306-310

Chapter 306: Ice Demon vs. Tremor-Tremor Fruit! 

As the Mangekyo Sharingan activated, the world seemed to slow down in Uchiha Hikari’s eyes. 

Her gaze locked onto a brilliant flash of blade energy erupting from the naginata’s edge, tearing through space and air as it surged toward the ice meteor. From a distance, it looked like a massive mirror shattered by an axe, with cracks branching out like tendrils, accompanied by a teeth-gritting screech. 

—Haki Infusion!! 

More precisely, it was a “Haki Infusion Plus” laced with the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit! 

A pinpoint strike breaking through the surface! 

Faced with such a fierce and relentless attack, Esdeath didn’t meet it head-on. Instead, she played it safe, tapping her foot in mid-air and retreating like a gust of wind. 

Almost at the same moment she pulled back, the naginata’s blade energy reached the ice meteor—a massive chunk nearly a hundred meters wide—and struck! 

Crack—! 

A series of explosive snaps echoed out. 

Even larger cracks spread across the ice meteor’s surface. 

In the blink of an eye, the meteor began to fracture and disintegrate, still plummeting downward while breaking into countless chunks of ice and rock that shot outward. Some fragments splashed into the sea, sending up waves seven or eight meters high; others smashed into the Moby Dick’s hull and deck, leaving pitted scars. 

Seizing the moment, Marco mustered his strength, weaving through the gaps of falling ice chunks. He grabbed a rope tossed from the ship and swung back onto the Moby Dick’s deck in one swift move. 

“Pops…” 

Marco started to say something, but a hearty laugh cut him off. “Gurararara! No need to say it, my foolish son. Opponents of this caliber are beyond you for now. Leave the rest to your old man!” 

With those words, a man stepped onto the deck, his white mustache curved like crescent moons. 

Edward Newgate. 

The man known as “Whitebeard.” 

He wasn’t as towering as Kaido or Big Mom, standing at “only” 6.66 meters tall. His bare upper body was marred with countless scars and wounds, some fresh from recently removed IV tubes. Yet the overwhelming pressure radiating from him surpassed even Kaido’s, another of the Four Emperors, making anyone who saw him instinctively tense. 

At that moment, gripping his naginata Congregation Cloud Cutter—taller than himself—Whitebeard stood at the ship’s bow, shielding his “sons” behind him, his laughter growing even bolder. 

“This guy…” 

The shattered half of the ice meteor crashed into the sea, kicking up waves dozens of meters high. As the spray scattered, it was like a torrential downpour. 

Esdeath stood in mid-air. 

Every droplet near her froze instantly, creating a bizarre contrast with the Moby Dick’s side, where rain and hail fell in equal measure. 

“Another one with Conqueror’s Haki?” Esdeath mused. 

As someone who hadn’t read One Piece, she didn’t know Whitebeard. But Conqueror’s Haki? That she knew well, having seen it plenty of times from Kaido and Yamato. 

And because of that, she could easily tell Whitebeard’s Conqueror’s Haki was purer and more threatening than the father-daughter duo’s. The realization sparked a thrill in her, like a hunter spotting prime prey. 

“Hey, you with the naginata—are you the ‘Whitebeard’ Hikari mentioned?” Esdeath called out. “You’ve got the aura of a strong fighter, but if you’re claiming ‘world’s strongest,’ that little display just now? Not even close. Far from enough!!” 

Before her words faded, a terrifying aura erupted from Esdeath, transforming into a chaotic storm of frost that swept outward in all directions! 

—Secret Technique: Ice Storm General!! 

Normally, Esdeath needed to charge this move, channeling the Essence of the Demon into her ice cavalry over three days before unleashing it to create a blizzard spanning thousands of miles. 

But now, she skipped that step. The storm’s range wasn’t as vast, but it still engulfed dozens of miles around them. 

In mere seconds, the air filled with countless ice shards, layer upon layer, dense as a forest of blades and spears materializing in the space. The sea below unknowingly froze, forming white icebergs that rose from the surface and spread outward recklessly! 

Whoosh… 

Crunch, crunch— 

The sound of ice forming rang out continuously. 

“This… this is impossible!”  

“This level of ice and snow control… even Aokiji—no, even Aokiji couldn’t pull this off!!” 

