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)