A crescent moon rose over the horizon, and Vic, who was sitting by the lake, opened his eyes. It wasn't that Vic didn't want to take advantage of the two weeks of waiting to explore the Mirror Tree, but the lake water was highly poisonous, and even with his current strength, he couldn't withstand the toxins in the lake water.
The lake water will only become non-toxic for a period of time after the giant tree drops its Mystery Fruit. Although Vic doesn't know the reason behind this, he can only wait for that time to come.
As time went by, ferocious beasts began to gather at the lakeside. This was a spectacular scene that unfolded on the island every month on the night of the full moon. The Mystery Fruit was indeed very attractive to these animals driven only by their basic desires.
The fact that the Mystery Fruit can awaken their intelligence is an extraordinary opportunity, much like how humans discover a fruit that grants immortality—a phenomenon far more astounding than that of these animals.
Although the ferocious beasts had surrounded the lake, none of them dared to get too close to Vic. The area around where he sat was open for twenty meters to the left and right. Vic's powerful aura was not concealed, and these beasts could sense it. In their limited intelligence, Vic was a more ferocious and powerful two-legged creature than them, and getting close would be dangerous and could lead to their deaths at any moment.
As the moon rose higher in the sky, the crescent moon grew rounder and brighter. The animals by the lake began to growl restlessly. The beasts that had been living in harmony began to rub against each other, jostling for advantageous positions. Many beasts were knocked into the lake, letting out desperate screams, and instantly turned into skeletons that sank to the bottom. This was the terror of the lake.
When the full moon shone brightly over the entire island, the mysterious giant tree was fully revealed from the lake. Its lush leaves dripped water, and the Mystery Fruit hanging from its branches glowed faintly, as if they were absorbing the moonlight.
Vic had seen this breathtaking sight many times before, and it had become commonplace. He just needed to wait patiently for a while until ripe fruit fell, after which it would be time for him to investigate.
Under the full moon's glow, two fruits that had absorbed enough moonlight grew brighter and brighter until they detached from their stems and fell to the ground. The ferocious beasts by the lake went berserk at the sight, rushing into the lake and shoving and fighting each other.
Unfortunately, their speed was negligible compared to Vic's. A bolt of Inazuma shot into the ground beneath the tree, and before the two fruits could fall into the lake, Vic, who had transformed into human form, had them in his pocket.
Then Vic immediately released a strong Conqueror's Haki, which frightened all the ferocious beasts so much that they lay prostrate on the spot, not daring to move. Even with the huge temptation of the Mystery Fruit, Thunder Pool the line. It was an absolute suppression from their bloodline when facing their natural enemy, a fear that seemed to be engraved in their bones.
Ignoring the ferocious beasts and Sea Kings that were intimidated, Vic used his Geppo to wander among the canopy of the giant tree, exploring this mysterious tree. How should he decipher the secret inscription within the tree that promised godhood?
Not long after, the giant tree trembled and slowly sank into the lake as if it had completed its mission. However, despite his long investigation, Vic found nothing unusual about the giant tree, even when he used Observation Haki.
Of course, it's already quite extraordinary that it could hide in a highly poisonous lake and produce such miraculous fruit, but that's not the answer Vic is looking for.
As the giant tree gradually disappeared into the lake, Vic felt the gravity that had disappeared return, growing stronger and stronger. Vic could no longer withstand this gravity and could only fly back to the shore, watching the last few branches and leaves of the giant tree sink into the lake.
Although this lake is not large, the gravity above it is no weaker than that on Titan Island. Even with Vic's current strength, he cannot reach the central area of Titan Island. Moreover, the lake below is filled with highly toxic water, and there is nowhere to support him. He cannot stay airborne by stepping on the air; if he falls, he will be dissolved by the lake water.
It's not that Vic isn't strong enough; it's just that since this place was a backup plan left by Joy Boy, it's not a simple place. It's normal that Vic couldn't withstand the gravity and lake water here. The person who set up this place was probably also doing so to guard against the World Government.
"The toxins here should be stronger than Magellan's Devil Fruit power, and the gravity should be stronger than Issho's Devil Fruit power, yet they all lost their effect after the giant tree appeared. How did Joy Boy manage to do that?"
Even if Devil Fruit User can change the environment after Awakening power, the environment should remain unchanged. Such large and repeated changes seem to be artificially set up, which is not something Awakening user can do. Such magical methods are simply incomprehensible!
Is there really a realm of divinity, something only gods can achieve? What exactly does "becoming a god within a tree" refer to?
Vic stood by the lake, looking at the now calm surface of the water. He thought to himself that the ferocious beasts that had surrounded the lake had fled after Vic stopped releasing his Conqueror's Haki. Only a few scattered beasts remained, seemingly unwilling to leave, hoping to find something to eat. However, Vic ignored them. They were so terrified that even when he was lying there, none of them dared to attack him. Vic was confident in that much.
Seeing the layout here, Vic became even more convinced that there was a "god" level involved. When he first came here and saw these magical sights, he thought it was a setup by Imu or some mysterious powerful figure. However, since Imu had never made a move, some of his magical methods were understandable.
But now that it's been discovered that Joy Boy was behind the scheme, using methods that are completely incomprehensible, one can't help but think of the saying "becoming a god in a tree." However, Vic didn't find any clues just now.
So Vic decided to wait here for another month. If he still couldn't find any clues by the next full moon, he would continue searching for the Poneglyph. Perhaps the secret to becoming a god in the tree was recorded in other Poneglyph; this was a possibility he had considered during his previous analysis.
The island had plenty of food and drink, and a month was nothing. During Vic's training, the next full moon night arrived quickly. However, the heavens were not cooperating this time; the sky was covered with dark clouds, and it looked like a downpour was about to begin!
However, Vic didn't intend to wait another month. He raised his hand and unleashed a bolt of lightning into the clouds, followed by a slash imbued with the Artistic Conception of Wind. The dark clouds in the sky gradually dissipated, revealing the crescent moon that had been obscured.
Everything was back on track. Vic had encountered this kind of weather several times before, and he always solved it this way. He didn't want to make a wasted trip and waste a month of his time.