Sabo stared at the Devil Fruit in his hand, feeling its weight far beyond its physical form. The significance of the Fish-Fish Fruit: Mythical Beast Model, Azure Dragon was overwhelming, and it was no surprise that Sabo felt the immense burden it carried. This was not just any Devil Fruit—this was one of the most powerful abilities in the world, capable of bestowing upon its user top-tier combat strength. With this fruit, one could attain the formidable body of a blue dragon, gaining near invincibility and unparalleled resilience, making death itself a distant threat.
As the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo understood more than most the gravity of what he held. He knew the history of this mythical fruit, especially its connection to the God Valley incident decades ago. During that fateful event, two of the Revolutionary Army's most prominent figures, the Demon King Ivankov and Bartholomew Kuma, had stumbled upon both the Paw-Paw Fruit and the Fish-Fish Fruit amidst the chaos of the Celestial Dragons' hunting activity.
In the midst of the turmoil caused by the Rocks Pirate's unexpected attack, the Future Revolutionary Army cadres had seized the opportunity to claim these fruits. However, their fortune was short-lived. Just as Ivankov was about to consume the Fish-Fish Fruit, Charlotte Linlin—who would later become one of the Four Emperors—arrived. She took the fruit, only for it to eventually end up in Kaido's possession, elevating him to the feared status he once held. Meanwhile, Kuma consumed the Paw-Paw Fruit, an ability so potent that it earned him a place among the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Sabo knew that Celestial Dragons rarely partook in consuming Devil Fruits. The Paw-Paw Fruit and the Fish-Fish Fruit: Mythical Beast Model, Azure Dragon held unique characteristics that set them apart—not only in their immense power but also in their ability to grant flight. This had led to speculation within the Revolutionary Army that these fruits were valued by the World Government and Celestial Dragons not just for their strength, but for some hidden, vital purpose.
Holding such a potent and possibly significant Devil Fruit, Sabo couldn't help but feel unworthy, despite his status as Ace's sworn brother. The Entei Pirates, with their overwhelming power, could easily create another top-level combatant with this fruit. Even if the new user didn't reach the legendary strength of Kaido, they would undoubtedly surpass many formidable figures like Kuzan and Fujitora. A force of such magnitude was invaluable to Ace, and yet, here Sabo was, holding it without having contributed anything of equal value to Ace's cause.
Years had passed since Sabo and Ace had been separated, and while Sabo's ambitions remained unchanged—to be Ace's ally and help him ascend to become the king of the world—this sudden, monumental gift made Sabo question his worthiness. After all, he had only just reunited with Ace, and the weight of the gift he had received felt almost too great to bear.
"Idiot, just eat it already! Weren't you the one who said you wanted to be my right hand?" Ace's voice was both playful and commanding as he looked at Sabo. "I bet you don't even know about Luffy's ability yet, do you? He's got the strongest Devil Fruit—Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Beast Model: Nika. And the power of Nika? I got that straight from Luffy."
Ace's ability to hear the voices of all things, combined with the Observation Haki he had absorbed from Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, allowed him to clearly sense the conflict in Sabo's mind. Sabo's hesitation was written all over his face, and Ace couldn't help but laugh as he scolded him.
He knew Sabo too well. Sabo wasn't hesitating just because they had been apart for so long—he felt unworthy of such a gift because he hadn't yet made any significant contributions to Ace's cause. But Ace had his reasons for offering the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Beast Model: Azure Dragon to Sabo.
Among the Entei Pirates, each of the women already possessed Devil Fruits perfectly suited to their abilities. The other top cadres, except for Rayleigh, also wielded powerful Devil Fruits. But none within the current Entei fleet were as suited to the Azure Dragon Fruit as Sabo was.
The strength of a Devil Fruit was indeed crucial, but the true power lay in the user's potential. Without the right potential, even the mightiest Devil Fruit would remain dormant, its true power never awakened. Sabo, however, was the perfect candidate.
Sabo's combat strength was rooted in his exceptional physical skills, with his Armament Haki being among the best. His fighting style, deeply tied to the concept of the dragon, made him a natural fit for the Azure Dragon Fruit. In the original timeline, when Sabo consumed the Mera-Mera Fruit, he had integrated its flames into his Dragon Claw Fist, significantly boosting his power. However, as a Logia-type, the Mera-Mera Fruit's enhancement of his physical skills was limited compared to what a powerful Zoan-type like the Azure Dragon could offer.
