One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

Wright carried the unconscious Dr. Hiriluk and Chopper back to the treehouse.

"Wright…" Kureha eyed the two unconscious figures. "What's the situation with them?"

"I rescued them, especially Dr. Hiriluk—it was a close call." Wright recalled the moment he managed to reach Hiriluk just before the explosion, using the Holy Light Wall to shield him. It had been a nerve-wracking experience.

Thick smoke had obscured everyone's vision as Wright used it as cover to descend at light-speed. Once there, a single Cleansing Spell purged the lethal poison from Hiriluk. But before Wright could act further, a frenzied Chopper charged toward him.

Without hesitation, Wright unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, incapacitating everyone in the vicinity. He then grabbed Chopper, Hiriluk, and Wapol, leaving the Drum Castle far behind.

After a sound beating, Wapol was left in a deep coma. Wright then turned his attention to healing: the poison in Hiriluk's body was neutralized, and his bacterial illness was eradicated with a touch of the Eternal Flame—a unique manifestation of the Holy Light. Safeguarded by Wright, Hiriluk emerged unscathed, and one Holy Light Spell restored him to full health.

For Chopper, a single Holy Light Spell was sufficient to heal his injuries.

The spectacle of Wapol's defeat was seen only from a distance, leaving Kureha with no concerns about the unrecognizable lump of flesh that had been Wapol.

SMACK! SMACK!

"Ow!"

"Owwww—!"

Two sharp punches from Kureha brought both Hiriluk and Chopper back to consciousness, clutching their heads in pain.

"That hurt!" Hiriluk groaned, rubbing the sore spot. Then realization dawned. "Wait… am I dead? How can I feel pain if I'm dead?"

"Doctor!"

That familiar voice jolted him further.

"Chopper!"

"And… Kureha!"

Hiriluk blinked in confusion as Chopper threw himself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. He glanced around the room, taking in his surroundings.

"This is… my home?"

"Chopper, Kureha, and this gentleman… What's going on?!"

"I remember the bomb exploding… and then a flash of golden light…"

Kureha downed a bottle of plum wine in one long gulp, exhaling heavily.

"Alright, stupid reindeer, stop crying. You're all fine, and Hiriluk didn't die. Now, meet your savior."

Chopper sniffled and took in Hiriluk's scent with his blue nose.

"It really is the doctor!"

Realization struck Hiriluk as he set Chopper down, turning to the man who stood smiling nearby.

"So… you're the one who saved us?"

Hiriluk quickly pieced together the events based on Chopper's presence and his own miraculous recovery. After a brief moment of shock and Kureha's explanation, he understood everything.

Kureha patted Wright on the back. "This is Vice Admiral Wright of Marine Headquarters—renowned as the pinnacle of healing abilities in the world."

"It's thanks to him you're both alive. Oh, and Hiriluk, your so-called incurable disease? It's completely gone."

Chopper's eyes widened in disbelief. "B-but the doctor's illness was supposed to be untreatable with current medicine!"

"That's because… I'm a 'monster,' just like you." Wright smiled. Both Chopper and Hiriluk stared in astonishment as Wright's hand emitted a golden glow.

"It was with this power that I healed your wounds. No doctor, no matter how skilled, could have done it as quickly as I did."

"Ah…"

Chopper gawked, wide-eyed. "Are you… the 'Panacea'?"

Wright chuckled and shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. I'm far from it."

"My powers aren't omnipotent. While I excel at healing injuries, curing diseases, and neutralizing toxins, I'm powerless against ailments requiring intricate surgeries or specialized treatments."

Kureha sighed deeply. "Wright, your speed was unbelievable… but even then, you barely outran Hiriluk's death wish. Didn't I tell you not to intervene?"

She removed her glasses and took another swig of plum wine.

Hiriluk, now sitting around a small table with Wright, Kureha, and Chopper, recounted his past as a pirate, his life as a thief, and how he had met Chopper.

