One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

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"You don't want Moria to die, do you, Perona?"

As the terrifying man in front of her spoke, Perona covered her red lips, and a flicker of hope appeared in her beautiful eyes.

"You… would you let Moria-sama go?" she asked, her tear-streaked face filled with desperation as she gazed at Ace in silence.

Moria, baring his fanged teeth, opened his mouth as if to speak. He wanted to die with dignity as a great pirate, a former Warlord of the Sea. He had always believed that living meant accepting defeat, but when truly faced with death, one understands the preciousness of life—and the deep desire to cling to it when even a small glimmer of hope appears.

Of course, Moria didn't want to die if there was a chance to live.

But something about Portgas D. Ace's words felt off.

"Letting him go? Impossible. I need the power of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit," Ace replied with a calm smile.

While Ace was intrigued by the potential of Perona's Ghost-Ghost Fruit and admired her character as seen in the original story, taking her aboard the Merry would only be a bonus. Compared to Moria's Shadow-Shadow Fruit, however, Perona's abilities seemed insignificant. The Shadow Fruit held the key to Merry's future, and Ace wouldn't be soft-hearted for someone he had just met.

The glimmer of hope in Perona's eyes instantly faded at Ace's words.

Moria's gaze hardened, filled with desperation once more. Was this man toying with them?

"However," Ace continued, "in recognition of your Ghost-Ghost Fruit, there may be another way. If Moria doesn't die… how about joining my crew instead?"

Ace's smile was gentle as he looked at Perona.

"Why?!" Perona exclaimed, covering her lips in disbelief.

"Are you trying to use my life to threaten Perona, Portgas D. Ace?!" Moria roared, furious. "Do you really think I'd agree to such a thing?!"

"Agree?" Ace's smile faded, his gaze darkening with a dangerous, purple-black glint that made Moria tremble. "Do you think I'm offering you a choice? You overestimate yourself, Moria."

Ace's voice deepened. "This chance is a reward for her—because, despite her fear, she dared to use the power of the Ghost-Ghost Fruit on me, for you who she sees as a father. She has more courage than most so-called great pirates in these seas, and that's why she gets this opportunity."

He leaned forward, lightning still crackling around him. "And you… you have no choice but to accept."

"Boom!" 

Ace's Haki surged wildly, filling the air with an intense, oppressive power. In the face of such overwhelming strength, those given an opportunity had no choice but to walk the path laid before them.

Moria's expression twisted with anger and helplessness, his head hanging low in resignation. Faced with such a powerful Conqueror's Haki, he knew there was no real choice.

Plus, Perona…

Moria looked at her—this girl he had raised from childhood, who had stood by him like a daughter. Even when confronted by the Conqueror's Haki of someone as strong as Ace, she had been able to summon the strength to use her Ghost-Ghost Fruit for him.

Moria, who had fought Kaido, knew just how difficult it was to overcome that kind of fear. To unleash the power of a Devil Fruit against someone wielding such overwhelming Haki took true courage.

"Living expands your crew," Moria muttered to himself. "But in death, can we still feel these things?"

Suddenly, black energy—different from his usual Shadow-Shadow Fruit power—began to gather in Moria's right hand.

"My Haki... it's returned because of you, Perona," he said with a bitter smile. "If I had realized this sooner, maybe today I could still protect you, Perona."

Moria let out a shrill laugh.

"Moria-sama!" Perona cried, covering her mouth, tears slipping through her fingers.

"Call me Father. I never thought I would ever feel this way, kishishishi," Moria chuckled darkly.

"Father!" Perona howled in agony.

"What a surprise," Ace commented, looking at the Haki Moria had gathered. "It seems you've found new meaning in life, Moria."

Though Moria's Haki wasn't as strong as Crocodile's, it still surprised Ace. Moria had let himself go after his defeat, neglecting his body and mind for over twenty years. Once capable of standing toe-to-toe with Kaido, Moria had grown weak and bloated. But in this moment, because of Perona, he had managed to break free from his twisted mindset of "defeat through survival" and regain his Haki. 

Yet, compared to the other Shichibukai of the Sea, Moria's strength was still lacking.

"Come, Portgas D. Ace," Moria said, gritting his fangs. "Take the Shadow-Shadow Fruit. I no longer need this power. Even if I die, I won't hate you. Thanks to you, I've found something far more important."

Despite the pain and difficulty, Moria straightened his bloated body with the help of his Haki, laughing defiantly.

"Father!" Perona sobbed, biting her red lips.

"Not bad," Ace remarked with a smile. "You finally look like a Warlord of the Sea."

He turned his head, calling out, "Brook."

