Earth-Shattering Roar

"Boom!" With this earth-shattering roar, Vergo only managed to withstand the onslaught of this terrifying attack for a fleeting moment. In the blink of an eye, he was completely engulfed by the incomparably ferocious Ghost Dragon!

When everything returned to calm, everyone looked closely and saw that a terrifying pit with a diameter of twenty meters had appeared on the once flat and solid ground! And Vergo lay quietly in the very center of this pit, like a broken doll.

Yet at this very moment, the once spirited and confident man had vanished without a trace. His former composure seemed like a mere illusion, now completely lost. And his once awe-inspiring and domineering demeanor had dissipated like clouds scattered by Gale.

What was presented to the people was only endless wretchedness and misery. His clothes were disheveled and torn, covered with dust and bloodstains. His once upright body was now hunched and bent, as if carrying a thousand-pound burden. His face was haggard and pale, his eyes bloodshot, revealing deep exhaustion and despair. Every step he took seemed so difficult, as if he would collapse at any moment and never get up again. His former glory and honor had long since vanished, leaving only this heartbreakingly tragic state.

At this moment, Vergo's clothes were completely torn to shreds, fluttering in the wind. Not only that, but a horrifying, several-foot-long gash stretched across his chest! The wound was so deep that bone was visible, a bloody mess that was terrifying to behold. Even more horrifying was the eerie Ghost Flame burning on it, relentlessly scorching Vergo's body and causing him immense pain.

Crimson blood continued to gush from Vergo's mouth, like a flood bursting its banks, unstoppable. Yet, even after suffering such a severe injury, he couldn't help but let out a low laugh, "Heh heh..." However, this laugh sounded particularly ferocious and terrifying.

"It seems that it's not just those two brothers who are naive..." Vergo muttered to himself, his tone filled with endless self-mockery and deep bitterness. He slowly raised his head, his gaze finally landing on Moke not far away, his eyes complex and solemn.

"I never expected that not only did the Young Master misjudge the situation, but even the Marine Headquarters, which is known for its accurate intelligence, made such a huge error in its assessment of your true strength. Now you have the terrifying strength to rival or even surpass the leader of the Shichibukai — Dracule Mihawk!" Vergo's voice was low and hoarse, as if every word contained a heavy sigh and resentment.

Faced with Vergo's words, Moke remained expressionless, silently pressing the incredibly sharp Sandai Kitetsu against Vergo's throat. The cold blade pressed against his skin; with just a little pressure, it could instantly sever an artery and take his life. However, Vergo seemed to have given up resistance, quietly closing his eyes. Perhaps, after a series of fierce battles, he knew he was utterly powerless against this fatal blow.

Moke gazed at the man about to die before him, a ripple of emotion stirring within him. To be honest, many loyal One Piece fans had felt a pang of regret for Vergo. After all, it was truly heartbreaking to see such a powerful and charismatic character leave the stage so prematurely. Whether it was his unique Armament Haki interspersed with purple that covered his entire body, or the astonishing strength he displayed when Smoker single-handedly and brutally overpowered Smoker and Trafalgar Law, everything about him left a deep and unforgettable impression.

"It's a real shame to kill him so easily..." Moke murmured softly, his voice seeming to come from the deepest hell, sending chills down one's spine. He gripped the Sandai Kitetsu tightly in his hand, its incredibly sharp blade gleaming with a cold light, seemingly ready to take the enemy's life at any moment. However, for some reason, Moke hesitated for a moment, his hand tightening unconsciously, but he still didn't bring down the decisive blow that would decide life or death.

At this critical moment, a thought suddenly flashed through Moke's mind, and his eyes hardened, as if he had made a momentous decision. Then, an astonishing scene unfolded—the once dull and lifeless Holy Sword tattoo on his chest began to emit a dazzling light! The light grew stronger and stronger, as dazzling as a blazing sun, and finally, it flowed continuously down Moke's arm into the Sandai Kitetsu.

