Chapter 200: Bald is Fine

Perhaps knowing that the existence of a Yonko at sea would no longer be permitted in the future, Golden Lion finally agreed to the proposal.

"If we choose to disperse our forces, the Red Nose cannot follow me; everyone at sea knows the Red Nose is Roger's son... Let Gold D. Tezoro come over."

"That kid has ambition."

Saint Saint Saiwen did not object; since they were acting, they should act more realistically. Tezoro and Buggy were both business geniuses.

"Fine, I'll make the arrangements."

With Imu's contract in place, the World Government was undoubtedly completely at ease regarding Saint Saint Saiwen; as for whether the Marines cared, it was not important at all.

The reason for such an arrangement was simply to prevent the World Government from attempting to assign tasks to Golden Lion through Saint Saint Saiwen in the future.

The World Government could absolutely do such a thing.

Moreover, after Inazuma became a member nation of the World Government, matters inconvenient for Saint Saint Saiwen to handle personally would be better left to Golden Lion.

First, get the face-saving projects in place; naturally, the room for maneuvering later on will be greater.

More importantly, once Golden Lion becomes a Yonko, it will directly establish the Four Emperors' structure of Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Big Mom, and Kaido.

Having learned the lesson from the Battle of Marineford, the Marines and the World Government would absolutely not easily wage war against a Yonko again.

With the Four Emperors dividing the New World, the pressure on the Marines and the World Government would only become greater.

Such an arrangement is more beneficial for the development of Inazuma.

After plotting with Golden Lion for a long time, Saint Saint Saiwen led the Buggy Pirates of the Third Division back to Wano Country.

Almost at the same time, Punk Hazard.

In the ward deep within the laboratory, Vegapunk was examining a green bean in his hand with a magnifying glass.

"Is this Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen's secret?"

Vegapunk did not understand; a miraculous item capable of regrowing Golden Lion's severed limb and restoring Master Tenghu's sight... was actually a green bean?

"Borsalino, could we have been deceived?"

Huang Yuan's face was full of helplessness; if Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen dared to deceive, he would no longer serve as an Admiral of the Navy, but would squat at the entrance of Inazuma every day.

"Whether it has an effect, we'll know by trying."

"That's true." Vegapunk nodded.

Immediately, he pried open Akainu's mouth, stuffed the green bean inside, pinched Akainu's chin, and poured some water down to swallow the bean.

Almost the next second, Akainu, who had been in a coma for months, roared in pain.

"Borsalino, don't move."

"It must be that the medicine is taking effect, which is why Sakazuki feels such pain."

While they were talking, the IV tube inserted into Akainu was torn off by force; Akainu suddenly sat up from the hospital bed, and his chest heaved violently.

"Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen!!!"

"My eyes... my eyes!"

Huang Yuan stepped forward quickly, tightly grasping Akainu's hand: "Sakazuki, it's all right now."

The warm, large hand of an old friend made Akainu feel as if he had grasped light in the darkness; his mind gradually became calm.

"Borsalino, where are we?"

"We are in Punk Hazard, in Dr. Vegapunk's laboratory."

Considering that the old friend had just awakened, Huang Yuan did not say much more; his main concern was that the old friend might be stimulated and fall back into a coma.

"Hiss~" Akainu suddenly trembled all over.

"What's wrong, Sakazuki?"

While Huang Yuan showed concern, his heart skipped a beat: Was there a problem with the medicine Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen gave?

Akainu shook his head.

"Nothing, my head is a bit itchy."

"Borsalino, tell me the truth; will I never be able to see again..."

The pain of Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen gouging out his eyeballs felt as if it had just happened not long ago.

Vegapunk, sticking out his tongue, interjected.

"Sakazuki, although I cannot make you wake up from a coma, creating a pair of eyeballs for you is no problem."

In fact, Vegapunk really wanted Huang Yuan to go to Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen again to beg for two more green beans.

One for Akainu to test whether the eyeballs could regenerate, and one to keep for research.

But Vegapunk also understood that the price of the miraculous beans was too great, too great for both Huang Yuan and him to bear.

"Wake up from a coma?"

Akainu frowned: "How long have I been in a coma? If you didn't make me wake up, then who did?"

At this moment, Vegapunk also realized that he had accidentally let the cat out of the bag and could only show a helpless smile to Huang Yuan.

Huang Yuan sighed: A useless teammate.

"You have been in a coma for a full four months."

"The World Government was preparing to modify you and mass-produce Pacifistas based on your body; to make you wake up, I sought doctors everywhere..."

The reason for choosing to be honest was that Huang Yuan hoped Akainu would face reality: the World Government would abandon you at any time.

Do not think about destroying Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen, and do not fantasize about launching a full-scale war.

The Navy can no longer afford defeat, and the World Government will absolutely not allow Akainu to target Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen—who is about to become a Celestial Dragon.

Seeing Akainu fall silent, Vegapunk spoke up to change the subject.

"Sakazuki, if you wish to see the light again, please cooperate with us for the time to come."

For someone who has lost their eyeballs, seeing the light again is the ultimate killing blow.

Sure enough, after hearing these words.

"Doctor, I will fully cooperate with the treatment."

Akainu paused, then continued, "Borsalino, I'd like to wash my hair first."

The time for recuperation and treatment passed quickly.

One month later, Akainu silently donned his Marine cap, covering his gleaming bald head completely.

This past month... it was a mix of good and bad.

The good news was: an old friend had successfully pulled him from his coma, and under Dr. Vegapunk's treatment, he would regain his sight in two or three years.

The bad news was—

Akainu discovered he had gone bald.

Since waking, Akainu had been losing hair continuously; in just one month, he had gone bald from his forehead to the back of his head, forcing him to shave it all off.

"You... keep this a secret for me."

Asking Huang Yuan and Dr. Vegapunk to keep silent was Akainu's final act of stubbornness.

Huang Yuan wore a helpless expression: he didn't need to think to know it must have been Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen's doing; otherwise, why hadn't the Golden Lion or Master Tenghu gone bald?

"Fine."

"Sakazuki, stay here with the Doctor and focus on your treatment. I must escort the King of a World Government member nation to Enies Lobby to attend the World Conference."

Akainu nodded silently: "Stay safe."

Adversity reveals true friendship; without his old friend Borsalino, he might never have woken up.

As for the baldness?

So be it.

Learning the outcome of the Battle of Marineford, knowing the Marine Headquarters had been destroyed, that fifty thousand Marines had sacrificed their lives, and understanding the World Government's stance, had once plunged Akainu into confusion.

Just in time for this break, he could properly consider the future of the Marines.

As Huang Yuan began his escort mission, a massive dog-headed warship docked in the waters of Wano Country.

At the bow, Bogart and Headquarters Colonel Doll stood on either side of Garp, gazing at Inazuma perched atop the high mountains.

"Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen chose a fine location."

"Indeed," Doll sighed. "Inazuma's terrain is treacherous and easy to defend, hard to attack..."

Garp grinned.

"Bogart."

"Tell that pack of lackeys behind us to contact their new master Barzab Saint Saint Saiwen immediately; this old man is hungry."