One Piece: Hell Pirates

Chapter 431 431: Ten Tails Groot

Brook looked at the juvenile Ten Tails, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

This Divine Tree creature was something unique to the Otsutsuki clan. He had no idea whether it had been artificially created or if it was a naturally existing species.

But one thing was certain. Before it could transform into a Divine Tree capable of draining a planet's power and endlessly producing chakra, it had to devour a full Otsutsuki as a sacrifice.

The fruit produced by the Divine Tree contained immense energy, along with the genetic information of the Otsutsuki clan.

When an Otsutsuki consumed an elixir refined from that fruit, they would continue evolving until they reached the realm of the unparalleled Otsutsuki God.

Because the Ten Tails Divine Tree grew by consuming Otsutsuki sacrifices, its genetic structure became more complete the more it fed, which meant the Divine Tree Fruits it produced would only be suitable for Otsutsuki. If another race consumed one by force, they would gradually be assimilated and transformed into a new Otsutsuki.

And if someone ate a Divine Tree Fruit without permission, even if the Otsutsuki clan did not kill them afterward, they would still be assimilated and eventually forced to plant Divine Trees on planet after planet for the Otsutsuki main family.

Without an Otsutsuki sacrifice, however, the Ten Tails could not become a Divine Tree. It could not absorb planetary energy and convert it into chakra. It would remain forever trapped in this weak juvenile form.

"Even your soul is incomplete. Fine, I'll try using Yin Yang Release to forge you a complete chakra soul, just like a tailed beast."

Brook quickly came up with a plan.

Just like the Sage of Six Paths had once done, he extracted the consciousness of the Ten Tails, fused it with Yin Yang Release, and added a trace of his own soul power to create a brand new Ten Tails soul.

Still, this chakra soul had a clear upper limit. Like the nine tailed beasts, it could only reach a fixed stage of power. It had no room to keep growing stronger.

The real potential for growth belonged to the Ten Tails' juvenile body, which was a living vessel, not the chakra soul itself.

Looking at the young Ten Tails, covered in the genetic marks of the Otsutsuki clan, Brook cut off a small section from the top of its body, carefully erased the traces of Otsutsuki information, and stuffed the newborn Ten Tails soul into it.

Maybe this would create a completely new juvenile Ten Tails.

But soon, the Ten Tails soul sent him a message.

That severed limb was useless. The original seed inside the Eye of the Divine Tree was the true core of their race.

"Huh? It really grew a brain."

To be honest, Brook did not want to waste that six tomoe crimson Rinnegan.

But the constant pleading and affection coming from the juvenile Ten Tails soul softened him a little.

"Fine, fine. You got lucky."

Brook hardened his heart, pulled out the enormous six tomoe crimson Rinnegan from the juvenile Ten Tails, crushed it open, and found a black core hidden inside.

He carefully erased the traces of Otsutsuki aura from it, then, following the yearning of the Ten Tails soul, pulled the soul out of the severed limb and placed it into the black core seed.

Brook had no intention of wasting anything. He was just about to devour and fuse the shattered six tomoe Rinnegan and the remains of the Ten Tails juvenile.

But the black core seed, after fusing with the newborn Ten Tails soul, sprouted with shocking speed.

And not only that, it plunged directly into the damaged Rinnegan and began greedily absorbing its chakra.

"Oh, come on. It wakes up and immediately starts stealing my food?"

Brook clicked his tongue in annoyance.

If not for the fact that the Ten Tails soul carried a trace of his own soul aura, he really would not have wanted to raise a pet that needed a thousand years of feeding.

As the seed absorbed energy, it rapidly grew and soon turned into a tiny tree person.

"Wait, wait, look like this first. Be cute. From now on, your name is Ten Tails Groot."

Brook immediately used Wood Release to create an image of a younger Groot and quickly showed it to the little tree creature.

And the tiny tree being actually seemed to understand him. It began reshaping itself, gradually turning into a harmless looking little tree person, except that it ended up growing two arms and ten legs.

"I'm still not fully satisfied, but whatever. Good enough."

Brook looked at the adorable Ten Tails Groot, who now resembled a tiny wooden beast with ten vine legs, and could only accept the result.

"Master, it is Groot!"

After absorbing what remained of the six tomoe crimson Rinnegan, the Ten Tails Groot raised its hands toward the sky and cried out cutely. Then it immediately leaped back onto the original Ten Tails juvenile body, planted its ten vine like legs, and began frantically sucking up everything left behind.

"This feels like a loss. I just raised a money eating beast."

Brook suddenly felt some regret. Maybe he should not have bothered with the soul in the first place.

He could have just devoured the juvenile Ten Tails and strengthened himself directly. Now he had somehow ended up with a bottomless pet that would need feeding for thousands of years. Who could afford that?

