42 Thriller Bark Pt. 2

Ace didn't pay any mind to Soren leaving. He wanted to fry the man in front of him. Something about the man rubbed him the wrong way. "Before I turn you into ash, I want to ask how did you create these zombies?"

Absalom hmphed, "Like, I'll ever tell you." Grinning, Ace gathered a ball of fire between his palms, "Looks like I'll have to beat it out of you." Thrusting his hands forward, Ace shot out a pillar of flame that Absalom dodged.

The flame lance cut through the forest, turning the ground into slag and trees into ash.

---

I looked over my shoulder as a wave of heat passed washed over me, "He didn't even try." Shaking my head, I continued to walk on my path. As I walked, I caught a rat, an ugly thing with bent whiskers, matted grey fur, and stained teeth.

Putting it to sleep temporarily, I started to change the sewer-loving rodent into a designer pet. It was almost too easy, only changing its physical appearance, so I began to have some fun. Enlarging its body, I increased brain mass, especially the frontal cortex and the hippocampus.

With minimal training, the mouse would carry out complex tasks. I also changed its fight or flight response and set its mind back to childhood. The first human it saw it would imprint upon becoming a loyal companion.

Putting Algernon the mouse in my pack, I spotted my target, the large stone castle in the distance. I didn't remember precisely where Perona's room was, but I was sure I could find it.

As I drew closer to the castle, I sensed about five negative aura's spying on me. "You know I can sense them right. There's no point in hiding." A few seconds later, the five Negative Hallows revealed themselves flying through the air and taunting me.

Then one of the Hallows rushed me and tried to go through me. I say attempted to as when the ghost touched me. It let out a distorted howl before exploding. Brushing off the dirt, I looked at the other four, who were in stunned silence.

"Boo!" The other four Hallows screamed before flying away. There was a great sense of irony in my actions. It was also educational. It seemed that my demigod soul couldn't be affected by Ghost.

I wondered if Sugar could still turn me into a Toy by the Hobi Hobi no Mi. That was one person I would never go against head-on. The fruit granted a form of immortality and could turn Kaido into a harmless toy.

Getting rid of that train of thoughts, I set my sights back on the castle ahead of me. When the doors to the castle came into view, I noticed a swarm of zombie beasts guarding the entrance.

I drew my sword, "Oh, is this all for me, you guys! You didn't have to do all this."

"This isn't a party!" The crowd parted, revealing the person who I was looking for. Perona glared at me, her arms crossed, pushing up her modest breasts, "Now tell me how the hell did you destroy my Hallows."

"And what if I don't?" I asked, looking at the fifty some-odd undead animals, "I'll have my Cute Army destroy you." Holding up my hand, I stalled her, "Or..or just here me out. You can join my crew."

Perona blinked before she laughed, "Why would I ever join you? I would have to leave behind all my soldiers. And it's my dream to have all the world cuties things follow my every command." Smiling, I reached into my pack, "Sure, Zombies are somewhat cute, but what if you could have living creatures follow your command."

I showed Perona Alergnon and the snow-white mouse locked eyes. Perona forgot all about me as she instinctually reached for the mouse. Catching herself, Perona took a step back, but Algernon scampered off my hands, running towards Pernona.

Screaming the typically exciting girl scream, Pernona kneeled and picked up the mouse. Understanding, Algernon rubbed his head against her palm.

Realizing what she had done, Pernona blushed, "Don't think this means I'll join you. It's only a mouse." I shrugged, "Yes, it's only a mouse, but what about a cat? I can make it follow your every command and as cute as you want."

Perona frowned, "Then I'll just have to take you prisoner and force you to make things for me." Sighing, I resheathed my sword, "You know I wish you hadn't said that. I can't stand slavery."

Reaching out to Algernon, I closed my hand, and I watch as the mouse stiffened before falling over. Pernona blinked, "What did you do!?" I rolled my shoulders as my body started to transform, "Don't worry, he's in a better place now?"

Perona's face turned from anger to fear as she looked up at me, "What the hell are you!?" My monster face split in a grin, "We are Venom." Pernona scream was cut off as I lunged my jaws wide open.

I was panting as I left my monster form, looking around at the remains of the animal zombies. Reaching into my pack, I pulled out a devil fruit, the Horo Horo no Mi.

It was a shame that she wouldn't join my crew, but they were other fish in the sea. Besides, I got her devil fruit. Turning around, I scratched the back of my head, "Damn, I didn't know I had that big of a problem. Maybe I should see a shrink? Nah."

Ace was sitting on a rock next to a pile of ashes, his hat covering his eyes, "What the hell happened? You're not wearing a shirt."

I looked down and realized he was right, "Eh, it was covered in blood anyways. Did you handle him?" I asked, pointing to the ash pile. "Yeah, and I got his devil fruit as well."

Ace pulled out an apple and tossed it to me, "Here, I don't have any use for it, but maybe we can sell it." Putting the fruit away, I smiled, "I think I could find another use for it."