Chapter 55: Future Holds Promise
Looking at the swirling azure flame clouds around him, and the Devil Fruit information surfacing in his mind, he was certain: his Devil Fruit had Awakened.
But precisely because he was certain this was a fruit Awakening, he felt baffled.
Luffy, at least, needed to fight an Emperor; it took Kaido beating him with a club several times to bring out Nika.
And I just Awakened like this?
So carelessly?
Reiner thought back to the Jailer Beasts of Impel Down. In terms of strength, they weren't even worthy of polishing the boots of Blue Ogre and Red Ogre.
But they were indeed Awakened Zoan users. Looking at it that way, perhaps immense strength isn't the sole trigger for Awakening?
Reiner figured that must be it. Different fruits likely had different development methods.
His fruit's name practically spelled out its development path – it was simply about continuously collecting templates and creating undead.
After obtaining the Blue Ogre and Red Ogre templates in Little Garden, he had faintly sensed his Devil Fruit stirring restlessly; likely, he was just one step away back then.
Upon arriving in Alabasta, he first obtained Ace's template, and now Crocodile's.
This thin layer of window paper was thus naturally poked through. But...
With a thought, Reiner reverted to his normal form.
His Devil Fruit Awakening had significantly strengthened his own physical constitution; his pure physical stats probably surpassed Luffy's now.
But that was about it. He wasn't skilled at fighting. More importantly, his abilities seemed to have gained a subtle enhancement.
"The undead's 'talent'?"
Reiner looked puzzled, examining the dancing azure flame in his hand, then sensing the information in his mind. "Is it something like Sand Element Affinity?"
Reiner sensed the vague information coming from the azure flame in his hand. Thinking about it that way, what about Ace's?
Reiner raised his hand, and a cluster of dancing azure flame appeared spontaneously in his palm. He could faintly sense that these two templates could be merged.
As for what they had in common, the only thing Reiner could think of was that both were Logia-type fruit users.
However, sensing the information within the templates, it seemed it wasn't the replication of Logia abilities he had imagined.
It was purely the creation and control of elements; he couldn't transform into the elements, nor could he develop techniques based on the elements' unique properties.
For example, abilities like Crocodile's, based on sand's properties to absorb moisture or turn other things into sand, were impossible for him.
"Looks like a mage, but it's still physical attacks," Reiner understood now. Somewhat useful, but maybe not that useful.
The Awakening didn't provide much direct combat power boost; rather, it was still more of a potential-based enhancement.
Reiner fused the Ace and Crocodile templates into one.
The statistical bonus wasn't large; Crocodile's Haki after his power-up wasn't much weaker than Ace's anyway.
"As expected, the elemental control became Sand plus Fire," Reiner noted with interest, looking at the dancing azure flame in his hand, his thoughts beginning to wander.
If all Logia types grant similar talents...
Enel's Rumble-Rumble Fruit would actually be more useful than these two. Although his physical stats were worse... But if I could obtain an Admiral's template in the future...
Tsk tsk tsk... Happiness! Such happiness! Reiner couldn't help but grin.
Although in terms of ability application, it was far inferior to a true Logia fruit – merely a super-weakened version – what Reiner valued about the Awakened ability wasn't the Logia-like elemental control. Instead, he felt it might be better applied to swordsman-type templates.
His previous ability could replicate Zoro's physical template and techniques, but he doubted whether the summon could achieve feats like Zoro cutting steel in the future.
Concepts like 'mastery' were mysterious and profound, too subjective.
Even with the same strength and techniques, he couldn't guarantee an undead could perform something like cutting the 'breath of all things'.
He hadn't had a chance to try before. Now, with the Awakened ability, there likely wouldn't be a major problem.
Additionally, he felt his control over the undead could become even more refined.
He just didn't know if he could control them enough to make them speak. He'd have to research that with Chopper later.
"Knew Truck-kun's gift wouldn't be bad," Reiner thought, retracting the merged template. He began considering what kind of undead to create to match this template.
If it's just elemental control, maybe a humanoid form isn't necessary.
