...
On the deck of the *Freewill*.
"Will this really thaw them out?"
"Well, the captain said it would work, so it should be fine."
"Anyway, we'll know once we try. Keep blowing on the fire."
The crew gathered in small groups, each surrounding a large pot of boiling water.
Inside the pots weren't delicious ingredients, but Sanji, Gin, and the others, who had been frozen into ice sculptures.
Meanwhile, the fourth-floor bathroom was filled with steaming hot vapor.
Nami and Robin lay in a bathtub filled with hot water. Their bodies were almost completely thawed, with only a little frost clinging to their skin.
Several doctors continuously brought in buckets of hot water to maintain the temperature in the tub. IV drip stands were set up nearby, and the doctors monitored Nami and Robin's pulses.
Aokiji's freezing ability might not seem very lethal at first glance, but that was only true for people with formidable physical constitutions. For ordinary people, being frostbitten for even a short while basically meant death.
Nami and Robin's physiques obviously weren't at the level where they could ignore frostbite. Unlike Sanji and the others, who could recover just fine after thawing out and eating a good meal.
Nearby, Allen sat with his legs crossed, holding a Transponder Snail and discussing the serum with Vegapunk.
"Captain, Miss Nami and Miss Robin are both out of danger. Now we just need to finish their IV drips."
"We'll prepare some medicine later. They will probably need three to five days of rest to fully recover. To avoid the effects of extreme weather at sea, we recommend not setting sail for the next few days."
Erwin, the leader of the Isshi-20, walked over to report the situation.
Allen put down the Transponder Snail and turned to him.
"Thank you for your hard work. Go check on Sanji and the others."
"Yes, sir."
Erwin nodded respectfully, then gathered the other doctors and their equipment before leaving the room.
Watching their retreating figures, Allen couldn't help but sigh, realizing that snatching the Isshi-20 had been a very wise decision.
In the Drum Kingdom, a nation world-renowned for its medical expertise, this team of twenty represented the absolute pinnacle of skill. In terms of medical knowledge alone, they were definitely at the forefront of the world.
Without them, Gin probably would have died during the battle against Daz Bonez in Alabasta. Throughout their subsequent voyage, the Isshi-20 had continued to quietly play a vital role.
Allen had no doubt that if Erwin had eaten the Op-Op Fruit, his combat power might not match Law's, but he would absolutely be capable of performing the Immortality Operation.
"Hey, hey, hey, is anyone there? Are you still there?"
"Yeah, back to what we were talking about. What do you mean the production of one of the serums is a bit troublesome?"
Allen picked up the Transponder Snail again and asked.
The Transponder Snail stared with its round eyes and stuck out a long tongue as it replied, "How should I put this? The Lineage Factor of blood sample number three has mutated. It will take some time to formulate a compatible Lunarian serum."
"Mutated?"
Allen frowned upon hearing this.
Blood sample number three—he remembered that belonged to Gin. What the hell did it mean by mutated?
"You remember what I said before, right? Blood sample number two has undergone genetic modification. If I'm not mistaken, it should be that guy Judge's technology."
"When I was formulating the serum, I found the same anomaly in blood sample number three. His original Lineage Factor is subtly being fused and modified."
"Therefore, formulating this serum will take a long time. I can't invest that much time into it, and the higher-ups in the World Government wouldn't agree to it either. You know this," Vegapunk explained.
Hearing this, Allen couldn't help but be stunned.
Gin's body was being fused and modified by Sanji's Lineage Factor?
Could it be...
Were they doing something behind closed doors...?!
*Ahem*, that was obviously impossible. Setting aside the fact that Sanji was genetically predisposed to only like beautiful women, no amount of messing around could possibly affect one's Lineage Factor.
So what else could it be?
"Could it be the blood transfusion?"
Suddenly, Allen remembered something and said, "I recall he received a massive blood transfusion when he was being treated for severe injuries. Could that have caused this?"
"Of course, I thought of that possibility too. However, theoretically, the chances of such a phenomenon occurring are extremely low. Anyway, I suggest you switch to a different person, or switch to a Lineage Factor with stronger compatibility," Vegapunk proposed.
Allen thought for a moment and asked, "How about the Buccaneer Tribe?"
