The reality aligned exactly with Ron's observations. Whitebeard, being an emotional man, had experienced orphanhood from a young age, fostering a deep yearning for familial love and connections. This emotional background sculpted him into a unique kind of pirate, placing family bonds above all else. Even the profound mystery of "One Piece" could be overlooked in favor of Whitebeard's unwavering commitment to treating every member of his crew as family.
The familial code, encapsulated in the iron law of "Don't hurt your companions," extended to everyone under Whitebeard's command. Despite Blackbeard's betrayal and violation of this law, Whitebeard's gratitude toward Rayleigh was tempered by an underlying and unexplainable anger. This anger stemmed from Blackbeard's betrayal, fuelling Whitebeard's desire to let off steam, even with his currently crippled body.
As the sounds of the ongoing fight echoed outside the door, Lucoa curiously asked Ron about the possibility of curing the man engaged in the battle and suggested making a deal with him. Ron, however, shook his head, stating, "I want to make a trade too. However, I am not a Buddha."
Despite Whitebeard's status as one of the Four Emperors, he lacked significant wealth. Any seized funds from other pirates were anonymously directed towards hometown supplies. Even the Celestial Beans given to You Tanzhi couldn't cure Whitebeard's terminal illness. Much like in "Dragon Ball," where Wukong's heart disease couldn't be cured despite the celestial origin of Senzu Beans, alternative methods were necessary.
Lucoa, responding with a shrug and a smile, suggested, "Let's continue discussing how life is going to be tonight~" teasingly implying further intimacy. Ron, feeling his heart sink, rebuffed her advances, "Monster, don't break my heart!" It was evident that Lucoa was gearing up for another attempt at seduction, given her track record of naturally seeking such encounters after the previous instance.
Suddenly...
Marco leaned forward, catching the gist of Ron's conversation even if he missed the last words. Anxiously, he inquired, "Boss, do you have a way to cure Dad's terminal illness?" Ron, shaking his head slightly, remarked, "The price is too expensive, I'm afraid you can't afford it." Holding out three fingers, he clarified, "It's not money, it's Devil Fruit. It takes three Devil Fruits to treat Whitebeard."
Upon hearing this, Marco was resolute, "No problem. As long as Dad can be cured, I will give you the Moby Dick!" He covered his still-dizzy head and rushed out, likely feeling the effects of Garp's powerful punch. If not for Marco's formidable regenerative abilities, someone else might have ended up confined to a small 21x21 box.
Outside the pub, Whitebeard, heavily injured, continued venting his frustration and anger through relentless punching. Rayleigh, hiding and mocking, taunted, "Newgate, you have to admit it when you're old! I'm afraid there's nothing wrong with the birds during the day, but at night, right? Here is the strongest man in the world, tsk tsk tsk... Poor, sad, sad!" This barrage of ridicule fueled Whitebeard's aggression even more, and Rayleigh persisted in talking trash to vent his inner displeasure.
In the midst of the verbal sparring, an old voice interjected, "How is Ace?" Both combatants turned to the source of the voice, and Rayleigh, raising his eyebrows, chided, "Actually, you shouldn't vent your anger on me. You should settle accounts with Garp. Really, the grandpa who raised Ace from childhood?" Whitebeard, quick to react, absorbed the information.
Without the slightest hesitation, the world's strongest man acted purely on instinct. Garp, momentarily frozen, quickly grasped the other's intention—to express gratitude. However, Whitebeard didn't give him a chance to explain. His thick arm slammed onto Garp's neck while kicking hard, accompanied by a loud declaration, "Garp, I should really thank you!! Help me raise this bad son, how can I thank you?!"
Turning to Rayleigh, Whitebeard sought confirmation. Rayleigh, understanding the situation, stepped forward, pleading, "Wait... don't fight! The old man's age is here; can't you let Ace call the old man 'father'?" Despite Garp's attempts to explain with a wry smile, Rayleigh, showing remorse, lifted him up, chastising, "I was reckless. Why didn't you say it earlier?"
Garp, his face darkening, contemplated future retaliation. Vowing to apprehend Rayleigh once the old man recovered, he envisioned spending his twilight years in Impel Down with a sewing machine.
After the venting, the trio returned to the tavern, but before they could settle, Marco burst in, presenting a black box to Ron. "This is the Devil Fruit I promised you. The specific ability and category are unknown." Ron opened the box to find three Devil Fruits lying quietly inside—Maro's successful search across the entire Whitebeard group had paid off.
Puzzled, Whitebeard inquired, and Marco swiftly recounted the story. Despite Marco's insistence that the fruits be used to cure Whitebeard, he refused, suggesting they be used on Ace instead. However, Marco shook his head, emphasizing that they could cure Whitebeard's terminal illness. The revelation left Whitebeard, Ace, and even Garp shocked and deeply moved.
If the terminal illness could be cured, Whitebeard's threat to the Marines would be significantly heightened. Ace, lying on the ground, couldn't help but urge, "Boss, treat Dad." Ron nodded, smiling, and proposed, "Shendu, please help me eradicate Whitebeard's incurable disease with the horse Talisman. Regardless of success or failure, you and your son will be exempted from paying for drinks for a month."
Recalling his father's words about a noble horse driving out external forces in the body, Ron believed the horse Talisman, symbolizing healing and restoration, could be the solution. In case of failure, Ron had alternative methods—witchcraft and dragon magic. If all else failed, the treatment fee would not be refunded.
The proposition left everyone in disbelief. Was Ron just collecting money without contributing? Marco felt the three Devil Fruits were undervalued. Shendu, however, dismissed the notion, expressing that it was a matter of convenience.
With a smile, Shendu placed a paw on Whitebeard's body, triggering a burst of dazzling light. As the light faded away, Whitebeard felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation and relief throughout his body. Wounds and scars vanished, and his aura rose steadily. In disbelief, Whitebeard remarked, "It really recovered." Over the years, searching for a cure had proven futile until this seemingly effortless solution.
Witnessing the miraculous scene, Garp, hopeful for himself and Ace, asked Shendu to extend healing to them too. However, Shendu, refusing with a simple "roll," made it clear that his assistance came with limits.