Vir's words had clearly caused quite a stir.
"Is this guy insane? How can he say something like that? Did he get hit by a cart or something?!"
"The man's already dead. How dare this idiot say such things!"
"If he can actually bring him back to life today, I'll eat the underwear of that 300-pound guy next to me on the spot!"
"Just because he healed Whitebeard, he thinks he's untouchable now? Does he really see himself as a god or something?"
Those watching the scene through the large screens couldn't help but burst into laughter.
This was simply unbelievable.
No one could possibly believe that such a thing could be done.
Everyone just assumed Vir had lost his mind.
"Hmph, this brat's arrogance knows no bounds. How can he even say something like that?"
"If he could revive the dead, he'd have already taken over the world by now."
Big Mom let out a disdainful chuckle.
As she watched the screen, her grin widened at the sight of Whitebeard, who had already suffered heavy injuries.
"Mamamama~ Children! Prepare yourselves for a feast! That old fool Whitebeard probably won't be coming back!"
That old man's son had died there. Knowing him as she did, he would never let this go.
But if he chose to fight the Marines to the death, the Whitebeard Pirates would be crippled—maybe even disbanded entirely.
This was the perfect opportunity to seize their territory.
If not now, then when?
"Yes, Mama!"
Her children quickly responded before immediately making preparations to set out.
Meanwhile, at the Revolutionary Army's base, Dragon shook his head in disappointment.
The man was already dead.
Why couldn't they just let him rest in peace?
Attempting to "heal" a cold corpse was nothing short of disrespectful.
This guy... seemed far too arrogant.
Was it all for fame?
To go this far for reputation...
Fine.
If he was really that kind of person, then the idea of inviting him to join would need to be reconsidered.
The Revolutionary Army had no use for someone so self-important and opportunistic.
Behind him, the others silently shook their heads as well.
This guy... really didn't seem like the kind of person they were looking for.
To do something like this to his own friend's body—no matter the reason, they could never accept someone like that into their ranks.
This guy was downright heartless.
Practically a madman already.
However, Sabo, standing beside Koala, was frowning deeply.
For some reason, his heart felt like it was trembling.
But he had no idea why.
There was just an indescribable feeling, tormenting him endlessly.
Even his body was shaking slightly.
Cold sweat poured down his forehead.
His back was already drenched.
His eyes remained locked onto the screen, staring at the headless corpse lying on the ground.
A strange sense of familiarity suddenly surged within him.
And the feeling only grew stronger!
Then—
Sabo froze.
His breathing turned ragged, his eyes widening in horror.
Fragmented images of the fallen figure began flashing through his mind.
Countless memories rushed back at once!
In mere moments,
Sabo's memories had fully returned!
And with them came a scream of agony!
"AAAAHHHH—!!!"
The sudden outburst made everyone turn to him in shock.
Koala, especially, was startled.
"Sabo! Sabo, what's wrong?!"
She grabbed his arm, her voice frantic with worry.
It wasn't that Koala was overreacting—
Sabo wasn't just screaming uncontrollably; his entire body was convulsing violently!
To anyone watching, it looked like he was having a mental breakdown.
Anyone would panic seeing that.
"Quick! Call a doctor!"
Dragon caught Sabo before he could collapse, shouting orders to the others.
Snapping out of their daze, a few members rushed out to fetch help.
Dragon held Sabo tightly, watching as his eyes rolled back, his body twitching uncontrollably. His face was etched with deep concern.
From experience, he could tell this was the result of an overwhelming shock.
But what could have caused it?
Was there something unusual in what they'd just seen?
"Sabo! Sabo! Sabo...!"
Dragon's voice gradually pulled Sabo back from the brink.
His heart felt like it had been torn apart, but slowly, his consciousness returned.
The whites of his eyes receded, pupils flickering back into view.
"Sabo... What happened to Sabo?"
Koala, tears in her eyes, looked at Dragon anxiously.
"It seems like he suffered a severe mental shock. We'll need the doctor to confirm."
Dragon's frown deepened.
Had Sabo's memories returned?
And was that dead man—Ace—someone important to him?
Just as Dragon was pondering this, Sabo spoke in a broken voice.
"The one who died... wasn't just some nameless pirate."
Dragon and Koala turned to him.
Tears streamed down Sabo's face.
His expression was raw with pain, guilt, and regret.
"Ace... was my brother."
The moment those words left his mouth, Sabo broke down completely.
His memories had returned.
Everything.
And now, he was drowning in self-loathing.
Why had he been so calm watching this?
Why hadn't he gone to help?
Why had he abandoned his brother?
Why... had it taken him so long to remember?
The weight of his failure crushed him.
Sabo could barely breathe from the sheer agony.
Hearing this, Dragon and Koala stood frozen.
Dragon's guess had been right.
That man truly was someone irreplaceable to Sabo.
But judging by Sabo's reaction... "important" didn't even begin to cover it.
Koala, seeing Sabo's suffering, felt his pain as if it were her own.
Tears fell freely from her eyes.
His brother was dead.
And his memories had returned.
Just how much... must Sabo be hurting right now?
But then, Koala suddenly remembered something.
"Wait! Then that guy... trying to 'heal' your brother's body... doesn't that mean...?"
Her words pierced through the darkness threatening to consume Sabo.
No!
He couldn't allow it!
He couldn't let that bastard do this!
Never!
Ace's body couldn't be desecrated any further!
With sheer willpower, Sabo forced himself to stand.
His trembling eyes locked onto the screen, onto the figure that would never rise again.
Tears blurred his vision once more.
As the Marines abandoned all restraint and charged at Vir, a twisted sense of relief flickered in Sabo's heart.
Stop him... Someone, stop him!
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