When Rebecca woke up, she found herself back in her own bed, which Tokikake for her earlier, in a room with Wendy and Ain.
Stretching, Rebecca turned to look at Wendy and Ain, who were both sleeping soundly. Without waking them, she tiptoed out of the room.
When Rebecca finished washing up and came out of the cabin, she saw two familiar figures on the deck. One was Vic, sitting cross-legged as always, his eyes closed, exuding an aura of tranquility.
Rebecca didn't look at Vic much, because another figure was more attractive to her; she could tell from the back that it was Gion.
However, Gion was not sitting in a wheelchair at this moment. Instead, she stood at the bow of the ship, her elbows resting on the gunwale, her hands cupping her cheeks as she gazed at the rising sun in the distance. Gion, like the rising sun, radiated a strong sense of vitality. She was completely healed.
Gion had never suffered such a serious injury before. It wasn't until she sat in a wheelchair all day, unable to move, that she realized how precious it was to be able to move freely. So after being healed by Vic last night, she didn't sleep anymore and just stood not far from Vic, watching the starry sky, clouds, and sunrise.
After healing Gion, Vic cast aside his delusions and began his training. Through his battle with Bullet, he realized that he hadn't had enough time to develop and his Haki was still inferior to Bullet's.
Not only are their reserves inferior, but their usage is also less effective. Bullet is already so difficult to deal with, what about the even stronger Emperor of the Sea?
Therefore, Vic cannot stop his daily Haki training. This time Gion was almost killed, so will Rebecca be killed by the Emperor of the Sea next time? Even with superb medical skills, can he really bring the dead back to life?
There might be a chance to save someone immediately after death, but will others give you that chance? Will they just stand by and watch you try to save them?
While it's essential for his companions to become stronger themselves, until they do, Vic will still act as their protective umbrella.
As time passed, more and more people got up, and they all clicked their tongues in amazement when they saw that Gion had not suffered any injuries.
The girls started chattering and laughing. Tokikake Kakei saw Gion recover, she almost cried. She thanked Vic profusely and almost wiped her snot on Vic's clothes, making Vic's face turn black and Gion look embarrassed. The others were in a very good mood, leaving the last trace of gloom behind on the sea behind the warship.
"Ah!"
"Uh-huh!"
At noon, a loud shout accompanied by a powerful Conqueror's Haki echoed throughout the entire warship, causing many to collapse, foaming at the mouth and fainting!
Vic snorted coldly. He knew Bullet had woken up and was already causing trouble as soon as he woke up. Bullet's Devil Fruit abilities were only restricted by the Seastone Handcuffs, but Seastone did not suppress Haki.
"I'll go check on the situation! Don't come over, take care of the person who fainted!"
After finishing his sentence, Vic walked towards the temporary prison on the lower level of the ship with a cold face. Although Gion was no longer in serious condition, it was only because of Vic's superb medical skills that she was saved. If Vic had not developed this new ability, Gion would most likely have died!
Moreover, Gion lost some of her lifespan, which alone was a huge enmity. If Gion hadn't been able to save Vic, he would have definitely killed Bullet. Garp probably wouldn't have stopped him then. He was just a pirate; he died and that was that. Not Devil Fruit to have the power of Bullet.
When Vic arrived outside Bullet's cell, he saw a large man bound like a dumpling by Seastone chains, his hands still Seastone Handcuffs, and then secured to the ground by four chains pulling in four directions.
Barrett gave the wound in his chest, where Vic had pierced him, a quick bandage from the medic. Barnett didn't treat him; he was lucky he wasn't killed, let alone treated. What a pipe dream! But Bullet's vitality was truly remarkable; he woke up so quickly and was even able to unleash Conqueror's Haki.
Vic looked at Bullet on the ground, while Bullet glanced sideways at Vic outside the cell door. Their eyes met, but no sparks flew.
One was the victor, the other a prisoner. Bullet admired the strong and harbored no resentment towards Vic for defeating him.
Although Vic harbors hatred for Bullet, he's already in jail, and he doesn't care if Barrett can escape again. He can defeat him now, and if Vic tries to escape and cause trouble next time, Vic will kill him. This time, Vic must send Bullet to Impel Down.