At that very moment, the Sandai Kitetsu suddenly seemed to be endowed with a vigorous and inexhaustible life force, and began to tremble violently, with an amplitude that was astonishing. At the same time, a series of deep and heavy humming sounds emanated from the sword, like the roar of an ancient beast awakening, which was awe-inspiring.

Immediately afterwards, this mysterious and unpredictable power, like a surging, unstoppable tide, rushed into Vergo's body with overwhelming force through the medium of the Sandai Kitetsu. It should be known that this legendary Holy Sword, renowned throughout the world, contains extremely strange and powerful abilities. And its most chilling and fearsome ability is its capacity to control a person's inner world at will!

As this inexplicable power stealthily invaded Vergo's body like a ghost, he felt as if his soul was being tightly gripped by a Daikoku hidden in the shadows. In an instant, he completely lost control of his body, becoming like a puppet on strings to be manipulated at will.

"Huh?" Vergo felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his whole body trembling violently. His previously calm face suddenly showed an indescribable look of terror, as if he had seen the most terrifying and horrifying sight in the world.

Faced with such a predicament, Vergo naturally wouldn't sit idly by. He used every trick in the book, desperately trying to break free from the force's restraint and confinement. However, things didn't go as planned. The more desperately he struggled, the stronger and more ferocious the mysterious force became, like a giant net that gradually tightened, trapping him firmly within it, leaving him with no way to escape, no gaps or opportunities to break free.

At this heart-stopping moment, Moke's hands, as silent as a ghost, pressed firmly onto Vergo's head with imperceptible speed. Moke narrowed his eyes slightly, his lips parted, and he slowly uttered those four chilling words. "Memory Absorption..."

In an instant, a more sinister and terrifying power than before erupted like a flood bursting its banks. This power, carrying boundless pressure and destructive aura, shot straight into the depths of Vergo's mind like an Inazuma. At this moment, Vergo was completely focused on struggling against the mysterious power contained in the Holy Sword in his hand that emitted an eerie light, and had no spare energy to pay attention to any changes happening around him.

Therefore, when this sudden and fatal blow struck, Vergo was completely caught off guard and did not even have a chance to resist. His already fragile defenses crumbled like paper walls under the impact of this terrifying power, turning into countless tiny fragments that drifted into the vast void and disappeared without a trace in the blink of an eye.

"Aaaaaah..." A heart-wrenching, agonizing scream erupted from Vergo's mouth. The horrific scream seemed to pierce the heavens, echoing back and forth in this vast and desolate world, its lingering sound lingering for a long time. However, at the same time, Moke, who launched this attack, was in no better shape.

His previously calm face was now deathly pale, devoid of any color. Large beads of sweat trickled down his forehead and down his cheeks like glistening pearls falling to the ground. It turned out that during the process of absorbing Vergo's memories, the memories were so vast and chaotic that they had flooded into Moke's mind like a tidal wave.

"Holy crap... this was a huge blunder!" Moke Dark-Dark Fruit inwardly, blaming himself with frustration. He never imagined that Vergo's memories would flood him like a burst dam. Because of that tiny bit of carelessness, he was almost completely swallowed up by this overwhelming torrent of information.

At this moment, Moke finally realized that this tactic should never be used lightly—no, it should be said that he should avoid using it as much as possible in the future. However, even in the face of such a difficult situation, he gritted his teeth and persevered, resolutely refusing to give up easily.

Time ticked by, and Moke felt an unbearable, excruciating pain in his head, as if it were about to explode. These were all the memories of a person's entire life, including those hidden deep within their heart, details that even the person themselves might have long forgotten. The sheer volume of information was beyond imagination!

Finally, after Moke successfully absorbed the last trace of Vergo's memory, his body swayed violently as if he were drunk. His once clear and bright eyes were now filled with dense blood vessels, making him look extremely terrifying.