"Yes?" Brook responded nervously, glancing toward Ace while fighting alongside Tashigi, who was holding her own against Ryoma.

Upon hearing Ace's call, Brook sprinted over with his signature light steps, even running across the broken deck and through the seawater with ease.

"Curious how I'm so light I can run on water, eh? Yohohoho!" Brook said with his trademark skeletal joke, causing Moria to twitch in frustration.

Who asked you?!

"Let me borrow your Revive-Revive Fruit," Ace said, a grin playing on his lips. He waved his hand, and a mysterious energy wrapped around Brook.

"Buzz!"

Brook's mouth dropped in shock. "What—what is this?!"

In an instant, Brook's soul floated out of his skeleton, and the air around them grew cold, a chill different from Frozen Fruit. This cold bit into the very soul!

The chilling air of the Underworld emanated from the Revive Revive Fruit!

"Ghost!" 

Perona shrieked in panic as she saw Brook's soul floating before her.

"The power of a Devil Fruit?! And what a strange one at that," Moria shouted, his eyes widening as he tried to grasp the situation. He seemed to gain some understanding, perhaps realizing the unique nature of this Devil Fruit ability.

"Capture Moria's soul next, Brook," Ace said, his eyes sharpening as he looked at Brook's soul, now enveloped by the Realm of Comprehension.

"Understood!" Brook replied.

At that moment, Brook felt his control over the powers of the Revive Revive Fruit surge to an unbelievable level.

"Dit! Dit!" 

Suddenly, Moria's massive body was pierced by violent black and purple lightning, infused with the power of Ace's Conqueror's Haki. His eyes dimmed rapidly.

"Stop… soul!" Brook roared, and under the influence of the Realm of Comprehension, the power of the Revive Devil Fruit reached its peak.

"Buzz!" 

Moria's soul was wrenched from his body, floating in midair, held in place by Brook's Devil Fruit powers. 

"My… my soul, it's been so long since I've felt this lightness, kishishishishishi," Moria muttered, looking at his spectral hands with a sinister laugh.

"Dit!"

Another flash of black and purple lightning sent Moria screaming in pain.

"Don't laugh like that, Moria," Ace said calmly, his expression unreadable.

Moria's high-pitched, unsettling laughter, especially now in his soul form, grated on Ace's nerves even more than before.

"S-sorry," Moria replied meekly, his tone submissive. "It's just been so long since I've felt this kind of freedom."

Moria knew better than to joke around. This man—Portgas D. Ace—possessed abilities beyond anything Moria had ever encountered. A power that could not only boost others' Devil Fruit abilities but also block them completely with Conqueror's Haki. On top of that, Ace had mastered a deadly Conqueror's Haki that could crush him with a single strike. And then there was that—the terrifying ability to hunt and claim Devil Fruits from others.

Portgas D. Ace was scarier than even Kaido! After all, Kaido didn't have nearly as many terrifying abilities.

Moria realized he had only laughed so recklessly because he was overwhelmed with excitement. After his humiliating defeat at Kaido's hands, Moria had given up on himself, his body becoming more bloated and sluggish over the years. Even simple movements had become a struggle. 

But now, this sensation—the lightness of being free from his decaying body—was something he hadn't felt in ages.

"Mr. Ace, you need to hurry," Brook said, his soul flashing with a devilish grin. "I can't guarantee that I'll be able to return Moria's soul to his body for much longer."

"Hey! I may have taken your shadow, but now's not the time for messing around!" Moria panicked, shouting urgently. Without Brook's power, his soul would remain separated from his body, leaving him truly dead.

"Ace-sama, please… hurry," Perona pleaded, her beautiful eyes still wet with tears as she looked at Ace, her voice trembling.

"For the sake of my future crewmates, I suppose I'll speed things up a bit," Ace replied with a smile, casting a glance at Perona.

Perona's heart seemed to skip a beat at Ace's smile. Her eyes widened slightly, and she bit her red lips nervously.

"Captain, please… hurry," Perona shouted, her voice cracking with desperation.

"Hmm. Not bad." Ace laughed, and the Realm of Comprehension wrapped around an apple in his hand.

"Gulu! Gulu!"

The demonic essence within Moria's body began to flow into the apple. As it expanded and twisted, a Devil Fruit covered in intricate patterns, with a shadowy aura, slowly took shape.

"My devil fruit..."

Moria gazed at the familiar fruit, a mix of emotions swirling in his eyes. The Devil Fruit that had been his companion for so many years… now, it had finally left him for good.

But in return, he had gained something far more valuable.

Looking at Perona, Moria's once dark and cynical soul softened. He had gained something more precious than power—a daughter.

