Inside the cabin, Gion, Kuzan, Chief Staff Officer Tsuru, and Diermude each held a Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, comparing the illustrations inside with the Devil Fruit placed on the table.
In Diermude's original impression, a Devil Fruit encyclopedia should have been something like a parchment scroll or a single large book.
But in reality, the Devil Fruit encyclopedia consisted of many small booklets.
They recorded a large number of Devil Fruits. After all, the number of Devil Fruits in this world was countless, and their strange abilities were as numerous as the stars.
How many could a single book—or a single scroll—possibly record?
Booklets like these were far more practical.
Some of the booklets were new, while others were quite old. According to Chief Staff Officer Tsuru, even to this day, Devil Fruits had not been fully catalogued, so the encyclopedias were constantly being updated.
At the same time, although almost every major power possessed Devil Fruit encyclopedias, they weren't exactly the same. The information each faction held overlapped in some areas but differed in others.
Just as Diermude and the others were carefully comparing the entries, the cabin door opened.
Admiral Sengoku walked in, with Borsalino following behind him.
As for Sakazuki, he had already returned to Sengoku's warship to take command there.
"We're preparing to arrange the return voyage," Sengoku said with a smile. "Have you figured out what ability it is yet?"
Earlier, he had already reported the events in the Edd War Sea to Fleet Admiral Kong at Marine Headquarters.
Kong had not expected things to develop this way either.
The Flying Pirate Fleet of the Golden Lion, Shiki, had been completely wrecked. Even Shiki himself had suffered heavy injuries and barely escaped with his life.
Although the Marines hadn't actually taken meaningful action during the battle, they had still become the biggest winners of this naval war.
Several photos of Marine warships sailing triumphantly among the wreckage of Shiki's fleet had already been sent back to Marineford.
At most, within two or three days, the World Economic News would report headlines like:
"Marine Admiral Sengoku Leads Navy to Overwhelming Victory Over Golden Lion Shiki in the New World."
In short, the Marines were in a wonderful mood.
Hearing Sengoku's question, Kuzan shook his head.
"No. It's possible this Devil Fruit isn't recorded in the encyclopedia."
Hearing that, Sengoku showed a trace of regret.
"If that's the case… it'll be a bit troublesome."
If they could confirm the fruit's ability, Diermude could decide whether he wanted to eat it based on that information.
But if they couldn't identify it, then eating it would basically be a gamble.
With good luck, he might gain a heaven-defying power.
With bad luck… it might even become a burden.
Many people on the seas liked to say:
"There are no useless Devil Fruit abilities, only useless users."
But Sengoku and the other Marine bigshots knew very well that abilities truly did have strengths and weaknesses.
There was even the concept of "superior types" and "inferior types."
In that situation, saying there were no useless abilities was really just something people said to comfort naive youngsters.
Diermude was one of their own. They couldn't let him get cheated like that.
"What's the trouble?" Tsuru chuckled lightly. "Our Navy is so big. As an Admiral, can't you find Diermude a better Devil Fruit in the future?"
Sengoku laughed when he heard that.
"Xiao He, you're right. Diermude, don't be too fixated on this. If it doesn't work out, just wait a bit. I'll definitely get you a powerful Devil Fruit."
Diermude smiled and nodded.
"Yes, thank you, Admiral."
"Hahaha! It's nothing," Sengoku said with a hearty laugh. "Just don't disappoint me in the future."
"I definitely won't let you down!" Diermude replied seriously.
Just then—
"I found it!" Gion suddenly exclaimed.
Everyone immediately gathered around her.
Sure enough, in the encyclopedia was a Devil Fruit identical to the one on the table.
Light purple spiral patterns, shaped somewhat like an orange.
After a careful comparison, they confirmed it completely matched.
It was definitely the same fruit.
Everyone quickly looked at the description.
Just as Kuzan had predicted, it was a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit.
But it was also an extremely powerful ability.
Several Marine officers immediately showed looks of surprise and delight.
"So it's this one…" Kuzan couldn't help but pat Diermude's shoulder.
"You've struck gold, Diermude."
Diermude's breathing had also quickened.
This Devil Fruit ability was truly powerful.
Why?
Because he knew its future history.
That's right.
This was the Devil Fruit that would later belong to one of the two Admirals recruited through the World Military Draft—
Admiral Fujitora, Issho.
The Paramecia-type: Gravity Fruit.
Without question, it was a top-tier Devil Fruit ability.
Just as Admiral Zephyr had once said—
A Devil Fruit like this could directly open the door to becoming a powerhouse, setting Diermude on the path of the strong.
