Inside the cabin, Gion, Kuzan, Chief of Staff Tsuru, and Finn each held a Devil Fruit encyclopedia, searching for and comparing it against the fruit on the table.
Originally, in Finn's impression, the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia was something like a parchment scroll or a single book.
But in reality, the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia consisted of many small booklets.
Quite a lot of Devil Fruits were recorded within. After all, there were countless Devil Fruits in this world, and their strange abilities were as numerous as stars.
How much could a single book or parchment scroll record?
Multiple booklets like these seemed more realistic.
These booklets were both new and old. According to Chief of Staff Tsuru, even now, Devil Fruits hadn't been fully catalogued, so the encyclopedia was updated continuously.
Simultaneously, though almost every major force possessed a Devil Fruit encyclopedia, they weren't identical. The information they contained was both overlapping and different.
Just as Finn and the others concentrated on comparison, Admiral Sengoku pushed the door open and entered, followed by Borsalino.
As for Sakazuki, he'd returned to Admiral Sengoku's warship to take command.
"We're already preparing for our return journey. Have you determined what Devil Fruit is?" Admiral Sengoku asked with a smile.
Just moments ago, he'd reported news about the Edd Sea to Fleet Admiral Kong at Marine Headquarters.
Fleet Admiral Kong hadn't expected developments would unfold like this. The Golden Lion's Flying Fleet was completely scrapped, and even Shiki himself was gravely injured and barely escaped.
Though the Marines hadn't taken any direct action, they were the genuine victors of this Marine battle.
Several photographs of Marine ships sailing through the wreckage of Shiki's fleet had been sent back to Marineford. It would probably be a matter of days before the News of the World reported Admiral Sengoku leading the Marines to a powerful victory over Golden Lion Shiki in the New World.
In short, the Marines were delighted and in excellent spirits.
Hearing Admiral Sengoku's question, Kuzan shook his head. "No, maybe this Devil Fruit isn't included on those booklet."
Hearing this, Admiral Sengoku's expression showed slight regret. "If that's the case, it'll be somewhat troublesome."
If the ability were confirmed, Finn could use that information to decide whether to consume it.
But if they couldn't be certain, it was genuinely a gamble.
If lucky, he might turn the tables dramatically. If unlucky, he might just become a landlubber with minimal benefit.
Though many people across the ocean said "there are only useless devil fruit users, not useless devil fruit," Admiral Sengoku and other Marine leaders understood very well that sometimes, devil fruit genuinely differed in strength and tier.
There were even concepts like "superior devil fruit and inferior devil fruit."
In this situation, claiming no devil fruit was useless... that was just fooling innocent newcomers.
Finn was one of their own. They couldn't treat him that way.
"What's the problem? Our Marines are so vast. As an Admiral, can't you find a good Devil Fruit for Finn in the future?" Chief of Staff Tsuru smiled teasingly.
Hearing this, Admiral Sengoku also laughed. He was in excellent spirits currently, so he said generously, "Tsuru, you're absolutely right. Finn, don't be too bother by this. If this doesn't work out, just wait a bit longer. I'll definitely obtain a powerful Devil Fruit for you."
Seeing this, Finn smiled and nodded. "Yes, thank you very much, Admiral."
"Hahaha! It's nothing, as long as you don't disappoint me in the future," Admiral Sengoku said with a hearty laugh.
"I definitely won't disappoint you, Admiral!" Finn said seriously.
At that moment, Gion exclaimed, "I found it!"
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone gathered around. Sure enough, there was a Devil Fruit in the illustrated booklet that matched the one on the table exactly.
The lavender pattern resembled an orange. After careful comparison, they were identical. It must be this one!
After confirming the match, everyone quickly examined this Devil Fruit's description.
Sure enough, just as Kuzan predicted, this was a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit ability.
However, it was an extremely powerful ability. Several Marine leaders all showed surprise on their faces.
"It's this one... Finn, you've found a treasure!" Kuzan couldn't help but reach out and pat Finn's shoulder.
Finn's breathing became somewhat rapid at that moment.
This Devil Fruit ability was genuinely powerful.
The reason he knew was because he understood the "history" of this Devil Fruit.
That's right. This was the Devil Fruit ability of Fujitora Issho, one of two Admirals who'd be directly recruited through the Marines' World Conscription in the future!
Paramecia-type Press-Press Fruit!
There was no doubt this was a top-tier Devil Fruit ability!
Just as Instructor Zephyr once said, this kind of Devil Fruit was sufficient to directly open the door for Finn to become powerful and help him embark on the path to strength!
Admiral Sengoku also looked at Finn with some emotion. Wasn't this kid's luck too good?
He was simply a lucky general for their Marines!
The first time he ventured to the New World, he "defeated" Golden Lion Shiki's massive fleet and discovered the Paramecia-type Press-Press Fruit.
Most people didn't possess this kind of fortune.
Of course, Sengoku also felt somewhat reluctant. But he'd already given his word. As an Admiral, he couldn't retract it. Otherwise, what would Finn think?
Therefore, even if it was the Press-Press Fruit, Admiral Sengoku decided to give it to Finn as long as he was willing.
