King of Demons, Imu.
"..."
Faced with Shirogai exposing his identity, the inhuman figure within the darkness flickered with an unstable, eerie distortion.
"Wuuu!!!!"
This negative manifestation of Imu reacted violently, as if provoked by those words.
"Shirogai!!!"
Like something that had existed in darkness for ages and was suddenly dragged into the light, it felt instinctive irritation, anger, and even a faint trace of fear it could not recognize.
Fall.
A pitch-black aura erupted from its body, carrying overwhelming dread and pressure that weighed heavily on all living beings.
Buzz...
The dark energy spread rapidly, covering the entire Dream World before breaking through its boundaries and spilling into the skies above Elbaf.
Buzz...
This strange power, similar to Haoshoku Haki yet mixed with a Devil Fruit ability, affected every living being trapped within the Nightmare World.
A sudden wave of fear surged through them.
It was as if a second, darker personality within their hearts had awakened and begun fighting for control.
"Aaaahhh..."
Those who had been immersed in peaceful dreams began to scream.
In an instant, their dreams twisted into nightmares, forcing them to confront their deepest fears.
Those already trapped in nightmares sank even further, their terror intensifying beyond control.
Panic, helplessness, cowardice, and despair consumed them.
The brave became timid.
The angry lost themselves completely.
The restrained became indulgent.
The rational descended into madness.
The once vivid Dream World turned cold and lifeless, swallowed by darkness.
Only negativity remained.
Here, human willpower was fragile, insignificant against the overwhelming force pressing down on it.
In Elbaf.
Boom!
The dark aura descended into reality.
The giants who had not been pulled into the dream suddenly changed.
"Damn brat!"
A giant mother, who had been cooking with a gentle smile, froze mid-motion. Her expression twisted into something unrecognizable.
She slowly raised her kitchen knife and turned toward her child.
"If you were gone, I would finally have peace. For Mama's sake, just die."
The child, once happily playing, suddenly erupted in anger. He smashed his toy and roared wildly.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"
...
Inside a tavern in Elbaf.
Smash! Smash! Smash!
The giants who had been drinking together shattered their cups.
"Power... something is surging inside me!"
Their expressions warped, their bodies surrounded by a dark aura.
"Slaughter everything!"
Weapons were drawn as they glared at each other with hatred.
"You filth, the throne of Elbaf should be mine!"
"You call yourselves giants? Pathetic!"
"Fight me! Only one ruler can exist!"
"Your existence is a disgrace. I will erase it!"
Their weapons rose, aimed at vital points, ready to strike.
...
Within the Dream World.
"Is this your Devil Fruit ability?"
Shirogai's eyes sharpened slightly as he observed everything.
"One thought becomes hell. Emotional domination."
Negative emotions were amplified beyond control.
Minor fear turned into overwhelming panic.
Small weaknesses became paralyzing terror.
Hidden greed twisted into uncontrollable desire.
Love turned into hatred.
Unity collapsed into suspicion and violence.
Shirogai let out a faint breath, a hint of admiration in his voice.
"A terrifying ability."
He looked through the Dream World, his gaze reaching Elbaf itself.
"No matter how strong someone is, there will always be darkness in their heart."
His expression remained composed.
"Training Haki is simple. Mastering a Devil Fruit is straightforward. But controlling the heart... that is the hardest thing of all."
A faint silver-white aura began to rise from his body.
It resembled Haoshoku Haki, yet carried a completely different presence.
"And that is the weapon you use to control everything."
Swish.
His aura expanded instantly, spreading across the Dream World and into Elbaf.
"Heh... everyone."
His voice echoed, calm yet commanding.
"Wake up."
...
"Wake up..."
The moment his voice spread, the suffocating darkness began to fade.
The corrupting aura was purified.
"..."
"Huh? What... what just happened?"
The giants froze, their raised weapons trembling.
"My body... what was that feeling?"
"Why did I... want to kill everyone?"
Clang!
The knife slipped from the giant mother's hand.
She collapsed, trembling as she pulled her child into her arms.
"I almost... killed my own son...?"
...
Within the darkness.
The shadowed figure paused.
To break even a fragment of this power so easily...
Even if it was only a trace of Imu's ability, not its full strength...
This was not something an ordinary person could accomplish.
Inside the dark Dream World.
"Shirogai."
The malicious gaze locked onto him.
"You know Imu's true name?"
Shirogai smiled faintly.
"There's no need to act surprised, Imu. That isn't even your real name, is it?"
He pointed toward the shifting darkness.
"That name belongs to the body you stole. Its original owner was one of the leaders of the resistance, a companion of Joy Boy."
His tone remained steady.
"You are the one who was erased in that battle. The enemy of Joy Boy."
His eyes sharpened.
"A Devil Fruit user."
"A true demon."
Shirogai's smile did not fade.
"A being that humans cannot truly destroy."