Xiao's gaze slowly swept across everyone present before he continued, his voice calm and unhurried.
"Beyond the application stage lies a far more difficult realm—the awakening stage.
"To reach it, one must endure long periods of exploration and trial, constantly breaking through one's own limits. Only then can a Devil Fruit user begin to truly unleash the latent potential buried within their power and grasp deeper, more fundamental methods of application."
He paused slightly, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"Awakening is a mysterious and coveted realm. Only a very small fraction of Devil Fruit users ever manage to step into it.
"Once awakened, the leap in power is nothing short of terrifying."
However, Xiao did not exaggerate or dramatize. Instead, his tone grew colder.
"Awakening cannot be achieved through blind repetition or constant training alone. It also requires the right opportunity.
"Some people may pursue it their entire lives and never succeed, while others may stumble into it by chance. The key factor is compatibility—the resonance between the Devil Fruit and its host.
"The higher the compatibility, the greater the chance of awakening."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Most Devil Fruits will eventually find a host that suits them. If such a fruit ever appears before you… don't hesitate.
"Eat it."
The air felt heavier.
"The three major categories of Devil Fruits manifest vastly different powers once awakened."
He raised a finger.
"Natural-type awakenings are the most visually shocking.
"Once fully unleashed, the user can permanently alter the climate and terrain of an area—reshaping land, weather, and even ecosystems. Entire regions may become their personal domain.
"These environments not only grant overwhelming advantages but continuously amplify the user's strength."
A second finger rose.
"Paramecia awakenings are even more insidious.
"Their abilities are no longer limited to the user's own body. Through awakening, the surrounding environment—objects, terrain, even structures—can be converted into extensions of their power.
"The battlefield itself becomes their weapon."
Then the third.
"Zoan awakenings are the simplest in form, but not to be underestimated.
"They grant overwhelming physical enhancement—terrifying vitality, monstrous recovery, and endurance that borders on immortality.
"No matter how many times such a user is knocked down, they will rise again."
Xiao's expression did not change.
"Their life force burns endlessly, like a raging furnace."
Then, his tone shifted.
"But beyond awakening lies the final stage."
A brief silence followed.
"Divine Ascension."
At that moment, Xiao's voice carried a faint sense of reverence—and danger.
"At this level, a Devil Fruit ceases to be a mere ability. It becomes something closer to a godhead.
"The user transcends mortal limits and begins walking the path of the divine."
The room felt suffocating.
"The energy contained within a Devil Fruit at this stage is beyond imagination.
"The distinction between Natural, Paramecia, and Zoan becomes blurred. The user simultaneously embodies all three aspects."
He continued evenly.
"Even more frightening… is that death does not end it.
"When a god-tier Devil Fruit user dies, the fruit does not simply return to nature. It carries the user's will with it.
"That will is permanently engraved within the fruit and will never fade."
Several people unconsciously swallowed.
"The fruit will then seek out a new host on its own. But unless that successor inherits the original will, they will never be able to awaken it—let alone unleash its true power."
Xiao shrugged lightly.
"As for whether the original will can 'reawaken' after the fruit is eaten again… I don't know.
"I've never died."
The casual remark sent a chill down everyone's spine.
It was obvious now—their captain had already reached the stage of divine ascension.
"Gulu…"
Van Augur swallowed hard.
"So… Captain. Have you already reached the god stage?"
The man who once despised Devil Fruits now looked at them with naked desire.
Immortality was temptation enough to corrupt anyone.
Even those who hated Devil Fruits would gladly swallow one if it meant eternal life.
"Then… how many Devil Fruits have actually reached godhood?"
Burgess asked anxiously.
"I don't want my body stolen by some ancient monster."
After learning the truth, fear had replaced ignorance.
Now they finally understood why these powers were called Devil Fruits.
Because within them… something truly demonic might be sleeping.
"Only one," Xiao answered solemnly.
"The Devil Fruit of the man known as the Liberator, over eight hundred years ago."
He paused.
"The Human-Human Fruit, Model: Sun God Nika."
Poison Q frowned.
"Nika? Why isn't that name recorded in the Devil Fruit encyclopedia?"
"Because 'Nika' is not its original name," Xiao replied calmly.
"Before awakening, it was simply the Rubber Fruit."
A silence fell.
"But once it awakens, it immediately ascends to godhood."
Xiao's voice grew heavier.
"At that stage, everything in the world can be turned into rubber.
"The earth. Mountains. Rivers.
"Wind, rain, thunder, lightning.
"Even living beings themselves."
He looked at them one by one.
"Everything gains elasticity. Everything becomes controllable."
A deep sense of despair crept into their hearts.
"…That's absurd," someone muttered.
"Completely outrageous."
Just imagining such a power was enough to make resistance feel meaningless.
An enemy like that…
Was truly invincible.
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