[TL/N: New Book -
Anime Group Chat in a Doomsday World!]
-------
Sabo stared at the Devil Fruit in his hands, its weight seemingly far greater than it appeared.
It wasn't surprising that he felt this way—after all, the Mythical Azure Dragon devil fruit was an immensely valuable and powerful treasure.
As the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo knew more than most about the significance of this fruit.
From what Sabo understood, the Celestial Dragons rarely consumed Devil Fruits themselves.
Yet, both the Paw-Paw Fruit and the Fish-Fish Fruit shared an intriguing trait: they granted their users the ability to fly.
This, combined with their overwhelming power, had led to speculation within the Revolutionary Army that these fruits held secret, critical importance beyond their abilities, explaining why they were so highly prized by the World Government and Celestial Dragon elites.
Even as Ace's sworn brother, Sabo felt unworthy of receiving such a monumental gift.
The Fish-Fish Fruit could easily create a top-tier combatant. Even if its user didn't reach Kaido's level of strength, it would still surpass the likes of Kuzan or Issho. Such a force would be invaluable to Ace and the Entei Pirates.
Sabo hesitated, burdened by the weight of the gift. He couldn't help but feel he had yet to earn it. Though he had vowed to support Ace and help him become King of the World, their long separation left Sabo feeling undeserving of such trust.
"Idiot, hurry up and eat it already," Ace said, grinning. "Aren't you supposed to be my right-hand man? Or don't you know about Luffy's ability yet?"
Sabo blinked in confusion, unsure of what Ace meant.
"The strongest Devil Fruit ability: the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Beast Model: Nika. That's Luffy's power. And it's because of him that I hold this fruit in my hands now," Ace added, his voice brimming with confidence.
With his ability to hear the voices of all things, combined with his mastery of Observation Haki—enhanced by absorbing Kaido and Linlin's techniques—Ace had no trouble sensing Sabo's inner turmoil.
He laughed and continued, "I know what you're thinking. You feel unworthy because we've been apart for so long, and you haven't done anything big for me yet. But that's just like you, Sabo—overthinking everything."
Ace's words cut through Sabo's doubts.
The truth was, Ace had carefully considered this decision. Within the Entei Pirates, nearly every key figure was already paired with a Devil Fruit that suited them. The cadres, with the exception of Rayleigh, all wielded powerful Devil Fruits.
More importantly, there was no one in the Entei Pirates better suited to the Fish-Fish Fruit than Sabo.
The raw potential of the Devil Fruit itself was immense, but its true power could only be unlocked by someone with the right capabilities and drive. Giving it to an unsuitable candidate would render its potential meaningless.
Sabo, however, was the perfect fit. His exceptional physical abilities and mastery of Armament Haki would allow him to fully unleash the potential of the mythical Azure Dragon form.
Ace's smile widened as he added, "So eat it, Sabo. If you're going to be my right hand, you'll need the power to back it up."
Sabo's martial techniques, like the Dragon Claw Fist, have always revolved around dragon-like combat styles.
In the original storyline, when Sabo consumed the Mera-Mera Fruit, he integrated its flames into his Dragon Claw Fist, greatly amplifying his combat prowess.
However, the Mera-Mera Fruit, as a Logia-type Devil Fruit, provides limited enhancement to physical techniques compared to the immense physical boost granted by a powerful Zoan-type Devil Fruit—let alone a top-tier Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon.
The Azure Dragon Fruit's power would elevate Sabo's physical abilities and Armament Haki to a whole new level, granting a qualitative improvement.
Furthermore, after awakening, the Azure Dragon Fruit could allow its user to manipulate elements, much like Kaido's ability to wield fire for devastating attacks.
In the original storyline, Sabo possessed Admiral-level combat power after eating the Mera-Mera Fruit. With the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, his combat abilities would rise even higher. Although he might not surpass Kaido at his peak—due to lacking Conqueror's Haki: Advanced Entanglement—Sabo would still be capable of battling a Four Emperors on equal footing for a time.
Ace trusted his brother's potential completely.
As for Sabo's role? Ace had made it clear:
"Sabo, you'll always be my right-hand man! And who doesn't trust their own right hand?"
——
When Ace mentioned the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Nika, Sabo was stunned.
"The legendary ability of the Sun God Nika?!"
Shock painted Sabo's face as this was the first time he'd heard of this revelation.
As the Revolutionary Army's second-in-command, Sabo was familiar with the myth of the Sun God Nika—the legendary warrior of liberation. But to learn that their brother, Luffy, had consumed such a mythical fruit? The revelation shook him.
It turned out the fruit Luffy had eaten wasn't the Gum-Gum Fruit, as they had always believed, but the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika—the very embodiment of the Sun God's power!
