Looking at Vista, his body now burned with blue regenerative flames. His arms had transformed into bird wings, his legs into sharp talons, and his entire body was wrapped in blazing blue fire.
"This feeling… my strength has increased by a huge margin!" Vista said, clearly stunned. He could sense it himself, he had broken past his previous limits and reached an entirely new level of power.
Marco immediately activated his scan.
Vista, Ability: Phoenix, Estimated Strength: Admiral-Emperor Level.
Vista's strength had risen from a high Yonko Commander level straight into Admiral-Emperor level. That was an enormous leap.
Still, it made sense. Vista was already a top-tier swordsman with powerful Haki and refined swordsmanship. His offensive ability had never been lacking. Now, with the regenerative and enhancing properties of the Mythical Zoan Phoenix ability, his overall combat ability had naturally surged.
Jozu stepped forward and asked, "Vista, how do you feel now?"
Vista smiled, unable to hide his excitement. "I feel incredible. My entire body feels stronger, like I truly have the power of the Phoenix."
Marco shook his head slightly. "What do you mean 'like'? You do have it. That power is real."
Vista chuckled awkwardly. The sudden gain was overwhelming, and even he did not know how to describe it properly. If it were an ordinary Devil Fruit, he would not care much, but this was the Phoenix ability, a Mythical Zoan, far rarer than even Logia types.
Marco then said, "Alright, jump into the sea."
Vista froze. "What?"
Marco explained, "You did not eat a Devil Fruit. This ability comes from me. I need to confirm something."
Vista quickly understood. Jinbe, standing nearby, added calmly, "Go ahead. If anything happens, I will pull you out immediately."
Vista nodded, then leaped straight off the ship into the sea.
Everyone watched closely.
After entering the water, Vista did not weaken at all. Instead, he began swimming normally. Blue flames still flickered faintly around him.
"I'm fine!" Vista called out, clearly surprised. "The sea isn't rejecting me. I can still use the Phoenix ability even underwater!"
Shock spread across the ship.
Hancock, who had just come out after changing clothes, stared in disbelief. "This… is beyond reason…"
Izo spoke in a serious tone. "So that is how it works. The powers of the Gorosei must have been granted to them by Imu. That explains why they are not affected by Seastone, just like Vista now. He has the power of a Devil Fruit, yet suffers none of its weaknesses."
Yamato frowned slightly. "Then what about their immortality? And the God's Knights?"
All eyes turned to Marco.
"That should be another form of awakening," Marco said. "Every Devil Fruit is different, and so are their awakened abilities."
He then looked at Ace. "Ace, do you want to try?"
Ace blinked and pointed at himself. "Me? But I already have a Devil Fruit."
The others also hesitated. Vista could gain the Phoenix ability because he had not eaten a Devil Fruit. But Ace already possessed the Mera Mera no Mi. Could he really hold another power?
Then realization struck.
Vista could use a Devil Fruit ability without being cursed by the sea. That meant the usual limitation might not apply.
A terrifying possibility emerged.
Dual Devil Fruit users.
Marco looked at them and spoke calmly. "There has always been a rumor on the seas."
"People say each Devil Fruit contains a devil. If someone eats two, the devils will clash inside the body, causing the person to die."
He paused briefly.
"What I grant is only the Phoenix ability."
Ace's eyes lit up. "So if this works, I can use both the Mera Mera no Mi and the Phoenix ability at the same time?"
Marco nodded slightly, then turned to everyone.
"I would like to share this power with all of you, but there is a limit. I can only form thirty-two Oaths of Immortality."
Silence followed.
Disappointment spread, but it was quickly replaced by desire.
Only thirty-two spots.
And each one meant gaining the power of a Mythical Zoan, the chance to surpass limits, and even the possibility of wielding two Devil Fruit abilities without the usual consequences.
The crew's breathing grew heavier.
As for the price, their lives being tied to Marco, none of them hesitated.
Power of this level always came at a cost.
And in their eyes, that cost was more than worth it.
Because now, they could clearly see it.
A future where Marco would lead them to overthrow the World Government.
===
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