The Azure Dragon Fruit would not only enhance Sabo's physical prowess and Armament Haki but could also grant him the ability to manipulate elements upon awakening, much like Kaido did. This meant Sabo could potentially control fire to further enhance his attacks, just as Kaido had done. In the original timeline, Sabo's strength after eating the Mera-Mera Fruit was at the Admiral level. With the Azure Dragon Fruit, Sabo might not reach the full power of Kaido at his peak, especially without the Oni race's physical strength and Conqueror's Haki, but he would still be capable of holding his own against a Four Emperors-level opponent for a time.
Ace had unwavering faith in his brother. Sabo would always be his right hand, his trusted ally. "You're my brother, Sabo, and you always will be. Why would I ever doubt my right hand?" Ace's words were not just a declaration—they were a promise. A promise that no matter how powerful Sabo became, no matter what battles they faced, Ace would always believe in him.
"Human-Human Fruit—Mythical Beast Model: Nika?! The ability of the legendary liberation fighter from 800 years ago?!"
Sabo's eyes widened in shock as Ace revealed this bombshell. As the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo was well-versed in the lore of the Sun God Nika, the mythical figure who fought for freedom centuries ago. But to hear that their younger brother, Luffy, had consumed not a mere Rubber Fruit, but the mythical Nika Fruit? It was almost too incredible to believe.
He had known that Ace possessed the power of Nika. After the events at Thriller Bark, Kuma had returned to the Revolutionary Army with this startling information. Sabo, upon recovering his memories, had been puzzled—Ace was a Mera-Mera Fruit user, so how did he wield Nika's power? Now, it all made sense. The power had come from Luffy. Their brother was the true inheritor of Nika's legacy.
Sabo's shock slowly gave way to a smile. Luffy, the goofy kid he once knew, was the bearer of the legendary Sun God's power. Sabo was genuinely happy for his brother, knowing that with such an ability, Luffy's potential was limitless.
Having spent years as the second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army, Sabo understood the vast difference between a powerful Devil Fruit and a more ordinary one. A truly powerful Devil Fruit, when wielded by a skilled user, could elevate someone to the level of an Admiral. He had seen it himself—Nami, under Ace's command, had reached Admiral-level combat power during the Entei event using the Thunder Fruit. On the other hand, even awakened, a weaker Devil Fruit, bolstered by strong Haki, might still fall short of Admiral-level strength, as seen with Doflamingo, who had been defeated despite his Conqueror's Haki and awakened String-String Fruit.
Luffy's path to greatness seemed assured with the power of the Nika Fruit, the strongest Devil Fruit of them all. Sabo also knew that powerful Devil Fruits, especially those of the Mythical Beast class, often had a will of their own, choosing their rightful masters. It was clear that Nika had chosen Luffy, and for that, Sabo felt an immense pride and relief. His younger brother was destined for greatness, and now, Sabo had the chance to stand alongside him and Ace.
He looked down at the Devil Fruit in his hand—the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Beast Model: Azure Dragon. "Luffy, you're doing your part to help Ace. I won't fall behind either!"
With a determined glint in his eyes, Sabo turned to Ace, a broad grin spreading across his face. If he was to keep up with his brothers, if he was to truly be Ace's right hand, he needed the power of the Azure Dragon Fruit. There was no hesitation left in him. To fight by their side, to help Ace achieve his vision, he would harness the full potential of this legendary fruit.
In the next moment, a decisive action was taken.
"Crack!"
Sabo bit down on the Fish-Fish Fruit—Mythical Beast Model: Azure Dragon, bracing himself for the infamous taste that came with consuming a Devil Fruit. Immediately, his face contorted in discomfort, his cheeks twitching as he stuck out his tongue with a grimace.
"Ugh! It really lives up to its reputation," Sabo muttered, his expression twisted as if he had just eaten something truly revolting.
Ace couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. The only person who could devour a Devil Fruit without batting an eye, as if it were just another piece of fruit, was their ever-unpredictable brother, Luffy.
But before Sabo could dwell on the taste any longer, something extraordinary began to happen.
"Swoosh!"
In an instant, Sabo's body was enveloped in a blinding white light, expanding rapidly as the transformation took hold.
"Roar!"
