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'Hmm, the teleportation function still has its limits—'
Jin thought. 'Only I can activate it, and it requires the crew member's permission badge for targeting. Still, that's incredibly powerful. It means I can spend soul crystals to instantly appear at a crew member's side, which gives me a huge margin for error and a ton of tactical flexibility.'
He realized that his previous ability to retrieve items from the Munch-Munch Fruit's subspace must have been an advanced technique.
The integration of the Castle-Castle Fruit had likely enhanced his spatial abilities, strengthening them.
Beyond these functions, there was one more new addition.
Energy Conversion.
The demonic carrier's power core had been updated.
From now on, it could be powered not only by soul crystals but also by new energy sources like electricity and magnetism, which could be converted into fuel.
Furthermore, the energy from soul crystals could be converted into electricity or magnetism—though not the other way around.
Also, activating any of the Devil Fruit abilities would now only consume soul crystals.
It seemed like a simple change, but it was a revolutionary leap forward in its energy systems.
It opened up a world of new possibilities for the demonic carrier.
Jin immediately thought of Vegapunk's "Pacifistas"—the cyborgs modeled after Kuma, with their devastating laser beams.
Through energy conversion, the demonic carrier could now unleash lightning attacks.
Of course, the intensity and upper limit probably couldn't match the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
Jin did a quick summary.
As it stood, the demonic carrier, aside from its direct fruit control, now possessed the following functions:
Subspace, Training Enhancement, Permission Assignment, Haki Control, Teleportation, Energy Conversion, and External Damage Repair.
IT WAS POWERFUL!
COMPLETELY BROKEN.
Jin changed into a new set of clothes and found them tight. He felt like he had grown again.
"Ai, give me a full diagnostic of my physical data."
"Of course, Master."
"Data generated."
——————
[Name: Jin]
[Height: 214cm]
[Weight: 190kg]
[Body Fat Percentage: 15%]
[Composite Doriki: 36,500 - 75,700]
[Analysis: Through training, Master's potential has been activated. You are in excellent health and possess strength and speed on par with a Yonko.]
——————
"More specific metrics for speed and strength will require practical testing," Ai added.
"My height-to-weight ratio is that high?" Jin asked, stunned. "My weight is almost catching up to my height in centimeters. Is that even possible?"
He looked down at himself. He was well-built, but he wasn't fat.
"Master's bone and muscle density far exceed that of a normal human, resulting in an exaggerated weight ratio," Ai explained. "In the world of One Piece, the fact that humans can continue to grow taller through training is a result of this increase in bone and muscle density. While not the absolute rule, it is a significant contributing factor."
"I see." Jin nodded in understanding.
Fortunately, with the Kilo-Kilo Fruit, he could adjust his weight as needed.
He then looked at his Doriki numbers.
His upper and lower limits were even higher than Kuma's.
Of course, data was just data. In a real fight, one's condition, state of mind, and opponent all played a role.
And in the world of One Piece, there was a hidden rule: the power of belief.
That intangible "shonen trope."
This was most evident in the Haki system. The strength of a person's Haki was directly tied to their state of mind.
If their spirit broke, their Haki would break with it.
The most obvious examples were Crocodile and Gecko Moria.
Crocodile had been defeated by Whitebeard, and in his despair, he had given up on his own training, pinning all his hopes on an external power—Pluton.
It wasn't until Luffy had given him a verbal beatdown, followed by his "rehabilitation" in Impel Down, that he'd had his epiphany. When he emerged, he was a force to be reckoned with at the Summit War, holding his own against everyone he fought and quickly awakening his Haki.
It was the same with Moria. After being crushed by Kaido, he had hidden himself away on his ship, becoming a pathetic shut-in.
And Katakuri had lost to Luffy because Luffy's words had broken through his mental defenses. He had given up on himself.
It was clear.
Luffy could take any number of heavy blows and get back up, all because of his unwavering belief: "I'm the man who will be King of the Pirates!"
No matter how many times he fell, as long as he wasn't dead, he would get back up.
Even the three Admirals' differing definitions of "justice" were, in essence, a matter of belief.
Aokiji lost because his belief was "lazy." It wasn't as absolute, as resolute, as Akainu's.
Koby's incredible growth was also tied to his belief, his desire to catch up to Luffy.
"The reason I can't master Conqueror's Coating is that my will, my resolve, isn't strong enough. It's not shonen enough,"
Jin thought with a sigh. "It's my biggest weakness. I don't have that absolute, unwavering belief in piracy, or in anything!"
He grumbled inwardly. Every hot-blooded manga had its "Power of belief," especially for the protagonist—but for him, it simply didn't work.
But he wasn't in a hurry.
The power of belief was a crutch for the weak.
"As long as my stats are high enough, I can crush anything... I don't care what your resolve or your belief is. And it's not like my own willpower is lacking."
Jin strode out of the conning tower. With a boom, he moved faster than the speed of sound and landed on the deserted island.
There was no sonic boom. He had used the Calm-Calm Fruit to silence it.
—————————
Judge had woken up.
He had witnessed the demonic carrier warp space, had seen its "evolution." He was completely thunderstruck.
What kind of technology was this? What incredible power.
For a man of science, this technology was intoxicating. It could potentially even surpass Vegapunk.
After seeing this, even if Jin had tried to kick him out, he wouldn't have left. He was desperate to study that ship.
Judge couldn't wait to get on board.
The demonic carrier approached the shore, stopping a hundred meters out. A series of chains shot out from the ship's side, coated in a writhing layer of candy, and formed a bridge.
Ai was experimenting with the new fruit abilities, combining them to create new and strange applications. It wasn't exactly "development," just a combination of existing abilities.
True development would require human creativity.
"Incredible," Judge breathed, his eyes wide with fervor. "What kind of ship is this... a combination of Devil Fruits?"
Though the man was an arrogant fool, his scientific genius was undeniable. If it weren't for the Brain-Brain Fruit, Vegapunk's technological prowess might not have surpassed Judge's.
Once Judge, the artisans, and the soldiers were on board and back in their respective positions, Jin rolled his shoulders and turned to Kuma. "Let's spar. I need to get used to my new strength."
Kuma was also curious.
As he watched, Jin's body seemed to grow even taller—over two meters now, straight and majestic, radiating power. A potent aura, like a blazing sun, emanated from him, and even Kuma felt a faint sense of danger.
Kuma knew Jin's strength. He didn't hold back, immediately transforming into the half-beast form of his Triceratops Fruit. He then stacked the power of the Paw-Paw Fruit on top of it, further enhancing his already formidable physique and explosive power.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Kuma moved. In an instant, he had crossed the distance between them, his thick dinosaur claw descending like a heavy hammer, a compressed air cannon already forming in his palm.
The paw slammed down.
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