Chapter 160: The Decision of the Seven-Star Sword Spirit
'This Devil Fruit has the ability of an artificial Azure Dragon, a masterpiece by the world's greatest scientist.'
Kael quickly communicated with the Seven Star Sword Spirit in his consciousness, and also informed the Sword Spirit about the unknown possibility of this artificial Devil Fruit awakening.
'Next, I'm going to look for the Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Vampire form. Do you prefer to turn into a mighty divine dragon or a mysterious vampire?' Kael then told the Seven Star Sword Spirit some of the Vampire Fruit's abilities, letting it choose for itself. After all, the Seven Star Sword Spirit was an old antique; it might have some unique insights.
The Seven Stars Dragon Emperor Sword automatically unsheathed, revealing half of its blade. The 7 star patterns on it emitted a faint light. The Sword Spirit's consciousness briefly detached from the sword body, hovering around the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit, testing the devil's will within the fruit.
'Master, this is clearly a complete devil's will. Are you sure it was created by humans?' The Seven Star Sword Spirit's consciousness spoke with a peculiar tone; it had not believed that humans could replicate Devil Fruit abilities. The will of this fruit seemed to be no different from the wills it had seen before. Perhaps this will, leveraging the scientists' technology, possessed this fruit. Or perhaps it was born from the scientists' wishes. In any case, it is definitely a devil's will that can awaken, a complete will.
'Are you saying it can awaken? Then do you have confidence?' Kael's mind trembled. The ability of this artificial Azure Dragon Fruit was actually a complete will, or rather, a brand new Devil Fruit ability. No wonder Momonosuke, after eating this Pink Dragon Fruit, possessed such strong abilities within just 1 or 2 months by the time he reached Onigashima. The development speed was simply miraculous, completely unlike an artificial ability. Vegapunk didn't create an artificial Azure Dragon ability; he created a new Mythical Zoan.
'This will is surprisingly simple and pure, unlike other Devil Fruit abilities that are so ancient and chaotic. I feel that my body and mind can easily catch up to its ability and synchronize with its will, reaching that so-called awakened form.'
The Seven Star Sword Spirit was originally more interested in the Vampire Fruit; after all, the vampiric ability perfectly suited its style. But now it realized that this fresh, tender, and pure will could allow it to quickly strengthen itself. There would basically be no possibility of a failed awakening. That ancient Vampire Fruit ability, perhaps, still carried the possibility of a failed awakening, leading to a chaotic consciousness.
Now it can easily fool this will, and they can exist forever. Isn't this better than this ability changing owners every few decades? The Seven Star Sword Spirit couldn't wait for the Vampire Fruit anymore. It wanted to immediately possess the ability to act freely.
'This is it!' The Seven Star Sword Spirit immediately recognized this newly born, pure will. It wanted to be the first, and only, owner of this new ability, to accompany it, never dying, never perishing.
'So confident! Then let it be your ability.' Kael had originally planned to let the Seven Star Sword Spirit choose after finding the Vampire Fruit, but since it was so determined, Kael did not interfere further.
Monet looked at Kael's automatically unsheathed longsword, and Kael, who was holding the artificial Devil Fruit with his eyes closed, resting. What were they doing? Just standing there made Monet feel uncomfortable all over.
Aramaki looked at Kael strangely. Could His Majesty really be communicating with this demonic sword? Kael had said before that this demonic sword possessed its own consciousness. Now it seemed that the man and the sword were indeed communicating in some unknown way. A feeling of awe, though not fully understood, arose in Aramaki's heart. His Majesty truly lives up to his title as the world's strongest emperor, possessing such an opportunity.
"Let's go!" Having received the Seven Star Sword Spirit's approval and confirmation, Kael sheathed half of the Seven Stars Dragon Emperor Sword, and the Sword Spirit's consciousness instantly returned to the sword body. Kael, holding the Pink Dragon Fruit, turned and left directly. Both he and the Seven Star Sword Spirit were already impatient to return and use the Devil Fruit 'feeding' machine to completely fuse the Pink Dragon Fruit's ability with the Seven Stars Dragon Emperor Sword.
"Alright. Your Majesty, you're in a good mood." Aramaki immediately followed behind Kael, his expression very excited, just like the young Aokiji who followed Garp back then, his eyes filled with the fervor of an idol worshiper.
"A pretty good ability." Kael happily tossed the Devil Fruit in his hand, a smile he couldn't quite suppress on his lips. How could Kael not be happy when the Seven Star Sword Spirit was so confident about awakening the Pink Dragon ability? He would soon be able to possess an awakened Devil Fruit weapon, just like Figarland Shamrock, one that could even attack and protect its master autonomously. A living divine artifact.
Monet's face darkened as she watched the Emperor and the Marquis completely ignore her, her small fists tightly clenched. This was too disrespectful to a beauty!
By the time Monet chased them out, Kael had already ridden the Kirin Lion into the sky, and Aramaki had also flown away, spinning petals. Monet looked at their retreating figures, and for some reason, she stomped her foot like an angry little girl. But in the end, she only sighed and immediately called Doflamingo on the Den Den Mushi, reporting the current situation.
Kael indeed did not contact Caesar; he just took a failed artificial Devil Fruit.
"Just a failed artificial Devil Fruit?" Doflamingo, currently in Dressrosa, was filled with suspicion and speculation.
"I feel that Kael seems to attach great importance to this artificial Devil Fruit, but Caesar said it was a failed work by Vegapunk," Monet reported, mentioning all of Kael's unusual behavior.
"What, this is a work by the world's greatest scientist, Vegapunk?" Doflamingo suddenly felt a sense of loss, as if he had brushed past some treasure.
"Yes, Caesar said it was Vegapunk's failed attempt to replicate Kaido of the Beasts' Azure Dragon ability." As Monet spoke, a thought also flashed through her mind: if Kael valued it so much, could it really not be a failure?
"Damn Caesar, he didn't report this to me!" Doflamingo slammed his fist on the table, his eyes filled with rage. He was 100% sure that this failed artificial Azure Dragon Fruit was definitely not simple. Kael, with his strong intelligence gathering abilities, specifically went to Punk Hazard to find a failed fruit. Even with one's toes, one could figure out the trick involved.
He didn't expect that after losing a Gold-Gold Fruit, he would also miss out on a successful artificial Azure Dragon Fruit. This is truly damn it! Most importantly, Kael also held some leverage over him. Kael even knew his secret of harboring Caesar, so there was at least a 70% chance Kael already knew about Vergo's matter. This made Doflamingo completely helpless against Kael, the East Blue Overlord and the future Four Seas Overlord.
He could only swallow this bitter pill and had to deepen his cooperation with Kael. He highly valued the Four Seas Underworld system and platform that Kael was building, which could allow him, the Emperor of the Underworld Brokerage, to get a very substantial share. Kael's Four Seas Fleet was still small in scale and simply couldn't handle so much business. He, the Sea Transport King, and the Warehousing King, among others, could all share a portion of the profits. The trade routes were smoother than before, which was good for everyone.