"Memory Return..." Moke, enduring his headache, used all his strength to cast a spell to send the memories he had just acquired back into Vergo's mind. However, this time the returned memories were not the Fudō, but rather a version carefully embellished by Moke. Much of the content was purely fabricated by him based on his boundless imagination. Not only that, Moke also deliberately preserved Vergo's memories of Doflamingo and his group deep within his mind, making them an indelible mark.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."

When everything had settled down, Moke was panting heavily, his chest heaving. Large beads of sweat slid down his forehead, soaking a few strands of hair. He was utterly exhausted; his legs felt as if they were weighed down by lead. He involuntarily walked to the side and slumped down like a deflated balloon.

Moke closed his eyes tightly and began to regulate his breathing, trying to calm his mind, which was racing like a runaway horse. At this moment, he deeply felt the so-called "one head and two limbs" sensation. His head was buzzing, as if countless bees were flying and swirling inside, swelled up to the point of bursting. This painful feeling was almost unbearable for him; he even felt that if this continued, his head might explode.

In contrast, Vergo, who had been utterly humiliated by Moke, was in a much worse state. He was completely unconscious, lying quietly on the ground like a lifeless corpse. If Moke hadn't used the Holy Sword's miraculous and powerful energy to heal his injuries in time, Vergo would probably have already perished.

Time ticked by, and after an unknown amount of time, Vergo's tightly closed eyes twitched slightly before slowly opening. Upon regaining consciousness, a look of confusion and bewilderment flashed in his eyes, as if he hadn't yet grasped what had happened. However, the moment he turned and saw Moke sitting not far away, he instantly snapped to attention. He quickly sat up, his movements slightly stiff but filled with respect. Then, with a solemn expression, he stood respectfully before Moke and loudly proclaimed, "Young Master!"

Moke had recovered somewhat from his previous terrible state, but his head was still foggy, as if shrouded in a mist. That excruciating feeling made him Dark-Dark Fruit vow never to experience such pain again...

After regaining his composure, Moke turned his gaze to Vergo beside him. A faint smile slowly appeared on Vergo's face, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds and falling on the earth. The hardships and setbacks he had endured had not been in vain; Vergo, Doflamingo's most powerful subordinate and widely recognized as his most outstanding spy, had naturally become his trusted confidant. Whenever Moke thought of this, he couldn't help but nod in approval, expressing his sincere satisfaction with the current situation.

Immediately afterward, Moke turned to Vergo with a grave expression and slowly instructed, "Take these two brothers and return to Marine Headquarters immediately! Be patient and wait a little longer. I will definitely send someone to deliver a rare and precious Devil Fruit to you. At that time, I sincerely hope that you can use the magical power of this Devil Fruit to rise to a higher position and gain greater power and influence in the intricate Marine system." Upon hearing this, Vergo first frowned slightly, a hint of hesitation flashing across his face, as if he were secretly weighing something important. However, after only a short while, he quickly regained his composure, nodded gently but firmly, and respectfully replied, "Yes, Young Master!"

Seeing this, Moke continued, "I know you have reservations about consuming Devil Fruit, but the fruit I'm about to bestow upon you is perfectly suited for those skilled in physical combat. Furthermore, you need to understand that Devil Fruit are merely one of many ways to become stronger; they don't completely determine a person's upper limit or growth potential. They won't have a significant negative impact on your original training..."

After listening to Moke's detailed and patient explanation, Vergo's tense face gradually relaxed, but his expression remained exceptionally serious and focused. He nodded slightly, his deep eyes flashing with contemplation, as if he were trying to digest the information he had just received. After a moment, as if he had finally understood something, Vergo nodded solemnly again and said in a steady and powerful voice, "I understand. I have fully grasped and comprehended the profound truth contained within." With that, he slowly turned around and strode confidently towards G1. Every step was filled with determination and perseverance, as if a difficult but necessary mission awaited him.