On the Moby Dick, Marco, fresh from the fight, stood alongside Diamond Jozu and the others, eyes wide and jaws dropped as they took in the scene. 

All around, the world was a blinding white, as if the heavens and earth had been draped in silver. 

The next moment, Esdeath moved. 

As she charged forward, ice shards swirled around her, forming a towering ice giant twenty meters tall that barreled toward the Moby Dick. 

At the same time, Whitebeard leaped off the ship, sprinting across the frozen sea! 

His naginata swung! 

“Congregation Cloud Cutter!!” 

… 

“Brr! It’s freezing!” 

Back on the Blue Planet, Bulma and the others scrambled to pull on down jackets. 

No helping it—Ice Storm General was an AOE skill. Even though Esdeath had deliberately avoided their ship when unleashing it, the sheer volume of ice and snow drastically dropped the temperature. For someone like Bulma, with a relatively normal physique, bundling up was the only way to stay warm. 

Well… 

To be precise, Bulma was the one feeling it the most. 

Naruto was halfway there. 

The others? Yamato and Brand were unfazed, naturally. Kikyo’s clay body didn’t care about the cold. Even Nezuko, with her half-demon constitution, was fine aside from her cheeks turning slightly red. As for the other “normal” person, Yotsuya Miko, she’d gone back to school and wouldn’t return until the next weekend. 

Hikari barely paid attention to the commotion around her, giving it a quick glance before refocusing on the battle. 

“By the way…” Bulma, now bundled up tight, sidled up to Hikari and whispered, “That aura Little Es just unleashed—doesn’t it feel kinda like Conqueror’s Haki?” 

“…It’s a bit similar, but the nature’s different,” Hikari replied casually. 

She’d spent a good chunk of time studying the Haki system. 

It started when Yamato crossed into the Akame ga Kill world and showed off the three types of Haki to her, Bulma, and a then-newly tamed Esdeath. 

Later, during their trip to the Dragon Ball world for the martial arts tournament, Master Roshi, Korin, and Kami had offered some insightful takes on Haki. 

From everything she’d gathered, Haki and “ki” were fairly similar cultivation systems. Armament Haki was the simplest and most straightforward. Observation and Conqueror’s Haki were advanced applications, each excelling in different ways. 

In theory, high-level Observation Haki could predict the future, much like Dragon Ball’s Ultra Instinct. 

Conqueror’s Haki, meanwhile, was a special “burst” technique, capable of condensing “ki” into a highly compressed form called Haki Infusion, essentially an upgraded version of Armament Haki. 

Hikari was pretty curious about both. 

Right now, her eyes were glued to Esdeath and Whitebeard’s clash, mentally breaking down and analyzing their moves. 

It was clear Esdeath was experimenting with “ki” and Haki. 

She hadn’t said it out loud, but Hikari knew Esdeath had been quietly grinding to boost her strength, aiming to challenge her again. Especially lately, since boarding the Blue Planet, the general spent six to ten hours a day in the gravity training room and often sparred with Yamato, working to blend the two cultivation systems. 

Not a bad thing, really. 

Esdeath wasn’t the same battle-crazed maniac she’d been when she first left the Akame ga Kill world. Her drive to win was more about shaking off the weight of being outclassed for so long, wanting to turn the tables and claim some bragging rights. Even if she won, Hikari doubted she’d void their master-servant contract. Though… she might demand Hikari play the servant instead. 

That could be… kinda fun? 

Her thoughts snapped back. 

Watching the fight, Hikari suddenly activated her Blood Jade Barrier, enveloping the Blue Planet. 

As she did, a violent shockwave rippled through the air, leaving massive cracks on the crimson barrier before they slowly faded. 

But the glacier beneath the ship trembled, as if hit by a sizable earthquake. 

“…The strongest Paramecia Devil Fruit. It’s something else,” Hikari muttered. “I wonder how its power is stored in the body… Maybe we should grab some tissue samples from Whitebeard for Dr. Gero to study. Could dig up something interesting.” 

A new idea struck her:  

Maybe… it’s worth taking a trip to meet this world’s mad scientist, the guy supplying tech to the World Government—Vegapunk? 

