Although Aramaki had always appeared loyal, Black never forgot to push him further.
Reminders alone were insufficient for Haki and martial arts training. Aramaki needed a competitor to drive him or he might one day simply go on strike.
Black always believed that neither the Mori Mori Fruit (Forest-Forest Fruit) nor Aramaki himself had reached full potential in the original story.
After all, the second chapter of the Divine Scripture once stated, "The god of the forest dispatches demons."
Of course, this god of the forest could not refer to the Mori Mori Fruit user from eight hundred years ago.
Otherwise, Imu would be a "demon" under the god of the forest.
A more reasonable speculation: Imu is the god of the forest, and the demons are his subordinates, like the Gorosei.
In that context, Aramaki's poor performance in the original story made no sense. He had even been frightened off by a single Haoshoku burst from Red-Haired Shanks.
To motivate him, Black assigned Lafitte as a rival pressure breeds progress.
After leaving the Moonlight Circus Kingdom, the sanctuary wandered the seas like a street vagrant.
Black had no intention of visiting Capone Bege's island.
What was interesting about a gangster-ruled island?
Instead, he would simply inform Aramaki of Bege's location and let him make the arrangements.
With Bege's influence in the West Blue, he could be contained without removal, serving as a West Blue intelligence officer.
That day, Black's card system revealed an intriguing ability card
Zoan type: Inu Inu no Mi, Hyena Form.
The same Devil Fruit eaten by Gerald, Captain of the Hyena Pirates.
Not surprising cards span multiple eras, and ordinary Zoan users are frequently replaced. The World Government doesn't track such minor powers.
After the female Slaves defeated the Hyena Pirates, Gerald and his two crewmates were confined to the bottom-level cells of the sanctuary.
Originally, Black had considered gifting them to other Celestial Dragons or tossing them into the Slave gladiatorial arena for entertainment.
Now, alone, Black descended to the lowest cell and stared at the weakened Gerald.
The dim oil lamp flickered, casting grotesque shadows across the damp cell.
Black's boots splashed in puddles as he approached, frowning.
Wearing white gloves, he unlocked Gerald's Sea Stone chains.
Gerald collapsed to the floor, too weak to rise.
"Saint Black… I was wrong. I didn't know it was your flagship. Please spare me! I'll become your Slave!"
Black twirled the crimson hyena-patterned card between his fingers and chuckled.
"We'll discuss that later. Do you know this card can turn an ordinary person into a Hyena Fruit user?"
Gerald's eyes widened.
"I… that's impossible! Devil Fruits are an iron wall! Even you… know that!"
Black squatted closer.
"So I'm curious what happens when the same ability manifests twice in one person?"
"Wait!" Gerald turned pale, struggling to stand, panicked.
"Saint Black, I can serve! I can track any target!"
Black raised an eyebrow.
"And what makes you different from a police dog?"
"I… I… this will kill me! No one can eat two Devil Fruits!" Gerald stammered.
Black smirked, pressing the card to Gerald's head.
"I want experimental data, not a lackey. Use the ability card."
The card glowed a sinister red. Gerald arched, screaming in agony.
Black stepped back, observing. Dark patterns spread across Gerald's skin; his muscles swelled unnaturally.
He transformed into a more terrifying beast form. Canine teeth elongated, viscous black liquid oozed from his skin.
Soon, his screams ceased. His form regressed into a human-beast hybrid.
Black mist swirled around him, lowering the cell temperature. Bruises healed visibly, replaced by eerie gray-white skin.
His body swelled, taller and harmoniously proportioned. Hyena features fused naturally.
Dark red markings appeared; his breath steamed from mouth and nose.
"Is this… awakening?" Black's tone mingled seriousness, delight, and curiosity.
He fired his golden revolver at Gerald's chest. Bang! The bullet pierced but healed instantly a sign of awakened Zoan regeneration.
Gerald rose, feeling his renewed strength.
"The injuries… healed? My body…!"
His hand pressed the cell wall; wooden planks now displayed hyena-like patterns.
Clenching his fists, he grinned ecstatically.
"This… is new power. Now, I can defeat an Admiral!"
He turned, eyes gleaming at Black.
"Now it's my turn to experiment! Esteemed Celestial Dragon, grant me this thrill!"
Black sighed inwardly.
A regular Zoan, post-awakening, already craves enjoyment.
And beating an Admiral? Gerald had never faced one; the Marines didn't even have an Admiral present.
Black twirled his golden revolver leisurely.
"Oh? And what will you experiment with?"
Gerald lunged.
"To hijack a Celestial Dragon and escape this ship! With my new power, I can become Pirate King!"
Black facepalmed inwardly.
The man already hijacked a Celestial Dragon why aim so high?
As Gerald neared, Black's palm, imbued with Armament Haki, Haoshoku, and Ghost Qi, struck squarely on his head.
"You're addicted to kingship too? I'll cure you no need to thank me!"
Boom!
The sanctuary trembled. Gerald collapsed, soundly asleep.