In the command chamber, dozens of CP-0 agents knelt before him, their white masks gleaming under the sterile lights. These were not the common dogs of the World Government. No, these were the ones he personally handpicked, absolutely loyal, their minds and bodies bound to his will through years of conditioning and secret rites known only to the uppermost echelon of Mariejois.
Among them, one figure knelt with particular distinction.
Blueno.
The user of the Door-Door Fruit.
Shamrock's crimson eyes briefly studied him.
"No," he decided internally. "Door-Door is not an option. Blueno is loyal beyond doubt, and the fruit suits him best. Removing it would weaken my elite forces."
Another whisper from Cerberus agreed.
Discarding the Door-Door Fruit from his plans, Shamrock focused on his final decision.
Three fruits to solidify his dominion:
1. Time-Time Fruit.
An ancient Paramecia once wielded by Kozuki Toki herself, allowing travel into the future, a manipulation of causality itself. Not pure spatial movement like teleportation, but something more insidious. Perfect for strategic withdrawal and instantaneous assaults. However, its whereabouts were a mystery after Wano's upheaval.
2. Memory-Memory Fruit.
Currently possessed by a certain low-ranking Charlotte family member. Pudding.
This fruit was pure psychological warfare. The ability to alter, erase, or implant memories into targets. With it, no rebellion could form against him. Absolute control over loyalty, perception, and even the past itself.
3. Dark-Dark Fruit.
Blackbeard's stolen treasure. The only fruit capable of nullifying other Devil Fruits. Pure nihilism incarnate, swallowing light and hope alike. Blackbeard was a true garbage in the original work. Just pure nihilism and strongest force in the universe, wasted by his incompetence. Blackbeard's so called "Black hole" is a complete joke. Incomparable and insignificant compared to an actual black hole. A real black hole should strip not just devil fruit abilities but also atoms, time and space itself. It is a force capable of eventually ending the universe itself.
Such power will not be wasted on Blackbeard no more.
With it, Shamrock would reign unchallenged, even among the so-called "great powers" of the sea and eventually among the sea of stars.
A predatory smile crept onto his face.
"Memory and Darkness... both known. Time..." he muttered.
He needed information, and soon.
Shamrock turned his gaze onto the CP-0 agents.
"You will be divided into three teams," his voice was calm but carried an absolute authority that brooked no disobedience.
"Team One: Locate and secure the Time-Time Fruit. Use any means necessary. I want its location within a month."
A dozen agents immediately saluted and vanished into the corridors.
"Team Two: Prepare for an operation against Totto Land. Pudding must be captured alive. If Charlotte Linlin intervenes…" Shamrock's smile turned cruel, "then exterminate everything."
Another dozen agents moved without hesitation.
"Team Three: Monitor Blackbeard. Observe his every move, his vulnerabilities. Do not engage. Report only."
The remaining agents bowed deeply and withdrew.
Blueno remained kneeling.
"You," Shamrock pointed at him, "will personally coordinate the operations."
"Understood, Supreme Commander," Blueno intoned without emotion.
As the agents dispersed, Shamrock turned and gazed out over the endless sea.
The world's balance was teetering on a knife's edge.
A Yonko already dead. Revolutionary Army in chaos. Marines scrambling to find their footing.
All while the blood-red Cerberus loomed above them, unseen, patient, inevitable.
"Soon," Shamrock whispered, "I will devour even time itself."