Marvel: I Trade Devil Fruits for Power

"ROAARRR—Hulk, let's go another round!"

Although Abomination had just been countered by Hulk, he was, if anything, even more excited. Who was he? He was a Super Soldier. He had been willing to inject himself with experimental super-serum that wasn't fully understood, solely for the sake of power. He wouldn't be this battle-crazed otherwise. Now that he had found a worthy opponent, he was determined to fight to the end—until either he or the other collapsed.

"ROAARRR—Hulk!"

Hulk didn't back down in the slightest. He was enraged, but he wasn't mindless. He preferred brawling, but that didn't mean he didn't know how to utilize his own body. Looking at Abomination charging toward him, having just blocked that vibration-laden punch, he felt an immense rush of adrenaline. Sure enough, I am the strongest!

Furthermore, with that last exchange, it was as if Hulk had suddenly opened his "Ren and Du meridians." He had watched the various ways Qin Xiao utilized the Flower-Flower Fruit—sprouting arms from the ground, from other people's bodies—and a compulsion echoed in his mind. He could do it too! He could manifest even more arms, just like the four he currently possessed. He just hadn't figured out exactly how yet.

Seeing Abomination charging, Hulk roared and countered, charging back at him. If they were going to fight, they were going to do it right.

Boom! Boom!

Crack! Clang!

The two figures locked in a fierce, absolute battle. Abomination's white light constantly triggered intense vibrations, and every single one of those shocks sent waves of agonizing pain through Hulk. However, his rage only made his strength grow. Gaining the upper hand in raw power, he gripped both of Abomination's fists with two of his arms, while the remaining two rained down blows on Abomination's face.

The brutal strikes caused Abomination immense pain. Provoked, he flooded his entire body with vibration energy again. If I have to take a beating, you're going to get a taste of the recoil.

Boom!

Hulk threw another punch, but immediately realized there was a problem. The two hands he was using to hold Abomination's fists were trembling violently. Worse, the vibrations made his limbs go numb. Caught off guard, he instinctively loosened his grip. The freed Abomination clenched his fists.

Bang!

A savage punch sent Hulk flying once again.

Hoo... Hoo...

This time, Abomination didn't immediately pursue. Hulk's flurry of punches had left him severely battered. The persistence of the Four-Armed Hulk had truly exceeded his expectations. The most crucial factor was Hulk's innate attribute of getting stronger the angrier he became, leaving Abomination with no easy solution. If Hulk's strength remained static, he could never withstand the vibration-enhanced punches, but that "rage buff," combined with the new double-attack-and-defense advantage, made Abomination's maxed-out offensive output hit a wall. He was even in danger of a counter-kill.

Resting for a moment, his body adapted to the injuries once more. Meanwhile, Hulk was already charging back from the distance.

Boom!

The two massive bodies collided again.

"Hulk is getting more and more proficient with his four arms," Qin Xiao said, feeling a slight headache. It felt like such a waste.

"The Flower-Flower Fruit you gave him wasn't utilized in the diverse, colorful ways you imagined. But this form actually suits him better—his fighting style is all about raw, visceral impact," Betty offered her perspective.

Qin Xiao's methods were indeed varied, bizarre, and terrifyingly lethal, but those weren't suited for Hulk. Hulk's combat was pure, mindless brawling, and the Four-Armed Hulk form had effectively doubled his combat efficiency.

"I know, but it's still a shame. Using it like this feels like a waste." Qin Xiao remained disappointed. His vision of Hulk single-handedly battling an army, with green arms sprouting all over the landscape, hadn't manifested.

"Waste? No, it's not a waste. Even if Hulk doesn't use it that way, there's still Bruce," Betty disagreed. As the smartest man in the world, Bruce would surely find ways to develop the Flower-Flower Fruit further.

"Let's hope so." Qin Xiao didn't want to argue; it was done.

"Envoy of the Devil, I have a question. May I ask?" Betty spoke tentatively, wanting to clarify a doubt that had been gnawing at her.

"What is it?"

"You were able to teach Hulk how to use the power of the Flower-Flower Fruit—does that mean you can use the power of the Soul-Soul Fruit as well? In fact, even if I hadn't eaten the Soul-Soul Fruit, you could have stopped Hulk and Abomination anyway, couldn't you? You only did all this to force me to sign that contract with the Devil."

