Chapter 322: The Fruit of Words

Such hypnotic ability is simply beyond imagination.

However.

Gao Wen thought carefully and immediately understood; the Heart-Heart Fruit must have played an indispensable role in this.

On the great seas, there has never been a lack of fruits possessing powerful control abilities.

Sugar's Hobby-Hobby Fruit and Doflamingo's Bird-Bird Fruit both possess the ability to alter the physical characteristics of others.

Yet both of these can be suppressed by powerful Haki.

They are far from achieving what the Heart-Heart Fruit has done: directly hard-controlling Ah Jin, a figure on the level of the Three Calamities and Seven Warlords.

The only explanation.

Is that those hypnotized by the Heart-Heart Fruit have completely become puppets of the user, devoid of any will to resist.

In this regard, it produces an effect similar to the petrification ability of the Mero Mero no Mi.

Yet.

Even though he roughly understood the principle behind the opponent's ability, Gao Wen still felt an inexplicable dread toward the user of the Heart-Heart Fruit.

He possessed all three types of Haki, each at a profound level, and furthermore had the enhancement of Haki Armor, so he naturally feared not the effects of Devil Fruits.

But the others on the ship could all fall victim to it.

Thinking of this.

Gao Wen's brows knitted tightly together.

But to abandon Ah Jin just like that was something he could not do; indeed, he had never even considered it, and the people on the ship similarly had no thought of abandoning their comrade.

Gao Wen subconsciously turned his head.

At this moment, the commotion caused by Gao Wen's slashes, unleashed as if venting his fury, had already vanished without a trace.

The turbulent sea had returned to its normal state.

Everything was no different from before, except for the dilapidated port in the distance, which had been almost completely leveled; the auras of the God's Knights had already disappeared.

The only things still standing in the port were the Lionheart Knight Ship beneath Gao Wen's feet, and the crew standing on the deck with expressionless faces.

A heavy atmosphere permeated the air; it was the pent-up fury accumulating in everyone's hearts.

It surged endlessly, nearly causing their very souls to burn.

"How long has it been since anyone dared to strike directly at us?!"

Xiang Keluo lowered his eyes, yet his gaze was unusually calm.

But Gao Wen knew this was not true calmness; at a time like this, it was impossible for him to remain calm!

On this ship, the relationship between Xiang Keluo and Ah Jin was the closest, the best; they were true bosom friends.

Xiang Keluo possessed the most bloodthirsty and brutal temperament among Gao Wen's crew.

It was just that the opponents they usually faced hardly sparked his interest, and when facing comrades on the ship, especially Nami and the others, he would subconsciously restrain his killing intent.

As a result, for most members who joined after entering the Grand Line, Xiang Keluo seemed no different from the others, aside from being slightly gloomy in temperament.

But only those members who had joined since the East Blue knew just how immense the fury suppressed within this man's heart truly was at this moment!

"Gao Wen!"

Xiang Keluo turned his head to meet Gao Wen's gaze; his eyes were filled with crimson blood vessels, turning his pupils scarlet:

"If anything happens to Ah Jin, then this time..."

"You cannot stop me!"

Gao Wen's Adam's apple bobbed as he squeezed out a sentence through clenched teeth:

"This time, I will go with you!"

"What about you all?!"

"What we are about to face is the unknown Britannias; many secrets are hidden there, and the will residing within the Red Dragon Fruit has been secretly guiding me to go there!"

"Among our opponents, there are even those capable of manipulating Ah Jin's will in an instant."

"They are the most elite forces of the Celestial Dragons of Mary Geoise; what they represent is the will of the Celestial Dragons themselves. Do you know what this signifies?"

"Even if we crush them, even if their actions were perhaps conducted privately without their superiors' knowledge, it does not change the fact that after this incident, every single one of us will become a wanted target of the World Government."

"If anyone feels fear, if anyone worries about comrades back home and wishes to retreat at this moment, you may still return to Alabasta, or return to Raven Port in the East Blue!"

The deck fell silent; when Gao Wen looked back, he saw pair after pair of unwavering eyes!

Thud—!

Law rested Wado Ichimonji on his shoulder and raised a hand to adjust his small round hat:

"The captain's will is my will!"

"Moreover, Captain Ah Jin has taken care of every single person on this ship!"

