"This was your initial attempt to control others using the power of a Devil Fruit. However, due to your lack of experience, Tot Musica underwent an uncontrollable mutation.
But eventually, you mastered the technique and came to understand the limits of what the human body can endure. With the enhancement of this ability, those who willingly submit to you can draw immense power from your main body.
Whether it is Haki, Devil Fruit abilities, or perception, everything is amplified. Their recovery abilities even surpass those of Zoan users.
But in exchange, anyone marked by you can never resist you, at least not physically."
Shirogai smiled faintly.
"And with that, you gathered a group of powerful individuals who can never betray you. That is exactly how the God's Knights came to exist."
...
"Hiss, that sounds incredible!"
The two cowards who had been secretly eavesdropping exchanged looks, shock written across their faces.
"Usopp, we just heard something huge."
"Keep your voice down, Chopper!"
...
...
Imu fell silent for a brief moment after Shirogai exposed everything.
"You know quite a lot, don't you?"
The phantom figure twisted slightly, their voice calm yet distant.
"But what difference does it make? Apart from a select few, no one can rival the God's Knights. As long as I exist, they will remain undefeated."
"Hahahahaha!"
Shirogai laughed openly, his tone as carefree as Monkey D. Luffy.
"Hey, Imu. Hearing me say all this, do you feel relieved? Relieved that I have not uncovered what lies even deeper?"
His lips curled into a knowing smile.
"For example, why did you alter the name of Devil Fruits by adding the word 'Devil'? And why do Zoan users face the risk of losing themselves upon awakening, while Paramecia and Logia users do not?"
...
Imu went completely silent.
"You seem to know far more than you should."
A chilling glint flashed within Imu's blood-red eyes.
"Then you should also know this. Anyone who learns these secrets will not be allowed to live."
Clang!
An overwhelming killing intent tore through the dreamscape. Dark malice spread like a lurking beast, waiting to strike.
...
"Gulp..."
Standing on the crumbling fragments of the dream, the two eavesdroppers trembled.
Usopp's face turned pale as he looked at Chopper.
"My instincts are screaming at me. If we keep listening, we are finished!"
Chopper nodded frantically, sweat pouring down his face.
"If we stay, we are going to die!"
Usopp immediately turned, tiptoeing away as fast as he could.
"Then let's run! We can ask Shirogai later!"
"Right!"
But before they could escape.
Crack.
The fragment beneath their feet shattered completely.
"Ahhhhhh!"
"Help!"
They fell straight down, tumbling toward Tot Musica below, who had already noticed them.
...
...
Shirogai and Imu both glanced at them at the same time.
Then, their gazes met.
One carried absolute killing intent.
The other held a faint, amused smile.
Whoosh!
Both figures vanished instantly.
Clang! Boom!
Violent clashes erupted throughout the dream world. Waves of Haki collided, black lightning streaking across the sky as their power shattered countless dream fragments.
...
"Shirogai! Help!"
"The savior everyone longs for is coming ♪Ψ♪~~"
...
Amid Uta's sorrowful singing, Tot Musica opened its jagged maw and lunged forward, its massive claw reaching for Usopp and Chopper.
"Usopp, use your Devil Fruit ability!"
Chopper screamed.
"I can't! I am too nervous!"
Usopp covered his face in despair.
"Hmph. Move aside, you two idiots."
A cold voice cut through the chaos.
Whoosh!
A brilliant slash tore through the air like lightning. Beneath the falling pair, a figure appeared, suspended upside down.
Half of his presence radiated terrifying killing intent.
The other half carried quiet compassion.
"Compassion can sever thought, and slaughter can bring salvation. Joy and sorrow are illusions."
The shirtless swordsman spoke slowly.
"As long as battle continues, hope does not vanish. The Asura path is also a path to salvation."
Roronoa Zoro closed his eyes.
Nine phantom arms emerged, each wielding a blade.
His expression transformed, no longer fierce, but calm and serene.
"Oni Giri. Nine Sword Style. Asura. Compassionate Salvation Slash."
Whoosh!
An indescribable stillness spread across the dream.
Even Imu's dark malice seemed pushed aside.
Even Shirogai's overwhelming Haki softened under its presence.
Slash.
The blade passed through Tot Musica.
...
"A heart... battered by the rain ♪Ψ♪~~"
...
As the slash cut through, the monster's twisted face gradually relaxed, becoming peaceful.
"Lost and wandering... where to go..."
The broken song faded into silence.
...
For a brief moment, Tot Musica regained its humanity.
...
Before its end, it looked around, as if searching for something it could not find.
Its lips moved faintly.
Then it smiled.
A calm, final smile.
Click.
"All that has passed is like yesterday gone. All that comes is like today reborn."
Zoro stood with his back to the fading demon, sheathing his swords without looking back.
"You can rest now."
Crack!
Tot Musica's body shattered into countless fragments, dissolving into black rain within the dream.
Among the fading remnants, a single figure emerged.
A girl, unconscious and drifting.
It was Uta.
===
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