Sengoku also looked at Diermude with emotion.
This kid's luck was just too good.
He was practically a lucky star for the Marines.
On his first voyage into the New World, he had already "defeated" Golden Lion Shiki's grand fleet and discovered the Gravity Fruit.
Not just anyone had luck like that.
Of course, Sengoku did feel a bit reluctant.
But he had already spoken earlier. As an Admiral, he couldn't go back on his word now. Otherwise, how would Diermude feel?
So even if it was the Gravity Fruit, Sengoku had decided—
As long as Diermude wanted it, he would give it to him.
At the same time, Sengoku became even more certain of a thought in his mind.
If Diermude really became the user of the Gravity Fruit, then he must be carefully cultivated.
Perhaps… one day he might even become a Marine Admiral.
At that moment, Tsuru suddenly spoke.
"Shiki is actually a very cautious person. I really don't know why he ran into that storm this time…"
When she said that, everyone looked confused.
Why suddenly talk about Shiki again?
But soon, Sengoku reacted.
He stroked his braided beard thoughtfully and nodded.
"That's true. That guy really is extremely cautious."
Diermude also realized something.
"I see…"
As the user of the Float-Float Fruit, Shiki stood at the peak of the world thanks to his powerful ability.
But he wasn't arrogant because of it.
On the contrary, he was very aware of his ability's weaknesses.
So he paid special attention to them.
For example, he kept a group of top-tier meteorologists among his subordinates.
And for example—
This Gravity Fruit.
Without a doubt, the Gravity Fruit was a natural counter to Shiki's ability.
From the current situation, it was possible to infer that long ago, Shiki had deliberately searched for this fruit and stored it away—simply to prevent the world from producing someone who could completely counter him.
And clearly, he had succeeded.
At some unknown time, Shiki had obtained the Gravity Fruit and kept it on his ship.
He hadn't even given this powerful ability to any of his subordinates.
That meant he trusted no one.
He didn't want the power that could restrain him to appear in the world.
When Diermude discovered the fruit earlier, it had been inside a damaged cabin that was leaking seawater.
If nothing unexpected had happened, during the Battle of Edd War, this Devil Fruit collected by Shiki would likely have been lost to the sea.
After drifting through the world for years, it would eventually end up in Fujitora Issho's hands, helping him become powerful.
But now—
Because of Diermude, history had changed.
The Gravity Fruit that should have been lost to the ocean was now in his hands.
Looks like there won't be any Fujitora in the future…
At the same time, doesn't this ability also mean that I, Diermude, might have the potential to become a Marine Admiral?
The moment that thought crossed his mind, Diermude made up his decision.
He wanted the Gravity Fruit.
It was an incredibly powerful Paramecia ability, not inferior to any other Devil Fruit.
So what was there to hesitate about?
He already had the Gravity Fruit in his hands.
Was he supposed to reject it and gamble on someday finding the Rumble-Rumble Fruit instead?
That would be ridiculous.
With that thought, Diermude turned to Sengoku.
His gaze burned with excitement.
Sengoku had been explaining the earlier speculation about Shiki when he suddenly noticed Diermude staring at him.
He smiled helplessly.
"Don't worry. I already said this Devil Fruit belongs to you. Even if it's the Gravity Fruit, it doesn't matter."
With Sengoku's promise, Diermude instantly broke into a wide smile.
"Thank you, Admiral!"
Joining the Marines had truly been the right decision.
If he hadn't joined, how could he have come to Marineford and chatted casually with so many powerful figures?
How could he have received guidance from Admiral Zephyr?
And how could he have obtained the Gravity Fruit here?
The Navy really is my lucky land!
Thinking that there was no time to waste, Diermude prepared to eat the fruit immediately.
Just as he reached out to grab it—
"Diermude, wait!" Tsuru suddenly called out.
Diermude froze and looked at her in surprise.
If I remember correctly… you're also a Devil Fruit user. Are you trying to take it from me?
Or are you trying to get it for Gion?
But Tsuru clearly had no such intention.
"This is a ship!" she said quickly. "Wait until we return to Marineford before eating it!"
As soon as she said that, the others seemed to realize the issue.
"Yes, wait a bit, Diermude."
"When someone first obtains a Devil Fruit ability, there's a high chance they'll lose control," Kuzan explained with a smile.
Sengoku nodded as well.
"If your ability goes out of control here, this warship will be destroyed instantly."
Only then did Diermude understand.
He smiled and nodded.
"Yes. Thank you for the reminder, Vice Admiral Tsuru. I'll wait until we reach a safe place before eating it."
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