“Pops… What the hell was that just now?”
Namur walked over, his voice trembling as he looked at Whitebeard.
The others also turned their attention away from the island and focused on Whitebeard.
Everyone was eager to know—
What in the world had just happened?!
Seeing the shocked expressions on his sons’ faces, Whitebeard had to admit—he rather enjoyed it.
What father wouldn’t want his children to admire him even more?
“Do you remember what Ace said?” Whitebeard asked, a bit wistfully.
The crew was momentarily stunned.
Ace?
What Ace said?
Didn’t Ace say that Vir’s medical skills were extraordinarily advanced?
That was indeed true.
But what did that have to do with the current situation?
Wait!
Ace also said something else…
A ten percent increase in strength?
But how was that even possible?
It would be one thing if only Ace’s strength had increased by ten percent…
But could it be… Pops’ strength had also increased by ten percent?!
The difference in scale was beyond words!
But aside from that, Ace hadn’t mentioned anything else.
“Pops… don’t tell me your strength also increased by ten percent?” Marco asked uncertainly.
When Whitebeard gave a firm nod, the entire crew froze.
It was true.
He had gotten stronger.
By ten percent!
Did this mean that everyone could have their strength enhanced by ten percent through Vir’s treatment?
What kind of ability was this…?!
This was beyond ridiculous!
Realizing this, everyone instinctively lifted their heads and gazed at the white-clad young man standing atop the mast.
A strikingly handsome face, overwhelming strength—
And now, godlike medical skills that seemed almost supernatural.
Not to mention, he was only twenty years old.
At this moment, they finally understood what it meant to be a true prodigy.
What it meant to be terrifyingly powerful.
And yet, this was only what they could see on the surface.
If they knew that Vir had already mastered the Pinnacle level of Conqueror’s Haki infusion…
Their brains would probably short-circuit from sheer shock.
“Brat, get down from there. It’s windy!” Whitebeard called out in a deep voice, also gazing at Vir.
Hearing this, Vir’s figure flickered—and in the next instant, he appeared right in front of Whitebeard.
Seeing this teleportation-like movement, the crew was once again taken aback.
Was this… space manipulation?
Teleportation had to be related to space, right?
Damn it, was there anything this kid couldn’t do?!
“I just finished healing you, and you’re already acting ungrateful. How could I dare come down? I don’t wanna end up like that island.” Vir grumbled, still clearly annoyed.
Whitebeard’s expression twitched, but he held back his irritation.
He had no reason to get mad at Vir anymore.
The man had traveled across the seas to treat him, asked for nothing in return, and hadn’t even mentioned compensation throughout the entire journey. Now that he was healed, he still hadn’t asked for anything.
A doctor—no, a veterinarian—like this…
How could he possibly get angry at him?
In fact, he even felt a tinge of guilt for having attacked Vir earlier.
Not to mention doubting his medical skills—
He just felt like a terrible person for that now.
“I’ve completely recovered.” Whitebeard stated, looking at Vir expectantly.
He was hoping to remind Vir—
Now that I’m healed, isn’t it time for you to name your price?
But upon hearing this, Vir simply took a step back in disgust.
Now that he was no longer wearing his gas mask…
The moment Whitebeard spoke—
That stench…
Unbearable.
Seeing Vir’s reaction, Whitebeard froze.
Did this brat have any idea how insulting that half-step retreat was?!
He considered saying something—but ultimately held back.
“Yeah, I know you’re healed. I’m the damn doctor—you think I don’t know?” Vir said, standing a safe distance away with a deadpan expression.
Whitebeard blinked.
Huh?
Something wasn’t right here.
“You just healed me! You seriously don’t want anything in return? I’m a Yonko!” Whitebeard raised his voice slightly, clearly unable to understand Vir’s mindset.
Vir took another step back.
Whitebeard: “…?”
What did Vir want?
Truthfully, nothing.
All he cared about was growing stronger.
But could Whitebeard give him strength directly?
No.
If not strength, then what? Famous swords? Berries? Devil Fruits?
What the hell would he do with those?
Useless.
His crew didn’t need them either.
Maybe Zoro could use a sword, but he didn’t need Vir to get one for him.
So at the end of the day, it wasn’t that Vir didn’t want anything—
It was simply that he had no use for anything they could offer.
“I don’t need anything. I’m a doctor—I just want to heal people. Keep your rewards.”
“But if any of you get injured—break a leg, strain your back, or even kick the bucket—I hope you’ll come find me.”
“That’s my only request. Nothing else.”
Vir spoke seriously, with not a single trace of deception in his words.
And yet, his words left everyone completely stunned.
Namur, who had earlier made things difficult for Vir, was even brought to tears on the spot.
Vir’s ability to enhance the strength of those he treated was now a confirmed fact.
