going until he slammed his fist into the ground cracking it and the man turned back into a human form.  Harlen huffed and stood up to see the frightened marines retreating.

"Help the Captain!"  Harlen charged through the hole Markus created but eventually stopped seeing Markus sitting proudly on the defeated body of Hunter.  "What now?"

Markus smiled and laughed loudly, "We're pirates!  We loot of course!  Take anything and everything of value!"

Anderson paced back and forth in front of the doctor's door.  Klark sat on the steps of the stairs tapping his leg rapidly while the remaining trainee's all prayed for Henry and Issac.  Eventually the door opened showing a tired looking Hector covered in blood.

"Are they okay?"  Anderson was the first to ask while Klark scrambled over to them.  Hector looked tired but nodded.

"They are stable but need to rest.  I don't think they'll be able to sail for a few weeks.  I'm assuming y'all don't have any official doctor if you came to me?"  

"We have a few former marines that know first aid but nothing like an actual doctor."  Klark answered with a sigh.  Hector shook his head in disappointment.

"Well then they'll have to stay here, they just aren't fit to sail for now."  Anderson stepped up quickly and held his arm out.

"No can do.  Every crew member is important to our captain's journey."  Hector's eyes sharpened.

"Then your captain is incompetent.  They must stay here and that's final."  Anderson's own eyes narrowed but he cleared his throat and calmed down.

"Then how about you joining us?  With a doctor as capable as you they will be fine in no time right?"  

"While that is true I have a responsibility to this island and the people of the South Blue."  Anderson nodded slowly before continuing.

"Our crew needs a capable doctor and you can train those with prior medical knowledge to help along with assisting anyone we come across.  What's better, sitting here waiting for it to be too late to help or traveling the world and actively helping those in need."  Hector shook his head.

"While being a traveling doctor has crossed my mind before I refuse to be a pirate.  I am a doctor first and foremost."  Anderson smiled at Hector's dedication to being a doctor.

"Admirable indeed however you're wrong about something."

"And pray tell what might that be?"  Hector asked skeptically.

"We are no normal pirates, good Doctor.  We are the crew of the future King of the World.  I can guarantee he would appreciate your dedication to being a doctor first."  Hector was taken aback but still shook his head.

"You seem quite confident in a captain as young as this 'Blashmeur' seems to be.  I'm sure you truly believe that but I refuse to be a pirate."  Anderson shook his head and walked away.  Klark thanked Hector before checking up on Anderson.

"A shame he refused to join."  Klark laminated with a sigh.

"Hmm… he just refused me, nothing that big.  Let's wait for Markus, I'm sure he can convince Hector."  Klark was puzzled.

"Hector already refused, what makes you think the Captain can change his mind?"  Anderson smiled softly.

"He convinced you, didn't he?"  Klark was taken aback before laughing loudly.

"He did indeed."

Markus wiped his hands clean of dust before kicking the plastic man away.  He followed his crew holding large chests and bags full of food, ammo, and equipment they looted back to Junk Village.  While walking he extended his Haki to the fullest and sensed one of his crew running from the west.

He used Soru and gave his crewmember, Igor, a good scare appearing in front of him.  Igor quickly recovered and sighed in relief seeing it was Markus.

"Captain!"  Markus greeted him back with a laugh and an Armament covered pat to the back before having him explain what happened with Anderson and Klark's group.  Markus became serious hearing his crew was hurt but sighed in relief that Hector was able to save them.

"Lead the way."  He followed Igor from Junk Village to Park Village.  It didn't take but half an hour before they reached Park Village and headed towards the lighthouse looking building.  Markus calmly walked up the stairs to find Anderson and Klark along with the trainees huddled around two beds.  

Markus walked up to the beds and calmly examined Henry and Issac before confirming they were okay and sighing in relief.  He then turned his attention to a man reading a book.  The man Markus correctly assumed was Hector looked at Markus.

Markus walked up to him before getting on his knees and placing his head on the ground in a bow.  Hector was stunned and didn't know how to react as Markus spoke, "Thank you for saving my crew members!"  He smiled at Hector with a toothy grin while Hector slowly recovered from shock and embarrassingly stood up.

"No, no need for thanks Mr. Markus I was just doing my job as a doctor."  

"Yes but we're pirates.  You had no reason to help but you did so, Thank You!"  

"Yes, well I would help anyone!  I pride myself on being a doctor and I'll treat anyone that needs it so please stand up!"  Markus slowly got up and smiled at the now sheepish Hector.  Markus put on a thoughtful face and examined Hector closely making him slightly uncomfortable before snapping his fingers.

"You should join my crew!"  Hector was taken aback but recovered quickly with a plain look.

"No."  Markus laughed and patted his back.

"Yes!"  Hector grumbled.

"No!"  Markus laughed again and kept patting his back roughly much to Hector's annoyance.

"Yes!"  

"No!!"

"Yes!"

"NO!!!"

"Hahahaha!  Yes!  Come on, think of all the people you could help on the open seas!  The miracle doctor of the Celestial Pirates that saves pirates, marines, and civilians alike!  It's perfect!"  Hector was taken aback once more before angrily shouting back.

"No way in hell I'll be a pirate!"  Markus laughed loudly again.

"Too late I refuse your refusal!  Let's go and save the world with your doctor skills!" 

"Save the world?!  I'm a doctor not a miracle worker damn it!!"

"So what!  You get to help anyone and everyone along with sailing with me!  The next King of the World!!"  A thin layer of Conqueror's flowed along with Markus's words that captivated Hector who still tried to stand his ground.

"I just want to be a doctor dammit, not some pirate!"  

"You'll still be a doctor!  Just one close enough to help our crew!"  Hector didn't miss his use of our but ignored it while shouting back.

"I refuse!"

"I already refused your refusal!"

"You can't do that?!"

"But I just did!  HAHAHAHAHA!"  Hector eventually slumped in his chair and gritted his teeth.  He started tapping his leg while Markus just grinned at him.  

"You won't give up will you?"

"Nope!"  Markus replied, popping the 'P'.  Hector seemed to seriously contemplate the offer before sighing and sitting down.

"Markus.  I've been a doctor for over two decades now and I've never failed my patients."  Markus became serious and nodded.  Hector continued grabbing a small book on his table, "I've saved thousands of marines, hundreds of pirates, and countless civilians.  If you Ever stop me from saving a life yours will be the first I take.  Understood?"

Markus' face was shadowed but his grin was visible.  

"I'd accept nothing less than the best from you!"  Hector stood up with a hardened look and stretched his hand out.  Markus took it and they looked at each other's eyes.

"Then I accept.  Captain."  Markus quickly let go and patted his back roughly with a booming laugh.

"Welcome aboard Doctor Hector!"  

2000~ Words