The medicine had taken effect—and it was a big reaction, something was clearly going on inside Rayleigh’s gut.
Rayleigh, bloated like a balloon, was on the verge of losing control.
He struggled to his feet, trying to make his way toward the toilet.
But then—
“The medicine can’t come out. Otherwise, you’ll have to take it again.”
Vir’s calm voice exploded in Rayleigh’s ears like a thunderclap.
‘You damn bastard!’
Rayleigh completely broke down.
‘What does that even mean?!’
‘Seriously, what does that mean?!’
‘You’re targeting me, right?!’
Vir: “It’s really not me… it’s written on the label.”
Those words were enough to make Rayleigh, who was already like a dam about to burst, forcefully hold it in.
Even Vir was impressed.
Old Ray… was a real warrior.
This wasn’t something just anyone could endure.
Yet he still held on.
As expected of the Pirate King’s first mate.
Impressive.
Now let’s just hope the reward is equally impressive.
Everyone else was staring at the hole in Rayleigh’s pants, feeling a chill run down their spines.
Just looking at it hurts…
A single injection, and he got blown up like a balloon?
This was beyond absurd.
Would this even work?
At this point, everyone was skeptical. Because no matter how you looked at it, Rayleigh seemed about to explode.
Even his injuries didn’t seem to be getting any better.
Just when everyone was still worrying—
Rayleigh began to change.
The effects of the reagent were finally kicking in. His body started slimming down visibly to the naked eye.
Within moments, he returned to his original size.
His muscles reappeared.
His rugged yet charming face also went back to normal.
All the various injuries he’d sustained began to heal rapidly.
The massive hole in his abdomen? Gone.
In its place were razor-sharp abs.
All the cuts, old scars, internal injuries—everything started recovering.
Those terrifying scars across his body began to fade, one by one.
In just a minute…
There wasn’t a single wound left on Rayleigh’s body.
His skin looked smooth and taut to the extreme.
Even Robin looked a bit envious.
Vir, watching this, finally relaxed his furrowed brow.
It seemed that as long as the injection wasn’t interrupted, once it was fully administered, the body would absorb the drug instantly.
And once that happened—
The medicine would heal even the most fatal wounds.
Rayleigh no longer had to wage war against his own sphincter.
He had won.
And he’d won righteously.
The drug even took care of his gut pain completely.
Now, the only remaining issues were some lingering internal injuries and the massive wounds left by Akainu.
But within a day—
Those would be gone too.
Drenched in sweat, Rayleigh looked like he’d just been fished out of the ocean.
Clearly, he’d put in an immense amount of effort just to hold on.
As he felt his almost fully restored body…
His expression froze.
Rayleigh had aged well—better than Whitebeard, even.
Though he had aged far better than Whitebeard, time and old wounds had still dulled his strength.
But now?
Everything was back.
No—not just back.
He was stronger.
Beyond his peak.
There was no mistaking it.
With his mastery over his own body, this kind of change was impossible to miss.
He could say with complete confidence—right now, he was more powerful than he’d ever been in his life.
What the hell was this?!
Not only did it heal everything, even old injuries—
But it also enhanced his strength?
Was this medicine… or sorcery?!
This recovery effect was off the charts!
Rayleigh slowly turned toward the figure who was removing his thick protective suit.
The shock in his eyes refused to fade.
At this moment—
Rayleigh’s thoughts were all over the place.
He thought about an old friend…
A friend who had died from an incurable illness…
If… if this kid had been born a few years earlier…
Maybe things would have been different.
Thinking that, Rayleigh let out a bitter laugh and shook his head.
‘Getting old… Now I’m daydreaming.’
‘Ah, Roger…’
‘The man who’ll change the world…’
‘Might not be that brat who inherited your will.’
‘But this one right here.’
After taking a moment to compose himself, Rayleigh stood tall once again.
Marco and Yamato were still reeling.
Even though one had experienced it firsthand and the other had witnessed it twice, seeing Rayleigh fully healed was still mind-blowing.
This was a man who had been riddled with holes, bleeding from every wound.
They had genuinely thought Rayleigh was done for.
But now he looked totally refreshed, full of life, like nothing had happened.
And it had only been a few minutes.
A doctor like Vir was nothing short of a strategic asset.
On the battlefield, he’d be the first target.
Because if left unchecked?
An enemy commander who was seconds from death could be back at full strength in minutes.
That was terrifying.
Bonney, meanwhile, was completely speechless.
She looked at Rayleigh’s fully healed body, deep in thought.
Vir really was a doctor.
He really could save people.
So… could he save her father too?
She thought back to the gaping hole in Kuma’s chest when he was blasted away, and worry crept into her heart.
She looked at Vir, hesitant to speak.
She wanted to speak up, but the memory of Vir’s earlier sternness made her hesitate.
Vir, though, had no time to bother with her at the moment.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Ability acquired: Sword Mastery—Grandmaster Lv. 20!]
[Sword Mastery is divided into: Novice, Skilled, Expert, Master, Grandmaster.]
The moment he gained this ability, an ocean of sword knowledge flooded Vir’s mind.
Techniques, insights, philosophies—all of it was forcibly crammed into his brain.
The surge of information brought with it a sharp headache.
He couldn’t help but grimace.
But within moments, the knowledge had fully integrated.
His understanding of the sword had now reached the pinnacle.
Grandmaster-level swordsmanship.
Level 20 might seem low, but it was already on the peak of swordsmanship.
As he gazed at the endless sea, an indescribable emotion surged within him.
A pressure built in his chest—something he had to release.
He walked slowly toward the ship’s edge.
With each step, his right hand crackled with purple lightning.
Sparks danced along his fingertips as the surrounding lightning elements grew restless.
And then—
A sword of purple lightning began to materialize.
The crew watched, puzzled.
What was he doing?
What was that thing forming in his hand?
A sword?
Since when does he know swordsmanship?
How?!
Everyone was confused.
They had no idea what Vir was trying to do.
Vir stopped at the edge of the deck.
The dazzling lightning sword fully formed as he flicked his right hand.
But the lightning didn’t stop—it kept pouring in.
Vir stared out at the endless sea ahead.
The sword aura radiating from him began to surge.
The lightning around him grew intense enough to start etching scorch marks on the ship’s deck.
Marco’s eyes went wide.
Some random lightning shouldn’t be able to do that!
Rayleigh’s expression shifted dramatically.
This is—!
A Great Swordsman’s aura!
No mistake!
This guy really knew swordsmanship!
And at such a terrifying level!
This bastard…
Was hiding this much strength all along?!
Rayleigh’s eyes were filled with shock.
At this moment, he truly felt… old.
The sword aura surrounding Vir reached its peak.
He slowly opened his eyes—
A flash of purple in them, piercing and overwhelming.
So sharp it felt like it could stab straight into your soul!
And then, Vir’s lips parted—
“Lightning Slash!”