Chapter 1037

Back then, I was just young and naive; Phantom Beasts were far more reliable than Natural Ones—this kind of survival ability was truly enviable.

Thunderfall vibrated against Lin Cheng's waist; it preferred thick-skinned targets, looking eager to strike.

"One more strike and he'll die." Lin Cheng patted Thunderfall's scabbard reassuringly: "Next time I'll take you to Wano—there are more durable types there."

Although Lin Cheng didn't understand the Phoenix Fruit, there had to be limits to this.

A bug-level ability like resurrection must have restrictions—it couldn't possibly be infinite.

As things stand, Lin Cheng has no desire to kill Marco; it would contradict his future plans.

"If you're awake, stop pretending to be unconscious." Lin Cheng saw the flames on Marco's body extinguish, knowing the man had regained his strength.

"Help Ace—he doesn't have your terrifying survival ability."

Actually, Lin Cheng had originally planned to give Ace a few electric shocks; he'd tested this therapy on the Sky Island.

The therapeutic effect was quite good, but the pain from electrotherapy was a major issue—not everyone had such a miraculous constitution.

Marco chuckled awkwardly; he'd been worried Lin Cheng would kill him, but it turned out as Ace said.

Vice Admiral Borsalino isn't a killer—he upholds a unique sense of justice and is a Marine who can coexist peacefully.

Marco flicked a ball of indigo flame from his palm; the flame covered Ace's wounds, and the external injuries healed visibly before their eyes.

"I'm starting to regret this—you're going to be a hassle." Lin Cheng said with a sigh, watching the scene before him.

Pure strength isn't scary; a General-Class like Marco, with such potent utility, can massively influence a battle.

Imagine the battlefield at a stalemate, both sides battered and wounded—Marco's healing ability becomes terrifying.

"It's not as exaggerated as you think—I only restore bodily functions, not fully heal conditions," Marco explained: "The kind of injury Old Man received—I can't fix it."

Marco had tried several times before and couldn't heal the hidden wounds on Bai Huzi's body.

Micro-vibration damage isn't injury—it completely destroys cells; even on Marco himself, such wounds couldn't recover in Yishiban Society.

"He's a man worthy of respect—I still haven't been able to defeat him. That battle wasn't fair," Lin Cheng mused.

It wasn't Lin Cheng being modest; when he fought Bai Huzi, Kizaru and Sakazuki had already been fighting for some time—Bai Huzi's stamina was greatly diminished, and the drug's effect had peaked and begun to decline.

Only with the aid of heaven and earth did Lin Cheng barely gain the upper hand.

"Old Man is a hero, but you're no slouch either," Marco praised: "A Trinity General-Class—there aren't many like you on this sea."

Lin Cheng merely shook his head with a wry smile at Marco's praise.

He did indeed enter General-Class through Trinity, but that doesn't mean he's stronger than Kaido or Big Mom.

If he truly fought those two now, Lin Cheng had no guarantee of victory.

Whether Kaido or Big Mom, both have pushed their martial arts and Devil Fruit development too far—Lin Cheng is slightly behind them in these areas.

Lin Cheng currently stands at 99 in all three categories; the Mangekyō Sharingan is his bonus—its boost pushes all three of his stats above the standard line.

· ·······Please send flowers····· ·····

Kaido and Big Mom are simple—they both have perfect martial arts and Devil Fruit development, fully compensating for any lack of offensive techniques.

So Lin Cheng easily defeats Ace and Marco, single-category elites, but fighting those two perfect ones is a headache.

While Lin Cheng and Marco talked, Ace regained consciousness and stood up, dazed.

"Thanks for this, Lin Cheng," Ace smiled: "I'm still far behind you—I need to keep working hard."

"That's enough to report—further fighting wouldn't mean anything," Lin Cheng said to Ace, pointing at the ruined ship.

Ace glanced at Marco, who nodded, then agreed: "We can report it—those guys have been driving us crazy."

"Bista or Jozu? Not Kureha, right?" Lin Cheng laughed: "I won't pry into your family matters, but I have one thing to tell you."

"Ace, while the parent lives, brothers are family."

"When the parent dies, each brother forms his own household—then they're merely relatives."

"After Bai Huzi's death, you'll face not just external problems, but internal conflicts—I hope you understand this."

Lin Cheng spoke sincerely to Ace: "Remember Teach? He's an exception—but not the only one."

"No one can guarantee how many more like him remain in the Bai Huzi Pirates—I don't want to save you a second time."

After hearing Lin Cheng's words, Marco and Ace grew solemn but offered no rebuttal.