Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 524 The Price of Failure for a Dark-Dark Fruit User: White Zetsu!

Teach was a little incredulous.

Unfortunately, Teach's understanding of the Dark-Dark Fruit was limited to knowing that its power could temporarily disable the abilities of other Devil Fruits.

What this creature called Black Zetsu said makes a lot of sense.

Both its name and appearance are similar to the Dark-Dark Fruit, suggesting that it also originated from darkness.

"Thief, hahaha..."

Marshall D. Teach stared intently at the Black Zetsu before him, his smile gradually turning sinister: "So, you're my will? Then do you know what I want..."

"Hehehehehehe..."

Black Zetsu's laughter suddenly turned sinister, and he slowly said with a smirk, "The dreams and ambitions of every generation of Dark-Dark Fruit users are almost identical..."

No, it should be said that only those with the highest ambition are qualified to obtain the Dark-Dark Fruit, and Marshall D. Teach, and we will be no exception…”

Black Zetsu looked at Teach, its voice growing increasingly sinister: "Replace the man we admire most, and let this sea enter an era in our name!"

"Thief! Hahahaha!"

Marshall D. Teach could no longer contain his joy. His hand slowly clenched, and a greedy glint flashed in his eyes: "Absolutely right!

What I want is to replace my most admired father and let this era be named after Marshall D. Teach!

"We have always been one will..."

Black Zetsu nodded with satisfaction at Teach, its body slowly detaching from Marshall D. Teach's body: "If a Dark-Dark Fruit user doesn't possess the ambition and darkness to match the fruit, then he will never be qualified to awaken his will and become a tangible Black Zetsu..."

A strange smile gradually appeared on Black Zetsu's face: "At that time, his soul will be enslaved by the Dark-Dark Fruit after his death..."

Ultimately, it was completely consumed by the darkness of the Dark-Dark Fruit, slowly transforming into a creature called White Zetsu, becoming a slave to the next Dark-Dark Fruit user!

"..."

Marshall D. Teach's face stiffened.

Is there really a risk involved in gaining the Dark-Dark Fruit power?

If the Dark-Dark Fruit doesn't acknowledge a user's abilities, then the fruit will devour the user's soul. This fruit is terrifying!

Black Zetsu approached Marshall D. Teach again, chuckling as he said, "Teach, the Dark-Dark Fruit is known as the most vicious fruit because it devours those who are unqualified. That's why it's called the most vicious fruit!"

"..."

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Marshall D. Teach's face. He forced himself to control his emotions and maintain his smile: "Zehahaha... Judging by this, I'm already a qualified candidate..."

"good."

Black Zetsu's smile remained eerie. It even slowly nodded and said, "Then would you like to see those failed experiments called White Zetsu? They're quite interesting, and also the most powerful aid for the Dark-Dark Fruit users to conquer this era!"

The next moment, before Marshall D. Teach could react, Black Zetsu immediately spoke: "Teach, summon White Zetsu with your will! They have been hidden forever deep underground. Unleash the full power of the Dark-Dark Fruit and draw them back into the world!"

Black Zetsu's voice grew increasingly sinister, and his smile became terrifying: "Teach, witness the gifts the Dark-Dark Fruit bestows upon you, witness the true greatness of the Dark-Dark Fruit!"

next second.

Marshall D. Teach gritted his teeth, his palm gradually turning black, and slammed it to the ground!

After a long while.

One by one, white Zetsu quietly emerged from the ground.

Marshall D. Teach's face gradually stiffened as he stared in disbelief at the creatures called White Zetsu, each of them looking incredibly ferocious.

This is definitely not human!

This creature has never been seen on the high seas before!

These White Zetsu looked rather unremarkable, but their bizarre appearance made Teach feel a sense of fear. Were these all former Dark-Dark Fruit users who had failed in the past?

"Hehehe... Teach, do you know why White Zetsu, as users of the Dark-Dark Fruit, were able to conquer this era with their strongest power?"

Black Zetsu's laughter grew increasingly sinister as it slowly continued, "If a user of the Dark-Dark Fruit wants to become an uncrowned king, to become the most powerful person in this world, they can replace everyone in the World Government!"

The next moment, Marshall D. Teach's expression changed drastically!

Because in his vision, every White Zetsu transformed into his likeness!

Marshall D. Teach had only ever heard of one such ability: the Transformation Fruit. But now these White Zetsu were able to transform into his appearance out of thin air!

Even Observation Haki is difficult to detect!

Even their aura seemed quite powerful!

Marshall D. Teach couldn't help but feel uneasy. He pointed at a group of transformed White Zetsu: "These failed attempts... they can't possibly use my abilities too, can they?"

"No, their transformation ability can only be used for disguise, and only those with the highest level of the 'Heart of All Things' can discover their true identities!"

