Mysterious Caribbean Disease!

...That's odd.

Is something wrong?

Don't you find this odd, Nurse?

No, I don't. Everyone here seems perfectly healthy.

Exactly. I was just mulling over how annoying that is when I realized something.

Whenever they open their mouths, it's just pirate legacy this or treasure hunt that. They seem almost feverish in their excitement.

This is highly abnormal behavior, which leads me to one inevitable conclusion:

It may be an endemic disease.

............

I see.

If that's what you think, Doctor, it must be true. So what is this disease called?

For the time being, we can call it something like...Piratomania.

My hypothesis is that it's an endemic disease unique to this region.

It seems not to present with many physical effects, but does elicit a state of excitation which prevents the victim from thinking about anything but pirates and treasure hunts.

What a horrific and rare disease. I suspect its victims don't even realize they're infected.

I see.

I can't blame them. Even I almost failed to note the signs.

However, at this point, it's still only a hypothesis. It needs to be tested and verified.

So our next step will be to make contact with subjects who exhibit especially pronounced symptoms, and gather as much information as we can.

Understood, Doctor. I'll get to work right away.

Hehehe. Good. Good.

And here I thought this island was dull. I didn't suspect that it may hold an opportunity for the advancement of medicine.

... ...

(Well...hopefully, this won't be a COMPLETE debacle...)

Hmph. This place desperately needs roads. Surely I can't be the first person to take a drive through this jungle.

Oh well, at least I managed to make it to the ruins. Now, first things first...

"Tonight, I'll be coming for the treasure in these ruins. Mistress C, Phantom Thief at Large"

Soon, the secret jewels shining in the darkness alone and forgotten will be mine...

Hehehe. The owner of the treasure in these ruins may be long dead, but treasure is treasure; you have to leave a calling card before taking it.

Now, where's the mechanism to open the entrance...? There we go.

If they thought this could keep a phantom thief out, they're going to be very... Huh!?

"Tonight, I'll be coming for the treasure in these ruins. Holy Grail Phantom Thief, Amakusa Shirou"

...There you are!

Driving a sports car through the jungle? Ridiculous.

I'll admit it looks cool, but isn't it kind of a rough ride?

As I thought, this terrain calls for a hot-air balloon. Hehehe. Looks like this phantom thief is one step ahead.

Now I just lower the rope, and... Hup.

So, it's you, the newcomer phantom thief. Are you here to snatch my treasure for yourself?

I'd hardly call it YOUR treasure.

There's no treasure greater than a Holy Grail, where there is a Holy Grail to be found, there I'll be. Not to say I plan on pilfering it, of course.

No, I certainly have no intention of doing...that!

(That is absolutely what he intends to do.)

Well, this can only mean one thing.

The first to steal the treasure, wins. A phantom thief contest of sorts.

Call it what you will.

Sorry to interrupt, but ready or not, it's time for your regular checkup.

Huh? What are you talking about?

Let's start by taking some blood.

...Isn't that usually my line?

It doesn't look like there's anything dangerous here. Let's keep moving.

Very good, General Qin.

You should be honored that I am trusting you to both lead the expedition, and protect my royal person.

Specifically, I'm counting on you to protect it from pirate ghosts and such. (Cling)

Um, while it is indeed a great honor to be entrusted with your security, Empress Wu Zetian...

I'm afraid it's difficult to walk with you standing quite so close to me...

If you're that scared, couldn't you have just waited outside?

I'm NOT scared!

Well hey, even if something does show up, I can exorcise it with my Buddha power, no problem!

Hm? I think I might've just stepped on some kind of switch...

Get back!

Eee! A ghooost!

It was an old, rusted-over trap. That was just the skeleton of someone unlucky enough to get caught in it.

That poor grave robber. They must have been here for hundreds of years. Rest in peace...

Keh, heh, kehehehe.

Ghosts are one thing, but skeletons are merely the physical remains of the dead.

Hardly anything to fear.

It might have shocked me if it had let out a bloodcurdling scream or something, but it's just hanging there.

Don't struggle. This'll be over soon.

Gaaah! A ghost with crossed bangs!?

Yo, how much do I have to dig?

Until you find something.

I'm starting to worry here, Yu Mei-ren. You sure there's treasure buried here?

Beats me. All I can say is that a treasure map showed up in my room, and this spot was marked.

Even if we don't find anything here, at least it's a good way to kill time.

Maybe for you! This isn't exactly how I'd choose to spend my free time!

