Watching the extraordinary changes occurring in Whitebeard Newgate, everyone was utterly floored! Even Marco, who had already witnessed the power of Alex's Senzu Beans, was once again staggered by their heaven-defying effectiveness!
After a long moment, Whitebeard Newgate slowly opened his eyes. Marco, ever the ship's doctor, immediately noticed that the cloudy look in Whitebeard's eyes, a result of constant pain and illness, now held a spark of clarity, a hint of his old fire.
Instantly, Whitebeard turned his gaze, now sharp with astonishment, towards the remarkably composed Alex.
"Pops! How are you feeling, yoi?" Marco asked, his voice edged with urgency. Though he could see the changes, Marco needed to hear it from Whitebeard himself.
"Incredible! So much better!" Whitebeard declared, his voice booming. "The old wound in my left arm… it's actually healed considerably!"
"Let me see!" Marco immediately activated his own senses, carefully assessing the internal changes within Whitebeard's body. The veins and meridians in Newgate's left arm, once clogged and damaged by old injuries, were now more than halfway clear!
For decades, Marco's dedicated care and healing flames had only managed to slow down the rate at which Whitebeard's circulatory system deteriorated. Actually clearing the blockages had been beyond him!
But Alex's strange little bean had done it!
Whitebeard himself, the one experiencing it, could feel the difference most profoundly. It was as if some of the strength from his youth had returned to his left arm!
"Kid… you're not simple!" Whitebeard boomed, followed by a hearty "GURARARARA!" "Not simple at all! This old man is very pleased!"
Alex gave a calm nod. It seemed Whitebeard's injuries were indeed severe, accumulated over many long years. If not for Newgate's inhuman willpower and constitution, any ordinary person would have succumbed long ago. However, a basic Senzu Bean, made from the cheapest materials, certainly wouldn't be enough to fully heal him with just one. If he could create an advanced Senzu Bean, Alex was confident he could completely eradicate all of Whitebeard's old wounds!
"Young man, join my pirate crew!" Whitebeard laughed, extending the invitation once more. "Marco here certainly has a good eye, yoi!" (Wait, did Whitebeard just say 'yoi'?... Nah, must have been the wind.)
The crew, witnessing the astounding transformation in their captain, were now fervently hoping Alex would join. After all, having one of those Senzu Beans in a fight was like having an extra life! These seasoned warriors knew exactly how much of a game-changer such an item would be in battle!
Feeling the weight of countless gazes fixed upon him from within the cabin, Alex finally spoke.
"Captain Whitebeard," Alex began, his voice measured and clear, "when Marco first invited me, I told him I would join, but on certain conditions." He enunciated each word carefully. He wasn't about to get swept away just because it was Whitebeard Newgate inviting him. These Senzu Beans of his would be highly sought after even by the Marines; he wasn't short on potential patrons.
"That's only natural! Name your terms!" Whitebeard replied, his surprise at Alex's continued composure growing. He fixed Alex with a serious look. Few in this world earned a personal recruitment from him, and those who did were usually tripping over themselves with gratitude to join! This Alex, however, was an exception. It only fueled Whitebeard's curiosity further!
"First," Alex stated, "if I join the Whitebeard Pirates, whatever materials I require, if your crew can obtain them, you must do so for me, unconditionally."
"Second, the safety of my person must be the absolute first priority for all crew members, at all times. That is to say, even if you, Captain, are under siege by the Marines, if I am even slightly threatened, they must immediately abandon you to protect me."
"Third, you will not question my affairs. You will simply follow my instructions without question."
"Fourth, my daily wage shall be no less than ten million Beri!"
As Alex laid out these conditions, a stunned silence fell over the cabin. Even Whitebeard Newgate, a man of legendary fortitude, found his brow furrowing.
This Alex… he was being rather avaricious!
The first point was manageable. If it was within their capabilities, it was a small matter.
But the second point? Forcing them to prioritize his safety over their Pops? What did Alex think he was? Some kind of priceless, irreplaceable treasure?
And don't even get started on the ludicrous daily salary of ten million Beri! In the entire Whitebeard Pirates, Marco probably earned the most, and that was only a few million Beri a month! Alex was demanding three hundred million Beri a month! This wasn't a wage, it was highway robbery!
The hot-tempered Diamond Jozu already had his fists clenched, ready to teach this arrogant upstart a lesson about his place in the world!
"Alex, isn't that a bit much, yoi?" Marco interjected, his own brow creased. He had brought Alex here, after all, and genuinely wanted him to stay.
"Much?" Alex countered, his voice unwavering. "Not at all. What if I told you these Senzu Beans can be mass-produced? What if I told you that this Senzu Bean is merely the lowest quality version, and that with the right materials, I can synthesize advanced Senzu Beans immediately?"
He delivered his next words with iron conviction. "A single, lowest-grade Senzu Bean has already begun to repair Captain Whitebeard's chronic ailments. What then, if it were an advanced Senzu Bean? Or a hundred advanced Senzu Beans?"
His pronouncement struck everyone who had been frowning at him like a thunderbolt, shocking them once more! These beans, with their nearly heaven-defying effects, could be mass-produced? And these were the worst kind?
Whitebeard's eyes widened further, sheer astonishment etched on his face. Though he usually projected an air of carefree strength, the truth was his old wounds tormented his body and spirit relentlessly. He'd lost count of the nights he'd been jolted awake by agonizing pain, forced to grit his teeth and endure.
And now, this young man, Alex, was claiming he could completely cure these chronic afflictions! This was something Whitebeard had dreamed of for years! Nay, it was something the entire Whitebeard Pirates had dreamed of for years!
Yet, even amidst this wave of hope, Whitebeard quietly extended his Observation Haki, gently probing Alex's emotions. After all, a person's feelings often betrayed them if they were lying.
The result? Whitebeard sensed nothing but pure confidence, unadulterated truth in Alex's words.
This Alex… he wasn't lying about any of it!