A colossal, pitch-black tree pierced the heavens, its sprawling canopy blotting out the sun. As it rose, an oppressive and terrifying aura erupted, sending a violent shudder through the very foundations of the world.
Across the globe, people scrambled out of their homes in a panic. They looked toward the horizon, eyes wide with or terror, as they beheld the gargantuan silhouette.
"Gods above... what is that?"
"How can a tree be that massive? It's horrifying!"
"It's an omen... a sign of the end times!"
"Could there be treasure up there? Is the One Piece hidden within that giant tree?"
The sudden appearance of the black monolith left the world in a state of shock. The heart-stopping pressure radiating from it sent waves of dread through the masses, leading many to believe a great calamity was about to descend upon the world.
Yet, for others, fear was quickly replaced by greed. To the lawless—the pirates and bounty hunters—the tree represented a golden opportunity, perhaps the ultimate treasure. Driven by the thrill of the hunt, countless crews set sail, shouting in excitement as they charted a course toward the distant, dark spire.
The Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Up close, the tree was even more imposing. Its trunk was a void-like black, shot through with shimmering veins of gold. A faint, chilling mist swirled around its base, and a sense of profound unease emanated from its bark.
Standing in the shadow of the titan, even the strongest warriors felt a cold shiver crawl down their spines.
"It's massive... is this the Devil Mother Tree?"
"I feel like I'm standing in the middle of a winter island. The chill is bone-deep."
However, the trepidation of some was soon overtaken by the avarice of others. High above, nestled among the dark leaves, were fruits of every shape and color. Each one bore the unmistakable swirls of a Devil Fruit.
There weren't just dozens, or even hundreds. Thousands of Devil Fruits hung from the branches like common apples in an orchard. The sight was enough to make the gathered powerhouses freeze in their tracks.
In the outside world, finding a single Devil Fruit was a stroke of legendary luck. Here, a literal sea of them was ripe for the picking.
"Is that... the Horse-Horse Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Model Pegasus?"
"Look! The Warp-Warp Fruit! I've been searching for that power for years!"
"Wait, isn't that the Dark-Dark Fruit? Didn't Blackbeard eat that? Does this mean he's dead?"
Those familiar with the Encyclopedia of Devil Fruits began to identify the treasures above, their eyes turning red with longing. However, despite the temptation, no one dared to move. The atmosphere was too thick with danger. They knew the Devil Mother Tree controlled those who bore its fruit; to eat one now was to surrender one's soul.
Moreover, a haunting sound drifted down from the canopy—a series of shrill, piercing shrieks. It was the "Devil's Roar," the sound of the spirits within the fruits crying out in a twisted, malevolent chorus.
Suddenly, the leaves of the Devil Mother Tree began to rustle violently.
"Die! All of you, die!"
A voice filled with primordial rage echoed in everyone's ears.
From the black trunk, dozens of thick vines lashed out. They were etched with glowing gold patterns, moving with the predatory speed of vipers. In the blink of an eye, the vines had encircled the entirety of Mary Geoise, cutting off all paths of retreat.
Simultaneously, the high branches shook. Countless transparent wooden spikes manifested among the leaves. With a thunderous vibration, they were launched downward—a rain of arrows aimed at the crowd below.
"Defensive positions! Now!" Roger roared, his face pale.
He lunged forward, his blade flashing as he attempted to intercept the projectiles. Beside him, the other legends moved in a blur of steel and Haki.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sounds of metal striking metal rang out. Each wooden spike felt as though it were forged from the densest alloy, carrying a weight that defied its appearance.
But that was only the beginning. The branches themselves began to extend, sharpening into lethal points that lunged like striking cobras.
Dracule Mihawk and "Red-Haired" Shanks moved in unison. Two massive arcs of blue and red sword intent soared upward, aiming to cleave through the encroaching wood.
Crrr-ack!
To their horror, the sword beams shattered upon contact. The branches remained unscathed, continuing their descent without a single scratch. Roger, Rayleigh, and "Steel Bone" Kong met with the same result. Their strongest attacks were useless against the tree's unnatural durability.
Grim realization dawned on the group. They couldn't stop this.
However, in that desperate moment, a figure flickered into existence at a far corner of the city. It was Senju Tobirama. Simultaneously, on the opposite side of the battlefield, the blond-haired Minato Namikaze appeared.
Both men's hands moved in a blur of cinematic speed, weaving complex hand seals.
"Now!"
Black seal formulas raced across the ground from their feet, spreading like a web. Within heartbeats, the ink-like markings connected, forming a massive, glowing array that encompassed the entirety of Mary Geoise.
"Super-Large... Flying Thunder God Array!"
Tobirama and Minato roared in unison. The seal on the ground erupted in a blinding pillar of white light.
BOOM!
The tree's branches slammed into the earth with apocalyptic force, pulverizing the stone and soil. The impact was enough to reshape the coastline.
Meanwhile, over a hundred nautical miles away, on a secluded, silent island, a flash of white light illuminated the beach.
In an instant, the entire population of warriors and survivors from the Holy Land appeared on the sand, gasping for air, safe from the carnage they had left behind.
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T/N:
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