"The rich scent of Devil Fruits, the majestic life force, the mysterious pressure that feels as domineering as a supreme ruler, yet far beyond that level… what is this?"
Redfieds was extremely curious. Of course, everyone present felt the same.
"Have you ever heard of the tree that gave birth to all Devil Fruits?"
At this moment, Elior spoke, doubt carried in his calm tone.
That single question exploded like thunder in everyone's ears.
"The tree that gave birth to all Devil Fruits?"
"A Devil Fruit Tree?"
"That rich Devil Fruit scent… is it really here?!"
Everyone was stunned on the spot. The expressions on their faces said it all.
"I almost forgot how Devil Fruits came into existence! Legend says there is a mysterious tree somewhere in the sea. No one knows where it is, but that tree gave birth to all the Devil Fruits in the world!"
"Is that tree really here?"
"It's possible!"
Everyone was filled with curiosity.
Redfield said, "There's a mysterious force preventing us from entering. For those of us who are strong, it's manageable — but for the weak, this pressure would be nothing short of demonic. No… this sense of intimidation surpasses even the strongest individuals. It crushes everything!"
Bullet said, "Then let's just go in. This place is an island only the strong are qualified to set foot on!"
Kaido, Big Mom, and the others nodded in agreement with Bullet's words.
"Let me try."
At that moment, Elior took a single step forward.
Boom!
In an instant, an invisible force erupted from Elior, a power that could no longer simply be described as terrifying.
The world's strongest Conqueror's Haki!
This supreme, king-like aura surged outward with Elior as its source, blasting straight toward the depths of the island.
For someone like Elior, mastering Conqueror's Haki had long since become effortless.
As a result, the people standing behind him were not affected in the slightest by the overwhelming aura.
"So strong… such overwhelming dominance!"
"Horrifying!"
"Once this power is released, it's enough to drive anyone into despair!"
Kaido and the others were utterly shocked, let alone the rest.
Yet this time, there was no scene of the island cracking apart or the land being torn to pieces, no destruction of flowers, plants, or trees.
Elior merely released the pressure of his power, using it to confront the terrifying force deep within the island.
"Huh? That mysterious barrier filled with the scent of Devil Fruits… it disappeared?"
"It really vanished all of a sudden!"
"Could it be that it was crushed by Elior's Conqueror's Haki?"
"That must be it completely overwhelmed!"
"If that tree truly exists, does this mean it has acknowledged Elior's power?"
"It certainly feels that way."
At the same time the mysterious force vanished, Elior withdrew his Conqueror's Haki.
"Easier than expected."
Elior's expression remained unchanged, though he had to admit that the power he had just confronted was indeed terrifying. Under the pressure of his Haoshoku Haki, that mysterious force had finally yielded.
Of course, Elior believed it was not fear, but recognition.
Without a doubt, the source of that mysterious power was the legendary Devil Fruit Tree.
As for a tree capable of giving birth to countless Devil Fruits, Elior never once believed it to be a weak existence.
"Let's go in."
Elior waved his hand. Everyone immediately understood and followed behind him.
Laugh Tale is roughly the size of an ordinary island.
However, the forest here is clearly far more lush.
After all, this is a place that almost no one has set foot on for centuries. The last people to come here were Roger and his crew more than twenty years ago.
This place could no longer be described as merely inaccessible.
Rather than a forest, it was more accurate to call it an ultra-ancient primeval jungle.
Aside from plants, there were no ordinary animals to be seen.
At least, none of the common forest creatures found in the outside world existed here.
Ordinary animals none at all.
However, Elior and the other powerful figures could sense the life force of certain terrifying Sea Kings.
They were secretly observing from afar, their auras filled with fear and unease.
They were powerful but Elior and the others were even more terrifying.
Because of that, those ferocious creatures did not dare approach.
They could only watch from the shadows.
At this moment, Elior walked at the very front, with the others following behind.
This was a group numbering in the thousands. In fact, over one hundred thousand people had entered this sea area.
And every single one of those hundred thousand was combat-ready.
For the first time in history, so many people were being led into the depths of Laugh Tale.
Elior's plan was clear: after this journey, he would immediately launch the final war against the Celestial Dragons.
That was why all the fighting power of the three pirate factions had gathered here.
Half an hour later, Elior and the others finally reached the deepest part of Laugh Tale.
What appeared before them was a towering, strange Tree of Life, a tree so extraordinary that its presence alone inspired awe.
And beneath that Tree of Life stood several massive Poneglyphs.
At that moment, nearly everyone present was completely stunned.