Creating a weapon like with Arlong's template worked well too. After all, it's my stamina being consumed either way.
A magic staff?
No, the aesthetic is weird.
A bracelet?
Also no good. Can't compress it that small; it would burst.
Ah well, better stick to a humanoid form for now. It's better for confusing enemies too.
Besides, the undead's Haki is a significant asset right now, stronger than Blue Ogre and Red Ogre's. Back in Little Garden, Dorry and Broggy mentioned they didn't place much importance on Haki training.
When I can display my own strength without restraint someday, I can just remake it then.
Having made up his mind, Reiner glanced down again at the unconscious Crocodile at his feet.
If I can't get an Admiral template later, I can always come back and 'farm' Crocodile again to update the template.
After all, among the Logia templates he could potentially merge, besides the Admirals, the others seemed rather lacking in physical stats and Haki.
Although stamina was Reiner's advantage, the power of the attacks also depended on the template's inherent strength, not Reiner's.
"What happened, Reiner? What was going on with you just now?" Nami and the others walked up questioningly.
Just now, Reiner's sudden shout had startled them. Combined with the change in his appearance, they thought something had gone wrong.
"Hahaha, relax! It's a good thing."
Reiner waved his hand dismissively with a laugh. Speaking of which, maybe updating Luffy's template could yield some talent?
And Usopp... his performance just now was quite unexpected.
"STRAW HAT!!!" Just then, an furious roar echoed from the hole in the tomb's ceiling.
Reiner found the voice somewhat familiar. Looking up, sure enough, a white-haired tough guy stood above, two cigars clamped in his mouth.
Smoker! Why is this persistent pest here?
"Smoke Guy!" Luffy exclaimed, apparently having a strong impression of Smoker.
Back in Loguetown, he had experienced that Smoke Guy's Logia ability firsthand.
"Run everyone! The Navy's here!" Luffy yelled, though his face held a grin.
He stretched his hands up, grabbing the edge of the broken ceiling, preparing to launch himself out like a slingshot.
"Wait, Luffy!"
"Do you absolutely have to use that move?"
Nami and Usopp clearly looked frightened. Only Chopper looked confused.
"That move?"
"Ever since I took charge of Loguetown, no pirate has ever escaped from my grasp! Don't think you can run!"
Smoker roared, transforming his legs into white smoke and diving straight down from above.
Luffy stretched his legs out directly, wrapping them around the crew like a rope. "Heeheehee! Here we go, everyone!"
The next moment, Reiner and the crew shot out like arrows loosed from a bowstring.
"AHHH!!!"
The Weakling Trio's screams echoed through the dessert. Smoker, seeing this, immediately changed direction to pursue.
"Wait, Marine!"
Vivi ran forward, shouting to interrupt Smoker, spreading her arms to block his path.
"The pirate who wanted to overthrow this country is lying right here! Are you going to turn a blind eye!?"
"Hm?" Smoker's voice was deep. He paused, glanced at Vivi, then turned his gaze towards Crocodile lying nearby.
After pondering for a moment, he decided to listen to what Vivi had to say first.
"That sounds like a very serious matter. You are the princess of this country, right?"
Meanwhile, high above the Royal Palace, five figures streaked across the sky like meteors. From the ground, the guard soldiers could faintly hear angry shouts drifting down from the heavens.
"Idiot! How are we supposed to land!?"
"Help!!!"
"Shishishi," Luffy just responded with laughter.
Reiner had briefly considered trying to get Smoker's template just now, but on second thought, decided against it.
If he couldn't develop abilities based on the element's characteristics, pure smoke power wasn't very useful.
It would be a lot of effort for little reward, plus carry the risk of exposing his abilities. As for silencing Smoker by killing him, that was even more unnecessary.
Surveying the entire Marine faction, Smoker was perhaps the only one he somewhat admired – someone who genuinely got things done. Besides, the guy had Aokiji backing him up.
Not to mention basic social grace, at the very least, one shouldn't act like a contemptible, jumping clown. With his current handful of forces, confronting an Admiral would mean getting turned into an ice sculpture in a single encounter.
(End of this chapter)
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