The potential of a Devil Fruit is determined by the user's imagination.
Setting aside the straightforward Zoan types, among the remaining categories, Paramecia stands out as the one most reliant on concepts and creativity.
Creation,
Control,
Localized abilities,
And even domination.
Among the many Paramecia-type Devil Fruits, two left the deepest impression on Maude.
One is Bartholomew Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit, and the other is Trafalgar Law's Op-Op Fruit.
The former needs no further elaboration. By utilizing the repelling properties of the Paw-Paw Fruit, Kuma even managed to turn abstract concepts like pain and fatigue into tangible entities that could be repelled.
This demonstrated that Kuma had developed the Paw-Paw Fruit to near perfection. Achieving this level of mastery is partly due to innate talent, but more importantly, it hinges on the user possessing the relevant conceptual understanding.
In other words, imagination.
With such imagination as a prerequisite, Kuma was able to uncover the full potential of the Paw-Paw Fruit, unhindered by physical limitations.
In Maude's view, if Kuma were given a few more years, he might even reach the point where he could repel intangible entities like souls or Devil Fruit powers from the human body.
However, the Paw-Paw Fruit lacks characteristics related to domination.
Therefore, even if Kuma could extract conceptual entities like souls, he wouldn't be able to control the souls he expelled.
In comparison, the Op-Op Fruit possesses advantages in this regard.
Its dominance within its designated "room" is one of the Op-Op Fruit's core strengths.
Maude distinctly recalled that three years later, Law could separate souls from their bodies and even exchange them at will.
If he could do that, then separating the "devil" of a Devil Fruit from its user and transferring it into another suitable vessel within his "room" wasn't an impossible notion either.
Although this idea carried a possibility of success, it was far from easy to achieve.
Maude presented this idea to Law not with the intention of making him chase such a possibility but rather to leverage his abilities to increase their chances of obtaining the Arms-Arms Fruit.
Yet, his words did succeed in broadening Law's horizons.
"Theoretically... it's feasible," Law muttered, a contemplative look in his eyes.
As the Op-Op Fruit's wielder, if even he deemed it possible, then even if he couldn't achieve it himself, this concept might inspire the development of other special abilities.
This was the seed of imagination.
Once planted, it only awaited sunlight and water to sprout.
For Law, the progression of his powers was the sunlight and water that would nurture this seed.
"Law, I want the Arms-Arms Fruit from Baby-5. Perhaps you can help me with that. Of course, I wouldn't ask for your help without offering something in return."
"…"
Law silently observed Maude.
Maude smiled, glancing briefly at the people around them, including Bepo, before speaking seriously:
"If we can successfully obtain the Arms-Arms Fruit, the Maude Pirates will aid you in dealing with Doflamingo."
"Maude… you…"
Law was startled by this revelation.
Although he had entertained the thought of "using" the Maude Pirates to take down the Donquixote Family, he had only casually hinted at the threat posed by the Donquixote Pirates and had never explicitly expressed his desire to oppose them.
When had his intentions been exposed?
As this thought flashed through his mind, Law was reminded of Maude's deep knowledge about the Op-Op Fruit.
Given the existence of Devil Fruit encyclopedias, it wasn't unusual for someone other than the fruit's user to understand its strengths and weaknesses.
What truly alarmed Law was the Op-Op Fruit's ultimate ability—granting immortality to others at the cost of the user's life.
Considering Maude's level of insight into the Op-Op Fruit, he probably knew about this power too.
Coupled with Maude's ability to discern Law's intentions to overthrow the Donquixote Family and his overtly friendly behavior…
Could it be…
In the span of a single breath, Law's thoughts spiraled rapidly, and his body instinctively tensed.
These subtle physical changes didn't escape Maude's keen observation.
"It seems I was too hasty…"
Maude immediately understood the root of Law's reaction—over-cautiousness and the fog of the situation had led to an error in judgment.
"If I were with the World Government, I wouldn't be acting so blatantly—taking down the kings of two allied nations in quick succession. If I were aligned with Doflamingo, even if I sought to earn your trust, I wouldn't go to such lengths."
Maude glanced at Baby-5, tied to the ship's mast, noting her subtle changes in breathing.
"Doflamingo is ruthless, cold-blooded, and willing to do anything to achieve his goals. However, he values his subordinates. Would someone like him sacrifice three officers for a plan with uncertain success?"
At these words, Law's eyebrows twitched slightly, while Baby-5, bound to the mast, visibly grew more agitated.
"Jim."
Maude turned his gaze to Baby-5.
Responding instinctively to Maude's call, Jim strode toward Baby-5.
Sensing what was about to happen, Baby-5 abruptly opened her eyes and shouted, "Young Master won't let you get away with this—!"
Wham!
Jim's punch silenced her, knocking her unconscious once more.
Watching Baby-5 slump over, Law pondered silently.
Although he couldn't fathom why Maude valued the Arms-Arms Fruit so highly, accepting his proposal was undeniably advantageous for Law at this stage.
Most importantly, with the Maude Pirates' strength…
If they harbored ill intentions, they wouldn't need to resort to deception.
"I can't guarantee I'll help you get the Arms-Arms Fruit," Law said, his gaze steady as it met Maude's composed expression.
In other words, he had accepted Maude's proposal.
Maude smiled faintly. "I don't expect a 100% success rate for something like this. The goal is merely to maximize the chances. Besides… this isn't something we can rush."
As he spoke, Maude locked eyes with Law, whose calm demeanor betrayed a trace of turbulence.
"Because right now, you're still too weak… Whether in terms of stamina or mastery over the Op-Op Fruit."
"…"
Law couldn't refute the point.
The flaws Maude had mentioned were on full display during the events on Leviathan Island.
"Before putting this into practice… we'll find a few Devil Fruit users to experiment on. We don't need to extract their 'devil' completely. As long as we can ensure that it's preserved upon their death, that'll suffice."
A dangerous glint flashed in Maude's eyes.
Experimenting on Devil Fruit users.
Though the words sounded casual, Maude regarded the task as relatively straightforward.
After all, with his foreknowledge, identifying suitable targets wouldn't be difficult.
Law was unaware of this advantage. In the time he'd spent with Maude, the impression he'd formed was simple:
Strong. Mysterious.
Partnering with someone like this… Law couldn't tell if it was a blessing or a curse. Yet, he wasn't willing to let this opportunity slip away.
As he deliberated, he saw Maude extend his hand.
Maude smiled and said, "Here's to a fruitful collaboration."
"…"
-------
Want to read waaaay ahead of schedule?
Join here: patreon.com / emperorgarus
There are more than 200 advance chapters available for you!