"When I first joined the crew, I received many favors from him; how could I possibly abandon that man at a time like this!"

"That's right!"

Bepo stood at the back of the crowd, his small eyes filled with determination:

"Those who abandon their comrades can never become pioneers!"

Crack—!

He clenched his fists tightly, his formidable grip strength exploding the air:

"These fists underwent harsh training together with Senior Chopper for precisely this moment!"

"As for being hypnotized by the opponent..."

Bepo lifted his head, a ferocious smile curling the corners of his mouth:

"Then you'll have to step over my body first!"

"Hmph~"

Cavendish stood to the side, looking at Beppo with an indescribable appreciation in his eyes:

"I take back my previous evaluation."

"Within your will glimmers a radiance, a pure splendor!"

"A dazzling, breathtaking splendor!"

"Even compared to me, you differ by only a hair!"

Having said this, Cavendish turned his head to look at Gao Wen, a hint of eagerness dancing in his eyes:

"Upon entering the New World, you aim straight for the World Government?!"

"That is the most splendid stage of all!"

"Count me in!"

All around.

An uproar erupted.

Everyone spoke up, yet not a single person retreated.

Zoro, Sanji, Van Augur, and the others had long since taken their places beside Gao Wen, silent and unmoving.

They shared a tacit understanding; their stance required no further words.

"Very well!"

The corner of Gao Wen's mouth curled into a slight smile:

"Next stop: Britannias!"

"Whoever blocks us from retrieving our comrades, we shall crush them!"

In the corner.

Morgan looked at the crowd on the ship, momentarily at a loss for words.

She knew little about the Holy Knights, but she knew what Mary Geoise and the Celestial Dragons represented.

They were the apex of this world, embodying the will of the World Government; the beings living there had, in a sense, transcended the category of humans, bearing the title of gods.

For eight hundred years of the World Government, countless heroes had challenged it, only to ultimately return to dust, while Mary Geoise atop the Red Line remained immortal.

The Seven Warlords, the Four Emperors, legends, and even the former Pirate King all appeared utterly insignificant when facing the World Government.

Yet in the eyes of this group, the World Government mattered far less than their own comrades!

If previously, regarding borrowing Gao Wen's power to reclaim Britannias, she had held only a sliver of hope,

then at this very moment, she was convinced that only the man standing at the prow and the companions behind him could help her!

Morgan raised her hand, glanced at the characters on her palm, and her gaze hardened with resolve:

"Regarding Jeanne's hypnotic abilities, I might be able to assist you."

Gao Wen paused, turning to look at Morgan, awaiting what followed, just as everyone else around them did.

Morgan spread her arms.

A strangely shaped character appeared in her palm.

"This is my ability."

"I ate the Moji Moji no Mi, making me a Text Human; the characters I write can become reality."

"For example, if I write the word 'Strength' upon you, your strength will be enhanced; it is an ability akin to a blessing."

"Similarly, as long as I write 'Resist Hypnosis' upon you, you will be able to withstand the hypnotic effects of the Mind-Mind Fruit."

Morgan sighed and continued:

"The more powerful the ability, the greater the risk it brings. The ink used by the Moji Moji no Mi to write characters is my lifespan; furthermore, the more powerful and extreme the written character, the more lifespan it consumes."

Morgan raised her hand, gently stroking her silver hair.

It was only then that everyone noticed that the hair atop Morgan's head was not silver, but white.

A head of pale, withered white hair that clashed completely with her exquisite beauty!

The lifespan of the Fairy Tribe was longer than that of the Giant Tribe, approaching nearly five hundred years.

Gao Wen remembered.

Morgan had previously stated her age.

Thirty-three.

Although her face remained youthful, just how much lifespan had been consumed by the abilities of the Moji Moji no Mi?

That figure was likely astronomical.

To be honest.

According to Morgan's description, the Moji Moji no Mi was an extremely powerful ability.

Its contribution in direct combat might not be that significant, but in supporting allies, this ability could be utilized to its utmost limit!

It was just that the price was something even a long-lived race like the Fairy Tribe could barely bear, let alone ordinary humans.

It could almost be said to be an ability exclusive to long-lived races!

After their initial surprise, everyone understood why Morgan had not actively intervened to help before.

That head of silver hair was perhaps proof that her remaining lifespan was dwindling.

