(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
(9 chapters of the new book are already released in p.atreon)
****************
Wanokuni.
Colt, who had gone out for a stroll, returned once again to the Flower Capital, bringing back a boatload of Vegapunk's finest creations.
Before leaving, Vegapunk had desperately wanted to stop Colt, but he couldn't which further increased his frustration.
Damn it, all the inventions he had painstakingly worked on for the past two years had been snatched away by this guy in just a day and a half.
A damn bandit!
After handing over the detonating charm-making machine and various other items prepared for the Ninja Alliance, Colt took out two small jars filled with little blue pills and handed them to Jiraiya.
"Orochimaru made these for you, so save them well."
Colt's lips twitched as he explained the purpose of the medicines to Jiraiya.
He couldn't help but feel that something was seriously wrong with the world.
Ever since Orochimaru had been released, his behavior had taken a bizarre turn.
Although he was still obsessed with immortality and ninjutsu, he had seemingly developed a touch of humanity.
And now, he was even helping Jiraiya with this sort of thing?
It was simply aiding and abetting depravity!
"How's the preparation going?" Colt patted Kakashi, who was eyeing Jiraiya with envy, and asked in a low voice.
"Everything is nearly complete. Thirty thousand ninjas have been distributed across 376 Marine bases around the world. We've ensured they can be secured at any time," Kakashi summarized Shikamaru's strategy.
Colt nodded slightly.
This arrangement was reasonable.
After all, the forces in the Four Seas were weak.
If the ninjas took control, they could minimize casualties.
As for the pirates...
It wouldn't hurt if they died.
"Will you be coming with us to Marineford or heading to Mariejois?"
"No, I have to leave Wanokuni tomorrow."
"So soon?" Kakashi looked at Colt in surprise.
"No choice. Sasuke took on a temporary job for me."
Taking only Nami with him, Colt left Wanokuni directly.
Looking at the seemingly young "doctor," Marco failed to recognize Colt's true identity and whispered suspiciously, "Sasuke, are you sure about this kid..."
"Shut up!"
Sasuke barked, his sharp voice cutting through the air.
Seeing that many members of the Whitebeard Pirates were showing disapproving looks and skepticism, he released his Conqueror's Haki, pressing his presence upon his own comrades.
"What the hell are you doing?! I brought him here to treat the old man—what kind of attitude is this?!"
'These idiots! Do they really want to end up dead in the near future?!'
As Colt's smiling gaze swept over Marco, Sasuke felt a chill crawl up his spine.
'That look… there was no saving them. They were doomed.'
Sasuke had already sentenced Marco to suffer in his mind.
'That narrow-minded bastard would undoubtedly seek revenge.'
Seeing Sasuke's sudden outburst, the others trembled and no longer dared to question Colt.
Only Whitebeard continued to stare at him, his brow furrowed.
"Have we met before?"
"No," Colt replied with a shake of his head.
"This is the first time I've seen the famous Whitebeard."
"Is that so? Then I must be mistaken."
Despite Whitebeard's words, suspicion lingered in his eyes.
He couldn't shake the uncanny familiarity Colt gave him.
Sasuke's lips twitched.
'Does he seem familiar? It's because that sword of his almost killed us both.'
"Enough chit-chat. I'll begin the treatment now—I'm still waiting for the real show after all."
A green glow enveloped Colt's hands as he placed them on Whitebeard's body, activating his healing technique.
Almost instantly, Whitebeard felt warmth spreading through his body, relieving his chronic pain.
"Hmm... with the condition of his body and adding to it his frequent use of the Gura-Gura no Mi… If it were anyone else, they would've killed themselves after using it just a few more times."
Colt assessed Whitebeard's internal condition and couldn't help but admire him.
To call Whitebeard's body a "leaky house" would be an understatement—it was as if the entire roof had been blown off.
No wonder the Gura-Gura no Mi had existed in the world for so long, yet only Whitebeard had managed to become the strongest man alive.
This kind of fruit harmed its user as much as their enemies, and only someone of Whitebeard's caliber could endure its costs.
But that would have been manageable for the old man if not for his sickness.
But even so, his current condition was terrible. If he entered the Summit War like this...
Even an Admiral could take him down.
No, scratch that—if he kept using his power recklessly, he'd collapse after just a few more attacks.
'That won't do. That's no fun at all.'
Colt silently increased the intensity of his healing technique.
Seeing Whitebeard's expression relax in relief, Marco and the others were thrilled.
It seemed like the treatment was actually working.
"Incredible! Sasuke, where did you find such a skilled doctor?!"
"Colt, the God Killer. His records say he's a powerful doctor." Sasuke hesitated for a bit but eventually replied.
"What?!" Marco's eyes widened as he finally connected the dots.
"He's the God Killer—the one who killed the Celestial Dragons?!"
As the crew whispered amongst themselves, Colt casually chatted with Whitebeard.
"Old man, tell me…"
He was especially interested in stories from the Rocks Pirates era.
Seeing that Colt actually knew about the Rocks pirates, Whitebeard raised an eyebrow.
The World Government had erased almost all information regarding the Rocks Pirates.
The fact that someone Colt's age knew about them was bizarre.
But Colt didn't just know of them—he knew detailed accounts of that time.
Whitebeard couldn't help but find the young man before him even more mysterious.
But he didn't hold back and openly shared many stories from his past.
It took a while.
Finally, Colt asked directly, "Is Edward Weevil, really your son?"
At that name, Whitebeard's expression darkened.
"No! That woman is full of crap! If it weren't for—" Whitebeard's voice trailed off as his rage surfaced.
"Buckin..." Colt mused.
He recalled that Stussy from CP0 was actually a clone of Buckin, created under Vegapunk's authority.
Honestly, in terms of looks, Buckin and Whitebeard were a truly unholy combination.
After half an hour, the treatment concluded.
To make the upcoming battle more exciting, Colt had even thrown in some extra enhancements, boosting Whitebeard's vitality significantly.
Right now, Whitebeard felt like a man who had been constipated for a month and was suddenly free—the pleasure surging through his body was indescribable.
Tearing off the IV tubes attached to him, he stood up.
A colossal aura erupted into the sky.
The 'strongest man' in the world had returned!
Whitebeard was back!