[TL/N: New Book -
Anime Group Chat in a Doomsday World!]
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"You call the will of the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Beast: Blue Dragon Form; the Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Beast: Suzaku Form; the Cat-Cat Fruit, Mythical Beast: White Tiger Form; and the Turtle-Turtle Fruit, Mythical Beast: Black Tortoise Form—was attracted."
Looking at the Devil Fruit in his hand, its surface resembling a tortoise shell adorned with strange patterns, Ace's lips curled into a slight smile.
He had already anticipated this outcome.
With Observation Haki enhanced by the abilities of Linlin and Kaido, Ace could now "see" far into the future.
Moreover, through the Time-Time Fruit and the Realm of Comprehension, the scope of his Observation Haki was further amplified, enabling him to perceive distant outcomes with greater clarity.
The Turtle-Turtle Devil Fruit
Ace studied the fruit in his hand, its abilities unfolding in his mind as if revealed by instinct.
The Turtle-Turtle Fruit was shrouded in mystery even in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, described only with a single line: '"It restores its user to their physical peak."'
This cryptic description made sense now.
First, consuming this fruit grants the user the Black Tortoise Body, a Mythical Beast form rivaling the Azure Dragon, Suzaku, and White Tiger Bodies in power.
In terms of defense, however, the Black Tortoise Body reigns supreme. Even the near-indestructible Azure Dragon Body cannot compare to its impenetrable fortitude.
Second, like all Mythical Beast Devil Fruits, the Turtle-Turtle Fruit grants a special ability upon awakening. For instance:
- The Blue Dragon Form enables the user to control natural elements.
- The Nika Form grants creative power and the ability to shape reality from the user's imagination.
The Turtle-Turtle Fruit's unique awakened ability is the power to travel between the netherworld and the living realm!
The Black Tortoise, or Genbu, is closely associated with water, but this is not ordinary water found in nature.
Because Devil Fruit abilities are repelled by the sea, no Devil Fruit can harness seawater directly.
Instead, the Turtle-Turtle Fruit grants control over Underworld Water, a mystical substance from the underworld!
This water has extraordinary properties:
Unparalleled Weight
UnderwWater is heavier than any natural substance, capable of crushing anything in its path.
Extreme Cold
Though fluid, its icy nature rivals the freezing abilities of the Revive-Revive Fruit. The dark water can freeze every cell of its target instantly, surpassing the effects of mere cold air.
Additionally, the ability to traverse the netherworld allows the user to restore their youth, reaching their physical and combat peak. While this does not extend their lifespan, it prolongs their youthful vitality.
In Ace's view, this rejuvenating ability mirrors the traits of the Saiyan race from Dragon Ball. Saiyans, as a warrior species, experience an extended youth phase, allowing them to maintain their prime strength for most of their lives.
For instance, if someone with a lifespan of 100 years consumed the Turtle-Turtle Fruit, their youth would last until age 99. Only in their final year would they experience rapid aging before death.
This fruit truly lives up to its status as one of the top-tier Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Azure Dragon, Suzaku, and White Tiger.
Its special abilities are undoubtedly well-deserved.
"Take it, Zephyr."
Ace's gaze rested on Zephyr, a faint smile playing on his lips.
After explaining the abilities of the Turtle-Turtle Fruit, Mythical Model: Black Tortoise, Ace handed the Devil Fruit over to Zephyr.
"This!"
Even someone as composed as Zephyr felt his breathing quicken at the sight of such a remarkable Devil Fruit.
Though Zephyr had long served as the chief instructor of the Naval Headquarters, he had always taught that Marine commanders should not depend excessively on Devil Fruits.
Take, for instance, Kizaru, also known as Borsalino—one of Zephyr's most disliked disciples.
Kizaru's laziness was one reason for Zephyr's disapproval, but more importantly, it was his reliance on the Sparkling Fruit's power that irked Zephyr.
In Zephyr's eyes, over-reliance on Devil Fruits was a fundamental misstep.
Yet, he also acknowledged that a potent Devil Fruit could bestow unparalleled power upon its user.
A top-tier Devil Fruit, once awakened, could grant Admiral-level combat capabilities even without reliance on Haki.
And the Mythical Zoan Fruit Black Tortoise was in that league.