Sabo recalled hearing about Ace's use of Nika's power. After the events at Thriller Bark, when Kuma returned to the Revolutionary Army, he had brought back this crucial piece of information.
Even after regaining his memories, Sabo had found it puzzling: why did Ace, a user of the Mera-Mera Fruit, wield the power of Nika?
The answer was now clear: Ace got the power from Luffy.
"Luffy is the one chosen by Nika!?" Sabo thought, a smile creeping across his face. His heart swelled with pride and joy for his younger brother.
For Luffy, having consumed the strongest of all Devil Fruits—the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika—was destined for unparalleled greatness.
Sabo also knew, from his knowledge of Devil Fruits, that powerful fruits, especially Mythical Zoans, often possessed their own will. They chose their users, and it was clear that Nika had chosen Luffy.
Filled with pride for his "stupid little brother," Sabo couldn't help but grin at the thought.
He then turned his gaze to the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Azure Dragon, resting in his hand.
"Luffy, just as you've become Ace's power, I'll do the same. I won't fall behind!"
Sabo's smile widened into a determined grin as he looked at Ace.
The next moment!
"Crunch!"
Sabo bit into the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Azure Dragon with determination.
"Ugh! It lives up to its reputation," he groaned, his cheeks twitching as he stuck out his tongue, a pained expression spreading across his face.
Ace couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
"Hahaha! The only person in the world who can eat a Devil Fruit like it's just an ordinary snack is our idiotic brother, Luffy," Ace teased.
"Whoosh!"
Suddenly, Sabo's body glowed with a brilliant white light, expanding rapidly.
"ROAR!"
A colossal blue dragon, bearing Sabo's distinct facial features, soared into the sky, weaving effortlessly through the clouds. The majestic creature was wreathed in flame clouds, the very essence of the Azure Dragon's power that granted it the ability to fly.
The strength of a Devil Fruit is intrinsically tied to the abilities of its user.
In truth, there's no such thing as "developing" a Devil Fruit's powers.
The potential of a Devil Fruit is fixed, as is the power it bestows upon its user. A Devil Fruit's true strength depends on the capabilities of the person who consumes it.
A strong individual, like Sabo—who had already achieved Admiral-candidate-level strength—can immediately tap into most of the fruit's power upon consuming it.
Just as Gion, who ate the Cat-Cat Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: White Tiger, could instantly transform into her full-beast and hybrid forms, Sabo now found himself in complete control of his Azure Dragon form.
For Sabo, the next step was to master the immense power of this top-tier mythical beast Devil Fruit—and, eventually, to 'awaken' its true potential.
"Whoosh!"
After taking time to familiarize himself with the Azure Dragon's powers, Sabo returned to his human form.
"This power… it's incredible," he murmured, staring at his hands in amazement.
Indeed, the Azure Dragon's abilities lived up to their legendary reputation. From the moment he ate the fruit, he could feel its overwhelming strength coursing through him.
"With this power, I might finally be able to fulfill my promise… to be your greatest ally in becoming the king of the world, Ace," Sabo declared with resolve, a confident smile spreading across his face.
Ace grinned. "Of course. I've always believed in you."
Reaching into his pocket, Ace pulled out a letter.
"Sabo… do you remember this?"
The moment Sabo saw the letter, his entire body trembled.
"The letter I gave you… back then…" he muttered, his voice shaking with emotion.
Ace nodded, his expression softening. "You left this with me, you idiot."
Sabo's eyes brimmed with tears as Ace approached him, ruffling his short golden hair affectionately.
"Become my strength, Sabo," Ace said with a heartfelt smile.
Sabo nodded vigorously, covering his tear-streaked face. "Yeah!"
Tears streamed down his cheeks as he realized that Ace had carried the letter close to his heart all this time.
——
——
From that day forward, the Entei Pirates and the Revolutionary Army's elites began working together to rebuild the order of Wanokuni.
The Revolutionary Army, with its vast experience liberating and rebuilding nations, took the lead in this monumental task.
The people of Wanokuni, grateful to the Entei Pirates for freeing them, welcomed their new leaders with open arms. Their loyalty was simple—whoever could improve their lives earned their unwavering support.
Adding to this, the surviving members of the Kozuki family also lent their voices to rally the people under the banner of the Entei Pirates.
---
While this progress unfolded, Ace visited a certain prison.
"Clink. Clink."
In the dimly lit and somber corridors, the sound of Ace's steady footsteps echoed as he approached a locked cell.
"Clang. Clang!"
The iron chains within the cell rattled as Ace stopped before the door.
"Yamato," he called out, his voice calm but laced with a hint of amusement.
Inside, bound and restrained, was none other than Yamato, the child of Kaido, the Beast King whom Ace had slain in battle.
Ace's lips curled into a sly smile as he gazed at the prisoner before him.