Vista also attained the awakened form of many Devil Fruits and consumed them in front of everyone.
Everyone watched as powerful energy began to surge through Vista's body.
Vista's expression gradually distorted as violent energy coursed through his body, constantly tearing apart his flesh and blood, reassembling it, grinding down his bones, and reshaping them.
The newly formed flesh and bones became stronger than before. Finally, Vista could no longer hold it in and let out a sound of agony.
Vista was powerful, but absorbing the energy from these fruits was a difficult transformation to endure.
An hour later, Vista's screams gradually subsided.
Blood seeped from his body, making it look as if he had been pulled out of the ocean, and everyone present was stunned.
Even if others had Devil Fruits available now, they might not dare to eat them, fearing they couldn't endure the pain and would end up taking their own lives.
Chiba immediately took out an elixir and fed it to Vista. The medicinal power dispersed quickly, and Vista absorbed it, gradually strengthening his aura and power.
About an hour later, Vista finally fully recovered. A look of fear crossed his face, and he admitted, "I almost couldn't bear it before. I actually thought about ending it. That pain was really unbearable."
Chiba replied, "The pain caused by the reorganization of flesh and blood is truly excruciating. I'll think of ways to relieve it next time."
"No, absolutely not," Vista immediately protested.
Puzzled, Chiba asked, "Why not?"
Vista chuckled, "I've eaten the Devil Fruit. If others don't experience this pain after we went through it first, I'll feel like I'm missing out."
Chiba shook his head with a smile and said, "I'll be training in seclusion soon. If anything happens, Ace and Hancock, you two take care of things."
"Yes, Captain."
"Understood."
Ace and Hancock responded in unison.
Chiba then returned to the ship, taking along a large supply of rare medicine, and began new research.
Half a Month Later
*You have studied your body meticulously and created the Spirit Elephant Pill.*
*[Spirit Elephant Pill: The pill's spiritual power is ten times that of an ordinary Summoning Pill, containing the essence of the Spirit Elephant, which greatly enhances the evolution of spiritual power in the user]*
Chiba immediately began refining the elixir.
Another ten days passed.
Energy gathered in the sky above the sea, funneling down toward Chiba's ship in a massive vortex.
Ace and the others, who were training, were alarmed by the intense energy and ran out to look at the formidable vortex forming in the distance.
"What's that?" Vista activated his multiple-fruit awakened form, which allowed him to float. Reclining in the air, he looked toward the swirling energy vortex.
Joz used his fruit ability to anchor himself to Vista, hovering with him in mid-air and watching the vortex with fascination. Their bond had deepened from their previous teamwork, and now their friendship was even closer than with Ace. The two were nearly inseparable.
"I don't know. Who knows what new thing Captain Chiba is up to? But it's gotta be something impressive," Vista said, eyes shining with excitement.
Joz suggested, "Why don't we go take a look?"
"Let's not. Judging by that intensity, if we get involved, it might not end well. Why don't we go challenge Captain Ace instead?" Vista grinned broadly.
Ace's strength had increased significantly, and if either of them fought him one-on-one, they would lose. But together, they stood a chance.
On a hilltop, Ace looked at the immense energy vortex and thought, *Chiba is always researching something. That guy is terrifying.*
"But at least this monster is my brother and my captain," he added, feeling grateful for their bond.
Hancock, watching the ship, smiled softly. "He really isn't an ordinary man. Knowing he's there, researching something so powerful, is truly comforting."
Meanwhile, Hina practiced with her eyes closed, unaffected by the energy. She sensed that her fruit ability was on the brink of awakening. Once it did, she would be able to turn any object into a barricade to trap her opponents.
Nearby, Peacock was similarly undistracted, as her fruit ability was also awakening. Soon, she would be able to transform objects into whips, using them to subdue even the strongest enemies. *Finally, I'll have the chance to get back at Hina,* she thought with determination.
In the distance, powerful forces continued to gather.
The energy wasn't only channeling into the elixir but also building within Chiba.
Inside the ship, Chiba concentrated his qi to suppress the alchemy furnace.
The flame beneath the furnace diminished, allowing the elixir to be slowly tempered.
Meanwhile, the alchemy furnace's lid rattled under the pressure, as the contents within strained to burst free, growing stronger by the moment.
Finally, the fire below was completely extinguished, and the elixir reached its peak.
Chiba called out, "Joz, use your fruit ability to wrap the ship entirely. Nothing should escape."
His voice resounded across the sky. Hearing this, Joz quickly flew over and, using his String-String Fruit, enclosed the hull in a thick, cocoon-like layer of white silk.
"All set, Captain," Joz confirmed, unsure of what Chiba planned but trusting his orders.
Inside the ship, Chiba slammed open the furnace lid.
Immediately, beams of light shot out from the pill furnace, smashing against the cocoon-like silk barrier that Joz had created.
Joz, feeling the intense force pressing against his threads, was shocked by the power within.
Inside, Chiba's hands moved like lightning. Within moments, he had grasped twelve Spirit Elephant Pills, sealing their immense power completely.
[•———•——•———•]
𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧
✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.