Copying Ability Users In Batches

I stroked my chin, contemplating the upcoming experiment.

Stepping out of the refining room, the sunlight was a bit overwhelming after spending so much time inside.

As I approached the training platform, I noticed female warriors sparring and honing their skills. On the platform, the three Hancock sisters and Salome were overseeing the exercises.

I floated up on a cloud, joining Hancock on the high platform.

"Is it done?" she asked, curious about the results of my recent efforts in weapon refining.

"What did you create this time?"

With a smile, I wrapped an arm around her waist. "It's something that can replicate a person's abilities, but it still needs to be tested."

"Replicate abilities?" Hancock was puzzled, unsure of what I meant.

"It's essentially a method to transfer one person's abilities to another," I explained. "But we need to find someone trustworthy to test it."

Sonia, who was listening nearby, expressed her concern. "Your ability is terrifying. If the World Government learns about it, we could be in serious danger!"

Mary agreed. "Until we're strong enough to stand against the World Government, it's best to keep this a secret. We need someone we trust completely for the experiment."

Sonia added, "Lan, Gentian, Cosmos, and Daisy are trustworthy. We should ask them if they're willing to participate."

Hancock nodded in agreement. "Yes, those four are loyal. Mary, go bring them here."

Mary soon returned with the four women, and Hancock explained the plan.

"If it works, you'll gain Devil Fruit abilities. The experiment could fail, but it should be safe."

I reassured them, "You can choose whether or not to participate. There's no pressure."

After exchanging glances, Gentian was the first to step forward. "Master Arias, Lady Hancock, I'm willing to participate!"

The other three quickly followed suit, expressing their readiness.

I summoned a cloud under their feet. "Follow me."

We all ascended to the refining room, where they gathered around the Slimming Furnace. "Is this what replicates Devil Fruit abilities?" one of them asked.

"That's right," I confirmed. "Sonia, please lie in this chamber."

Sonia entered the Slimming Furnace as directed, while Lan lay down in the adjacent chamber. "Don't worry," I reassured her, "even if it fails, you'll be fine."

"I trust you, Master Arias," Lan responded earnestly.

With a pull of the lever, the Slimming Furnace roared to life. Everyone watched anxiously as the machine began its work, shrouded in a mysterious smoke.

When the process was complete, the two women emerged unharmed.

"How do you feel?" I asked Lan.

"There's something...magical inside me," she said, closing her eyes to focus on the new power coursing through her.

Suddenly, her body began to transform—her cheeks swelled, her frame elongated, and green scales appeared. She had turned into a massive anaconda!

Success!

I couldn't help but smile, but I soon noticed a flaw.

Lan's anaconda form was smaller than Sonia's. After further testing, I concluded that her new abilities were only 80% as strong as Sonia's.

Not perfect, but still impressive.

Gentian then underwent the experiment, receiving Sonia's anaconda powers, while Cosmos and Daisy gained Mary's cobra abilities. Like Lan, their strength was about 80% of the originals.

Despite the limitation, this was a significant breakthrough. The process could be repeated, with no side effects, and could exponentially increase the strength of the Nine Snakes' forces.

I advised Lan and the others to practice their new abilities and consult Sonia and Mary if they had questions.

"Though the copied abilities are only 80% effective, Sonia and Mary have almost entirely eliminated the fruit's side effects. The new abilities should be immune to seastone and still have the potential to awaken."

After they left, I turned to Hancock and the others. "I'll show you how to operate the Slimming Furnace, and later, I'll copy the Samadhi True Fire for you."

"With the Samadhi True Fire, you can completely eliminate the fruit's side effects and awaken its full potential. You'll also be able to eat a second Devil Fruit."

I now had several Devil Fruits, courtesy of the puppet's haul from the Holy Land. I could eat a second one myself and choose the abilities I wanted most.

Hancock's Love Fruit was powerful, but Sonia and Mary's Zoan fruits were limiting. A second fruit could dramatically increase their strength.

"Can we really eat a second fruit?" Hancock asked, amazed.

"You can," I confirmed. "The Samadhi True Fire will help us overcome the final hurdles."