'Why am I a slave? Why can't the mark on my back be erased? Why can I never hold my head high... Why am I hated because of this?'
A deep sense of grievance welled up in Hancock's heart.
Her eyes reddened slightly.
Her pitiful, fragile expression in that moment could melt anyone's heart.
"Vir was just here. He must've had something urgent and took off." Luffy spoke with a serious expression.
Hearing this, Hancock quickly composed herself, pushing away that helpless feeling.
In front of outsiders, she couldn't afford to lose her dignity as the Pirate Empress.
"Oh? How do you know?" Hancock asked with a stern face.
"Because there's a food smell here that only our crew has!" He said it as if it were the most obvious thing.
"I know it well. Only two people on our crew carry that scent. Sanji would never suddenly disappear, so it has to be Vir."
"Both of them cook, so they end up smelling ."
Hancock couldn't help but think.
A man who cooks must be a good person, right?
Maybe... maybe he really didn't leave because she was a former slave.
Maybe... something really did come up.
Something else came to her mind.
She slowly turned her head to look at the small hole in the roof again.
Her heart stirred once more.
He had been here just now—and saw her entire upper body.
She was the world's most beautiful woman.
The most stunning woman alive.
That reckless idiot Luffy being unaffected is one thing.
But Vir—he wasn't affected either.
Even after seeing her full front, there wasn't the slightest hint of reaction.
What kind of man can maintain his composure like that?
What kind of person is he?
How can he not be moved, even in the face of such beauty?
And how did Hancock know he wasn't moved?
That, of course, was thanks to her Devil Fruit.
Anyone who harbored desire or lust toward her—she could sense it immediately.
And she could crush them on the spot.
In that moment, Hancock grew deeply curious about Vir.
She now had a strong urge to understand what kind of man he really was.
"What kind of person is he?" Hancock asked calmly, looking over at Luffy.
Since his captain was right here—why not ask directly?
That question stumped Luffy a little.
He furrowed his brow and thought for a bit, before finally giving his answer.
"Uhhh... he's a doctor. And a really good one! Like, there's no illness he can't cure. If he's around, it's almost impossible to die."
"He's a good guy. But super violent."
His words immediately threw Hancock off.
What kind of description was that?
How could someone be both good and violent?
"He never charges for treatment." Luffy added, "But honestly, sometimes that's even harder to accept than paying."
For a moment, Hancock assumed Vir must be a gentle, kind-hearted doctor.
But Vir's "kindness" was... special.
"His treatments are just really violent." Luffy added casually.
Hancock nodded in understanding.
A rough treatment method wasn't unusual.
Different doctors, different illnesses—of course, the approach would vary.
Some doctors just applied more force.
Was this idiot just exaggerating?
Maybe he didn't understand what he was talking about.
But Luffy's next words completely shattered her assumptions.
"When he treats someone, his favorite thing is to start by cutting them open with a chainsaw. Then he'll ask where it hurts—but he already knows better than you do. He only asks as a formality. Once he's done asking, he just rips out whatever he thinks is wrong. And he never uses anesthesia. He has some in his medkit, but he always lets it expire and throws it away. Buys more. Lets that expire too. Never seen him use it once."
"Sometimes, he likes to explain how he's gonna treat you first. Like he just wants to scare you for fun. Total menace."
Vir-style surgery—if it's broken, rip it out!
Luffy said it all so casually.
Hancock just stood there, stunned.
That description had clearly left an impact.
That... that was treatment?!
It sounded more like butchering an animal you just hunted!
If that was true, then even the word "violent" felt like an understatement.
What kind of doctor was this?
Why would anyone let him treat them?!
He might be a good person, but his methods were downright terrifying.
Luffy suddenly perked up.
Looking at Hancock with excitement, he said, "You three have scars on your backs, right? Vir can get rid of them!"
Hancock's face, instead of lighting up, dimmed again.
"It's no use. This brand... can't be removed."
Her voice was heavy with resignation.
She had tried everything.
But that cursed mark wouldn't fade.
She had long given up on that naive hope.
"No! You don't get it!" Luffy said stubbornly. "Vir can do it! He even cured one of the Yonko!"
Luffy sounded almost offended.
He rarely got upset over others' words.
But doubting Vir's skills? That was an exception.
Hancock's eyes widened in shock.
Even she had heard about Whitebeard's recent recovery.
An old man ravaged by time and sickness—and Vir cured him?
But in the photos, Vir looked so young!
A doctor that skilled at his age?
Could it really be true?
But after this short interaction, Hancock had already figured out Luffy's nature.
This guy wouldn't lie.
If that was the case...
Then maybe Vir could really do it.
Compared to Whitebeard's age-induced illness...
A mere scar on her back seemed insignificant!
Could it... really be possible?
Should she... ask him to try?
But—a doctor of that caliber must be incredibly busy.
Would it really be okay to ask him?
The cost would surely be enormous...
"Let's find Vir! He'll definitely treat you for free!"
Seeing Hancock's hesitation, Luffy pressed on.
He was desperate to reunite with his crew.
Hancock snapped out of her thoughts.
Right—he did say that man never asks for payment.
Then... then... then she should go and ask for his help!
With that decision, Hancock quickly agreed.
She handed Luffy back the Vivre Card.
But this idiot would probably never notice...
A tiny corner of it was missing.