"You really know how to pick them. That's a powerful bloodline not inferior to the Lunarians. I can do it for you. I'll hand it over to you along with the other two in about half a month."
"Wait a minute. Ten days ago you said half a month. Now you've finished two, and you're saying the remaining one will take another half a month. What is the meaning of this?"
Allen's tone instantly darkened.
The Transponder Snail's eyes darted around, and it chuckled guiltily. "This is the intention of the World Government's higher-ups. As for the reason, *ahem*, anyway, you'll find out soon enough."
"Are you talking about the mandatory summons? The World Government already contacted me just now."
"I see. Then you should understand, right? Until you arrive at Mary Geoise, these items cannot be handed over to you."
"Heh, I handed over nine billion Berries just like that, and now that I want my items, you're starting to stall?"
Allen's eyes filled with disdain, and he spoke in a forceful tone. "I can't be bothered to waste my breath on you. I will arrive at the Sabaody Archipelago in a week. Give me the items then, or don't expect me to go to Mary Geoise. I'll just get my ship coated and head straight for the New World."
"I'm not the one calling the shots here! Once the serum is made, I'll hand it over to the agents. As for what the World Government will do..."
*Click.*
Before Vegapunk could finish, Allen impatiently hung up the phone.
He had hoped to get the items before the Summit War, but he was still being stonewalled by the World Government. Although he had anticipated this, Allen still felt annoyed.
*Since they love playing mind games so much, I'll definitely have to put on a good show for them during the Summit War.*
Allen put away the Transponder Snail with a displeased expression.
He had already received a call from the Five Elders earlier regarding the Marine Headquarters going to war with Whitebeard, as well as the summons for the Warlords of the Sea.
The time was set for two weeks from now. Currently, only the World Government's higher-ups and the Warlords knew about this. The news of Ace's public execution wouldn't be announced for a few more days.
After leaving this place, they would first enter the fog-shrouded Florian Triangle. Two days after crossing that sea, they would arrive at the Sabaody Archipelago.
If they traveled in a straight line using the Eternal Pose for Marine Headquarters, calculating the journey and adding three days for Nami and Robin to recover, it would take about a week to reach the Sabaody Archipelago, which was adjacent to Headquarters.
Right when he got his hands on the serum, he would head to Mary Geoise while Nami and the others stayed at the Sabaody Archipelago to get the ship coated. Once the Summit War ended, they could enter the New World...
"Allen..."
At that moment, a weak voice came from the side.
Robin's eyelashes fluttered, and her expression was one of discomfort, as if she had been awakened by the pain of her wound.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Allen sitting not far away. She looked around, her mind seemingly still a bit hazy.
After a good while, she slowly regained her senses. Looking at her body soaking in the hot water, she roughly understood her situation.
Robin's face looked a bit pale. She leaned back, rested a hand on her forehead, and asked weakly, "Did that guy leave...?"
"Yeah."
Allen nodded in response. He grabbed a bath towel and stood up, walking over.
"Your wound has been waterproofed, but you still shouldn't soak for too long. Dry off and head back to your bedroom to warm up in a bit."
"Thank you..."
Robin murmured as she took the towel. She hugged her knees and shrank into the corner of the bathtub, a trace of emptiness and unease in her eyes.
Allen glanced at her, thought for a moment, and said, "After you guys were frozen, he stabbed you in the stomach with an ice blade. So, I got angry and fought him. Do you know what the result was?"
Hearing this, Robin slowly raised her head, looking at Allen with a dazed expression.
Allen grinned and laughed. "I broke his nose with one punch and told him that if he ever dared to bother you again, I'd beat him into a cripple. Then he ran away with his tail between his legs."
Robin was stunned for a moment before she reacted. A somewhat helpless, bitter smile touched the corners of her lips. "That's a lie, isn't it?"
"Of course. Actually, I got frozen too."
Allen kept a straight face but spoke with absolute confidence.
Hearing this, Robin smiled in relief and murmured, "As long as you're not hurt. Thank you, Allen."
"You're welcome. By the way, the part about breaking his nose is true," Allen added.
"It's okay, Allen. I feel much more at ease now."
"Huh? No, I really did break his nose."
"Mhm, I know."
Robin nodded, still maintaining a faint smile on her face.
Allen: "..."