"Alright, come forward one by one." Setsuna clapped his hands, signaling the Whitebeard Pirates to line up.
As the 1st Division Commander, Marco naturally went first.
"When I take your life energy, don't resist." Setsuna placed his palm on Marco's shoulder.
Marco immediately felt something slowly being drawn out from within him. The strange sense of emptiness made his regenerative flames instinctively want to resist, but he forcefully suppressed the impulse.
Soon, he noticed a soft, milky-white glow appearing on Setsuna's palm.
"Is this my 'life energy'?" Marco examined the glow curiously.
As a user of the Phoenix Fruit, he could clearly perceive the surging vitality contained within that light mist, even purer than his regenerative flames.
Setsuna nodded. "Mhm. Your Phoenix Fruit gives you exceptionally abundant life energy, so I took a bit more."
Hearing this, Marco asked instead, "Should I transform into my Phoenix form? My life essence is stronger in that form."
However, Jozu behind him protested. "That's sneaky, Marco! Don't think just because you're the 1st Division Commander you can monopolize the chance to contribute life energy for Oyaji!"
"That's right!" Vista also shouted. "If you hog all the energy, what if Oyaji ends up with dead-fish eyes like yours?!"
The usually harmonious and loving Whitebeard Pirates seemed to be 'falling apart'.
Commanders pointed out each other's flaws, the scene quite chaotic.
"Quiet," Setsuna swept his gaze over them calmly. His voice wasn't loud, but everyone fell silent. "Next."
Thus, starting with Marco, the division commanders stepped forward one by one to contribute their life energy.
When it was the 15th Division Commander, Fossa's turn, Setsuna suddenly raised his hand, signaling stop. "That's enough. The gathered life energy is sufficient."
Fossa and Izo, next in line, were as if struck by lightning. "What?! That's it? It was almost our turn!"
"Hahaha!" 14th Division Commander, Speed Jiru, laughed triumphantly. "Must be because my life energy was too abundant, taking your share. My apologies~"
Seeing his smug face, Izo and Fossa were fuming but still looked at Setsuna hopefully. "Couldn't you take a bit more life energy? Oyaji's hidden injuries accumulated for decades… he must need more, right?"
"This is enough," Setsuna ignored their pleas, walking straight to Whitebeard. His right hand, glowing white, gently pressed against Whitebeard's chest.
As the treatment progressed, Whitebeard's sallow complexion gradually gained color. His hunched back straightened somewhat.
"Gurararara... feels like I'm twenty years younger!" Whitebeard moved his arms, saying in pleasant surprise.
He stood up abruptly, throwing a punch towards the sky. The power of the Gura Gura no Mi instantly erupted.
The entire sky was cracked by an invisible force. Clouds scattered, revealing clear blue sky.
"Gurararara! What a rush!" Whitebeard felt the long-lost power surging within him, laughing heartily. "Little Setsuna, I won't forget this favor!"
However, Setsuna slightly shook his head, his expression still serious. "I only expelled the accumulated hidden injuries from your body and replenished your depleted life energy. The root problem isn't solved yet."
Setsuna pointed at Whitebeard's chest. "The Gura Gura no Mi's power damaged your heart arteries. Combined with your years of heavy drinking, it has developed into a severe heart condition."
These words poured cold water on the celebration. The smiles that had just appeared on the Whitebeard Pirates' faces froze instantly.
"However..." Setsuna's tone shifted. "Though I don't have a specific medicine now, I might be able to obtain it in the future."
He thought of the Dragon Ball World, of the heart medicine Future Trunks brought.
While Whitebeard's heart condition was certainly different from Goku's viral heart disease, perhaps future world technology had similar heart medicine.
"Gurararara, don't worry about it," Whitebeard laughed heartily, making the wine glasses on the table jump. "Even without medicine, my current condition is worth ten Yami Yami no Mi!"
The banquet hall grew lively again. Crew members raised their glasses, cheering for Pops's regained health.
Marco promised solemnly, "We, the Whitebeard Pirates, will definitely search for the Yami Yami no Mi with all our might. But you know, Devil Fruits aren't things you can just find. I'm not sure when we'll find it."
"No problem. Just do your best," Setsuna smiled lightly, his tone relaxed. "I've made the same request to the World Government, the Red Hair Pirates, and the Big Mom Pirates. If even then I can't obtain the Yami Yami no Mi, it just means it's not meant to be."
"Tsk tsk, you truly have eyes and ears everywhere," Jozu clicked his tongue beside him, amazed by Setsuna's extensive reach.
"Haha, impressive! Who'd have thought someone from our cook's world could become such a big shot!" Thatch laughed loudly.
The Whitebeard Pirates were merely astonished by Setsuna's connections. But Teach was completely unable to sit still.
'This bastard! He already has such formidable strength and power, possesses everything I desire, and now he even wants the Yami Yami no Mi? Utterly insatiable!'
Standing in the shadows, Teach was just an inconspicuous nobody. No one noticed his twisted expression. The venomous snake named jealousy was gnawing at his heart.
'The Yami Yami no Mi... my dream won't end!' Teach's expression flickered uncertainly. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
'That's right! I can join him! Lurk by his side! With his resources and connections, the chances of obtaining the Yami Yami no Mi are highest!'
Teach suddenly squeezed through the crowd, his face wearing that trademark simple, honest smile. "Oyaji!"
His voice was loud and fervent, drawing everyone's attention. "I love gourmet food the most! I want to join Captain Setsuna's crew."
He rubbed his hands together, putting on a look of longing. "That way, I can pursue my dream and get Oyaji's medicine as soon as possible."
Thatch looked rather displeased. "Teach, are my dishes not good enough?"
"Of course not!" Teach waved his hands repeatedly. "It's just... I feel Captain Setsuna has done us a great favor. But not every pirate crew under Oyaji's banner might understand Captain Setsuna's kindness."
"If… just if… someone were to hoard the Yami Yami no Mi, wouldn't that create a misunderstanding between us and Captain Setsuna?"
"If I can act as a bridge for communication, spreading word of Captain Setsuna's deeds, perhaps we can prevent such a situation."
"So that's how it is, haha! My mistake," Thatch laughed, patting his shoulder.
Teach 'simply' scratched his head, grinning foolishly. "Anyway, I'm not an ambitious person, and my strength is average. Even if I leave the ship, it won't make much difference."
"How could it not make a difference? You're a comrade we acknowledge!" Jozu cried emotionally. "We'd miss you terribly if you left!"
Marco sighed, holding his forehead. "Captain Setsuna hasn't even agreed yet. At least ask for his opinion."
Teach looked at Setsuna with fervent eyes. "Captain Setsuna! I'll do anything! Any dirty work, any hard labor!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Setsuna looked meaningfully at Teach. Those pitch-black eyes seemed to see through people's hearts.
Teach felt a chill run up his spine. The smile on his face almost faltered.
Just as he was about to break, Setsuna suddenly spoke. "Alright. You'll follow Ace for now."
"Vice-Captain Ace?! I'm truly honored!" Teach grinned honestly. Yet, recalling Setsuna's gaze, unease crept into his heart.
'Could he have seen through my plan... Impossible! My disguise is flawless! No one could discover it!' He comforted himself, maintaining that harmless smile as he stepped behind Setsuna.