"What's wrong with you? I'm the one sending you to Impel Down to eat prison food. If you behave yourself, everyone will suffer less."
Vic was telling Bullet that with him around, Barrett couldn't cause any trouble, and also threatening him: if you cause trouble, I'll deal with you.
"Hahaha! I'm tied up so tightly, I can't cause any trouble. I just woke up and saw myself tied up, so I'm venting a little. I'll be spending the rest of my life in Impel Down, so it's not too much to vent, is it?"
Bullet said dismissively, showing no awareness of being a prisoner, much like Doflamingo when he was imprisoned.
Great pirates don't seem to care much about going to jail. Perhaps they've already staked their lives on it, and if they're not afraid of death, why would they be afraid of going to jail? They've already disregarded life and death and have come to terms with it. Those who are afraid of death can never become great pirates.
"I'll make you a request. If you agree, I'll have the kitchen send you meals every day, the same food we eat. Then you can stay in your cell peacefully, and I won't do anything to you. We'll go to Impel Down without any trouble?"
Vic came to Bullet to warn him not to cause trouble, because he wasn't the only prisoner there; Bullet's men were also imprisoned there. If Bullet and these men caused trouble, Vic would have to put in a lot more effort.
Then he remembered that Bullet also had some value, so he could use him. A little food would be no problem, and he could complete a deal that might not be very good for everyone.
"Oh! Tell me about it."
Bullet didn't refuse outright. He couldn't beat Vic in a head-on confrontation, and he was currently injured and had Seastone on him. Even if he caused trouble, he would only be suppressed. He wouldn't do that. It would be good if they could go to Impel Down peacefully, eating and drinking well. It all depended on whether Vic's demands were excessive. He would rather die than comply with any abnormal demands.
"It's very simple. Just release Conqueror's Haki twice a day, morning and evening. It only takes two minutes each time, and it won't harm you at all."
Vic said calmly, "This requirement isn't high. As long as you don't cause trouble, just use Conqueror's Haki every day to hone the skills of the people on the warship." For Bullet, it was indeed very simple. It wasn't about doing anything to humiliate him; on the contrary, it would enhance his ferocity.
"Haha! I promised, I'll make sure the food delivery guy isn't late!"
Bullet naturally knew Vic's purpose, but he didn't care, as he had long since mastered Conqueror's Haki to the point of complete control.
He admired Vic's consideration for his subordinates, as he himself had once bravely protected them until he was betrayed by his superior, which marked the beginning of a turning point in his life.
"I have a question: why are you only now going around the seas looking for challenges? Do you feel your strength isn't enough? Where were you all this time? Of course, you can choose not to answer."
This was a question Vic had when he first heard the name Bullet, and it's a significant departure from the original storyline. It has absolutely nothing to do with his appearance, and even the butterfly effect wouldn't be able to affect it.
In the original story, Bullet was arrested and imprisoned six years ago, while Vic had only been in this world for a little over a year before that. During that time, he hadn't even left Laipe Island, so how could he have affected Bullet far away in the New World? This was what Vic was very curious about.
"You have three questions, but I can tell you that they're not really any important secrets."
When I was a teenager, I left the war-torn country that had betrayed me, and I was sailing aimlessly on the high seas!
One day I met a mysterious and powerful figure. He saw my confusion and told me that the stronger you are, the fewer worries you will have and the freer you will be. When you become the strongest person in the world, your worries will be at their lowest point.
I asked him how to become the strongest, and he only told me one thing: keep fighting stronger opponents, and when you defeat the strongest, you will be the strongest.
So I challenged people stronger than me everywhere, and I obtained Devil Fruit, learned Haki, Awakening Conqueror's Haki!
Until I met Captain Roger, whose strength filled me with awe and excitement. So Captain Roger became my goal. After being defeated by him, I decided to join his pirate crew and challenge him as I grew stronger!
Until I quit, I was no match for him. I couldn't even beat Captain Roger, who was terminally ill. I felt I would never surpass Captain Roger in this lifetime, so I became somewhat disheartened and left the pirate crew!..."