Who cares about the Shadow-Shadow Fruit!

Moria's resolve solidified. He was the man who once faced Kaido head-on, relying on his own strength and Haki. The Shadow-Shadow Fruit had, in fact, held him back. He had grown too dependent on its power and on others.

Now that it's gone, I will return to my peak!

At that moment, Moria's soul began to shift and stir.

"Huh? His Haki… it's growing stronger," Ace observed, his gaze narrowing slightly as the corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile.

Interesting… Ace thought. Losing the Shadow-Shadow Fruit has caused Moria to start believing in his own power again.

"Let his soul return, Brook," Ace commanded, his eyes focused as the Realm of Comprehension surrounding Brook's soul brightened.

The Realm of Comprehension was now fully activated.

"Understood, Mr. Ace! Yo ho ho ho!" Brook laughed, his voice filled with energy.

The power of the Revive Revive Fruit had reached its peak.

"Whoosh!"

In an instant, Moria's soul flew back into his enormous body, while Brook's soul returned to his skeletal frame.

"Father!" Perona clasped her hands together, watching Moria nervously.

"Cough!" 

Moria spat out two mouthfuls of blood, making Perona gasp in surprise.

"Hah… What a fascinating experience. So this is death? Is this what it truly feels like to be alive? Kishishishishishi!" Moria laughed, baring his fangs as he opened his eyes.

"Perona, I made you worry," Moria said gently, his once harsh voice softening as he looked at her.

"F-Father! I'm so relieved!" Perona cried, tears streaming from her trembling eyes.

Though calling him Father was a bit awkward for her, her feelings were unmistakable. 

Silly girl, Moria thought, his smile becoming even gentler.

"Merry," Ace called out to his ship from a distance.

"Whoosh!"

"Ace!" Merry floated over, obediently responding to Ace's call.

"G-Ghost?!" Perona exclaimed, staring in disbelief at the ship's spirit.

"This is my ship spirit, Merry," Ace explained with a smile.

He then turned to Merry. "Say hello, Merry. Perona will be joining the crew from now on."

Merry looked at Perona and smiled. "Perona, please take care of me in the future."

"Y-yes…" Perona murmured softly, pressing her red lips together as she hugged her growing chest tightly. Her beautiful eyes were full of curiosity. What a strange and magical pirate crew…

Moria watched with wide eyes and a dropped jaw. "So the reason you took my Shadow-Shadow Fruit was to give it to her?" he asked, looking at Merry with confusion.

Of course, Moria was familiar with the legend of Ship Spirits, but the idea of one eating a Devil Fruit seemed utterly impossible to him.

Ace chuckled. "That's right. Here you go, Merry. I found this Devil Fruit for you."

Ace handed the Shadow-Shadow Fruit to Merry. Since it was a ship spirit consuming the fruit, it wouldn't affect the Going Merry's ability to sail on the sea—something Ace had deduced through his Realm of Comprehension.

"Thank you, Ace!" Merry replied, surprised and excited. She eagerly took the Shadow-Shadow Fruit.

"Buzz!"

Under the effects of the Realm of Comprehension, Merry opened her small mouth and took a bite of the fruit.

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, Merry's shadow, which had been cast on the broken remnants of the Thriller Bark, transformed into a phantom-like form.

"Whoosh!"

In that moment, Merry's shadow and her physical form became one.

"Ace! Ace!" Merry shouted with joy, clenching her tiny fists and throwing her arms around him in excitement.

"I-I can touch you! I can actually touch you, Ace!" Merry's face lit up with surprise and happiness.

Ace gently patted Merry's head and smiled tenderly at the little spirit, who had been born from his ship and was like a daughter to him.

"From now on, you'll be fighting alongside us, Merry," he said warmly.

"Yes!" Merry nodded eagerly.

"What an unbelievable man," Moria muttered in awe as he watched Merry, having truly consumed the Shadow-Shadow Fruit. Even for someone familiar with Ship Spirits, witnessing one eat a Devil Fruit was beyond comprehension.

"Let's go," Ace said, laughing loudly. "Tashigi's fight is about to wrap up."

Merry floated beside him, still buzzing with excitement. 

They had achieved everything they came for—the Transparent Devil Fruit, the legendary sword Shusui, and now even Perona had joined the crew. Their venture into the Devil's Triangle had been an undeniable success.

"But it seems we have an uninvited guest," Ace remarked, his gaze drifting into the distance.

A massive figure loomed in the distance, watching them from the ruins.

"Th-That's…!" Moria's pupils contracted in fear as he recognized the figure.

"Bartholomew Kuma!" Moria screamed in shock.