Simultaneously, his conviction strengthened. If Finn genuinely became the Press-Press Fruit user, he must be trained properly and made into the Marines' backbone. Perhaps... he could become a Marine Admiral in the future?
"Shiki is a cautious man. I don't know why he sailed into the storm this time..." Chief of Staff Tsuru suddenly observed.
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone was momentarily confused and bewildered. Why did she suddenly mention Shiki again?
But soon, Admiral Sengoku also understood. He stroked his beard with some emotion and nodded in agreement. "Indeed, that man is usually so cautious."
Finn also grasped the implication and said, "I see..."
As the Float-Float Fruit user, Shiki had stood at the world's peak with this powerful ability. But he hadn't become arrogant or complacent. On the contrary, he was acutely aware of his abilities' limitations.
Therefore, he paid special attention to these weaknesses. For example, he commanded a group of extremely skilled top navigator.
For example... this Press-Press Fruit.
There was no doubt Shiki's ability was definitively countered by the Press-Press Fruit.
So from current circumstances, it could be inferred that long ago, Shiki had expended tremendous effort to locate this Press-Press Fruit in order to collect it, preventing an enemy from appearing in the world who could completely counter him.
As it turned out, he'd succeeded. Shiki had acquired the Press-Press Fruit at some point and brought it aboard his ship.
He hadn't even given this ability to anyone who would have become a powerful subordinate.
This demonstrated he trusted no one in his heart and was unwilling to let an ability that countered him exist in the world.
When Finn discovered this Devil Fruit, it had been in a damaged, leaking cabin. If nothing unexpected had occurred, perhaps during the Battle of Edd War, this Devil Fruit collected by Shiki would have been lost at sea.
Later, after many years of circumstances, it would finally fall into Issho's hands, making him powerful.
But now, because of Finn's appearance, events had diverged. The Press-Press Fruit that should have been lost was now in his hands.
"Seems Issho won't have a role to play in the future... Simultaneously, doesn't this ability also indicate that I, Finn, also have hope of becoming a Marine Admiral?" Finn thought privately.
In just a moment, Finn had made his decision.
He wanted this Press-Press Fruit!
In itself, this was an extremely powerful Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, in no way inferior to any other ability.
In that case, what else was there to hesitate about?
If he didn't consume the Press-Press Fruit now that he possessed it, would he still fantasize about finding an opportunity to obtain the Rumble-Rumble Fruit in the future?
Wasn't that discarding what was at hand for an uncertain dream?
Thinking this, Finn turned and looked at Admiral Sengoku with extremely fervent eyes.
Admiral Sengoku was explaining his earlier deduction about Shiki and the fruit to the others when he was suddenly struck by Finn's gaze. He smiled helplessly. "Don't worry. I've already said this Devil Fruit is yours, and it's yours, even if it's the Press-Press Fruit."
With Admiral Sengoku's promise, Finn instantly beamed and said happily, "Thank you, Admiral!"
This Marines organization—he'd truly made the right choice!
If he hadn't joined the Marines, how could he have reached Marineford and conversed easily with so many prominent figures?
How could he possibly receive instruction from Admiral Zephyr?
It would be even more impossible to acquire the Press-Press Fruit here!
As expected, the Marines were his blessed land!
Thinking there was no time to waste, Finn prepared to consume the Press-Press Fruit immediately. Just as he reached for it, Chief of Staff Tsuru quickly said, "Finn, don't be hasty!"
Finn was momentarily stunned, looking at Chief of Staff Tsuru with surprise.
If I remember correctly, you're also an ability user, right? Are you trying to take it from me?
Or fighting for Gion's sake?
However, Chief of Staff Tsuru didn't mean that at all. She then said, "We are still on a ship! You can eat it when we return to Marineford!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the others seemed to realize and quickly said, "Yes, wait a bit longer, Finn."
"When devil fruit user first gain their powers, there's a high probability they'll lose control," Kuzan explained with a smile, seeing Finn appeared confused.
Admiral Sengoku also nodded. "If you lose control of your abilities here, the warship will be destroyed instantly."
Finn finally understood and said with a smile, "Yes, thank you for the reminder, Vice Admiral Tsuru. I'll wait until we're in a safe location before consuming it."
He looked down at the lavender fruit in his hands.
The Press-Press Fruit.
Fujitora's ability.
An Admiral-tier Devil Fruit.
And it was about to become his.
Finn carefully placed it back in the treasure chest, his mind already racing with possibilities. Gravity manipulation. The ability to call down meteorites. To crush enemies with overwhelming force. To float objects—or himself—through the air.
Combined with his Iron Will and the mysterious Black Core, this power would catapult him far beyond his current capabilities.
Admiral Sengoku watched Finn with satisfaction. The young man showed appropriate excitement but also restraint when advised. Good qualities for a future leader.
"When we return to Marineford," Sengoku said, "we'll arrange proper facilities for you to consume the fruit safely. Zephyr should be present as well. He'll want to adjust your training regimen accordingly."
"Yes, Admiral," Finn said, carefully securing the treasure chest.
As the group filed out of the cabin, Finn lingered a moment, looking at the chest.
Seven years. Seven years of climbing from nothing, from a menial laborer to this moment.