The people of this world were strange.
Even lawless pirates or Slaves on the verge of death never considered killing a Celestial Dragon when faced with one.
Many didn't even realize they could resist.
Fear of the World Government's retaliation wouldn't explain it they weren't afraid of death.
It seemed only descendants of the D. lineage possessed the consciousness to truly challenge Celestial Dragons.
Even Gerald, that foolish hyena, had begun comparing himself to an Admiral.
Yet all he truly wanted was to take Black hostage and escape.
When Gerald awoke, he found himself re-handcuffed.
Sea Stone chains sapped all his strength.
"Sigh…" He let out a long, despairing breath.
Black, of course, ignored him. The experiment was over, and the bottom cell's oppressive atmosphere left him uncomfortable.
Outside, Stella waited, eyes on his mud-splattered boots.
"Your Highness, let me help you change clothes first."
Black nodded and returned to his room with Stella.
During the process, some physical contact was unavoidable, but today, Black made no further excesses.
The recent experiment had inspired him, and he needed to organize his thoughts.
On deck, Black tossed Perona aside she was trying to provoke him and pondered the results.
A Devil Fruit user combined with the same ability card could directly awaken their fruit.
Was this an isolated case or a stable phenomenon?
Only further experiments could determine this.
If isolated, fine. If general, Black could mass-produce awakened users.
If one ability user plus one identical card could awaken, then two identical cards should work as well.
And what would happen if another ability card was used while already awakened?
All questions demanded verification.
This was why Gerald was not disposed of immediately he was too valuable for further testing.
Of course, he would never see anyone else again.
Black produced a golden Glint-Glint Fruit ability card, one dropped by young Kizaru long ago.
He could not summon Kizaru himself, nor use it on suspected Revolutionary Army spies.
But the card system allowed duplicates; another draw of young Kizaru, or adult and elderly stages, was possible.
Considering this, Black called out:
"Koala!"
"Your Highness!"
Koala jogged forward, sweat-dampened golden hair sticking to her forehead.
Black reached out, brushing her sideburns.
"Here's something good for you!"
The card glowed, golden light flowing into Koala.
"Oh… that feeling again."
A warm current surged, and Koala whimpered instinctively.
Having experienced an ability card once before, she recognized Black's enhancement.
She stifled further sounds, wary of deck witnesses.
When the warmth dissipated, she opened her eyes.
Black held a diamond-encrusted dagger, thrusting it toward her shoulder.
Instinctively, she froze. The dagger pierced her, but she felt no pain.
Golden light enveloped the wound; it healed almost instantly.
"This… is Logia-type elementalization?"
"Did I eat a Devil Fruit?"
Koala had long studied Devil Fruits under Black, so she understood their properties.
Black smiled, holding her.
"This is a secret. Only your sisters can know. Never show it to outsiders."
Koala nodded earnestly.
"Your Highness, I will not let anyone find out."
Black patted her head.
"Continue your training. Your own physique remains most important, regardless of the Devil Fruit."
He intended Koala to become his primary combat specialist. Mandy would be sent out; Black couldn't always rely on CP agents.
He could not personally solve every little problem too undignified.
Koala might even face Sabo from the Revolutionary Army in the future, satisfying Black's perverse sense of humor.
After she left, Black summoned Stella.
"Bring the CP agents."
The accompanying CPs had long stayed in the ship's rear cabins, respecting the Celestial Dragon's privacy.
Thus, Black dared to use the ability card on Koala directly aboard the ship.
Two CP agents activated "Soru," sprinting before him, kneeling.
"Saint Black, sir."
Black hummed ambiguously.
"Send a message: locate a Falcon-Falcon Fruit user and an Elephant-Turtle Fruit user. I want them as my Slaves to perform 'Falcon Pounces on Turtle.'"
"Yes! Saint Black, sir!" The CPs immediately obeyed.
If there are conditions, they must be used.
Two strange Slaves fighting perfectly suited a Celestial Dragon's taste.
These matters did not require the Gorosei; CP agents could manage them independently.
Black sought these ability users because he still possessed two ability cards.
He would test awakening success rates.
After the experiment, Black grew even more fascinated by ability users within the Card System Space.
He turned to the elderly Whitebeard.
During the Marineford War, Whitebeard had tremendous attack power and technique, but his bursts were limited.
With Black's current strength, defeating him would not be difficult.
Rubbing his hands, Black immersed his consciousness into System Space.
He clicked Whitebeard's card.
"System! Enter combat!"