Chapter 125: Chapter 124: Destruction
Marco was gripped with fear upon witnessing these two abilities. His voice trembled as he spoke: "Larson, you need to be careful. I can't use my Phoenix Fruit's abilities right now. I can't heal this wound."
"Don't worry; I'm a professional," Larson replied with a slight smile before steering the conversation. "Now, what do you think my other hand is for?"
Marco nearly lost composure. So Larson had managed to replicate his Phoenix Fruit—was he concerned that Marco might not be able to withstand the treatment?
Why did this "treatment" seem so unnerving?
Could he regret this now?
Yet even if he could, Marco wouldn't admit it aloud. He had no choice but to trust Larson now. Even if Larson suggested dissection in the name of treatment, Marco could only grit his teeth and accept, unable to utter a single complaint.
"Get ready; here I come."
A strange, almost sinister aura now surrounded Larson, making him appear chilling and formidable in Marco's eyes.
As Larson's hands moved closer, the black substance spreading to Marco's neck began to writhe restlessly.
Larson grinned. "Scared now? It's over."
Marco swallowed hard. He wanted to ask Larson how he knew that this strange substance was afraid, but he decided against it. He would rather not question anything when his survival instinct screamed at him to stay silent.
Larson's left hand, the one with the power of the Shock Fruit, touched Marco's body, pressing against the black substance.
Marco's body convulsed, his eyes rolled back, and foam bubbled from his mouth.
The black matter writhed violently on Marco's body, reacting as if subjected to severe trauma.
In his mind, Larson counted down, timing it perfectly. Just when Marco seemed on the edge of losing consciousness, Larson stopped. He placed his other hand, now imbued with the Phoenix Fruit, gently on Marco's head.
Larson's hands were strategically placed on different areas of Marco's body.
Initially, he had targeted Marco's stomach—where the black substance clung—to ensure that the power of the Shock Fruit would break down the invaders. Now, to treat Marco, he avoided further contact with the corrupted areas.
Using the Shock Fruit to disrupt the black substance was Larson's solution.
Earlier, Larson had watched Whitebeard battle the giants nearby and observed how those felled by Whitebeard's Shock Fruit shattered more thoroughly than the others. Unlike normal cases, where the giants quickly reassembled, those struck by Whitebeard remained disrupted for a longer period.
This level of observation would have been nearly impossible for most due to the sheer number of giants and the relentless combat. But to Larson, equipped with his Sharingan, such details were crystal clear. Every giant, though similar in appearance, held distinct traits in Larson's eyes. Through this, he uncovered their weakness.
The Shock Fruit indeed delayed their regeneration. With this discovery, Larson originally intended to replicate Whitebeard's Shock Fruit to counter the giants, but then something happened to Marco.
Initially, Larson was at a loss as to how to handle the black substance on Marco's body; after all, he had been unable to save Blue in a similar situation.
Yet fortune had sided with them, granting Larson this vital revelation.
Inspired, Larson devised a plan to use the Shock Fruit against the black substance.
However, Larson feared the Shock Fruit's power might harm Marco. So he replicated Marco's Phoenix Fruit to heal him.
Instead of relying on Marco to activate his Phoenix Fruit himself, Larson opted to copy it. He even restricted Marco's own abilities.
This was due to his concern that Marco, when injured, might instinctively activate the Phoenix Fruit's regenerative powers.
Such an automatic response would interfere with Larson's treatment. By using the Phoenix Fruit externally, Larson could isolate the black substance from Marco's healing, preventing it from benefitting from his powers.
If Marco used his ability on his own, it could act beyond Larson's control. In that case, even if Larson purged the black substance, Marco's healing ability could inadvertently restore it.
Larson sought to avoid this risk, which is why he took this approach.
Marco's breaths came in labored gasps as he slowly opened his eyes. "Are… are we done?"
Larson smirked. "This is only the beginning."
Marco clenched his teeth. "Bring it on!"
Larson nodded, bringing his left hand down once more.
A scream tore from Marco's lips. Though he had been resolute in agreeing to the treatment, the moment the quake's power touched him, all courage and stoicism vanished.
In mere moments, Marco's head fell limp as he slipped into unconsciousness.
The Phoenix Fruit's power surged…
Marco awoke…
The Shock Fruit activated…
Marco fell back into unconsciousness…
This relentless cycle played on, as Marco moved from consciousness to a faint time and again. The scene remained the same with each cycle, though the black substance on his body diminished, shrinking steadily with every repetition.
...
Whitebeard, standing nearby, listened to Marco's screams echo through the battlefield, glancing in his direction with a troubled expression.
What could be happening over there?
How could Marco be in such agony?
He wanted nothing more than to rush over and check on him. But he knew Larson was there. And with Larson present, any potential danger was already in capable hands.
Taking a deep breath, Whitebeard decided to hold his ground. Better to focus on his own battle. If there was a threat Larson couldn't handle, there was likely nothing he could change by being there.
...
"Cough… cough!"
The moment Marco regained consciousness, he raised a weary hand to stop Larson. "Wait… wait a minute!"
Larson arched an eyebrow, noting that the black substance on Marco's body had receded to his ankles, and lowered his hand. "What's the matter?"
Marco's breathing was heavy. "I just need a moment."
Though the Phoenix Fruit had been healing his body through every shock, Marco's spirit felt worn and strained from the unending ordeal.