It was an "elegant" posture that didn't quite match its appearance—
A crystal demon, dressed in a tuxedo and wearing a tattered fedora, removed his hat and bowed gracefully.
"Eating too many sweets isn't good for you, ma'am..."
Hiruluk said with a smile.
Chapter 253: The Birth of a Legion
It was an "elegant" posture that didn't quite match its appearance—
A crystal demon, dressed in a tuxedo and wearing a tattered fedora, removed his hat and bowed gracefully.
"Eating too many sweets isn't good for you, ma'am..."
Hiruluk said with a smile.
...
Crystal Demon Virus—
This was a highly unusual virus created by the scientist Caesar Clown, combining the discarded research of the world's top scientist Vegapunk with his own Gas-Gas Fruit.
This virus could spread rapidly through contact with blood.
Years later, "Calamity" Queen would also develop a similar virus, naming it the "Ice Demon Virus."
But the Ice Demon Virus was not entirely the same as the Crystal Demon Virus.
Infected individuals contracted with the Crystal Demon Virus would grow countless hard crystal solids on their bodies, like an impenetrable crystal armor.
Furthermore, due to the virus's properties, the infected would become extremely aggressive, and their physical abilities would greatly increase, turning them into fierce crystal demons!
Caesar and his brother Doflamingo released this virus in the Aden Kingdom in the North Blue, using the fabricated infectious disease "Lead Coat illness" as a pretext to set elaborate traps for the Four Seas Alliance.
The goal was to obtain the crucial Op-Op Fruit and to secure a position among the Seven Warlords of the Sea for his brother Donquixote Doflamingo.
However, ultimately, under the intervention of the Four Seas Alliance, Caesar Clown and his brother Doflamingo were captured, and the Donquixote family collapsed.
Yet, as is the outcome of all wars.
Even though the warring parties were no longer fighting, the "traces" they left behind could not be easily erased.
The Crystal Demon Virus remained in the Aden Kingdom.
Although the "core crystal" Caesar used to control the Crystal Demon Virus infected had shattered, and those driven mad by the virus had regained their consciousness.
At the same time, due to the disappearance of the Crystal Demon Virus core crystal, the virus itself lost its activity and the terrifying infectivity it had upon contact.
However, the people infected with the Crystal Demon Virus could not recover.
Their bodies were still covered in those hard, solid crystals.
Although the Crystal Demon Virus had lost its extreme activation ability due to the absence of the core crystal, causing the crystals on the infected's bodies to shrink slightly.
Even so, "land that has been bombarded by artillery" cannot easily recover.
Just like the land, so were the infected.
The solid crystals on their bodies could no longer be removed; they had deeply penetrated their bodies, eventually becoming a part of them.
Fortunately, without the core crystal, these crystals would no longer further erode the infected's bodies or threaten their lives.
Even more fortunately, the Crystal Demon Virus still enhanced the infected's bodies; the infected individuals still possessed superhuman physical abilities.
And for "Quack" Hiruluk, the "luck" concerning the Crystal Demon Virus was far more than this.
Due to the invasion of the Crystal Demon Virus, the lesions within Hiruluk's body were also eroded.
Afterward, the Crystal Demon Virus lost its activation ability, but the eroded lesions were completely replaced by the Crystal Demon Virus, perfectly maintaining the original bodily functions!
In other words, Hiruluk's incurable disease was accidentally cured by the Crystal Demon Virus!
This was something even Doctor Kureha had never imagined.
And it wasn't just Hiruluk; the vast majority of "patients" infected with the Crystal Demon Virus had successfully treated their illnesses.
Those few who were not cured experienced significant relief, with no issues in their daily lives.
...
"Coincidence? Or destiny?"
"No... neither..."
"It should be said... it's the duality of things, perfectly breaking convention..."
Kureha, after examining Hiruluk's body, marveled.
...
In conclusion, the terminal illness that constantly threatened Hiruluk's life had been completely eradicated.
Those infected with the Crystal Demon Virus called themselves "The Forsaken."
Under the promotion of the Four Seas Alliance, those who voluntarily joined the Four Seas Alliance were united, and the Four Seas Alliance Forsaken Legion was established.
Furthermore, due to "Quack" Hiruluk's active performance in the Aden Kingdom, the Forsaken people greatly admired the doctor wearing the tattered fedora and regarded him as their leader.
Hiruluk was quite troubled by this.
He was, after all, a "doctor" and knew nothing about leading troops into battle.
However, Rowan was happy to see this and comforted Hiruluk.
"Just follow your 'heart' when necessary."
Rowan grinned, "Believe in 'miracles,' just as you said!"
...
Some time later, Hiruluk had become the spiritual and actual leader of the Forsaken Legion.
Indeed.
After all, strictly speaking, although the Forsaken Legion was an incredibly powerful force, most of its members were ordinary residents of the Aden Kingdom.
Although there were also some soldiers from the Aden Kingdom, the Aden Kingdom was, after all, a small country not valued by the World Government.
Let alone "wars," they rarely even had conflicts with pirates!
Therefore, these Forsaken with their immense power truly needed a "guide."
Hiruluk was very suitable for this position.
The person guiding the Forsaken didn't need overly powerful strength but a strong heart.
He could not be controlled by his own great power; instead, he had to use his heart to control his own great power!
This was the "miraculous" power possessed by "Quack" Hiruluk!
...
Besides this, there was one more thing.
It wasn't important, but Rowan cared about it a great deal.
Not long ago, Hiruluk returned to Drum Island.
There, he met the rumored "Snowman" of Drum Island.
It was called a snowman, but in reality, it was just a reindeer with a blue nose who had eaten the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Human.
That reindeer was named "Tony Tony Chopper!"
Others didn't know what happened between Hiruluk and the raccoon-like reindeer.
But in short, Hiruluk adopted him.
...
In Hiruluk's own words—
"Ahahaha, what does it matter? We're all 'monsters'!"
The Forsaken infected with the Crystal Demon Virus, and a reindeer who ate a Devil Fruit...
Indeed, both of them were "monsters."
...
Now, facing the Big Mom Pirates, Chopper stood by Hiruluk's side.
His animal instincts told Chopper that these people were terrifyingly powerful!
But with Hiruluk by his side, Chopper was not afraid.
"Alright, Chopper, watch closely..."
Hiruluk slowly clenched his fist, his gaze meeting the Four Emperor, Charlotte Linlin, known as "BIGMOM."
"Watch closely—our power!"