“Argh?
What’s ‘genesis’ supposed to mean?
And how did I suddenly become something like that?” Shaq was visibly taken aback upon hearing the term from Zunesha, his thoughts momentarily thrown into confusion as he tried to process the unfamiliar concept.
“For what follows, you need only think your words, and I will hear them,” Zunesha’s voice resounded gently within his mind, carrying an ancient weight.
“There are matters not suited to be known by too many.”
Then, as though recalling something long buried beneath centuries of memory, Zunesha continued, its tone tinged with a restrained yet unmistakable intensity.
“According to Joy Boy, in ancient times, all Devil Fruits originated from a single source a great tree that bore them.
By relying on the powers granted by those fruits, humans of that era were able to rise against countless other races and eventually establish their dominance across the seas.
That tree came to be known as the World Tree.”
A faint pause followed, as if the colossal being was carefully choosing its next words.
“Yet such a tree did not come into existence without origin.
It sprouted from a single seed.
After nurturing the World Tree, that seed no longer remained dormant; instead, it began to manifest across the seas, becoming an unseen force that propelled the advancement of human civilization.
Those who stood at the forefront of progress were, knowingly or not, guided by its influence.
That seed was called ‘genesis’ the origin, the beginning of all things tied to mankind’s rise.
However… ever since Joy Boy appeared eight hundred years ago, genesis vanished.”
“No matter how he searched, he could not find it again.
In the end, deprived of that power, Joy Boy’s great undertaking failed.”
Hearing this, Shaq’s thoughts grew even more tangled.
“And what does that have to do with me being ‘genesis’?” he questioned internally, unable to reconcile the story with himself.
The knowledge Zunesha spoke of had never been revealed in the world he once knew, making it all the more difficult to accept.
Standing nearby, Newgate watched Shaq’s ever-changing expression in silence.
Though he could not hear the conversation, he could sense that something profound was unfolding.
A faint unease surfaced in his heart; whatever Shaq was communicating with Zunesha seemed to carry the weight of secrets that could shake the world itself.
Yet despite that, he chose not to interrupt.
What he desired for his son was simple peace and freedom but he would not stand in the way of his path.
Zunesha seemed to pause once more before continuing, as though confirming something.
“Genesis is also referred to as the Seed of Life.
Among humans, however, it has taken on another name the Life-Life Fruit, the very power you now possess.
That is why you carry the potential to influence the course of human civilization.”
“Argh?” Shaq was left utterly stunned.
The so-called forbidden nature of his power suddenly made far more sense, yet instead of excitement, a heavy resistance rose within him.
“But I didn’t choose this knowing any of that,” he replied, his thoughts firm.
“I don’t want to shoulder something like the fate of civilization.
I just want to stay by my old man’s side and take care of him until the end.”
“It was never a matter of your choice,” Zunesha responded, its voice deep and unyielding.
“The power chose you.
Such things are guided by the flow of time itself.
Everything follows its course, including this meeting.
What is set into motion cannot be so easily avoided.”
Their exchange continued beyond that point, words passing between them in silence, unheard by anyone else.
Yet judging from Shaq’s increasingly tense expression and the sharp shift in his gaze, it was clear that the discussion had turned into a clash of wills rather than understanding.
“Enough!”
The sudden outburst shattered the quiet.
Shaq’s voice rang out as he glared upward, his expression fierce and unyielding.
“My future is mine to decide!
To hell with fate!
If there’s one thing I refuse to believe in, it’s something like that!”
The moment those words fell, Newgate moved without hesitation.
He stepped forward, placing himself squarely in front of Shaq as Murakumogiri rose in his grasp, its massive blade pointing directly toward Zunesha.
A terrifying aura surged outward.
Newgate’s Conqueror’s Haki burst forth, invisible yet overwhelming, pressing against the surroundings like a tidal wave.
The air itself seemed to tremble as arcs of black-red lightning flickered around him, illuminating his imposing figure against the darkness.
“I don’t care what you are,” Newgate said, his voice low yet filled with unmistakable authority, “but no one forces my son to do anything he doesn’t want to do.”
A brief pause followed, the weight of his words sinking into the very air.
“And if someone tries…”
The grip on his weapon tightened ever so slightly.
“Then I’ll personally send them to the bottom of the sea.”
Faced with the small yet overwhelmingly powerful figure before it, even Zunesha fell silent for a moment.
For a being that had endured since ancient times, it was rare to encounter a presence that demanded such caution.
At last, its voice returned, echoing once more within Shaq’s mind.
“In time, you will understand… some things cannot be so easily cast aside.”
Before Shaq could respond, a deep, resonant trumpet call echoed across the sea, carrying with it a subtle shift in tone less forceful, more conceding.
Newgate exhaled slowly, the oppressive force surrounding him gradually fading as he lowered Murakumogiri.
The blade struck the deck with a dull weight, and he let out a quiet snort, his displeasure still lingering.
“Go to Zou,” Zunesha said at last.
“There, remnants of the past still remain.”
Shaq’s expression remained firm as he spoke aloud this time, ensuring Newgate could hear him as well.
“Then take us there.”
In response, the massive trunk moved once more, lifting their small vessel upward with ease.
As they ascended, an enormous landmass gradually came into view atop Zunesha’s back an island that seemed to exist above the clouds themselves.
The trunk carefully lowered the boat into a dense forest, its canopy stretching high overhead.
Once they were safely on solid ground, Newgate crouched down and placed a large hand atop Shaq’s head, his usual grin returning.
“Gurararara!
Don’t let something like ‘fate’ weigh you down.
Just do what you believe is right.
Your old man’s got your back, from start to finish.”
Hearing those words, Shaq lifted his head, meeting Newgate’s steady gaze.
“Even if… it means standing against this entire world… you’d still support me?”
The question lingered, carrying a weight that went beyond the moment.
Deep down, Shaq could not ignore the possibility that if fate truly existed, then the tragic future awaiting Newgate might also be inevitable.
That was something he refused to accept.
“Gurararara!
What kind of nonsense are you talking about?” Newgate burst into laughter, straightening up as though he had just heard the most ridiculous joke imaginable.
Even tears formed at the corners of his eyes before he wiped them away.
“As your old man, I don’t need to know what path you’ll take,” he continued with an easy grin.
“All that matters is whether my son needs me.”
Those simple words struck deeper than anything else.
Shaq felt his throat tighten, unable to form a proper reply.
In the end, only a single call escaped him.
“Old man!”
He rushed forward and hugged Newgate’s leg tightly.
“Oi, brat!
Don’t wipe that on me!” Newgate frowned, poking Shaq’s head with a finger, though there was no real annoyance behind it.
“Shut up, old man, you ruined the mood,” Shaq shot back, though his voice had already steadied.
“That’s because you’re filthy,” Newgate retorted without hesitation.
After wiping his face clean, Shaq looked up again, his expression now resolute.
“Don’t worry.
I know what I need to do.”
“Gurararara!
Listen to this kid acting all grown up,” Newgate laughed, ruffling his hair roughly.
“Go on, then.”
…
As they moved deeper into the forest, Shaq glanced around with curiosity, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings of what was known as the Whale Forest.
“It doesn’t look much different from a normal forest,” he muttered.
The moment the words left his mouth, a sharp glint flashed through the air.
A narrow blade shot toward him with lethal precision, leaving him no time to react.
Fortunately, he was not alone.
Newgate moved instantly.
His arm, coated in Armament Haki, shot forward and caught the blade mid-strike with unyielding force.
His expression turned cold as his grip tightened around the weapon.
“What do you think you’re doing,” he said, his voice dropping dangerously low, “attacking my son?”