Qin Xiao looked at Betty. "You really are smart. I can indeed use the power of the Soul-Soul Fruit." He finished, and a transparent soul materialized behind him. However, internally, he scoffed, If you hadn't eaten it, I wouldn't have gained the power of the Soul-Soul Fruit. Stay in the dark, and keep believing that.

Hearing his admission, Betty felt a sense of despair. The Envoy of the Devil was truly dangerous. One careless step, and she had been used by him.

In the Mirror Dimension, the battle continued. Both were covered in wounds; Abomination was bruised and swollen, and while Hulk looked fine on the surface, his insides were battered by the vibrations. Yet, neither knew how to stop.

"Betty, that's enough for now. The battle ends today; there will be plenty of time in the future."

Qin Xiao spoke, then looked toward another part of the Mirror Dimension. Betty's Homies (Negative Hollows) flew straight toward the two monsters.

Swish! Swish!

The ghosts passed through their bodies. The two monsters, who were moments ago fighting with a fiery intensity, instantly collapsed to their knees.

"Our fighting has caused you trouble. We are truly trash. Just dump us in the garbage bin," they muttered in a depressed, defeatist tone.

Qin Xiao looked toward the exit of the Mirror Dimension—specifically at the destroyed street outside. Two familiar figures had appeared: Hawkeye Barton and Black Widow Natasha. Behind them were several S.H.I.E.L.D. security agents, scouting the area and looking for something.

Qin Xiao walked over to them. Hawkeye sighed in frustration, "They disappeared right around here. We asked General Ross; they were never on the plane."

"That is the terror of the Hell Envoy. Director Fury said the Envoy possesses a type of magic that allows for instantaneous travel between locations. Perhaps they have already moved elsewhere. If they don't want to be found, we might have no way of finding them," Natasha replied, equally helpless.

"What now? Go back and report?"

"Let's go. I've placed several 'artificial living creatures' throughout the blocks on my way here. They'll monitor the area for me. If the Envoy or the others return, I'll know."

Natasha had clearly found a way to utilize the Soul-Soul Fruit—using "Homies" for surveillance. They were so inconspicuous that they rarely drew notice, making them perfect for monitoring. Natasha left a few in hidden locations, and the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents departed.

"You know them?"

Hulk had transformed back into Dr. Banner, and with Betty's support, he walked over to Qin Xiao.

"Indeed. They are with S.H.I.E.L.D., an organization that isn't very famous yet, but is expanding globally. I'm going to take you to them. They have a research center for Fruit ability users. The woman you just saw is one as well. Afterward, you can join their research and perhaps properly study Hulk's serum."

Qin Xiao already had his plan in motion. While he would have liked to keep Dr. Banner, someone who lived in hiding would be a waste of talent. Giving him to S.H.I.E.L.D. would provide better research resources. Besides, as a S.H.I.E.L.D. consultant, delivering two Fruit users for study was completely reasonable. Though, he thought, this proactive move will probably give Nick Fury a heart attack.

"S.H.I.E.L.D.? What is that?"

"It's too complicated to explain, but I can take you there right now."

Qin Xiao opened a portal. On the other side was the S.H.I.E.L.D. branch in the suburbs of New York. As the portal opened, everyone in the facility turned to look. The consultant for their branch walked through.

"Consultant!"

"Consultant!"

The staff greeted him reflexively.

"I have a few guests who will be staying for a long time; you'll need to register them. They are also Fruit ability users. Those of you with connections to Headquarters, feel free to report this."

Qin Xiao told them directly that Banner and Betty were Fruit users. The researchers were shocked, but curiosity immediately took hold. Natasha's ability had already brought them immense joy; now, two more had arrived! It was a gift from the heavens.

"Welcome, welcome!"

"Fruit users! We've been wanting to research the abilities!"

"This is truly perfect timing."

The group of researchers pushed past security and rushed toward Betty and Banner.

"Where is this? Will I be staying here too?"

A giant, yellow figure stepped out from behind the portal.

"AHHHHHHH!!!!"