Disclaimer : I don't own One piece Chapter 17
When we arrived at the house Kuina described, one was opening, so we used a key that was hidden under the carpet.
Classic!
I started examing Kuina but it was so weird.
The symptoms are so confusing.
They can indicate a simple virus ,or cold but also some kind of poisoning.
The thing that even got me to think poisoning is because she slowly gets worse.
I asked Zoro and Kuina ,when she got a little coherent and they said that she started to get ill around the time she decided to become a swordsman and from then on the colds started to get more frequent.
Before Kuina woke up,
I sent Ace to get the others here, after they informed Marco and Thatch of course, and also bring me some of my medical tools.
" So Kuina, I want you to answer something simple for me. Did you eat fish for the last 5 days? " I asked.
They all looked a little confused at my question.
" No, I haven't. Zoro and I, ate provisions from our island. Given the fact that it is a two day trip, we didn't need to fish" she replied.
"Good. Now I will take some blood to check a theory I have. You should just relax " I said and she nodded.
But of course Thach have to come in.
" Well brat I heard you started treating patients . You were supposed to shop for our trip" he exclaimed.
" Already done that. We also learnt that Dracula Mihawk was the disturbance in this island . What did you do? " I shot back.
" Well our informant vanished and most of the people didn't know about the threat.
So we assumed it was a false alarm.
We would continue the search tomorrow. How did you found out about Hawkeye yoi?" asked Marco curiously.
" Well these two kids are swordmen in training and wanted to challenge him or something like that, they didn't actually told me why they we're searching for him. But the girl Kuina, collapsed.
As a doctor it is my duty to help her " I replied and Marco nodded giving me his approval.
Checking out the blood gave me a disheartening result. Or at least it indicated something really bad.
" Well I need you to hear me, without any interruptions, even if you don't like what you hear. Is that clear? " I asked and Kuina nodded.
" While checking you I saw that your symptoms could mean many things.
After hearing about the start of your colds and their increased frequency I started to suspect poisoning.
But it is little to difficult to determine if you were poisoned. So I checked your blood. Your blood had a high amount of mercury in it. Usually fish increases the amount of mercury in the blood but you didn't eat any.
I can't be sure yet but if I can examine you in a more equipped place, we can start treatment " I replied and everyone's eyes widened.
" Poison but how? " she asked
" Well it could happen if you came in direct contact with mercury which I doubt, or if you ate it. But judging by the fact that it is a chronical poisoning ,someone probably put it in your food. Who does prepare your meals? " I asked.
" My father. But he wouldn't do anything like that! " she yelled
" You can believe what you want.
The truth is that you are dying slowly and if you don't start treatment, you will either die from high blood acid content or your brain will start to shut down.
In that case some muscles will become numb, increasing the chance of an accidental death for example falling of the stairs or you will become unable to become a swordman, killing off your dream. Are you willing to take the chance? " I asked serious.
My doctor mode was on and there was no room for any other feeling except seriousness.
" I can't die yet! I haven't proved that I can become the most strong swordsman in the world " she shook her head.
" So are you willing to leave your home and start the treatment?
I know you might not believe me but it is really dangerous to stay there.
Other doctors might ignore the symptoms and if you stay there for too long, it might be too late.
If your brains malfunctions and a part of your body paralyze , I might not be able to cure it.
In this stage it is still curable. It might take some time but we can save you. It is your choice" I exclaimed
The others stayed silent ,recognizing the seriousness of the situation.
Kuina was in denial but I hoped that by repeating the problem and the damage it will create, she will take the right choice.
I knew she would die by falling of the stairs in her sickness.
If she left, it was her death.
I couldn't do anything more.
If she didn't want to accept treatment and get away from the environment that caused it, I couldn't do anything.
The only thing I could do is try to convince her to chose life.
" But why would he do it? I thought he loved me! After mom died, he is the only thing I have left " she sobbed.
" He probably didn't know it was killing you.
He might wanted for you to stop trying to become a swordsman and hoped that if you get sick frequently, in addition with his discouragement due to your gender, you would give up.
I don't know how is he thinking. " I shrugged
" You are lying!! My father would never do this. He believes in me. He is only saying the truth. He is my only family! " she was starting to get hysterical.
" Kuina, calm down " I tried to calm her down but she hit me.
I heard some growling and all of my family looked at Kuina with cold eyes, they will probably jump at her sooner or later.
" Shut up! You don't know anything!
You are just a kid that pretends to be a doctor. You are probably jealous ,that's why you want to accuse my father.
Are you trying to become a swordsman and decided to eliminate the competition?" she spat.
" Shut up you whiny brat! With your attitude you wouldn't last a day in the seas. As if you can become the most strong swordsman " growled Ace and the temperature staring to rise.
" Ace ,stop! " I pleaded and the temperature fell.
" Look Kuina, you can believe what you want. Even if I didn't knew anything about medicine, I could still see you are getting worse. I was only trying to help.
You should remember that family is those people you want to be with, even if your not blood related.
Also you can achieve anything you want if you work hard even if everyone else is against you.
Even if you don't like me remember my advice.
I will not bother you again. if you decide you want my help ,you can find me in this island for the next two days.
If not, it's your funeral" I replied calmly and left.
The others followed me but they saw my bad mood.
The males of the group struggled a little about what to do, so Robin started:
" You know Tsukiko, she was wrong. You are a great doctor despite your age. I would be dead if it weren't for you. "
"That's not true. You would be fine without me but I know she was wrong . I am a doctor even if she says otherwise " I replied.
In my previous life I had spent countless hours studying to become a doctor.
So I am a doctor. That's a fact and no one can conceive me the opposite.
"But you saved us so many times Luna! We wouldn't be fine without you" pouted Luffy.
" It was my fault that we are in the sea in the first place. You would fine if I wasn't here" I replied.
They would be fine, except Ace who would die later. But he would be fine until then.
" I hate Kuina! You are always so cheerful and fun and she made you sad " exclaimed Luffy stubbornly.
" You can't hate her Luffy, she was just overwhelmed.
I told her the harsh truth and she lashed out on the messenger, in this case me.
Give her some time and she will come around.
Now I think it is time for some Hawk hunting! Oyaji sent us on a mission so let's go" I said brightly and they relaxed.
Meeting Kuina reminded me how short and unfair is life .
I shouldn't fret over what might happen.
The most important thing is that my family is alive and loves me.
So I am going to live without any regrets, aka I am going to troll everyone.
Now Mihawk seems like a good target.
Can't wait to meet him!
A/ N : So this was a more serious chapter but it was kind of necessary for Kuina's development and Tsukiko to completely heal for her forced leave.
Kuina might seem like a bitch but she is just getting defensive.
Should Kuina follow Tsukiko about the treatment or should she be stubborn?
About mercury poisoning, I just Googled it, some information might be wrong.
Next time Hawkeye will appear.
Hope you liked it. See you next time!