One Piece: The Cryo Doctor on the Straw Hat Ship

Because that figure was none other than someone else.

It was Blackbeard Teach, the very man who had just pinned him to the ground!

Chapter 133 People and Land, I Want Them All! (Seeking Monthly Tickets~)

"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous!"

Seeing Moria's panic, V's lips suddenly curled into a mischievous smile; clearly, he was doing it on purpose.

But he quickly regained his composure and pointed a finger at Blackbeard, giving him a direct command:

"Blackbeard, clean up this mess."

"Yes, sir!" Blackbeard replied blankly.

The next second, he suddenly activated the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit.

Under Moria's horrified gaze, thick, inky darkness erupted from his palm, transforming into a massive, ever-swirling vortex that devoured everything, engulfing the surrounding ruins and battle debris.

Wood chips, rubble, metal fragments, and even the remains of destroyed zombies groaned under the weight of darkness, relentlessly dragged and crushed, ultimately sucked into the bottomless abyss of darkness.

The entire process was silent and efficient, with only the low hum of dark energy and the subtle sounds of matter being devoured and annihilated.

In the blink of an eye, this once chaotic ruin has been transformed into a neat and exceptionally clean open space, as if the fierce battle had never taken place.

Moria's massive body froze on the spot, his crimson single eye fixed on the calmly standing Blackbeard, who exuded an aura of submissiveness that made him shudder. He then glanced at the smiling V, and an indescribable chill ran down his spine.

"This...this is your ability?" Moria's eyes widened, his voice trembling uncontrollably, his gaze fixed on Blackbeard's moving but empty-eyed body.

“That’s right,” V calmly admitted.

He then waved his hand, and Blackbeard's figure instantly disappeared from the spot and was returned to the control space.

It's still too much of a stretch for a sixth-order brain-computer interface to completely control Blackbeard's will.

During the brief period of external control just now, V clearly felt Blackbeard's intense consciousness frantically attacking the cybernetic body's suppression, like a captive beast constantly ramming against its cage.

If we had waited any longer to take it back, it might have allowed this guy to break free of control and take the opportunity to revive.

However, seeing Moria's expression of shock mixed with fear and confusion, V's lips curled up silently.

He knew... he had put on a convincing act.

Moria didn't notice V's expression; he was still reeling from the shock of what had just happened. His Adam's apple bobbed, and after a long pause, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice:

"You...you can control other people's bodies? Even a powerhouse like Blackbeard?"

As we all know, this world possesses all sorts of rule-level Devil Fruit abilities.

But no matter what kind of Devil Fruit power it is, they all have a common weakness - Haki!

Moria fought Blackbeard.

Although his strength is far from his peak, he still managed to force Blackbeard to get serious.

He knew very well how powerful Blackbeard's aura was.

Even with such domineering power, it still couldn't escape V's control...

Just how powerful must this V be?!

For a moment, Moria felt a chill run down his spine.

After much deliberation, Moria finally changed his tune:

"I'm open to collaboration, but I need to know the specifics of the collaboration."

We have no choice but to change it.

If the other side can control Blackbeard, controlling him would be a piece of cake.

Even if there are limitations to that control ability, given the strength the other party has shown, he has no reason or right to refuse.

"Alright then." V nodded reluctantly. "It's good to be cautious."

He then introduced Moria to him:

"Simply put, I plan to transform this place—the terror 3-masted ship—into a mobile research and training base."

“I will comprehensively upgrade and reconstruct your existing territory and facilities.”

"In return, you and your subordinates will need to cooperate with me to make some necessary 'adjustments,' and you will also become the administrators of this new base."

Simply put, they not only took Moriah's land, but also Moriah's people.

It's called a collaboration, but it's really just a nice-sounding way to reap the benefits.

But Moria, who had experienced much, paid no attention to these things; instead, he frowned deeply.

"Adjustment? What do you mean?"

"Body modification".

V spoke as casually as if discussing the weather, “As you just saw, I can deeply integrate technology with the human body, and even with Devil Fruit abilities.”

"You and your companions will undergo system-assisted cybernetic implantation and ability development, which will greatly enhance your survivability and combat potential."

"And all of this is for a goal you can't refuse—"

V paused slightly, his voice suddenly becoming deep and seductive:

"I can give you... power comparable to Kaido."

Moriah's pupils suddenly contracted.

Kaido.

The name was like a poisoned dagger, instantly piercing the deepest and most painful scar in his heart.

Twenty years ago, in the devastating defeat in Wano Country, all his comrades perished, and he fled like a stray dog...

That profound sense of powerlessness and hatred is the root cause of his decade-long retreat into the thick fog and his obsession with creating zombie armies.

"Comparable to... Kaido?" Moria's voice was hoarse, trembling with disbelief. "How...how dare you say such a thing?"

"Because I can make Blackbeard obey like a puppet, and because I can make my crew grow to the level of a Yonko in a short period of time."

V spread his hands, his tone filled with absolute confidence.

"Although we live in this devilish sea, you must have heard about our experiences from the underworld, right?"

"Those intelligence reports may seem absurd, but they are indeed true and happening right now."

"Many of the people you just saw, including Zoro..."

V gestured to Zoro.

"Six months ago, he was just a rookie pirate with a bounty of less than ten million."

"While I don't bear all the credit for their growing stronger, if the target is only someone like Kaido..."

He stepped forward, his gaze pressing down on Moria with an almost tangible intensity:

"Do you believe it or not, before long, the titles of Marine Admiral and Four Emperors will no longer be the collective names for the world's top combat power?"

"Gudong~"

Moria choked up.

He looked in surprise at Zoro, who was standing silently behind him.

Although it wasn't the central battlefield, Moria watched the entire moment Zoro defeated Enel.

If what V said is true...

That goes beyond being described as "extraordinary talent".

This is a monster's act that defies common sense and tramples on rules!

In an instant, a glimmer of light appeared in Moria's eyes that he himself did not notice.

That was a glimmer of hope.

“If…” Moria stepped forward, his scarlet eyes fixed on V, no longer filled with fear or hesitation, but with an almost insane determination.

"You really can give me enough power to take revenge on Kaido... I'll leave my life to you."

“But I want to see the evidence with my own eyes—not just a manipulated puppet like Blackbeard, but real ‘power’ that belongs to me.”

V smiled slightly: "Don't worry."

"On this point, I'm even more eager than you are!"

Chapter 134 The Armory in the Mist (Seeking monthly votes~)

Meanwhile, on the other side...

The dawn sunlight pierced the last wisp of mist, casting its light upon the wrecked harbor of the terrifying three-masted ship.

Luffy and his crew, carrying Brook, skipped and hopped through the terrifying gates of Thriller Bark and headed towards the calm shore.

In this direction, a massive, mountain-like figure is quietly swimming back and forth on the water's surface.

This figure is Laboon, who is waiting for Luffy and his crew here.

However, it suddenly stopped, as if it had sensed something in advance, and turned around to look in the direction of the island.

Those usually gentle and bright eyes were now wide open, staring intently at the crowd rushing out of the ruins.

When Luffy appeared, it let out a short, expectant cry, and its huge tail fin slapped the water, creating towering waves.

"Laboon—!" Luffy shouted, raising his arms high, "Look who we brought!!"

Brook followed behind Luffy, but his steps suddenly stopped when he saw that familiar yet unfamiliar huge figure.

Fifty years is enough time for a young whale to grow into a colossal beast the size of an island.

But Brooke could never mistake those eyes—those eyes that froze when they looked at him, then filled with disbelief and ecstasy.

It's Labu.

It really is it.

It's still alive... and it's been waiting for them.