"Jack, did you gain any new abilities?" Leo continued asking. If he remembered correctly, each Dragon-Level monster should have its own unique ability.
Jack quietly sensed his own body, responding in a low voice, "Lord Leo, look~"
As he finished, the mammoth's massive trunk swung upward. From its two nostrils shot two masses of scorching flame. The flames lit up the entire hall, their power seemingly able to incinerate everything.
"This... is this still an Ancient Zoan mammoth's ability?!" Queen's two beady eyes popped out comically. The other Beasts members were equally dumbfounded.
Leo looked at Jack, the images of two flames reflected in his pupils. He chuckled and shook his head. As expected, the Burn-Burn Fruit was something even a dog wouldn't eat.
"Alright." Leo waved his hand. Jack promptly retracted the ability.
"Lord Leo, what about these other two..." Queen swallowed hard, his burning gaze fixed on the other two Monster Cells, his eyes gleaming with unconcealed greed and covetousness. If eating one allowed Jack to transform completely, then he and King... King remained silent, but the heat in his eyes was in no way inferior to Queen's.
Leo smiled and nodded. "These two are prepared for you." If even Jack could withstand the side effects of a Dragon-Level cell, Queen and King were even less of a problem.
With Leo's permission, Queen and King hesitated no longer, each taking one. The scene that followed was identical to Jack's consumption. Under the side effects, the two men writhed in pain on the ground. While suffering, their bodies were also silently undergoing the Dragon-Level cell's transformation. Their cells rapidly multiplied, their sizes visibly increasing.
One minute.
Two minutes.
Three minutes later, the chaotic cries gradually calmed down.
Gulp~
Gulp~
Another chorus of swallowed saliva. Even with mental preparation, seeing the fully transformed Queen and King, everyone still felt a sense of incredulity. In terms of size, both had swelled to over ten meters tall. Their auras were even more intense than Jack's. The fat on Queen's body had all turned into toned muscle. The pteranodon wings on King's back were larger and sharper than before. Most striking was the pair of curved dragon horns that had just grown on his forehead.
ROAR!!
Without waiting for Leo to ask, Queen and King showily transformed into their hybrid forms.
"Show me your abilities." Leo smiled.
Queen's figure flashed. Moving at a speed impossible to catch with the naked eye, he vanished instantly, then appeared beside Jack.
"I..." Before Jack could react, he was lifted high overhead by Queen.
Everyone was stunned for a moment. Though Jack was in human form, his frame was still ten meters tall. This sufficiently demonstrated the level of power Queen had attained.
"Lord Leo, I didn't develop a new ability, but my defense, attack power, and agility have all improved significantly." Queen said proudly.
"Not bad." Leo nodded slightly. A comprehensive upgrade in physical attributes was in no way inferior to gaining a new ability.
"King, what about you?" Leo shifted his gaze.
King without another word, immediately began demonstrating before everyone.
Crackle~
Crackle~
The ferocious dragon horns on his head instantly lit up with bright electric arcs.
Lightning power?
Leo's eyes lit up. As someone possessing lightning power, he naturally knew its terrifying potential.
"With your current strength, even if you encounter Marine Admirals, you have the power to fight." Leo nodded with satisfaction. Three Dragon-Level Monster Cells in exchange for three Admiral-level utterly loyal followers—a huge bargain.
"Thank you, Lord Leo!"
"Thank you, Lord Leo!"
"Thank you, Lord Leo!" Queen and King released their forms simultaneously. The three of them dropped to one knee, bowing respectfully.
"Rise." Leo raised a hand in gesture.
"Ahem~ Lord Leo..." At that moment, Who's-Who, one of the Flying Six, stepped forward, rubbing his hands, looking as if he wanted to speak but hesitated.
"You also want to eat a Monster Cell?" Leo said with a light laugh.
"Monster Cell?" Who's-Who was taken aback, then understood. "Exactly. Lord Leo, I also wish to increase my strength to better serve you." Having said that, Who's-Who dropped to one knee.
"Lord Leo~"
"Lord Leo~" After him, Sasaki, Page One, and numerous Gifters and Headliners followed suit one after another, kneeling down. In the strength-worshipping Beasts Pirates, they craved power more than anyone—an idea Kaido, over his long tenure had subtly ingrained in their minds. Having personally witnessed the All-Stars transform completely before them, they naturally wouldn't let this opportunity slip.
