Chapter 22: Chakra and Devil Fruits
"How does it feel?"
After Kabuto swallowed the Artificial Devil Fruit, Orochimaru asked, his gaze—along with everyone else's—fixed intently on Kabuto Yakushi.
Kabuto closed his eyes, feeling the changes rippling through his body.
A second later, dragon scales began to sprout one by one across his skin, though they were indeed a distinct shade of pink. Two dragon horns, also pink, emerged from his forehead.
Anyone who has read One Piece knows that Zoan-type Devil Fruits allow a person to transform into a specific animal. The eater gains the feral strength of that animal, enhanced physical attributes, and its unique characteristics.
The user typically has three stages of transformation: Human Form, Beast Form, and Hybrid (Human-Beast) Form. The Human Form is the weakest, while the full Beast Form is the most powerful.
The Hybrid Form, which Kabuto was currently manifesting, kept a human shape but granted the animal's traits—combining human flexibility with the raw, brute force of the beast. It was the most optimal form for combat.
"It feels... incredible, Lord Orochimaru."
Kabuto opened his eyes. He flicked his finger, and a blade of wind shot out from his fingertip, slicing a glass on the tea table with surgical precision without even scratching the table itself. His level of control was startling.
"I can feel my own strength surging. At the same time, I've discovered something very interesting."
"Tell me, Kabuto."
Orochimaru was deeply intrigued, his golden reptilian pupils locked onto Kabuto.
Kabuto turned to Robin and asked, "In the world of One Piece, when someone activates an ability, it consumes physical stamina, correct?"
"That's right," Robin nodded calmly. "The more powerful the technique, the more stamina it drains."
Kabuto continued, "But I've found that I can seemingly trigger the Devil Fruit's abilities using Chakra. I can even release Wind Style Ninjutsu without needing to weave hand signs, just like I did just now."
These words caused a stir among everyone present. Chakra could fuel Devil Fruit powers? And it allowed for signless Ninjutsu? This was a revolutionary discovery.
At that moment, Tsunade spoke up. "When I examined Robin's body earlier, I noticed a mysterious power residing within her cells. I suspected then that it was the Devil Fruit's power. Every time she uses her ability, it draws energy from the cells, which is why it's called stamina consumption."
"And as we all know, Chakra is the fusion of physical energy from the cells and spiritual energy."
"So, the fact that Chakra can drive Devil Fruit powers isn't impossible at all. On the contrary, I think it's perfectly logical."
"As for why Kabuto can use Wind Style without signs, that's even easier to explain. The Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu allows the user to turn into a massive azure dragon that naturally controls fire, lightning, and wind. This is an innate instinct of the fruit user."
"It's likely this instinct that allows Kabuto to release wind without hand signs. In fact, he probably won't need signs for lightning or fire elements either."
Everyone's hearts raced as they looked at Kabuto.
Kabuto wanted to test the theory himself. His throat moved, he opened his mouth, and spat out a sphere of flames.
Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique.
This wasn't a complex or high-level Jutsu; it was a basic E-rank Fire Style move. For a talent like Kabuto, it was child's play. The only reason he didn't use it in the original story was because his natural chakra affinities were Wind, Earth, Water, Yin, and Yang. He had no affinity for Fire.
But that didn't mean he hadn't mastered the technique.
Now, having eaten the Devil Fruit and gained the power to control wind, fire, and lightning, he could unleash it with ease.
"Just as Lady Tsunade said... it seems Fire Style doesn't require signs anymore and can be released at any time."
Tobirama couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. "It seems Devil Fruits are far more compatible with us shinobi than we imagined. This synergy is extraordinary."
The thing he wanted to do most right now was get Kabuto into a lab to study the biological changes and the nature of the fruit's power—to see if he could finally crack the secret of the Devil Fruits.
In truth, he wasn't alone. Orochimaru and Tsunade looked equally impatient.
The three legendary figures exchanged glances, confirming they were all thinking the same thing. Tsunade immediately said, "Let's not waste time. We should return immediately to begin the research."
Orochimaru added, "I have no objections."
Kabuto shrugged. Even though he was the test subject, he didn't mind. He knew Orochimaru wouldn't literally dissect him into pieces. He was far too valuable for that now.
Clap, clap, clap...
Yumesaki clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"While I know you're all eager, there's one thing we need to settle first."
"Tsunade, you promised Robin you'd help her extract Chakra. Before we dive into the Devil Fruit research, can we take care of this?"
Robin heard this and offered a faint smile. "Actually, I'm not in a hurry."
In her mind, cracking the mystery of the Devil Fruits was far more significant than her own ability to refine Chakra. If Devil Fruits could be mass-produced, it would change everything.
Tsunade crossed her arms over her chest and said confidently, "Who do you think I am? Getting Nico Robin to refine Chakra is simple; I already have a solid plan."
"However, I'll need the equipment at Orochimaru's base."
Orochimaru replied, "That's not a problem at all."
"Then let's head back to the base first."
Yumesaki walked over to a random door in Robin's room and pushed it open. Behind it lay Orochimaru's secret research facility. Just a moment ago, they had all come to the One Piece world through this very spot.
Now, they stepped back through the door into the lab, this time with Nico Robin joining the group.
After a long night of procedures, by the next morning, Tsunade had successfully injected her own cells into Robin's body, using a series of specially formulated medicinal broths to suppress any rejection.
Before long, Tsunade's cells had fused with Robin's.
This meant that Robin had successfully acquired the Senju Clan's lineage. Even if the purity of this bloodline was only one percent of Tsunade's—or even less—it didn't matter.
It meant Robin now possessed the qualification to refine Chakra. That was the most important thing. Compared to that qualification, the tiny percentage of Senju blood was just a welcome side effect.
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