Background Matters, so does the Hard Work

"Without devil fruit, I won't be able to catch up to you." Sanji said.

Hearing his words, everyone had their own expression. Some were surprised by Sanji's thoughts while some had sad expressions.

At this moment, Zoro slowly raised his head and asked.

"Liam, do you think I need a devil fruit as well?"

His question stunned everyone.

A person like Zoro would never consider eating a devil fruit but right now, even he had a pressure that he can't overcome so easily.

That's why he was thinking of eating a devil fruit.

Even Zoro had to admit that Luffy and Liam were extremely strong because of their devil fruits.

Liam was stunned as well. He quickly realized Zoro's intention and shook his head.

"No, you don't need it. In fact, Sanji also doesn't need a devil fruit. But, there is one thing you guys haven't considered."

"Did you forget why I am forcing Luffy to grow stronger as fast as possible?"

Hearing his words, everyone fell into deep thought.

"You mean you gave Sanji-san that devil fruit so that he can grow stronger at a faster rate?"

Robin suddenly asked.

Liam nodded his head.

"I am not underestimating his potential. Sanji has the potential to grow to the level of Emperor's Right Hand Man or Second in command. But, this growth needs time."

"We can either stop sailing for a moment and let everyone grow stronger or we can just find a shortcut to grow stronger. I chose the second option."

"With Germa Bloodline, Sanji would be able to awaken his superhuman physique allowing him to grow exponentially but even so it would be hard for him to fight people like Admiral."

"Liam, I don't want to awaken that bloodline." Sanji spoke sternly. Even with the kindness that Liam showed, he can't allow Liam to speak about that family.

Liam shook his head and said.

"Sanji, you need to accept your bloodline otherwise you will be just like Ace."

"Huh? What does Ace have anything to do with Sanji?" This time it was Luffy's turn to be dumbfounded.

Others also looked at Liam with a questioning gaze.

"Luffy, you should know about Ace more than I do. He rejects his father, right? It is the same as rejecting his own bloodline. That's what makes him and you different."

"You love your grandfather and do not hate or love your father. That's why your Willpower doesn't suppress your bloodline. That's why your Haki can evolve and grow at such a rapid pace during the battle."

"On the other hand, Ace hates his father. And, because of this, his Will has been suppressing his bloodline. And, so, his Haki grows at a slow pace. Even though he has been living in the New World for more than two years, his Haki is not even close to yours."

"All he did was focus on Devil Fruit. But, his father was a Haki Master. In fact, one of the greatest Haki masters who suppressed the entire era with his Haki."

Saying so, he turned his head at Zoro and said.

"You don't need a Devil Fruit. You can grow stronger just by relying on Haki. You are different from Sanji. You don't have any other role in the crew except Combatant."

"That means you can focus all of your time on training. With enough training, you can definitely reach the peak of this world with Haki alone."

After getting confirmation from Liam, Zoro finally sighed a breath of relief.

He truly didn't want to eat a devil fruit but if he had no choice, he wouldn't hesitate.

"Liam, you previously said Haki is Willpower, right? So, what does this have anything to do with bloodline?"

Robin asked.

"Yeah, and who is Ace's father?" Nami also added.

Hearing their questions, Liam looked at Luffy. Only after Luffy nodded his head, he said.

"Ace's father is Gol D Roger."

"What?"

The entire crew except for Luffy was shocked to the extreme. They couldn't believe the person that they met during Alabasta was the son of the Pirate King.

"But, isn't Ace raised by Garp? Why would a marine raise the son of the Pirate King?" At this moment, Robin asked the most logical question that she could think of.

Liam sighed and said.

"It's because Garp and Roger once joined hands together to fight and defeat another pirate who had the potential to become the King of the World. That pirate's name is Rock D Xebec."

"What? Marine Hero and Pirate King joined hands?" This was another big news for the crew. Even Robin who was always calm couldn't remain calm anymore.

"Grandpa and Pirate King joined hands to fight another pirate? Was that pirate really that strong?"

After learning Advance Armament and Observation Haki, Luffy truly could see the strength of the top powerhouses.

He finally understood just how powerful his grandfather was. And, even he had to admit that he could only estimate his grandfather's lower limit.

So, it was hard for him to imagine his grandfather joining hands with another powerhouse just to defeat another pirate.

"By the way, you said this person wanted to become the King of the World. Is that why those two joined hands?" Robin asked.

Liam nodded his head.

"I don't know just how powerful that person is but I do know that Garp and Roger were at their prime when they fought him. This just goes to show how powerful he truly was."

"So, this D, why does it appear in the name of every single powerhouse?" Zoro asked.

For someone who wanted to become strong, he realized that this letter comes in the name of every single powerhouse.

Even Luffy who had just become a powerhouse has this letter in his name.

"Is that why you believe in Bloodline theory?" Sanji asked.

Liam nodded his head and said.

"Every person with D in their name will cause quite a ruckus in every era. They are called Enemies of the Gods. And, everyone with that name has the potential to grow into a powerhouse whether by fate or by strength."

"Even Vivi's should have D name."

"What?" Vivi shouted in shock.

"Liam-san, I am not D. My name is Nefertari Vivi."

Liam shook his head and said.

"Your ancestor from eight hundred years ago has the letter D in her name. In fact, right now, your father should still have the letter left by the ancestor. Your ancestor is the reason why the Poneglyph has been scattered throughout the world."

"I do have some speculation as to why she did that. But, right now, these are just theories so there is no need to tell you guys. Just remember that bloodline truly matters."

"Even Zoro has a certain bloodline which can explain his growth rate. But, having a bloodline doesn't make you strong. You still need to go through a lot of training and battles."

Hearing his words, Zoro frowned and asked.

"Do I have a bloodline? Why didn't I know about it?"

"Your bloodline has been traced to Wanokuni. The previous Daimyo of Wanokuni Shimotsuki Ushimaru is your Uncle. Your grandmother and Shimotsuki Kozaburo were two of the people who left Wanokuni a long time ago and entered the East Blue."

"Of course, this doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things. The only thing that you need to know is that you have enough background. You only lack the training to get stronger."

"Same goes for Sanji. Since you didn't awaken your bloodline through birth, you don't need to fear turning into those cold-blooded people, especially with your Conqueror Haki, you don't need to worry at all."

Hearing his words, Zoro finally understood his background and it left him stunned.

"Liam, does that mean we can't get stronger?" Usopp asked with a little bit of confusion and sadness.

He didn't want to be left behind so he trained hard. But, now hearing that only those with powerful backgrounds can get stronger left him in confusion.

Bam!

Liam raised his hand and slapped Usopp's head.

"Are you an idiot? Do you think I have a D in my name or do you think I come from a powerful background? Did you forget I was just a weak chicken before?"

"Devil Fruit changes fate. As long as you train hard to acquire Haki and get a powerful devil fruit, you can still become strong. As for reaching the peak, do you think everyone can have Conqueror Haki?"

"Just train hard. As for devil fruit, I already have a plan."

Hearing his words, everyone smiled while Usopp held the back of his head.

"You don't need to hit so hard."

"And, you guys, don't think you can slack off just because you don't have enough talent. Bloodline does give you talent but you can still become strong with training."

Hearing his words, everyone smiled and nodded their heads.

Finally, Liam also smiled and said.

"Alright then, since we have defeated Enel and have made quite a lot of progress, it's time for Banquet!"

"BANQUET!"