Starting to regret letting you talk me into helping out in exchange for a drink.

Hey, you're the one who keeps turning down my offers to help. I still don't get why.

...Really?

You're one of the greatest beauties ever to walk the earth. I can't have you digging holes to help a lowly vigilante like me.

You just hang out up there, looking down your nose at me.

I'm not looking down my nose at you!

Hm? What was that sound?

Whoa, hang on. There's something in the ground here. What is this?

Huh? Could it be...?

No way. It really is treasure!

Right on time.

Why're you BURIED here!?

Ahh, Lord Xiang Yu! Lord Xiang Yu! You are, without question the greatest treasure I could ask for, but...

What in the world are you doing here?

I expect you've already figured this out, but I was the one who drew that treasure map.

I hid myself away and left the map in your room, ensuring you would examine it once you had some time on your hands.

I did all of this simply to give you a taste of excitement and elation.

In brief, I thought this would be a pleasant way for you to spend a summer day.

Oh my, Lord Xiang Yu. You're such a prankster.

Nooot sure you can just call this a prank! Ugh, all this is making my head hurt...

Oh? How fascinating. That could be a symptom of the next stage of the disease. Show me.

Aah! Where'd you come from!?

...Hmm. I've collected a fair number of samples now, but it's still not enough. I need to be certain.

If piratomania really is real, then there must be something I can find to prove it!

Doctor.

I have discovered a subject who we must prioritize testing. Immediately.

Really? Who is it?

You.

...

Piratomania, yes?

There's every possibility you're exhibiting symptoms yourself.

The discovery of a new disease would be an accomplishment on par with any treasure.

It would seem that you can think of nothing but this treasure at the moment.

...I see. I hadn't even considered that possibility. You're right, it is possible.

Then we should test you.

Indeed. Is there something unusual in my behavior? And if so, how do we pinpoint it?

I trust you're familiar with the necessary testing methods?

I am.

Not to worry, Doctor. I'll administer the test now.

Here I go!

Do you have the test results?

I do.

Doctor, you are, in every way, shape, and form...

...the picture of health, as usual.

...Hmm. Then I either haven't been infected, or this disease only presents symptoms for which we cannot test...

So hey, I was just passing by here, and I have to ask: The hell are you two doing?

I'd honestly rather stay out of it, but my damn natural kingly sensibilities wouldn't let me.

So what happened? You two have some kinda blowout over your pent-up frustrations?

We're investigating Doctor's hypothesis that there's an undiscovered endemic disease on these islands.

Huh?

Hahahaha! THAT'S what that was about!? I can't believe you guys thought it was a disease.

All right then, tell me, Jason. If it's not an endemic disease causing these symptoms, what could it possibly be?

Is it not obvious? It all comes down to where we are.

Take a look around. We've got peaceful blue skies, the sea stretching out in all directions, and a bunch of islands bursting with untold mysteries.

You can almost smell the treasure out there just waiting to be found.

So of course anyone out there who's even SLIGHTLY adventurous would be thrilled to go looking for it.

Besides, it feels like a waste to just sit around doing nothing in a place like this, so of course people are going to be more willing to go out and do things they usually wouldn't.

Again, it's really just about where we all are now.

Being adventurous, hm? I can't imagine myself being at all like that.

Huh? Are you kidding me?

I've always seen you as a pretty hardcore adventurer. Why else would you have joined me on the Argo?

Hmm...

Now, never mind that! We've got an ocean, a ship, and islands to explore! There's never been a better time to reunite the Argonauts!

We should get everyone we can back together and set off on a new adventure! So go on, get ready!

Between Heracles, Atalante, Caenis, Castor, Pollux, and you, we'll be every bit the crew we were in our prime!

Hell, just having Heracles alone will ensure we're as good as we were in our prime!

Hey, let go of me. I still haven't agreed to

Nope, you're coming. You're the ship's doctor, I'm the captain, and no one can disobey the captain's orders.

Besides, think about it. There is a whole bounty of untouched treasures out there. Come with us, and you can have them for yourself.

It's just like it was back then. What is there to think about?

Never before seen treasure (read: diseases), huh. I can't deny I see the appeal...

Right? Then what're we waiting for, Doc!?

... ...

If the doctor is right, and there really is a new disease out here...

...then it would seem his symptoms are getting worse.

Is it because of his interaction with Jason? Not to mention...

It seems as though Jason's symptoms are even worse than the doctor's.

If there really is a new disease out here...

...could it be that Jason...

...is patient zero?

Hmm...