Chapter 307: A Private Word 

As Hikari Uchiha was quietly sizing things up, the battlefield started to shift. 

How to put it… 

Whitebeard’s strength was, frankly, a cut above Kaido’s. And on a technical level, he had a slight edge over Esdeath. The Tremor-Tremor Fruit’s penetrating power, combined with his supreme-grade blade Murakumogiri and Conqueror’s Haki infusion, created a synergy where one plus one was greater than two. Even Esdeath’s “Snow Demon,” a massive ice construct rivaling a Susanoo, couldn’t withstand the onslaught. In no time, her icy giant was battered to pieces, teetering on the edge of collapse. 

Under these circumstances, Esdeath had to abandon the construct and face Whitebeard head-on with just her sword. 

But her blade, nowhere near the quality of Murakumogiri, didn’t last long. After a dozen clashes, it shattered into fragments, flung far into the distance. The sheer force of Whitebeard’s attack pushed her back, her sword-wielding right hand trembling violently from the wrist. 

At first glance, Whitebeard seemed to have the upper hand. 

But… that was only for a moment. 

For Esdeath, that exchange was just an appetizer before the main course. Sure, the final clash had injured her, but a shaky arm was a minor inconvenience. If she hadn’t deliberately chosen to go toe-to-toe to test Whitebeard’s limits, she might’ve avoided the damage altogether. 

For Whitebeard, though, that barrage of attacks was close to his current limit. At over seventy years old, the oldest of the current Emperors, and plagued by illness for years—half an hour before the fight, he’d been hooked to an IV drip on the Moby Dick. His explosive burst of strength was impressive, but soon his breathing grew labored, his movements visibly slowed, and blood began seeping from where IV needles had been, staining his bandages red. 

Hikari was the first to notice these details. Esdeath was the second. 

“…Hm? You’re carrying some old wounds, aren’t you?” Esdeath asked. 

Whitebeard took a deep breath and let out a booming laugh. “Gurararara! Just a few nagging ailments, nothing that’ll stop me from fighting! Come on, show me what else you’ve got. You’re holding back, aren’t you?” 

As he spoke, he gritted his teeth and swung his naginata a few more times, each strike laced with Tremor-Tremor Fruit power and Conqueror’s Haki. But both the speed and force were a far cry from the start of the battle. 

Esdeath easily dodged the incoming blades with a few nimble steps, then leaped back, disengaging from the center of the fight. 

“That’s enough,” she said. “If you can’t keep up that level of intensity, you’re not worth my time. Get yourself patched up and come back when you’re ready.” 

Whitebeard frowned, about to respond, when Hikari stood up. With a light tap of her foot, she floated into the air, landing gently not far from him. 

“Let me introduce myself. I’m Hikari Uchiha, vice-captain of the Dimension Pirates. This is my comrade, Esdeath,” she said. “You may not have heard of us, but we’re here because of one of your division commanders—your son. Before we get into it, eat this.” 

With that, Hikari reached into her pocket, pulled out an item, broke it in half, and tossed the pieces out. Esdeath caught hers, glanced at it, and popped it into her mouth without hesitation. Whitebeard caught his, examined it briefly, then looked up. “What’s this?” 

“A little specialty from my hometown,” Hikari said with a smile. “What, afraid we’re poisoning you?” 

“People who resort to cheap tricks like that don’t reach your level of strength,” Whitebeard replied, swallowing the item in one gulp. 

Then… 

“?!” 

The item Hikari tossed was, of course, a Senzu Bean. They were incredibly rare, and she didn’t want to use them lightly. But seeing Whitebeard bleeding from multiple spots was concerning—he looked like he might keel over early. So, she figured a bean was worth it to stabilize him. 

As the Senzu Bean took effect, both Esdeath and Whitebeard’s stamina rapidly recovered. Esdeath’s torn arm muscles and Whitebeard’s surface wounds healed visibly in moments. 

However, Whitebeard’s old scars remained unchanged, and his aura, while improved, plateaued at roughly his pre-battle state, still tinged with weakness. 

That was to be expected. Senzu Beans could heal fresh injuries, but not old scars from years past. And Whitebeard’s internal issues, like organ failure, were beyond their scope. 

Still, for someone from the One Piece world, the Senzu Bean’s effect was astonishing. 

