Blackbeard tried to mask his fear with laughter, but the sound was completely off-key when it came out of his throat.
The muscles in his face were twitching, his lips were trembling, and cold sweat was dripping down his forehead, staining the pillow and spreading a dark patch.
Gracia continued reviewing the data report and added one last detail.
"There's another point worth noting."
His bloodline gene sequence contains a large number of unknown fragments. These fragments seem to be the reason why he has organs that are different from those of ordinary people, thus preventing his body from collapsing.
In theory, as long as these gene sequences are replicated, and extra hearts are grown, they can be surgically removed.
We can also bear the power of multiple Devil Fruit simultaneously.
"This is the basis for his ability to hold so many fruits."
Roy concluded, his voice neither hurried nor slow.
"A unique genetic structure stabilizes the body, and three hearts provide the space for the Devil Fruit."
"Yes!" Dr. Gracia nodded.
Roy walked to the lab bed and looked down at Blackbeard.
This fat, dark-skinned man, who once schemed against the world, betrayed his companions, sold out his benefactors, and stopped at nothing to achieve his ambitions,
Lying on the cold metal bed, her hands and feet bound by Seastone chains, her eyes were filled with despair and fear.
" Teach, your unique physical condition will be the final stepping stone for Hachinosu to ascend to the highest throne."
Roy's voice was calm, without sarcasm or smugness, only the understated statement of facts.
"Feel honored."
Blackbeard's pupils suddenly contracted.
"Stepping stone?"
I am Marshall D. Teach!
Lao Tzu is destined to become the King of the World!
What right do you have—what right do you have—!!!
Blackbeard pulled on the chains with all his might, the Seastone scraping bloody marks on his wrists, but he felt no pain at all.
His eyes were fixed on Roy, the whites of his eyes bloodshot.
That face, which had once been so arrogant in front of Ace, was now twisted beyond recognition.
Roy did not answer.
He walked over to Gracia, picked up the data report from the lab table, and carefully read it from beginning to end. Then he put the report back and turned to Gracia.
"Data in hand. Teach is no longer of any value."
Roy walked back to the lab bed.
Blackbeard's breathing became more and more rapid. He wanted to speak, to say something to try and save his life, but his throat felt like it was blocked by something, and he couldn't utter a single word.
Roy raised his right hand, extending his index finger.
Armament Haki spread from his fingertips, covering the surface of his fingers with a deep black layer.
There's no unnecessary charging up, no fancy moves, just the simplest finger strike.
Blackbeard watched as the finger covered in Armament Haki slowly touched his brow, and the last glimmer of light in his eyes went out.
That finger strike wasn't fast, but it was completely impossible to dodge.
The moment his fingertips touched his brow, the destructive power of Armament Haki precisely pierced through his brain.
Blackbeard's body shuddered violently, twitching as if electrocuted, before falling completely silent.
The light in his eyes quickly faded, and his pupils went from contracted to dilated.
Those eyes, once filled with ambition and greed, finally settled on an empty expression.
Marshall D. Teach -- died.
He died in the underground laboratory on Hachinosu.
He died on a cold metal bed.
He died at the height of his power, before he could even Impel Down or recruit followers.
He hadn't even had a chance to reveal his true colors to Whitebeard, nor had he had a chance to fulfill his insane dream of becoming the " King of the World."
In the original story, he stirred up a massive storm, orchestrated the Paramount War, seized the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, became one of the Four Emperors, and was once regarded by countless pirates as the final boss.
Here, they fell silently and without a trace.
Roy withdrew his finger, not even glancing at him again.
He walked to the lab bench and picked up an ordinary apple that had been prepared beforehand.
He placed the apple on the metal tray beside him, then stepped back a few paces and pulled over a chair to sit down.
His Telekinesis surged from his body, completely sealing off the entire laboratory space, and then gradually contracting.
A few minutes later, fine purple spiral patterns began to appear on the apple's skin.
The lines start from the apple's stem and spread out, like vines winding around the apple's skin, becoming denser and deeper.
Ultimately, the apple took the form of a terrifying purple Devil Fruit.
The fruit is irregularly shaped, and its skin is a deep, almost dark purple that gleams with a dim sheen under the light.
Purple spiral patterns are densely covering the surface of the fruit, each spiral seemingly trying to devour the surrounding light.
Holding it in your hand, you can feel a faint attraction, as if something is churning inside the fruit.
Dark-Dark Fruit.
This Devil Fruit, rated as the "most vicious" by the World Government, is the opposite of the Gum-Gum Fruit, Nika Form.
One represents the sun, and the other represents darkness.
One can bring liberation, the other can devour everything.
The Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika has been a source of fear for the World Government for eight hundred years, while the Dark-Dark Fruit, its opposite, may be the key to defeating the mysterious " Imu ".
Roy placed the Dark-Dark Fruit into a specially made Seastone box.
The inner walls of the box are inlaid with high-purity Seastone, which can completely isolate the aura of the Devil Fruit, so even the most skilled Observation Haki cannot detect its presence.
"Doctor, replicate Blackbeard's physique as soon as possible. This will be the key to the complete rise of our Hachinosu."
"Understood, Captain!"
After doing all this, we arrived at the treasure vault and pressed the combination lock on the wall.
The alloy doors of the treasure vault slid open silently behind him.
Hachinosu's treasure trove is even richer than it was twenty years ago, with rows of stone display shelves filled with all sorts of weapons, treasures, and Devil Fruit.
But Roy's gaze was fixed on the two Seastone boxes placed side by side at the deepest part.
He walked to the box, placed the box containing the Dark-Dark Fruit on his right, and stood it side by side with the box on his left that had been there for a long time.
The Soul-Soul Fruit is sealed in the box on the left.
The Dark-Dark Fruit is now sealed in the box on the right.
The two fruits represent the control of the soul and the devouring of darkness.
In addition to Roy's own Telekinesis Fruit, all three of the top-tier Devil Fruit are now in the hands of Hachinosu.
"The secret of the multiple fruits has been revealed."
Roy looked at the two boxes, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Everything is ready now, except for the final push.
"Once the final research is completed, that will be the time for me to take that final step."
A blurry figure flashed through his mind—the mysterious being sitting on the Empty Throne.
Imu.
The true ruler who has ruled the world for eight hundred years.
A cold glint flashed in Roy's eyes, and he spoke in a voice so low that only he could hear it.
" Imu, you've sat on your throne long enough."
Roy turned and walked out of the vault.
The alloy door closed slowly behind him, making a heavy metallic clanging sound.
The treasure vault was plunged into darkness once more, with only the combination locks on the two Seastone boxes flashing faint red indicator lights in the shadows, as if waiting for the day they would be reopened.
Back in his office, Roy sat down in a chair and picked up the Den Den Mushi from his desk.
The sound of ship horns blaring as ships entered the harbor came from the outer harbor of Hachinosu.
The cadres who were withdrawn from Alabasta are returning one after another, and the sounds of crew members and shouts of carrying supplies can be heard from the port.
The path ahead has never been clearer.
Roy leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
A moment later, he opened his eyes again, picked up a document from the table, and began to review it.
One by one, the pieces were placed on the board, and the situation on the board was progressing according to his plan.
The time is running out for that great war that will change the course of the world.
Before this great battle begins, he must ensure that every piece on Hachinosu is in the most suitable position.