"Vice Admiral Wright," Hiriluk said, bowing deeply. "I never imagined I'd owe my life to a Marine. Kureha, thank you too!"

"Don't say such foolish things." Kureha waved him off dismissively, bottle in hand. "Who saves whom shouldn't matter to a doctor."

"You're right… Healing others and being healed—it's a blessing." Hiriluk's voice carried deep emotion.

"Well, I only care about one thing—if I'm saving someone, they better pay up. Otherwise, no deal!" Kureha quipped.

"…!"

"Hahaha, Kureha! You're as sharp as ever!"

"And you, Wright," Kureha teased, "when do you plan to collect your fee?"

"...I'm broke!"

Wright watched the scene, marveling at the bond these people shared.

"Um… Dr. Wright?"

Wright turned to see Chopper looking at him with awe.

"Do you think… I could become as amazing a doctor as you?"

"Chopper," Hiriluk interjected. "Vice Admiral Wright is a Devil Fruit user, like you."

"But every Devil Fruit is different. Your ability doesn't let you heal injuries or illnesses."

"Oh…"

Chopper looked down, crestfallen, but soon perked up. "Doctor! Since you're better now, will you teach me medicine?"

"I've already asked Kureha to teach you—her skills far surpass mine!"

Hiriluk ruffled Chopper's head affectionately. "If you study under her, you'll become a brilliant doctor!"

"Damn it, Hiriluk! When did I agree to this?" Kureha shot him an annoyed glare. "If you want him to learn, teach him yourself! Isn't he your son?"

"I'm just a quack… I can't teach him." Hiriluk deflated.

"Is it because I'm a reindeer?"

Chopper's voice was tinged with sorrow. "But I really want to be a 'panacea,' a doctor who can cure any disease!"

"…"

Kureha remained silent for a moment before sighing. "You're lucky, Hiriluk. Fine… Chopper, you'll study under me. From now on, call me 'Dr. Kureha.'"

Wright smiled warmly. "My abilities may be miraculous, but true medicine is something that can be passed on—something that can be learned, studied, and shared for generations."

"Anyone—any intelligent being—can become a great doctor through dedication and effort."

"Mm-hmm!" Chopper nodded eagerly, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Author's Note: Explanation

Firstly, the emotional journey in the previous chapter might have felt rushed. For those unfamiliar with the concept of Holy Light in World of Warcraft (WoW), it may have been somewhat confusing.

The power of Holy Light has a strong mental and spiritual component. Using it as an ability involves reflecting one's own will, mastering it, rather than being influenced or enslaved by it. This is a journey that all powerful individuals wielding the Holy Light must undertake.

In WoW, this aspect is exemplified in epic heroes like Highlord Tirion Fordring, Archbishop Turalyon, and Prophet Velen. They all embody the idea of becoming the master of their power to stay true to themselves. Conversely, history is filled with examples of individuals whose overwhelming power drove them to enslave or destroy the world.

Secondly, the subplot involving Wapometal might have gone unnoticed by many. In the original One Piece, after Blackbeard obtained the Dark-Dark Fruit, he attacked Drum Island, forcing Wapol to flee. In the cover story serials, Wapol is depicted as a destitute vagrant who ate everything in sight. By consuming metallic garbage and a small living dog, his Munch-Munch Fruit ability fused metal with biological components, creating a shape-memory alloy called Wapometal.

Wapol used Wapometal to amass great wealth, eventually establishing the Black Drum Kingdom, recognized by the World Government, allowing him to participate in the Reverie.

Wapometal was described by Franky as the material that resolved Dr. Vegapunk's greatest regret. It was used to construct the General Franky and possesses the remarkable ability to restore its shape quickly after being pierced or damaged. Its properties are also highly similar to the shape-memory armor of Germa's Raid Suits. Based on this, it can be inferred that Fujitora's mention of Vegapunk's new invention—designed to replace the Seven Warlords of the Sea and part of the SSG initiative—is highly likely to have been created using Wapometal.

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