Black Zetsu chuckled and shook his head, then had a White Zetsu sever its arm and present it to Marshall D. Teach: "Most importantly, the existence of White Zetsu can help heal some of your injuries at any time..."

The Dark-Dark Fruit's power requires the user to touch the enemy to neutralize it. Therefore, the user's hands are the most vulnerable part of the Dark-Dark Fruit. If a terrifying enemy were to cut off your hand, a White Zetsu's arm could immediately reattach to it.

"Teach, do you want to give it a try now?"

"No...no."

Marshall D. Teach couldn't help but shake his head, swallowing hard. A flicker of fear crossed his eyes, then a hint of greed crept in: "Are these monsters, capable of transforming at will, all my slaves?"

damn it…

That Dark Fruit was a huge win!

Marshall D. Teach was initially worried that the Dark-Dark Fruit wouldn't allow him to become an elemental, and what would happen if he was seriously injured...

did not expect…

He can actually have an arm transplanted from a creature like a White Zetsu!

"White Zetsu will only obey users of the Dark-Dark Fruit..."

Black Zetsu's smile grew increasingly sinister as its body reattached itself to Marshall D. Teach: "They have one last use: they can consume Devil Fruits and become an army of ability users loyal only to us!"

"If you want great power..."

Black Zetsu's gaze fell on Teach's face, and he continued with a smile: "Then you can kill the original Devil Fruit users, take their abilities, and turn White Zetsu into a powerful army composed of Devil Fruit users!"

Teach, every generation of Dark-Dark Fruit users has sensed the possibility of transferring Devil Fruit abilities when they were imprisoning their enemies' powers!

Each of them is accompanied by a powerful army of Devil Fruit users, helping them conquer this era!

"Hahahaha..."

Marshall D. Teach slowly nodded, his greedy eyes falling on the group of White Zetsu. He couldn't help but nod slowly, saying, "This is truly unexpected! These creatures that only obey my orders..."

Really...

It makes you want to go crazy!

Is it a monster that only obeys his orders, capable of transforming into anyone at any time, and only those with Observation Haki who can hear the hearts of all things can detect it?

and…

These White Zetsu could actually become his fighting force.

However, the fact that these White Zetsu were actually transformed from some unqualified Dark-Dark Fruit users made Marshall D. Teach feel a little uneasy!

No wonder this Devil Fruit is called the most vicious fruit in the world, no wonder the leader of Akatsuki went to great lengths to obtain the Dark-Dark Fruit…

It's no wonder that Itachi Uchiha didn't want him, a Devil Fruit user, at all; he wanted to kill him so he could be reborn with the Dark-Dark Fruit!

Oh shit…

Once you become a user of the Dark-Dark Fruit, you'll have the chance to join the White Zetsu army and possess an organ that makes you immune to any disability or serious injury!

It can replace the head of state of any country in the world!

It's possible to create a Devil Fruit army that is loyal only to users of the Dark-Dark Fruit!

Who would have thought that even if there were only one user of the Dark-Dark Fruit, he would still have the potential to rule the world!

even…

If you operate it properly, the probability is not low at all!

Marshall D. Teach couldn't suppress his ambition. He even wanted to turn the entire White Zetsu army in front of him into Devil Fruit users right now, forming the strongest pirate crew composed entirely of Devil Fruit users!

A...

They will only be loyal to his legion!

Perhaps the only danger lies in the fact that if his own ambition is insufficient, he too could be transformed by the Dark-Dark Fruit into this seemingly mindless monster who only obeys orders…

"Hahaha..."

Marshall D. Teach couldn't help but let out a maniacal grin: "Looks like what I need most is time... but are there only so many White Zetsu?"

"Hehehe... How many people throughout history have possessed the Dark-Dark Fruit?"

Black Zetsu's smile remained sinister. It simply shook its head slowly and said, "Before a Dark-Dark Fruit user dies, the White Zetsu summoned and used by him will all die for him... Besides, what you can use now are merely those summoned by your power!"

Black Zetsu stared at Teach, his smile still sinister and terrifying: "When the dark power you can unleash is strong enough to reach every corner of this world, those hidden White Zetsu will naturally appear before us!"

Of course, there are more White Zetsu than just this many.

As long as White Zetsu absorbs chakra using the Spore Technique, they can reproduce. Unfortunately, there are only so many White Zetsu that have been enhanced by Hashirama's cells for the time being.

"Hahahaha..."

Marshall D. Teach didn't care about any of that. He slowly nodded, and drops of saliva gradually dripped from the corner of his mouth.

Marshall D. Teach's eyes gleamed with barely suppressed madness: "Fine, it doesn't matter. These few dozen white devils are enough for me! Let's conquer this era with darkness!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

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(End of this chapter)