The mighty roar echoed across the sky as a colossal blue dragon, bearing the unmistakable features of Sabo, emerged. The dragon soared freely among the clouds, its massive body wrapped in flame clouds that enabled it to defy gravity and glide effortlessly through the air. This was the power of the Azure Dragon—the legendary ability that allowed its user to fly, a trait that had made Kaido of the Beasts nearly invincible.
The true potential of a Devil Fruit was not solely dependent on its inherent power, but also on the strength of the one who wielded it. There was a common misconception that Devil Fruits needed to be "developed" to unlock their full potential. In reality, the power of a Devil Fruit was fixed; it was the strength of the user that determined how much of that power could be harnessed from the moment of consumption.
For someone like Sabo, who had already reached the level of an Admiral candidate, the power of the Azure Dragon Fruit was immediately accessible. Just as Gion had effortlessly transformed into the mythical White Tiger after consuming the Cat-Cat Fruit, Sabo now seamlessly shifted between his human and dragon forms.
"Swoosh!"
After a brief flight, testing the new powers coursing through his veins, Sabo returned to his human form. He looked down at his hands, marveling at the incredible strength he now possessed.
"It's truly an incredible power," Sabo said, his voice tinged with awe. The Azure Dragon's strength was beyond anything he had ever imagined. He could feel the immense energy within him, a power that was only beginning to surface.
With this newfound power, the promises he had made to himself, to Ace, felt within reach. "With this power, my original promise may finally be fulfilled. I will be the vital support you need to become the king of the world, Ace. I will be your right hand."
Sabo looked up at Ace, a determined smile curving his lips. He was ready to stand by his brother's side, to help him achieve their shared dreams.
Ace, still smiling, reached into his coat and pulled out a letter, worn from years of careful preservation.
As soon as Sabo saw the letter, his entire body trembled with emotion. It was the letter he had written to Ace all those years ago, the one he had left behind when they were separated.
Ace looked at Sabo, his own eyes softening at the sight of his brother's tears. "The letter you gave me at the beginning, you stupid brother," Ace said, his voice carrying a gentle warmth.
He walked over to Sabo, who was visibly trembling, and ruffled his short golden hair with affection. "Become my strength, Sabo," Ace said with a laugh, his words carrying the weight of their shared history and the bond that had brought them together once more.
"Yeah!" Sabo responded, his voice choked with emotion as tears streamed down his face. He could hardly believe that Ace had kept the letter with him all this time, carrying it close to his heart.
Ace had always believed in him, and now, with the power of the Azure Dragon at his command, Sabo was ready to fulfill the promise he had made—to stand by Ace's side as his brother and his most trusted ally.
Following the monumental battle, the Entei Pirates, alongside the elites of the Revolutionary Army, set to work reconstructing the shattered order of Wanokuni. The task was daunting, but the Revolutionary Army, with its vast experience in liberating nations and restoring peace, took the lead. Their expertise in such matters made them the perfect candidates for the job, and Ace knew the reconstruction was in capable hands.
The people of Wanokuni, still reeling from the events that had unfolded, welcomed the Entei Pirates with open arms. For them, the equation was simple: those who could provide a better life deserved their support. The Entei Pirates, who had freed them from the tyranny of Orochi and Kaido, were seen as saviors. Their arrival was further endorsed by the Kozuki family, whose members rallied the people to embrace the new leadership.
As the reconstruction progressed smoothly, with order gradually being restored to the once-chaotic land, Ace found himself drawn to a more personal matter. He made his way to a secluded prison, the cold, dimly lit corridors echoing with each step.
"Dit! Dit!"
His footsteps resonated in the gloomy silence as he approached a locked room at the far end. The sound of heavy iron chains clanging against the stone floor grew louder, a stark reminder of the prisoner within.
"Yamato."
Ace's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it as he spoke the name of the figure bound in chains. His eyes narrowed slightly, a mixture of curiosity and something deeper reflected in his gaze. The corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile as he looked at the captive.
Inside the cell, restrained but unbroken, was Yamato—the daughter of Kaido, the Four Emperors' infamous "Strongest Creature in the World," who had recently fallen at Ace's hands. Yamato, a figure of both strength and complexity, now stood before Ace, She seemed confused by the recent Events, but her spirit undiminished.
The encounter between the two was charged with unspoken tension, a meeting of two individuals bound by the legacies of their fathers and the paths they had chosen to walk. What would come next in this unexpected confrontation was yet to be seen, but one thing was certain: The Entei pirates might have a new member!