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Holding the Dark-Dark Fruit, Alex arrived at the research base.
Although the Dark-Dark Fruit held a certain allure, its prominence in Alex's mind had waned after he began using the Munch-Munch Fruit to capture and assimilate other Devil Fruits. Despite this shift in priority, the immense destructive power of the Dark-Dark Fruit—capable of creating black hole-like voids and exerting gravitational forces that even light cannot escape—was not to be underestimated.
Alex still deemed the Dark-Dark Fruit useful, particularly for sending Baccarat on missions to obtain designated items with her unparalleled luck-enhancing abilities. However, in the grand scheme of things, the fruit's utility felt somewhat diminished, as there was no suitable retainer to inherit its power.
Still, Alex was prepared for this possibility. Even before acquiring the Dark-Dark Fruit, he had initiated special experiments at the research base.
At the base, an extraordinary sight awaited. The BIG MOM Legion, a mechanical army enhanced with the combined physical attributes of Big Mom and Kaido, was undergoing field tests in a massive experimental arena. These mechanical warriors, augmented with advanced technologies, could harness the abilities of various Devil Fruit factors implanted within their memory-alloy bodies. Some transformed into animals, while others wielded fantastical Paramecia powers.
What was truly astonishing, however, was the seemingly organic evolution of these machines. They weren't merely utilizing their implanted abilities; they were learning, adapting, and even thinking as if they had developed souls. It was as if the mechanical carriers had transcended their artificial nature to become sentient beings.
This remarkable transformation was largely attributed to Hancock's unique contribution. By infusing the mechanical army with a mysterious soul-like essence through her abilities, she had taken their capabilities to an unprecedented level. This advancement marked a new era for the mechanical forces, as they moved beyond relying solely on biological factors for power.
Now, they were imbued with a semblance of life, allowing them to develop wisdom, acquire knowledge, and evolve like higher organisms. With immense learning potential and vast amounts of data implanted, these machines were turning into geniuses in various fields, capable of mastering combat skills like two-color Haki and even unique Devil Fruit techniques.
While Alex wasn't entirely sure how the original Seraphim Project in the world government allowed those creations to display advanced swordsmanship and martial arts, he was confident that the soul-infused BIG MOM Legion far surpassed the Seraphim in both physical power and evolutionary potential.
With Hancock's enhancements, these machines not only possessed intellect but also an unwavering loyalty to Alex, akin to the bond between Charlotte Linlin and her creations like Prometheus and Napoleon—or Hancock's own companions, Wendy, Salome, and Anubis.
This was the current state of the soul-imbued BIG MOM Legion.
However, Alex's visit to the research base wasn't focused on integrating the Dark-Dark Fruit into the Legion, even though they were already stronger than many top contenders of the inner court. Instead, Alex had decided to wield the fruit's immense gravitational power himself. The destructive pull of a black hole was not something he would entrust to another.
Moreover, the power of the soul would be critical to mastering the fruit, which was why Hancock had accompanied him.
"Master Alex, Lady Snake Princess," came the respectful greeting as the two entered the facility.
When Kang saw the visitor, he quickly stepped forward to greet them.
Though he and Hancock were both retainers of Alex, their standing was far from equal in certain aspects. Hancock, ever proud and commanding, did not allow any man aside from Alex to address her by name. Kang, having learned this lesson the hard way, now always prefaced her name with a respectful title.
"Is the weapon ready?" Alex asked with a curt nod.
"Yes, it's prepared," Kang replied. He gestured toward a nearby instrument cabinet, where a gleaming sword rested—its craftsmanship rivaling that of the legendary Yoru or Shusui.
The blade bore a resemblance to Akizakura, though it had yet to reach the level of a black blade. Even so, its intricate design revealed the unmistakable quality of a high-grade weapon. This sword was crafted by the Swordsmith Department, modeled after the appearance of famed blades, and forged using years of advanced techniques. While not quite at the level of a Supreme Grade Blade, it easily qualified as one of the Great Grade Blades.
Unbeknownst to the world, several Great Grade Blades had been created int the Sky Kingdom and Wano Country. The sword before them—crafted with high-strength memory alloy—was a worthy the same.
What made this blade extraordinary, however, was not just its materials or craftsmanship. It was imbued with Lineage Factors, making it capable of absorbing Devil Fruit powers. Much like the Napoleon, the living weapon wielded by Big Mom, this sword could host a soul and develop its own personality.
But this weapon was destined for even greater purpose. Unlike Napoleon, it would possess the fearsome powers of the Dark-Dark Fruit, under Alex's control.
"Let's begin," Alex said decisively.
Hancock, standing nearby, moved toward the counter without hesitation. Extending her hand, she summoned a soul-like construct of brilliant, glowing particles. The strange white energy radiated a golden brilliance, emanating a fierce aura of Conqueror's Haki that filled the room with a palpable pressure.
Under Hancock's careful control, the soul construct seemed to pulse with life before diving into the weapon. The sword, as if awakened, began to hum with energy. It floated upward on its own, guided by the soul's influence, and drifted toward Alex.
Grasping the sword firmly, Alex examined it. Though it felt no different from an ordinary blade in his hand, the subtle vitality emanating from within told a different story. This was no ordinary weapon—it had a consciousness, a personality all its own. After months of rigorous experimentation, its capabilities had been fully proven.
Alex then extended a finger, and the Dark-Dark Fruit, floating nearby, responded to his will. The fruit, now analyzed and recorded into a perfected state, hovered toward the weapon.
At his command, the sword's newly-formed mouth opened wide, swallowing the Devil Fruit in one gulp.
Moments later, a strange transformation began. Liquid-like black smoke, darker than the void, seeped from the blade's surface, radiating an aura of infinite gravity. The oppressive presence was enough to make even Kang take a cautious step back.
"Fwoosh—"
A wave of endless darkness surged from the sword's hilt, enveloping Alex in its ominous embrace. The darkness spread like a wildfire, surging and swirling, carrying with it a strange and foreboding energy. It pulsed with raw power, threatening to devour everything in its path.