A colossal black tree pierced the heavens, its branches and leaves blotting out the sky. An oppressive, terrifying aura erupted, causing the entire world to shudder violently.
People across the globe were startled, rushing out of their homes in alarm to gaze upon the titanic tree on the horizon.
"My God, what is that?"
"How can a tree be so huge? It looks terrifying!"
"This... this is an ill omen!"
"Could there be treasure there? Is the One Piece within that suddenly appeared giant web?"
The sudden appearance of the colossal tree on the horizon caused many to stare wide-eyed, especially after feeling that heart-palpitating pressure moments before, which left countless people utterly shocked.
Following the initial shock, a sense of panic took root in some hearts. They believed the black tree was a harbinger of calamity, a sign that great disaster was about to befall the world.
Others, however, grew excited. They felt the giant tree might conceal boundless treasure, an opportunity of a lifetime.
Most who held this belief were pirates and bounty hunters, and among them, the Straw Hat Pirates were already on the move.
In an instant, many shouted with excitement, rushing towards the direction of the black giant tree, intent on seizing the treasure!
Holy Land Mary Geoise.
A faint black mist coiled around its form.
The massive trunk was pitch black, with golden light flowing across its surface. A subtle aura radiated from the tree, and a thin layer of black energy shimmered around it.
Standing not far from the colossal tree, many people couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts, their faces revealing fear and dread.
"So huge... is this the Demon Mother Tree?"
"I feel freezing cold all over, as if standing on a winter island. It's so terrifying!"
Yet, some fixed their gazes on the branches and leaves high up on the Demon Mother Tree.
There, fruits of various colors and bizarre shapes hung from the branches—clearly, they were Devil Fruits.
Looking around, Devil Fruits hung everywhere, their number likely reaching several thousand. This staggering sight left everyone present dumbfounded.
In the past, obtaining a Devil Fruit was a rare stroke of luck, something discovered with great difficulty on some remote island.
But now, thousands of Devil Fruits were displayed before their very eyes. The spectacle left many staring, their eyes nearly popping out.
It was simply too magnificent!
"That Devil Fruit... it looks like the Horse-Horse Fruit, Mythical Zoan Type, Pegasus Model!"
"Heavens, the Shape-Shape Fruit! That's a legendary ability people have been searching for forever!"
"That one seems to be the Dark-Dark Fruit. Didn't Blackbeard eat it? Could he be dead?"
Those more familiar with the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia gradually recognized the fruits on the trunk, unable to suppress their envy and greed.
Of course, it was only envy. None dared to act recklessly at this moment.
Moreover, Devil Fruit users were being controlled by the Demon Mother Tree. Even if some harbored desires for these fruits, they wouldn't dare make a move rashly, let alone have the courage to consume another Devil Fruit.
Not to mention, from among the Devil Fruits on the tree, horrifying, sharp, ear-piercing shrieks continuously erupted—the cries of the trapped souls within.
Just then, the branches and leaves of the Demon Mother Tree suddenly began to move.
"Perish, all of you!"
A voice filled with rage drifted into everyone's ears.
From the black trunk ahead, countless black vines suddenly extended, golden patterns flowing along them like venomous snakes.
These vines moved with incredible speed, in the blink of an eye encircling the entire perimeter of the Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Simultaneously, the high branches shook. Transparent wooden thorns appeared on the massive leaves. With a violent tremor, these thorns transformed into a sky-blanketing rain of arrows, shooting down from above towards the crowd below.
"Defend!"
Gol D. Roger and the others paled, shouting urgently as they themselves charged forward, their swords slashing out rapidly.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
A series of clear metallic clashes rang out. Each wooden thorn was as hard as forged metal, unyielding.
Yet, this assault was only the beginning. Suddenly, the branches in mid-air elongated, becoming sharp and fierce, like vipers, shooting down from the sky at blinding speed!
Dracule Mihawk and Shanks moved simultaneously. Two sword beams shot towards the branches, aiming to sever them.
However, upon collision, the sword beams instantly shattered, failing to inflict any damage on the branches whatsoever!
Roger, Silvers Rayleigh, Kong, and the others all swiftly attacked, but the result was the same—they were utterly powerless to stop those branches.
The faces of the crowd tightened.
This wave... they might not be able to withstand it.
Yet, suddenly, Tobirama Senju's figure abruptly appeared in a corner outside the walls of the Holy Land Mary Geoise. In the diagonally opposite corner, the handsome blond, Minato Namikaze, also materialized.
Both men's hands rapidly formed hand seals. Dark, intricate formulas rapidly extended from beneath their feet.
In an instant, the formulas interconnected, forming a massive array that enveloped the entire Holy Land Mary Geoise.
"Super-Scale Flying Thunder God Formation Technique!"
Tobirama Senju and Minato Namikaze roared in unison. The array on the ground erupted with a brilliant white light.
*BOOM!*
The branches descending from the sky, carrying their terrifying offensive force, crashed down. A deafening explosion erupted, and the ground was instantly obliterated.
At the same moment, over a hundred nautical miles away.
On a secluded island, a flash of white light shimmered. A group of people appeared there—precisely all the inhabitants who had been within the Holy Land Mary Geoise.
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T/N:
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