Although this time, for some unknown reason, she was willing to gamble her meager remaining lifespan to help them.

Yet this ability was exactly what they needed.

No one dwelled on this matter.

After all, this was Morgan's choice, her will staking everything; excessive fussiness would only be an insult to such pure resolve!

Xiang Keluo stepped forward, extending a hand toward Morgan.

Morgan did not hesitate; her fingertips transformed into the shape of a fountain pen, and she wrote a strange symbol upon Xiang Keluo's palm.

"These are Runic letters, representing unyielding will—they can shield you from one mental attack and also resist Joan's hypnosis."

"Thank you."

Xiang Keluo nodded, lowering his gaze to the runes in his hand. He brushed them gently—only to realize the characters seemed carved into his flesh, utterly impossible to erase.

He felt no actual sensation from this so-called enhancement.

Perhaps it would only prove useful when facing a corresponding mental assault.

But.

After writing the Runic letters into Xiang Keluo's hand, Morgan's aura weakened drastically; her spirit grew visibly drained.

Yet she persisted, carving Runic letters of mental resistance onto every soul on deck.

One by one.

Watching the elf woman grow ever weaker, her spirit dimming, they felt for the first time an emotion called reverence.

Soon.

Morgan walked before Gao Wen.

Her will was nearly shattered, yet she still stepped to his side, her muscles moving on memory, mechanically etching stroke after stroke—but not a single Runic letter remained.

"Stop trying."

"The Devil Fruit's power has no effect on me."

"You need rest."

"Live."

"Only by living can you hope to see your nation restored."

Morgan's body froze, swayed slightly, then collapsed, falling into Gao Wen's arms.

Gao Wen looked down.

On this woman, who had once appeared no more than twenty, now lay traces of hardship; even the skin on her arms had lost its former luster.

He had once studied the elf race in detail.

Elves live nearly five hundred years, spending most of their lives in prime youth; only at life's very end do they show signs of aging.

Soon.

Chopper carried Morgan into the ship's infirmary.

After a series of precise diagnostics, Chopper set down his instruments and exhaled deeply:

"No immediate threat to life."

"She's merely exhausted. With rest, she'll recover."

"Though her face looks no more than twenty, her body, if converted to human age, has already entered old age."

Gao Wen nodded.

Though he had anticipated this, his heart was still stirred.

He did not know how much time Morgan had left—but he knew she had staked her remaining life on him, and he absolutely could not lose!

Not for Akin, not for Morgan!

At the same moment.

The Lionheart Knight raised its sails and surged toward Britannias's frontline.

Scattering countless beasts!

……

Dozens of nautical miles away.

The Divine Order members hid here, suppressing all their auras, watching until the Lionheart Knight vanished from sight before finally relaxing.

Xia Mu Luo Ke sat on a broken rock, pale-faced, his chest wound still oozing blood, his expression one of lingering terror.

The power of that slash had far exceeded his expectations.

Had it not been for two Divine Knight members absorbing most of the blow, he would likely be dead.

"Knight Gao Wen's combat power far exceeds expectations!"

"His strength isn't merely on par with Double Face—it's truly Four Emperors level, even among the Four Emperors not weak, stronger than Big Mom, possibly even rivaling Kaido and Whitebeard."

"And the real problem is…"

Xia Mu Luo Ke turned his head.

On the beach, two Divine Knight members, sliced cleanly in half, groaned incessantly; their wounds smoked black, yet refused to heal.

He had never seen this before—but his father had spoken of it more than once.

This was what happened when Haki was driven into the body, and Im's blessing was restricted!

"Knight Gao Wen has found a way to suppress the blessing ability!"

"In other words."

"With sufficient time, that man already possesses the power to kill members of the Divine Knight Order!"

"The only silver lining is that Demon Man Akin is not in his hands."

"But that woman from Britannias is no less dangerous!"

"Even among the Divine Knight Order, Demon Man Akin had the rank to lead a squad—yet she subdued him in an instant."

"Is this… the power of the heart?!"

"Blood, flesh, bone, heart, soul—five Supreme-class abilities, each immensely powerful!"

"Then the immortal body born from these five abilities…"

"How strong would it be?!"

For the first time.

Xia Mu Luo Ke began to waver in his purpose regarding his own actions.

Perhaps if I obtained this power, I could also...

(End of Chapter)