One Piece: Don't Worry, I'm a Doctor

Chapter 461: Chapter 461: A Hopeless Situation

The moment Vir pulled out the medicine, Imu had already sensed that things were about to go south.

After all, Vir’s healing methods were in a league of their own. Even someone like Imu could recover from near-fatal wounds in mere moments.

She had assumed the potion would at least need to be consumed, giving her a chance to stop Vir.

But who could’ve predicted that Vir would crush the vial without a second thought?

Even from such a distance, she could clearly sense the preciousness of that medicine, yet Vir had shattered it just like that.

What a colossal waste.

She thought the effect would be diminished, but now, seeing Vir almost fully restored to his peak condition, Imu was utterly stunned.

Wasting so much… and still achieving this kind of result?

Just how absurdly powerful was that potion?

Was this the downside of fighting a doctor?

Not only did she have to deal with his poisons, but she also had to watch him instantly return to full health.

To be honest, Imu was starting to feel uneasy.

Yet her forward charge didn’t slow in the slightest. Gripping her slender sword, she moved like a living blade, perfectly fused with her weapon. Just looking at her felt like her sharpness could slice through your eyes.

Indeed, if Vir’s potion was crushed, it would lose some of its potency. But with its overwhelming power, that loss was negligible.

Now, as Imu closed in, her sword intent so potent it felt like it could kill from a distance, Vir remained completely calm.

Just as her slender sword reached Vir’s chest—

*Clang!*

A sharp sound rang out between them.

A massive cloud of dust erupted, sweeping across the surrounding earth. The violent shockwave underscored the sheer power of Imu’s strike.

Shanks and the others stared intently at the hazy scene ahead.

Shanks’ expression was tinged with worry, but the Five Elders weren’t concerned. In their minds, Imu-sama was the epitome of invincibility.

Up in the sky, Chopper, Whitebeard, and the others held their breath, hearts in their throats.

That exchange was like a clash of ultimate techniques, a test of who had the better trump card.

And now, this was a true head-on collision—a battle of raw strength.

Everyone knew Vir had high-damage, long-cooldown moves. But without those moves, could he still stand up to Imu?

No one was sure.

No one could’ve imagined that Imu had three lives, shrugging off Vir’s deadly attacks twice.

As the dust began to clear, two figures came into view.

They stood facing each other, dozens of meters apart.

At first glance, neither seemed injured, but those with keen senses could tell—Imu’s aura had weakened slightly!

Vir, however, remained standing tall and composed, his expression calm. One hand rested lazily on the Vibro-Blade at his waist, now sheathed, giving him an almost relaxed demeanor.

*Gasp—!*

The moment the situation became clear, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

In that head-on clash, Vir had actually… gained the upper hand!

Just how much strength was he hiding?

This was a head-on attack, and Imu’s swordsmanship was clearly a cut above Vir’s. Yet, he still came out on top.

What did that mean? Everyone knew all too well.

Vir’s physical strength was likely far beyond Imu’s—so much so that it completely bridged the gap in their swordsmanship skills.

How in the world did he manage that?

Whitebeard vividly remembered that just ten days ago, aboard his ship, Vir had shown off an Observation Haki so powerful it defied belief, but his physical condition was still frail.

He hadn’t even reached the level of an Admiral.

But now, in just ten days, he’d leaped from Admiral candidate to surpassing Admirals, surpassing the Yonko, and even surpassing Imu.

Ten days.

Just ten days!

What kind of mythical elixir had he taken?

What kind of elixir could grant this level of growth?

Just thinking about it made Whitebeard’s head spin. Vir’s progress was so fast it left him shaking his head in disbelief.

It really was as Kizaru said.

The youngsters these days are so scary~

But one thing was certain: they might not have to die after all. Vir… he might actually win this!

Under the horrified gazes of the Five Elders, Imu’s sword-wielding arm trembled slightly. Her once-calm demeanor was gone.

From that single clash, she understood clearly.

She was no match for Vir.

The gap was too wide.

For the first time, this monarch who had lived for centuries felt death looming close.

Yet, she didn’t panic.

She simply raised her sword once more, pointing it at Vir!

She knew she couldn’t win.

But.

She would still draw her blade!

If she lacked even that much resolve, she wouldn’t have made it this far.

Looking at the handsome, slightly lazy young man before her, Imu couldn’t find a single flaw in his stance.

But she began to gather her strength.

Faint glimmers of light drifted from the surroundings, slowly gathering around her sword.

An overwhelming, all-defying Conqueror’s Haki began to radiate around her, merging with the glimmers and clinging to her blade.

Gradually, her aura grew terrifying.

Those too weak could no longer even look at her—because this time, a single glance could truly blind them.

The Five Elders’ expressions turned fanatical, excitement gleaming in their eyes.

Their king was ready to strike, and that fool—

He was arrogant enough not to interrupt her.

They looked at Vir, who hadn’t moved, their eyes filled with disdain.

And then.

Vir finally acted.

He slowly drew Vibro-Blade from his waist.

The long blade tilted toward the ground.

He began walking toward Imu.

The sword’s tip grazed the earth, sparking as it went.

*Zing~*

A deep, inky black coated the blade.

The ground began to split.

*Hum—*

Conqueror’s Haki activated.

A tremor shook the earth.

The ground quaked.

The sea churned.

Everyone’s eyes widened, staring at Vir as faint traces of Conqueror’s Haki emanated from him.

It was…

The aura of a king ruling over all.

Yet within it was an undeniable, invincible presence.

Just wrapping it around his blade was enough to make the entire sea roil.

What kind of Conqueror’s Haki was this powerful?

Yet Vir’s blade now seemed utterly ordinary.

It looked as if it posed no threat at all.

Completely harmless.

But to Imu, it brought a faint smile to her face.

A smile in the face of death.

She knew with absolute certainty that she would die under this strike.

There was no dodging, no escaping.

His Observation Haki, far surpassing hers, had locked onto her completely.

Her only chance was to meet it head-on.

But now, even that chance was gone.

When danger reached its peak, it became serene.

Just like Vir’s current state.

Imu gave a faint smile.

And then…

She struck!!