And everyone understood exactly what that meant.
Strength.
In the world of pirates, strength reigns supreme.
A doctor who can enhance a patient’s strength…
If he charged for it, the price would be astronomical.
Even then, you’d have to wait in an endlessly long queue.
And in the end, you might not even get your turn.
But he—
He never hesitated to offer treatment.
Not only did he refuse to charge his patients, he even actively invited people to come and receive free treatment.
This…
How could they not be moved by this?
“Brother Vir, from now on, you’re my real big brother!”
Namur placed his hand on Vir’s shoulder, his face filled with sincerity.
“I was wrong just now. I actually doubted your words. I’m really sorry. I sincerely apologize and hope you won’t take it to heart.”
As he spoke, Namur even gave a slight bow to Vir.
Seeing this, Vir felt a little awkward.
This guy was older than him, taller than him, and now he was calling him “big brother” while bowing to apologize.
This was a bit too much.
Vir quickly reached out to help him up.
“It’s fine, it’s fine! That’s all in the past, no big deal!”
After Vir said this, Whitebeard once again looked at him with even greater admiration.
“Vir, I really can’t thank you enough for curing our Pops.”
Marco patted Vir’s shoulder, speaking with deep gratitude.
“Vir is the savior of the Whitebeard Pirates!”
“Damn right! If you ever need anything, just say the word! We’ll be there!”
“Your problems are our problems!”
Voices of gratitude erupted all around.
But this time, Vir, who usually felt socially awkward, didn’t find it too embarrassing.
After all, this group of men spoke loudly and boldly.
There weren’t too many sentimental words—only sincere and passionate thanks.
But then—
That passion took on a physical form…
A figure was charging toward them like a tidal wave!
“Brother Vir!!”
A booming voice accompanied the rapidly approaching figure.
Upon hearing it, Vir’s expression changed drastically.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he slipped through space—
and disappeared on the spot.
Just as he vanished, the incoming figure shot past where he had been—
and slammed straight into Marco, who had no time to react!
*BAM!!*
The impact widened Marco’s usually deadpan eyes in shock!
His body bent into a C-shape as he was sent flying!
His mind instantly filled with curses aimed at Jozu.
Seeing that Vir had disappeared, Jozu looked momentarily confused.
But when he saw Marco get sent flying…
A smile appeared on his face.
Jozu: I did that on purpose.
Meanwhile, Vir reappeared behind Whitebeard.
Jozu was just too damn annoying!
At first, Vir had thought that Jozu’s chatter was just an extreme case of rambling—annoying but tolerable.
Now, he realized…
This guy really needed to be dealt with!
Jozu, seeing Vir again, spread his arms wide, aiming to give him a big, loving hug.
But Whitebeard simply reached out with one hand and grabbed Jozu’s head.
“Jozu, knock it off!”
Whitebeard said, his voice tinged with helplessness.
If it had been anyone else, his fist would’ve already been crackling with energy, ready to smash their skull into dust.
But this was his son.
“Gurararara! Alright, brats!!”
“Now—”
“Let’s feast!!”
“Save all your words for the drinks!”
At Whitebeard’s command, a resounding cheer erupted from the crew.
Everyone immediately got to work—
Setting up, arranging tables, bringing out dishes.
The crew quickly fell into a well-practiced routine of preparing for a banquet.
“Marco, bring out that bottle of sake I’ve been saving. I was keeping it for my final journey, but it seems like I won’t be taking that trip just yet!”
Whitebeard grinned, clearly in high spirits.
“Don’t talk like that, Pops! You’re going to live a long, long life!”
Marco, still holding Jozu in a headlock, responded gruffly before heading to the ship’s interior.
Only he knew where that sake was hidden—it was a gift from Roger years ago.
If anyone else had known, it would’ve been stolen long ago.
Whitebeard then turned to Vir.
“Kid, care for a drink?”
He extended the invitation with a smile.
Vir had no reason to refuse.
Still, he couldn’t drink too much.
He had to head back soon.
His mission here was complete.
Staying any longer would just be for pleasure.
Besides, Whitebeard and his crew had a war to prepare for.
He had no reason to linger.
Judging by the timeline, Luffy and his crew should reach Sabaody Archipelago in about four or five days.
After all, Ace’s public execution was only announced on the day they arrived.
And the Marines had waited about four or five days after capturing Ace before making the announcement.
Ace had just been captured now.
That was the intelligence network of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Ace was caught half an hour ago; half an hour later, Whitebeard had already received the news.
Four days—plenty of time to reach Sabaody.
But he wasn’t going there to babysit anyone.
Luffy had his own path to walk.
And so did he.
That place was crawling with Supernovas, each with their own unique abilities—
Law, Kid, Hawkins, Apoo, Bonney…
Their Devil Fruit powers were top-tier.