“Kid, was that some kind of special medicine?” Whitebeard asked, surprised. “I don’t know where you got something that miraculous, but thanks!” 

After another hearty laugh, his expression turned serious. “Now, what’s this about one of my sons?” 

Whitebeard treated all his “sons” equally, with no favorites—except for the traitor, Teach. But Hikari’s mention of a “division commander” made his eyelid twitch, a sudden unease stirring in his gut. 

His crew had sixteen division commanders. And at this point in time, the only one unaccounted for was… 

“Exactly. Portgas D. Ace, your Second Division Commander—and the son of Pirate King Roger,” Hikari said casually. She glanced back at their destroyer and extended an invitation. “One of our crew members is an old friend of his. We heard some news about him by chance and came to check it out. Mind stepping aside for a private word?” 

Chapter 308: Whitebeard: Yamato, Be My Daughter! 

On the deck of the Blue Planet, the leaders of the Dimension Pirates and Whitebeard’s crew sat across from each other, holding their first official meeting. 

Uchiha Hikari’s side was fully present, every member in attendance. 

On Whitebeard’s side, aside from the man himself, Marco, Vista, and “Diamond” Jozu stood behind him, having rushed over out of concern. They listened as Bulma explained their purpose. 

“…So, this kid is the friend Ace met, Kaido’s daughter?” Whitebeard said, glancing at Yamato seated in the back. 

To be fair, Ace’s encounter with Yamato happened before he joined Whitebeard’s crew. But Whitebeard had heard the name “Yamato” from Ace. 

As for her being “Kaido’s daughter”? That was obvious. 

Aside from her face and, well, chest, Yamato’s resemblance to Kaido was striking—her oni horns, the spiked club, basically a scaled-down version of the man himself. Whitebeard, who’d known a younger Kaido, could easily spot the similarities. 

So, with a hearty laugh, he boomed, “Gurararara! So you’re a friend of Ace’s kid? That makes you a friend of the whole Whitebeard crew! Meeting friends on these vast seas calls for a grand banquet to celebrate!” 

Pausing, Whitebeard’s gaze returned to Yamato as a thought struck him. “By the way, since you’ve cut ties with your father Kaido to leave Onigashima, how about becoming my son… er, daughter?” 

“And the rest of you,” he added, “if you’re interested, you’re welcome to join the Whitebeard Pirates. I’ve got some clout on these seas, and I can make things easier for you.” 

“…Huh? Me?” Yamato blinked, pointing at herself, looking a bit dazed. 

Hikari couldn’t help but chuckle. 

Whitebeard’s habit of “adopting” sons was well-known across the pirate world—and to anyone who’d read One Piece. If someone’s age and temperament fit, he’d take them in, enemy or not. Ace, for instance, had first challenged Whitebeard, even trying to assassinate him over a hundred times. 

But… a daughter? 

Oh, right.  

If memory served, Whitebeard did have a daughter once—the “Ice Witch” Whitey Bay, who later formed her own crew under his flag. And then there were Toki from Wano and Izo—though Izo’s cross-dressing status might complicate things—who’d also been on the Moby Dick, though it wasn’t clear if they were considered “family” in the same way. 

For Yamato, recognizing Whitebeard as a foster father wasn’t a bad deal. 

It’d mean gaining a Four Emperors-level dad, a massive backing out of nowhere. Compared to Kaido, Whitebeard was a far more dutiful father figure. 

The only issue? 

The guy was on borrowed time. 

“…Let’s talk about the banquet and family stuff later,” Hikari said, clearing her throat. “If Yamato’s cool with calling you Dad, Bulma and I have no objections. But merging crews? Nah, we prefer our freedom.” 

She continued, “We’re here for another important matter, too—one about Ace.” 

“Oh?” Whitebeard raised an eyebrow. 

“According to our intel, the Five Elders have their eyes on Ace,” Hikari said carefully. 

This was a calculated way to phrase it. 

She knew Ace would be defeated by Blackbeard, handed over to the Navy, and publicly executed at Marineford. 

But she couldn’t just say that outright. 

