Many times, the upper limit of a Devil Fruit's power depends entirely on its user.
There are no useless Fruits, only useless people.
This phrase, to some extent, isn't entirely wrong.
What if an outstanding person gained an equally outstanding Fruit?
Wouldn't they become even more exceptional?
Often, a Devil Fruit can compensate for its user's natural flaws and expand their potential—and not just Zoan-types.
Take the Mini Mini no Mi (Mini Mini Fruit) for example.
It may not be a powerful fruit, but for giants, it's one of the best-suited in the world.
Because it compensates perfectly for the disadvantages of their massive size.
The Mini Mini no Mi shrinks the user's body, but retains their original physical strength.
A giant's full strength, condensed into a body the size of a sewing needle.
There isn't a single defense in the world that could withstand that destructive force.
Even the amount of Haki they've trained as a giant remains unchanged when shrunken.
For example, Ripley's stored Haki was dozens, even hundreds of times that of a normal person.
Even if the quality was a bit lacking, just her Haki reserves alone were enough to make anyone despair.
That's why Magnus wasn't worried about the mission.
What he was more concerned with—was the other young crew member on his ship.
"Rocks, do you know why I sent Ripley on this mission and not you?"
"Because it's an internal Elbaf matter?"
"Wrong. It's because you're too weak. I was worried those guys would slice you up before you knew what hit you."
Rocks flushed red with frustration.
He wanted to argue—but couldn't.
Because right now, he really wasn't as strong as Ripley.
"You know why I gave the Mini Mini no Mi to Ripley and not you?"
"Because she's stronger?"
Magnus shook his head, giving Rocks a disappointed look.
"It's because she lacks potential."
It was the first time he'd heard Magnus critique Ripley.
"Rocks, let me ask you—have you learned the Rokushiki (Six Powers)?"
"I've basically got them all down."
"Not yet... but I'm close!"
As if trying to prove himself, Rocks declared loudly:
"Just give me two more months! I'll definitely learn Haki by then!"
"Good. Two months, I'll give you half a year.
Now tell me, Rocks, do you think it'll take you over a year to master Haki?"
Rocks shook his head.
"Well then—what if I told you Ripley has been trying to learn Haki since she met me ten years ago?"
"It took her ten years just to grasp the basics.
But you—you might only need one."
"Do you understand the difference between you and Ripley now?"
Rocks nodded silently.
He had always felt anxious, surrounded by veterans like Magnus or natural-born giants like Ripley.
The more he trained, the more he saw the massive gap between him and them.
But now that Magnus spelled it out—
He realized it wasn't that he lacked talent.
It was simply that they'd trained longer.
"Rocks, what do you think influences strength the most?"
"Swordsmanship? Combat skills? Devil Fruit powers?"
Magnus's eyes gleamed with passion.
"In this world—what determines everything—is Haki!"
"Only Haki reigns above all!"
Back then, Magnus also believed that powerful Fruits were unbeatable, that even luck could lead someone to a high place.
He learned that sufficiently powerful Haki could even negate Devil Fruit powers entirely.
And in that moment, he understood.
Forget Fruits. Forget swordsmanship. It's all crap.
Haki is the strongest.
That's why, when he thought he didn't have Haoshoku no Haki (Conqueror's Haki), he felt so bitter.
Because at the very top—the supreme Haki—belongs only to those who possess Conqueror's Haki.
"With Haki, no Paramecia, no Zoan, no Logia will matter—they'll all be neutralized!"
"With Haki, even if you've never held a sword, you could wield a supreme-grade meito (great blade) like a swordmaster!"
"With Haki, no matter how powerful the enemy—they'll fall at your feet!"
Magnus slapped Rocks hard on the shoulder.
"Rocks, you know I've always believed in you.
From the moment I saw you, I knew—you have the potential to stand at the very summit!"
"Devil Fruits? Bah! That's for the weak!
Even me—if I hadn't lacked the talent, I wouldn't have touched that Mythical Zoan fruit even if it was handed to me!"
Do you really want to become the Pirate King and have people say you only got there because of a powerful Fruit?"
Rocks shook his head frantically.
"That's more like it.
In the future, when we go out to sea, we might come across more Fruits—
But remember: only the weak eat Fruits."
"The strong only need themselves."
Seeing Rocks finally serious again—no longer sulking about the Fruit going to Ripley—Magnus breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, it wasn't about fairness.
It was just that with Rocks' talent, he didn't need a Fruit.
But young minds tend to wander—
So Magnus needed to crush any such thoughts early.
That way, even if Rocks obtained a Fruit later, he wouldn't question Magnus's intentions.
Because explaining yourself is already a form of guilt.
Heaven knows—Magnus never had any plans to suppress Rocks' growth.
But if Rocks ate a Fruit now, all it would do is distract him.
Most Devil Fruits require years of constant training to properly awaken.
Even now, Ripley could only shrink and grow in size—she was far from mastering it.
Meanwhile, out at sea—
Over 100 kilometers from Elbaf, on a lone sailboat—
The CP0 agents finally exhaled in relief.
"This mission was way too risky."
"Who'd have thought White Wolf Magnus was actually in Elbaf?"
"Thank goodness we had Shakuhibi Taishou with us."
The three escapees didn't worry about Rona.
They assumed she'd be fine, even after facing Magnus.
Please—if Magnus could beat a Marine Admiral, he'd already be the Pirate King by now.
Not some old man dodging the Navy every other week.
Relaxed, none of them noticed the giant eagle that had been tailing them under cover of night.
Nor did they see the tiny 5-millimeter-tall Ripley, gliding through the air with the help of Elbaf's sunstones, land quietly on the deck.
Once the three CP0 agents were gathered together—
Ripley didn't hesitate.
She instantly returned to her full size.
And with a massive fist, she slammed it down at them.
A single strike to decide everything!
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