No true warrior could easily refuse Ghidorah's offer.
Even someone like Whitebeard, who had seemingly let go of worldly attachments, still held on to one final conviction:
Family.
To him, family was more important than anything else.
And for their sake, he chose to believe in Ghidorah.
The process wasn't complicated. As soon as Whitebeard agreed, Ghidorah activated an ability he had not used once since awakening.
A glowing, bubble-like energy field formed around them. Whitebeard found himself inside what resembled a surgical theater, like that of the Ope-Ope Fruit.
In an instant, he could feel the changes taking place around and within him.
Within this energy field, his worn-out body began to slowly recover, rejuvenated by an unknown force.
It was like time itself was reversing.
Even the deep lines and age etched into his face began to fade.
It only lasted a few minutes—but when it was over, Whitebeard felt an overwhelming surge of power throughout his body.
Even the loose, aged skin had become firm and tight once more.
"This… I'm back?!"
Whitebeard stared at his hands, stunned, as if he couldn't believe what had just happened.
"That's the power of the Restoration Fruit," Ghidorah explained simply.
"It allows someone's physical condition to be restored to a chosen point in their life."
Then he added:
"Even with your strength as a former Emperor, you wouldn't survive the battles to come."
"The reason I value you isn't because of your reputation—it's because of your Devil Fruit."
"Finding another Tremor-Tremor Fruit user with the same mastery would be nearly impossible."
"But if you can push that ability just one level further—you'll be qualified to stand among the strong again."
His words were blunt, almost dismissive, and Whitebeard felt a flicker of offense.
But after seeing what this monstrous beast could do, he could only sigh inwardly.
This thing… is terrifying beyond reason.
> "I'll do everything I can to push my Devil Fruit to its limits." Whitebeard said with solemn resolve.
"You? On your own?" Ghidorah snorted.
"I don't have time to wait around."
He glanced toward Pangaea Castle in the distance.
"The summit should be over by now. Let's see who's worthy of staying."
"Soon, once everyone arrives—I'll help all of you improve."
Whitebeard looked at him, puzzled, but chose to stay quiet. There were plenty of questions in his mind—but he wasn't one to pry.
He knew answers would come in time.
They didn't have to wait long.
A group appeared on the horizon.
As they approached, Whitebeard recognized the man leading them—Dragon, head of the Revolutionary Army.
Behind him were his key officers, Doflamingo, Ace, and others. To one side walked a well-dressed group—clearly royal representatives from various kingdoms.
And between the two factions marched representatives of the underground world, most notably Morgans.
"Even he joined?"
Whitebeard was surprised.
As the head of the World Economy News, Morgans was known by everyone. Given his resources and reach, it was odd to see him aligning with any faction.
Soon, hundreds gathered before the canyon.
Facing this crowd, Ghidorah's golden eyes remained calm and unreadable.
This force, as it stood, was arguably one of the strongest coalitions in the world.
But to take on the Twenty Kings… it still wasn't enough.
"Since you've all chosen to stay…"
"On behalf of the Kingdom of Joy, I welcome you."
Ghidorah's booming voice echoed across the canyon.
But then, his tone shifted:
"Let's be honest—your power is still far too weak."
"But that's okay. I'm not here for your strength."
"What I value… is your will."
His golden eyes narrowed.
"Now then…"
"Prepare to undergo the baptism."
"WUMMMMM—"
As his voice fell, a wave of golden energy—like a radiant ripple—spread across the entire area, instantly enveloping everyone.
A violent force followed, pressing down on the gathered warriors like a tidal wave.
"What the hell?!"
"What is this?!"
The golden energy swept over their bodies, and an indescribable sensation took hold.
The very air seemed to turn thick and heavy.
Every breath became a struggle. The oxygen felt scarce—as if they were submerged in molasses.
As time passed, their faces flushed red from exertion.
"Th-this sensation…"
Ace gritted his teeth. It was all too familiar.
"It's just like when I was in Impel Down, Level 6."
His eyes locked onto Ghidorah's massive frame, and he suddenly understood.
"He's trying to make us stronger… through this?"
Ace turned to those around him and growled:
"Endure it! Don't pass out! If you do—you'll miss this chance!"
He didn't fully understand what Ghidorah's energy was—but he could feel it.
This wasn't normal.
The purity of the energy saturating the air was staggering.
If absorbed, it could strengthen not only the body—but even enhance Devil Fruit abilities.
It could push them past their limits.
Hearing Ace's words, his comrades and others around them seemed to grasp it too.
One by one, their eyes lit up with excitement—even obsession—as they gazed at the golden beast.
"I… I can't believe this…"
One Revolutionary suddenly felt a shift within him. A moment later, his arms turned pitch-black—he had awakened Armament Haki.
He stared at his newly empowered limbs, overcome with joy.
Others saw this—and the atmosphere became even more electric.
Most of them already had basic Haki, but this… this was direct, tangible improvement.
Time passed.
Some had their Armament Haki deepen.
Some felt their Devil Fruit abilities evolve.
But more than anything, everyone's bodies were subtly, invisibly transforming.
Their very genes were being enhanced—changes that could be passed down to the next generation.
And that was why, a thousand years ago, Ghidorah had been both feared and revered.
A monstrous being—unaging, immortal, capable of altering human DNA.
The idea alone was terrifying.
It was this secret that led to the Twenty Kings' campaign to destroy him.
They could tolerate being ruled over—but they would never allow the existence of a being on par with the gods.
Back then, they tried to annihilate him with overwhelming force.
But they underestimated him.
Even when blasted apart by Pluton, as long as even a flicker of life remained—he would regenerate.
In desperation, they stole a terrifying Devil Fruit and, through a combined effort, sealed Ghidorah in the deep sea…
Now, under the crushing aura and golden baptism, time seemed to slow to a crawl.
The energy was so intense, it felt like the world itself had stopped.
"Thud!"
At last—someone collapsed.
And like dominoes, others began to drop one by one, unconscious.
The battlefield was starting to look like a harvested field of wheat...
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