First, she couldn’t explain the source of that knowledge. Second, the Blackbeard incident tied to the death of Thatch, the former 4th Division Commander, making it unlikely Whitebeard’s crew would abandon their pursuit. In the original story, even Shanks couldn’t sway Whitebeard—Hikari didn’t think she’d fare better with a few words. Third, she wasn’t sure where Ace was in his journey. 

Had Blackbeard already defeated and imprisoned him in Impel Down? Had they just met? Or was Ace still chasing him? 

Without clarity, planning a response was tricky. 

So, Hikari shifted the focus to the Five Elders, hoping to nudge Whitebeard’s crew into checking on the situation. 

“As far as I know, the World Government’s aware that Ace is Roger’s son—and your adopted son. Capturing and publicly executing him would crush pirate morale and boost their authority. What do you think the Five Elders will do? Or Blackbeard, for that matter?” 

“…” Whitebeard’s brow furrowed. 

Marco, standing nearby, pondered for a moment before chiming in. “Are you saying Blackbeard might team up with the World Government against Ace? If that’s the case… Ace could be in real danger.” 

“Pops, what should we do?” Marco asked. 

“Hmph,” Whitebeard snorted. “Ace has always been level-headed. If he’s in that kind of mess, he won’t just charge in recklessly. And a scheming rat like Teach? The Navy wouldn’t fully trust him either.” 

Softening his tone, he added, “Still, Ace is out there alone, which could be trouble. Marco, get in touch with him and find out where he is.” 

“Got it,” Marco nodded. 

With that, Hikari’s first goal was achieved. 

As for her second… 

“One more thing, just a personal idea,” Hikari said. “Whitebeard-senpai, how about a deal?” 

“A deal?” Whitebeard eyed her. 

Hikari nodded. “Yeah. I can tell your health’s not great. We happen to have an excellent doctor on board and a full set of advanced medical equipment. We can give you a thorough check-up. In exchange… I’d like to collect some tissue samples—blood, hair, that sort of thing. Nothing major, won’t affect your health.” 

She gestured a “tiny bit” with her fingers, looking at the old man. “So, what do you say? Deal?” 

Chapter 309: An Immature Suggestion 

“Height…” 

“Blood sample…” 

“Ultrasound scan…” 

Inside a sleek, sci-fi-looking white room aboard the Blue Planet, Hikari Uchiha and Bulma, both in white lab coats and masks, were guiding Whitebeard through a series of medical tests. Nearby, Tamayo and Yushiro, also in white, jotted down notes. 

That’s right. Just a few hours ago, Whitebeard had agreed to Hikari’s proposed deal. So, she made a quick trip to the Dragon Ball world, picking up Tamayo and Yushiro from Dr. Gero’s lab. Together with Kikyo, they formed a makeshift expert medical team. 

Sure, Kikyo’s medical skills were impressive, but given the era and setting of the Inuyasha world, her understanding of most diseases was still at a “knowing it works, not why” level. Tamayo, on the other hand, had lived for three or four centuries in the Demon Slayer world, had some exposure to basic modern medical equipment, and had spent half a year studying under Dr. Gero. She was fast becoming a master of both traditional and modern medicine. 

Together, the two were a perfect combo for research and treatment. 

Hikari had considered bringing Dr. Gero along or even pulling Orochimaru from the Naruto world, but since this was just a preliminary checkup and the situation wasn’t fully clear, she decided against making a big fuss for now. 

“So, what’s the verdict?” Hikari asked, eyeing the two doctors as the test results came in. 

The exams had gone smoothly enough. Since the Blue Planet was built to accommodate Yamato, who stood nearly three meters tall, Bulma had equipped the medical bay with oversized instruments. Whitebeard, twice Yamato’s height, couldn’t use some of the equipment, but most tests were still doable. 

Whitebeard had been cooperative, too. He wanted to stick around a few more years to shield his “sons” from the storm, which was why he kept a team of doctors and nurses on the Moby Dick. 

But the results? Not great. 

“…It’s bad,” Tamayo said after exchanging a glance with Kikyo. “Some metrics are still pending, but based on what we have, Mr. Whitebeard’s condition is critical—terminally so. Without proper treatment, he likely won’t make it past two years.” 

“Two years?!” Hikari raised an eyebrow, surprised by the timeline. 

She’d figured Whitebeard had less than a year before kicking the bucket. 

