C17:-OnePiece_TL_WBPirates_Ron

17. Thatch’s choice. The right way to use the Replica-Replica Fruit.

│3rd Person POV│

[Grand Line, New World, Sphinx Island, Moby Dick…]

*Gulp~*

Upon hearing Teach's words, everyone present involuntarily swallowed.

The same idea as Ron’s crossed everyone's minds at the same time.

"If you choose to replicate Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit, wouldn't that be..."

"What are you waiting for, Thatch!?"

"Thatch, just eat this Replica-Replica Fruit!"

Almost instantly, Marco and others on the side chimed in.

After all, even if it can only exert 50% of Tremor-Tremor Fruit’s power, it still surpasses most Devil Fruits out there.

Especially if Thatch managed to awaken his fruit in the future, he would be able to use 70% of the power of Tremor-Tremor Fruit. Then, Thatch would practically be the strongest Commander under any of the Four Emperors.

"I-"

Before Thatch could speak up, Ron suddenly interrupted, "Teach, my Copy-Copy Fruit has limitations and disadvantages. The Replica-Replica Fruit is evidently an inferior version of my fruit.

“Doesn't it have other special restrictions and conditions?"

Upon these words, Thatch, who was about to take the Replica-Replica Fruit, paused.

Marco and others, along with Whitebeard, looked at Teach curiously.

"This-"

Facing everyone’s gazes, Teach appeared to be deep in thoughts for a few moments, before he said, "Yes, now I remember.

"If the Replica-Replica Fruit user wants to replicate the other party's ability, it must be done by acquiring a few drops of their blood that have been extracted directly from their heart. It doesn't matter if the opposite party is willing or not."

Ooohhh~~

The revelation caused an immediate uproar throughout the area.

While the Replica-Replica Fruit was undeniably full of potential, the requirement of a few drops of blood from the user’s heart was a significant obstacle.

Whitebeard, in his old age, couldn't afford to part with even a few drops of his heart’s blood. It wouldn’t have been a problem if Whitebeard had been slightly younger.

Even if Thatch succeeded in replicating Tremor-Tremor Fruit under such conditions, Whitebeard's already deteriorating condition may worsen further.

"Teach, you should have mentioned such an important detail before everything else."

Impulsively, Thatch scolded Teach before taking some deep breaths to calm down.

Opening his eyes, he declared, "This Replica-Replica Fruit is indeed unique and magical, but I won't eat it. I am choosing this Ancient Zoan-type."

Saying that, Thatch reached out without hesitation and picked up the Ancient Zoan-type, Snake Snake Fruit; Model: Thunder Python from the ground.

Without giving others time to react, he took the first bite and finished the fruit in a few seconds.

While everyone saw the scene, no one chose to intervene.

Teach's recent revelation made it clear that the conditions for using Replica-Replica Fruit on someone were too stringent.

If, like Ron, the use could replicate other parties’ powers with just their willing cooperation, it was acceptable.

However, using the opposite parties' heart blood as a medium, was a price that no one could ever be comfortable with.

Ron was relieved that he had asked more questions, glanced at Teach, and said, "Pops, the situation with this Replica-Replica Fruit is special. I believe it should be kept instead of rewarded like the other fruits.

"If we can find individuals with special Devil Fruits like the Castle-Castle Fruit, Float-Float Fruit, Door-Door Fruit, Mirror-Mirror Fruit, etc., we can have one of our outstanding crew members eat the Replica-Replica Fruit and let them replicate the special fruit’s powers.

"Since the replicated powers can't be used to its maximum extent, turning it into a functional tool would greatly benefit the Whitebeard Pirates in the future."

Upon hearing this, the eyes of Marco and others lit up.

After exchanging glances, they agreed, "That's an excellent idea, Ron!"

"If it can't give the capability of using the full power of replicated fruit, replicating a functional fruit’s powers is undoubtedly a good move."

"For example, Big Mom Pirates' Mirror-Mirror Fruit user is said to have the ability of swift transportation by traveling through the mirrors. If we, the Whitebeard Pirates, possess this power, we can establish mirror channels within our territory, reaching various islands and regions promptly."

"There's also the Door-Door Fruit. Although its current location or user is unknown, it is said to create a passage to nothingness. More potent than the Mirror-Mirror Fruit, it would be a significant asset for the safety of the Whitebeard Pirates."

...

For a moment, all the Division Commanders began discussing the existence of those special Devil Fruits they knew about and their possible benefits to the crew.

While these fruits might not possess overwhelming power, their functionality was exceptionally useful.

The most crucial aspect was that these Devil Fruit abilities existed outside the Whitebeard Pirates. When the time came, they only needed to capture the Devil Fruit user and forcefully extract a few drops of blood directly from their heart.

Reaching such a conclusion, Marco and the others were all excited.

After all, the abilities of those fruits could significantly enhance the overall strength of the Whitebeard Pirates. Even while lacking destructive capabilities, the Replica-Replica Fruit’s value was huge.

'Damn!!'

Teach's expression darkened slightly, and he cursed silently in his heart.

Now that he knew the right way to use the fruit, he was tempted to have it in his possession.

Not that he intended to eat it himself, but its value was enormous.

As Ron pointed out, the kind of functional Devil Fruit power to replicate could be chosen carefully, and its value was immense for any pirate group.

He even contemplated obtaining it later, and he knew very well that given his situation, there was a high chance of getting it if he asked.

But the situation was now different.

Only a few minutes had passed since Ron highlighted the best way of utilizing the Replica-Replica Fruit, letting everyone know its true worth.

It became evident that giving the fruit to Teach without thoroughly assessing the most suitable candidate first would be out of the question.

Even if it were given to him, he would have to consume the Replica-Replica Fruit right away, which he didn’t want to.

Being someone aspiring to be the king of the world, wasting his talent on such a fruit was out of the question.

"Good!"

After sitting comfortably, Whitebeard conveyed his happiness with the situation through a subtle smile.

What he initially considered a seemingly useless fruit now appeared to be more valuable than he imagined, with potentially substantial benefits for his crew.