Dark Continent

" It is an environment of pure chaos and bloodshed, and I will never forget the time we have spent in it. "
— Beyond Netero to his crew after the end of their expedition, only 5 people remaining out of 31.
The Dark Continent is a secret part of Earth located near the island of Laugh Tale in The Grand Line. Although it is not related to The Grand Line, it can only be reached by traversing almost the entirety of its islands. It is not a part of the seas, but a giant, sprawling stretch of soil bigger than most of the land on Earth's surface, full of some of the most powerful and evil creatures in the universe, who have taken refuge in a place hidden from civilization, almost completely unexplored and undocumented.
It has only been visited by 2 surviving pirate crews: The crew of the king of the pirates, Gol D. Roger, and, many many years later, the biologist crew assigned for Beyond Netero's expedition to document the fauna and flora of this, at the time, completely undocumented and unmapped land. Every other pirate crew that has tried to visit or research The Dark Continent has remained unsuccessful.
The last expedition that took place in The Dark Continent was a small one made by the Strawhat Pirates, who only explored a small part of it before deciding to leave, as although they were powerful and competent pirates, they were out of its league.
== Documented Information ==
There is very few documented information on The Dark Continent, as the only living crew that was able to write on its unusual flora and fauna was an expedition team led by the son of famous Hunter Association Leader Netero, named Beyond. 
Netero told the Hunter Association Chairmen and The Zodiacs to explore the continent, and to return with hope, as the Four Emperors have signed a treaty 200 years ago agreeing not to travel to the Dark Continent.
=== Fauna ===
The Fauna of The Dark Continent is generally extremely aggressive and possesses wide knowledge of Nen Techniques, Black Magic and Devil Fruit powers. Some of the creatures known as Sea Kings in The Grand Line have evolved and resided in The Dark Continent, some even possessing near-human intelligence.
Many pre-historic animals and insects have remained alive after their supposed "extinction" many of years ago, and have resided in The Dark Continent ever since, with no human interference, as well as evolving further and developing deadlier and deadlier defense mechanisms.
The monsters currently residing on The Dark Continent are the reason it has remained untouched and forgotten by humanity for all these years. No matter the years of training a human has spent perfecting their skills, the malice of its fauna will eliminate or curse any stranger to its environment.
The Chimera Ants, which were barely beaten by the last sacrifice of the strongest Nen user on Earth, Netero, and threatened to destroy it entirely, were some of the weakest creatures residing in The Dark Continent. It could only be explored by Beyond's crew as they had trained their entire lives for that moment, although the Strawhat Pirates are currently training to be able to explore it with ease, and may one day be successful.
=== Flora ===
The Dark Continent is theorized by many to be the birthplace of the Devil Fruits, but nothing has ever been confirmed. The fauna is replete of pre-historic plants, which have adapted mostly to serve as cover or shelter, due to most of The Dark Continent's fauna being carnivorous and nomadic.
Category:Locations