At the door, Marco, who’d been standing guard out of concern, overheard Tamayo and balked. “What? Two years? No way! Pops is still so strong…” 

Hikari mentally rolled her eyes. Strong? Even Whitebeard himself probably wouldn’t claim that right now. 

“It’s hard to accept, but it’s the truth,” Tamayo said with a sigh, turning to Kikyo. 

Kikyo picked up the explanation. “Based on the CT and ultrasound scans, plus my spiritual energy probing, Mr. Whitebeard’s blood vessels and organs are severely worn. Compared to his external injuries, these internal damages are the real issue—and they’re what’s limiting his lifespan.” 

“Worn?” Whitebeard echoed. 

“Yes,” Kikyo continued. “The damage isn’t from a single event but accumulated over years, which is why I call it ‘wear.’ My guess is it’s tied to Mr. Whitebeard’s ability. If he keeps using it recklessly, even two years might be optimistic.” 

Hikari narrowed her eyes. “So, it’s the Tremor-Tremor Fruit after all?” 

It made sense. Forces work both ways. A Paramecia-type fruit like the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, centered on generating vibrations, couldn’t possibly leave its user unscathed. Compared to fellow Rocks-era Emperors like Kaido and Big Mom, Whitebeard’s current state was far worse, likely because of this. 

Whitebeard frowned, processing the news. “Can it be treated?” 

“Absolutely!” Tamayo and Kikyo answered in unison. 

His condition was severe but not immediately fatal. With surgery to remove key problem areas, followed by medication and careful management, he could comfortably live another two or three years. 

And if they wanted to push further… 

“I could try using my ‘Light of Purification’ to perform a cleansing ritual for Mr. Whitebeard,” Kikyo said thoughtfully. “From what I sense, the side effects of a ‘Devil Fruit’ aren’t just physical—they affect the spirit, too, like a kind of… erosion. Hikari, you know what I mean. The ‘Light of Purification’ might have some unexpected benefits.” 

Hikari’s eyelid twitched. She knew exactly what Kikyo meant. 

The last few times Kikyo used her “Light of Purification,” it was for Hikari—when her “Yasaka Spear” absorbed too many foreign souls, tainting her with their negative emotions. The purification was the only way to cleanse it. 

Now, using it on Whitebeard? Could Devil Fruits actually draw on their user’s negative mental energy? Was the “devil” in the name more than just a figure of speech? 

The truth was unclear. For Kikyo and Tamayo, Devil Fruits were uncharted territory, and without enough data, they couldn’t make definitive claims. 

Still, this gave Hikari a new goal. “Looks like a visit to Vegapunk is in order. He’s probably the only one who can answer questions about Devil Fruits.” 

Just then, Bulma, who’d been quiet, noticed Tamayo’s hesitant expression. “Miss Tamayo, is there something you want to say?” 

“…I have an immature suggestion,” Tamayo replied. 

Chapter 310: Ghostification Serum 2.0 

The moment Miss Tamayo mentioned the word “suggestion,” Uchiha Hikari had a hunch about what was coming. 

And sure enough, Tamayo continued, “There’s another way to quickly and completely cure these ailments. It’s to… turn Mr. Whitebeard into a ‘ghost.’” 

“…A ghost? Like Kaido and Yamato?” Whitebeard and Marco asked, puzzled. 

As natives of the One Piece world, they had no clue about the Demon Slayer universe. Naturally, they associated the term “ghost” with the “Oni Tribe” of the Beasts Pirates. Sure, the Oni Tribe had tough bodies, but they weren’t exactly immune to all diseases. And how would you even transform someone into one? Eat a “Ghost-Ghost Fruit” or something? 

On the other side, Bulma, who knew the full story, immediately looked hesitant. “Miss Tamayo, do you mean… using the same method you used to save Mr. Yushiro to treat Whitebeard?” 

“That might be a bit…” She trailed off, implying it wasn’t exactly ideal. 

Back in the day, Yushiro had been on death’s door, riddled with illness, when Tamayo saved him with that method. Bulma had learned about it during her first trip to the Demon Slayer world. 

But times had changed. 

For one, the “ghosts” of the Demon Slayer world were a whole different breed. A proud powerhouse like Whitebeard probably wouldn’t be thrilled about becoming one. 