"Don't worry, there's a share for you all." Leo took out three Demon-Level Monster Cells and a certain number of Tiger-Level cells. The ghostly green glint in everyone's eyes immediately flashed. This was the thing!
"Who's-Who, Sasaki, Page One, these three are for you." Leo pointed to the three Demon-Level cells. "The Gifters and Headliners eat these." He pointed to the other Tiger-Level cells. "Remember, you only gain strength if you withstand the side effects. If you fail, you only die. Also, one per person is sufficient. More will also kill you." Looking at the green-eyed Beasts members, Leo timely reminded them.
"Yes, Lord Leo!"
"Yes!" Everyone responded in turn.
After Leo left the hall, they swarmed forward. One Monster Cell per person, unhesitatingly stuffed into their mouths. The next second, the hall was filled with incessant screams.
Inside a damp, cold, sunless prison.
"Leo! Once I get out, I'll definitely kill you!!!"
"You damn bastard!!"
"Leo, let me out now!!" Ebbing and flowing roars passed through the prison, echoing throughout Onigashima.
Boom~ The door suddenly opened. Sunlight shone in from outside. Foraging little creatures startled, hurriedly hid in dark corners.
"LEO!!!" The voice grew increasingly hysterical. Kaido had already sensed the newcomer.
Leo, covering his nose and mouth, surveyed the surroundings with disgust. He walked straight into the deep darkness, where Kaido was imprisoned.
"LEO!!" Seeing an enemy made one's eyes blaze. Kaido's pupils instantly filled with blood vessels. He yanked forcefully, the chains on his body clanging. "I'll..." Mmm~ The Seastone took effect. Kaido's voice immediately lowered, his entire body slumping listlessly. To guard against any possibility, Leo had ordered Kaido to be wrapped into a dumpling with Seastone chains. He didn't believe Kaido could turn the world upside down like this.
"Kaido, stop struggling. I'm taking you to a good place now." Having said that, Leo took Kaido and teleported directly!
Grand Line, Florian Triangle.
Thriller Bark.
This was Gecko Moria's territory.
"Kishishishishi... My zombie army is about to take shape again!!" Inside the castle, the now more proportioned Gecko Moria spread his arms, letting out waves of strange laughter. After the Summit War, he had narrowly escaped death from Doflamingo's pursuit and brought back a large batch of corpses. After modifications by the wicked doctor Hogback and his own Devil Fruit ability, these corpses all became part of the zombie army. Adding the pirate crews that had stumbled in recently, he had gradually recreated a vast zombie army.
"They're all just trash. I don't know what you're so happy about." Beside him, Bartholomew Kuma crossed his legs, concentrating on flipping through the Bible in his hands, saying casually.
"You think everyone is as freakish as you?!" Moria instantly bristled, retorting mercilessly on the spot. What Kuma looked down on were his treasures.
"It's all that bastard Doflamingo's fault! If not for him, I'd have two ancient giant zombies right now!!" Remembering something, Moria bit his molars, clenching his fists tightly. Corpses of ancient giants like Oars and Little Oars Jr. were encountered by chance, not sought. But facing a life-or-death crisis at the time, he had no choice but to abandon Little Oars Jr.
"Without a suitable shadow, it's destined to be just a corpse." Kuma said without looking up.
"I'll be damned!! Bartholomew Kuma, does it hurt you not to contradict me for a day? Believe it or not, I'll cut your shadow and stuff it into Oars's body?!!" Moria shouted sharply, his face twisted ferociously.
"Hmm?" Kuma closed the Bible, slowly looking up. Meeting his indifferent gaze, Moria felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, his expression clearing once more.
"Kishishishishi~ Bartholomew, don't be angry. I was joking." Moria hurriedly put on an apologetic smile. Since the other had come here, conflicts were unavoidable. But every time, Moria would be convinced by Kuma's logic. Kuma snorted coldly, not bothering to argue further. Just as he prepared to open the Bible again, he suddenly stood up, his gaze sharpening. Moria's expression changed, doing the same.
"It's me!" The voice arrived before the person. The familiar voice made both sigh in relief.
"Captain." Leo appeared in the room with Kaido.
"Captain, you've come to—" "Hmm?" Moria, about to step forward to greet with a smile, found his gaze instantly drawn to the figure beside Leo.
"K-Kaido!!!" He let out a sharp screech, staring in disbelief at the tall figure tied up like a dumpling.