"Master, I can't absorb the rest. You can have it."

After Ten Tails Groot absorbed what it could, the juvenile Ten Tails rapidly shrank, but it still contained a large amount of Otsutsuki genetic imprinting. Groot could not absorb any of that.

"..."

So now Brook had to eat leftovers.

Well, he was used to cleaning up scraps anyway.

Just as he was about to activate his devouring power and fuse with the remainder of the Ten Tails juvenile, another thought suddenly crossed his mind.

He immediately changed his mind.

[Summoning Technique: Demonic Statue of the Outer Path]

Brook summoned the Gedo Mazo directly into this alternate dimension, planning to feed the remains of the Ten Tails juvenile to it instead.

He wanted to see whether the Gedo Mazo could bypass the missing Four Tails and Six Tails and evolve directly into the complete Ten Tails.

The moment Ten Tails Groot saw the Gedo Mazo, its mouth started watering instantly, as though it had just seen the greatest feast in existence.

"Master, I want it!"

The little thing was about to pounce on the Gedo Mazo and start draining it dry, but Brook immediately used spatial teleportation to snatch it back into his hand.

"Do not move without my permission."

Brook held Groot like a cat and casually stroked it, while also deepening the control woven into its soul to ensure absolute obedience.

"Understood, Master."

Ten Tails Groot immediately quieted down, though its crimson Rinnegan still stared longingly at the giant Gedo Mazo.

"One six tomoe crimson Rinnegan became a pair of ordinary red Rinnegan. I wonder if that counts as a profit."

Brook coiled the little Ten Tails Groot in his hand.

Still, the thought of feeding a creature for a thousand years without a return made his teeth ache.

The Gedo Mazo quickly devoured the remains of the Ten Tails juvenile, and its aura became even stronger.

But even then, it still did not transform into the complete Ten Tails.

It seemed the Four Tails and Six Tails hidden by the Sage of Six Paths were still necessary after all.

Since this alternate dimension originally belonged to Isshiki Otsutsuki's bloodline and golden eye technique, and Brook had now inherited everything, this space had also become his.

It was vastly larger than Kamui Space. It could store far more things, enough to hold dozens more giant tailed beasts with ease.

Brook set the Gedo Mazo's initial summoning location inside this alternate dimension to prevent the Sage of Six Paths from interfering again.

That way, whether through direct entry or summoning, Brook would always be able to reach the Gedo Mazo instantly.

--------------

The hunt had been a complete success.

Brook had not only absorbed a great portion of Isshiki Otsutsuki's power, he had also inherited his entire legacy. His strength had multiplied several times over, and for a moment, he truly felt invincible within the ninja world.

"It's all about to end!"

Now it was time to deal with the Sage of Six Paths, unify the ninja world, release Kaguya, and wait for the arrival of the Otsutsuki clan.

Brook burst into laughter, overflowing with confidence. On his shoulder, Groot continued staring longingly at the delicious Gedo Mazo.

Suddenly, Brook felt a pulling force latch onto him, as though someone were trying to summon him by force. It immediately reminded him of the time the Sage of Six Paths had dragged him into the Pure Land.

The moment he thought of that, Brook's expression darkened. He forcibly broke free of the pull.

So the Sage of Six Paths had actually grown bold enough to try summoning him again.

[Divine Art: Space Time Vision!]

A light flashed in Brook's eyes, and an image appeared before him instantly.

He saw the Sage of Six Paths standing atop a massive summoning array, using a joint summoning technique together with more than a dozen Kage level souls.

He also saw the sages of the three holy lands standing nearby, each holding talismans and ancient artifacts, their eyes fixed on the array like butchers waiting beside a chopping block, ready to deliver a fatal strike the instant he appeared.

When Brook saw that scene, his face immediately turned cold.

Those people were actually planning to gang up on him and kill him.

But only a moment later, a cruel smile spread across his lips.

He immediately created a Wood Release clone infused with Yin Yang Release, one that carried his own aura almost perfectly.

"Gedo Mazo, prepare a massive Tailed Beast Ball."

Brook gave the order, then used Sukunahikona to shrink the enormous Tailed Beast Ball down to the size of a bead and placed it in the clone's hand.

"Go. Give them a surprise."

Brook sneered and transferred the pulling force to the clone.

As expected, the clone offered no resistance and was instantly summoned away.

On the other side, the Sage of Six Paths finally sensed Brook's aura again. He had tried several times to force him over, but Brook had broken free each time.

That had filled him with anxiety. Brook's strength was growing too quickly, and he could already feel his own chances slipping away.

But the next instant, Brook's presence returned, and this time the pull succeeded.

"Everyone, get ready! He's about to appear!!"