Addressing this, Tamayo quickly clarified, “The original ‘Ghostification Serum’ I developed during the Taisho era did have significant side effects. Even taking the ‘Human Restoration Serum’ afterward couldn’t fully erase them. But things are different now.” 

She continued, “Over the past few months, Dr. Gero, Dr. Womi, and I have studied Muzan Kibutsuji’s cellular fluid, the Blue Spider Lily, and a sample of ‘Dragon King’s Blood’ provided by Miss Hikari. We’ve synthesized a new Ghostification Serum. It grants recovery abilities comparable to the Upper Moon Three, without the risk of being corrupted by a ‘ghost’s’ bloodthirsty instincts. And it doesn’t fear sunlight.” 

The catch? 

“It’s still experimental, lacking sufficient clinical data. Also, Mr. Whitebeard’s physiology differs significantly from the ‘humans’ I’m familiar with, so I can’t be certain this approach will work for him.” 

That was the crux of it. 

The “humans” of the One Piece world weren’t quite the same as those in Demon Slayer or Dragon Ball. At a genetic level, they might as well be different species, which could lead to rejection reactions. 

Plus, the power levels were on completely different scales. Yushiro and others were ordinary humans before becoming ghosts, while Whitebeard was a titan who could squash Muzan with a single punch. A drug based on Muzan’s cells would likely have wildly different effects on them. 

So, the best move was to find a group of “volunteers” from the One Piece world for clinical trials to test the serum’s effects before considering it for Whitebeard himself. 

If this “Ghostification Serum 2.0” really delivered as Tamayo claimed, Hikari thought it could be mass-produced as a substitute for Senzu Beans. In certain situations, it might even outshine them—Senzu Beans couldn’t heal chronic injuries or diseases, after all. 

But first… 

Hikari needed to explain to Whitebeard what a “ghost” actually was. 

… 

“So, in Miss Hikari and Miss Bulma’s homeland, there’s a race naturally endowed with abilities like the Phoenix Fruit? And your crew’s doctors used their blood and tissue samples to create a treatment with similar effects?” Whitebeard asked after Hikari’s slightly embellished explanation. 

“Exactly,” Hikari nodded. “Theoretically, their regenerative abilities might surpass the Phoenix Fruit. Words don’t do it justice—you should see it for yourself.” She turned to the long-haired girl beside her. “Naruko, can you show them?” 

Naruko silently plucked her biwa string, sending a sharp blade of energy slicing through her left arm, severing it completely. 

Then, the wound’s flesh began to writhe, rapidly regenerating at a visible pace. In just over ten seconds, a brand-new arm had formed. 

No way around it—Tamayo and Nezuko couldn’t do the demo. They were “comrades,” not “captives” like Naruko. Plus, after taking the original “Human Restoration Serum,” their regenerative abilities had weakened significantly. Whether they could regrow limbs was iffy, so Naruko, a pure ghost, was the safer bet for the demonstration. 

Across the table, Whitebeard and Marco were floored. 

“Incredible…”  

“That kind of healing surpasses my Phoenix Fruit. If it could really heal Pops…” Marco’s expression turned serious, and he took a deep breath, making a solemn promise. “If you can heal Pops, I’ll do anything for the Dimension Pirates, no matter the cost.” 

“No need to be so formal,” Hikari said, waving it off with a grin. “Honestly, I’m kinda curious to see how strong Mr. Whitebeard can be without his ailments holding him back.” 

Truth be told, Esdeath was probably the most eager to see that. 

Glancing at the general, Hikari shifted gears. “Alright, it’s settled then. We’ll start with some minor surgeries to address the treatable parts of Mr. Whitebeard’s conditions. Meanwhile, your crew can recruit a group of people with similar ailments to participate in our medical trials to verify the serum’s effectiveness. If all goes well, we’ll develop a plan to use it on Whitebeard himself.” 

If it didn’t work out, no big deal—Senzu Beans could still keep Whitebeard alive. 

… 

Neither the conservative treatments nor the volunteer trials could be done overnight. 

So, that evening, as Whitebeard suggested, the Dimension Pirates and Whitebeard Pirates threw a massive joint banquet. 

(End of Chapter)