"Leo! Let me go now!!" Kaido's angry cursing continued. Hearing his name called, he instinctively looked up.
"Gecko Moria? Is that you?!" Kaido exclaimed in surprise. Immediately after, he saw... "Bartholomew Kuma?!!" In the blink of an eye, where had he been brought?
Kuma frowned, paying him no mind.
"Kishishishishi... Kaido, it really is you!!" Having snapped back to reality, Moria stared at Kaido with a venomous gaze, his grin almost reaching the back of his ears. He circled Kaido several times, his face full of scorn and disdain. In his battle with Kaido years ago, all his subordinates had died by Kaido's hand, leaving him all alone. After receiving Leo's boost, he had trained day and night, hoping to make a comeback and defeat Kaido one day. He never expected this day would come so quickly.
Moria cast an almost imperceptible glance at Leo, startled internally. Though he wanted to kill Kaido, he had to admit that Kaido's strength was truly unmatched on the seas. To think he had been defeated by Leo... Just how powerful was their Captain? Moria couldn't help but swallow his saliva, increasingly grateful for his initial decision. As the old saying went: Choice is greater than effort.
"Kishishishishi... Kaido, never thought you'd have today." Moria stretched out his long neck, getting close to Kaido's face, his eyes full of triumph.
"GECKO MORIA!!!" Kaido let out heavy breaths, his eyes gradually turning crimson. A former defeated opponent now daring to act so unrestrained before him—how could he not be furious?!
"Alright." Leo waved his hand, cutting off Moria's sarcastic remarks. Moria immediately stopped smiling, becoming serious. "Captain, you brought Kaido here to..." Boom!! Before Moria could finish, he suddenly remembered Leo's words before leaving. His gaze grew even hotter. "Captain, do you intend to use Kaido's shadow..."
"Correct." Leo nodded slightly. Moria and Kuma exchanged a glance, their hearts simultaneously stirring with towering waves. Stuff the shadow of the World's Strongest Creature, Kaido, into Oars's body?! This was too insane! After a brief moment of shock, wild joy surged in Moria's heart, his body trembling uncontrollably. Oars's body plus Kaido's shadow... it was unimaginable how terrifying the revived Oars would be!
"Get started quickly." Leo urged.
"Yes." Moria nodded hurriedly. "Someone! Take him to the underground prison."
Not long after, amidst Kaido's curses, he was dragged out of the castle by a group of zombies. After saying goodbye to Leo, Moria excitedly followed.
"Captain, is Bonney doing well?" After Moria left, Kuma asked calmly. All this time, he had missed Bonney day and night.
"Don't worry, she's in Dressrosa now." Leo responded flatly.
"Dressrosa?!" Kuma slightly frowned. Wasn't that Doflamingo's territory? "Captain, what about Doflamingo..."
"He's already dead." Kuma fell silent. It seemed during this time, Leo had again done some unknown, earth-shattering deeds.
"If you want to see Bonney, I can send you over now." Leo keenly sensed Kuma's hesitation. After so long, a father wanting to see his daughter was only natural.
"Troubling the Captain." Kuma was naturally willing.
Leo nodded and immediately teleported away with him.
A few minutes later.
"Hahahaha... This lady is back!! Still that familiar scent!" Perona stretched comfortably, greedily inhaling the surrounding air.
"Thank you, Captain." A sudden warm sensation touched Leo's cheek. The whimsical, pretty girl had offered her fragrant kiss.
After returning Kuma to Dressrosa, Leo had returned to Onigashima and brought Perona here.
"Captain, I'll go find Lord Moria first. I haven't seen him for so long; I miss him." Perona looked around while releasing Observation Haki to search for Moria.
"Let's go, I'll come with you."
"Great!" Perona put away her small umbrella, affectionately linking arms with Leo. The two walked out of the castle chatting and laughing.
The Deep Prison.
This was where Oars was held.
"Kishishishishi... Kaido, to think you'd fall into my hands one day!!" Moria took out his small scissors, measuring around Kaido's lower body. Kaido shivered, his throat bobbing instinctively.
"Gecko Moria! Once I'm out, I'll kill you first!!"
"Kill me?!" Moria shook his head disdainfully. "Kaido, just obediently contribute your shadow!" Moria acted swiftly!
"NO!!!" Moria couldn't be bothered with him, directly stuffing the shadow into Oars's body.
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T/N :
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