After a series of rigorous experiments, the conclusion was that his body had no adverse effects and remained very healthy. However, the Devil Fruit ability did influence his personality. If he couldn't suppress this power, it might eventually consume him, possibly even leading to death.
"At least I'm relieved now. For the moment, I can suppress it quite well." Roy said as he put on his clothes.
He knew his own body best. The less he used the power, the weaker its influence would be. He wasn't going to use the ability unnecessarily.
Awakening was nothing more than the complete release of a Devil Fruit's power. As long as he didn't deliberately awaken and use it, generally there wouldn't be any issue.
The problem was that this fruit had awakened passively, meaning its power had been unleashed from the moment he consumed it.
The only way to suppress it was through Conqueror's Haki. An ordinary person would only last a day or two under such pressure.
"Power always comes with a price. I gained the strength to kill the Elders, so of course, there's a cost."
"What are you planning to do next?" Pythagoras asked.
"It's time for us to leave. You all should get out quickly too. If you don't, that thing might attack." Roy said.
"You mean the Ancient Weapon?" Pythagoras asked.
"If nothing goes wrong, it's highly likely," Roy replied.
A single strike had caused the sea level to rise by a meter and triggered a world-scale earthquake. The existence of the Ancient Weapon Uranus was already affecting the entire planet.
Staying here any longer was too dangerous. The timing wasn't right.
"Then indeed, we should leave now," Shaka said.
"Have you packed everything up?" Roy asked.
"It's all ready. We'll depart first." Shaka replied.
"They won't be able to find you in the sky. Let's part ways here," Roy said, raising his fist.
Shaka bumped fists with him and watched as Roy left the laboratory.
The Sky Island–cloud generating device activated, releasing a massive amount of Island Clouds, carrying Punk Records and the lab away from Egghead.
Meanwhile, in Pangaea Castle at Mary Geoise, only three of the original Five Elders remained.
The three exchanged glances, they had already sensed it. The voices of Saint Mars and Saint Saturn were gone.
Tap… tap… tap…
Footsteps echoed as the doors of the Room of Authority opened. Two people walked in.
The three Elders knew, these were their new "star" companions.
"Although it's unexpected, one of them was within reason, while the other was beyond anticipation…" Nusjuro gritted his teeth.
"This is Imu-sama's order. Given your failed mission, the fact that you haven't been punished is already a tremendous act of mercy," Figarland Garling said, taking Saturn's former seat as he addressed the three.
"Show some respect, Garling" Saint Warcury said in a deep voice.
"I don't think it's necessary. With two of you dead, what dignity is left?" Garling retorted.
"You haven't faced him yet. Once you do, you'll understand." Ju Peter said.
"If I ever encounter such a lowly creature, I'll kill him instantly. Unlike you, I wouldn't have left him alive. Don't you agree… Kong?" Garling raised his eyes toward the figure who had taken Mars' former seat.
This man still wore a white Marine coat, yet instead of the word "Justice," it bore the word "World."
It was none other than Steel Bone Kong, the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government's , now elevated as one of the Five Elders, the new Warrior God of Environment.
Kong remained silent, arms folded across his chest. Like the others, he too had already obtained immortality.
Otherwise, how could someone of his age still be alive and serving as Commander-in-Chief?
Among the original nineteen Celestial Dragon families, not all descendants were useless. Many elites emerged among them. The Holy Knights weren't composed only of Celestial Dragons, they could also accept outsiders.
Kong himself had once been a Celestial Dragon. In the era before Sengoku, the position of Fleet Admiral was still firmly controlled by the Celestial Dragons. That was why the God Valley Incident had been treated as routine by the Marines.
It wasn't until Sengoku's generation that the Marines began to truly change.
Ignoring Garling's question, Kong crossed his arms and said calmly, "We are colleagues now, fellow 'stars.' I'd like to know what happened previously. You need to explain to us exactly how that guy managed to kill Mars and Saturn."
Having received Imu's power, Kong had thought himself virtually immortal. Now, hearing that two Elder had died, he couldn't help but feel unease. He wanted to know, what killed them, and could it be avoided?
"It was an ability. Roy wasn't a Devil Fruit user before. But recently, he gained a new power. Months ago, he conducted an experiment on Egghead, creating a monster. That's the ability he now possesses."
From a drawer, Ju Peter pulled out a photograph. It showed the Resetment Entity. Kong and Garling examined the picture carefully.
"He named it the Black Sun Fruit. The most critical detail is that it was copied from the Nika Fruit. You should already know the origin of that fruit."
"The Black Sun has a power similar to the Dark-Dark Fruit, able to suppress other Devil Fruits. But it also shares Nika's trait of creating things freely at will." Nusjuro explained.
Kong and Garling stared at the photo and documents. This man would be their greatest enemy in the future, the flame that must be extinguished.
"What's our next move?" Kong asked after setting the files down.
"We need to strengthen our forces." Saint Nasujuro said.
"The Marine's power is already severely weakened. Kizaru has been captured." Warcury added.
"Kizaru was captured?" Kong had only just learned of this.
"Yes, along with all the Marines stationed at Egghead." Warcury confirmed.
"Should we continue the mass conscription? The last one already stirred great resentment among the nations, sparking the Eight-Nation Revolution led by the Revolutionary Army. Now, Mary Geoise faces a food shortage, and the allied nations are beginning to voice discontent. If we keep pushing, it will only weaken them further, making it easier for the Revolutionary Army to succeed." Kong reasoned.
"Those worthless insects don't matter. As long as we hold power, the world belongs to us. Continue the conscription." Nusjuro insisted.
"I think we should be more cautious. At the very least, we should seek Imu-sama's approval." Kong said.
"If we had to ask Imu-sama about every little matter, what would be the point of our existence? The decision is made, Kong." Warcury cut him off.
"Do you three all agree? By our rules, a decision requires four votes." Kong pressed.
"I agree as well." Garling aised his hand.
"Garling, you too…" Kong turned to look at him.
"I believe not only should we conscript, but we must initiate a worldwide purge. We should wipe out all the trash, just as we did nine hundred years ago. Even the Giants cannot be spared, after all, they once ruled the New World."
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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