Only she herself, a pure swordsman!
It's not that she doesn't want to eat a Devil Fruit to become a user—it's just that she has never found a suitable one.
If there were an ability that complemented the identity of a swordsman, she would be willing to consider it.
Thus, she hesitated upon obtaining the Logia-class Kaze Kaze no Mi (Hurricane Fruit), wondering whether she could still display her swordsmanship as effectively after becoming a wind-controlling ability user.
Additionally, Caesar had already considered giving the fruit to Effiete. He had thought about it long ago, but the fruit was unsuitable for his family and heirs. Among them, only Effiete, the formidable swordsman, was the most suitable.
Compared to the Kaze Kaze no Mi, the Paramecia-class Fuwa Fuwa no Mi (Fluttering Fruit) was not inferior. It not only allowed flight with even greater maneuverability than the Kaze Kaze no Mi but also granted the power to telekinetically manipulate objects.
The enhancement this ability could bring to her swordsmanship was likely greater than that of the Kaze Kaze no Mi.
"However, this Fuwa Fuwa no Mi is so powerful. Why not find a talented warrior to consume it? That way, we could add another top combatant."
Hearing Effiete's words, Caesar nodded, acknowledging her reasoning.
"Yes, that makes sense," he admitted. "But the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi can also push you one step further!"
"A Devil Fruit of this caliber should remain within our family."
The primary reason Caesar considered giving the fruit to Effiete was because she was both his woman and an elite swordsman. Compared to outsiders, why shouldn't he prioritize giving such a valuable fruit to his own people?
"The Fuwa Fuwa no Mi's ability is also very compatible with swordsmanship."
"If you eat it, we'll have two top combatants capable of free flight."
Rather than investing years into training an outsider into a top-tier fighter, it was better to let someone already strong take a decisive leap forward.
Caesar firmly believed that this was the optimal allocation of resources.
"If an outsider eats it, they might not reach the level of a top-tier warrior anytime soon."
"Moreover, if they're not a swordsman, they won't be able to unleash the same level of offensive power as one."
This was a crucial point.
For some powerful individuals, consuming a Devil Fruit might weaken them rather than strengthen them. On the other hand, some fighters became significantly stronger after gaining an ability without requiring extensive additional training.
This was due entirely to Devil Fruit compatibility. In simple terms, the best match maximized potential.
For example, if Caesar himself were to consume the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, it would be almost useless to him. His strength wouldn't improve significantly, and in fact, it might even be reduced.
His current ability—the Force Field Fruit—was far more beneficial to him.
However, if Effiete, a dedicated swordsman, were to consume the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, the fruit's power would integrate seamlessly with her swordsmanship rather than conflict with it, creating a synergistic enhancement.
For these reasons, the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi was the ideal fruit for her.
After listening to Caesar's reasoning, Effiete nodded. "Alright, I understand."
She finally decided to consume the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi.
The ability to fly was something that any human being would long for. To her, this was a dream come true.
However, since it was uncertain whether consuming a Devil Fruit during pregnancy would affect an unborn child, Caesar decided to store the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi temporarily until after she had given birth.
Meanwhile, as the news of the Golden Lion's execution by the Central Navy spread, various factions began secretly tracking the whereabouts of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi.
Among them, the World Government and the Marine Headquarters were the most active.
Smaller private forces were also involved, though they lacked the strength to compete with the larger powers.
Everyone understood how rare and valuable the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi was.
Its strategic significance made it an asset no major power could ignore.
For example, Caesar had plans to expand his floating islands, something considered impossible by conventional means.
Yet, with the combined power of his Force Field Fruit and the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, he could achieve this feat.
Additionally, strategic mobility was crucial in warfare.
If two forces were evenly matched, but one could reinforce its army in a single day while the other needed three days, victory would be decided by mobility.
Caesar's ability was already of immense strategic value, and the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi held the same potential. Thus, every faction sought to obtain it.
When the Golden Lion was alive, no one dared to make a move on his Devil Fruit.
Now that he was dead, the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi had been reborn, and everyone wanted a piece of the action.
If the Marines obtained this fruit, their mobility would increase exponentially, potentially allowing them to launch a large-scale campaign into the New World and establish full control.
Recognizing this, various factions launched extensive searches for the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi.
However, they were unaware that Caesar had anticipated this and had already secured the fruit.
Three days later, shocking news emerged from the Middle Kingdom.
"The Fuwa Fuwa no Mi was discovered in a remote farming village within the Middle Kingdom!"
"It has been claimed by the Heavenly King, Caesar!"
With just a few words, every faction searching for the fruit realized they had failed.
This meant that the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi had been reborn and was now in the hands of the strongest man in the world.
Neither the Marines, the World Government, nor any pirate crew could hope to claim it now.
No one would dare challenge Caesar over a single Devil Fruit.
Of course, they didn't know that this was all part of a grand deception orchestrated by Caesar.
Time passed quickly.
Half a month later, Effiete went into labor.
After much anticipation and careful preparation, a new prince was born.
Caesar adored this child, who seemed destined for greatness.
After careful deliberation, he named the child Caesar Rocks.
Not only was Rocks D. Xebec's legacy formidable, but even the name alone inspired fear and awe.
Indeed, Caesar hoped his son would one day rival the legendary pirate.
After giving birth, Effiete finally consumed the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi.
Word of this spread quickly across the world.
The World Government and Marine Headquarters were furious and deeply concerned.
They had long known that Effiete was a top-tier combatant.
Now, with the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi—a fruit of immense strategic and tactical value—her strength would rise even further.
This was a development they could not ignore.
And so, a new bounty poster circulated across the seas:
Codename: Flying Empress!
Bounty: 3,000,000,000 Berries!
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