If mastered and awakened, it would elevate its user to one of the strongest forces on the seas.
What made this fruit even more extraordinary was its ability to rejuvenate the body or prolong youth, providing its user with vitality and endurance.
Zephyr, once an Admiral-level combatant in his prime with sheer physical prowess and Armament Haki, had seen his strength wane with age.
Years of wear had dulled his body and left him with ailments that sometimes struck even during battle, forcing him to rely on medication.
But if he consumed this fruit, all of that would change.
His aging, frail body could be revitalized, and his dreams reignited!
'Crunch!'
Driven by this hope, Zephyr took the Devil Fruit from Ace's hand and bit into it without hesitation.
'Swish! Buzz!'
As Zephyr consumed the fruit, his body began to emit a dazzling white light, expanding rapidly.
Within the light emerged a colossal mythical beast, radiating an aura as imposing as that of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Vermillion Bird.
The creature—a massive black tortoise with a tail resembling a fearsome black serpent—landed heavily on the ground, exuding an overwhelming presence.
This was Genbu, the mythical beast of legend, a fusion of tortoise and snake capable of traversing the underworld.
'Buzz!'
After a moment, Zephyr regained control and reverted to his human form.
"Zephyr-sensei!?"
In the distance, Gion and Kuzan stared in stunned silence. Their pupils contracted as they took in the transformation.
The once aged and frail Zephyr was now utterly rejuvenated.
His purple hair shone vibrantly, his skin radiated health, and his muscles exuded strength—he was the very image of the man he had been at his peak, during his time as an Admiral.
"Zephyr? That name no longer suits me."
He turned his sharp gaze toward Gion and Kuzan, a grin spreading across his face.
"From now on, I am Z, the captain of the 7th Division of the Entei Pirates!"
The reborn Z laughed heartily as Gion and Kuzan, his former students, looked on with bittersweet smiles.
In the background, Ain covered her mouth with trembling hands, tears glistening in her eyes.
Ace, observing the scene, let a smirk tug at the corner of his lips.
Zephyr, once an Admiral-level fighter with Armament Haki and Taijutsu alone, had now consumed the legendary Turtle-Turtle Fruit, Mythical Model: Black Tortoise.
Though his combat ceiling might be capped without the Conqueror's Haki, preventing him from reaching the heights of a peak Kaido, it was only a matter of time before his strength rivaled or even surpassed Kuzan's.
With the body of Genbu, known for possessing the pinnacle of defensive capabilities among all Devil Fruits, Zephyr could stand his ground even in a direct confrontation with one of the Four Emperors.
At the very least, he could hold off one of the Four Emperors with minimal trouble.
The Entei Pirates had gained yet another formidable fighter.
Ace also placed great value on Zephyr's unparalleled ability to train and mentor students.
Nearly all of the top combatants in the Naval Headquarters had been shaped under Zephyr's guidance. His talent as an instructor was unquestionable.
Now, with access to the field of comprehension, Zephyr's teaching prowess could reach unprecedented levels.
Ace's forces—particularly those in Amazon Lily and Wano Country—were in desperate need of a skilled instructor.
With Zephyr stepping into this role, Ace was confident that the greatest weakness of the Entei Pirates—the lack of core combat power—could soon be remedied.
After all, the final battle with the World Government was fast approaching.
In such a large-scale conflict, Ace's strength would need to be reserved for the highest-ranking adversaries: the Five Elders, the Knights of God, and the enigmatic Imu.
Ace understood that he couldn't afford to be careless against the World Government, which had stood unchallenged for 800 years. His power—including his Conqueror's Haki and the abilities of the Mera-Mera Fruit—could not be squandered on dealing with ordinary soldiers.
To counter the vast forces of the World Government and the Naval Headquarters, it was imperative to cultivate a comparably scaled combat force.
"The decisive battle is drawing near," Ace remarked, the corners of his mouth lifting into a determined smile.
Scarlet light flickered in his eyes—a manifestation of his Ultimate Observation Haki combined with the power of the Time-Time Fruit—revealing fleeting glimpses of the future.
Ace had already chosen the moment for the decisive battle: the day his younger brother, Monkey D. Luffy would come to find him!