The Sage of Six Paths shouted, and the gathered Kage souls all tensed at once. They wanted to see just how terrifying this Grim Reaper, the one threatening the entire ninja world, truly was.

The Great Toad Sage had already prepared sealing arrays and powerful talismans. The Slug Sage had finished condensing its corrosive sage acid. The White Snake Sage had also activated a forbidden sage technique. All of them were waiting for Brook to appear.

A figure suddenly materialized above the joint summoning array.

The Great Toad Sage acted immediately. Without hesitation, it activated a sealing technique, locking down the surrounding space to prevent Brook from escaping with space time ninjutsu.

As for that incomprehensible time manipulation ability, they had no real answer for it. Their only option was to keep pouring in powerful techniques without pause.

The toad did not believe Brook could maintain such a forbidden ability forever.

As long as Brook remained trapped inside this space, they could outlast him.

At the same time, the Slug Sage and White Snake Sage both unleashed their sage arts.

The instant Brook was summoned over, the Sage of Six Paths also abandoned his role at the center of the joint summoning and joined the assault personally. The Yin Yang seals in his hands had already begun to glow. If necessary, he was ready to cast Six Paths: Planetary Devastation and seal Brook away completely.

The Kage souls also prepared to help, but as pure spirits, there were only so many techniques they could use.

Yet even as all those forbidden arts crashed toward him, Brook made no attempt to flee.

Instead, he smiled.

The sight made both the Great Toad Sage and the Sage of Six Paths feel a chill run through them.

"You old thief of the Six Paths, and you three old beasts, you're all dead!"

Brook sneered.

The bead sized Tailed Beast Ball in his hand instantly expanded to the size of a small mountain just before his clone was annihilated by the incoming techniques.

Then the enormous Tailed Beast Ball exploded.

Boom!!

"Oh no! It's a clone, and a Tailed Beast Ball!!"

The Sage of Six Paths cried out in shock, but it was already too late.

The terrifying blast swallowed everything.

Those Kage level souls were blown apart before they could even react, sent straight back into the Pure Land. It was impossible to tell how long it would take them to recover.

The Slug Sage was blasted into thousands of tiny fragments that scattered in all directions. Even the White Snake Sage, who used its supreme shedding technique at the last second, was still badly injured by the explosion. The Great Toad Sage had to burn a precious resurrection talisman just to survive the blast.

The Sage of Six Paths slowly reformed his chakra body, but it had become far thinner and more translucent than before. It was obvious he had consumed a tremendous amount of chakra.

"I'm sorry. I dragged all of you into this."

The Sage of Six Paths spoke with visible guilt.

Not only had he failed to bring over Brook's true body, he had instead summoned a clone carrying a giant Tailed Beast Ball.

They had nearly all died for nothing.

"He can actually see through our plan. It's over. It's all over. The ninja world is finished too."

The Great Toad Sage's voice was grave, and for once, there was real panic in it.

The future had changed again.

Brook was growing too quickly. He had already become a being capable of interfering with even the future the toad had once foreseen.

It felt as though a force greater than the will of the planet itself had appeared.

The toad clan's sage arts were rooted in communion with the world's natural will, and it was through that link that the Great Toad Sage had gained fragments of prophecy.

But now, even nature itself could no longer predict Brook.

"I am badly injured. I need to return to Ryuchi Cave to recover."

Seeing the situation turn grim, the White Snake Sage immediately tried to withdraw.

Its body had already started regenerating, and even a Ten Tails Tailed Beast Ball was not enough to kill an ancient sage like it.

But after this failed operation, it had developed a deep sense of danger. It wanted to take Ryuchi Cave and hide it away completely from the ninja world.

Because of Brook's overwhelming threat, the White Snake Sage could no longer see any hope of victory. For a brief moment, it even considered defecting and seeking shelter under Brook instead.

But now that it had already shown its hand, there was no turning back.

"You think you can just leave? Since you've already acted, Brook won't let you go."

The Great Toad Sage spoke darkly.

It had seen through the White Snake Sage's thoughts at once. Their strength could not be allowed to weaken now. They had to stay united.

"Hmph. Don't think I don't know you're lying. This is all your fault for dragging us into it. You're the one who caused this mess."

The White Snake Sage spat coldly.

It already knew the dead toad had manipulated even the Sage of Six Paths, but the Toad Sage had brought both the Sage of Six Paths and the Slug Sage to pressure it into joining the operation.

If given the choice, it would rather have broken with them entirely than involve itself in this.

This old toad had sworn over and over that, according to prophecy, they would successfully kill Brook.

But now the outcome had clearly changed.

"Enough. Stop arguing. What do we do next?"

The Slug Sage's gentle voice rang out at last.

Its main body slowly reformed, but it was noticeably smaller than before, proof that many of its fragments had been destroyed in the blast.

.....

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