However, unlike Vergo, Moke, who remained where he was, was filled with joy and smugness. Through this maneuver, he had successfully planted a crucial pawn within the Navy— Vergo. More importantly, Vergo was utterly loyal and devoted to him, which undoubtedly gave Moke a significant advantage. He couldn't help but think to himself how wonderful it would be to have a few more loyal and reliable subordinates like Vergo! But when the excruciating headache he felt when he had just controlled Vergo flashed through his mind, Moke immediately dismissed the idea. After all, he didn't want his head to feel like it was about to explode... Even if it didn't explode, he feared he would end up like Vegapunk, a monster with an enormous head.

Time flies, and half a month has passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Moke traveled all the way and finally arrived at the legendary Champion Island. This island is considered a sacred and inviolable Holy Land by many martial arts practitioners. For this reason, it has always been in a state of being unclaimed. No matter which powerful force is involved, no one dares to act recklessly or cause trouble here. The reason is simple: anyone who dares to disturb the peace of this place will be regarded as provoking the entire martial arts community, which will inevitably arouse public anger and fierce resistance.

The moment Moke set foot on Champion Island, before he could even settle in, a figure swiftly came rushing towards him from afar and stopped in front of him. The newcomer, beaming with smiles, asked enthusiastically, "Respected sir, may I ask whether your purpose in coming to Champion Island is to personally participate in this exciting fighting match, or merely to enjoy the spectacular event as a spectator?"

Upon hearing this, Moke involuntarily paused, a look of astonishment on his face. It should be noted that while absorbing Vergo's memories, he not only gained access to a vast amount of information and experiences, but more importantly, he also successfully mastered the unique training methods contained within Vergo's memories. These included the remarkable Six Powers and a powerful method for cultivating Armament Haki.

That's why, for the past two weeks, Moke had been diligently training, mastering these valuable cultivation methods and transforming them into true power of his own. Hearing that there was still a chance to participate in the fighting competition, his interest was immediately piqued. He eagerly asked, "So, is it still possible to register for the competition now? As far as I know, the fighting events here should have already started, right?"

The staff patiently explained, "Sir, our fighting competitions actually have two different participation formats. The first is the regular, step-by-step promotion system; the second is the so-called challenge mode." They added, "Currently, the first method is clearly not feasible for you. However, if you are confident in your abilities, you might consider trying the second one—the challenge mode."

However, before Moke could respond, someone standing to the side suddenly let out a sharp laugh, "Pfft... Hahahaha! Ali, look at this fellow, he's got two long swords gleaming at his waist! You can tell at a glance he's definitely a formidable Swordmaster, and you actually suggested he participate in this kind of pure combat competition? Aren't you just trying to make everyone laugh?"

Moke watched with interest as the slightly green-looking young man named Ali stood before him. Ali's face instantly flushed crimson, like a ripe apple. It turned out that Ali was a newcomer to the port's reception work, and today was his first attempt at attracting customers! Overly nervous, he had inadvertently made a huge fool of himself. Oh dear, this was terrible! For the next whole year, he would likely become the subject of gossip and a laughingstock among his colleagues.

However, faced with this awkward situation, Moke showed no sign of mockery. Instead, he became even more interested in what Ali was saying. He narrowed his eyes slightly, a smile playing on his lips, and asked with a hint of curiosity, "Oh? Then tell me in detail what this so-called second challenge is all about."

Upon hearing Moke's request, Ali was initially taken aback, but quickly recovered, thinking to himself, "Well, I'll take this as a good opportunity to hone my courage and eloquence... Besides, even if this person isn't some unparalleled martial arts master, he's certainly not someone I can easily offend." With that thought, Ali took a deep breath, composed himself, and immediately began to explain to Moke in detail, "Sir, it's like this. On our Champion Island, there are always three to four exceptionally strong champions residing here year-round. You can freely choose one of them as your opponent to challenge, and if you successfully defeat them, then congratulations, you'll qualify to continue challenging this year's champion!"